Top 5 Christmas Tree Decorating Mistakes to Avoid

Decorating your Christmas tree can be a magical experience, but it’s easy to make a few common mistakes that could diminish your tree’s full potential.

In this video, Sharrah Stevens shares her expert tips on how to avoid these pitfalls and create a beautifully balanced and festive tree.

Here are the five most frequent Christmas tree decorating mistakes—and how to avoid them.

1. Not Fluffing the Tree

One of the most critical steps that people often overlook is fluffing the tree. Whether you have a real tree or an artificial one, skipping this step leaves the tree looking squished and sparse.

Sharrah explains that pulling a faux tree straight out of the box without fluffing the branches makes it look dehydrated and suffocated. Fluffing creates space for ornaments, helping to showcase your beautiful decorations.

Take your time to straighten and open each branch, ensuring your tree looks full and ready for décor.

2. Incorrectly Using Ribbons

Another mistake many people make is misusing ribbons by wrapping them tightly around the tree like a mummy. According to Sharrah, the key is to weave the ribbons in and out of the branches.

Use a diagonal pattern and attach the ribbons to various parts of the tree, allowing them to flow naturally. Adding bows where the ribbons meet can also create a more cohesive look. This technique gives the tree a professional and elegant appearance.

Christmas tree ribbon ideas

Here are some of our favorite ribbon designs to use on Christmas trees, garlands, and wreaths, starting with a rustic burlap ribbon (which can also be reused in decor year-round):

3. Improper Ornament Placement

Placing ornaments in the wrong spots is a common decorating faux pas. Many people hang large ornaments on the ends of the branches, which can look unbalanced.

Sharrah recommends placing larger ornaments toward the base of the tree and smaller ornaments higher up. She also advises placing ornaments deeper inside the tree to fill gaps and create depth.

Unique ornaments, like snowflakes or icicles, look best on the tips of branches, where they can stand out and add charm.

4. Overloading the Tree

While it’s tempting to showcase all your treasured ornaments, overloading your tree with too many decorations can overwhelm its beauty.

Sharrah acknowledges that over time, we accumulate sentimental ornaments, but it’s essential to edit. She advises stepping back as you decorate, assessing how your tree looks from different angles, and removing any excess items to avoid a cluttered appearance.

Think of your tree as a 360-degree canvas—walk around it to ensure balance from all sides.

5. Skimping on Lights

Lastly, one of the most overlooked aspects of Christmas tree decorating is not adding enough lights. Sharrah emphasizes that adding fairy lights to your tree creates depth and adds a magical glow.

While it’s possible to have a lovely tree without them, fairy lights give your tree an extra-special, twinkling effect, especially in the evening.

Adding a few strands of slowly twinkling lights can elevate your tree’s appearance and create a warm, glowing atmosphere.