Very have in stock a large range of Christmas trees, decorations and accessories. I decided to go with a red, gold and bronze theme this year and found some fantastic items on sale to make my living room come to life. I’ve put together 10 Christmas decorating tips below – enjoy!

1. Save money in the long run with an artificial tree.

You can pick up excellent realistic-looking artificial trees these days – I have the 6ft Sherwood Real Look Full Christmas Tree from Very which looks so real! The branches are bushy and full, and it really is excellent quality. Realistic artificial trees tend to be more expensive than standard ones, but if you look after them they’ll last for many years, and you’ll save money in the long run. The real Christmas trees we’ve had in the past are about £30 each, and I do love a real tree but they can be a pain as they shed needles, and you have to figure out how to get rid of them when Christmas is over. After a few years the artificial tree will have paid for itself, so getting a decent one is a great investment.

2. Add tree decorations largest first

It sounds obvious, but when decorating your tree, if you place the largest decorations first, going down to smallest, it makes sense as the smallest will fit in the gaps and fill in any spaces. This year I’ve gone for a gold, bronze and red theme, and I’m really pleased with how it’s turned out. The baubles I used include a pack of 50 in red and gold from Very, mixed with some I already had. I also decided to pass on the tinsel the year, as I don’t think it was needed on the tree at all – I will be using it elsewhere though.

3. Add extra sprigs to fill out your tree.

If your tree is looking a bit sparse, there are a few tricks you can do to make it look fuller. If you have an artificial tree you can manipulate the branches to spread them out a bit more. You can also purchase extra sprigs, either ones similar to your tree, or different colours, or glittery ones to match your theme. Simply cut them to size and place in your tree branches wherever needed. I have some sparkly holly spray branches from Very that I’m going to slot in between the branches. You could also use feathers, streamers, or anything that takes your fancy.

4. Make your tree extra fancy with a tree skirt.

The stand, or legs on an artificial tree can be unsightly, especially before you have any presents under there to cover things up, so adding a tree skirt is a fantastic idea to hide the base, whilst elevating the appearance of the tree. Tree skirts come in many different options, but I picked this fantastic metal one from Very – it’s in a muted gold colour, and looks really smart.

5. If you have a mantlepiece, consider a garland to add extra festive cheer.

I’d never used a garland like this before, but I thought the Copper and Gold Pre-Lit Christmas Garland from Very looked brilliant, it’s full with pinecones and baubles – and at 6ft it’s long enough for the majority of mantles, and it’s also pre-lit! I’ve added a few extra red and gold baubles to mine so it’s in keeping with my colour theme. Very have quite a few other options available to suit whatever style you’re after – and they’re on offer now too!

6. Candles, candles, everywhere!

Candles are the perfect accessory to add atmosphere to your room, as well as adding a lovely scent. My favourite is a Yankee Candle Christmas Magic candle which I picked up in York at Christmas time a few years ago. It lives with the decorations so it only comes out in December. I adore the scent, it has a sweet, spicy fragrance that’s oh so festive.

7. On that note – extra lights make all the difference!

Cover the house in fairy lights I say! We have them pretty much everywhere I can squeeze them in. I wrap them up the stair banister and around door frames, I love how they give a soft glow and add atmosphere to a space.

8. Add handmade items for a personal touch.

If you have the time, there are so many lovely Christmas decorations you can make yourself, or sit down and have a festive craft session with the kids. I definitely recommend checking out Pinterest for some ideas.

9. Shop the sales to snap up the best bargains.

Now Black Friday is very much a thing in the UK, it’s the perfect time to grab bargains on Christmas decorations, as well as Christmas gifts. The fantastic tree I picked up from Very had a massive £40 off, what a bargain! (It’s sold out now but they still have plenty of other options available on sale)

10. And lastly, more is more!

When it comes to Christmas, I say go big or go home! More lights, more baubles, more everything! Don’t be afraid to get stuck in – everything doesn’t have to match and be perfect – make a family event of decorating and just put everything up and have fun! I love putting Christmas songs on while my family and I decorate, to get us in the festive spirit.

You can shop the Christmas collection now at Very

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