We love seeing the looks for Christmas come together - and what better time to start planning than when the newest items are stocked and ready to go?! We love providing you with all the things you need to have the best Christmas ever, and this guide to Christmas decor and all things decorating should help get you in the spirit! Here’s where to start!
Checklist to Prep for Christmas
Before actually breaking out the Christmas decorations for your home (or buying new ones!) It’s good to have a framework laid out for how to take the process in the right direction. Here are some helpful tips.
- Settle on a color palette. Are you thinking traditional red and green with accents, or are you feeling more blue and silver? Stick to two or three main colors and then choose a few accents. It’s the perfect time to get creative, as there are many more combos than these that will look good together. You could go with unconventional color palettes, like a Pink Christmas theme, or even a pastel theme, reminiscent of the Christmas decor in our Santa’s Sweet Shoppe.
- Choose a theme once the colors have been chosen. There are so many themes to choose from, ranging from classic Christmas themes to retro themes, gingerbread themes, rustic and farmhouse themes, and everything in between. From the traditional to the modern, there’s plenty in our collections for every taste and every interior. You just need to find what speaks to you. Shop our full Christmas collections for inspiration.
- Take inventory. Before buying new Christmas decorations, take account of what you already have. This will save you time and money!
- Work together. Doing it all alone is a lot of work, and half the magic of Christmas is made together. Decorating for Christmas is DEFINITELY a group activity!
Other helpful tips for getting started:
- Align your indoor and outdoor themes where possible.
- Don’t try to do it all at once if you don’t have to. Start early so you can add to and adjust your Christmas decorations as necessary.
- Decorate your tree in an order that makes sense. If not using a pre-lit Christmas tree, add lights, build your Christmas tree topper, add ribbon followed by sprays and florals. Then place the large ornaments followed by small ornaments!
As a note, artificial Christmas trees represent a really economical alternative to real trees. They stay green forever, require no maintenance, and over time, are much more affordable, even if the upfront cost is high.
When decorating with an artificial tree, consider the color, size and shape. Tall, thin trees are great for smaller rooms and alcoves, whereas broader, stockier trees are better in wide open spaces as they create a stronger focal point.
Consider also the color of the tree. While most trees are green, some are frosted, and others are colored! Some trees are also “flocked” which means they have been frosted to give the appearance of fresh snow on the branches.
Pre-lit Christmas trees also represent a lot of value. They save time, mess, and since they’re pre-lit, you won’t ever have to deal with a tangled strand of Christmas lights again! As you might expect, coordinate the color of the lights with your overall theme to create the strongest effect.
When setting up a Christmas tree, pay close attention to tip count as well as to fluffing, which is the process of making the tree look fuller and bushier. The higher the number of tips, the more full the tree will look - but you will still need to put the finishing touches on it!
When’s the Best Time to Buy an Artificial Tree?
The best time is in either August or September to beat the Christmas rush. But starting early as opposed to within 5 weeks of Christmas will also helps provide a hedge against stock outs on your favorite styles. There are plenty of good times during the year to shop for your Christmas tree (and other decorations) depending on your needs.
Decorating the Christmas Tree: Ornaments, Ribbon, Toppers and More
Outfitting the tree with Christmas decorations, ornaments and other accents is where you really get to let your creativity shine.
Start by setting the tree up in position and laying out the skirt. Then fluff out the branch tips and take a step back. You’re done when the tree looks “just right” to you!
(If the tree is not pre-lit, make sure to add the cluster lights before proceeding to the next step. Start at the top of the tree and work your way down, stepping back after revolution around the tree to make sure it looks balanced. Having a partner helps here!)
After setting the tree up and fluffing it out, start with Christmas ribbons and other accents like picks and sprays. You can weave the ribbon into the tree, but there’s so much more you can do with it. Check out our YouTube channel for inspiration on how to add ribbon to your tree, as well as how to make a bow from several ribbons.
After adding the ribbons, add whatever Christmas picks and sprays you want to add to your tree. Sprays and picks, like the points of a tree, must also be fluffed out to look their best. These can be inserted right into the branches, but if necessary you can also use some floral wire to hold them in place.
When choosing Christmas decorative accents like ribbon, picks and sprays, be sure to align the color and theme of these with those of your lights and the Christmas ornaments you will be using.
Start with the biggest Christmas ornaments first, and start at the top of the tree. We like to stuff the larger ornaments, bells, and other large accents into the tree first. We prefer to use floral wire to hang ornaments, especially the larger ones. The best way to place large ornaments is wherever you see an open spot on the tree that needs filling. Just make sure not to place too many large ornaments together or the tree will look crowded.
Next, move to the medium and smaller ornaments. Place these strategically around the larger ornaments until all voids have been filled in and there is no place on the tree that looks like it’s missing something. Take your time and step back to see how it all looks as it comes together.
As for hanging the ornaments, there’s more than one way to do it - but you should check out our Facebook for special ornament-hanging hacks.
