Beach Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Perhaps, you live in that part of the world where Christmas comes during the summer, or where Christmas temperatures are such that snow never falls, and you want to match the outside feel to the Christmas tree you have inside. Or perhaps, you live somewhere with feet of snow accumulating around and you yearn for those hot summer days. Whatever your situation, these Christmas tree decoration ideas will fit just right on your tree and will bring that summer atmosphere you want.

Oriental Trading has a variety of beach decorations for you to purchase. These items are inexpensive and are generally true to their on-line and catalog description.

To hang any of the decorations that do not already have a hook use fishing line.

Hawaiian decorations

In place of the traditional tinsel, use a Hawaiian garland to wrap around your tree (IN-34/447Bright Jumbo Flower Lei Garland 9 ft. $3.99).

Add hula dancing bears (IN-34/670 5" Plush Hawaiian Hula Bears $14.99 Per Dozen) a few hula rubber duckies (IN-34/1152 2" Luau Rubber Duckies $5.99 Per Dozen) and you will have yourself a "Mele kalikimaka" day, the Hawaiian way to wish a Merry Christmas.

For your treetop you can use one of the hula bears. Choose the one that you like the best among the group and secure it to the top with fishing line.

Seashell decorations

If you like seashells and want to decorate the Christmas tree with them, you can purchase natural sand dollars (IN-34/3 1" - 1 3/8" Genuine Sand Dollar Basket $4.99 each with about 50 items) or perhaps use seashells you have found the last time you walked along the beach. If you don't have any seashells of your own, Oriental Trading also sells Natural Clamrose seashells (1 lbs for $3.99) or colored Clamrose (IN-34/508 ½"-1 ¼" Clamrose Seashells $5.99 about 300 Pieces) and Genuine Mini Seashells (2800 pieces for $3.99).

You can complete the tree with a Flip-Flop Light set (IN-23/208 3" Flip Flop Light Set 8 ft. $6.99 1 Set).

Starfish decorations

If you prefer the starfish, Oriental Trading has a selection of natural starfish (IN-34/4 1"-3" Natural Starfish Assortment $4.99 30 Piece) and colored starfish (IN-34/242 Dyed Colorful Genuine Starfish $4.99 30 Pieces) you can hang on your tree.

A seashell garland can be used to wrap around the tree (IN-91/4410 54"x10" Shell Garland $7.99 Each).

For your treetop you can use the biggest of the starfish. Use fishing line to tie it to the top of the tree.

Picture decorations

If you have spent several summers at the beach and have taken a lot of pictures, you may want to use duplicate of those pictures for decorations.

There are several ways you can hang those pictures. One way is to insert the pictures in clear Christmas balls: copy the pictures on thin paper; cut them in circle shape with the diameter of the clear balls you have at hand; carefully insert them (you will need to roll the picture to fit through the opening) in the ball, replace the cap of the ball and hang on the tree.

Something else you can do with the pictures is to cut them in square or circle shape, then paste them on handmade card stock Christmas balls.

One last idea is to cut the pictures following the silhouette on the pictures, thread them, and then hang them on the tree.

You can then add either the shell garland, or the flip-flop light set, or/and a fish net.

Stuffed decorations

If you like to sew, you might want to consider purchasing fabric with repeating beach designs that come in different sizes.

Cut the designs in pairs (for the front and the back of the decoration), making sure to leave enough edge around the design for sewing, sew the borders leaving one opening to insert the filling. When completely stuffed, sew the opening, thread through enough fishing line to create a hook, and hang on the tree.

Oriental Trading also sells fish net you can use to drape around the Christmas tree or on just part of it (IN-25/121 4 ft x 14ft Decorative Fish Net $3.99 Each) for any of the decorative ideas presented. Although it shows you different colors net, you will not be able to choose the color upon ordering.

For the tree skirt, you can use a piece of fabric with an ocean motif for any of the trees. You can find fabric with just ocean water, with fish, seashells, and other types of beach related fabrics (http://favoritefabrics.homestead.com/favorite_nautical_fabrics.html).

If you want to splurge, and you don't mind the mess that might come with this idea, you can use sand, as your tree skirt, either a child's pool filled with it or spread on a cream colored sheet.

Of course, for small children or animals, this is an invitation to play in it!

To hang any of the seashells or starfish, you will need to make a small hole to thread a fishing line through. You can use a drill with the smallest bit at the lowest setting to create the holes.

Make sure that starfish and seashells are out of the reach of small children as some are small enough to be considered chocking hazard.

Of course you can mix and match any of the above ideas for a varied Christmas tree. Let your taste and imagination guide you as you decorate your tree during this coming Christmas holiday.

Pre-made decorations can be found on the Oriental Trading website but you may also want to check you local Dollar Stores for some of the items.