Christmas Tree Ornaments and Lights Buying Guide
 | Christmas decorations  are a matter of personal taste. You can choose to have a colored theme for your tree, make all of your own ornaments, or buy one new ornament every year; whatever your tradition is, there are options out there to suit everyone. If this is your first Christmas, there's no need to go all-out buying decorations. Just get the basics and you can accumulate more lights and adornments with each passing year. Don't forget, the best time to get a bargain on Christmas decorations is, of course, after Christmas Day. If there's something you really must have this year, though, go for it--it might sell out before you have a chance to buy it on sale. The most important thing to remember about decorating your tree, however, is that you have to like it. So if an all-Barbie tree is your thing, by all means, do it! |
|
The Basics
Before you start putting ornaments on your tree, you will want to take care of the lights and any other items for the entire tree first. The most important thing to figure out before choosing Christmas tree lights is what color you want. If you want an all-white tree this year, red or white lights will complement it nicely. Otherwise, when it comes to colored lights, there are large bulb and small bulb lights depending on your tastes. Check out more decoration suggestions.
Add Some Spruce
Now you're ready for the ornaments! Depending on your theme, these can look however you want, and there's lots of choices out there. Make sure you pick out something that you will love for years to come, and if price is a concern, you can get lots of ornaments for cheap at many department stores--just keep in mind that they are a little more delicate and prone to breaking. If you prefer to have higher-end, more expensive ornaments on your tree, start slow by buying a couple and then buy a few more each year. And remember, ornaments marking occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and weddings are always great gifts!
Tree Toppers
Now comes the next important part of decorating your tree--the tree topper. Choose one that you know will last and hold up through the years; make sure that your topper complements your usual theme and is a design that you really like. Check that it is easy to mount on top of the tree and will stand on its own, otherwise it won't serve much of a purpose. If it is extremely delicate, you may want to consider putting a tree skirt or something soft underneath your tree to catch it should it fall.
Cover the Base
The last step is to take care of the tree base, and it's up to you how decorative to make it. This is most likely where you will be putting your gifts on Christmas day, so be sure not to put too much underneath the tree so presents will still fit underneath.
Tree Skirts
These serve to catch the needles falling off of the tree and cover up the tree stand ; they come in a variety of styles! Keep in mind that if you are using a real tree, water may leak onto the skirt, so make sure the fabric is made out of something that will easily dry and won't be ruined by water. If your tree is artificial, then you are in the clear!
Base Decorations
After picking out and setting up your tree skirt, you may want to decorate it with some porcelain houses or a nativity. If you have a large amount of room around the circumference of the tree, that leaves your options open, but if you can only decorate it on one side, choose a few decorations so as not to overwhelm your tree. Make sure that you have enough room underneath to plug in all of these items that will form your entire Christmas scene! See some suggestions below.
Last Minute Reminders
Before you begin to decorate, read these tips on how to have a happy and safe display.
- Don't put trees near the fireplace, as any type of hanging decoration is at hazard for catching on fire.
- When picking out a real tree, make sure to keep it moist and continually watered--it is much less prone to fires this way.
- Before stringing up your lights, check the wires for any frays or cracked lights, as they may be harmful.
- It's great to have lots of light-up decorations on your tree, but be careful not to overload sockets--and don't leave these items on when going out of the house for long periods of time.
- Flame-retardant artificial trees and non-flammable decorations are great investments when decorating.
Related Guides
External Links
- About.com: Choosing a color scheme for your tree (and home).
- Usfa.gov: U.S. Fire Administration's tips for preventing fire hazards.
