The the first step with either type of tree is taking the packaging off  the tree and giving it a once over.  A live tree will need to be shaken out, picked over for lose crap inside it, and placed in water.  It helps if you saw off a little of the bottom of the trunk to give the tree a fresh cut. It will soak up more water this way. For a artificial tree, the removal of the packing material includes taking off any straps and edge protectors on the outer box, opening the box and removing any cardboard edge protectors or other custom packaging solutions used by the maker inside the box and then “fluffing” the tree to make it look more natural.

The next step is putting the lights on the tree.  If you have a live tree the light recommendation is usually several hundred lights for a four to five foot tree.  Some experts go so far as to state a hundred lights per foot, but if you are placing other items on the tree too, this is likely too high.  I personally cut it down to about half or a quarter of the recommended amount, using about four hundred lights for a eight foot tree on average. Some artificial trees have the lights built in so those just need to be plugged in to an outlet.

One additional word about lights.  The newer LED sets use far less energy and are far more safe then older light sets. If you are using anything but a newer mini-light set, make sure you check it for wear and never use lights with damaged cords.  If a set says “outdoor” on it never use it on the tree – the lights can become hot enough to start fires and many people lose much more then just their Christmas packages because of fires this time of year.

Placing your decorations on the tree can be done before or after garland is strung.  The best garland is the kind made by hand – cranberries and popcorn, paper chains, beads, or what have you.  Take the time to create garland and you will enjoy it much more then some tinsel covered fuzz on the tree.  If you have pets consider placing delicate pieces higher in the tree to keep the animals from knocking them down.  Another suggestion is to hang festive bells at the base of the tree so that you can hear if it is being played with.

Unfortunately, some people really do put in the effort in making their Christmas trees as nice-looking and Christmas-y as they possibly can, except that, well, not everyone has the knack for decorating anything at all.

On the other hand, there are tips that you can read about in magazines and on the internet with special features on the holidays to help you design your Christmas tree and actually come up with something that anyone would not fail to admire.

Now, if you have the dilemma of choosing what tree to get this time of the year, you can always go the other way and try out an artificial Christmas tree just this one time. You can always keep it in storage after the holidays and just take it out again next year. It saves you more money on Christmas trees this way.

To make your choice of tree have the Christmas effect, you have to consider what other holiday decors you are going to put in your home or wherever you’re going to put your tree.

Whatever tree you choose, whether an artificial Christmas tree or something else, you can always make it as special as possible with the kind of ornaments you’re going to hang on it.

From modern homes, to country homes, to contemporary condo units, you should take into account the surroundings where you’re going to place your artificial Christmas trees to create a concrete theme for your Christmas interiors.

If you’re feeling a little white Christmas is what you want this year, you can get one of those artificial white Christmas trees and decorate this one for your living room. You can even get several trees in fact, for different parts of your home, although it would be best to get smaller ones for the other rooms and just have the big white one in the living room.

Decorating your white Christmas tree does not require expensive ornaments in order for them to look perfect for your Christmas celebration. The family can all pitch in ideas about Christmas decors for the home and for the tree.

In fact, designing your white artificial Christmas tree this year could be a family affair where everyone will gather in the family home to put up your family holiday tree.

Article source: http://www.christmastreecatalog.com/blog/decorating-your-christmas-tree/

A well-coordinated holiday theme is, of course, something that will look good to everyone dropping by unannounced, and all the ooh’s and ahh’s are well worth all the effort you put into designing your home for the holidays.

Always, the center of your holiday decors is the Christmas tree. No holiday interiors will be complete without the magnificent tree standing in a special place in the house.

When it comes to Christmas trees, there’s a lot to be said. Their importance cannot be emphasized enough when the holiday season comes. It symbolizes the spirit of Christmas, and for most people, it also symbolizes family.

Now, if you’re considering all the choices of a Christmas tree for this holiday season, you could go with the artificial Christmas trees that have become more popular lately. Artificial Christmas trees are not only cost-efficient, but they are also easier to put down after the holidays; plus, you can keep them in the closet until the next holidays.

Artificial Christmas trees come in many styles and forms, which is even better because you can already think of decorating ideas for the holidays once you’ve picked out your stylish tree. Prelit Christmas trees, for instance, are popular because the lights show the trees in better forms.

Sure, you may have been used to going to tree farms since you were a kid, and it has become a tradition in the family to all trek down to the farm to pick your tree, but this time around, you can still uphold family traditions around the tree by decorating it as a family.

Personalizing it is actually better with each family member putting in something special that holds personal meaning for them. Old photos, cards, letters and other personal items that are strewn together or placed creatively on the tree makes the tree even more meaningful this Christmas.

Placing together old and new tree ornaments symbolize a great many things for a family, like the coming together of old and new family members; i.e. spouses and children; even long-lost relatives.

Whether you opt for prelit Christmas trees or you want to get the ones that are down to their bare essentials so you can spruce it up yourself, a Christmas tree will always hold special memories for each holiday spent with friends and family, and that’s what matters most.

Article source: http://www.christmastreecatalog.com/blog/personalize-your-christmas-tree/