Is Your Christmas Tree Making You Look Tacky From The Age Old Real Vs Artificial Debate, To The Colours Of Your Baubles, We Finally Settle The Score…

The festive period demands homemakers to wrangle tinsel, baubles and fairy lights into a scenic winter wonderland spectacle – and at the heart of it, is the beloved Christmas tree.

As the epicentre of holiday interior design, a lot hangs on the evergreen fir, and getting it right is crucial to the whole set up.

There is, first and foremost, the age-old debate of a fresh tree versus an artificial one. And what goes at the top; is a classic star or angel now too twee for the modern Yuletide?

the و and و a – تفاصيل مهمة

Colour schemes also present another tricky debacle – are traditional green and red still the safest MO, or have metallic silvers and golds entered the ranks of ‘tacky chic’?

Speaking to the Daily Mail, interiors expertsBenji LewisKunal Trehan, founder of luxury Touched Interiors and award-winning designer Katie Malik revealed their top tips for making sure your Noel décor is up to par – and warned against ill-fated faux pas that could make your tree seem ‘common’…

Real or artificial tree?

Many people fuss over the dilemma of getting a real tree versus a fake one, but Benji says it doesn’t matter. What should be of concern instead, he revealed, is how messy both can get.

of و to و the – تفاصيل مهمة

‘The question as to whether you have a real tree or an artificial one comes down to personal taste,’ he explained.

‘I love the smell of pine but needles that drop are a nuisance. There are varieties of tree however that are low shedders when it comes to needle drop, a Fraser Fir for example.’

However, Benji added, there are also extra considerations to keep in mind if you’re going fake. For one, you must consider just how plastic you want to go.

‘I think if you go artificial there’s a case for going fully and obviously fake but levels of artificiality vary, some emulating the illusion of having needles with coloured tinsel along their “branches” while others make no concession to the suggestion of reality,’ he continued.

‘If I was going to fake my tree, I think I’d go for a mid century glam vibe with one of those silver tinsely numbers and then load it up with decorations like mini red and white striped shepherd crooks, vintage baubles printed with naff festive scenes on them and unquestionably a couple of strings of fairy lights – one string looks mean, way better to have two.’

of و to و and – تفاصيل مهمة

Benji also said he may, for good measure, ‘find a piece of red textile somewhere, cut it into a circle, edge it with fake white fur and lay it on the ground for my silver tree to stand on so the kids might think Father C left his cape behind while he was dropping off the pressies’.

And for those who really want an easy life – a fake tree with built in fairy lights is a no brainer.

After all, there’s nothing classier than not being fussy.

Going too traditional is try-hard

a و is و And – تفاصيل مهمة

‘Planning a colour co-ordinated theme is a great start for your tree décor, and if I were after a look that’s OTT then I’d explore colours away from traditional red and green or safe white and gold,’ Benji explained.

‘Blue and silver is a blend that amazes me because not only does it look so artificial but it’s also not very friendly!

‘A multi coloured look is a good way to do gaudy but avoid matt finishes and mid century baubles or else you’ll be in danger of stepping into the realms of tastefully recreating maximalist vintage chic.’

Meanwhile Katie revealed moving away from ‘traditional red and green’ can make for a ‘contemporary and elegant aesthetic’.

and و a و is – تفاصيل مهمة

She added: ‘For a refined and modern Christmas, opt for jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, burgundy, or earthy tones, and incorporate sophisticated pinks. These colours should be used thoughtfully to complement the home’s existing palette.’

However, while some colour combinations can feel sleek and modern, Kunal also warned that certain palettes, particularly stark monochromes, can quickly veer into cold and uninviting territory – so must also be avoided.

‘White and black can feel stark and joyless if they’re used in isolation. On their own, they strip away the warmth that makes Christmas inviting,’ he said.

