Enjoy Sparkle and Pearls for Christmas With These Tips

Christmas tree limbs with lights and ornaments.

Decorating a Christmas tree with garland, tinsel, lights, and ornaments is a beloved and much-anticipated holiday past-time for many families all over the world. Once the Christmas tree has been carried inside from the farm or local tree lot, or it's been unpacked from storage, the decorating process begins, inspiring holiday cheer.

Christmas tree ornaments can be treasured heirlooms, and they often symbolize special moments and milestones, just like Add-A-Pearl custom pearl necklaces do. Does your family engage in a special tradition while decorating the tree? Some of our customers have told us about their special Christmas cookies, peppermint hot cocoa, holiday songs, and more. To further explore the history of Christmas trees and ornaments, you should definitely check out our other blog post "Histories of Traditional Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa Objects".

Would you like to add some Christmas sparkle to your typical holiday decor? Continue reading this blog post to discover how you can incorporate pearl decorations and other glitzy accessories into your Christmastime aesthetic.

Choose a Theme - or Go Rogue

While some people adhere to a specific theme for their Christmas tree trimmings, others simply accumulate ornaments over the years, either as gifts or by shopping for them. You can decide whatever feels comfortable for you. If you're the type to plan your interior decor with a Pinterest moodboard, then you may want to have a theme. If sentimentality and spontaneity are more important to you, then you may not care about a theme. Either way, the decorated tree will surely appear magical and otherworldly, establishing a holiday mood with its Christmas sparkle.

We happen to love the look of pearls and other sparkly objects on a Christmas tree. In some cases, they can look like freshly-fallen snow, and they always shine beautifully when paired with white Christmas lights. Elegant and classic, pearls naturally complement holiday festivities. If you're looking for a theme that combines these glitzy and glittering elements, then you may want to try some of these - or borrow elements from a few.

Elegant, Glam, and Gold - The Setting for Four Interiors blog shared a Christmas decor moodboard for a luxe Christmas tree theme that features plenty of sparkle and gold details. With beaded ornaments, gold shimmer leaves, and gold and crystal sprays, this tree looks like a piece of fine jewelry.

Winter Whites and Metallic Elements - Event and party planner Debi Lilly shared a "Hello Holidays" moodboard with the most elegant white and metallic color palette. Gold and silver glitter ornaments sit atop fresh greenery for a casual yet eye-catching look. We particularly like the pearl-white "Christmas tree" made of meringue.

Mixed Metallics - Interior designer Home With Holliday shared a roundup of her favorite Christmas sparkle featuring mixed metallics. Her picks include trees with glitter encrusted poinsettias, bold gold-accented ribbons, striking silver star toppers, and rose gold balls.

Tinsel Christmas Tree - The Fashionable Hostess loves her Christmas sparkle as well, and she's not afraid to amplify the glitz and glam. Her megawatt gold tinsel Christmas tree features clear white lights that create a warm and festive glow in any room. The mirrors in her space reflect the light for extra magic.

Bedazzled Bling - Mansa from the .simplicite. blog shared her roundup of the best Christmas color schemes that are sure to dazzle and delight. Metallic gold and silver aren't the only ways to achieve sparkle. She shares plenty of inspirational photos that incorporate pink, red, and jewel tones.

Tips for Decorating Like a Pro

Decorating for Christmas can be a challenge because it's likely not something you do regularly, so you may feel a little rusty by the time the holiday season rolls around. Even if you're not an interior designer, you can still achieve some beautiful holiday sparkle - and snag some compliments from friends and family members. These are some tips for executing on your vision as seamlessly as possible.

1. Start With the Perfect Canvas (Tree) - How can you expect to work with beautiful pearl decorations and other special trimmings when you don't have the right foundation for them?

Choose a Christmas tree that's the right height and width for your space, so it feels like it belongs there. Also, once you have your tree in place, be sure to fluff it. Finally, you'll want to layer various types of string lights to create texture and dimension.

2. Add Ribbon - If you've never used ribbon in your Christmas tree decorating process, now's a great time to begin experimenting with it. Choose a wired statement ribbon between 4 and 5 inches in width, so it will be pliable and stand out among the branches.

3. Top the Tree - Whether you enjoy a more traditional tree topper like an angel or a star, or you'd rather have some nontraditional flair, add the one that resonates the most with you and your family. It should inspire awe and delight when you look at it.

4. Time to Accessorize - Yes, now it's finally time to add the ornaments to your Christmas tree, which should already be looking elegant and festive. Start with your larger ornaments, which should hang closer to the bottom of the tree, and then work your way up with smaller ornaments. Some interior designers suggest making the ornaments look like they're resting on the branches rather than hanging in the air.

5. Take It to the Next Level - One detail that often separates the amateurs from the pros is the use of picks and stems, which can be purchased at your craft store. These items are typically used as fillers in bouquets. You can stick them in the tree to create more texture and to fill out any bare areas.

Pearl Christmas Decorations

Now that you know how to style a Christmas tree like a pro, you may be seeking specific inspiration for ornaments and other trimmings. Keep reading through our ideas for all the pearl-centric and sparkling looks.
Pearl Christmas Ornaments

One of the most eye-catching ways to add pearl decorations to your Christmas tree is to hang pearl-encrusted ornaments, which you can make yourself or purchase online. If you enjoy DIY projects, then you may want to try creating your own.

