Get the perfect Christmas tree set up this festive season

The school holidays are here and that means it's time to unpack your Christmas decorations, set up your Christmas tree and get into the festive spirit. As the Christmas tree tends to be the centrepiece of Christmas decorations in your home, it's important to ensure that you have your tree looking amazing this year. With so many interesting and exciting Christmas tree decorating ideas to choose from, finding the right ones can seem like an overwhelming task. We've put together some of the most exciting Christmas tree decorating trends to help you fill your home with festive cheer; and we've added a bonus choc chip biscuit recipe, because everyone knows you need to leave a treat under the tree for Father Christmas on Christmas eve.
 

Add flowers 

Move away from more traditional decorations this year by incorporating flowers into your Christmas tree décor. Adding flowers is an excellent way to cover your Christmas tree in vibrant colours and is guaranteed to make your tree a centrepiece in your home. To decorate your tree, you can use fake flowers (which can be reused), real flowers (tend to die quickly) or even dried flowers, such as dried proteas.
 

Choose a single colour scheme 

Rather than opting for multicoloured Christmas tree ornaments, instead try decorating your tree using a single colour scheme. This bold trend will add a touch of sophistication to your Christmas tree and is sure to make your decorations stand out.
 

Metallic ornaments 

Metallic ornaments, especially in silver, copper, gold and rose gold, make for excellent additions to any Christmas tree. Their shiny surfaces will also reflect light from your Christmas fairy lights, which in turn will make your tree sparkle.
 

LED lights 

LED fairy lights are not only safer than normal incandescent lights (as they do not heat up) but they are also significantly more energy efficient, making them a must-have addition to any Christmas tree. LED fairy lights are available in a number of vibrant colours and are guaranteed to take your Christmas tree to the next level.
 

Bonus: delicious choc chip biscuits

Everyone knows that father Christmas loves finding a sweet treat beneath the Christmas tree, so here's a delicious choc chip biscuit recipe for his Christmas eve snack:
 

You will need:  

• 2 eggs 
• 2.5 cups of flour 
• 1 tsp baking powder 
• ¾ cup softened butter 
• 1.5 cups brown sugar 
• 1.5 tsp of vanilla essence 
• ½ tsp of salt 
• 1 cup of chocolate chips
   

Method: 

Preheat your oven to 180°c.  

Cream the butter and sugar. Once the mixture is creamy, add the eggs and vanilla essence and continue to mix until combined.
 

In a separate bowl combine your dry ingredients (flour, baking powder and salt). Gradually add your dry ingredients to your sugar and butter mixture and mix until combined.  

Stir in your chocolate chips.
 

Drop tablespoon sized dollops of mixture onto parchment paper-lined baking trays. 

Cook in the oven for 12-14 minutes and let cool before eating. 

So, put up your Christmas tree and get in the festive cheer, after all - Christmas day is getting near!