Putting up the Christmas tree is, for us, one of the true joys of the season. Whether you favour a perfectly polished look or something more characterfully eclectic, these are our guiding tips on how to style your tree beautifully, ready for festive hosting, cosy evenings and everything in between.
Tips for choosing the right tree
A perfectly dressed tree starts with the right foundation. If you prefer a real tree, look for varieties known for minimal needle drop – the Nordmann Fir remains a favourite. But if your answer to “When can I put the tree up?” is reliably “as early as possible”, a faux Christmas tree may be the most practical investment. Real trees naturally tire as the season goes on, especially in centrally heated homes, so a realistic artificial tree ensures a full, fresh look long past New Year. Our Christmas tree buying guide is a helpful place to begin when choosing the right size and style for your home..
“We've been completely won over by how fantastic faux trees can be - they're safe, long-lasting and you can use them year after year.” - stylist Maddy Hann.
When browsing artificial trees, check the number of tips – this is what gives a faux tree its luxuriant, full silhouette. For effortless light distribution, a pre-lit option delivers a perfectly even sparkle (and saves you untangling strings of lights). If you’re decorating a compact or contemporary space, an alternative stylewith a lighter footprint like our Light Up Scandi Fir Tree could be the one. Unlike real trees, faux designs aren’t fussy about where you put them - simply check the ceiling height, ensure nearby plug sockets are accessible, and allow enough room to fan out the branches without crushing them against a wall.
The best way to style an artificial Christmas tree
Our stylists always begins with a Christmas tree ring, or 'tree skirt' – a simple step that gives the base a beautifully finished look and creates a charming stage for your gifts. Position it around the stand before decorating, as lifting a completed tree can be tricky.
Next come the lights. Once your tree has its place (and you’ve checked wire reach), connect each section of lights as you assemble. Most of our faux trees arrive in three parts, and styling each section as you build makes all the difference. Start by folding the inner branches upwards to conceal the trunk and add fullness. Then shape the outer branches, gently fanning each frond upwards layer by layer for a natural, generous silhouette. This attention at the start is the secret to a full and balanced overall shape.
Tips on the best ways to put lights on your Christmas tree
If your tree isn’t pre-lit, always test your lights beforehand. Make sure you have enough length to reach the top – you may need more than one set. Depending on where your tree stands, you might only need to cover the front two-thirds, but if it’s visible from all sides (for example in a bay window), wrap the entire tree for an evenly glowing display.
Wind the lights from bottom to top, moving left to right. We like to nestle them around 10cm back from the branch tips, which creates a soft depth of light rather than a harsh surface sparkle. This is also the ideal moment to add your tree topper, before the branches become busy with decorations. A light-up topper draws the eye upwards and gives the tree an elegant, lifted finish.
Our favourite ways to decorate a full-looking tree
With lights in place, begin layering in garlands if you’re using them. They’re wonderful for adding richness and filling small gaps, and three or four pieces usually work well. For our Tinsel Tidings trend this year, we’ve added our Sumptuous Tinsel Garland as well as the Glittered Snowberry Garland to build a really dense but pretty tree.
Now for the decorations. We like to use hanging hooks for neat, consistent placement, and we recommend choosing a tight colour palette for impact. Keeping the same tones running through your home can help create a cohesive, considered festive scheme. Within your chosen colours, select five or six different bauble styles in a mix of shapes, sizes, and textures – some flat, some more sculptural.
Begin with the largest baubles, placing them in a loose checkerboard pattern to achieve an even spread. Some baubles should sit deeper within the branches for depth. Then repeat with each style, working one set at a time for rhythmic, balanced layering. Consider adding a feature detail such as a statement bow to bring the whole look together.
Tips for decorating a professional-looking tree
“When buying decorations working towards a theme helps ensure that everything works together beautifully. Sticking to just a couple of colours is the best way forward.” - stylist Maddy Hann.
For that polished, stylist-approved finish, step back regularly to check symmetry, density and balance. Most professionally styled trees are united by a clear theme, so think about the mood you want to create and curate your decorations accordingly. A simple colour palette of two or three tones is often the most effective.
For glamorous impact, our Champagne Reverie tree embraces a palette of deepest red, mauve and pearl, dressed with extravagant gauzy bows, generous frills and glistening glassware for a truly decadent, shimmering display.
For a more traditional and nostalgic feel, English Rustic blends velvet bows and glass drops in forest green, rich red and golden ochre, finished with delicately patterned paper swirls for an old-world charm.
And if calm and relaxed is your style, Spruce Serenity offers a soothing, Scandi-inspired palette of marbled and frosted glass baubles paired with white paper ornaments for an effortlessly serene look.
So, there you have it, our expert guide to dressing your tree for Christmas and creating the perfect centrepiece for your festive décor.