To decorate a Christmas tree, follow four steps in order: the fairy lights in a spiral, from the base to the top; the decorative garlands in swags; the baubles, large ones in the middle and at the bottom, small ones towards the top; the topper last. Allow about 37 baubles for a 1.80 m tree and stick to two colours.
In what order should you decorate a Christmas tree?
A tree is dressed from the inside out: each layer goes on without disturbing the one before.
- The fairy lights. Start at the base, on the side of the socket, and work up in a spiral to the top. Push the wire in towards the trunk: the light then comes from inside and the cable disappears. Switch them on before you carry on, to spot any dark areas. The length to match the height is in our guide to fairy lights.
- The decorative garlands. Drape them in loose swags, from branch to branch, without pulling them tight. A bead garland catches the light; a classic garland adds volume.
- The baubles, from large to small. The large baubles first, in the middle of the tree and at the bottom: they give the whole tree its structure. The small ones next, towards the top and at the tips of the branches, to fill the gaps.
- The topper. It goes on last and crowns everything. Our 19 cm star topper fits onto the top shoot.
One exception: on a tall tree, put the topper on first, while you can still reach it without climbing into branches that are already loaded.
How many baubles do you need for a Christmas tree?
This is the question our customers ask us most often. The most quoted rule of thumb comes from two mathematics students at the University of Sheffield: multiply the height of the tree in centimetres by 0.206 (the square root of 17 divided by 20). For a 180 cm tree, that gives 37 baubles (Techno-Science). It is a starting point: add more if you like a well-filled tree.
| Tree height | Baubles (Sheffield formula) | A combination of our sets |
|---|---|---|
| 125 to 150 cm | 26 to 31 | 37 baubles of 6 cm |
| 150 to 175 cm | 31 to 36 | 34 baubles of 8 cm |
| 175 to 200 cm | 36 to 41 | 34 baubles of 8 cm and 4 of 10 cm |
| 200 to 250 cm | 41 to 52 | 34 baubles of 8 cm, 4 of 10 cm and 4 of 14 cm |
| 250 to 300 cm | 52 to 62 | 30 Mix baubles and 34 baubles of 8 cm |
| 300 to 400 cm | 62 to 82 | two sets of 34 baubles of 8 cm and 4 baubles of 14 cm |
The bands in the table are those of our Nordmann firs and Norway spruces. The sets mentioned: 37 baubles of 6 cm, 34 baubles of 8 cm, 4 baubles of 10 cm, 30 Mix baubles in mixed sizes.
What size baubles for what size tree?
The bigger the tree, the bigger the baubles. Under 1.50 m, baubles of 4 to 6 cm are enough; above 1.80 m, baubles of 8 to 10 cm balance the silhouette. On a large tree, a few 14 cm baubles pushed in towards the trunk add depth.
The same logic applies to the topper. The Sheffield formula gives it a tenth of the height: a 19 cm star suits a tree of about 1.90 m.
How many metres of decorative garland?
For loose swags, allow about two metres of garland per metre of tree. A 1.75 m tree therefore takes two 2.70 m classic garlands. The Sheffield formula counts far more, about five metres per metre: that is the look of a fully draped tree, which a 10 m bead garland gives on a 2 m tree.
Which colours should you choose to decorate your tree?
Two main colours are enough, three if one stays discreet. Our baubles and garlands come in the same five colours (red, gold, silver, white, Pearl), and the star topper in four of them: everything matches without any calculation.
- Traditional: red and gold, with warm white fairy lights.
- Scandinavian: white and Pearl against the green of the tree, with a few touches of natural wood.
- Modern: silver and white, with cool white fairy lights.
Choose your colours from the baubles, repeat them in the garlands, and finish with the matching topper.
How do you decorate a tree with children or a cat?
All our baubles are shatterproof: they bounce instead of breaking. Keep your fragile pieces, such as a family glass bauble, for the top of the tree. Reserve the bottom third for decorations that cannot break, and fix them with bauble hooks rather than a simple hook. Let the children hang their baubles at their own height: it is often the best moment of the day.
Which mistakes should you avoid when decorating your tree?
- Putting the fairy lights on last: the wires stay visible and the light overpowers the baubles.
- Hanging everything at the tips of the branches: the tree looks empty in the middle. Push a third of the baubles in towards the trunk.
- Using too many colours: beyond three, the eye no longer knows where to rest.
- Decorating a tree that has not finished opening out: we deliver our trees netted, and their branches drop into place in the hours that follow. See how to set up your tree before getting the baubles out.
A first tree: what do you need to buy?
Four purchases are enough: fairy lights to suit the size of the tree, a set of baubles in one colour, a matching decorative garland and a topper. You can add to them in the following years. Our Christmas decorations collection brings them together. That leaves the tree: our real trees are delivered free in Brussels and the surrounding area, €9.90 elsewhere in Belgium. To keep it holding its needles until the holidays, follow our care tips.
Key points to remember
- The order: fairy lights, decorative garlands, baubles (large then small), topper.
- About 0.2 baubles per centimetre of tree: 37 baubles for 1.80 m.
- Baubles of 4 to 6 cm under 1.50 m, of 8 to 10 cm above 1.80 m.
- Two metres of decorative garland per metre of tree, two main colours.
- With children or a cat: shatterproof baubles at the bottom, fragile pieces at the top.
