• ABOUT ME
    • PRIVACY & COOKIE POLICY
  • J9 DESIGNS
  • PUBLISHED HERE
  • SPONSORS & REVIEWS
  • SHOP
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

This Mom's Confessions

  • COUPONS & OFFERS
  • CRAFTS
  • DISNEY
  • LIFESTYLE
    • GOODREADS
    • BEAUTY
    • FASHION
  • PARENTING
  • PETS
  • RECIPES
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Desserts
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Ice Cream Recipes
    • Kid Friendly Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes

By Janine

How to Decorate the Christmas Tree

Filed Under: BLOG, Christmas, Christmas Cookies, Christmas Tree, Cookies Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Linqia, Recipes, Sponsored Posts Tagged With: Christmas traditions, Craisin Oatmeal Cookie Recipe, Honey Bunches of Oats, Linqia, SING, Sponsored

Well, it is now that time of the year again where the stockings are placed with care with hopes for Old Saint Nick to soon be here in our home. Plus, we are also beginning to decorate the Christmas Tree

See decorating our home on Thanksgiving weekend annually is a huge family tradition for us.

But before St. Nick can indeed arrive, there is so much to be done to get prepare.

What you may ask?

Well, like indeed to decorate the Christmas tree.

For some sure fire tips on how to decorate the Christmas tree with the best of them, see our tried and true family tips below that we have cultivated over the years.

Decorate Christmas Tree

1. Hang Tree Lights First

This is the first step to decorate the Christmas tree and one of the most important by far in my humble estimation right after the tree is indeed placed in the spot in your home that you are happy with.

My advice is quite simple.

First, try to get lights that have wire strands that match your tree color.  So, if your tree is the traditional green, you will therefore want green wire strands to match, camouflaged and hidden.

Once you are hanging the actual Christmas tree lights, you will want to start at the base of the trunk and work upwards towards the top of the tree on hitting ever major branch from front to back, as well.

My favorite are LED lights, because even though they are more expensive to purchase, they are the most protection being flameproof and completely safe to use on your tree, plus are a bit more energy efficient, as well.

Lastly, definitely use at least a strand of a hundred lights or more for ever foot that your tree stand tall, as the more lights, the brighter it illuminates the tree I have found.

2.  Next Up Comes the Tree Garland

After we string the lights on the tree, the next crucial step is to add garland on your tree.  I personally like red bows on my tree as a garland effect.

But that is just me when I decorate the Christmas tree.

Still whatever kind of garland you like and use, just make sure to add before you begin to add your actual ornaments.

Unlike the lights though, with garland, you want to start from the top of the tree and work down, slowly increasing the amount of garland between each section of your tree.

For every vertical foot that your tree stands tall, you should try to use two strands of garland, essentially a 2:1 ratio.

Honestly, you can use bows like us, beads, paper, ribbon, foil or even popcorn, but whatever your garland passion, just try to follow the above rule of thumb to maximize your garland potential.

3.  Finally the Time Has Come to Hang the Christmas Tree Ornaments

It is finally time for my family’s favorite part of tree decorating.  See, we have so many special ornaments that each year, my gang fights over which ones to hang first and where to place them.

My advice once again is pretty simple for this and usually tell my gang to place their favorites on the tree first–front and center.  As you want to showcase the favorites for all to see.

2014 Family Ornament from Ornaments of Love

One of our special ornaments.

Next up, I will always gently advise them to hang the larger ornaments with a good amount of space between them.

Once this is accomplished, I try to have us all add in generously medium and smaller ornaments to fill in the gaps.

I also try to make sure we have enough ornaments towards the bottom of the tree to create more visual interest.

Elsa Puppy Ornament 2014

Even our dog gets her own special ornament!

But I know those who have small kids and pets, this may be a bit of challenge still. See I can recall my girls each going through a stage where they wanted to touch and remove as many ornaments that they could reach with their little hands.  Then, our dog wasn’t any better by also having a bit of interest in ornaments her first year with us, as well.

However if you can hang ornaments towards the trunk of the tree without these kinds of intrusions, I say go for it.

And there you have it, three easy steps to make decorating your own Christmas tree a cinch and allowing you to have a holly, jolly Christmas this year!

Yummy cookies using @hboats to make w/ your little ones + coupon #PostfortheHolidays #ad

Click To Tweet

By the way after we trim our tree, traditionally we always feast on a yummy snack.  This year, we are enjoying Honey Bunches of Oat-meal Craisin Cookies.

Why Honey Bunches of Oats® though?

Cereal Aisle at Target

Because Honey Bunches of Oats®, which can be purchased at your local Target are so yummy and perfect to use for baking oat-meal type cookie.

Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal Box at Target

Plus, purchase participating Post Cereal Brands now and enter the SING© movie sweepstakes for a chance to win the $100,000 grand prize plus the chance to instantly win lots of prizes including movie tickets, speakers and more.**

Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal Box with SING Movie at Target

Honey Bunches of Oat-meal Craisin Cookies

Decorate Christmas Tree

oatmeal-craisin-cookies-on-the-plate
Yield: 0

Honey Bunches of Oat-meal Craisin Cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

A yummy, new holiday themed traditional oatmeal cookie.

Ingredients

  • Butter 1/2 cup softened
  • Craisins 1/2 cup
  • Brown Sugar 1/2 cup
  • Vanilla Extract 1 tsp.
  • An egg
  • Flour 1 cup
  • Baking Soda 1/2 tsp.
  • Salt 1/4 tsp.
  • Honey Bunches of Oats® cereal 1 1/2 cups

Instructions

  1. First, preheat oven to 350º.
  2. Second, cream together butter and sugar.
  3. Next, mix in vanilla and egg.
  4. Then, stir in flour, soda and salt.
  5. Next, fold in Honey Bunches of Oats® Cereal and craisins.
  6. Then, ppoon by the Tablespoon-full onto a cookie sheet.
  7. Last, bake for 8-10 minutes, or until tops are slightly golden and edges are set
© Janine Huldie

Also, linking up with Kristi of Finding Ninee for this week’s FTSF, where the sentence is, “This holiday season, I…”

**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Promotion starts 11/1/16 at 12:00 PM (noon) ET and ends 3/31/2017 at 11:59:59 PM ET. Open only to legal residents of the 50 US/DC, 18 years of age or older. See Official Rules for instructions on how to enter, how to obtain codes without purchase, prize details, restrictions, odds of winning, etc. Void where prohibited by law. Sponsor:  Post Consumer Brands, LLC.

Do you like Honey Bunches of Oats?

honey-bunches-of-oats-in-a-cup-watermark

What traditions do you have during the holiday season?

Do you like to trim your Christmas tree?

Signature 2015

Related Posts

  • The Most Simple Family Friendly Popcorn Chicken Street Tacos for Taco TuesdaysThe Most Simple Family Friendly Popcorn Chicken Street Tacos for Taco Tuesdays
  • 5 Perfect Tips to Clean Pet Hair5 Perfect Tips to Clean Pet Hair
  • 7 Easy Steps to Make a Smile Worthy Stop Motion Goldfish Video with Your Kids7 Easy Steps to Make a Smile Worthy Stop Motion Goldfish Video with Your Kids
  • How This Mom Finds Her Lost ItemsHow This Mom Finds Her Lost Items

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • More
  • Email
  • Print
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit

Sharing is caring!

  • Share
  • Tweet

About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Seana Turner says

    November 30, 2016 at 7:40 am

    I love Honey Bunches of Oats… it’s like dessert – yum! I remember tree decorating being interesting with the girls were little. My tip is to have extra hooks on hand. If the ornaments only have a small loop of string it can be hard to get it over the pine branch. Add a hook and it is easier. And then after you are finished and the kids go to bed, double check it all and make sure all of the fragile stuff is safely hung up high:)

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 7:43 am

      I agree about Honey Bunches of Oats and thank you for the extra tree trimming tip, too! πŸ™‚

  2. Ginny Marie says

    November 30, 2016 at 8:24 am

    I love decorating the tree with my daughters! They used to always put too many ornaments at the bottom of the tree, due to their size. Now that they are growing up, the top of the tree gets some attention too!

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 8:53 am

      I can’t wait for the top of the tree to get some attention here, as well now πŸ˜‰

  3. Meredith Spidel says

    November 30, 2016 at 9:32 am

    This recipe looks amazing! And your tree is gorgeous πŸ™‚

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 9:33 am

      Aw, thank you once again on both counts!! πŸ™‚

  4. Jen says

    November 30, 2016 at 9:44 am

    I have never thought to put more ornaments at the bottom of the tree in order to create more visual interest. Duh, but that makes sense. Going to take a look at my tree to see if things need to be moved around, well except for the clump of ornaments that Liese put up in the only place she decided to decorate on the tree. Yummy, recipe!

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 9:59 am

      Aw, Jen I still remember when both my girls would decorate only one spot, too! πŸ˜‰

  5. Diane Roark says

    November 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    Janine,
    I love Honey Bunches of Oats too but I have never thought of making cookies with it. Your Oatmeal Craisins Cookies sounds extremely delicious. Oatmeal cookies are one of my favorite cookies.
    Please remind me again where you get your precious ornaments with your names on them. I love them!

