How to Decorate a Stunning Family Christmas Tree

Of all the Christmas decorations in our home, the family Christmas tree is the one that means the most to me. Ornaments from life before we were a family all the way to today. I’m washed over by nostalgia every year I decorate this tree. It’s a Christmas tree full of stories.

Every Christmas we have had multiple Christmas trees in our home. These trees have always looked a little different each year. But there is one tree that remains at its core the same every year. Our family Christmas tree.

I used to struggle with the family Christmas tree. It always felt like a mismatch of ornaments. It felt like it had no balance. But as time as progressed I’ve learned a few tips and tricks that have helped me decorate a Christmas tree that tells our families story and it looks perfectly balanced and beautiful.

Create a Foundation for the Christmas Tree

Twinkle Lights

The first thing I do when I start decorating the Christmas tree is to add the Christmas lights. I used to add what I thought was enough lights to the tree, but this year I actually more than doubled the number of twinkle lights I use and I think it looks gorgeous. Honestly, this fresh-cut tree looked amazing with nothing on it but twinkle lights. But like I said before, this is our family tree. So as pretty as it was like that I knew it wasn’t going to stay that way for long.

I like to run the twinkle lights in and out of each of the branches as I work my way around and then up the Christmas tree. By doing this I can help conceal the wire that the lights are on and it also makes sure that I get a balanced look.

HINT: Always plug your lights in before you begin. There is nothing worse than getting half done with the tree to find that some of the lights are out. I’ve never done this myself. I’m completely speculating that this could be a hurdle for some people haha! (Shhhh…I did it this year when I was putting the lights on our tree in the basement!)

You may notice toward the bottom of the tree we couldn’t do this. Since this tree is a fresh-cut Christmas tree we had to balance it in the base. For this particular tree that meant one of the main lower branches had to be cut from the tree. I was really sad about this, but my husband assured me it was very important that the trunk fit properly into the Christmas tree base. He mentioned something about the tree falling over and making a huge mess in the living room or something like that haha!

Ribbon

In years past I have run the ribbon around the tree like a garland. But this year I did something different. I took some 1/4” satin ribbon and cut it into strips. Then I took an ornament hook and tied the ribbon around the ornament hook. It gives our tree the elegance that ribbon adds, but it does it in a very casual way.

After I did this I went to TJ Maxx to do some Christmas shopping with one of my daughters and I found a windchime with 17 of these bells. So I took them off the windchime and added them to the ribbon ornaments. I love them! I looked online and found that you can purchase these bells on amazon. I’ll link them here just in case you love them as much as I do.

Simple Neutral Ball Ornaments

The next step in creating a beautiful family Christmas tree is adding ornaments that are similar. I used simple neutral shatter proof ball ornaments. I bought a big box variety pack from Amazon and I love them! They are not all the exact same, but they definitely coordinate.

Adding these ornaments to the Christmas tree in a balanced fashion has created a foundation that we can begin building on with our special ornaments. Now when we add our mismatched ornaments they will seem to be held together by the rest of the tree being simple & neutral.

I almost see it like painting the walls of our homes neutral. When the foundation of the space is simple and neutral when we begin adding the heirloom pieces and flea market finds they pop against the otherwise simple backdrop.

Add Unique Handmade/Gifted Ornaments to the Christmas Tree

Now it’s time to bring the whole family into the decorating process if they haven’t already participated. Every year we’ve decorated this tree we talk about these ornaments. Before the girls, my husband and I would share stories about what the ornament means to us or who gave it to us.

Now that the girls are old enough to ask questions we share these stories with them. We also make or buy new ornaments with the girls each year. So we can talk about new ornaments too.

This is why our family Christmas tree is my favorite. I love the stories. I love hearing them, and retelling them. There is something magical about sharing these stories. Remember my post about the vintage glass bottle my father-in-law collected? The family tree is just like that. When this tree comes out so do the stories. The memories.

I know that Christmas isn’t always easy. Trust me. Growing up Christmas time wasn’t always the most magical time for me and my sister. But one thing I’ve learned as I’ve grown is this: I can either choose to wallow in the bad that has happened to and around me, or I can choose to create good. I can “be the good” & so can you! No matter how Christmas’s have gone for you in the past I pray that this Christmas YOU are the inspiration that this world needs.

Pin for later!

Speaking of family, I wanted to give a shout out to my Mom. She launched an Etsy shop called Entangled With Yarns. I’m so excited for her! She loves to crochet. It’s something my great-grandma taught her to do and she does it so well. She actually made me this gorgeous Christmas green blanket! Go check out her Etsy shop out and see what she’s up to!

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Open Your Doors,
Aliya