Transforming your home for the holidays is a joyous tradition. However, it often presents unexpected challenges. From unruly ribbons to stubborn candles, decorating can sometimes feel more frustrating than festive. Fortunately, expert decorator Rebecca Robeson shares her top Christmas decorating hacks. She offers clever solutions for common holiday hurdles. These tips make your festive vision a beautiful reality.
Rebecca Robeson believes in overcoming decorating obstacles. She finds creative ways to solve simple problems. Her methods ensure a smooth and stunning holiday setup. This guide expands on her insights. It provides actionable strategies for your own home. Get ready for a season of easy, beautiful decor.
Smart Moves for Your Christmas Tree and Beyond
Moving large furniture items can be a struggle. A grand piano or a heavy Christmas tree poses a real challenge. You may need to shift items for decorating. However, there is a simple solution.
Effortless Tree Relocation
Rebecca suggests using cardboard for heavy items. Place a flat piece of cardboard under a piano leg or tree stand. The object then glides easily across the floor. This method significantly reduces friction. It saves your back and your floors.
Consider the weight distribution carefully. Ensure the cardboard is thick enough. This prevents tearing during the move. This simple hack protects surfaces and minimizes effort.
Rescuing Treasured Ornaments
Accidents happen during holiday setup. A cherished ornament might break. Don’t despair over minor damage. There are effective repair methods.
If a finial breaks off, for instance, it can be mended. Rebecca recommends E6000 glue for strong bonds. This adhesive needs items to remain perfectly still while drying. Create a custom “cradle” from styrofoam pieces. This supports the broken ornament during curing. It ensures the piece stays in place. This prevents further damage and ensures a seamless repair.
Stabilizing Tapered Candles
Tapered candles often wobble in their holders. This is a common decorating frustration. Many candle holders are simply too wide for standard tapers. Rebecca found a brilliant fix for this issue.
She uses two-sided Gorilla tape. Cut a strip to fit the candle’s base. Wrap it around the bottom of the taper. Crucially, leave the outer protective layer on the tape. This builds up the candle’s diameter. It creates a snug fit in the holder. The candle will stand perfectly straight. This eliminates frustrating leans and potential fire hazards.
Mastering Your Materials: Picks, Sprays, and Ribbons
Decorating materials can be expensive. Maximize your investment with clever techniques. Rebecca shares innovative ways to use picks, sprays, and ribbons.
Cutting Picks and Sprays for Maximum Impact
A full floral pick or spray can be overwhelming. Sometimes, a smaller piece is more appropriate. Cutting them creates better proportion in your arrangements. It also helps your supplies go further.
Rebecca uses a special tool, affectionately called “Mr. Chomper.” This heavy-duty cutter easily snips thick stems. For example, a single large spray might yield three smaller picks. Each smaller piece can be bent and manipulated. This allows for diverse applications. Using fewer items achieves greater decorative spread.
When decorating, assess each location. Decide the ideal size for your chosen pick or spray. This ensures a balanced and refined aesthetic. It makes your holiday greenery stretch further.
The Right Quantity of Picks and Sprays
Under-buying picks and sprays is a common mistake. Rebecca stresses the importance of ample supply. She suggests an absolute minimum of 12 picks of any single style. However, she personally prefers to buy at least 20. She often uses 80 to 100 picks in her own home.
This volume creates a lush, high-end appearance. For detailed guidance, Rebecca’s “World Famous Recipes” offers specific numbers. It covers garlands, ribbons, lights, and ornaments. These resources help you plan your purchases precisely. They prevent last-minute shortages.
Architectural Ribbon Design on Your Tree
Ribbon can elevate a Christmas tree. However, it must be applied correctly. Avoid wrapping ribbon horizontally around the tree. This creates an unattractive “striped skirt” effect.
