This is probably my favourite time of year.  The smell of Summer is in the air, the crickets are buzzing at night and party season is in full swing.  All of these marvellous things point to the most wonderful weekend activity of the whole year:  it’s time to decorate your Christmas tree! 

I’ve bought every Christmas magazine on the shelves this year and I have to say that I am disappointed.  From Notebook: to Home Beautiful, from Martha Stewart Living to the Australian Women’s Weekly, all of the Christmas decorations are sparse and contemporary.  Now, I know that living in Australia means we don’t have a typical fairytale Christmas like in the Northern Hemisphere, but I still love my Christmas tree to be full, sparkly and completely over the top.  Even if it is in a loungeroom in Canberra, Australia. 

It just feels right to have a big sparkling tree overfilled with pretty ornaments and lights, not a couple of branches with a few sad ornaments dangling, no matter how in-fashion minimalism might be.

So, if you’re wanting to decorate in a minimalist way, I recommend you head to your nearest newsagent and buy any home magazine on the shelves right now for your inspiration.  For something more traditional, stay with me at Australia Entertains!

Here’s the Pink Frosting Christmas Tree Decorating for Dummies guide:

• First things first: choose your Christmas tree theme.  You don’t need to stick with tried and true red and gold.  Amber, solid silver or peacock teal are all very popular Christmas style trends at the moment.
• Whether you choose a real tree or go for an artificial number (which is kinder to the environment if you keep it for years!) then make sure the branches are spread evenly and there are no gaps.  This will create a neat shape to work from.
• Then get decorating! Start with your Christmas lights.  Arrange your lights on the branches near the base of the tree and string them along the inside and the outside of the branches.  Always work with the lights on.  As a general rule, use 100 lights for each 30cms (or foot) of tree.  The more lights you have, the more spectacular the tree!
• Then add your tinsel or garland.  This should be used to highlight the main colour of your theme.  Again, start at the bottom and work your way up.
• Then add your ‘filler ornaments’ by evenly spacing them around the tree.  These may include basic solid colour balls and simple stars and shapes. You’ll need about 20 filler ornaments for every 60cms (2 foot) of Christmas tree.
• Then add your special ornaments between the basic ornaments.  Try not to hang all your ornament on the tips of the branches, but instead place ornaments and other decorations on inner branches to add depth and interest.  You’ll need at least 10 special ornaments for every 60cms (2 foot) of tree.  Pink Frosting has a beautiful range of traditional and contemporary Christmas ornaments to add oomph to your Christmas tree.
• In general, the larger ornaments should be towards the bottom of the tree and get smaller towards the top.  Try to evenly space the decorations to balance the arrangement.
• Don’t forget some Christmas bling!  Add diamonds, pearls, sparkling blingle bells and plenty of crystal for a decadent and opulent look. 
• To add extra decorative elements to your tree, try tying coloured ribbons together in bows and place them between the branches.  Or accent with silk flowers in your colour theme.  Fossick in the garden and at the local park for pinecones, seed pods and leaves and add a bit of sparkle with metallic spray paint or a splash of glitter.
• For a really personalised look to delight family and friends, add some mini photo frames to your Christmas tree.  Simply print off your favourite pictures and pop them into the frames, fasten a bow with long ties to the top of each frame and hang from the tree. Pink Frosting has dozens of photo frames which are very cost effective and look very modern and personal.
• If your tree needs some extra gaps filled, look around the house for sentimental objects that you can tie with ribbon and attach to the branches of your tree.  Think jewellery, feathers, tiny teddy bears, ribbons, dolls or dolls house furniture.
• Get your children involved, by asking them to create their own decorations.  You’ll be amazed just how good a child’s magical creation made from paper, glue and a bit of glitter can look!
• The crowning glory of every Christmas tree is an angel or star, which represents the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity story.  So, take the time to find the perfect tree topper for your tree.
• Christmas decorations are traditionally taken down on Twelfth Night, the evening of 5 January.  But, I generally leave mine up for longer because the tree always looks so darn great!

Happy Celebrating!

Kathryn