    Many blessings,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 2:02 pm

      Aw, just another thing we have in common as I have always been a huge Oatmeal cookies fan, too. Oh and I have gotten the personalized name ornaments in the past from Ornaments with Love πŸ™‚

  6. Mary says

    November 30, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    Wow! I read this post and actually said β€œTHIS IS AWESOME!” out loud. I haven’t had my own Christmas Tree… ever! It’s crazy but true; I usually go to the east coast to enjoy Christmas with my family, but this year I’m staying home and hanging out with my Mother, which means…. I get to buy and decorate a tree, but I don’t know where to start. Thank you for this list, I needed it and didn’t even know it.

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 5:59 pm

      Aw, Mary so happy I can share with you and can’t wait to see your decorated tree, too πŸ™‚

  7. Dana says

    November 30, 2016 at 7:35 pm

    My kids love Honey Bunches of Oats! I think I’d leave out the craisins and add a few chocolate chips to the cookies πŸ™‚

    Love your new(ish) design, by the way!

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Chocolate chips could totally work, too Dana!! πŸ™‚

  8. Aunt Gloria says

    November 30, 2016 at 8:39 pm

    Helpful hints for tree trimming Janine. I know your tree is very beautiful! Happy Holidays to all!

    • Janine says

      November 30, 2016 at 8:43 pm

      Thanks Aunt Gloria and Happy Holidays right back at you!! πŸ™‚

      • Aunt Gloria says

        December 1, 2016 at 11:24 pm

        Thanks πŸ™‚

      • Janine says

        December 2, 2016 at 6:48 am

        πŸ™‚ πŸ™‚

  9. The Rambler says

    December 1, 2016 at 9:19 am

    I LOVE LOVE decorating the Christmas Tree. Normally, we start out with all of us…and then slowly teeter off until it’s just me. But I’m okay with that. I’m singing and dancing to my Xmas music (Pentatonix at the moment). The puppy hung in there until the end, I should say. Probably conspiring to see if this tree will be on her destruction list.

    • Janine says

      December 1, 2016 at 9:21 am

      Aw, my dog I am sure is plotting to see what she can eat even I type this LOL πŸ˜‰

  10. Kristi Campbell says

    December 1, 2016 at 10:37 pm

    We LOVE Honey Bunches and now I am so resolved to decorate for Christmas this weekend!!!! THANK YOU!!!

    • Janine says

      December 2, 2016 at 6:48 am

      Aw, you are so welcome, Kristi!! πŸ™‚

  11. Nellie says

    December 2, 2016 at 9:46 am

    Oatmeal cookies are my favorite so I’m excited to try this new twist with Honey Bunches of Oats! Yummy!! Plus, your special ornaments are so cute!

    • Janine says

      December 2, 2016 at 10:26 am

      Thank you so much, Nellie and so glad to share this Oatmeal cookie recipe with you, too πŸ™‚

  12. Tamara says

    December 2, 2016 at 10:04 pm

    Scarlet calls garland “garling” and we never want to correct her!
    Ok, this is my most consistent favorite cereal. And that movie looks SO GOOD. We totally quote it already from seeing all the trailers for it.

    • Janine says

      December 3, 2016 at 12:44 am

      Aw, I wouldn’t correct her either and so quoting the movie here, as well πŸ˜‰

  13. Marilyn Lesniak says

    December 4, 2016 at 2:14 pm

    Thank you for sharing your delicious recipe at the #RecipeSharingParty. I look forward to what you will share next week! We hope you’ll come back again next Thursday when we open our doors at 9:00 AM EST. Pinned, Yummed, Tweeted!

    • Janine says

      December 4, 2016 at 6:31 pm

      Aw, thanks Marilyn and have a wonderful Sunday night now!! πŸ™‚

  14. Bev says

    December 5, 2016 at 7:03 am

    Ooh, Honey Bunches of Oats is one of my favorites cereals. I bet it tastes delicious baked into cookies!

    • Janine says

      December 5, 2016 at 7:21 am

      Bev, same here and baked into a cookie it is truly so tasty and yummy, too πŸ™‚

  15. Christine Carter says

    December 6, 2016 at 12:06 am

    Aw I just LOVE your ornaments and those were excellent tips on decorating the tree! And those cookies look DELICIOUS! I want to see a full picture of your beautiful tree!!

    • Janine says

      December 6, 2016 at 6:43 am

      Thanks Chris and happy to share!! πŸ™‚

Primary Sidebar

Find Family-Friendly, Lifestyle, Recipes, DIY, Disney articles and more here.

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Resources

Writing Jobz – get your writing job and earn up to 15$ per page.

Write Zillas – start your freelance career here.

Have you lost your job due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and need to cut back on your monthly bills? Get rid of that timeshare you never use with the help of Hawaii timeshare laws and Missouri timeshare laws



Footer

Confessions Belong To

Going to Disney? Reserve Now!

I Am A Published Author!

Stay Home & Read Now

Featured Confessions

Confessions Partners

baby clothes on DHgate.com

Copyright © 2021 Confessions of A Disney-aholic Mom | Designed by J9 Designs

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.