How to decorate your christmas tree

Desperate to deck the halls and cover things in tinsel? For the best results, read our guide to tree-decorating success

Decorating the tree has to be one of the most exciting parts of the festive season; there’s something especially joyous about picking out new baubles, dusting off old ones and perhaps even embracing a new theme. However, if you find yourself feeling overwhelmed rather than overjoyed at the prospect of the tree-dressing process, fear not – we can help.

For everything you need to know about how to decorate your tree, follow these easy steps to make the ‘treekend’ easier for all who celebrate.

Whether you’re going for a real or artificial Christmas tree, there are a few key things to consider. Firstly, work out the size, shape and look that you want; you might like a real classic – the pine-green Christmas tree, complete with berries and pinecones – or perhaps prefer a pre-lit artificial tree, finished with frosted tips.

Whatever the style, remember this: taking measurements for height and width before you make your tree purchase will save you a lot of hassle. For a free-standing tree, there should, ideally, be at least six inches between the tip of the top fronds and the ceiling. If you’re opting for a smaller tree, consider positioning it on a table – an effective way to achieve height and drama.

Next, consider visibility: placing your tree near a tall window, where it can be seen from the outside is always lovely. Bay windows are also a great space for Christmas trees because the breadth gives the branches space to fan out, plus there’s extra room for presents underneath. Remember, if you choose a fresh fir tree, you’ll want to position it away from radiators to avoid it drying out – real Christmas trees do need watering a couple of times a week.

Tree skirts are a quick, easy way to hide metal stands and add a final polish. Place your tree skirt over the stand before you start to assemble the rest of your tree and – another solid tip – slip a piece of cardboard under the stand to prevent it from indenting your carpet or scratching wooden floorboards. You can then dress your skirt with lengths of material or disguise it behind bows or stockings for an elevated look.

Picking the right Christmas lights might seem like a simple enough job, but it’s an important one to get right. We have a whole host of styles and colours, from classic whites to multicoloured options, to meet your decorating needs – whatever look and feel you’re going for. In terms of the number of lights you need, one rule to go by is to use 100 lights per foot of tree – for example if your tree is 4ft you need at least 400 lights for maximum impact. You can, of course, always cheat and skip this step by choosing a clever pre-lit tree.

We love baubles, whether novelty or traditional, it pays to up the ante by adding a couple of new decorations into the mix alongside your old favourites.

If you need a helping hand with all things Christmas this year, join us in store for a series of festive 30-minute masterclasses covering everything from tablescaping to personalised Christmas cards. Our Partners will show you all the tips and tricks to achieve an extra-special interior this year. Click here to find your nearest event.