Tree Tops & Bottoms Too attached to your ornaments but want a new look for the tree? Switch out the tree topper and skirt for a different vibe By Alice Oglethorpe CTW Features
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or many people, Christmas tree decorations don’t change much over the years. Ornaments that have been lovingly collected and passed down from generation to generation get hung on the tree, and that’s that. So instead of messing with tradition, try thinking tops and bottoms to spruce up the tree this year. “Think of your tree as a little black dress that you can accessorize differently to take it from formal to casual in an instant,” says Cathy Hobbs, New York-based interior designer and finalist on season six of HGTV’s “Design Star” competition show.
“You can give your tree a totally different vibe without touching the ornaments by focusing on the skirt and topper.” Not only is this type of updating easy, it’s also inexpensive. “You can spend hundreds of dollars on all new ornaments and garland, but just changing the topper and skirt is much cheaper and is still impactful,” says Gina Luker, editor of the remodeling blog Shabby Creek Cottage. Every décor store will have fun options to play around with, but you can also go the DIY route. Here, Hobbs and Luker offer some ideas for finding the perfect topper-and-skirt combo, depending on the desired aesthetic. See Tree, 12
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