For many families, the holiday season wouldn't be complete without time spent recalling warm memories and family traditions. And when it comes to holiday decor, traditional styles and themes are a wonderful way to bring the best of the past into the present. A Dazzling, Traditional-Style Tree Since beautifully bedecked trees (figures A and B) are often the crowning glory of a home's Christmas decorations, we'll start with designer how-to and tips on decorating a tree with a traditional motif. - Generally, the classic holiday colors of red and green make the best choice for a truly traditional look.
- The size and shape of a tree should be carefully considered before heading out to make the purchase. Always measure the area where the tree will be placed and evaluate the proportions of the room. While the tree should stand out and be noticed, it should never overwhelm or crowd its space.
- Once the appropriate size has been determined, consider whether an artificial or real tree is best suited to your needs. While many artificial trees have the advantage of being pre-lit, they don't boast the wonderful fragrance of their natural counterparts. But for those who choose the practicality of an artificial tree over the extra inconvenience of real one, there is a compromise: simply use floral wire or pipe cleaners to bind together bunches of small evergreen branches (figure C) and distribute them throughout the tree's interior branches. And voila -- there's that wonderful evergreen aroma!
- Next comes lighting. On average, plan on about 100 lights for every vertical foot of tree. For a professional look, work from bottom up, starting in the center and wrapping the strands around each individual branch (figure D).
Tip: Lighting strands that won't illuminate due to a single burned-out bulb can require hours searching for the faulty culprit. To easily locate problem bulbs, invest in a handy lightbulb tester (figure E) that can be quickly placed over each bulb to determine if it needs to be replaced. Bulb testers are sold in the holiday departments of many discount stores as well many holiday specialty shops. - The ornaments for a traditional tree are often crafted from a variety of materials: metal, glass, wood, gingerbread, etc.
For a unified theme, use ornaments in the traditional color scheme of red and green, combined with gold or silver for a metallic touch. To achieve a professionally decorated look, use the entire depth of the tree -- not just the surface -- to display the ornaments. Hanging items along the insides of branches will create an opulent look and will also help prevent gaps in the decorations. Tip: When hanging valuable ornaments on a tree, substitute floral wire for a standard ornament hook. Simply thread a length of wire through the ornament, twist it securely together and pull the ends apart (figure F), then twist the two lengths firmly around the branch (figure G). (If time permits, use this method on all ornaments to prevent possible damage. This is especially worthwhile in homes with pets and / or small children.) - To add extra texture and dimension to the tree, fashion bows from lengths of beautiful holiday ribbon. (For shaping purposes, wired ribbon generally works best for this project.) Place the bows in triangular formations (figure H) on each side of the tree: one toward the top, one on the lower right and one on the lower left.
- For a dramatic tree-topper that continues the tree's traditional theme, create a large, stunning bow from more yards of richly colored wired ribbon (figure I ). Simply fashion large loops held together with floral wire and allow long "tails" to trail down the length of the tree. (The tails are ideal for filling in any remaining gaps in the decorations.)
- Tree skirts, traditionally used to finish the bottom of the tree, can be easily personalized to create a future family heirloom. Simply purchase a skirt in a solid color and have family members write a personal message or favorite holiday memory (figure J) on the fabric using a fabric-writing pen.
Note: This same treatment can also be used to personalize quilts (figure K). Once the treeskirt is in place, all that's needed to complete this beautiful tree (figure L) are brightly wrapped packages! Magical Mantels and Staircases Dressing up the Dining Room Creating a festive look for the dining room (figure Q) doesn't have to cost a fortune or take a lot of time. Simply follow these quick tips for a holiday look that's as lovely as it is simple: - Cut small slots in pieces of fruit and insert name cards to create charming instant placecard holders (figure R).
- Fashion elegant chair covers for traditional-style chairs using table runners in festive fabrics. Simply drape a runner over the back of each chair, then tie in place with tasseled-end cords attached to the edges of the runners (figure S).
- For a fabulous centerpiece, lay a floral holiday wreath on the table and place a clear glass vase in its center. Fill the vase with glass ball ornaments in coordinating colors (figure T).
A Fun Final Suggestion... Vintage toys have delighted children -- and adults -- for generations. For an especially traditional and nostalgic touch, decorate a tree entirely with vintage dolls, toys and books. Accent the ornaments with paper-loop garlands crafted from vintage-style wrapping paper and top with a special toy-theme star, such as a version created entirely from Tinker Toys (figure U).
RESOURCES :
Christmas 101: Celebrate the Holiday Season-From Christmas to New Year's
Model: 0767903994
Author: Rick Rodgers
(October, 1999)
Broadway Books/Random House, Inc.
Website: www.randomhouse.com
Decorating for Christmas: 70 Themed Craft Projects to Decorate Your Home
Model: 0715309617
Author: Carolyn Shulz
(September, 1999)
David & Charles
A Handcrafted Christmas: Creating a Welcoming Home for the Holidays
Model: 1564774082
Author: Dawn Anderson (Editor)
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