Make Your Christmas Tree Look Like a Million Bucks on a Budget

One of my absolute favorite parts of Christmas decorating is putting up the Christmas tree, or trees - plural - now that I've bought more than one! Up until two years ago, I didn't own a single tree that I was proud of. My artificial tree was as basic as it gets and I didn't put a lot of effort into my seasonal decor until my husband and I purchased our first home together. 

My first Christmas tree upgrade was a 7 ft. pencil tree that I put in our family room to save space, but still add loads of Christmas cheer! It's not flocked, but it does have a soft and beautiful realistic look to it. It is extremely similar to the one below!

Last year, I purchased my second Christmas tree that was meant to be the main tree to open gifts around. I still can't believe what an amazing deal I got on this tree! I love bragging about it! This 9 ft flocked and pre-lit Christmas tree was on sale for only $179. Score! I am telling you the price to point out that you don't have to spend a ton of money to end up with an impressive looking tree when you're all finished! My exact tree is no longer in stock from last year, so I've scoured the land of faux Christmas trees to bring you some great options that are also budget-friendly. This tree, below, is the closest one I've found to my exact tree! Isn't it beautiful!?

These trees are all under $200! Remember that many of the prices you're seeing as you hover the image are the sale prices! That means these items may only last until they sell out, or the sale could be for a limited time only. So get your shop on, and don't be afraid to be frugal! You can still make your tree look like a million bucks!

The next group of trees are all under $400. 

Once you've found the perfect tree for your space and budget, there are some things you can do to take your artificial tree from clearly faux to completely fabulous:

1. Take some time to maneuver and shape the branches of your tree before putting any decorations on it. The life-like appearance comes from the branches being in realistic positions. I promise, this tedious job is definitely worth it! I spend at least 20-30 minutes per tree straightening out every branch. Take a step back and make sure there aren't any "holes" or "gaps" between the branches. Below, see how each branch is bent to best reduce those dark spaces I keep referring to. 

2. Give your tree more height! If the 8 ft tree is out of your price range, but you can totally swing the 7 footer and you have the ceiling height to accommodate it, just give that baby some height using one or all of these tricks:

• Insert large Christmas tree picks at the top of your tree to add on 6-12 inches. This will draw the eye up and give the appearance of a taller, larger tree. You can find picks at all sorts of stores like Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Target, Walmart, HomeGoods, etc. You can even get creative and make your own. 

• Use a large topper to add height. Just be sure that your topper isn't making the tip of your tree bend over with the weight! Aim for something light. In the past, I've used a large foam snowflake and a large starfish, like the one below.  

• Set your tree stand on a box of the same size and disguise it with a flannel sheet or furry blanket. No one will ever know there's a card board box underneath there. ;) Again, you could set your tree stand on something to elevate it (make sure it's sturdy!) and set it inside of a large basket or decorative box. Measure your tree base first if you plan on shopping online or in stores for a basket of some sort. Here are some extra wide baskets that I've found online. 

3. Stuff ribbon, beads, tulle, or other types of garland, deep within the spaces between the branches to give the look of a fuller tree. The goal is to make sure that the "trunk" of the tree and any plugs or metal pieces are no longer visible. 

 4. Fill in the gaps with decor. Use larger ornaments where there are still visible gaps between the branches of your tree. Again, take a few steps back and look for the "darker" spots. Then, fill them up with your decorations. See the dark "hole" in the tree, below? Fill it in with an ornament, or in my case, a starfish.

Before

After

I sure hope that you've found some helpful tips here and that you'll stay tuned for the Christmas wonderland that is brewing in our home! ;) I've been working like a Christmas Elf to get my decor ready and find you the best deals on all things "holiday"! I'll be posting full room tours soon, and I can't wait for you to see them! As always, thanks so much for stopping by!

Sending Sunshine,

Jessica