Christmas Decorating 101: Everything You Need to Know

Types of Christmas Decorations

Here are the key items used in traditional Christmas decorating:

Artificial Christmas Trees

Think about the tree’s height and shape relative to the space you’re decorating. Foliage properties—like color and realism—and lighting options are important things to consider, too. Some artificial Christmas trees have special features that match your needs, such as our easy set-up Flip Trees^®.

Artificial Christmas Trees 101: Terms to Know

• Branch Sample Kit: A Balsam Hill^® exclusive preview kit containing individual branches of our most popular trees
• Classic Needles: Thin, papery needles made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), typically seen on traditional artificial Christmas trees
• Corner tree: A space-saving tree designed to fit snugly in a corner
• Flatback tree: A space-saving tree that lays flat against a wall
• Flip Tree: Our easy set-up Christmas tree that rolls into place and flips upright to eliminate heavy lifting
• Flocking: An added element that creates a frosted or snow-like effect
• Fluffing: The technique of shaping branches or foliage to achieve its ideal shape
• Full trees: The classic tree profile, characterized by a wide silhouette and abundant foliage
• Hinged branches: Tree branches that are pre-attached to the center pole for quick assembly
• Pre-Fluffed^®: Trees with professionally shaped memory wire branches that fan into place after the tree section is untied
• Slim trees: Our most slender trees for small spaces
• Tree stand: A sturdy, X-shaped steel base included with every Balsam Hill tree
• True Needle^®: Our most realistic artificial Christmas tree foliage made from injection-molded polyethylene (PE) plastic

Christmas Tree Decorations

After deciding on your artificial Christmas tree, consider your theme and the type of decorations you want to use. Dress it with assorted ornaments, tree picks, and matching ribbons or garlands. To complete the look, pick a tree topper and a skirt, collar, or replacement stand.

Christmas Tree Decorations 101: Terms to Know

• Antiqued: A technique to make a new object appear gently weathered
• Christmas tree collar: An alternative to tree skirts that serves as a decorative cover for the base of a tree
• Christmas tree garland: Chains of beads, crystals, lights, or other Christmas-themed elements
• Christmas tree skirt: A wide circular fabric covering for the base of a Christmas tree
• Christmas tree topper: An accent for the top of a Christmas tree, such as a star or an angel
• Ornament: A decorative item hung on a Christmas tree; often sold in coordinating sets
• Picks: Decorative slender sticks inserted within the branches of a tree

Christmas Lights

For an extra festive look, brighten up your tree with Christmas lights. Pre-lit Christmas trees are a convenient option, since they minimize the time you spend setting up. Choose between traditional incandescent lights or energy-efficient LEDs. Go classic clear, multicolored, or switch between both with our Color + Clear^® trees. We also offer trees with fairy lights and light show options for magical displays.

Christmas Lights 101: Terms to Know

• Bulb remover tool: Used to remove an individual bulb in case of burnout or breakage
• Candlelight^® LED: Clear LED lights that give a warm glow similar to traditional incandescent bulbs
• Color + Clear: Lights that allow you to switch between clear, multicolored, or both using a remote control
• Easy Plug^®: Exclusive Balsam Hill technology that connects light strings through the trunk for quick assembly
• Foot pedal: A circular, step-on pedal that gives you hands-free on/off functionality for most pre-lit trees
• Incandescent lights: Traditional Christmas lights that heat a metal filament to produce light
• LED lights: Light-emitting diodes that don’t burn out or produce much heat
• Twinkly^® Lights: A smart LED lighting system that lets you customize your lights

Wreaths, Garlands, and Other Greenery

Complement your Christmas tree and decorate other parts of your home with artificial greenery. Wreaths and garlands are great accents for entrances and mantels, while potted trees add cheer to dining rooms and small areas.

Christmas Greenery 101: Terms to Know

• Centerpiece: A foliage item designed to be placed on a table, often with a slot for a candle
• Garland: A long segment of foliage often used on fireplace mantels, doors, and windows
• Potted tree: A tree in an ornamental pot mostly used as an accent rather than the main Christmas tree
• Swag: Symmetrical greenery used on a mailbox, door, or mantel
• Teardrop: Greenery shaped like a teardrop and often hung on a door
• Topiary: A small tree clipped into a decorative shape and displayed on patios, along doorways, or in corners
• Wreath: A circular arrangement often used on doors and windows

Common Timings

There’s no hard rule when it comes to Christmas decorating, so you’re free to make your own traditions. But, if you’re curious about the most popular times to put up and take down decorations, here are the usual timings according to our informal polls. We also noted the best times to buy if you’re looking for good deals.

When Should You Put Up Christmas Decorations?

Most people prefer to decorate after Thanksgiving and before Christmas Day. The weekend after Thanksgiving is an ideal time to trade in your fall accents for holiday decorations. As an alternative, you may want to wait until the start of December to ring in the season.

How do you Decorate for Christmas?

Now you have an idea of what to buy, when to buy them, and when to put them up and take them down. Next, here’s a rundown of tips to guide your Christmas decorating.

Preparations

Step 1: Choose a Theme

Start considering a theme as early as three months before Christmas. At Balsam Hill, we’ve curated festive Christmas tree decorating themes to inspire your holidays. Explore them here.

Step 2: Make an Inventory of Your Collection

After selecting a theme, list down the items needed and set a working budget. If you’re reusing your existing decorations, check their condition and look out for damages. Test light bulbs and repair or replace anything as needed.

Step 3: Clean Up Before Decorating

It can be tiring to clean and decorate at the same time. So, clean the house a day or two before adding holiday decorations. This makes the task easier and more enjoyable.

Step 4: Work with a Team

Ask help from family members and friends to make setting up more manageable. Start with the big tasks first, and leave simpler jobs for last.

Step 5: Don't Forget to Allot Time for Gift Wrapping

Try to match your gift wrappers with your decorative theme for a special touch. If you have indoor pets or young children, you may want to wait a day or two before Christmas to lay out the gifts.

Decorating Your Christmas Tree

Make sure to fluff the branches of your artificial Christmas tree before adding decorations. To prevent dislodging or breaking ornaments, decorate from the top of your tree and work your way down. Start with accents that you need to hang around your tree, such as light strings, ribbons, and garlands.

Spread out ornaments and tree picks in various sections of your tree. Every once in a while, step back to check if your decorations look balanced. Keep your Christmas tree topper and accents in place with secure fasteners, and consider placing thick towels or a blanket under the tree when handling delicate ornaments.

Decorating Key Parts of the Home

For the Front Door and Porch:

Wreaths and garlands instantly make your entryway more welcoming. Greet neighbors and guests with potted plants and topiaries flanking your door. For extra flair, consider stringing lights and displaying decorative figures outside your home.

For the Living Room or Common Area:

Wreaths and garlands instantly make your entryway more welcoming. Greet neighbors and guests with potted plants and topiaries flanking your door. For extra flair, consider stringing lights and displaying decorative figures outside your home.

For the Dining Room:

Make dinner parties extra merry with decorated greenery as your table centerpiece. You can even put up a narrow Christmas tree in a corner and match your dinnerware with your decorating theme.

For Other Parts of the Home:

Some families decorate their bedrooms, dens, and reading nooks with smaller trees. Try experimenting with creative themes and unique ornaments to transform these special spaces.