How To Decorate a Christmas Tree Like A Professional In 7 Easy Steps

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Not quite sure how to decorate your Christmas Tree this year? Don’t worry! This post will give you an easy step by step guide to building a stunning Christmas tree like you’ve been doing it for years.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Cue the Christmas music! One of the best things about Christmas is decorating the tree🎄. I know my kids really enjoy helping put the tree together.

As a Mom, I’ve always strived to create a magical Christmas for my kids during the holiday’s and Christmas tree is definitely a big part of creating that ambiance.

But being a young Mom, I’ve really never had the money to decorate our home the way I always wanted for holiday’s

Ever since buying our first house this past Summer, all I’ve been dreaming of is decorating it for Christmas! Last year I bought our first Christmas tree (which was such a a huge accomplishment).

It also made me realize how completely overwhelming decorating a Christmas tree is. But I was determined to master the art of Christmas tree decorating like a professional!

After doing some extensive research, I’ve learned quite a bit about how to build the perfect Christmas tree. And I’m here to give you the step by step guide on how to decorate the Christmas tree of your dreams.

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE LIKE A PRO

Step 1: Choose A Color Theme

Sitting down and choosing a theme or color platte for your tree before you start decorating will help the tree come together seamlessly.

Your tree should reflect your style. The funnest part of decorating your Christmas tree is that you can change it every year! So you can really have fun with it and get creative.

Here are some popular themes:

  • Neutral tones (white, silver, gold)
  • Classic Christmas (red, green, gold, silver)
  • Blue and silver
  • Pink
  • Rainbow

Step 2: Pick A Tree

Step one to decorating a Christmas tree is, well obviously having a Christmas tree to decorate😅 .If you already have a tree skip to step two! If not, we’ve got to figure out exactly what kind of tree you are looking for. 

There are endless choices to choose from when picking a Christmas tree. It all depends on the vibe you want and what you truly love because you will most likely have this tree for years to come!

Evaluate your Space

Depending on where in your home you’re putting your Christmas tree will help dictate what size of tree to get.

There are tree’s ranging from 3ft-10ft tall! Figure out how high your ceilings are before you make your decision. 

Where to buy a Christmas tree?

There are tons of places to find your dream Christmas tree. I recommend looking at:

They all offer a large variety of trees, have great prices and can be shipped to you, to ensure that you find the perfect tree.

Finding the right tree for you

Picking a Christmas tree is actually a pretty big deal. Because you will most likely have this tree for years to come, it’s important to choose a tree that suits you.

It’s time to think about if you want a classic fluffy green tree, skinny tree, snow covered tree, pink tree, etc.

✨The most important thing about getting a faux Christmas Tree✨

The single most important step to setting up your Christmas tree is to: FLUFF THE BRANCHES. I promise you this is such a huge step in helping make your tree look incredible. 

I’m not going to lie, it does take a little bit of work and some time to fluff out all the empty spaces in the tree. My husband and I usually grab a glass of wine, put on a movie and get to work. But once you’re done you’ll be left with a gorgeous base for decorating.

Check out these christmas trees:

1. Budget-Friendly Option

I love this tree mainly for the price! Getting a 7.5 ft pre-lit Christmas tree under $100 is a serious win in my book. This is the exact tree I bought as our first Christmas tree.

2. Snow Flocked

This tree is absolutely GORGEOUS. I love how fluffy it is. The flocked branches give off such a cozy feeling.

3. The Light Show Tree

Wow everyone with an ambiance you can create with these lights from your phone. It is definitely on the pricer side for a reason. I mean Christmas lights that are controlled by your phone? Amazing. 

Step 3: Add String Lights

You’re probably like, “I have a pre-lit tree?” But just hear me out, I understand that you have a tree with lights but not all pre-lit trees come with enough lights to create that wow factor. For example, my budget tree I told you about earlier could use a few more rows of lights.

In addition to adding lights to your pre-lit tree for brightness, you could also add colorful ones for change of scenery as well. So if you have a pre-lit white light tree, adding color lights will change the entire feel of the tree and vice-a-versa. As well as adding lights that are able to flash, dim or have a pattern

Adding more lights will help your tree get that ‘WOW’ factor and help it stand out

Of course if you have a real Christmas tree or a non-pre-lit tree then this is a step you absolutely can not skip!

1. Remote Control LED Lights

I recommend grabbing a pack of these for all of you color changing desires, these lights are tailored more towards someone without a pre-lit tree.

2. Simple Fairy Lights

If you’re just looking to add a little something extra to your tree, then adding string fairy lights are the perfect option.

How to hang lights on a Christmas Tree

Believe it or not there is actually a method to hanging Christmas tree lights. I found this amazing easy to follow video that shows you three different ways to put lights on your tree that way you can plan out the best way to put lights on your tree.

