I sincerely hope none of my voice teachers ever sees this…

Nichols

Tree is done, dude.  I’m a little behind this year, because for the first time in I don’t know how long, I had to work the day after Thanksgiving, which is my annual Tree Day.  I had some friends over last night, and as usual, I had requests to be hired as their personal tree decorator.    Lacking the extra time for that, I thought I would just write an article on how to have the best tree on the block, and everyone can know  how to do it.  Really, it’s easy!

1. Pick a color scheme involving no more than three colors.  Truly, it doesn’t matter what those colors are.  I’ve discovered that as long as you don’t exceed three, the tree will remain cohesive, even if those three colors are not ones you usually think would work together.  You will use these colors when choosing your skirt, garland, topper, filler, and base ornaments.  The only element that does not need to stick to the scheme are your collectible ornaments.  FYI, It is ok to use variations of your color, as long as you don’t get carried away.  If one of your colors is gold, it doesn’t all have to be the SAME gold. When deciding on your color scheme, look at your existing ornament collection – is there already a common theme there?  It will save you time and money if you don’t have to start from scratch.
2. Put up the tree.  (Duh.)
3. If you’re putting on a skirt, do this next.  I choose not to, since the cats love to lay under the tree and look up at the pretty lights (…and eat the branches… and  bat at my ornaments…).  Too much cat hair.
4. Lights.  Buy two more strands of lights than you think you could possibly need – you’ll need them.  I have a 7′ tree, and it requires 5 strands plus one little 50-lighter to top it off.  When you string your lights, don’t just walk in a circle around the tree, or you’ll have something that looks uneven, superficial, and well, sad.  Get in there and wrap the strand in and out around each branch.   This is what really gives the tree depth, and a full, even volume of lights.  If you do this one thing well, it will make up for a myriad of other tree flaws.  Here is your priceless light-stringing tip:  Plug the lights in BEFORE you string them, so you can see what you’re doing!!  For a magazine-worthy finish, I highly recommend clear lights over colored.
5. Garland.  I use a wired ribbon, but this could be tinsel, cranberries, or whatever.  Now you ARE going to walk in a circle around the tree, because you WANT this to sit on the surface, not get lost in the branches.  Just make sure to space it evenly, starting at the very bottom branches, and going all the way up to the top.  You don’t need a lot here – in fact, I’d say less is more.  I think my ribbon only goes around 3 times in the back and 4 in front.
6. Topper.  “WHAT??? You want me to put on the topper before the tree is decorated?  That’s unnatural!”  You only need to do this next if your topper in any way cuts into the tree.  My topper is a giant bow, and the tails hang down the tree.  This will affect where the next three layers go, so you need it on there first.  This would also be a good idea if you’re using one of the angel type toppers, but probably not necessary if you’re using the traditional star that just goes literally on the highest branch.
7. Filler.  Get MANY of something that matches.  There’s a lot of ways to do this, so let me just give some examples.  This year my “filler” is made of two types of large, translucent gold silk flowers with gold glitter edging – lilies and roses.  In the past I have used bunches of baby’s breath, bows, and oversized round ornaments.  You could use gingerbread cookies, or little wreaths, or bells, or… whatever.   Just make sure they all match.  Use these to fill in any large gaps in the branches, and to simultaneously lay a nice, full foundation.
8. Base ornaments.  Base ornaments are sets of coordinating ornaments that demonstrate your color scheme.  Round glass ornaments are great for this, because they are so readily available in every color imaginable, but here is the easiest way to get huge bang with little thought:  In the ornament aisle, which is almost always separated by colors, stand in front of the section that has your color scheme.  Depending on the size of  your tree, grab at least five of each color for a three-color scheme.  After 7′, double that for every additional 2′, so if you have a 9′ tree you’d want 10 of each, 11′ tree 15 of each.  The shape of these ornaments doesn’t matter, just the color, so have fun!  For a cleaner, more classic look, buy your ornaments in multiples which keeps a cohesive view all the way around the tree.  For a  wilder tree, buy the ornaments in singles (although this is a bit harder to pull off successfully, takes more time, and is generally more expensive).  When you put your base ornaments on, leave open some of the prime real estate.  You’ll want it for the next step.
9. Collectible ornaments.  Here’s where you pull out all the ornaments that always make your eyes well up a bit, thinking of christmases past.  Oh yes, you didn’t think I’d forgotten them, did you?  No, we’ve laid this entire foundation just to showcase them!  Snuggle them into those prime spots you left open in the last step.  Have some uglies?  Yeah, we all do.  (I have a bright red plastic one that has my name and the number 3 on it in green glitter, that yep, you guessed it, I made when I was three.  Can’t let that go, right?)  Hang these on the lower branches, to the back, or nestle them deeper in the tree where they’ll draw less attention to themselves.  Hey, they’re still THERE!

Stand back and admire your handiwork.  Congratulations, you’ve done a splendid job!

But wait!  What about the kids’ paper chains and oragami ornaments they colored with crayons?   Look, I am in no way against the joy and creativity and… exuberance of the season, but this article was about how to have the most beautiful tree on the block.  Here is the perfect solution, and one that will probably create one of the best holiday traditions of all:  Get the kids their own tree!  It can be smaller (kid-size!), around 5′ is perfect.  String it with colored lights, and let them go to town on it!  They will have an amazing time creating ornaments, stringing popcorn, and finding THEIR unique and wonderful solutions for how to have the best tree on the block!  Stand them side by side, put the kids’ tree in the family room and the showcase tree in the living room, or put their tree in their room!

I’m wondering – would anyone like me to do a video on this? Let me know!

P.S. I’ll put up a picture tonight – hard to get the effect during the day.

Wishing you many wonderful holiday memories this year!
Kristy Nichols
a.k.a. The Average Goddess

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