Selecting Christmas Tree Decorations: Lights, Ornaments, Garland, And More

For many of us, putting up the Christmas tree is not only the start of the Holiday season but also sets the tone for all our Christmas decorating. While some choose a different tree style each year, others cherish the tradition and the memories attached to old, well-loved, and re-used Christmas tree decorations. But for all of us, our trees are a quintessential part of our holiday home decor.

Whether you lean towards a classic, time-honored look, prefer something more contemporary or follow the latest trend. Maybe you love making your own Christmas tree decor or using vintage Christmas decorations; the possibilities for decorating your tree and making it uniquely yours are endless.

Did you know that Christmas decorating makes you happy? Well, it does! So, let’s dive into the world of beautiful Christmas tree decorations and discuss finding the ones that will make your tree sparkle and the true highlight of your holiday decor it deserves to be.

Types of Christmas Tree Decorations

When decorating a Christmas tree, there are a variety of options to choose from. Here are some of the most popular decorating ideas for your Christmas tree.

Lights

The whole point of a Christmas tree is the lights. Most new artificial Christmas trees have little LED lights built in. But that doesn’t mean you can’t add more twinkle lights. And when you have a natural, living Christmas tree, stringing lights is always the start of your tree decorating.

Christmas tree lights come in various colors and styles, including traditional white lights shaped like a candle, colorful LED lights, and novelty lights in the shape of stars, snowflakes, or other festive shapes.

If you add (extra) Christmas lights to your tree, choose them carefully because they set the tone for the rest of your decorations.

Ornaments

Let’s begin decorating with one of the most beloved Christmas tree decorations – ornaments. Who doesn’t have totes full of beautiful ornaments? Whether they are bought at stores, passed down through generations as cherished family heirlooms, or were lovingly crafted by your hands, there are always ornaments.

The most common tree ornament is a Christmas bauble made from glass or plastic. They come in every color of the rainbow and different sizes. 

But ornaments can also have designs to add class or whimsy to your tree. An elegant, sophisticated tree might have crystal ornaments shaped like snowflakes, while the whimsical tree might have ornaments shaped like cupcakes or New York taxi cabs. The possibilities are truly endless and only limited by your imagination or your pocketbook.

Garland

Another favorite in the world of Christmas tree decorations is garland. Garlands are long strands of decorative material that can either be draped around a Christmas tree or can hang down from the top of the tree.

Garland can be made from many materials like tinsel, beads, or ribbon and serves as an ideal way to not only fill a large tree quickly but also to introduce pops of color or sparkle to your tree. Regardless of your preference, garland adds an extra layer of charm to your tree.

Tree Topper

Not every tree is finished off with a tree topper anymore. This is a shame because new and exciting options have replaced the traditional spiked glass ones from days galore.

These days, there are toppers shaped like stars, angels, or snowflakes, and some of them are even lighted. So don’t forget the very top of your tree and consider adding a nice decorative ornament right at the top.

Tinsel and Glitter

Tinsel is an old-fashioned tree decoration that went out of style but is making a comeback of sorts. Initially, they were tiny shiny strips of silver material that were meant to look like icicles. Nowadays, the tinsel look comes from using tinsel garlands and glittered ornaments.

Small Christmas trees made entirely from tinsel garland in silver, white, or bright colors are gaining popularity.

Overall, there are many different types of Christmas tree decorations to choose from. Whether you prefer traditional ornaments and lights or more modern and unique designs, there will surely be a decoration that will help you create the perfect holiday atmosphere.

Choosing Christmas Tree Decorations

Decorating your Christmas tree is one of the most exciting parts of the Christmas season. It’s a time to gather with family and friends and create a festive atmosphere. However, choosing the perfect decorations for your tree can be overwhelming with so many options. Creating a plan can prevent you from being overwhelmed and help youdecorate your home on a budget. Here are some tips to help you choose the best decorations for your Christmas tree.

Color Coordination 

Most people start by choosing a color scheme. Traditionally, trees were decorated in green and red with lots of silver mixed in. These days, you can choose any color of the rainbow for your tree. You can even have a rainbow of colors on your tree!

Most of us reuse our Christmas tree decorations year after year, so it is best to choose a color scheme that complements the overall décor of your home.

If you decide to decorate your tree in a particular color, then make sure you add a variety of shades, textures, and shapes to add depth and interest.

Theme Selection

Another way to create a cohesive look for your Christmas tree is to choose a theme. A theme will help narrow your options and create a unique and personal look for your tree. Some popular themes include a romantic vintage look, a rustic woodland theme, a colorful, whimsical tree, or a winter wonderland.

If you are looking for inspiration for a themed tree, then the displays in garden centers and big department stores are a good start. 

Size and Proportion

Now that we have settled on our tree’s color scheme and theme, it is time to start talking about size and proportion. When choosing decorations for your Christmas tree, it is essential to consider size and proportion. Make sure you have a nice variety of differently shaped and sized decorations. A tree with hand-picked ornaments will look so much more original and unique than a tree decorated with a 100-pack of ball ornaments in the same size and shape. 