When adding lights:

  • Make sure you have enough to go up the entire tree (to avoid running out)
  • Use green wired lights
  • Start at the bottom
  • Place lights deep in the branches and bring them forward
  • Wrap them around branches to keep them in place
  • Focus on adding lights to the front of the tree (no one will notice the back)

Step 4: Get A Tree Topper

Pick a Christmas Tree topper. Your topper could be a classic star or an angel. Light up or sparkly. A snowman, peppermint patty  big bow, or a snowflake.The possibilities are truly endless. Pick something that goes with your theme.

1. Glitter Star

This star is elegant and as a little glitter to help it pop but it’s overly flashy. It gives off that classic Christmas feel.

2. Snowflake Light Up Projector

A projector Christmas tree topper can be such a gorgeous addition to your tree. This would look so cool at night.

3. Poinsettia Tree Topper

I’ve always been a sucker for poinsettias during the holiday’s. This one is so pretty and elegant.

Step 5: Add Ribbon

Adding ribbon to your Christmas tree really helps tie everything together and makes your tree look fuller. 

When picking ribbon choose 2-4 different kinds of ribbon that match your color scheme. Mix and match different colors and textures will really help to take your tree to the next level.

I recommend picking wired ribbon, that way you can get your ribbon to stay in place and wrap it around tree branches.

How To hang Ribbon On Your Christmas tree

There are multiple ways you can add ribbon to your Christmas tree. Here are some ideas:

  • Vertical. Lines that start from the top and are tucked into the tree about every 20 inches.
  • Bows. You can loop your ribbon five time than tie off and place bows throughout the tree.
  • Layering. Adding multiple colors/textures of ribbon to your design.

Example ribbon styles:

Vertical
Bows
Layered

Confused? I found this super helpful video showing 5 different ways to hang ribbon on your Christmas tree, you can check it out here.

1. Satin Wired Glitter Ribbon

This is the perfect ribbon to use when decorating a Christmas tree. 

The mix of satin and glitter is exactly how to mix textures in an elegant way.

2. Platinum Velvet Ribbon

Using a velvet ribbon can really help ‘cozy’ up your tree. 

This one is soft but still wired so that it’s easily shaped.

3. Sheer Glitter Ribbon

This ribbon is perfect for layering ribbon on your tree.

For example adding this ribbon on top of the velvet ribbon we just talked about would be so beautiful.

Step 6: Add Garland, Tinsel Or Picks

To take your tree up a notch add either garland, tinsel or picks. Now you definitely don’t need to add all of these in fear of it becoming too over-the-top. But choosing one to fit into your aesthetic will help fill in gaps and make the tree look complete.

Garland

1. Wooden Ball Garland

Wooden beads look so good on Christmas trees, they are so trendy right now. I love them!

Tinsel

1. Gold Tinsel

Tinsel is so fun way to add shimmer and color to match your theme

2. Red and White Tinsel

Another fun use for tinsel is to add it as your pop of color!

Picks

Gold Glitter Cedar Pick

Having these gold picks sticking out all over the tree will really make your tree pop. 

If you want to make an even bigger statement you could find longer picks.

White Glitter Poinsettia

I am completely obsessed with Christmas poinsettias!

I think they are beautiful and seasonal and perfect to add through out the Christmas tree.

Step 7: Ornaments And Skirt

Here are the finale step to decorate a Christmas tree like a professional (and in my opinion the most fun part) adding your ornaments and skirt to your tree!

This is the part that the kids really love to help with. When I was little my parents had a full collection of ornaments they gathered throughout the years, but when you get your first Christmas tree, you don’t have that collection ready.

Which is why getting a matching set of ornaments to the easiest way to kick start your collection.

Ornaments

30pcs Gold Ornament Set

This classic gold ornament set is the perfect way to start out your Christmas ornament collection.

20 Piece Christmas Tree Ornament Set

I love the color tones of this set, these ornaments are a bit more

101 Piece Holiday Ornament Set

This is probably the ultimate ornament collection. I love these because it’s an all in one set you get your ornaments, tree topper and a garland.

And they come in different color schemes!

Tree Skirt

Cozy Knit Ivory Tree Skirt

Is there anything more comfy looking than this chunky knit skirt?

Obsessed. But this skirt, while very popular, is on the higher price range.

Chunky Knitted Ruffle Skirt

This is actually the skit I have under my tree! I love the cozy/rustic vibe it gives off.

Fur Throw Skirt

Faux fur skirts are super popular right now. They are so cute. 

Anything faux fur goes with Christmas. I also think it’s kind of mocks the look of snow.

This post showed you exactly how to decorate a Christmas tree like a professional in 7 easy steps.