Decorate a Christmas tree

Decorating a Christmas tree is one of the easiest evenings to make feel special. It costs nothing if you already own the lights and ornaments, and the order you do it in matters more than anything you buy. Here is how to get a tree that looks full and balanced.

When and where to decorate

Pick an evening with no plans after it, because it takes longer than you think and it is nicer not to rush. Many people decorate on a weekend in early December, but any time you want the tree up is fine.

Set up the tree first. Put it in its stand, in a spot away from radiators, heaters and fireplaces, and close to a socket. If it is a real tree, give it water straight away and check the stand every day. Let a real tree sit for a few hours before you start decorating, so the branches can settle.

Before you start

Test the lights before they go anywhere near the tree. Plug in each string and look for dead bulbs, damaged wires or cracked sockets. Throw out any that look worn or damaged. Check the pack to see how many strings can be joined end to end, and do not overload a socket.

Fluff the branches if the tree is artificial or has been in a box: spread each branch out and bend the tips so they point in different directions. This is the single biggest thing for making a tree look full.

What to bring

Beyond lights, ornaments and hot chocolate:

• A step stool or sturdy chair for the top
• Ribbon or garland, if you want it
• Hooks or pieces of thin wire or ribbon, for ornaments with no hanger
• A small box for packing things away later
• Something to sit the tree on, such as a tree skirt or a towel, to catch needles or water

How to decorate it

1. Lights first. Start at the bottom, plug end near the socket, and wind the string up through the branches. Push the lights in towards the trunk as well as along the tips, so the tree glows from the inside. A common rule is about 100 lights for each foot of tree, but use what looks right to you.
2. Step back. Turn the room lights down and look at the tree. Fill any dark patches now.
3. Garland or ribbon. If you are using it, drape it loosely around the tree in swags, or wind it down in a spiral. Leave a little slack so it looks relaxed.
4. Large ornaments. Hang the biggest ones first and spread them out around the tree, with some deeper in near the trunk.
5. Smaller ornaments. Fill in around them. Group a few in the same colour so the tree has rhythm, then vary the shapes.
6. Special ones last. Put your favourites where they can be seen, at eye level.
7. Topper. Put it on last, from a stable stool. Ask someone to hold the tree steady.

Choosing a look

You do not need a theme. A mix of old and new ornaments looks warm. If you want a plan, pick two or three colours and one or two textures, such as glass, wood, paper or ribbon. Put similar ornaments on opposite sides of the tree, and use the same few colours throughout.

Add a few homemade things if you like: paper stars, dried orange slices or hand-painted ornaments. They give the tree some personality.

What goes wrong

• The tree looks patchy. Fluff the branches, and fill the gaps with ribbon, picks or larger ornaments tucked in deeper.
• The lights are tangled. Take the string off, lay it out and work the knots out slowly before you start.
• A string of lights stops working. Check the bulbs and the plug, and replace the string if needed. Do not use damaged strings.
• Ornaments keep falling. Use hooks and loop them over a branch that can hold the weight. Put heavy ones near the trunk, where the branches are thicker.
• The tree leans. Check the trunk is straight in the stand and tighten it again.

Safety and keeping it up

Keep the tree away from heat sources and candles, and do not use real candles on or near it. Turn the lights off when you leave the house or go to sleep. If your tree is real, check the water every day, because a dry tree dries out quickly and the needles drop.

When the season ends, take the ornaments off carefully and pack them in a box, with paper between the fragile ones. Wind the lights around a piece of cardboard so they are easy to use next year.

Make it a winter evening

Put on a playlist, make something warm to drink and let everyone hang a few ornaments. If you have not got a tree yet, you could cut your own Christmas tree first and make the whole thing a two-part weekend.