‘If you love a monochrome look, it needs softening, layered with natural greenery, candlelight, or warmer metallic accents, otherwise it risks feeling like a commercial display than a festive home.’

and و can و a – تفاصيل مهمة

Don’t be TOO tasteful

And it’s not just the décor – the tree itself doesn’t have to be contained by green and red either, Benji said.

‘Throw things back to how granny might have approached Christmas with an artificial silver metallic tree or if that’s too tasteful for you, look for a fake tree in a colour like shocking pink – they’ll exist somewhere,’ he added.

‘If you’d like to stick with a green tree, buy angel hair and drape it over the crown of your tree to simulate newly fallen snow.’

tree و to و the – تفاصيل مهمة

Fairy lights are tacky but fun

Some things may seem tacky but still win over even the biggest Grinches – and classic festive fairylights appear to fall into that realm.

‘A string of fairy lights on your tree synced to flash to Mariah Carey singing “All I want for Christmas” would have to be the pinnacle of festive naff,’ Benji admitted.

‘But if it’s going to add extra sparkle to your seasonal merriment then knock yourself out and do it.’

to و the و and – تفاصيل مهمة

… But don’t be too tempted by tinsel

Tinsel, however, despite seemingly being all the rage this year, could veer into inexcusably naff territory.

Kunal said that it could be overly commercial, whereas what’s actually on trend are textures and nostalgic charm, which are all rooted in natural tones and timeless elegance.

‘Tinsel is my biggest bugbear,’ he admitted. ‘For me, it instantly tips a space from chic to tacky.

all و could و it – تفاصيل مهمة

‘This year, there’s a noticeable shift towards nature-inspired luxury. Think deep forest greens, muted golds and textures such as velvet ribbons and hand blown glass ornaments.

‘Sustainability is also influencing décor, with clients favouring quality decorations that can be reused or adapted year after year rather than disposable, throwaway pieces.’

Don’t get too serious

‘Things like stars or velvet bows on top of your tree are edging towards tasteful, and are in danger of making things look a bit serious,’ Benji advised.

or و year و of – تفاصيل مهمة

‘When we were kids my dear dad crafted a questionable looking fairy from a ping pong ball, white pipe cleaners and crepe paper and on top of the tree each year she’d go and we thought she was magic.

‘A friend of mine on the other hand has a neat little full length photo of her husband in full disco diva regalia en route to ABBA Voyage and she strings him on top of the tree nowadays which works brilliantly for the campery that’s Christmas décor.’

Stay clear of robins, bells and Liberty print

‘When it comes to decorating your festive tree you need to be prepared to go all out – the camper the better,’ Benji said.

the و of و to – تفاصيل مهمة

‘I think the worst you can do is buy a tree and then do the bare minimum with it; a few strands of ropey old tinsel flung on the last skinny tree you could buy in the shop and a malfunctioning set of fairy lights steps from ‘can’t be bothered’ into just plain naff.’

When it comes to baubles however, he said there are fine lines to tread.

‘Embrace novelty baubles in the shape of something that shamelessly showcases the commerciality of Christmas (a car or a Wurlitzer for example),’ he shared.

‘Avoid robins and bells or anything Scandi or heaven forbid, pretty baubles finished in a Liberty print.’

baubles و or و to – تفاصيل مهمة

Elsewhere, Benji said, an extra bit of glitz makes all the difference.

He remarked: ‘You want your tree to sparkle to the max so look for metallic finishes on everything you throw on it, so that you give things an additional glisten and glow when the fairy lights come on.’

Meanwhile, rather than relying on colour alone, Kunal builds festive ambience using organic materials and warm lighting, creating a look that’s both inviting and timeless.

‘For me, it’s all about layering texture and light rather than drowning a space in baubles,’ he explained.

and و on و to – تفاصيل مهمة

‘I focus on natural elements, such as winter foliage, eucalyptus, pinecones, even bowls of clementines, paired with warm candlelight or subtle fairy lights.

‘This approach creates a festive mood that feels sophisticated and inviting without straying into gimmicks.’