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Tree Decorating – Step by Step

Tree decorating steps can be intimidating, but they don’t have to be. Today, I’m thrilled to be sharing Christmas tree decorating step by step instructions!

Creating a beautiful tree is my favorite task of the holiday season. I love to create a tree design in a beautiful color palette that compliments my home. This doesn’t mean all-new ornaments or ribbon each year. In fact, I’ve had most of my ornaments, for a number of years!

Over the years, and after decorating many trees, I’ve learned a few tricks that I hope will help you create a Christmas tree you love!

*This post contains affiliate links. Disclosure here.

Step One – Fluff Your Tree

The first step is to fluff your tree. To do this, separate the branches and pull them apart from each other in multiple directions. Remember to reach all the way to the tree trunk to get all of the branches.

On a flocked tree, be aware of the position of the “snow”. It should be on the top side of the branches.

My tree isn’t the most full tree, in fact, it looks like a bit of a Grinch tree! After fluffing it and with well placed adornments, you won’t be able to tell….I promise!

Also, the tree I’m sharing today is slender. It is a great option for rooms that are not quite large enough for a full-profile tree.

Note: If you don’t have a pre-lit tree, you can add your lights once your tree has been fluffed.

Christmas tree decorating step by step instructions first step fluff tree.

Step 2 – Add Picks

The second step in Christmas tree decorating is to add some picks. Add them before your ornaments so you can use them to fill spaces that are more sparse. You should be able to push them into the tree or rest them on a branch. If you need to secure them, try criss-crossing tree branches (the smaller ones deep inside) around the stems of your picks.

Christmas tree decorating step two add picks

Stand back to make sure they are spread out and balanced throughout the tree.

Shop Picks

 

Step 3 – Add Flowers

Next, I always add faux flowers to my Christmas trees. My favorites are poinsettias and magnolias.

When you place them on your tree, fill the remaining gaps.

Christmas tree decorating steps include flowers

Shop Flowers

 

Step 4 – Add Ribbon

A lot of people add ribbon first or last. I think it is nice to add it just before or just after you add your ornaments.

Today, I am going to show you how to add it before your ornaments so you will be able to see the process clearly.

Ribbon is great for covering any remaining gaps between branches. Also, adding it at this point prevents having to work around or covering your ornaments. (If you use mesh ribbon as I have here, you won’t have to worry about covering your ornaments).

I like to use ribbon that is around 4″ or 5″ wide, but that is simply my preference. Use straightened ornament hooks or florist wire to fasten the ribbon to your tree. You can also use the wire branches to hold your ribbon.

Christmas tree decorating ribbon wired to fasten

Christmas tree decorating steps include ribbon

Try to get the ribbon deep into the tree. This will help create a full look.

You can keep your ribbon long and wired it in several spots or cut your ribbon to shorter, more manageable lengths. It is up to you!

Christmas tree decorating steps include ribbon wire fastened

Shop Ribbon

Glitter Gold Ribbon

 

Step 5 – Add Ornaments

Add your large ornaments (5-7″) first. Oversized or large ornaments are stylish and sophisticated. You don’t need a lot of them. I only used six on this tree.

Next, add medium ornaments (3-5″), then add specialty ones. I included some pinecones and birds. Be sure to spread all of the sizes all over the tree.

christmas tree decorating ornaments

Christmas tree decorating steps add ornaments large first smallest last

Note: If you are only decorating part of your tree (the front and sides), use a few heavy ornaments to balance the weight.  Mine sits in the corner of this room, so I only decorated about 2/3 of it.

Christmas tree decorating glass ornament

Shop Ornaments

8 Mercury Glass Ornaments

 

8 White/Pearl/Ivory/Dove Gray Ball Ornaments

 

6 Glitter Pinecone Ornaments

 

2 Gold Glass Ornaments

 

16 Rose Gold & Glitter Ornaments

 

Step 6 – Create a Topper

You can use a purchased topper or make one. It’s nice to group picks to create one that coordinates with your tree. Simply stick the stems of the picks along the top of the center pole of the tree. Use at least three pieces, one on each side and one in front of the top vertical tree branch. If needed, secure by wrapping the picks and top of your tree with florist wire.

