Lucy St George's Guide To Decorating The Christmas Tree

If you're anything like us, the second summer starts to fade, you're already dreaming about decorating the Christmas tree. While it might still be too soon to unwrap the baubles, there's no better time to start planning your Christmas tree decorations, and this year's festive theme. Whether you're you're a fan of maximalist Christmas decor or prefer a more pared back aesthetic, decorating the Christmas tree with unique and quirky decorations (or Christmas crackers, if you're inspired by the image above) will bring humour and personality to your tree in a way that's truly joyful. 

When it comes to expert advice on decorating the Christmas tree, there's no one better to learn from than our fabulous co-founder, Lucy St George. As a former florist, Lucy created stunning bouquets and floral arrangements, and absolutely loved decorating the Christmas tree for a living. If anyone knows a thing or two about decorating the Christmas tree, it's Lucy! 

We believe that at Christmas, more really is more. What better time of year to create beautiful interiors that start conversations for all the right reasons? Go big, go bold, and accessorise, accessorise, accessorise! To help you create a truly unforgettable festive centrepiece, Lucy shares her top tips and expert secrets here, so you too can start decorating the Christmas tree like a pro.

The first thing to consider when it comes to decorating the Christmas tree is where to display it. Get the right spot for your festive masterpiece and you’re halfway there. If you’re decorating the Christmas tree means keeping things real, the golden rule is: keep your tree cool. That means decorating your Christmas tree away from radiators, heaters, or anywhere it might dry out. You want those needles to stay lush and green right through to the new year, which means keeping it watered - after all, a hydrated tree is a happy tree. It will also look better and keep that gorgeously festive pine smell for longer if it's kept happy, healthy and in water. 

Ideally, once you've chosen your tree, your friendly Christmas tree seller will take a half an inch off the base of the trunk for you, to remove any hardened sap and ensure it can absorb fresh water (you can do this yourself at home if you have the tools). Once home, remember that before you get to the fun of decorating the Christmas tree, it needs to stand in a waterproof, leak-proof stand, with the base of the trunk fully submerged. Check the water levels every day, as Christmas trees are thirsty, especially in a centrally-heated environment, or if they're in the same room as an open fire. Don't be surprised if your tree drinks two to three pints of water per day! 

If you're decorating an artificial Christmas tree, you’ve got more wiggle room with placement but there’s still one non-negotiable: plug sockets. Wherever you're decorating your Christmas tree, you need to be able to plug in fairy lights and Christmas lights safely and in a way that's aesthetically pleasing, avoiding any awkward, trailing light wires snaking across the room. Because nothing ruins decorating the Christmas tree quite like tripping over the fairy lights before December 1st is even out of the blocks!

When styled just right, fairy lights and Christmas tree lights can take your Christmas tree to dazzling heights. Lucy’s go-to trick? Use a few sets of the same lights to create a full, warm, gloriously maximalist glow when decorating the Christmas tree. And here’s her golden rule: always plug in and test your lights before you start decorating the Christmas tree. Always. There’s nothing worse than spending ages wrapping them perfectly, hanging every bauble with care, and then… click… nothing. To avoid the heartbreak of decorating the Christmas tree, only to have to start again, remember: test first, twinkle later.

Once you've checked that your lights work, it’s time to get wrapping. When decorating the Christmas tree, start at the bottom of the tree and work your way up in a maypole-style spiral, which we've found is the easiest way to get an even, gorgeous glow. Decorating the Christmas tree is much more fun (and a lot less fiddly) with an extra pair of hands, so try and rope in the family. When you’re done, tuck the lights in towards the centre of the tree or closer to the trunk. This creates depth, makes your tree look fuller, and gives that magical glow-from-within effect.

Lucy St George’s Top Tip: Switch the lights on, take a step back, squint your eyes a little and appraise your tree with an eagle eye. Any dark spots will jump right out. Add more lights in the spots you've identified, and voilà! Your Christmas tree decorations will look professional and like pure festive perfection - just the look you were going for. Decorating the Christmas tree has never felt so satisfying!

Whether you’re going monochrome, colourful, quirky, classic, maximalist, or full-on golden luxe, once you’ve nailed your theme, it’s time for the best bit of decorating the Christmas tree - accessorising!

Lucy recommends starting with a base layer of single-coloured baubles in your chosen colour scheme.  Start decorating the Christmas tree by tuck them closer to the trunk and about three-quarters of the way along each branch. This fills out the tree and gives you that lush, full look.

Next comes the magic - decorating the Christmas tree by adding your statement pieces, or as Lucy calls them, your “glory decs.” Go big with oversized baubles closer to the trunk and save the smaller, lighter ones for the ends of the branches so nothing droops. Decorating the Christmas tree allows you to play with symmetry, mix in different shapes, and layer colours for a look that draws the eye in. When it comes to decorating the Christmas tree, symmetry is your secret weapon - aim for an even spread of baubles, bows, lights, and sizes so your tree looks picture-perfect from every angle.

Lucy St George’s Top Tip: Place your absolute favourite decorations right at the top. Not only will they stand out, but they’re also far less likely to get knocked off by guests, pets, or overly enthusiastic present unwrapping.

To finish off the Christmas tree, don't forget the Christmas Tree Topper. This little beauty is the crowning glory, the final flourish, the sparkle that says “Yes, I nailed decorating the Christmas tree this year.” Now, a quick word of wisdom: while your topper is the big finale, make sure it’s not so heavy that your poor tree’s tip starts drooping like a sad candy cane. Remember, you’re working with the most delicate (and wobbly) part of the whole tree.

Lucy St George’s Top Tip: You don’t have to stick with a traditional topper when decorating the Christmas tree. Get creative! Try using one of your favourite Christmas decorations instead. As long as it’s in proportion to your tree, you'll still score top marks for Christmas tree decorating. Nailed it like a pro!

And… that’s a wrap! 

At Rockett St George, we believe the Christmas tree isn’t just a decoration - it’s the storyteller of the season. It’s the place where memories live, where your personality shines brightest, and where every bauble, bow and sparkly reindeer has a tale to tell. That's what decorating the Christmas tree does best - it reflects back to you the person you are now, and your scene-stealing aesthetic, while also carrying echoes of Christmases past.

Remember decorating the Christmas tree four years ago with those glass baubles picked up on a spontaneous weekend away? trip? That cheeky ornament you couldn’t resist last year? The heirloom angel that’s stood proud since childhood? They all layer together so that decorating the Christmas tree becomes much more than “just” home décor - it’s like a living scrapbook of love, laughter, style, and a little bit of chaos (because what’s Christmas without it?)