Christmas Tree Hacks To Achieve the Perfect Tree - Darice

Struggling to create a beautiful and coordinated Christmas tree this holiday season? Keep reading to learn a couple simple Christmas tree hacks to create a perfectly gorgeous, layered Christmas tree for your home.

One of my very favorite parts of celebrating Christmas is decorating my tree. I love creating a different look each year, and this year I have put together a merry, bright, and colorful tree that puts a bit of a twist on a traditional Christmas look.

In this post, I’m sharing all of my best Christmas tree decorating tips and I will walk you through all of the steps for creating your own perfect tree. Let’s get decorating!

Christmas tree hacks & tips supplies:

Darice 7.5 Ft Pre-Lit Christmas Tree
Darice Christmas Tree Basket (I painted mine a teal color using spray paint)
DecoLights Globe Light Set
Darice Mini String Lights
4 Inch Glitter Ribbon
Chenille Stems
Greenery Picks (I used Iced Pine Picks, Berry and Snow Pine Picks, and Flocked Cedar Picks)
Ornaments of Different Shapes and Sizes in Your Color Scheme
- Large Wooden Snowflakes (I spray painted mine a light pink)
- Large Red and White Bulbs
- Medium Red and White Bulbs
- Mini Pink and Teal Glass Ornaments
- Matte Light Pink Glass Ornaments
- Matte Aqua Glass Ornaments
- Shiny Turquoise Glass Ornaments
- Matte Turquoise Glass Ornaments
- 3D White Glitter Ornaments
- Lollipop Picks (I added these as I added ornaments because they visually look like ornaments)
Paper Star from Darice Mint Paper Party Decorations Pack

How to Create the Perfect Christmas Tree

Step 1: Choose Color Scheme & Theme.

Start off by choosing a color scheme that compliments the room your tree will be placed in. For a more updated look, consider using a non-traditional, trendy color scheme instead of a more traditional design. For my tree, I started with a base of traditional red and white and then added in big pops of pink and teal for a bit of a twist.

You may want to also choose a specific theme as well as a color scheme for your tree. Loading your tree up with wintry, flocked floral picks and snowflake ornaments could create a beautiful snow-inspired tree, for instance.

Step 2 (Optional): Place Tree Basket Collar over Base.

If you are using a tree basket collar like I did for my tree, then you will want to place the collar around the base of the tree before assembling your tree. If you are using a tree skirt, you can add that when you are done decorating your tree.

I gave my tree basket a colorful punch by spray painting it a bright teal color, and I love how it turned out.

Step 3: Fluff Branches.

Once your tree is assembled, it’s time to really fluff out those branches. Gently pull on the branches to spread them out and give the tree a full look. Be sure to adjust branches vertically to fill all holes and hide any section joints in the trunk of the tree.

This step may take a bit of time, but it makes a huge difference in the look of your finished tree.

Step 4: Add Additional String Lights to Pre-Lit Tree.

To create a magically glowing Christmas tree, I always add more lights to my pre-lit trees. You want to have at least 100 lights total per foot of tree height. The tree I used is 7.5 feet tall, so I wanted a total of at least 750 lights.

String your additional lights evenly around the tree, working in toward the trunk and then out toward the tip of each branch, instead of just on the outside of the branches. This will make the tree truly glow from within.

Try adding lights that are slightly larger for added interest!

Step 5: String on Garland and/or Ribbon.

Next, it’s time to wrap your tree in garland or ribbon. I decided to go with a white glitter ribbon for my tree, but Darice also makes a lot of beautiful garlands.

I find it easiest to start at the top of the tree, and then wrap the ribbon down around the tree tucking it into the tree about every two feet.

Christmas tree hack: use chenille stems to secure the ribbon in place where it’s tucked into the tree’s branches.

Step 6: Add Greenery and Floral Picks.

To give my tree a lush look, I love to add greenery stems or picks of different shapes, textures and colors. For a standard 7-8 foot tree, I recommend adding three different types of greenery picks – at least five of each for a total of 15.

For my tree I chose a sparkly, iced pine branch, a flocked cedar pick, and a pick with red berries to tie into my color scheme.

Step 7. Hang Ornaments.

Next, it’s time to hang those ornaments! Stick with ornaments in the color scheme that you chose, but add interest by varying their size and shape. Aim for ten large ornaments per foot of tree.

If you are using multiple colors of ornaments like I did, then it’s easiest to add one color at a time to more easily distribute the colors throughout the tree.

Using multi-pack ornaments in the same color family is a great way to get a cohesive look for less money. I used several of the Darice Red & White Ornament packs, and I love how they look on my tree!

I loved the colors of the Darice Mini Pink and Teal Ornaments, but they felt a little small on the tree, so I used a little bit of wire to group them together in clusters.

Step 8: Add Tree Topper (and Skirt).

Finally, add a coordinating tree topper (and skirt if you didn’t use a tree basket) to complete your tree. I love paper stars as tree toppers, so I chose a mint green paper star from a Darice Paper Party Decorations Pack, and I love how it looks on top of my tree! Darice has lots of great tree toppers to choose from.

Ready to see these fun Christmas tree hacks in action? Press play below!