Holidays Made Easy 2017 cover | Page 5

LIGHTS • Most important, never skimp on lights - for every vertical foot of tree, use a strand of 100 lights. • Wrap lights around every main branch, moving from the trunk to the tip and back. • Squint your eyes to blur your vision - this is a great designer trick that helps you see what the lights will look like when it’s dark. • Start at the top, stringing less garland, and work your way down, increasing the amount of garland. Apply horizontally or try a ‘maypole effect’; start at the top with 4 to 5 long strands and let them fall down the tree - this works great with ribbon or beaded garland. We suggest not cutting the ribbon, instead tuck it into the tree. FLORALS • Permanent florals such as poinsettias and hydrangeas should be placed on your tree after the garland. Or, apply vertically. On artificial trees utilize branches to secure ribbon or garland. Slightly offset each ‘billow’ from left to right to soften the look. • Be sure to use enough of the same type/colour to achieve impact & consistency. There are no firm guidelines, but between 12-18 of the same floral on a 7.5 ft. tree will provide maximum impact. GARLAND • Garland is put on after the lights. It can be traditional tinsel to beads to wired ribbon. * When using ribbon avoid pulling too tight, allowing the ribbon to ‘balloon’ between branches. Use branches on artificial trees to secure your ribbon. On real trees, secure ribbon with thin floral wire. • On average a 7.5ft tree will use 20 yds. of ribbon/garland. A 9ft. tree would need approx. 30 yds. ORNAMENTS • Space them evenly apart. Place ornaments in order of size from largest to smallest, always leaving key placement for your special ornaments. Create depth by placing some ornaments closer to the trunk.