Decorating a tree

Think back to the Christmas’ of your childhood. What stands out in your memory of these early holidays? Is it the family dinner? The presents? For me, the earliest memories of this magical holiday revolve around the Christmas tree. One of the iconic symbols of Christmas, the family Christmas tree, is a staple of the American Christmas. Our family tree was always filled with homemade ornaments from my brothers and me, family heirloom ornaments from our grandparents who had passed-on and new decorations from the Village Five & Dime variety store.

Today, the Christmas Tree remains as a centerpiece in the family home during the holidays. For some, the decorating of it has gone beyond being a scrap book or valuable family item and has become a showplace for displaying the ornaments and collections you have found over the years.

Many people I know have more than one tree in their homes. This allows you to expand on your creative juices and create a very festive feeling throughout the home rather than limiting it to one room. But regardless if you have one tree or six, you must decide on a theme for each. Themes may be based on color or on a story line. You might choose a story such has woodland, religious or even old Hollywood movies. Themes may revolve around your collections such as old German blown glass ornaments, dated silver or crystal ornaments or the best collection of all, craft ornaments made by your children and saved year to year.

Whichever theme you decide upon, stick to it. Staying focused on the “look” of your Christmas tree will result in a tree that gives that wow factor. In the coming months you will see new articles from us about tree lighting, decorative techniques and carrying the theme from your tree to the rest of the room and throughout the house. For now, you might enjoy some great ideas from a book we sell on the subject of holiday decorating, Celebrating Home, Published by Midwest with a foreword by Nancy Mernit Soriano, Editor-In-Chief, Country Living magazine.