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A Family’s Story

As told from the branches of the Christmas tree

When you step through the door of Helen Nicholson’s home, her family’s Christmas story begins. Her home is filled with sentimental things, passed down through generations, and all pieces tell the story of a life lived. From the gold-painted macaroni frame ornaments to the vintage keepsakes from grandparents to seashells from beach trips, her traditional tree is a testament to her love of family and friends. “God writes us into this season of time, and I want people to walk in my home and say ‘I know who lives here’.”

Whether you prefer a traditional tree with an assortment of ornaments, or a theme tree with matching decorations of color and style, Helen suggests choosing your tree with care. Feel the branches in the front, middle and back. Make sure there are some branches that are bendable and can be formed to fit your decorating vision. Begin by twisting wired ribbon around those bendable branches starting from the top and going down. Next, nestle large ornaments in the gaps on the inside of your tree and use the smaller ornaments on the tips of branches in the front.

When I asked Helen for the one piece she could not do without for her holiday decorating, she quickly said “Ribbon!” Ribbon can ground a tree or a room with a chosen color palette. It can be used on a tree, a mantle, windows, furniture, packaging, and everywhere you want a pop of color or need some beautiful filling. Her advice is to learn to tie and use ribbon by watching tutorials on TikTok and Youtube. Her favorite source for quality ribbon is The Decorator’s Warehouse in Arlington. Whatever color or style you need, it can be found there.

She reminds us that a traditional and unique tree will begin with few ornaments and will be filled as quickly as time passes. Use ribbon and balls to fill the gaps while your story is being created. Some people shy from a more traditional tree because it may not match the room. “Don’t fall into this trap,” she warns. Holiday decorations are your own personal and amazing story. Let it be told loud and proud.

Helen owns Finishing Touches Design and Remodel. Find her on Facebook at finishingtouchesbyhelennicholson or on Instagram at helenn27.