Family arguments over tangled fairy lights and misplaced baubles could become a thing of the past this Christmas, thanks to a set of simple professional tips. A former florist has taken to the internet to share her trade secrets, promising to help households everywhere 'decorate like a pro'.
The Essential Decorating Sequence
Katherine, who now works as a teacher but previously worked as a florist, shared her advice on Reddit. She emphasised that following a specific sequence is the most critical factor for achieving a stunning tree.
For those with an artificial tree, the first step is always 'grooming' – the process of fluffing and shaping the branches to create a full, natural look. Wearing work gloves during this stage can save your hands from scratches. If you have a real tree, your priority is securing it in a sturdy stand, ensuring it is level, and giving it plenty of water.
Next, it's time for the lights. Katherine advises putting on all your primary and secondary light sets at this stage. She mentioned her own use of bubble lights as a second step. Following the lights, you should tackle the garland, which many people mistakenly leave until last.
Avoiding Common Garland and Topper Mistakes
Garland should be placed before your main decorations, not after. This allows you to decorate around the garland rather than trying to squeeze it in amongst existing baubles. Katherine explained that the garland's loops should swing freely and that the pattern should alternate between levels, with a 'peek' on one branch followed by a loop on the level below.
Another common error involves the tree topper. Instead of making it the final, precarious act that involves climbing a ladder and risking a decoration disaster, Katherine recommends placing your angel or star immediately after the garland. This makes the process much safer and easier.
Professional Finishing Touches for Depth and Dimension
The final stage is placing the baubles and other ornaments. Katherine's method involves working from the bottom of the tree to the top. She suggests using larger ornaments at the base and progressively smaller ones as you move upwards.
Crucially, each ornament should hang freely without touching any branches. Using ornament hooks of different lengths can help achieve this clean look. However, Katherine shared one final, game-changing tip: decorate the inside of the tree.
By hanging baubles on the interior branches, you create depth and dimension, transforming your tree from simply 'nice' to a professionally 'stunning' centrepiece for your festive decorations.