Instead, think of ribbon as an architectural detail. Use contrasting colors for visual pop. Rebecca advocates for an “in-and-out” circular pattern. This creates defined lines within the tree. It adds depth and sophisticated texture. Proper ribbon placement makes a significant difference. It transforms a simple tree into a designer piece.
De-Wrinkling Ribbons and Velvet Curtains
Wrinkled ribbon or velvet curtains can detract from your decor. Amazon-ordered items often arrive creased. Ironing velvet can be risky. Rebecca shares a simple, effective method.
Place the item in a dryer with a wet cloth. Run it for about 10 minutes on a low heat setting. The moisture from the cloth steams out wrinkles. This technique works wonders on velvet ribbons. It refreshes them. The result is smooth, luxurious material. This simple trick saves time and frustration.
Creative Installations and Hiding Distractions
Achieving a professional look involves attention to detail. This includes custom installations and concealing unsightly elements. Rebecca’s expertise offers practical solutions.
Custom Canvas Creations
Sometimes standard decor doesn’t fit your vision. Rebecca custom-ordered canvases for unique spaces. An arched alcove or a specific fireplace wall might require custom shapes. She created templates for precise cutting.
Canvas frays easily when cut. To prevent this, apply fabric glue along pencil marks. An inch-wide strip works best. Test glues first; some might pucker the fabric. Rubber cement secured the canvas in an arched niche. It allowed for easy removal later. For a fireplace application, wallpaper paste was used. These methods ensure a tailored, professional finish.
Ingenious Angel Hangings
Hanging elaborate decorations can be challenging. Rebecca wanted to hang large angels in her music room. Traditional methods proved inadequate. She found an unexpected solution.
She used decorative scepters as curtain rods. Amazon curtain rod brackets secured them to the wall. This created elegant horizontal supports. Grommets were added to the angels themselves. Velvet ribbon then tied them securely to the scepters. This innovative approach transformed a design dilemma into a beautiful feature. It demonstrates creative problem-solving.
Painting Out Unsightly Elements
Visual distractions can mar your design. White switch plates or cords on a dark wall stand out. Rebecca’s design principle is simple: “If you want something to go away, paint it out.”
She painted wall switch plates to match her dark midnight blue wall. Outlet covers also received this treatment. Sconce cords, typically clear or white, were painted the wall color. This makes them virtually disappear. This detail creates a seamless, polished look. It significantly elevates the overall aesthetic.
Adapting Oversized Christmas Trees
A Christmas tree might arrive larger than expected. This happened to Rebecca in a narrow space. A 49-inch wide tree needed to fit a 37-inch gap. There is a clever way to adjust branches.
Branches can be bent inward. Use the branches themselves to twist-tie them. This pulls them closer to the trunk. It creates a narrower profile. This technique allows a larger tree to fit snugly. It doesn’t compromise its beauty. The tree retains its elegant ascent. It looks intentionally designed for the space.
Essential Tools and Smart Tech for Seamless Decorating
The right tools streamline your decorating process. Strategic electrical solutions further enhance efficiency. Rebecca highlights her indispensable items.
Must-Have Christmas Decorating Tools
Over years of decorating, Rebecca has refined her toolkit. These items are vital for ease and precision. Investing in them makes a difference. They simplify complex tasks.
- **Mr. Chomper:** A heavy-duty cutter for picks and sprays. It saves hands from strain, especially important as strength diminishes.
- **Wire Cutters:** Essential for countless wires in lights and ornaments. A new pair each year ensures sharpness and efficiency.
- **Scissors:** Crucial for ribbon, especially wire-edged varieties. Ribbon dulls scissors quickly, so a dedicated pair for the season is recommended.
- **Hot Glue Gun:** Versatile for securing various decorative elements.
- **Zip Ties and Pipe Cleaners:** Flexible fasteners for attaching and securing items. They offer discreet support for many decorations.
Smart Electrical Solutions
Managing holiday lights and animated decor can be intricate. Rebecca uses smart electrical accessories. These minimize visible cords and maximize control.
