The centerpiece of many homes in December, the Christmas tree is often decorated with sentimental ornaments and a style beloved by each family.
If you want to mix it up a bit this year, try these tips from countryliving.com.
New colors: Try black and white, especially with ribbons. Also: ice blue and silver, pink bows and gold ornaments, white bulbs with brown extras like pine cones, or bulbs that make a rainbow of color.
Ornaments: Among the possibilities are spray-painted birdhouses, toy soldiers or nutcrackers, large glittering letters, or small flag garlands.
Materials: How about burlap for garlands, scrapbook tags, triangular flags made of burlap, or feathers.
Tree stands: Why do you have to get a conventional stand with a skirt? Try colorful vintage buckets for smaller trees or re-purpose objects. Use baskets or tree pots.
New places: Have a kitchen tree? Want to make one? Try decorating with cooking items from cookie cutters to flatware.
See Country Living's 67 tree suggestions at: countryliving.com/christmas-ideas.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
