Personal vs. Professional Holiday Decor

My first holiday decorating job occurred over twenty years ago when one of my interiorscape clients asked me to decorate their lobby for the upcoming Christmas season. I had never decorated a Christmas tree other than my own, but even without any professional holiday decor experience, I accepted the challenge. At the time, I thought my red, white, and blue twelve-foot tree came out pretty good. Today, with hundreds of commercial trees designed and installed, I can say my decorating skills have improved drastically. The following are a few concepts I have picked up throughout the years that separate a professional tree from a personal one.

Holiday Decor: Hiding the Mechanics

Nothing takes away from a beautiful tree more than exposed wires, extension cords, metal rods, or bulky stands. You can solve most of this by properly “fluffing” your artificial tree. Fluffing is the technical term used to ensure you have pulled all the tiny branches up from the base. While working each needle strand from the very back of the main pole to the front of each branch is extremely time consuming and very rough on exposed skin, the payoff is huge. Many high-quality artificial trees even have side branches off a main branch that many non-professionals fail to pull out and mold into empty spaces. Taking the time to shape all the individual branches like a star will prevent bare spots, hide mechanics, and create a much fuller, natural-looking evergreen.

A great way to hide a metal stand, besides the traditional tree skirt, is to decorate the tree bottom with poinsettias or matching gift-wrapped boxes. To take your shorter trees, poinsettias, and topiaries to the next level, consider placing them in decorative urns, vertical containers, or, to really ramp up the festive feel, Vista Metallic Planters in holiday colors.

Holiday Decor: Lighting

If your tree isn’t pre-lit or the pre-lit lights have stopped working, the method used to add light strands makes a big difference. The home decorator most likely starts from the top and spirals the strand down along the outside of the tree. Professionals, on the other hand, typically begin at the base, starting from the tree’s core, bringing the light strand from the back of each branch, around the front, and then back down towards the core, much like an accordion pattern. Each branch is wrapped in this manner, working up the tree until reaching the pinnacle. This lighting method requires several more light sets, but the final effect will give your tree stunning depth and shine. Take a look at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in New York, and you’ll see just how impressive this method can be.

Holiday Decor: Ornaments

At home, we attach holiday decorations to the end of branches with the string or hook they come with. In some cases, this practice is okay if you want the tree to have a homemade look and you have strung the ornaments evenly. For all other commercial appearances, I cut off any pre-attached loops and custom cut thin green wire. Using the wire pieces, I twist the ornament tight against the branch and remove any excess wire to make sure I have hidden the mechanics. When decorating the tree, it is important that you attach the ornaments not only to branch ends but also along different depths inside the tree. This gives your tree a three-dimensional look rather than a flat appearance.

If you are installing anything taller than a traditional seven-foot tree, an assortment of larger ornaments placed along the middle and bottom helps to create a proportionate appearance. For safety and liability, I avoid using items made of fragile material, such as glass or ceramic. Believe me, you are going to drop ornaments, especially when trying to handle several of them at once on a ten-foot ladder. Last but not least, don’t forget to take several pictures and close-ups to show off your finished professional holiday decor for future clients.

Looking back from my first holiday decorating project to where I am today, it’s clear there’s been a lot of learning and growth along the way. With each season, your skills will improve, and holiday installs will become less stressful. So, as you string lights, fluff branches, and place each ornament, know that your holiday decor will not only become more impressive over time but will also bring you and those who experience it greater joy.

“2013 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting” by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0