Do-it-Yourself Elegant Designer Christmas Tree!

The stores already have their Christmas trees up, and of course professionally decorated. The bulbs are all perfect, and very ornament placed in just the right spot. These are the top notch designer trees we all wish we could have, but just can't afford. With ornaments costing several dollars each, it would cost hundreds to repeat the look right? Wrong, you can have a designer tree of your own for just pennies on the dollar. It's easy to give even the oldest artificial tree, an expensive classy look, you just have to put a little effort into it.

First decide what type of tree you want. If you already have a tree, then good for you. If you don't have a tree, well you'll need to get one. Try picking a tree that is at least a eight inches shy of your ceiling. This will allow you room for a topper. It's alright to place part of your tree against a wall, but you want to make sure only the bottom branches are touching the wall, if you push it to close it will give the appearance that your tree is leaning. You also want to make sure your tree isn't to big for the space. You should be able to walk past the tree without bumping into it, or into tables, chairs, and so on.

Now that you have the perfect tree you will need to set it up, and make sure it is shaped the way you want it. If you choose a live tree, you can prune branches to help form the shape you want. If your tree is artificial, simply bend the branches until you are pleased with the look. Once the tree is shaped you will need to add the lights. You will need 100 lights per every foot your tree is. For example if your tree is 7 foot tall, you will need 700 lights. Start at the top of the tree, and evenly place the lights, making sure you put the lights inside the tree as well. A lot of people make the mistake of only putting the lights on the tips of the branches. Start at the top, and work your way around, and down the tree, using the lights in, and the running them toward the tips of the branches. You want to make sure most, of the wire is not showing. Using lights with green wire helps camouflage the mess. Now that the lights are own it is time to decorate.

Elegant Tree:

If your wanting a elegant tree then you need to choose one of two colors. You either need to use sliver or gold decorations, but not both. Also you only want to use clear lights on your tree. You can recycle the bulbs, or balls you already have at home regardless of the color. Plastic balls work best, but if they are glass, or silk covered they will still work. Next you will need to pick up a can of spray paint in the color you choose (silver or gold), and paint the bulbs or balls. You can get this paint at any store that carries spray paint. The next step is easy, using old coat hangers, or line, hang your decorations outside and paint. Allow them to dry before bringing them back inside. If you live where it snows, or it's wet, you can buy silver or gold craft paint, and hand paint them inside. You will need at least 10 but no more then 20 bulbs per foot of tree. Next you need fillers, to make the tree pop. By using 1 inch wire craft ribbon in silver or gold, make small bows, that are 5 inches wide. Do this by measuring 2, 10 inch sections of ribbon, place then side by side, overlapping just a little. Next fold the cut ends to the middle. Now gather and secure with a piece of wire, or bread tie. After that is complete, you should have a bow with 4 loops, two one each side. Next use a piece of the same ribbon 10 inches long, to cover the middle on the the side you like. Center the bow on the ribbon, and pull that piece of ribbon to the back, and twist, then press flat. This will make it look as if your bow is tied. There should be 2 pieces left hanging down. Trim them the way you like. Your also going to make a large bow for your topper, the same way. For the topper use 4, 24 inch sections for the bow, with an end result being a 12 inch bow, with 4 loops on each side. The use 2 or strips for your tie that are double the Length as the last branch. If you have a 7 foot tree, then you will need 2, 14 foot sections, or 4 seven foot sections if you can't find the ribbon you like in a longer length. Just like are small bows have two tie ends hanging down, your large bow will have 4, once the bow is in place one long strip will hang freely on each side of the tree ( front, back, side, and side).

Decorating the tree is the easiest, and fun part. You will place your bulbs or balls, throughout the tree, making sure nothing is toughing or even with one another. Once those are on, it's time to place the small bows. These will go in between the balls, and in any gaps you tree has. When you are finished your tree should have only 3 to 4 inches between each decoration. Large gaps are not good, if you need more balls or bows, make them, do not just make do. Now it's time for the topper. Secure the large bow on the top of the tree with wire. Shape the 4 strips running down the tree so they have a rippling effect. Now your tree is complete, and looks like a million bucks.

Tips:

~ You can also use other plastic decorations such as angels, snowflakes, etc..that you have as well, by painting them to match.
~ If you happen to have crystal looking decorations they can be used as well in addition to your silver or gold. They will not throw off the look, and will catch the light when the tree is on.
~ When buying gold or silver ribbon try to avoid solids. If you can find something thats sheer with a gold or silver design running through it, it will look even more ravishing.
~ Remember to get only wire ribbon, so that you can shape your bows.
~ You can use ribbon's with different patterns, as long as the color is the same. Just make sure that you use only one pattern per bow, and that you don't place two alike patterns together on the tree.

I hope you have a wonderful time decorating your tree this year. Happy Holidays,