Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: Trends for 2011

!±8± Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: Trends for 2011

Everyone loves a Christmas tree, but sometimes you want a change. The same tree from year to year can get boring, and if you've changed your interior decor, you might find your old tree just doesn't have the same charm. So, how do you get a new look for this old tradition? Believe it or not there are trends from year to year. Here are some of the most interesting.

The Natural Look. If you're ready to replace your artificial tree with something new, why not try a flocked tree? These new trees are convincingly realistic, and since they already have a covering of snow, halve your decorating has been done for you. Conclude them off with some more realistic touches, wrap the tree with a grapevine garland to add some bulk, add white and iridescent ball ornaments and if your tree is large, have them increase in size towards the bottom. If you want some color, add some red berry picks to the branches and add an additional one touch of icy winter, crystal icicles dripping from the branches. For a diminutive more color, add tiny birds. The corollary is very natural and realistic, and if you find it too 'cold' add some red ball ornaments in dissimilar sizes.

The Beach Tree. If you like to leave the cold for the Holiday season there's no need to abandon tradition. You can decorate a tree for warmer climes. Once selection would be an artificial palm tree. These are ready from the big Diy stores as well as online, and are a fun addition to your celebrations. They don't have many branches and so don't need a lot of decoration. If you are truly on the beach, why not get some shells and transform them into ornaments with some wire and air dry clay. The final touch would be some spray glitter. If a palm tree is easily not your style, but you're finding for something to match the cool color schemes used in many warm regions, why not select a white tree? These can look striking decorated in a color, so feel free to match your decor, blue and turquoise ornaments are very popular this year.

Think Pink. One of the most surprising trends to arise from the many new colors available, is the popularity of the pink Christmas tree. There are many forms to select from, cupcake pink is a delicate shade and cries out for embellishment in the 'ice cream' colors, in fact cupcakes and cones are a very popular theme in Christmas ornaments this year. You can also find cupcake garlands. Slightly more avant garde are the shocking pinks and pink/violet trees which have appeared in the last consolidate of year. Again Christmas ornaments seem to have been developed especially for them; you'll find handbags and high heels an additional one popular theme this year.

The Christmas Tree is the focal point of your Christmas decor. Pick a new idea and enjoy!

Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: Trends for 2011

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Christmas Lights - A Brief Look at the Different Types

!±8± Christmas Lights - A Brief Look at the Different Types

You know that you've had many different types of Christmas lights in your home.   However, you might not know some of the differences between these types of lights, until now. 

C7 and C9 Bulbs and Cords - Traditional Christmas Lights

Some of the most popular types of Christmas light sets are C7, C9 - they are the traditional Christmas lights that everyone remembers growing up.  Their retro look has been making a comeback over the last several Christmas seasons. They can be used either indoors or outdoors.  The 25 and 100 foot sets contain either replaceable or built-in fuses.   They are glass and filament (incandescent) construction and can break if you drop them.  (And I've noticed about a 30% loss rate when my 3 year old helped me install them 2 years ago around our flowerbed.)

Both C7 and C9 Christmas lights can be purchased pre-installed or separately for a wider choice of colors. The C7 and C9 Christmas bulbs are designed so that if one bulb fails, it only affects that bulb, and not any of the surrounding bulbs - even removal or failure. They come in a variety of colors, and the cords are usually  either green or white with a common spacing of 12 inches.

One of the nice features of C7 and C9 sets is that you can alternate colors or set them up in any pattern you choose.  You aren't limited to a pre-manufactured selection.  These Christmas light bulbs commonly come in transparent, opaque (painted) and flashing.  With the opaque bulbs, you can achieve pastel colors not available in any other style.

C7 bulbs are smaller, just over 2 inches, while C9 are about three inches long from base to tip of bulb.  Also, C9 lights have a larger diameter base than C7 lights.  Most of the time, C9 bulbs are a great choice  for outlining  buildings and other outdoor work.

Mini Lights

Christmas mini lights are smaller and spaced more closely than the C7 and C9 varieties. For the most part, mini lights bulbs are small and the sets come in wide variety of bulb colors, wire colors, and bulb spacings.  Their incredible versatility is their biggest asset.  You can use them for everything from Christmas to super-hero birthday party decorations.

Mini lights can be a little more trouble than C7 and C9 lights since they are wired in series. If one bulb is physically damaged or unplugged, its entire series or section of the set will not light. Their configuration, however, allows for a bulb to burn out and not break the circuit, it is only when a bulb is broken or comes out of the socket. 

LED Christmas Lights

These Christmas light newcomers are loved and revered by some and not a replacement for the tried and true for others.  They are based on Light Emitting Diode technology and are general housed in plastic casing which makes them durable for outdoor use. 

The main assets of LED Christmas lights are their low energy usage which saves customers money when the December electricity bill arrives, their low operating temperature and the fact that they last longer than traditional Christmas lights.  How much longer is dependent on the environmental conditions where they are used and how they are treated.  Nothing can protect against harsh wintry winds and errant squirrels.  But at least if you drop a set, you won't have to run for a dustpan.  As a rule of thumb, UL  and the LED manufacturers rate these sets for 90 days of outdoor seasonal use.

The final choice when selecting Christmas lights all too often just comes down to personal taste.  Knowing their strengths and weaknesses, take an opportunity to try something new this season!

Christmas Lights - A Brief Look at the Different Types

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