How to decorate a Christmas tree

Why does your Christmas tree always end up looking cluttered and lopsided? Christmas tree decorating is an art; if you don’t pre-plan your ensemble, it can look chaotic and uneven.

However, with just a bit of forethought and planning, anyone can make their Christmas tree look luxurious and full, turning it into a fun experience rather than just another Christmas chore.

Table of contents:

• 5 key steps on how to decorate the Christmas tree
• How to decorate a Christmas tree
• How to put baubles on a Christmas tree
• Can you hang decorations on a fibre-optic Christmas tree?
• How to use picks on a Christmas tree
• How to decorate a Christmas tree to look full

5 key steps on how to decorate the Christmas tree

In this guide, we will provide you with our top tips on how to hang Christmas decorations, including baubles and picks, to achieve the best display possible for the festive season.

• Start with a theme: Choose a cohesive theme (Traditional, Modern, Rustic, or Whimsical) before you start hanging decorations to ensure your final look is intentional and stylish.
• Layer for depth: Apply lights and ribbons/garlands first. Weave your lights deeply into the branches and on the tips to create visual depth and fullness.
• Place ornaments strategically: Hang larger baubles closer to the trunk and smaller, delicate ones on the outer tips of the branches. Distribute sizes and colours evenly for balance.
• Use fillers wisely: Incorporate decorative filler elements, such as picks, sprays, and ribbons, to fill gaps, add texture, and make the tree appear significantly fuller without relying solely on baubles.
• Fluff is fundamental: Always take the time to spread and fan out the branches (even real ones!) before decorating. This simple act is the secret to maximum fullness.

How to decorate a Christmas tree

Follow these simple steps for a well-decorated and classy Christmas tree.

Firstly, pick a theme: Whether you want traditional or modern colours, rustic elements or whimsical characters, having a set theme will make your Christmas tree decorations look cohesive and intentional.

Christmas tree decorating ideas

If you’re not sure where to start with picking a theme, here are some Christmas tree-decorating ideas to get you started:

Traditional: If you like the look of traditional-looking trees, stick to reds, greens, golds and silvers. These classic Christmas colours will make your display look timeless and nostalgic.

Modern: If you want to experiment with a modern Christmas tree theme, choose white or metallic or decorations in all one colour for a monochrome look. A modern theme will be eye-catching, abstract and different, a real conversation starter.

Rustic: If you adore the cosy rustic Christmas vibe, stick to natural materials like wood, burlap and pinecones to bring a magical woodland aesthetic into your home.

Whimsical: If you relish the joyful feelings of Christmas, choose bright colours and fun, unusual ornaments to create a whimsical aesthetic for your Christmas tree decor.

How to decorate a christmas tree: Step by step

Once you’ve picked a theme and decorations, you can start hanging them.

1. Start with lights: how to put lights on a christmas tree: Whether you choose warm white, cool white, multicoloured or flashing, start with the base and work your way up in a spiral, distributing the lights evenly. Push some deeper into the tree and on the outer branches to create depth. 
2. Add garland or ribbon: how to put the ribbon on a christmas tree: Whether you prefer tinsel, bead garland or ribbon, cascade your garland from the top down, wrapping around the tree. Why not create bows, twists and loops for a more layered look? 
3. Add hanging Christmas tree decorations and baubles: Start with larger ornaments and hang them deeper in the tree for balance. End with the smaller ones at the end of branches. Spread colours and sizes out evenly for a balanced look. Place sentimental or unique ornaments in prominent spots. Or, why not group smaller ornaments on a branch for a fuller, more natural look?
4. Add a tree topper: Add a classic tree topper like a star or angel for a traditional look, or get creative with a large bow, floral topper or something to match your theme. 
5. Fill the gaps: Fill any gaps or bare spaces with floral picks, sprays or additional smaller ornaments.
6. Add a tree skirt or base covering: Use a tree skirt, a basket or fabric like burlap or faux fur to cover the tree base to add a finishing touch. Try to match your skirt to the theme of the decoration.

How to put baubles on a Christmas tree

If you’re baffled by baubles, fear not! If you’ve chosen a bauble theme, here are our top tips for decorating your Christmas tree with beautiful baubles. 

