5 Methods to Make an Affordable Christmas Tree Look Stunning

Nov 16th 2023

Whether genuine or artificial, most Christmas trees have their imperfections. Real ones often exhibit gaps, while synthetic trees, particularly less expensive versions, may look sparse.

The silver lining is that straightforward decorating advice can transform a thin Christmas tree into a lush and beautiful one. All it takes is a bit of expertise!

1. Fluff Your Tree

Synthetic trees, particularly when newly unpacked, need proper fluffing to appear their best. While this can be a meticulous and sometimes scratchy task, investing time in fluffing is well worth it!

The simplest way to form your Christmas tree is during assembly. Insert the base branches into the stand and start molding the branches, bending the tips alternately in various directions for a natural presentation. Methodically move from the trunk to the tips, ensuring every angle looks full.  

2. Add Extra Lights

Illuminate your tree – quite literally! Design experts often recommend hanging 100 mini lights for every foot of tree height. Your tree likely has far fewer lights, so don’t hesitate to add more!

Incorporating more lights can visually fill gaps, giving the illusion of density. Even pre-lit artificial trees can benefit from additional lights.

The type of lights matters as well. Mini lights are a popular choice for enhancing brightness and fullness. Larger bulb sizes or unique light styles can also contribute significantly to a lush and beautifully shaped tree, be it larger globes for drama or C9 bulbs for a classic feel. 

3. Create Fuller Foliage

To achieve the appearance of a fuller tree, integrate artificial pine garland or sprays in varying colors and species near the trunk for depth and dimension.

This technique also works with real trees! Often, tree lots will provide spare branches that can be used to fill any empty spaces.

Your embellishing elements don’t need to be strictly green. Ever thought of using Christmas picks, sprays, and branches? These decorations feature berries, starbursts, and glittery baubles that can be systematically placed within the branches to add visual attraction.  

4. Incorporate Ribbon

Ribbons provide another elegant solution to disguise imperfections and occupy empty spaces. Choose a ribbon that shimmers in your favorite holiday hue. Begin at the top and tuck the ribbon into branches at intervals all around the tree. Whether wound in a spiral or cascading down from a bow near the top, ribbons offer a sophisticated touch.  

5. Add More Ornaments

To cleverly conceal gaps, use an abundance of ornaments! Strategically place them using varied materials.

For example, oversized ornaments are perfect for occupying vacant spots on a scanty tree. Reflective ornaments can amplify the light from your tree, enhancing the impression of fullness. Glittery ornaments nestled near the trunk can add depth and reflectivity.  

A tree that’s not perfect doesn’t need to be a disappointment. With a few decorator tips and thoughtfully chosen decorations, you can make your artificial tree look as lush and beautiful as if it were designed by a professional!

If your tree has seen better days, explore our extensive collection of artificial Christmas trees, including our realistic Real TouchTM trees.  

You might also be interested in:  
5 Reasons to Appreciate Artificial Christmas Trees 
How to Select the Best Realistic Artificial Christmas Tree Within Your Budget