Decorating Artificial Christmas Trees

Decorating Artificial Christmas Trees

There are no firm rules for decorating your tree but it can be a good idea to choose a theme and vary it from year to year. Here are some ideas to consider:

Country - decorate your tree with a base of twigs, either in lots of bunches or big pieces of willow wrapped around and through the branches. Make little bunches of wheat and tie with a country style ribbon.  Add nests, birds, butterflies, rabbits and other animals at the base, lots of bunches of cones and other rustic foliages and lichens. Dry some orange slices in a fruit dryer or slowly in the oven or fill some oranges with cloves to give a rich country scent.  Use bows of raffia or rustic rope.
Folk - this is a traditional American style and a great opportunity to make your own decorations using handcrafts.  Sew simple calico shapes - stars, doves, hearts, angels- and add  ribbon accents in your colour choice.  Plain beaten  metal decorations go beautifully with this look as do patchwork dolls and decorated fabric boxes. 

Victorian - this is a traditional look with lots of rich red, burgundy, dark green and gold.  Use luscious bows (order the Eyebright Bow Book to teach you how to make wonderful bows) and decorate with old fashioned teddies, tin soldiers, traditional decorations and victorian christmas cards.

Baroque - this is a chance to show off all your ornate gold decorations. Drip lots of gold beading and add golden cherubs, balls and teardrops.  Make full, luscious bows out of two layers of different ribbons to give a super rich effect.

Toytime - if you have children they will just love this there.  Fill your tree with brightly coloured bows and streamers.  Use decorations that they have made.  Mix these with brightly coloured animals, playdo shapes, teddies, santas, fairies and ballerinas.

Sea Memories - this is a lovely theme for a beachside home or cottage.  Decorate with sun bleached driftwood pieces and shells.  Thread paua pieces onto jewellery wire to make strands of beautiful paua colours.  Add bows in turquoise blue or sea green.

NZ Native - artificial christmas trees look stunning filled with artificial ferns and lichen.  Wind through a rich red bow for an accent and add  artificial pohutakawa flowers.

Silver Crystal - this looks stunning on a green, white, flocked or black tree.  Fill with dripping crystal picks, crystal drops and silver flowers with crystal centres.  Add beautiful glass and beaded birds and white organza ribbons.

Heirloom Tree - if you have collected individual special decorations over the years you will really want to show them off. Keep your tree simple so that each beautiful decoration has its own space to shine.  Add simple organza bows in a colour of your choice to unify the look.

French Country - this is one of our favourite looks.  Fill a tree with gorgeous pink peonies, gold decorations, pretty braids, little pink and gold shoes and handbags and white doves.