How to decorate a Christmas tree – the method professionals use for a flawless tree

If you haven’t yet decorated your Christmas tree this year and are not quite sure how to best approach the task for the most beautiful, cohesive and effective of looks and finishes, we know how you feel. Knowing how to best decorate a Christmas tree is a skill and a form of art that can be intimidating at first.

While you should never forget to have fun decorating your best artificial Christmas tree, we understand that you also want to make it look as beautiful as possible. And there’s lots to consider – from the ‘correct’ order of putting up your various decs to the best arrangement.

But that’s exactly why we’ve asked the help of Christmas tree styling experts to shed some light on the matter and to make your tree decorating as smooth and easy as possible, while also offering some clever and creative Christmas tree ideas.

How to decorate a Christmas tree

‘When it comes to decorating your tree, it’s important to always have a theme or notion of what you want to achieve,’ says David Sumner, sales manager at Christmas Tree World. ‘Pre-planning and grouping particular ornaments before you decide to decorate can save you a lot of time in the long run and prevent any last-minute panic if your tree doesn’t turn out the way you wanted.’

So the first tip on how to successfully (and quickly) decorate your Christmas tree, whether it’s real or fake, is to go in with a plan of action. And hopefully, this step-by-step guide should lend a helping hand.

1. Place the Christmas tree and fluff the branches

Before you start sussing out how to decorate a Christmas tree, you'll need to set your tree in a secure stand – we'll later cover this with a tree skirt. If you're using a solid, wicker tree skirt, make sure to add it on at this stage, however.

Even if you have a faux tree, fluffing the branches is still really important, as it will make your tree look more natural and full, and also much more beautiful!

'It’s absolutely essential to take the time to really fluff an artificial tree into shape, especially if it has been packed away for the year,' says Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography & film at Cox & Cox. 'Firstly, fold the very inner branches of each section upwards to add fullness and conceal the trunk. Next, style the outer branches for a natural look, achieved by fanning each frond in an upward shape, layer by layer, from the bottom. The aim is to fill gaps for a beautiful, symmetrical tree.'

You can also do this to a certain extent with real Christmas trees, but be gentle so the needles don't drop. Another tip – wear gloves because the branches can be extremely prickly and you could risk a splinter.

2. Put the lights on

If your tree is not pre-lit, now is the time to put your lights on the tree. Christmas tree light hacks are our saviour.

Firstly consider where to buy Christmas lights (as well as which sort you need). 'When choosing lighting for your tree the golden rule is to ensure the colour of your lights don’t clash with your decorations and baubles,' advises Georgina Horspool, lighting designer at Alexander Joseph.

'Begin with coloured lights to provide the main colour to your tree, then use decorations to provide contrasting bursts of colour. If you have a larger tree, consider using ‘globe’ shaped bulbs rather than the smaller LED stings – they create a better sense of scale and will be more cost effective. This year soft white light is in vogue.'

Now it's time to place your lights on the tree. 'Wrap them around from bottom up, giving them plenty of slack to feed into the tree,' suggests Frances Clements, Christmas buyer at Homebase.

'For best results, avoid visible cords,' she adds. 'Using green cord lights can help to eliminate this problem.'

3. Add your tree topper

Most people think this should be the finishing touch, but anyone who really knows how to decorate a Christmas tree will tell you it can actually be quite difficult to fix the topper once everything else is in place.

'Perhaps surprisingly, we’d recommend placing your tree topper next. Usually saved as the crowning touch of the tree, the tree topper can be difficult to secure once the rest of the tree is decorated. We recommend placing it early on so you can use it as a reference point when considering where to place your higher decorations,' David at Christmas Tree World says.

It's a real preference: to top or not to top that is the question?

'The tree does not look complete without a focal point perched high on the top vertical branch of the Christmas tree,' says Vanessa Arbuthnott, founder and CEO of Vanessa Arbuthnott.

A star, fairy or oversized ribbon bow are traditional options but there are so many other original Christmas tree topper ideas out there.

4. Hang your tinsel

If you’re using tinsel and/or any Christmas garland ideas then that should be your next step, according to the pros.

‘If you’re using tinsel, place that next to avoid snagging on ornaments. We recommend wrapping tinsel in a wave shape,’ David at Christmas Tree World says.

5. Start adding decorations

Whichever of the Christmas tree trends you're opting for when sussing out how to decorate a Christmas tree this year, our best tip is to put the heaviest decorations towards the inside the tree first, so the weight is supported by the branches.

