It's time once again to deck the halls and trim the tree for Christmas. Gather your friends and family together and reminisce about Christmas' of yesterday, what better way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Here are some tips on decorating your Christmas tree by Cecilia White of CW Horticulture.

Fresh Trees
Choose from one of the many varieties such as Scots Pine, Balsam, Frasier Fir, and Noble Fir. Each tree offers different textures and scents. Try to pick a tree with a straight trunk.

If it's wrapped, cut all string and let it relax overnight.

Give your tree a fresh cut and place it in your tree stand, pruning any lower branches that need to be removed. Add water containing preservative to your stand. Mixing one litre of water, one cup of corn syrup, and one tablespoon of bleach can make a good preservative. An antidesicant, an oil based spray to prevent evergreens from drying out, can be sprayed onto the tree to help preserve the foliage longer.

Artificial Trees
Assemble all the parts. Fluff and reshape branches and tips all over the tree.
 

Lighting
String lighting is sold by bulb count and not length. To estimate the amount of lights needed for your tree, calculate 25 lights for every foot of height of the tree. Example: To light a six-foot tree you will need at least 150 lights (6x25=150). Common sizes for string lighting are 25, 50 and 100. Combine cords to meet lighting requirements.

Wrap each branch with lights starting from the trunk and work out to the tip. Continue from the bottom to the top in a spiral pattern working around the tree. This will create a consistent "random" effect and the whole tree will "glow". Avoid spiraling lights in a linear pattern this will lead the eyes away from the ornaments, garland and ribbon.

For a more dramatic look, try using different sizes and shapes of indoor string lights combined on one tree. Create base lighting with white mini lights. Then, using the same technique, apply white rounded lights in different bulb sizes over the base lighting. Try coloured lights to reinforce themes and colour schemes.

Ornaments and Tree Topper
Place your favourite tree topper atop your tree before hanging your ornaments so you don't have to worry about knocking them. Place ornaments evenly over tree. Cover the binding points for ribbon and garland with your ornaments. 2Ribbon and Garland

Ribbon and garland should be strung after lighting is completed. Lay ribbon across the tree in a pattern that suits the theme. It can be diagonal, horizontal, vertical or random. Tie ribbon to the tree with florist wire at different fixing points. Pleat, curl, and bend wired ribbon to create texture and rhythm. Garland can be used in the same way.

Note: You may contact Cecilia by visiting her at 138 Mill Street in downtown Georgetown or by calling 905 877-5571.