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 bauble 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 trimming your tree, however, is that you are the main person who has to like it. So if an all-Barbie tree is your thing, by all means, do it! | |
Decorating Basics
When the holidays roll around there are certain things you can't avoid thinking about--candy canes, mistletoe, tinsel, and jolly bearded old men. The most famous of all, though, is (and no it's not Rudolph) the Christmas tree. The tree will set the mood in your house, so if you want to spread holiday cheer and invite family and friends to celebrate together it has to be done right. You should decorate your tree so that it is both beautiful yet bright and uplifting. Nobody wants a tree that's too stuffy.
String Lights
Christmas just won't feel like Christmas without some twinkling lights. Before you start putting ornaments on your tree, you will first want to take care of the lights. There are different kinds you can buy for your tree. If you're new to this, start simple: trees are, well, wood and therefore flammable and lights are electrical--you get the picture.
Don't overdo the amount of lights you use. It's best first to decide how you want your tree to look: do you want it to look classical with glass ornaments and white lights or would you rather have a technicolor dream with multi-colored decorations? 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 bulbs to suit your tastes. You may want something normal or maybe some kind of novelty, like Star Wars -themed lights. Don't be afraid to let your own tastes determine your Christmas decorations. Check out more suggestions below.
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 a collectible 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. If you prefer to have higher-end, more expensive ornaments on your tree, start slow by buying a couple and then picking up 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 trimming your tree--the tree topper . Choose one that you know will last and hold up through the years; make sure that it complements your aesthetic 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 down to catch it should it fall. For more information, check out our Tree Toppers guide.
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 to leave plenty of room for them.
Christmas Tree Skirts
Christmas tree skirts 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 durable and made out of something that will easily dry. 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 decor. 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 risk 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 fire this way.
- Before stringing up your lights, check the wires for any frays or cracked lights, as they could set things alight.
- 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 you'll be out of the house for long periods of time.
- Flame-retardant artificial trees and non-flammable decorations are great investments when decorating.
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