Christmas tree decorating steps add topper

Step 7 – Style the Base

Use a tree skirt or collar, gift boxes, and other decorative items to give the base of your tree a finished look. Use decorative gift boxes like these with ribbons even before you’ve filled them with gifts.

Christmas tree decorating steps styling around tree base

Step 8 – Admire Your Finished Tree

This is a good time to adjust anything that looks a bit off. At the end of each step, and especially just before you finish, step back and make sure each side has a similar amount of ornaments and generally looks balanced.

Now, enjoy!!!

See this full space in my Christmas Dining Room and my other tree with soft blue accents here.

Elegant Christmas tree decorating steps soft colors

Get the Look

16 Taupe Berry Picks

 

6 White Poinsettias

 

4 White & Silver Poinsettias

 

8 Mercury Glass Ornaments

 

8 White/Pearl/Ivory/Dove Gray Ball Ornaments

 

6 Glitter Pinecone Ornaments

 

2 Gold Glass Ornaments

 

16 Rose Gold & Glitter Ornaments

 

Glitter Gold Ribbon

I hope you found this helpful!

I hope you’ll stay connected…..

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« Christmas Dining Room – Styled for the Season Home Tour
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Comments

  1. Haley says

    December 4, 2018 at 12:18 pm

    I usually add the picks at the end in the places that were left uncovered by ornaments.

  2. Denise says

    December 5, 2018 at 7:25 pm

    You totally gave some good tips! I love your tree! Soft and sparkling and beautiful! Thanks so much! Love your blog too!

Trackbacks

  1. Simply Christmas Home Tour - Decor Gold Designs says:
    December 5, 2018 at 6:31 am

    […] have had a tree in here for several year. This year, I posted step by step tree decorating instructions. You can also find a full tour of my Christmas Dining Room […]

  2. Christmas Dining Room - Styled for the Season Home Tour - Decor Gold Designs says:
    December 8, 2018 at 11:30 pm

    […] The space has plenty of room for a slender Christmas tree. Mine is 9′ tall and flocked. A tall slender tree is such a statement- maker in a room that doesn’t have enough space for a full profile tree. You can step by step details on how I decorated this tree here. […]

  3. Christmas Nights Home Tour - Decor Gold Designs says:
    December 20, 2018 at 9:05 pm

    […] Our dining room is brand new and it was exciting to come up with an all new Christmas look for it. A slender tree in the corner makes our room more elegant. (Get step by step tree decorating instructions HERE). […]

  4. Dreamy New Christmas Tree - Decor Gold Designs says:
    December 20, 2018 at 9:39 pm

    […] Learn to create a gorgeous Christmas Tree in Tree Decorating – Step by Step […]

  5. Winter Home Tour - Decor Gold Designs says:
    January 15, 2019 at 7:08 am

    […] was most difficult to take down my Christmas decorations in here. I LOVED our tree so […]

  6. Dream Christmas Tree - White, Gold, Rose Gold - Decor Gold Designs says:
    November 15, 2019 at 2:41 am

    […] can find all of the steps to recreate this tree here and everything you will need to get a similar look […]

  7. Bright White Christmas Living Room - Decor Gold Designs says:
    November 23, 2019 at 12:43 am

    […] of the ornaments were used on this tree or on my dining room tree last year. It is always smart to purchase ornaments that can be used in more than one […]

  8. 3 Beautiful Christmas Trees - Recreate Them! - Decor Gold Designs says:
    December 2, 2019 at 12:50 am

    […] Last, I add ribbon. For a more detailed description of how I decorate my trees, read Tree Decorating – Step by Step. […]

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