8 creative Christmas tree decorating ideas

Frosted bare branches

A bare branch gets the winter wonderland treatment with a slight frosting of artificial snow and pearly glass and sparkly snowflake ornaments. An old metal bucket (overflowing with wrapped gifts) is the perfect holder. And we especially love the curtain of white pompom “snowflakes” behind it.

Covered in candy

Pot up a vintage feather tree in a sweets-filled urn, hang some candy canes on its branches, place it on a staircase and voila! Instant conversation piece. Plus, we guarantee there won’t be any more groaning from your little ones about going up to bed.

Displayed outdoors

Who says your Christmas tree has to be displayed in a typical living room setting? This charming version stands out against its calm snow-covered lakeside locale with just a few glistening red ornaments placed sparingly on its boughs.

Create a festive forest

Forget just one Christmas tree and try a whole festive forest. With their varying shades and shapes, the trees in this lineup resemble the textures and forms of a woodland vista on a snowy day. Honeycomb “snowballs” are an added holiday decor accent.

White tree form

Monochromatic never looked so good as in this all-white room dressed up for the holidays with a tree form created by adhering overlapped cotton pads to the wall. Sparkly white lights and silver accents lend a soft glow.

Twigs and branches

Pale and pretty, this framework of twigs and branches has the sort of elegance that’s perfect for the holidays. Strung with ivy and twinkle lights and adorned with pastel-coloured baubles, it’s a serene homage to the season. Lanterns and candles resting below add to the ambience.

Painted logs

Get creative with items from your own backyard. Cut branches painted white and nailed together to form a towering tree shape are set atop a stoneware urn. Build two or three to enhance an outdoor holiday decor scene, or bring them indoors for rustic appeal.

Evergreen arrangements

Not so much a tree as an evergreen arrangement, a festive display like this one is easily assembled from coniferous branches tucked into a vase or an urn wrapped in fabric and decorated with ornaments and seasonal bits and bobs. A few sprigs of mistletoe won’t go amiss either!