'It’s best to start hanging baubles closer to the base of the tree frame to begin with to create a layered appearance,' David at Christmas Tree World confirms.

Fill the area around the middle with inexpensive incidental glitter or shiny ornaments, as they are perfect to catch the light from within the depth of the tree.

This step will fill all the gaps inside the tree and make it more three-dimensional and interesting.

6. Hang your key baubles

Start hanging your baubles, using larger ones at the base and medium sized baubles in the middle and top of the tree. Limit yourself to three or four different colours, using a variety of matt, shiny and glitter decorations. This will help give your tree depth and more interest.

'We suggest five or six different bauble styles in various shapes and sizes and a combination of flat and 3D in two or three different textures. Begin with the largest and hang in a checkerboard pattern spread to ensure you distribute evenly over the tree – making sure you put some deeper into the branches to give depth. Repeat this with each bauble, one style at a time, for a beautiful regular rhythm,' Danielle at Cox & Cox says.

A lack of structure and space with baubles is one of the major problems found when decorating trees.

'I like to group them in little clusters of three,' says Esme Amberg, head of design at The Roost. 'Hang larger baubles closer to the centre of the tree to give it more depth, and medium-sized ornaments in the middle layers and the smallest ornaments on the outer tips of the branches to create balance.'

7. Add picks and sprays

Fill the tree with sparkling picks and sprays, branches with faux-ice crystals or snow, faux flowers, or just use natural branches with a dusting of white spray paint. You could try pine cones picks, too, painting the tips with white acrylic paint and sprinkling them with white and silver glitter, to make them look snow-drenched.

8. Showcase those extra-special ornaments

Now it's that part of learning how to decorate a Christmas tree that means it's time to showcase your favourite ornaments, and add an element of surprise. These could be heirlooms or collectables – maybe you've brought back a Christmas trinket from a family holiday, or perhaps you have decorations your children made when they were little.

'Decorating a tree is a very personal experience for everyone, some people collect decorations through the years, and some go for a new trend every year!' says Frances.

If it's special, make sure it takes pride of place. 'We recommend placing your most treasured baubles high up to avoid any damage. And save your favourites to hang on the outer branches,' David at Christmas Tree World advises.

9. Choose your tree skirt

Be imaginative with your choice of tree skirt or decorative cover. You could try burlap, faux fur or any other fabric to hide the trunk and any practical but mundane stand.

'A tree skirt is always recommended, as it will tie your whole tree arrangement together and keep the base sturdy and safe from pets or small children,' David at Christmas Tree World says.

A fashionable option for the modern tree is a willow tree skirt, but as noted above, this would have to be placed on before the lights.

FAQs

What's the easiest way to decorate a Christmas tree?

The easiest way to decorate a Christmas tree is to stick to just lights and forgo the baubles all together! But then where is spirit of the season of doing that?!

As Chrissie Rucke OBE, founder of The White Company says, 'I'm a great believer in less is more when it comes to decorating a tree. I like to choose two or three of the same decorations and mix with fair lights for a simple-but-striking scheme.'

How can I make my Christmas tree look fuller?

First and foremost, make sure you leave a real tree to acclimatise in your home. Once it's done so, fluff the branches to fill it out.

For artificial trees, clever bending and manipulation of the branches will make a huge difference in how full your tree appears. Your choice of decorating can go a long way in making your Christmas tree look fuller too. Carefully positioned oversized baubles can hide gaps in branches, and you can tuck in faux flowers or feathers, too, to give the illusion of more body on the tree.

Choosing the correctly sized tree skirt also helps, as if you use one that's out of proportion your tree is going to look smaller and thinner by comparison.

What order do you decorate a Christmas tree?

When decorating a Christmas tree there are two things you might start with. Firstly, if you're going for a solid tree skirt, this must go on before any decorations, otherwise all your hard work will end up on the floor!

If you're opting to cover up the Christmas tree stand with fabric, then the first thing that goes on the tree is the lights - make sure to work from the base upwards.

Then add your biggest baubles, followed by your medium sized and then smallest last.

Finish with a tree topper and voila!

Now that you know how to decorate a Christmas tree, it's time to tackle the next big question: when to put yours up.

Personally, we're big fans of starting the festivities early so we can enjoy them all winter long. if you need us, we'll be stringing baubles and singing Jingle Bells at the very top of our voices...