*Make sure to see the step by step video at the bottom of this article*
Plaid, also called tartan, is a popular pattern to use when decorating for Christmas.
Black Watch plaid, which is primarily dark blue and green, is one of the more popular plaid patterns.
Here are a few ideas for how to decorate a Christmas tree using navy and green Black Watch plaid.
Fluff
When decorating an artificial Christmas tree, one of the most important steps is to spend time fluffing the tree to make it look full (skip this step if you are using a real Christmas tree).
After your Christmas tree is assembled and put into place, bend and straighten limbs and needles to make your tree look fluffy and without empty space.
You should plan on adjusting every branch, so take your time and do it right.
Make sure that there are no holes and you cannot see through your Christmas tree.
A poorly fluffed tree will never look great, no matter how many ornaments are added.
Lights
After your tree has been properly fluffed, you should add Christmas lights.
If you have a pre-lit tree, plug in the lights and ensure that they are working.
Even if you have a pre-lit tree, you should consider adding more lights.
In most cases, you should use clear or white lights, not colored lights.
Ensure that the lights are all the same color of white - either all cool white or all warm white (warm white is preferred by most people).
A general rule is to use 100 mini lights per foot height of tree, so if you have a 10 foot tree you should use a minimum of 10 strands of 100 lights.
Wrap the lights around every branch, back and forth to the center trunk of the Christmas tree.
You can add a few strands of gently blinking lights towards the center of your tree for a twinkling effect. Make sure to spread the lights out so that the entire tree blinks, not the top half blinks then the bottom half. Attach them in an abstract way, not a straight line, so the flickering effect is random.
Keep in mind that many of the lights will be hidden by decorations, so don't be concerned if the lights seem too harsh at this point.
You can also add a few strands of lights in a larger size and shape. Different sizes create interest. 
Evergreen Filler
If your Christmas tree is looking a bit wimpy, or you just want a little variation, feel free to add evergreen fillers.
You can use artificial floral picks or live greenery from your garden.
Add the fillers anywhere you can see through your Christmas tree.
The filler also hides some of the Christmas light wires.
This Christmas tree uses evergreen fillers that look similar to the Christmas tree, however have small pinecones attached.
Designer tip - add evergreen filler that is not typically Christmas related for a more interesting look, such as eucalyptus.
Ribbon Garland
After the lights are complete, add the Black Watch plaid ribbon garland.
Working with sections of ribbon that are 2-3 feet long, make random loops around your Christmas tree.
Many people are scared of cutting their nice Christmas ribbon. Don't be scared - cutting it will give you a much better result.
Avoid going in a straight line - the loops should be in various places around your tree.
This 7 foot tall Christmas tree used about 4 rolls of 30 foot long Black Watch plaid ribbon.
For variety, add complementary ribbon in the same way, however lesser quantity.
This tree is also decorated in 2 rolls of 30 foot long sheer navy ribbon applied in the same manner as the Black Watch plaid.
You can use ribbon of different widths, materials, or patterns to create interest, such as a soft velvet ribbon, a sparkly gold ribbon, a silky satin ribbon, or a webbed ribbon.
Avoid ribbon that is overly wide since that ribbon tends to take over the entire tree and leave no room for anything else.
Tree Topper
Many people wait until the end to add a Christmas tree topper, however waiting increases the potential of accidentally knocking an ornament off the tree when attempting to place the tree topper.
The tree topper for this tree was created using the sheer navy ribbon and the blue & green plaid ribbon.
Natural Fillers
When decorating a Christmas tree with less than 3 colors, adding texture is crucial to ensure that the Christmas tree does not look boring and flat.
Pine cones were added to this tree to include a natural feeling color and texture. Larger pine cones were added to the bottom and smaller ones to the top.
In addition to the pine cones, grapevine spheres were also added. These spheres have a very light dusting of gold paint for a little variation of color.
Floral Picks
To add more variation of color and texture, champagne colored floral picks were added.
The light color of the floral picks added brightness to the Christmas tree and the tiny spheres added an additional texture for interest.
Designer tip - some of the most interesting Christmas trees use floral picks that were not intended to be Christmas decorations. You can use flowers and other unexpected picks for a designer look.
Ornaments
Now is the time to add ornaments to the Christmas tree.
The most popular type of Christmas ornament is a simple sphere. Spheres are good to use, but don't use spheres exclusively.
If using many spheres, vary the size, color, and/or texture of the spheres for interest.
Designer tip - Christmas ornament hangers are not attractive. If your ornaments are non-breakable, consider tucking them into the tree without a hanger.
This Christmas tree used navy glittered sphere Christmas ornaments as well as uniquely shaped ornaments made of kraft paper.
Designer tip - the addition of kraft paper ornaments creates a lovely cohesive design when using kraft paper gift wrap.
Christmas Gifts
One of the most overlooked aspects of Christmas tree decorating is the wrapped Christmas gifts.
Avoid cartoon Santa and childish gift wrap.
Gift wrap is part of your Christmas tree decorations, so make sure it complements your plaid decor.
Select several different wrapping papers and several different ribbons to wrap your Christmas gifts.
The Christmas gifts under this tree are all wrapped in different combinations of gift wrap and ribbons which adds to the overal designer aethetic of the Christmas tree.
See the video below for step by more information about this Christmas tree
