To make your Christmas tree more interesting (especially if you have more than one tree in your home) consider decorating your tree by theme. Here are some simple ideas you can use.
Edible tree:
Decorate your tree with candy, cookies and other goodies that can be eaten right off the tree. At the end of the holiday season, there will be no ornaments left to remove and store. Start by purchasing ribbons for your tree--choose whatever holiday color you like best. The craft stores will carry gold, silver, red, off-white, and green ribbons this time of year. You can purchase ribbons that are already tied into a bow or several rolls of ribbon you can cut and tie yourself. Use these ribbons and bows to attach your ornaments to the tree. You will want to avoid using metal hooks, as a small child can get hurt when they take their treat from the tree.
The first treat you should hang from your tree is candy canes. They are very inexpensive and do not require hooks or string to hang them, although tying a ribbons to them can be quite attractive. You can go so far as to make a candy cane reindeer using pipe cleaners and tiny eyes you purchase at the craft store.
Another treat you can hang on the tree is cookies. Make large cookies using any recipe or ready-made dough. While the cookie is still warm from the oven, punch a small hole in it near the top using a plastic straw or similar tool. Wrap the cookie carefully and thoroughly using colored Saran Wrap, then thread the ribbon through the hole in the cookie and hang on the tree. This method also works well for gingerbread men.
You can also make traditional looking ornaments that are edible using a metal cookie cutter and hard candy (something like Jolly Ranchers). This is done by lining a cookie sheet with foil and placing the cookie cutters on top. Spray the sheet and cookie cutters with a non-stick coating, then place the unwrapped candies into the cookie cutters and bake until the candy has melted. Make a hole near the top before the candy hardens. You can then hang on the tree.
For ladies only:
Create a tree especially for yourself. In your office or private area, decorate your tree with items for ladies only. Purchase a miniature (3 feet or smaller) real tree and trim it with the following items. Miniature porcelain shoes and tiny bonnets made for dolls are a nice touch your special tree. Next, hang crystals that resemble diamonds and rubies. Add beaded gold or silver strands as well. Top off the tree with long strands of faux pearls and white ribbon. This tree will be so shiny and sparkly that it will not need electric lights.
Gift tree:
The early Americans used to hang toys from their Christmas trees. This tradition ended as toys got bigger and heavier and threatened to topple the tree over. Revive this tradition by creating a gift tree. On the tree, you can hang small toys found at any dollar store. If you wish, you can wrap these gifts in bright colored little boxes and hang them from the tree. Whether you choose to display the toys or put them in boxes, the tree will still look beautiful. You can use your gift tree as a way to give out gifts at a Christmas party, or as a way to give gifts to your loved ones. Just don’t try hanging a bicycle from the limbs!
