How to Trim Your Holiday Tree

Most people decorate their trees the same way every year — same lights, same ornaments, same tinsel, that might not be as fun. This year, why not shake things up a bit and try something different? Choose your tree ornaments based on a theme or color, or use more eco-friendly decorations. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Step 1
Use new LEDs (light-emitting diode) holiday lights available at any local store. These power-saving lights burn brightly and boast a very long bulb life. This is a green product you can not go wrong with, save some energy.

Step 2
Metallics — always a favorite during this season — are on trend this year for a modern and chic look. You can stick to gold or silver or mix in metallic greens and reds for a pop of color. There are several options, a variety of shapes such as the globe, calabash, onion, a twisted ball and a ribbed ball shape giving your trimmings a festive sparkle.

Step 3
Surprise family members with a theme tree. Honor sports fans with memorabilia from their favorite team. Use seed packets to create ornaments for your favorite gardeners, or the chefs in the family with a tree filled with kitchen-related ornaments, such as cookie cutters.

Step 4
Create a natural-looking, eco-friendly tree using materials gathered from the garden. Use gold, silver or white spray paint on twigs and vines, then weave them through the branches. Combine dried flowers, decorative seedpod and ornamental grasses to craft eye-catching ornaments. Use florists’ wire to secure berry-laden twigs and pine cones to branches.

Step 5
Consider a theme based on edible ornaments: candy canes, gingerbread people, colorful citrus fruits and clove-spiked oranges. Create “stained glass” decorations by melting hard candies into cookie-cutter shapes.

Step 6
Gather or print out your favorite family photos and create your own mini frames for them using recycled holiday cards and gift wrap. Accent the frames with glitter, sequins and beads to make them sparkle, everyone will love those!