Fresh tree-decorating ideas
 The Christmas tree is a staple for many homes during the holidays -- but putting up the same old decorations every year can get a bit stale.
Wouldn’t it be nice to leave the old, dusty box full of cracked candy canes, flattened garland and tangled tinsel underneath the stairs?
Eva Ingvarson, Resident Party Expert at Evite, a party-planning website that hosts more than 16 million invitations to about 450,000 events each month, recommends these tips for spicing up your spruce.
Sass it up with sweets
“Take the usual candy cane tree decoration to the next level with a full-on candy tree,” says Ingvarson. said. “String garlands out of gummy bears or colorful gumballs, and turn mini chocolate bars in sparkly wrappers into colorful ornament substitutes.” Ingvarson recommends houses with hungry pets or small children opt for décor that’s a little less tasty and tempting.
Decorate with party favours
If you’re throwing a Christmas bash, ditch the grab bags and create a giving tree. Make decorations from small, inexpensive gifts, such as chocolates, scented soaps or candles. “Place each gift in a small gift bag or wrap in paper and add a loop of ribbon to attach to the tree,” says Ingvarson. “At the end of the party, let each guest take a gift off the tree as a party favour.” Your tree will end up bare again at the end of the night, but you’ll fill your guests’ day with some unexpected holiday cheer.
Make ornaments out of paper
“Create a down-home, do-it-yourself tree by turning colored paper into origami ornaments and decorative garlands,” says Ingvarson. Not up to origami? Take a blast from the past -- cut paper into snowflakes like the ones you made in grade school. “Poke an ornament hook or opened paper clip through a snowflake point to hang on your tree -- and be sure to leave out paper and supplies so other people can add their own decorations.”
Use a rainbow of ribbons
Take a design tip from festively-wrapped presents -- tie good-quality ribbon on your tree branches. “Make smaller bows on upper branches and bigger bows on lower branches for added drama,” says Ingvarson. "Choose ribbon in a traditional red or white, a shiny satin or metallic for extra sparkle, or raffia for a rustic look.”
Finally, since family and friends are bound to be in gift-wrap mode, ask them to bring a ribbon from their own supply to create an eclectic, funky look.
Paint the tree dry
Get maximum appeal from a minimalist look with a clever variation on the usual monochromatic tree. “In addition to the traditional one-color decorations (twinkle lights, tinsel and ornament balls), get paint chips … from your local paint store and hang them on your tree with ornament hooks,” says Ingvarson.
“The addition of color samples will saturate your tree with shades of your chosen color and lend a humorous, artsy touch without costing you much time or money.”
www.evite.com/
- Nicole Tomlinson
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