Sigh. So lovely.

Some Christmas tree decorating tips:

1. If using a live tree, check water level frequently.

2. To prolong the life of a live tree, mix 1 quart water with 1/2 cup corn syrup and 1 tsp liquid bleach. 

3. Add lights before ornaments (you need about 100 lights per vertical foot of tree), and test each strand before placing it on the tree.

4. Start with “filler” ornaments, placing them evenly around the tree (walk around the tree to make sure that every angle you can see is covered), and then move on to your more special pieces.

5. Layer your ornaments, placing some on the tips of the branches and others deeper inside (I like placing very sparkly ones inside to add even more depth). 

6. I like either a very stylized tree (my mother, for example, uses only white, blue, silver and gold), or a total mish-mosh of color and styles (see above)…nothing in-between. If your tree is all purple and gold, a green ornament can look glaringly out-of-place, so if you don’t have enough ornaments of one particular style to make a coherent theme, I would just go all-in with the gaudiness.

7. Oh, and if you have curious animals…expensive ornaments go towards the top.