Also, be sure to check out our collection of shatterproof ornaments. Our shatterproof collection is full of beautiful ornaments that are all but indistinguishable from their glass counterparts. The only difference is that they are safer in public places, as well as for those with small children and pets!
The last step (or first step if you’re doing a topper made from sprays and picks) is adding a tree topper to your Christmas tree.
Once your tree is completely trimmed, step back one more time to take it all in and see that everything looks balanced.
Other Christmas Greenery
Your tree isn’t the only Christmas greenery you can use to liven up your home. Other Christmas greenery like garlands and wreaths can be used around your home (and outside) to create a sense of harmony and balance.
When selecting other Christmas greenery, one trick is to choose one that has the same overall aesthetic as your tree. For instance, if you have a flocked tree, get flocked wreaths and garlands to create a cohesive, wintry scene.
There are lots of ways to decorate with Christmas greenery, too. Consider garlands:
- Garlands can be put up over windows or around doorways, to create a green and inviting frame.
- They can be draped over mantles and combined with other Christmas decorations, like candlesticks, nutcrackers, and other small figurines.
- They can be spiraled up columns, stairways, railings, and balusters, creating movement and adding color.
- And used to decorate fences, fence posts, outdoor signs, and mailboxes.
Christmas wreaths are similarly versatile, and can be added to walls, windows, and doors.
Remember also that these samples of Christmas greenery can be decorated just like the tree, with lights, ribbon, picks, sprays, ornaments, and other decorative accents.
Christmas Lights
The Christmas lights for your home are another aspect of decorating to consider, and one that you should consider right after you’ve chosen a tree so that you can ensure they align with the rest of your vision.
The two main things to consider here are color and the size and style of the light. Make sure to choose lights in a color that either reflect or compliment the rest of your theme. There are lights with both green and white strands, to blend into both natural-colored and flocked Christmas greenery.
As for the bulb size, we sell small 5mm Christmas lights that are perfect for decorating trees and indoor greenery, as well as larger C9 style bulbs that are perfect for outdoor decorating.
This is also a great chance to check out our twinkle lights, which feature 8 functions, a timer, and which are exceedingly long-lasting and tough. They last up to 50,000 hours, and not even Santa’s boot could crack them!
Trends Expected to Take Off in 2024
Before you get started, take some time to look into some trends that are likely to be popular for the coming year. Here are some potential themes to look for in 2024:
- “Pink” Christmas: Look for all-pink trees and decorations to be a thing this year.
- Blue Christmas: A classic that’s hard to beat. Blame Elvis if you will, but certainly many around the country will be having a blue Christmas this year, with or without you! Check out our collection of Blue Christmas decorations for some inspiration.
- All natural and traditional: While these are hardly “trends” for 2024, specifically, they are perennially popular. Our collections represent the best of rustic and classic Christmas decorations that you can use to create a timeless appeal.
- Metallic sparkle: In 2024, expect to see metallic Christmas ornaments, such as those in silver, gold, and other metallic accents, to become a thing. Glitter is another, as the sparkle and flash of both glitter and metallics are natural mates.
- Pastels: Check out our Santa’s Sweet Shoppe collection for some inspiration here.
- Cardinal Christmas, a twist on the classic red: One unique rustic spin on the red and white theme is a Cardinal-themed Christmas. Check out our Cardinal decorations for some inspiration.
- Minimalist Christmas: When you’re trying to create a minimalist aesthetic, don’t overload the tree. Elegant, high-quality decorations and faux natural materials are best here.
- Elegant and refined: For polished interiors, it’s hard to beat an “Elegant” theme. Check our Natural Elegance collection for inspiration.
- Retro: People are hooked on the feel-good vibes of Christmas past. Peep our Retro Brites collection for some serious inspiration, and ton’s of cool and eye-catching, brightly colored decorations. Insider tip: many of the Christmas decorations in our Retro Brites collection are also great for a metallic-themed Christmas.
Of course, this is only a small glimpse into some of the trends that might take over Christmas 2024. Keep your eyes peeled, follow us on our socials, and bookmark our blog so you’re the first to hear about new developments!
When to Put Up (and Take Down) Your Christmas Decorations?
There are no right or wrong answers here, and you have to do what feels right for you and your family. With that said, the majority of people put up the decorations the day or weekend after Thanksgiving. Other popular times to put them up include the first week of November, the first week of December, and the week of Thanksgiving. We think the sooner you put them up, the longer you have to enjoy them!
As for taking them down, the same rules apply - there are no hard rules! Still, the majority of people take down their decorations either New Year’s day or the first week of January. Almost everyone takes them down between the day after Christmas and the end of January.
Christmas Decorations for Every Theme and Setting: Planning Your Best Christmas Ever
Are you getting ready for your BEST Christmas EVER? It starts right here. Take a look through our collections, get inspired, and gear up for December. It’s only a few months away!