The Two Sisters blog shares instructions for handcrafted pearl ornaments made with faux pearl beads, tacky glue, and clear glass Christmas tree ornaments. You could also fill clear glass Christmas ornaments with pearls and wire for a more minimalist look. If you have the time and patience (making the ornaments will likely turn into a multi-day project), then crafting DIY holiday ornaments could become a fun holiday tradition for you and some of your more crafty friends and family members.

If you're not the DIY type, but you'd still like to indulge in lovely pearl Christmas decorations, then you can always buy some beautiful pearl ornaments from a number of online retailers, including Etsy, Michael's, and Walmart.

Sequin and Glitter Ornaments

Pearls always look perfect with metallic or sparkly elements to accompany them. If you want to take your pearl Christmas decorations to the next level, consider also incorporating some sequin and glitter ornaments.

To make your own glitter ornaments without making a mess, you'll first need to source clear plastic ornament balls, which can easily be acquired on Amazon or at your local craft store. Once you have the clear balls, you'll want to remove the tops of the ornaments and fill them with a small amount of polycrylic using a large medicine dropper. Coat the inside of the ornament with the liquid and then let the excess drain out. Then you'll want to pour the glitter into the ornament and coat the inside, giving it a few shakes while also covering the open top to avoid leakage. Once they've dried, you can replace the tops of the ornaments and hang them on your tree.

If sequins, beads, or crystals are more your style, you can get foam balls and use tiny pins to secure the sequins or other sparkly details to the surface of the foam. Experiment with various color combinations or try to create unique patterns by mixing and matching the colors. YouTuber Dragonfly Designs has an excellent tutorial on creating the perfect DIY sequin ornaments.

We also saw a unique idea for a Jingle Bells ornament, which utilizes metallic silver pipe cleaners with dangling metallic bells and red bows for a musical accessory that rings true with sparkle and shine. You can buy the jingle bells in bulk online and then incorporate them all over your home, from your tree to your garland and your tablescapes as well as your mistletoe.

Pearl Christmas Tree Topper

The Christmas tree topper is one of the most important aspects of Christmas tree decoration, since it serves as a focal point for all the other elements. It's truly the "crown" of the Christmas tree, so of course it should be covered in pearls or jewels.

Some people top their trees with stars or angels, but you can always add a topper featuring pearls. Martha Stewart shared a tutorial for a DIY star-shaped tree topper made of pearls. It doesn't require very much effort, but it will add a classic touch to your overall holiday aesthetic.

You can also purchase some beautiful pearl Christmas tree toppers online, including this angel topper from Etsy, which is handcrafted from wire and beads. A luxurious royal velvet crown Christmas tree topper is an opulent option for a regal tree.

Pearl Christmas Tree Garland

When considering all the ways you can deck your Christmas tree with pearls, you simply cannot forget garland. Garland can also be used in other areas of the home, like around staircase banisters, over doors and archways, and on top of mantles.

For a simple, no-fuss solution, you can make your own pearl garland by purchasing a string of faux pearl beads from your local craft store. This can be used as garland on its own, or it can be braided through real or artificial greenery.

If you'd like something more elaborate than a DIY garland, you can buy pearl garland strands designed specifically for Christmas tree decoration. For example, this sparkling Christmas tree garland set from Balsam Hill features chains of crystals, faux pearls, silver bullion, and glass beads in classic holiday colors. Amazon also sells a top-rated pearl garland available in a wide variety of shades, including the traditional faux-pearl look.

Pearl Ornament Wreath

To complement your pearly Christmas tree, you'll definitely want to incorporate some additional matching accents around your home. While the tree is beautiful on its own, it always needs some festive accompaniment, and a wreath is one of the most classic. You can hang wreaths on doors, in windows, and on walls, wherever you need an extra dash of holiday cheer.

You can make a pearl ornament wreath by stringing pearls on gauge wire, forming a circle, and finishing it with a ribbon. Again, this will take time and effort, but the result is worth it - and will last for many seasons to come. Or you can simply string some faux pearls around a real evergreen wreath, which will give you the benefits of holiday scents.

Share Your Christmas Sparkle

Have you ever tried incorporating pearls into your annual Christmas tree decorating, or are you already enjoying the pearl theme in your holiday display? If you've been feeling tired of and uninspired by your regular approach to Christmas decor, then it may be time to try adding some pearl and other sparkling accents, either as ornaments, tree toppers, garland, or wreaths. Which of the ideas or tips in this blog post inspired you the most?

For additional ideas about decorating with pearls for the holidays, you'll also want to check out our other blog post about "decking the halls" with pearls. Tag @addapearl on Instagram to show us all of your Christmas tree displays and to share your favorite holiday traditions.

And don't forget: we also have the perfect pearl gift to put under the tree. If you already love pearls and sparkle, then you'll want to share that passion with younger generations. By gifting her an Add-A-Pearl personalized pearl necklace, you share the love of all things beautiful and sentimental. We can't think of a better time than the Christmas holiday to share such a memory.

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