Quick Set-Up Tips for Your Christmas Tree

There’s a little art to bringing an artificial Christmas tree to life. Give yourself a bit of time, fluff the branches well, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.

1. Give yourself some space

Set your tree up in its final position if you can, but leave enough room to move around it while you're shaping the branches.

Make sure you have checked the height and width of the space before you begin.

2. Start from the bottom

If your tree comes in sections, begin with the bottom section and work upwards.

Secure each section firmly before moving on to the next.

3. Fluff, fluff and fluff some more

Your tree will have been carefully packed for storage and delivery, so the branches will naturally look compressed when you first take it out.

Gently separate the branches and spread the tips in different directions.

Don't just pull the outer tips forward. Work your way into the tree, opening the inner branches as well. This is what gives an artificial tree its beautiful fullness.

4. Step back as you go

It’s easy to spend ages looking at one small section and lose sight of the overall shape.

Every so often, step back and look at your tree from a few different angles. You'll quickly spot any areas that need a little more attention.

5. Shape for a natural look

Don't aim for perfect symmetry.

Real trees aren't perfectly even, and a little variation in the shape and direction of the branches can make an artificial tree look much more natural.

6. Add your lights before the decorations

If you're adding your own lights, put them on once the tree is fully shaped and before adding your decorations.

Work from the inside out, weaving the lights through the branches rather than simply wrapping them around the outside. This helps create a lovely glow throughout the tree.

7. Decorate from the inside out

Start with larger decorations and those you want to sit deeper within the tree, then add your smaller pieces towards the tips.

And don't forget to look at the tree from different heights — some of the loveliest details are the ones you notice when you're sitting nearby.

8. Don't rush the finishing touches

Once everything is decorated, take a step back.

You'll often find a branch or two that needs adjusting, a small gap that needs filling, or a decoration that would look better somewhere else.

A few final tweaks can make all the difference.

And then...

Step back, switch on the lights and enjoy it.

The tree doesn't need to be perfect. It just needs to feel like Christmas.