Christmas Tree Decorating Themes: Angels

When decorating your tree, the first thing to be addressed is the stringing of the Christmas lights. It's important to remember - especially when utilizing the angel theme - that lights should be strung using an abundance of lights in a random pattern, to create a starlit appearance. Specific lines or geometric patterning takes away from the effect of lighting, as it draws the eye to the pattern itself, rather than to the overall effect. Stingy lighting will also detract from the tree's appearance. An abundance of small clear lights (tinted bulbs may be used for those who prefer a bit of color, but clear lighting works best with this theme) is best, so that the fullness of the tree glows when illuminated during the evening hours. Another point to keep in mind is the color of the electrical cording that connects the bulbs. When using a white tree, be sure to string lights that are encased in white cording, rather than the more traditional dark cording. Otherwise, your display will be dramatically compromised. A truly outstanding tree will look as breathtaking during the daytime, when the lights are off, as it will during the evening hours when its glow bathes the room.

After the lights have been affixed, the matter of garland is ready to be addressed. While there are several varieties of garland which include an angelic design, more frugal budgets may require garland of a handcrafted nature. One very simple method for creating such an embellishment is to do so by incorporating the paper-doll method into your design. Using either white or metallic silver paper of a strong weight, folded in such a manner that will ultimately produce a number of characters with connected hands, trace the shape using an angel stencil, and cut it away from the paper. When finished, the folds will open out into a line of lovely angelic beings. A variation of this method involves using a stencil to draw a number of angels, and connecting their hands with short lengths of tinted ribbon after they've been cut out. Remember to use ribbon that will blend with your proposed color scheme. One long strand of garland may be created utilizing either of these methods, or a number of small strings that can be placed on the tree individually.

Ornaments can be homemade or purchased, as well, depending upon your preference and budgetary constraints. One thing to keep in mind is that, whichever option you choose, decorations that contain materials which reflect light will add to the starlight effect, by causing the tree to appear to glisten - particularly when it's illuminated. Among the more costly choices are angels which have been constructed of materials such as fine crystal, china and precious metals, for instance. The more inexpensive pieces tend to be constructed of wood, glass, plaster and other such common materials. Those who choose to craft their ornaments have the benefit of utilizing their own creative energies, as well as protecting their economic interests.

Ornaments may be crafted easily and inexpensively, with a bit of imagination and a moderate amount of materials, as suggested in the example below.

TULLE ANGEL

Materials:

6 Styrofoam Balls (1" to 2" in diameter)

1 square yard of Tulle (white)

1 Spool of Thin Gold Ribbon

1 Spool of Thin White ribbon

6 Plastic Wedding Rings (Gold)

1 Spool of Broad Gold Ribbon (1 ½" to 2" in width)

Black Paint

Curly Blonde Doll Hair

Low-Melt Glue Gun (with glue inserts)

6 Pearl-Capped Straight Pins

These items may be purchased at most crafts shops and prepared by cutting the tulle into 6" squares; 6 pieces each of thin gold ribbon and thin white ribbon in 4" strips; and 6 pieces of broad gold ribbon in 5" strips. Separate small amounts of curly blonde doll hair into 6 piles (enough to cover the top of a Styrofoam ball).

For each angel, wrap a square of tulle over a Styrofoam ball - covering it completely - and gather the fabric just under the bottom of the ball. Tie a strip of thin gold ribbon around the gathered fabric into a bow. Next, use the low-melt glue gun to attach a small amount of curly blonde doll hair to the top of the covered Styrofoam ball. Using black paint, carefully place two small dots on the "face" of the ball (on the side where the bow has been tied) to create eyes. As with the hair, use the low-melt glue gun to attach one of the plastic gold wedding bands to the top of the head (directly onto the hair). Tie a strip of broad gold ribbon into a fluffy bow with very short tails and apply to the back of the figure with the low-melt glue gun to create the wings. Finally, loop a strip of thin white ribbon, overlapping the ends, and attach to the top of the head (in the middle of the halo) using a pearl-capped straight pin. This will yield 6 Tulle Angels.

For those who are planning to decorate a white tree, the tulle can be enhanced by either gluing small gold stars in a random pattern on the dress portion of the angels, or by using adhesive stars. This will help to provide a bit of contrast to the whiteness of the tree.

To achieve the best overall appearance, angel ornaments in a variety of styles should be used to garnish the tree, as well as incorporating other items into the overall presentation. For this type of theme, feathers make a nice complement to the angels that grace the tree. For a green tree, pure white feathers may be used - tucked into the branches in a random pattern throughout the tree, with the quill end inward. White trees look best when using white feathers with streaks of gray. Be sure that you've used cold lights if you're going to integrate feathers into the design. Lighting that produces heat should not be used when decorating with materials containing fabrics or feathers.

Finally, the Christmas tree topper needs to be placed on the tree. This can either be purchased or handcrafted to match the Tulle Angel ornaments - on a much larger scale. Regardless of which one you choose, be sure to blend it in with the general style and color scheme of the tree. The result will be a breathtaking display that will dazzle by day and enchant by night.