| These ten tips to decorate your Christmas tree | | | | tree with hundreds of angels. And you will |
| are designed to spark your thinking. Whether you | | | | treasure the memory of that tree for years in |
| choose a specific idea or not, my hope is that | | | | the future and maybe even create it again. |
| you will be inspired to make this year's tree your | | | | 6. Have a beach themed tree this year. Does |
| most beautiful or most meaningful or most fun | | | | your family enjoy hours on the beach? Have |
| ever! | | | | them collect whole sand dollars. Bleach them and |
| 1. If you have a toddler in the house, do decorate | | | | let them dry. Add red ribbon for hanging. A |
| with child-proof ornaments. Our children and | | | | Christmas tree with red bows and sand dollars is |
| grandchildren quickly learned they could play with | | | | a treasure. Your guests will be in awe. |
| the Christmas tree all through the holiday season. | | | | 7. Enjoy a memory tree. Hang ornaments from |
| You can use miniature stuffed animals, small | | | | your parent's trees of the past and mix them |
| stuffed angels or teddy bears. Check each item | | | | with your own memory ornaments. Use only your |
| for safety first. Assuring yourself that your | | | | favorites from years past and present. One |
| ornaments age appropriate will make for a much | | | | young couple buys an ornament on every trip. |
| happier season for adults and little ones. Who | | | | Everywhere they go, the bring home a Christmas |
| wants to spend the holidays saying "no no"? That | | | | ornament. It may feel silly to buy an ornament in |
| is not fun for the grownups or the babies. Let the | | | | mid-summer, but when Christmastime arrives, |
| little ones help decorate, too. Don't use hooks. But | | | | you will take all those ornaments out of the closet |
| items with loops for hanging or sew on little loops. | | | | and remember your wonderful vacations |
| 2. Strands of pearls are beautiful and easy to use. | | | | together. Your guests will enjoy hearing the |
| These pearls can be purchased in long lengths at | | | | stories, too. |
| any of the well-known craft shops. A simple tree | | | | 8. Are you musicians? One of the prettiest trees |
| with lights and pearls is stunning! | | | | I have ever seen had a music theme. Musical |
| 3. If you enjoy stitching, spend the time to make | | | | symbols and instruments covered the tree. Can't |
| small cross-stitched Chrismons. Chrismons are | | | | you just see that in your mind's eye? Start |
| Christian symbols that are usually stitched in gold | | | | collecting musical instrument ornaments. You will |
| on white fabric. Frame the stitching in small round | | | | be so happy with your musical tree. |
| gold frames. The little frames are inexpensive and | | | | 9. Use a Santa hat for your tree topper this year. |
| will last for many years. Using only Chrismons, | | | | It adds a little whimsy and will make you smile. |
| small gold balls and mini-lights, your tree will be | | | | 10. Fill your tree with birds. Gather all the bird |
| magnificent! | | | | ornaments you can find. Use glass ones, brass |
| 4. Use a teddy bear theme for your Christmas | | | | ones, plastic ones, feathered ones. Just fill the |
| tree. Fill the tree with nothing but teddy bear | | | | tree with birds. You can even purchase bird |
| ornaments. Wrap your gifts in Teddy Bear | | | | sounds that hang in your tree! Most of all, have |
| Christmas paper. Pua teddy bear in a child's | | | | fun with your Christmas tree. Let your tree suit |
| rocking chair beside the tree. | | | | your family or yourself. It does not need to look |
| 5. Create a tree with angel ornaments - only angel | | | | like any other tree in town. Lighten up and enjoy |
| ornaments. Try to find as many different kinds of | | | | the holidays with your family and friends. |
| angels as you can. You can fill your Christmas | | | | |