Tips and Ideas for Decorating Christmas Trees

• Use Themes - Use either color themes or ornaments themes or both.
• Kitchen theme - Collect vintage utensils such as egg beaters, pot holders, cookie cutters, silver forks, knives and spoons. Also china cups and saucers, sugar and creamers and salt and pepper shakers. Attach with gingham ribbon. String popcorn with dental floss. Stale popcorn strings easier then fresh. Dried orange and apple slices hung with raffia.
  
  
• Outside theme - For the birds! The ideal set up is if you already have a pine tree right outside your window. But you can also use an artificial tree secured onto a plywood base so it can't blow over. (this is a good way to use an older tree and justify getting that new one!) Spread peanut butter onto pinecones and roll in birdseed and hang. Make garlands using popcorn or cereal such as Cheerios using dental floss. Hang halves of grapefruit or oranges. Hang dried orange and apple slices. Use raffia to hang the ornaments. Red bows will add that perfect accent color.
  
  
• Fishing/sports theme - Use fishing lures, bobbins, tackle or any other fishing tool. Add dried hydrangeas and teasel for a 'woodsy' effect. I spray paint my teasel gold. Cut up an old grapevine wreath and reuse it in this tree. Just insert the curved pieces into the branches.
  
  
• How to Dry Orange and Apple Slices - Use seedless oranges such as Navel oranges. Cut oranges or apples crosswise, less then 1/4 inch - more like 3/16 inch thick. Lay slices on a cookie cooling rack that is setting on a cookie sheet (so there is space underneath). Bake in a 200 degree oven until somewhat dry to the touch but not completely dried out. This could take 45 minutes but check frequently. Store in climate controlled environment with silica packets to help control moisture. Slices stored properly will last a couple of years. Hang on tree with ribbon.
  
  More to come !