Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Expertly Decorated Christmas Tree

Transform your ordinary Christmas tree into a work of art with the expertise of The Hidden Garden. As the centerpiece of your holiday decor, the Christmas tree sets the tone for the festive season. With their years of experience and attention to detail, the experts at The Hidden Garden will guide you through the process, ensuring you create a breathtaking masterpiece that will impress your guests.

In this blog post, we will take you step-by-step through the process of decorating your Christmas tree like the experts at The Hidden Garden. From choosing the perfect tree to adding lights, garland, and ornaments, you'll discover the secrets to creating a tree that exudes elegance and charm.

The Art of Decorating Like an Expert

Step 1: Choose the Perfect Tree

The first step to decorating your tree is, of course, selecting one! Choosing a high-quality, full-bodied tree with vibrant green needles and a healthy fragrance is a sure sign of a fresh, healthy tree. Consider the height of your tree; it’s easy to get overzealous with Christmas joy, but you want to make sure it can fit into the space.

Your next step is to shape it. Some trees come a bit on the wild side, and while this step is potentially messy, it helps establish a strong and lush-looking tree. While deciding your theme, shaping your tree will also help sturdy out the thinner branches, especially at the bottom.

For those with "forever trees" (aka fake trees), you have more flexibility when maneuvering your branches, so take advantage of that! Straighten any bent branches and ensure the tree is an even shape. This will provide an excellent foundation for your decorations.

Step 2: Color and Theme

To create a professionally decorated tree, you need to choose a theme. Whatever it may be, it creates a unified look and ties the entire tree together. Here are a few color scheme examples inspired by the experts at The Hidden Garden:

• Bright and Bold: If you want to make a statement with your Christmas tree, use a colorful and bold color scheme. Use vibrant shades of red, green, blue, and yellow, and add plenty of glitter and sparkle. This is a great option for a playful and festive look and one we recently incorporated into The Beverly Wilshire Hotel. 

• Natural and Neutral: Create a warm, inviting look with a natural and warm color scheme. Use earthly shades of brown, copper, beige, and cream, incorporating natural elements like pinecones, baby’s breath, and dried orange slices. Add a touch of sparkle with metallic or glass ornaments.

• Glamorous Gold: Celebrate the holiday season in style with a sophisticated and modern gold color scheme. Use various shades of gold, ranging from bright and shiny to muted and matte. Create a contrast with white and cream garlands or bows.

Remember, the possibilities are endless when it comes to color schemes. Choose one that speaks to your personal style and complements your overall decor. With a thoughtfully chosen color scheme, your Christmas tree will become a stunning focal point that enhances the overall aesthetic of your holiday decorations.

Step 3: Tree Skirts or Baskets

Before you get your tree settled, consider adding a tree skirt or a tree basket. These decorative pieces add a touch of elegance and provide a neat and polished base for your tree. Choose a velvet or satin skirt for an elegant look or a dark-colored woven basket to complement a rustic look. Whatever you choose should match your tree's overall theme and color scheme. 

Step 4: Lights, Lights, and More Lights

Next, you begin adding lights to your tree. After you’ve ensured all your lights are working correctly, you can choose between our top two light tricks:

• Option 1 for thinner/ taller trees: start your lights at the bottom of the tree and circle your way upwards

• Option 2 for trees with more depth: start at the bottom and work your way up and down, weaving in and out of the branches. This helps you not lose your lights within the tree.

Also, depending on your tree's theme or personal preference, you can choose from warmer, cooler, or colored lights. The Hidden Garden always prefers to match the warmer lights with gold and red themes and cooler lights with our wintery looks (we skip colored lights, but you choose what brings you the most joy).

Step 5: Garland, Ribbon, or Florals

After your lights, add in garland or ribbon to your tree. The Hidden Garden recommends combining both for an added layer of texture and style; this also helps fill any gaps in the tree. Follow the same steps you used for lighting with your ribbon for a continuous look.

As a floral shop, however, our favorite way to fill in any gaps in our Christmas trees is to fill them with seasonal or dried flowers. Choose berries, flowers, or pinecones to bring a more natural feel to your tree. For dried flowers, try Baby's Breath, bunches of Bunny Tail, or Craspedia flowers (aka billy balls) for a pop of color. If you chose a more formal theme, fill your gaps with preserved oak leaves and magnolia leaves, or skip altogether and do the ribbon! 

Step 6: The Perfect Ornaments

Now it's time to add the ornaments. No matter how perfectly curated, ornaments can look messy if you don’t approach them correctly. Here are a few suggestions from The Hidden Garden to help them look their best:

• Decorate in Sections: to decorate like a professional, take your Christmas tree into sections: top, middle, and bottom. Then, style them one at a time, starting from the top and working your way down.

• Cluster Ornaments: add flair to your display with ornament clusters —for example, group ornaments of the same design together for a classic look. Otherwise, use different styles to add texture and depth. Amy also suggests combining different sizes for a bolder statement.

• Strategically Placed Ornaments: at the end of the day, there are no actual rules for hanging ornaments. However, we tend to begin with more oversized ornaments and tuck them deeper within the foliage to add depth. When you try this method, you can achieve a beautiful, layered look. On the other hand, hanging smaller ornaments on the tips of the branches achieves a draping effect; it all returns to your theme.

Step 7: Tree Topper

Finalize your Yuletide tree by carefully selecting and placing a tree topper. The tree topper is the crowning jewel of your Christmas tree, bringing the whole look together and adding that final touch of magic. With a myriad of options available, choosing the perfect tree topper can seem overwhelming, so here are a few Hidden Garden favorites:

• A classic star or angel tree topper may be the perfect choice for a traditional theme. Consider a sleek and minimalist topper like a geometric design or a simple bow for a more modern and contemporary look.

• If you have a tree adorned with gold and silver ornaments, a metallic or glittery topper in a matching shade can tie everything together beautifully.

• Consider using a large bow with trailing ribbon, a sparkling snowflake, a festive wreath, or even a personalized ornament as a unique topper that reflects your personality and style.

The Hidden Garden's Custom Centerpiece for Holiday Parties

What sets The Hidden Garden apart is our same-day delivery service. Even if you need a last-minute centerpiece for your holiday gathering, you can rely on The Hidden Garden's prompt delivery to make your event extra special.*

Make this holiday season one to remember by decorating your tree like the experts at The Hidden Garden and ordering your own centerpiece and floral arrangements today!

5 Bonus Tips to Keep Your Tree Fresher for Longer

“Hello, from Amy! I’m dropping in to add four extra tips to help keep your Christmas tree fresh for as long as possible! Use our proven tips and keep the holiday spirit going well into next year! Happy holidays!

• Give it a fresh cut: Before placing the tree in water, make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk. This will improve water absorption and keep your tree hydrated.

• Water regularly: Keep your tree well-watered to prevent it from drying out. Check the water level daily and ensure it never goes below the base of the tree.

• Keep away from heat sources: Position your tree away from direct heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, or heating vents. Excessive heat can cause your tree to dry out faster.

• Use tree preservatives: Just as we use flower food to help keep the water clean for our bouquets, consider using a tree preservative to help keep your tree fresh. These can be purchased from gardening or tree care stores and can prolong the life of your tree.

Following these bonus tips will make your Christmas tree fresh, vibrant, and beautiful throughout the holiday season. Happy Holidays, from The Hidden Garden family to yours!”