*This post was updated on 11/7/2025

My favorite part of Christmas has always been the Christmas tree. After all these years, putting up the tree has become second nature to me. I’ve long worked out the kinks of light storage, extension cords, ornament placement, and garland. So much so that when my daughter called me last week in tears because she was ready to take a pair of scissors to her lights, I realized it’s a learned, not innate, skill.

So I thought I would share my best step-by-step tips for decorating a gorgeous Christmas tree!

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My Favorite Tips for Decorating Your Christmas Tree

Tip #1: Fluff up those Branches (The Foundation of a Full Christmas Tree)

This is a no-brainer if you are using an artificial Christmas tree, but even fresh trees can benefit from their branches being arranged and fluffed. The secret here is to take some time and touch all the branches. Really spread them out. Then make sure not to make them too perfect. It should mimic nature as much as possible. If you have a fresh tree, you can also use this time to trim any of those branches that are erratic.

Tip # 2 All about the lights (How to Light a Christmas Tree)

Always check your lights before hanging them on the tree! Don’t skip this step; it will bite you in the butt, I promise. I check that they work and determine whether they are warm or cool lights, which I then separate. I don’t mind mixing sizes of light strands, but I do want them to glow the same.

Another great hack: Hang your lights vertically instead of wrapping them around the tree. It uses fewer lights, and if one burns out during the season, it’s much easier to replace! For a gorgeous, sparkly tree, I recommend about 100 lights per foot of tree. So for an eight-foot tree, that’s eight strands.

When hanging the actual lights, work the lights deep into the tree, toward the trunk, as you go, making sure to cover all the major branches. This will give your tree that magical inner glow. I highly recommend a timer for your tree lights as it’s just so easy.

Note: Please remove all the white stickers from your tree lights! No one wants to see that!

Tip #3: Ornaments—Variety is Key (Best Ornament Placement)

Whether you are decorating a theme tree—anyone else seeing the Ralph Lauren Aesthetic everywhere this season?—or a classic hodgepodge, the key here is to vary your ornament sizes. This will add depth to your tree.

I like to start by sorting my ornaments into piles. I choose the largest ornaments first, so they are balanced. You are aiming for symmetry here, so stand back and review your progress as you work. Next up are my favorite special ornaments (or the stars of the show, if you will), and these I place by size and color. Finally, I fill in any remaining gaps with everything else.

You can shop some of my favorite 2025 Tree Decorations here at my Amazon Storefront.

Another tip: Layer ornaments inside the tree to create depth and achieve an elevated look.

Tip #4: Adding Garland (How to Drape Garland)

Garland goes on after the ornaments and adds a lovely finishing touch. Garlands come in many forms, so choose what you love. For years, I made real popcorn and cranberries, and my daughters loved that! I stopped the year we got a puppy who ate the popcorn and left the string. 🙂

Starting from the top assures nice, evenly placed strands. Garland can be as simple as a handmade paper chain or as fancy as this garland with pretty brass doves. And for some extra glam, how about tinsel! For that Ralph Lauren look, velvet bows are back in a big way and are simple to make.

Please note: Tinsel is not kitty-friendly.

Tip #5: Finish it off with a Tree Topper (Choosing the Right Tree Topper)

Whatever you top your tree off with is a personal choice. My tip is to make sure the size balances with the tree. Think about a large velvet ribbon bow, traditional angels, stars, or something like ours (below) that is not so traditional but has a story behind it, so we love her.

Shop some of my favorite tree toppers here.

Tip #6: Finishing the Base (Cozy Tree Stands and Skirts)-

Whatever you choose for the base will complete the look! I keep our main tree in a handmade box my husband made a few years ago. For our smaller trees, I’ve used baskets, planters, a vintage trunk, and suitcases. Think outside the box! (see what I did there).

For a simple touch, I like to wrap it in a fluffy throw, or you can always finish it off with a traditional tree skirt or even a tablecloth. The most creative Christmas tree stand I’ve seen is this one:

Let’s decorate a Christmas Tree – Some of my favorites over the years.

While we are talking trees, here are a few of my more memorable Christmas trees.

The Peace-Themed Tree – Love all the decor, especially the friendly neutrals on this tree. To see more Neutral Holiday decor, check out this post.

The time I just had to use fresh flowers….you can see what I used here.

And now, going back to the Christmas tree that started it all! Look at those boots and the Flocked tree with pink ornaments. My mom was ahead of her time!

Those are the tips I’ve shared with my own grown daughters, and I hope you find them helpful as well. Happy Decorating!

If you are looking for an artificial tree, take a peek at my Lowe’s Storefront for some of my favorites.

Until next time,

-Libbie

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