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| Photo: South Coast Plaza tree |
Christmas has to be my favorite time of the year. Amidst the hustle and bustle, I find a moment of peace when I sit beside the Christmas tree. It is a joy when my boys sit with me and discuss which is their favorite decoration on the tree.
Here are some tips that will make holiday decorating as simple as pie. . .
1. Start with a thick pre-lit tree. One that has mixed leaf textures and wired pine cones is even better.
2. If it is not a pre-assembled (fold up) type, arrange all the layers in ascending order.
3. Use the pointed plastic attachment of your vacuum cleaner and vacuum your tree.
4. Assemble and fluff all leaves pointing upward and up. This will make it easy to balance any decoration you will hang.
5. Add fancy lights to match your theme. I love star lights or icicle shaped lights. You can scatter them or bunch them for greater impact. Add your lit tree top. Always use proper extension cords and plug them into an AVR or fused outlet strip.
6. Add vines or leaves. Then add berries or a second color of leaves. Play with a coordinated pallette for a playful look or go a range of mono chromatic for a more elegant look.
7. Add Christmas flowers. Poinsettias are the most popular but you can use any flower. Remember that the flowers must be in proportion to the size of the tree. The larger the tree, the larger the flowers.
8. Add your most special ornaments first to be able to position them in the most noticed places. Add different shaped balls, snow flakes, gilded pine cones. You can work these in inner portions of the tree. Secure your ornaments with green florist wire.
9. Add your ribbon and bead garland. Secure with green florist wire.
2. If it is not a pre-assembled (fold up) type, arrange all the layers in ascending order.
3. Use the pointed plastic attachment of your vacuum cleaner and vacuum your tree.
4. Assemble and fluff all leaves pointing upward and up. This will make it easy to balance any decoration you will hang.
5. Add fancy lights to match your theme. I love star lights or icicle shaped lights. You can scatter them or bunch them for greater impact. Add your lit tree top. Always use proper extension cords and plug them into an AVR or fused outlet strip.
6. Add vines or leaves. Then add berries or a second color of leaves. Play with a coordinated pallette for a playful look or go a range of mono chromatic for a more elegant look.
7. Add Christmas flowers. Poinsettias are the most popular but you can use any flower. Remember that the flowers must be in proportion to the size of the tree. The larger the tree, the larger the flowers.
8. Add your most special ornaments first to be able to position them in the most noticed places. Add different shaped balls, snow flakes, gilded pine cones. You can work these in inner portions of the tree. Secure your ornaments with green florist wire.
9. Add your ribbon and bead garland. Secure with green florist wire.
In between every step, step back and check from various angles of the room for balance and symmetry of your work.
A typical 7 foot tree will use a minimum the following...
10 sets of lights
12 vines or branch picks
12 berry picks
12 flowers
48 balls
24 special ornaments
10 sets of lights
12 vines or branch picks
12 berry picks
12 flowers
48 balls
24 special ornaments
At the end of the season, make sure to clean decorations and remove all wires. Store glass ornaments in acid free containers. Take photos and list the items in each container. Do not keep broken ornaments. This will make it easy for you the next year.
--Sophia Mirasol
For those of you lucky enough to be in Metro Manila, Sophia is available for your Christmas decoration needs.
Decorate away my friends, decorate away. Until next time.
Nicole
