If you live in a rustic home, perhaps a log cabin or lodge style, a fancy designer Christmas tree would not be appropriate in your home.
A rustic home needs a rustic but elegant Christmas tree.
Here are the steps for how to decorate a rustic Christmas tree like a designer.
photo courtesy of Claire P flickr.com/photos/rockinfree/2170470918/Christmas Tree
When decorating in a rustic style, authenticity is highly sought after.
If at all possible, select a live Christmas tree for the best rustic result.
You can have the tree slightly flocked if you wish to add a touch of winter inside your home.
If a live tree is not possible, then a very high quality artificial Christmas tree will work.
Try to get the largest tree that will fit in your room. When measuring your ceiling height to determine how tall your Christmas tree can be, don't forget to take into account the height of whatever you will put on top of your tree.
photo courtesy of Andrew Petro flickr.com/photos/microcline/2177224132/Lights
Since winter is a dark season, your rustic Christmas tree will need many lights.
At minimum, use 1 strand of 100 clear or white lights (non-blinking) per foot height of tree.
If you have a 15' tree, then use 15 strands of lights minimum.
Even if you have a pre-lit tree, feel free to add more lights. It is nearly impossible to add too many lights.
If you desire a slight twinkle affect, add 1 strand of blinking lights wrapped around the trunk of your Christmas tree.
For a bit of variety, add 2 strands of slightly larger lights throughout your Christmas tree (if you have a very tall Christmas tree, you can add a few more strands).
photo courtesy of Jug Jones flickr.com/photos/jughead_jones/520496443/Ornaments, Garland, and Trimmings
Rustic Christmas trees are typically very simple in their decorations.
Garland is unnecessary, but you can use a burlap garland if you wish.
Do not decorate with bows.
Stick with simple decorations.
Ornaments and trimmings from nature work best.
You can decorate your rustic Christmas tree using grapevine wreath, pine cones, real feathers, dried flowers, and tree branches.
Strive for simplicity.
If you choose to decorate using man made items on your Christmas tree, select items that mimic nature, such as birds, acorns, and snow flakes.
Finishing Touches
Finish decorating your rustic Christmas tree with an appropriate tree topper (optional), a nice tree skirt, and make sure to decorate under your Christmas tree.
Your best bet for decorating under a rustic Christmas tree is to use gifts wrapped in a solid color gift wrap, wood grain gift wrap, simple brown paper with a bow made of burlap or another rustic material like plaid.
For additional ideas about decorating a rustic Christmas tree, see the video below.
