tions and make it look cohesive, follow Mize’s advice by choosing a theme and using a range of colors and textures. A theme can be developed around


you and your family’s interests, no mat- ter if it is rustic and natural, bold and glamorous, or somewhere in between. “Things you have collected over the


years mean something to you and your family,” Mize said. Some proven holiday color combina-


tions are green and white, blue and sil- ver, or red with gold or silver. This year’s holiday color trend is a soft, rose-gold pink combined with gold, Mize said. For the tree at StoneCreek Ranch, Mize chose a pale lime-green, white and copper color scheme, combining colored ball ornaments in a variety of finishes from several different store-bought sets. She wired them together in groups of three, creating a larger piece that could be tucked deeper into the branches.


Create focal points One of the key decorating materials


in professionally-decorated trees is sol- 10 ❚ NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 ❚ LIVING WELL


id and sheer wired ribbon, or tufts of mesh ribbon. “Use ribbon a lot,” Mize said. “A little


goes a long way.” Starting at the top of the tree, ribbon


of varying widths and lengths is ran- domly tucked in and out of tree branches, but is not wrapped around the tree. Squares of mesh ribbon can be pinched in the middle and tucked into branches. In artificial trees, the wire branches can be used to pinch the rib- bon so it stays in place. Another important decorating com- ponent is floral elements, whether artifi- cial or from nature. “Florals make great fillers and add vi-


sual interest to the tree,” Mize said. “Try using a flower and a pick one with cas- cading stems, where your ribbon tucks into the tree — it creates focal points on your tree.” Floral garlands may be tucked into


the tree as well, or even natural items like twigs, cut evergreens or dried ber- ries.


Large or wired groupings of orna-


DIY decorations


❚ Cover foam balls with fabric scraps or old sweaters ❚ Use cloth scraps to make fabric roses


❚ Turn to nature for twigs, cut ever- greens and dried berries ❚ Make paper ornaments


❚ Consider collections like old costume jewelry, wooden spools or bottle caps


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