Decorating the Tree, Step by Step

I'd like to share a description of how I went about decorating the Christmas tree in our foyer.

Back in the early days of HGTV, I used to love to watch holiday decorating shows where the designer would show the step-by-step process of decorating the tree, and I learned so much from that.  So here I go, taking my own shot at sharing what I've learned.

I started out with a slim-line, pre-lit artificial tree.  The tree has white lights, to which I added two strands of green lights to add some color sparkle.

Next, I added some short lengths of ribbon.  Sometimes I wind the ribbon around the tree, but in this case, I am using two different types of ribbon, and I'm using only short lengths, placed onto the tree in a kind of spiral formation.  I started doing it this way one time because I didn't have enough ribbon to cover the entire tree.  I've come to like the way I have flexibility on where to put the ribbon, and it's easier this way, too, which is always good.

With one ribbon type, I created a loop on one end and cut a "v" in the tail end.

With the other ribbon type, I simply curled it around my fingers,

then stretched it out loosely,

and then sort of shaped it in a free-flowing back-and-forth wave, and put it on the tree.

I filled the tree with these types of ribbons before adding any other decorations.

 

Next, I added some artificial florals in cream and gold colors. This is just to add some richness and fill in some gaps in the tree branches. 

 

Next, I just started putting the ornaments on. The ornaments on this tree this year are green, gold, cream and brown. There is a lot of glitter too! And to tie with the piano room around the corner, we put a lot of music-related ornaments on this tree too.

 

 

This ornament is one that I made last year. It started out as a brown papier mache form from the craft store. I used Mod Podge, tissue paper, and Christmas sheet music printables to cover the form, then put an edge of black glitter around the edges.

 

After a while, the tree was full, and I declared it done.   Well, almost.  I made a quick bow as a topper, and stuck it on top (totally forgot a picture, though). Then I put a gold tree skirt down, and THEN I declared it done.

Thanks for following along as I tried my first how-to demonstration.  I'd love to hear about how you decorated YOUR tree this year. Please leave a comment to share your ideas too.

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