| hat it’s the holiday season everyone is | | | | from the top to the bottom, and also around the |
| busy thinking about his or her Christmas Trees. | | | | back of the tree. The swag of your garland will |
| There are tricks and tips to help you create a | | | | depend on the width of your tree. Twist the |
| unique look that fits in your home and adds | | | | garland at the tip and it should be smaller as it |
| sparkle to your holiday celebrations. Whether real | | | | reaches the top of the tree. Another style is to |
| or artificial, a little imagination can take that blank | | | | double swag your garland and form it into a spiral |
| canvas and turn it into something really magical | | | | garland. Some prefer using ribbon that falls from |
| that will brighten your whole holiday season. | | | | the top of the tree down along to the bottom. |
| You can start by looking for ideas on the trees | | | | 5.Use fillers. You must use fillers in order to give |
| you see in public places like malls or hotel lobbies. | | | | the tree an enchanting look. Some people |
| These are great places to get ideas that you can | | | | don’t do this but it is a great way to give |
| easily bring to your own tree. | | | | your tree a new look. |
| Here are some great tips for creating a beautiful | | | | 6.Choose a color scheme. Use a single color or |
| tree | | | | two complimentary ones to give your tree a |
| 1.Your tree will stand in you room till the holiday | | | | coordinated, decorator look. Try traditional choices |
| season ends so it should have a visual impact. The | | | | such as red and gold, or something different like |
| space in your room will determine the size of the | | | | pink and white. Use ornaments of these colors |
| tree you can have. This is important to consider | | | | and keep the garland in the same color family as |
| especially if you want to enhance your ornaments. | | | | well. |
| 2.Decide on the overall look you like. The more | | | | 7.Dare to be different. Decorate according to |
| branch tips your tree has, the more ornaments | | | | what you like, even if it isn’t the |
| and decorations are needed. If you want your | | | | “traditional” way. Use your favorite |
| tree to have an informal look, select a tree that | | | | hobby, ornaments collected on vacations, or old |
| has long needles and upswept branches. If you | | | | style bulbs to create a look that’s truly |
| want something more formal, select a tree that | | | | your own. This will create a unique, personal |
| has down swept branches and with short needles. | | | | holiday expression that is sure to be a |
| 3.Pay attention to lighting. There is a general rule in | | | | conversation starter. |
| deciding the number of lights for a tree — | | | | 8.Don’t forget the handmade ornaments. |
| a one foot tree should have about 40-50 lights. | | | | No matter what style you are trying to achieve, |
| The simplest thing to do is buy a pre-lit tree, no | | | | the hand made ornaments of your own childhood, |
| mess and easy storage. But if you do the lights | | | | or those of family members can be wonderful |
| yourself, hang them inside the tree, for a twinkling | | | | additions to any tree, and compliment any style. |
| effect. Stringing the lights on the outer edges, | | | | 9.Cover the base of your tree with a colorful tree |
| over the tips of the branches won’t look | | | | skirt so that the gifts underneath will rest on a |
| right. Remember to keep the amount of light | | | | pretty background. This makes the packages look |
| uniform, without and unfilled spaces. | | | | even more festive, and looks good after the |
| 4.Add garland. Whether you choose traditional | | | | presents are unwrapped too. |
| garland or beaded garland, you can get a great | | | | 10.Top it off. Use a star, an angel or a large bow |
| look. If you want traditional, swag your garland | | | | — whatever suits your individual taste. |