Decorating A Christmas Tree -- Collectibles Style

General Tree Decorating Tips

More of this Feature • Part 1: Tree Decorating Ideas • Part 2: Kitchen Tree • Part 3: Wizard 's Tree • Part 4: Aluminum Tree • Part 5: Baby Boomer Tree • "Fake" Gingerbread • General Decorating Tips Related Resources • Tree Decorating Tips • 21 Holiday Decor Tips • Vintage Santa Wreath • Patricia Breen 2000 From Other Guides • Holiday Decorating with Dolls

LIGHTS
Check lights before using is an obvious statement, but here is how I do it. I check the lights while they are still in the box and then leave them on while removing from the box. That way if one bulb pulls loose, it's immediately apparent which one it is. When lighting an large artificial tree, I do it a bit differently than suggested. I have one set of lights plugged in and wrap them around the branches (CAREFULLY) while still plugged in. Again, this is to let me know if a bulb loosens from the socket as soon as it happens.

Starting at the bottom, (large artificial trees) I wrap every second branch from the trunk out and then back to the trunk. When I move up a row, I try and stagger the branches that are wrapped. I do this as I am assembling the tree. Several heavy duty power strips are taped to the tree trunk on the back side to plug the sets of lights in. Two or three sets can be linked together then plugged in.

DECORATIONS
As mentioned on previous pages, almost anything is fair game on our Christmas trees, so don't be afraid to add those different things to your tree.

Even when doing a traditional tree, be sure to reach into your collectibles cabinet and find some of your favorite pieces to help decorate the tree.

One thing that most people forget to do is decorate the inside of the tree. Don't forget to hang or nestle some larger pieces towards the trunk of the tree so that when you look at the tree your eyes will be drawn into the tree also.

If you love a glittery look use glittery garlands inside wrapped around the trunk, along with small mirrored pieces inside to reflect outward. Try and position the mirrored pieces so that they will reflect the lights.

Reader Tip from Ann Sizemore of Home Traditions: Try a "bear" tree and use bear clothes along with the small bears in the tree, and a bear tea party underneath. Same with a "doll" tree. Wire your bears or dolls to the branches with floral wire. Themes can be as simple as using one single color. Or theme a tree with Santas, angels, and snowmen. A rustic tree may have the dried oranges and apples along with wired nuts, pinecones, bird's nests, and dried natural florals. I love to include small pictures of family and pets framed and tied to branches with ribbon. I take them from their everyday spot, to make room for the holiday items. How about an outside tree for your feathered friends and squirrels? Decorate a pine tree in your yard by doing the following: spread pine cones or bagels with peanut butter, roll in birdseed and hang with wire. Make large red ribbon bows and staple to the ends of dried field corn to hang. String cereal such as Cheerios or Fruit Loops with dental floss for garlands. Popcorn strings more easily if it is stale. Also hang apples and pears. Hopefully, you have a pine tree outside a window so you can watch all the activity you've created.

SECURING THE ORNAMENTS
There are many different ways to secure the ornaments on a tree and a lot depends on what you are hanging. For my special glass ornaments I actually use an inexpensive green plastic hook found at Walmart. The ornament slips onto the small end of the loop and the larger end clips onto the tree branch. If a glass ornament is very heavy, I will find an extra ornament loop/wire from my stash of broken pieces and put in a double loop to help hold it. Depending on the ornament, sometimes a drop of glue makes me feel better -- although not all glass collectors agree with doing that.

One very pretty method is to individually tie the ornaments on with a piece of ribbon or gold cord. When hanging Hallmark or similar ornaments I use the standard wire ornament hook, but after putting the ornament on the tree I squeeze the top of the ornament hook together so it does not slip off.

Reader tip from Daniel Hennagir: My best tip is to use the mini black binder clips from the office to hang the ornaments on the tree, they grab the branch and NEVER LET GO! I use the ones with 2 silver ends that you can squeeze together to put paper in. The silver ends come off of the black "binder part". Squeeze the silver clips together (pinch it) to remove from the binder part, put the silver end through the ornament loop and pinch in back in to place on the binder and to attach it to the tree simply squeeze the silver parts together. Sounds more complex then really is, but they NEVER fall off.

GARLANDS
Garlands or tinsel can add so much to a tree and you can never have enough of them. Put them on individually covering the branches then go back and put another layer on crisscrossing the first. In effect you are creating several different layers of the garlands either the same colors or multi colors.

There are some very pretty glass garlands that are not very long, but also expensive when trying to do decorate an entire tree. Use these special garlands as a highlight along with a strands of plain garlands that are similar in colors, textures or materials.

TREE TOPPERS
You probably have a very special family tradition for as your tree topper, but when doing an unusual tree, don't be afraid to use a top that is a bit different. I have used everything from Analee dolls, great big bows, large gold cardboard spheres, as well as traditional angels on the trees here. Large glass ornament balls turned upside down and used with large "florist picks" can also create a stunning and different tree topper.

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