How to Decorate a Christmas Tree:
A Guide for Families With Kids
Helen | 11th, Dec
There’s something magical about that moment when the living room fills with the soft scent of pine—or the nostalgic feeling of pulling your artificial tree out of the box again (let’s be honest, many of us go that route). Decorating a Christmas tree isn’t just a seasonal task. It’s a ritual. A memory-maker. A surprisingly effective way to hit pause on the rush of December and just be with your kids for a bit.
If you’re here because you searched how to decorate a Christmas tree, you’re probably looking for more than just instructions. You want a tree that feels warm and personal, not like it came straight off a department store floor. And if you’ve got little ones zipping around the house—especially those confident balance-bike riders who seem to move faster than physics should allow—you’re probably also thinking about safety, simplicity, and a setup that kids can actually help with.
So let me walk you through a full, natural, real-life method that blends style with family-friendly practicality.
Start With the Garland—Yes, First!
A lot of people jump straight to the lights, but starting with the garland actually makes everything easier. Why? Because garlands tend to catch on ornaments, and when that happens you’ll end up rearranging things three or four times. No thanks.
Whether you’re using:
- beaded garlands
- popcorn strings
- felt pom-poms
- ribbon
- or that classic tinsel rope your grandma swore by
…it all goes on before anything else.
Here’s a small confession: I used to wrap garlands around the tree in giant circles, like everyone does in movies. But eventually I realized draping them in soft zigzags from top to bottom creates a fuller, more natural look. It also keeps you from doing that awkward shuffle-around-the-tree dance—you know the one.
If you're decorating with kids, this is a great step for them. It's nearly impossible to mess up, and their confidence will skyrocket once they see the tree transforming.
Now for the Lights—The Step Everyone Has an Opinion About
If your tree already has built-in lights, you’re lucky. You get to skip this. But if not, this is where the magic starts to glow.
The general guideline is simple:
100 mini lights for every foot of tree height.
For a 6–7 ft tree, that usually means 300–700 lights. I know that’s a big range, but your preferences matter more than math. Some families love a soft, warm glow. Others turn their living rooms into full-blown winter theme parks.
Personally, I lean toward warm white lights. They feel cozy—like hot cocoa and fuzzy socks in lighting form. You know what I mean?
A small but life-saving trick: plug the lights in while you hang them.
It sounds obvious, but it keeps you from finishing the whole tree only to discover a dark patch in the center.
And if kids are helping, remind them that lights get warm. This is one of those tasks where gentle supervision matters—especially if your child already treats light switches like race-starting signals.
Ribbons Tie Everything Together (Literally and Stylistically)
People underestimate ribbon. It’s honestly one of the easiest ways to make a simple family Christmas tree look cohesive—almost professional—without losing the charm of homemade ornaments.
Choose one or two colors that echo the rest of your décor. Think:
- soft gold for a warm, classic look
- red plaid for a homey, rustic vibe
- navy blue for a calmer, wintery feel
You can weave ribbon through the branches, tuck loose loops into the tree, or cascade strands vertically. There's no wrong way. And if the ribbon starts looking messy halfway down? Good. That means the tree is getting personality.
Kids love this part too, especially if you give them pre-cut ribbon pieces. They can tuck them in wherever their imagination goes—usually the lower half of the tree, which makes the whole design look charmingly child-centered.
Add a Base Layer of "Unifying" Ornaments
Before pulling out your precious keepsakes, start with a set of solid-colored ornaments to create a clean backdrop. These don’t have to be fancy. Affordable shatter-proof sets from Target, Walmart, or Amazon work perfectly—and are basically magic if your toddler has an arm like a baseball pitcher.
Choose one or two colors so the eye doesn’t get overwhelmed. These ornaments add balance and make your sentimental pieces stand out, instead of competing with everything else.
A small tip:
Hang these deeper inside the tree, near the trunk, not just on the tips of the branches. This adds more depth and makes your lights reflect beautifully.
Then Bring Out the Special Ornaments—the Ones That Make You Feel Things
This is everyone’s favorite part. The handmade popsicle-stick crafts. The little angel with the slightly crooked smile. The ceramic ornament from your first Christmas as a parent. The random penguin your kid fell in love with at the store for no reason you’ll ever understand.
These ornaments tell your family’s story.
Let kids take the lead here. Even if everything ends up clustered on one side, resist the urge to rearrange too much. You’re not decorating a showroom—you’re building a memory your kids will remember when they’re older.
I sometimes save a few of my favorite pieces for the highest branches and ask the kids if they want to “approve” my placement. They love it. Makes them feel like creative directors.
If You’ve Got Toddlers—Let’s Talk Safety
Ah yes—the age when balance bikes are fun, speed is intoxicating, and Christmas trees suddenly become magnets for tiny hands.
Here are real-world safety tweaks that actually work:
1. Pick the right tree height.
A 4–6.5 ft tree is perfect when kids want to decorate themselves. No ladders, no panicking, no broken heirloom glass bulbs.
2. Keep adult supervision close.
Especially when handling:
- glass ornaments
- metal hooks
- lights
- anything even slightly sharp
Think of it as a team project, not a free-for-all craft session.
3. Create a barrier if needed.
A baby gate around the tree isn’t glamorous, but it works. A more festive option is stacking gift boxes around the bottom—just make sure they’re weighted so they don’t topple over at the first toddler tug.
A Few Bonus Touches That Bring the Whole Scene Together
Once the tree is decorated, you might want to add:
- a tree skirt or a chunky knit tree collar
- a small basket of pinecones nearby
- a soft floor mat if your kids sit there to admire their work
- an ornament box so children can easily pack or unpack pieces themselves
Little touches make your setup feel cohesive—and honestly, they make holiday photos cuter too.
