Get the layered look: Unexpected ways to warm up your spaceEveryone who has celebrated Christmas knows half the fun is trimming the tree (the other half is opening presents, of course). But how you choose your tree and its decorations can be quite telling... Just like everything else in your life, your Christmas tree has to be flawless. Finding the right one isn't a fun, festive activity to you. It's a vital task that takes careful research and extreme precision. Every branch needs to be sturdy and lush, every side evenly fluffed. When it comes time for decorating, each ornament must match and be placed just right to ensure a perfect balance. And once you have it prepared to your high standard, there is to be absolutely NO touching allowed. Just like you, your Christmas tree stands out in a crowd. Forget classic red and green – you like to break the mold, opting for a whimsical and colorful tree that would make the Whos down in Whoville jealous. You were totally born in the wrong decade and though you weren't alive then, you frequently reference "the good ol' days."

Mid-century design is your go-to and you'll happily sip on a hot toddy on a cold winter's day. On Christmas Eve, you can be always be found watching It's A Wonderful Life, probably on repeat. Your Christmas tree has everything but the kitchen sink thrown on it. Macaroni craft projects, baby's first ornament, lights, tinsel, garlands – it's all there. Your tree is filled with memories of Christmases passed, and you wouldn't have it any other way. You'd choose sentimental value over a posh aesthetic any day. Winter is your favorite time of year, and you'll stop at nothing to have a white Christmas. There's something magical about looking out the window onto an endless horizon of white snow, and this crisp yet glamorous color combination perfectly captures that. Tradition is of the utmost importance to you, and getting a fake tree is out of the question. Trimming the tree is nice, but you find the true joy is heading to the country, trekking through the tree farm, and getting a freshly chopped, very real tree.

The shedding pine needles might create a bit of a mess, but it's just not Christmas without that sweet Douglas Fir scent.new exterior house colors for 2013 It's not that you don't love the holiday, but let's be pragmatic here. what are the best colors to paint the exterior of a houseA big 'ol Christmas tree can be pricey, and doesn't even last that long. what paint to use on exterior door framePlus, why spend hours schlepping a giant tree around when you can get the same joy out of a tiny, easy-to-carry option instead? home decorating ideas kitchen cabinets

Not only do you save time decorating, but post-Christmas clean-up is a breeze. You hate a mess. diy christmas decorations partyAnd with your busy schedule, you don't have time to sweep the floor 1,342,536,457 times a day. home decor projects diyA fake tree guarantees that a perfectly coiffed look year after year, so you don't have to disrupt your jam-packed routine to achieve holiday glam. To sum it up: convenience > scent. A non-traditional "tree" means you're either really lazy (read: just used what you had on hand) or extremely creative. Either way, your ingenuity impresses everyone who passes through your home. You might have even sparked a new holiday trend...While decorating a tree is not quite as seamless as tuning into your favorite Spotify playlist, we promise you can get your tree up and trimmed in one weekend afternoon—and we're showing you how step by step.

All you need is great holiday music, spiked eggnog, and a few trusted tree trimming essentials. Don't delay until the last minute; your very own winter wonderland awaits.Have you started feeling the Christmas cheer yet? In the streets, merchants are hanging their wreaths and lights, and tree farms are popping up on every corner, spreading the smell of Fraser Firs around the city. Roasted chestnuts are sizzling in every food vendor's cart, the first snowflakes have reared their head, promising a first snowfall—every year more magical than the last. At home, you may have popped in your favorite Frank Sinatra Christmas album, started burning your favorite holiday candle, or already rewatched Love Actually already. All that's missing is a lit-up Christmas tree. Have you started feeling the Christmas cheer yet? While decorating a tree is not quite as seamless as tuning into your favorite Spotify playlist, we promise you can get your tree up and trimmed in one weekend afternoon—and we're showing you how step by step.

your very own winter wonderland awaits. Original Illustration by Stephanie DeAngelis First things first, secure your tree while ensuring that it's standing perfectly upright. Then, fill the stand with water—you'll want to refresh the water every day or so, just as you would water a plant. Hide your unsightly tree base with a pretty tree skirt. If you don't have one, re-create the look with a few sheepskin rugs or a couple yards of burlap. Wrap string lights around the tree, starting from the top. If your tree is green, choose lights that have green wire—this will camouflage the electrical wires and make your tree shine. (If you're going to add a light-up star later, make sure the top end of your wire includes an outlet—more on that later.) Hook up additional sets of lights as needed until you reach the bottom, and make sure all your lights match each other. We personally love the look of warm, incandescent white lights. Pick a garland that will set the tone for your tree's color scheme.

We love using two- to three-inch ribbons, but a pom-pom garland can give your tree a more modern look. Again, start from the top and work your way down, wrapping the garland around every four to six inches until you reach the bottom. Choose two to three colors for your baubles in a couple of different sizes—together with the garland, the baubles will set a base for the rest of your ornaments. Hang them so they are proportionately distributed throughout. This will create continuity and allow your special ornaments to shine. This is the fun part—get out all your ornaments you've collected over the years, and decorate the rest of the tree. Make sure to include souvenirs, collectibles, even candy canes, fresh (or fake) flowers, and tinsel. This step gives your tree personality so make sure your ornaments truly reflect you and your family. Using a step stool, hang the tree star at the top. This is your showcase ornament, so make it extra special. Place it on top and, if it lights up, hook it into the top outlet end of your string lights.