The Christmas tree was popularized in England in the nineteenth century, by Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's consort. Having grown up in Germany where there is a strong tradition of decorating trees, Albert brought along the custom when he married Victoria.
In 1848, an engraving appeared in the London Illustrated News of the royal family gathered around a tabletop Christmas tree at Windsor Castle decorated with candles, ribbons, and trinkets. In perhaps the first case of strategic photoshopping, Godey’s Lady Book magazine altered the engraving by putting a portrait of George Washington on the wall, an eagle on the tree, and removing Albert’s sash and Victoria’s tiara. Suddenly, they had what appeared to be an ideal upper middle class American family, and the Christmas tree came to America.
Today, the Christmas tree is BIG business. According to the USDA, each year there are approximately 21 million Christmas trees cut in America on 21,904 farms, accounting for $506 million in sales.
So, how do you decorate it once you tote it home and get it in place? In my new book, MERRY CHRISTMAS AMERICA I give great tips to the easiest, most beautiful tree you’ve ever seen – from real to aluminum, from theme to every ornament ever-made. But to get you started on the path to the easiest, happiest, merriest Christmas ever…
My FIVE STEPS TO A GORGEOUS TREE: Creating the perfect Christmas tree is an art that can be broken down into five easy steps:
1. Decorate Away from the Wall You need to be able to access all sides. Pull it out and place a few chairs around it to stand on while reaching the top branches.
2. Hang the Lights First Start at the top and work your way down, keeping the lights plugged in if possible. Rather than strangling the tree with the lights, go in to the trunk and out along the branches as you work your way around. This will give the tree depth.
3. Hang the GarlandAgain, start at the top and work your way around and down the tree, weaving the garland in and out and giving it swag.
4. Hang the Ornaments, from Big to Small If you have a lot of any one type of ornament, put these all on first, spacing them evenly. If you have large ornaments, put them on early in the process to prevent the tree from looking unbalanced. Fill in with smaller ornaments, making sure not to ignore the inner branches of the tree as well as the tips.
5. Top it OffThe final touch is crowning the tree--otherwise it will look unfinished. Choose something that makes you happy, whether it be a big bow, a star, or an angel.
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Great article!
I had no idea what the history of the American Christmas tree was. Thank you for clueing me in, I love to learn about how traditions come into being.
I use the same tree decorating tips you've written here. Putting our smaller ornaments inside the tree along the branches is one of my favorite parts of the holiday, it makes the tree seem full of surprises no matter where you look.
I always mess up the garland though, no matter what I do it looks messy. I don't know how people get it on their tree and looking so pretty. I am garland challenged?
Merry Christmas!!
Step 5 - topping the tree off. That has to go last. It just doesn't feel right any other way LOL
Congrats