CHRISTMAS DECORATING – THE TREE

Without doubt the Christmas tree is one of the centerpieces of all our holiday decorating and there are many ways to dress them to reflect your style of living.

• Bright and Beautiful – add a selection of the new, jewel like pieces to your existing collection of tree ornaments to add a wonderful sparkle.  Enhance old pieces with sequins and shiny beads or cover them with metallic paper and decorate with velvet ribbons and feathers.  Purchase bouquets of tiny artificial flowers and spray with gold and dip them into dishes of glitter, then arrange them on the tree branches.

• Winter Whites – always a favourite, create a sophisticated, serene look using an abundance of soft silver and white decorations, adding white organza and silk bows tied to the branches.  Complete the look by wrapping the gifts to go under the tree in silver and white paper, tied with silver ribbon and decorated with tiny white flowers and sprayed fir cones.

• Traditional – many people still like to use the more traditional colours of red and gold to decorate their tree but this year, for a fresh look, why not add some wooden decorations, tied onto the tree with red and white gingham ribbon.  Wrap your presents in plain red or natural brown paper, tied with the same gingham ribbon and decorated with cinnamon sticks for a wonderful aroma.

If you do not have room for a tree, why not try making a large table arrangement with flowers and greenery which can be real or artificial.  

• Take a good size vase and place similar length twigs all the way round the outside, secured with a rubber band.  Hide the band with a decorative ribbon. 
• Half fill the vase with oasis and then carefully arrange your chosen branches in the oasis, making a full, eye-catching arrangement.  
• Decorate with silver stars or pine cones on florists wire.  A sprig or two of pointsettia flowers will complete the festive look.

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