CHRISTMAS Festive ideas for decorating turn tree into a masterpiece

Many ornaments can be beautiful, but sometimes less is best.
SCRIPPS HOWARD
Finding the perfect tree is always fun, particularly if the choice is to buy a real one. But even artificial ones take some time to find in just the right height and in the most pleasing style of evergreen.
Once positioned in the place of honor in the room, the festivities of adorning the tree begin. Everyone has their own preferred way of making that tree special, be it to imitate the way Mom used to do it or our own innovative ideas, the finished product is always heartwarming to look at.
Here are some festive ideas.
A simple yet very effective design is to make a large bow as a crown on top of the tree. The bow may be gold or it may be red with gold sparkles in it. Then have ribbon of the same color stream down all around the tree from the crowning bow down to the bottom. If space, children and animals permit, the ribbons may "puddle" on the floor.
On the tree under the streamers, hundreds of little twinkle lights should grace all the branches with some of the branch tips sprayed with snow. Add to that a few crystal or glass snowflake ornaments, and this tree is sure to sparkle.
Old-fashioned
For an old-fashioned-looking tree, many, many ornaments of all different shapes and sizes could be used. Big, retro lights instead of the small ones are always reminiscent of some Christmas past. Instead of a store-bought garland, make your own. Get the whole family involved to make this garland extra special.
Take green and red construction paper and cut it into strips of 1 to 2 inches wide by 4 to 5 inches long. Cut enough for each person to have at least six strips. Everyone is to write his/her personal highlights of this past year, one highlight on each of the strips of construction paper. Each person signs or initials his/her strips. Take the strips and interlock them by making a ring and stapling the first one, then lacing the next one onto the first and stapling that one and so on. Alternate colors as you go. Do this for several years in a row and the memories will be displayed each Christmas.
Add some angels
White and gold make beautiful Christmas music, especially if accompanied by a choir of angels. Try hundreds of tiny white twinkle lights coupled with white and gold angels of all shapes and sizes. Drape gold and pearl garland all around and top it all off with a large Christmas star atop the tree. Celestial!
Sometimes less is more. Simplicity has a way of standing out. How about a tree made up of nothing but white lights and holly? Or white lights and candy canes? Perhaps red lights and white popcorn garland would draw attention. A very effective tree could consist of nothing more than white gardenias all around it.
A personalized tree is the best. When friends and relatives visit, you will want not only your tree, but your entire house decorated with personal warmth.
When all is said and done, the best tree is the one sitting in your living room.