– I like to use a lot of decorations on my trees. I like them cascading with baubles and ribbons so they look beautifully styled and luxurious.
– Because I use a lot of decorations I normally buy some more affordable multi packs of plain baubles in gold or silver depending on the theme that can be space fillers.
– Each year I try to buy a decoration that relates to that year, whether it has the year on it, or our names. For Ava’s first Christmas last year I bought some decorations on Etsy that said ‘Ava’s first Christmas’. It’s so nice each year when you unpack them to look back and reminisce about the different decorations and the memories that are attached to them.
– Always use white lights for a more elegant look rather than coloured.
– Tinsel is never coming back in fashion so chuck it in the bin.
– I don’t like anything at the top of my tree, I think it looks more elegant to just decorate the branches and leave the top bare
– Each year buy a couple of special decorations that you can put at eye level to add interest, I’ve been buying mine for over 10 years and so have built up enough of a collection to dress four trees.
– Pick a theme that matches with your decor whether that is the colours, or the feel or location of your room.
– Even if you want to make a rustic tree you still need some sparkle and metallic decorations to ensure your tree twinkles when the lights are turned on and doesn’t look bare.
– A little bit of bling is OK on a tree, remember what can look tacky (crystal drops) off a tree, looks majestic once on the tree, so embrace a little bit of tackiness, its the one time of the year its allowed.
– I like to keep the rest of my decorations simple and pared back so in my kitchen, sitting room and TV room I’ve put vases of foliage I cut from the garden combined with some bare twigs, and put in some plain baubles in colours that match the main tree to spread the Christmas decor around the rest of the room.
– If you don’t have the budget or space or time to decorate a Christmas tree, a vase of branches and foliage with some small baubles instantly makes your room feel more festive.
– I love candles but with a toddler I now avoid them and use faux candles instead, which still give a lovely festive glow and can work on timers.
– I use ribbons in my trees to bulk them out; buy extra wide ribbon with wire in it so that you can shape it. Ribbon is great for filling out any sparse areas on the tree and – if it’s fake – hiding the central column.
– My favourite place to buy Christmas decorations is John Lewis- they have a great selection this year with some very special decorations at the top end and some more affordable multi-packs. I like finding unusual decorations and they have some really unique ones like the clear baubles with feathers inside, or the embroidered fabric ones by Tinker Tailor that are handmade.
– Etsy is great for finding personalised baubles like ones with you name on or for a special occasion like the birth of a baby.
– I use wicker skirts for the base of the tree to hide the stand. Again, I match these to the decor so in my rooms where I have lighter woods I’ve used a light grey wicker, and in the study I’ve used a mahogony brown.
– For a traditional tree, pheasant feathers poked in look really effective.
– Bowls filled with Christmas baubles are a quick and easy way of adding more festive cheer to a room.
– A more affordable way of decorating your home, which looks really understated and elegant, is to put some real ivy draped over the mantlepiece and some foliage from your garden combined with twigs in a vase. Mix in some plain baubles to make sure it looks christmassy, rather than just fresh.