Do you have your tree up yet? I know a few people who do. I'm all for savouring the season but it's a tad early for me. Having said that, this year we'll be decorating next weekend because past then, we have zero weekends free. With my office move nearing, our eldest daughter travelling for swim meets and our youngest in the Alberta Ballet Nutcracker production, our only option is next weekend. I love Christmas, the decor, the wrapping, the lights, music... I could go on. Every year, I try to slow down, however each year just seems more hectic than the last. This season is going to be extra full but with lots of exciting things, and I can't wait! Bring on Christmas!

Christmas Tree Decorating 101, Nyla Free Designs Inc., Calgary Interior Designer

Did you know there's a formula for decorating your Christmas tree? Ever feel overwhelmed with how many decorations you need, how many lights are best or quite frankly, do you have too much of one or the other? We're here to help! Here is the 101 of Christmas tree decorating based on every foot of tree height you have.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Is your tree pre-lit? If not you will want to get lights on your tree before you even start thinking about decorating!
Make sure you have the right ladder to get the job done! You’ll be needing to get at all the right angles so ensure that you can stand comfortably.
Have you picked your tree’s colour theme yet? Does this work best with white lights, or with colour? There are so many options now a days, from LED vs. incandescent to solid & colour changing, the possibilities are endless!
Make sure you evenly distribute your lights throughout your tree. If you can, try to hide the chords in amongst the branches for a more discrete aesthetic.
You may need more or less lights than what’s recommended above depending on the proportions of your tree.

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Now that you’ve got lights on your tree, it’s time to put up that garland! It’ll be easier to add this in before you start dipping into your ornaments!
Similar to your lights, you’re going to want to make sure your garland is proportionately draped down your tree. Have gaps between the branch rows? Garland makes for the perfect filler! Cascade the garland down to fill in those empty spots, for a well balanced tree aesthetic.
Have fun with texture! Whether wooden beads, pom-poms, something feathery or even a string of leaves, as featured below, garland is a chance to add an extra layer of texture to your tree!

ADDITIONAL TIPS:

Start out by selecting a colour scheme that suits your desired aesthetic.

It’s best to order an odd number of ornaments, this will be more visually appealing! Make sure to also select a variety of shapes and sizes to play with!
Start big! Distribute your larger ornaments throughout your tree, this way you’ll be able to come back and fill in some of those gaps with any smaller pieces.
Save the unique ornaments for last! Whether a baby’s first Christmas, or something found on your travels, ornaments hold stories, and ones definitely worth including in your tree. Use these items to fill in any remaining spaces!

It's that simple! Now is the time to update your lights, splurge on new ornaments and overall, upgrade your tree for your best one yet. I hope these tips have inspired you to create a beautiful and memorable tree this year!