How to Decorate a X'mas Tree

For many of us, Christmas is the most celebrated and cherished time of the year. We dream about it months before the 25th of December and we try to anticipate the way we’ll spend this magic period. In order to make the most of it, we have to choose the best Christmas decorations (the most glamorous and eye catching Christmas ornaments), the most attractive Christmas tree and to be surrounded by our family and friends.

We all seem to be perfectionists when it comes to Christmas decorations. It’s understandable, since we wait for an entire year to celebrate the birth of Jesus and to enjoy the reunion of our family. But the best herald of this holy time of the year remains the Christmas tree. It’s around it where we share stories and laugh and open Santa’s presents. 

The origins of the Christmas tree are not known for sure, but they date since ancient times and are connected to religious rituals. The practice of adorning it seems to have started during the 1500s, when an evergreen was associated with the Mother of Jesus and was decorated with roses as Christmas ornaments. A period when the Christmas decorations were represented only by nuts, pretzels, raisins and cookies followed. Then the glass balls appeared and gradually they were replaced by today’s plastic tree ornaments, like bells, toys, stars, candy canes, socks, Santa Claus hats and little snowmen.

The first thing to have in mind when searching for a Christmas tree is whether you prefer a real or a fake one. There are some advantages and disadvantages: the real one is very beautiful and smells like winter and forest, but it can make a mess of needles on your floor if it isn’t a special type of fir (evergreen) or if it wasn’t treated with special chemicals; the fake one will look realistic enough when we arrange its branches, but it will not fool anyone.

The finishing note for the tree is represented by the Christmas ornaments. No matter what you choose, how you decide to adorn it, your tree should say something about you and your family. You may choose a religious theme or a modern one. You may choose only white, red, silver, gold or other fancy colourful Christmas decorations. You don’t even have to spend a lot of money to have beautiful and unique Christmas ornaments for the Christmas tree. You can make a lot of them together with your family, in order to give your celebration a personal touch. Children especially are very enthusiastic about manufacturing all kinds of Christmas ornaments by themselves, using materials like white or coloured paper. Snowflakes are one of the simplest Christmas decorations to be made. This will develop their imagination and their skills and you will have less work to do by yourself. 

Whatever your choice, there are some basic principles to help you decorate your tree with pizzazz. Once it's safely set up on its stand, have your ornaments, lights and accessories ready to one side. Here's an order of steps to make the task easier:

1. Put the lights on first. Don't try to wrap a cord of lights around a tree that already has ornaments hanging on it. Placing some of the lights further back on the branches will emphasize depth and leave more room for other items.
2. Make sure you have enough lights to create the effect you want. You can go with all one color or have a contrasting multicolored effect. Your other decorations will reflect the lights to create a dazzling display.
3. Try to distribute the lights evenly across the tree to avoid a 'bunching' effect. You can find lighting sets that are arranged as a net that can be draped over the tree. These can produce a very regular distribution, although this kind of wiring can be harder to disguise within the branches.
4. If you like to use garlands, beads or tinsel, work from the top of the tree downwards. Once again, try to space them evenly and avoid a 'layered' effect.
5. Hang your ornaments last. That way, you'll be less likely to knock delicate items from their branches.
6. Think about the effect that different arrangements would create: for example, you could distribute your larger pieces evenly across the tree and then fill the spaces in between with smaller items -- or perhaps create clusters of shapes and sizes in areas that will be more prominent.
7. Don't forget to crown your tree with your favorite topper - an angel, a star or some other special ornament. Then stand back and admire your handiwork!

Whether you're young in years or simply young at heart, the magic of dressing a Christmas tree never ceases to bring joy and wonder to mark the start of the holiday season.

(Source Internet)