When placing different-sized decorations, place the large ornaments near the bottom of the tree, while smaller ornaments can be placed towards the top. Use a variety of sizes to create a balanced look throughout the tree.

Additionally, consider the size of your tree when choosing decorations. Larger trees can handle larger decorations, while smaller trees may look overwhelmed with large ornaments.

By selecting a theme, coordinating colors, and considering size and proportion, you can create a beautiful and cohesive look for your tree, ensuring it’s the centerpiece of your holiday decor.

Safety Considerations for Christmas Tree Decorations

While decorating your Christmas tree, keeping safety in mind is crucial. Use your common sense, and don’t take risks. Both when balancing on a chair to put that tree topper on and regarding overall Christmas tree safety.

Here are some tips to ensure your Christmas tree doesn’t become a hazard in your home.

Fire Safety:

• When using a live tree, choose a healthy one and prevent it from becoming dry and brittle by watering it regularly.
• Keep your tree away from heat sources, such as fireplaces, heaters, and candles.
• Use only UL-approved lights and follow safety standards when linking strings together.
• Check your lights for frayed wires and broken bulbs before using them.
• Do not overload your electrical outlets or extension cords.
• Turn off the lights on your tree when you leave the room for a longer period or go to bed.

Child and Pet Safety:

• Avoid using small decorations that can be swallowed or choked on (or put them high up).
• Keep breakable ornaments and decorations out of reach of children and pets (use plastic ones instead).
• Make sure your tree is not top-heavy. Add some extra weight to the bottom of the tree or the tree stand to prevent it from tipping over.
• Alternatively, choose a small tree on a table or dresser to stay out of reach from small children or pets.

By following these safety tips, you can ensure that your decorated Christmas tree not only enhances the beauty of your Holiday home but also contributes to a safe and joyous Christmas time.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Christmas Tree Decorations

For those looking to reduce their environmental impact when decorating, consider opting for sustainable and eco-friendly Christmas tree decorations. Not only will this help the planet, but it can also add a unique and natural touch to your holiday decorations.

Of course, decorating for Christmas sustainably starts by reusing Christmas decorations. Buying all new decorations every year is not sustainable. But even when you reuse your old decorations, you might still want or need to replace a few here and there.

Here are some tips for making environmentally friendly choices.

Recycled Materials:

One way to make your Christmas tree decorations more sustainable is to choose ones from recycled materials. You have several options:

• Ready-made sustainable decorations are made from recycled or renewable materials. Look for hand-crafted decorations made from paper, fabric, raffia, or wood.
• Buy old decorations at thrift stores or online marketplaces.
• Make decorations yourself from recycled materials like paper, wine corks, bottle caps, or fabric scraps. 
• Turn your old Christmas cards into DIY Christmas ornaments.

Natural Decorations:

Another eco-friendly approach is to use natural materials, which can give your tree a rustic and woodland-inspired look.

• Pinecones: Collect pinecones from your yard or a nearby park and use them as ornaments. Add some glitter or paint for extra sparkle.
• Twigs, sticks, and branches: make stars, garlands, and all kinds of twig Christmas decorations from garden waste.
• Dried fruit: Slice oranges, lemons, or apples and dry them in the oven. String them together with some twine for a colorful and fragrant garland.
• Cinnamon sticks: Tie them with twine and hang them on your tree. They’ll add a warm and spicy scent to your home.
• Popcorn or cranberries: make traditional garlands.
• Dried and pressed flowers: Add them to second-hand ornaments to give those a new life.

Using recycled materials and natural decorations, you can make your Christmas tree more sustainable and eco-friendly. Plus, these options can be fun and creative to make. Try out some of these ideas and see how they add a unique touch to your Christmas decor.

Making Homemade Christmas Tree Decorations

Decorating your Christmas tree with homemade decorations is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your holiday display. Making DIY ornaments and garlands can also be a great activity with family and friends. 

DIY Ornaments

There are many different types of ornaments you can make yourself, from simple paper Christmas crafts to more complex projects. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Salt dough ornaments: Mix flour, salt, and water to make a dough, then shape it into ornaments and bake in the oven. Once cooled, you can paint or decorate them as desired.
• Paper snowflakes: Cut snowflakes from white paper and hang them with a string or ribbon from your tree.
• Photo ornaments: Print photos of your loved ones and glue them onto cardboard or wooden cutouts in festive shapes, such as stars or hearts.

Handmade Garlands

Garlands are another great way to add homemade charm to your Christmas tree. Here are a few ideas for making your garlands:

• Felt garland: Cut out shapes from felt and string them together to create a lovely decoration like a felt star garland.
• Paper chain garland: Cut strips of colored paper and glue them together to create a chain that you can drape around your tree.
• Popcorn garland: String popcorn onto a thread or fishing line to create a classic, rustic garland.
• Pom-pom garland: Make pom-poms out of various colors and sizes of yarn, then string them together to create a playful garland.

Have fun decorating your Christmas tree!

This article originally appeared on Wealth of Geeks.