- **36-Inch Extension Cords:** Short cords avoid excessive slack. They are perfect for connecting nearby items. Available in black or white, these are hard to find but invaluable.
- **3-Way Grounded Plugs:** These split a single outlet into three. The side-facing ports accommodate bulky plugs. This prevents crowded outlets.
- **Amazon Echo Smart Plugs:** Control all holiday lights with voice commands. Plug lights into these smart plugs. Integrate them with Alexa for effortless automation. “Alexa, turn on family room” makes decorating truly modern.
- **3-to-2 Prong Adapters:** Many older homes have two-prong outlets. This adapter converts a three-prong plug to fit. It ensures compatibility for all your modern decorations.
Strategic Planning for Lasting Holiday Beauty
Christmas decorating is more than just hanging ornaments. It involves strategic planning. Rebecca emphasizes continuity, investment, and timely execution.
Repeating a Motif for Cohesion
A cohesive design elevates holiday decor. Rebecca employs the principle of “repeating a matter.” This creates visual harmony throughout the home. Picks, sprays, and garlands are key elements.
Use the same style of garland throughout your house. Vary it slightly by room for unique touches. Select two or three main picks and sprays. Use these in every room. Add a special berry or metallic leaf in specific locations. This creates continuity. It also allows for unique accents. The result is a luxurious, high-end look.
Strategic Lighting Techniques
Trees and garlands rarely come sufficiently lit. Rebecca always adds extra lights. She recommends at least one extra string for every decor item. Proper lighting enhances ambiance significantly.
For even light distribution, fold your light string in half. Find the center point. Begin wrapping from the center, moving outwards in both directions. This ensures balanced illumination. It makes a dramatic difference at night. Your decorations will truly sparkle.
Investing vs. Reusing Decor
Completely new decor each year is often impractical. Rebecca advocates for reusing existing pieces. Most of her collection consists of basic clears, crystals, silver, and gold. These form a timeless foundation. She then adds specific colors to complement her annual scheme.
However, she also views Christmas decorating as an investment. She advises adding about 20% new decor annually. This includes one “investment item,” a larger or more expensive piece. Over time, this builds a remarkable collection. Younger decorators should avoid comparison. It takes years to accumulate a truly impressive collection. Focus on principles. Apply them to items from flea markets or high-end stores. Beautiful results are achievable on any budget.
Decorate Before Thanksgiving
Start your Christmas decorating early. Rebecca strongly encourages finishing before Thanksgiving. This simple act reduces holiday stress. It allows more time to enjoy the season. Your family will appreciate a more relaxed atmosphere. It creates a tranquil and joyful experience for everyone.
Your Christmas Decorating Queries Unwrapped
How can I move heavy Christmas decorations or furniture without scratching my floors?
Place a flat piece of cardboard under heavy items like a Christmas tree stand or furniture legs. This allows them to glide easily, protecting both your back and your floors.
My tapered candles often wobble in their holders. How can I make them stand straight?
Wrap a strip of two-sided Gorilla tape around the very bottom of the candle, but leave the protective outer layer on the tape. This builds up the candle’s diameter, creating a snug and stable fit in the holder.
What’s a good way to apply ribbon to a Christmas tree so it looks elegant, not striped?
Instead of wrapping ribbon horizontally, use an ‘in-and-out’ circular pattern. This creates architectural lines and adds depth and sophisticated texture to your tree.
What are some essential tools I should have for easy Christmas decorating?
Rebecca Robeson recommends a heavy-duty cutter like ‘Mr. Chomper’ for thick stems, sharp wire cutters, good scissors for ribbon, a hot glue gun, and flexible fasteners like zip ties or pipe cleaners.
When is the best time to start decorating for Christmas?
It is highly recommended to finish all your Christmas decorating before Thanksgiving. This reduces stress and allows you more time to relax and enjoy the holiday season.