1. Choose a theme or colour scheme to make your tree decoration design feel more deliberate, for example, traditional, modern or rustic.
2. Group your baubles by colour, size and texture before you start to help you create balance when decorating. 
3. Start with the larger ones, then the medium ones, and lastly the small ones. Keep larger baubles deeper inside the tree, closer to the trunk, for a fuller look. Distribute sizes evenly for symmetry; placing the smaller ones on the tips of the branches adds a delicate finish. 
4. Fill any other gaps with decorative picks, ribbons or hanging ornaments.
5. Distribute colour evenly for a harmonious, balanced look. 
6. Place sentimental or standout baubles last on the more prominent branches.

Can you hang decorations on a fibre-optic Christmas tree?

Maybe you have chosen to decorate your home with a glistening fibre-optic Christmas tree this season. However, you’re wondering if you can still hang your favourite ornaments.

The answer is yes! You can add hanging decorations to your fibre-optic Christmas tree. However, be careful when hanging them to avoid damaging the fibre-optic lights or obstructing the lighting effect. Follow these easy tips for the perfect display.

• Use lightweight ornaments: Fibre-optic trees often have lighter, thinner branches than traditional trees, so choose lightweight ornaments to avoid weighing down the branches.
• Avoid overcrowding: Overcrowding the tree with decorations might block the fibre-optic lights, reducing their visual impact. Space out the decorations to allow the lighting to shine through.
• Place decorations carefully: Be careful when hanging decorations to avoid damaging the delicate fibre-optic strands. Maybe use picks or clips that attach gently to the branches.

Consider a minimalistic theme: Since fibre-optic trees already have a glowing, colourful effect, you might opt for a more minimalistic approach. A few strategically placed ornaments or ribbons will complement rather than overshadow the tree’s built-in beauty.

How to use picks on a Christmas tree

If you’ve never encountered Christmas picks, they are a great option for adding texture, colour and dimension to your Christmas tree-scape. Here are our top tips for using them effectively and how they help complement your existing hanging tree decorations.

• Select a variety within a theme or colour: If you want a woodland theme, choose a variety of Christmas tree picks like berries, pinecones and frosted branches to give a rustic, natural look. Or, if you want a certain colour, choose a variety of picks in a particular colour, like red, gold or silver, for a traditional aesthetic. Or, opt for silver, white or jewelled tones for a modern design.
• Place your Christmas tree picks strategically: Use them to fill in gaps, experiment with placement near the trunk or at the ends of branches to create dimension or cluster them together for a bigger impact. Remember to distribute them evenly for a balanced and symmetrical look. 
• Use as a tree topper: Some also like to use picks as tree toppers.
• Combine ornaments: After adding your Christmas picks, hang tree decorations or baubles. Picks will act as a backdrop for your favourite tree decorations.

How to decorate a Christmas tree to look full

If your Christmas tree decoration design has looked a little sparse in previous years and you want to make an impact with a fuller-looking tree, here is how to maximise the decorations you have to create a fuller look.

• Fluff the branches: how to fluff a christmas tree: Whether you have a real or artificial tree, make sure the branches are spread out; they can get squashed in the attic or on the car ride home. Separate and fan out the needles to maximise fullness.
• Use lots of lights: These will help fill gaps and make the tree appear fuller. Weave them in and out along branches from the trunk to the tip of the branches.
• Ornament placement: Ornament placement is key for a fuller-looking tree. Place them further back on branches and on the tips to create depth. Use a mixture of sizes: larger ones will fill the space, while smaller ones will add detail and interest. Remember to space them evenly and distribute them from top to bottom to avoid creating sparse spots.
• Use filler decorations: One of the clever tricks to creating a fuller-looking Christmas tree decoration is not adding more ornaments but using filler decorations. For example, garlands, ribbons, tinsel, and picks will fill your branches and make your Christmas tree hanging decorations stand out without looking too busy.

Christmas tree decorations at Cotswold Trading

We hope our top Christmas tree decorating tips have provided you with some inspiration and clarity on creating the best display this year. Remember that decorating your Christmas tree is supposed to be enjoyable, so if you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right!

Need more Christmas tree decorating ideas? Browse our Christmas tree decorations here at Cotswold Trading for decorations to match any theme.

Happy decorating!

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