>>>Spruce up your tree-trimming technique with these tips from the pros.
1. To create more visual impact, hang larger, bolder ornaments closer to the trunk, and lighter, more simple ornaments closer to the edge.
Bigger ornaments can stand out against the bushiness of a tree's interior, and branches are stronger at the base, so this rule just makes plain good sense to follow. Use Glitter Spiked Burst Ornaments to punctuate the interior branches of your tree. Also consider tucking a few larger ornaments, like Paper Mache Animal Ornaments in spots where branches are sparse to fill up space and give your tree a fuller look.
2. Hang smaller ornaments near the top, and larger ones closer to the bottom.
Remember learning in art history class how the Greeks curved the columns of the Parthenon to make them appear straighter and taller when viewed from the ground? You can used the same forced-perspective technique on your tree! Placing smaller ornaments above eye level will subtly make your tree seem taller. It's also smarter as the smaller, more tender branches near the top are often not strong enough to carry the weight of large ornaments. Of course, the one exception to this rule is your tree-topper. The Capiz Star Tree Topper will seem even brighter and bolder when surrounded by smaller, more delicate ornaments at the top of your tree.
3. Mix up shapes and textures.
Variety is key to a perfectly decorated tree.Though it makes sense to stick with an overall theme when selecting ornaments, try to branch out in terms of texture and type. Knits are a great way to add a new, cozy texture to your collection. Try some Knit Animal Ornaments, or Knit Mitten Ornaments for cute shapes and comfy textures. If your tree has a more modern look, consider trimming with Knit Ball Garlands which add a new texture and shape in a clean, simple manner.
4. Use white lights to show off bright ornaments.
White lights, especially super-brights LEDs, provide the cleanest light for showing off glittering ornaments. When decorating your tree consider the placement of shiny ornaments in relation to strings of light. Shatterproof Blue/Green Ornaments, for example, will shine especially bright when reflecting nearby lights.
5. Estimate 150 lights per vertical foot of tree.
150 lights per foot of tree will provide a very luminous glow. Enough to illuminate ornaments as well as provide a soft light for the room.
Of course, none of these tips are very helpful if you don't have a tree to begin with! Artificial trees have come a long way since the days of bright pink metallic "trees". (Though if you're going for a retro Kitschmas, you could still get away with that one). Target has a wide selection, and we're a fan of the 7.5-ft Pre-lit Balsam Fir from Philips. It comes with a stand and is lit with 500 clear mini-bulbs so it's easy to set up. You can also choose an artificial tree by variety, like this Virginia Fir. Whichever tree you choose this year, follow the tips above for great results!
>>>For more tree trimming inspiration and decor ideas, check out Target's 2012 Holiday Home Catalog.
What's your tree trimming technique and do you have any tips to share? Let us know in the comments!
Images: Target
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A friend of mine who worked in a Christmas shop told me that when stringing lights, white lights, insert them far back into the branches so that the light comes "out of the tree" instead of just stringing them around the perimeter. I do this now, it's more work, but it makes a big difference.
How is everyone liking LED lights these days? I really want to like them due to their efficiency but just tried multicolored LEDs and returned them for incandescent multicolored... I'm trying to recreate the feel of the tree I had growing up and it just wasn't the same - to me it seemed more intense and less cozy, and I didn't like that instead of pink there was purple (at least in the brand I tried.) I couldn't even make it through one test evening to get used to them. Wondering if the effect is better with white lights... it's hard to gauge in the bright store lights compared to at home.
To simplify your life, hang lights in a VERTICAL line (straight or zigzag), rather than going horizontally around and around the tree. Much easier to put up and to take back down after the holidays. Also, this way, if you're short on lights, you can always fudge on the number of lights on the back of the tree if it's up against the wall and hidden from view anyway.
(and if you have cats, I'd recommend skipping the tinsel, since some cats regard it as cat grass, and if your cats are still in the frisky kittenish stage, I'd recommend putting the sturdier or cheaper ornaments on the lower branches -- better yet, some wooden or paper ornaments -- so if the cat bats at the ornaments, there's less chance of breakage)
I don't like LED lights either, they feel too cold. I prefer clear lights anyway.
I bought 3 of the Glitter Spiked Burst Ornaments at Crate & Barrell (they had only the gold ones) - and once I put them on the tree, I wished I had bought more of them.
Some of the makers of LED lights are now making them look like incandescent (more yellowish and less purple). They are indeed brighter than that which I grew up, but being able to string a lot more strings together on one outlet is really, really nice.
Ohmigod, you're brilliant, thank you for the lights tip! That never occurred to me.
LED lights are, well, different looking than regular lights. Even "regular" lights are different, too. You have the old painted ones that would fry your fingers when touched (and the paint would chip off, showing the searingly bright filament). The ceramic coated ones, still hot. Your clear coated C5 lights (love those and still my top pick for outside). Then came the invasion of the mini lights.
As LED technology matures, I'm sure we'll see them look like regular lights, in all their not the same glory.
ps. B U B B L E L I G H T S ! ! !