DECORATING for the holidays
STORY BY Joyce Block
The craft stores have started hinting at the upcoming holidays since July. Now those holidays are only a few weeks away. Many of us have ornaments and decorations that could be considered family heirlooms or just some that are just family treasures.
Esty, Pinterest and other websites have ideas for decorating your home and yard or selecting a new theme can be fun. Decorating our homes could be as simple as ornaments in a single-color scheme throughout the home or as elaborate as a theme, like“ A Peppermint Christmas,” or even a“ Grinchy Christmas.”
Design choices have become easy. The internet has several different websites available where you can purchase the entire collections that have everything you need. Decorator’ s Warehouse, which is in Arlington, have packages available to assist you with those decisions both online and in person.
If you use these packages or make your own selections for a theme, it is a wonderful way to start. Wreaths and garlands can be premade or created by a family member.
Each year before the ornaments are placed on the trees, the lights should be checked. As the trees are stored away, the lights can become damaged, even though the advertising may say,” The tree will stay lighted even when the bulbs are damaged.” It is a safety check, if the lights do not work, they can be cut out of the tree while the tree is unplugged, or new lights can be added.
Battery operated lights have become popular for locations without electricity available. They share the same programming capabilities as the plug-in lights. If you are using a live tree, you may need to use caution, as some people are allergic to the evergreen needles. Wearing long sleeves or long gloves will protect you from them. When adding lights to a fresh tree, make sure that the tree is always in water. This will keep the fresh tree from drying out.
Ribbon, grapevine and tinsel garland should be added to the tree next. It can be placed near the trunk of the tree, doing this adds depth to the trees.
Some of the trees may have additional plug ins located near the trunk if it is artificial. If not, this would also be the time to add an extension cord next to the trunk. Using a zip-tie is an effortless way to do this. Adding large ornaments next to the trunk and at the base of the tree gives the tree“ weight.” This helps the tree have a feeling of permeance during the holidays. As the height of the tree increases, the size of the ornaments should decrease. The smallest ornaments should be at the top of the tree.
Adding a tree topper to the top of the tree can be considered the finishing touch. A large, embellished bow that has branches, birds, and nests added to it would be a lovely topper. Adding an angel or Santa tree topper is another option. Even using umbrella lights will brighten the tree up.
If you are trying to figure out how many ornaments are needed for decorating trees, wreaths, and garlands, there are many charts available online. There are charts also for how long the bows should be on wreaths. Or even how many lights can be added.
Decorating your home and yard for the holidays should be a personal decision. Alternating different themes can become a family tradition.
Joyce Block is a former florist who oversees the decorating of many Christmas trees each year.
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