Every year people take their time deciding on which Christmas tree to get because of how exciting it is to choose one. Nowadays, the Christmas tree has become an expression of oneself rather than just a plain seasonal furnishing that marks the holiday period. With this in mind, it would be good for Christmas tree enthusiasts to look for modern trends so as not to get stuck with tradition.

The Modern Christmas Tree

The modern trend for trees leans towards the conical and tall shapes, bringing the big fat round fake Christmas tree out of the picture. This style is actually suggestive of the modernist styles from the seventies and is also reminiscent of the conical trees that were “in” during the Victorian era. Such conical, slender and tall Christmas trees are very beneficial for owners of condo lofts and apartments that have high ceiling and less floor space. Spruces and firs are examples of tall and slim natural trees. More manufacturers are creating their version of slim artificial trees because they see it as a huge advantage to the urban lifestyle of today.

Artificial Christmas trees have become more popular than natural trees because of practical and aesthetic reasons. People have more choices with fake trees, which can come in the wildest colors beyond anyone’s imagination. Red and white trees are the most trendy ones because of how they pretty they look in pictures. The red tree for instance may resemble the tree from a Kodachrome picture from the seventies, a photo quality that is very appealing nowadays. The white tree on the other hand is just plainly stunning especially those that have glowing fiber optic tips. You can also see some upside-down artificial trees or those that you can choose to suspend from the ceiling or wall.

2011 Key Trends in Christmas Decorations

There are basically three trends when it comes to Christmas tree ornaments. The first trend is where we find the transition of colors from the traditional deep reds and golds to bronzes, opals and berry red to give that orange hue. The second key style finds heavily gilded and ornate décor transitioning into ornaments that mimic nature. Examples of these are berries, snow sprays, feather sprays, icicle sprays, pinecones and kernels. The third key trend has something to do with our toppers. When in the past we can only place stars or angels, now we can top our Christmas tree with berries branching out, lighted icicle branches or feather sprays – anything that resembles elements from nature. Today, the most natural looking Christmas trees are the most eye-catching ones.

Tips for Styling the Contemporary Christmas Tree

Minimalism is a timeless trend. If you want a fashionable and trendy tree, stick to just one or two colors and do not put too many ornament styles. Ignore traditions like putting an angel or star topper and instead put a spin on the tip by toping it with multicolored diodes. An interesting twist would be to top it with a star with faux gems, gold bows and peacock feathers around it.
A very interesting trend in Christmas tree decorating is personalization. The more personal a tree is, the better. For example, if you are a pre-school teacher, why not decorate your tree with little ornaments that resemble classroom objects like rulers, scissors, pencils, blackboards and books? Or if you are a pastry lover, decorate your tree with cupcake and candy decors. Your visitors will definitely find this amusing.

For a young and modern look, you can choose ornaments with graphic designs or those with an updated color scheme like violet, bronze, fuchsia and lime green. You can also make your tree much more personal by handcrafting your own ornaments. Not only will you add a personal touch, you also promote recycling! The rustic quality of handmade ornaments is simply a very interesting twist to your holiday decorating.

During your vacations throughout the year or if you have any major life event, collect some keepsakes to be displayed on your Christmas tree. If your son joined a little league for baseball, keep any ball he used and put it on the Christmas tree for reminiscing towards the end of the year. Start this tradition and you will make your family appreciate life more as it happens.