Decorate your Christmas tree in these easy steps

Christmas preparations are well underway!

While South Africans may not have the opportunity to decorate fresh, natural Christmas trees as the United States does, we do have many wonderful local options.

Most families would have dusted off the Christmas tree box and wiped down the ornaments by December 1.

The entire family can participate in tree decorating. But where do you begin?

Step one is to choose a suitable location for your tree. Whether artificial or real, your tree should be near a light socket so that you can plug in the lights. If necessary, rearrange furniture so that it does not snag clothing or attract the attention of household pets.

Step two is to hang the Christmas lights. Lights typically come with either green or white wires, so choose one that matches your tree to keep the wire hidden. Begin at the bottom of the trunk and work your way up, wrapping the lights around each major branch as you go from the trunk to the tip and back.

Step three is to select a colour scheme. Choose complementary colours and stick to a simple theme. Traditionally, red, gold, and green complement the holiday theme. Choose white, silver, and blue for a winter look.

Step four is to finish with the Christmas tree garland. Texture is added to your tree with beads, ribbon, or foil garland. Begin at the top of the tree and work your way down. You may need more than two strands to properly cover the tree.

Step 5 is to add some bling! This is the most enjoyable aspect of decorating your tree. Begin hanging baubles from the inside of the tree and work your way out. Hang the larger baubles closer to the tree’s center to add depth. Use a variety of shapes and sizes and distribute them evenly.

The sixth step is to add a topper. An eye-catching topper is the finishing touch to your holiday tree masterpiece. Traditional toppers have historical roots, such as the star symbolising the Star of Bethlehem, which guided the Three Kings to Baby Jesus. If you are not a traditional person, there are numerous other options available to you. Popular designs include snowflakes, angels, and birds. You should avoid using toppers that are too heavy, as this may cause your tree to topple.

Break out the hot chocolate and festive cocktails and mocktails this holiday season, and get the whole family involved in decorating the tree!

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