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Proceed with Caution
flickr.com via Joel Friesen
Christmas is a lighthearted and jolly occasion, but this caution tape garland is reminiscent of a police investigation. It’s best to leave the jokes at the door; after all, the only crime this holiday season should be your uncle’s sweater choice.
The Bare Minimum
flickr.com via Abbey Hambright
Sure, Charlie Brown’s tree was charming, but in the real world twiggy trees look bare. The bushy branches of a nice, full pine let your ornaments truly shine.
Half Dressed
flickr.com via osseous
Measure the tree before you hit the store so you know how many strands of garland to buy. Otherwise, your bedecked evergreen may look like it forgot to wear pants.
Related: Christmas Miracle: 8 Simple Fixes for All Your Tree Troubles
Hole-y Night
flickr.com via Carolyn Davis
Artificial Christmas trees can handle some wear and tear over time, but if your tree is missing an entire section, it may be time to replace it.
Lights Out
flickr.com via vanherdehaage
String lights add twinkling beauty to any Christmas tree, but they have a tendency to black out if even one bulb is broken. Check that every bulb works before stringing a strand on your tree.
Tall and Skinny
flickr.com via Exile on Ontario St
Too-thin Christmas trees look droopy and uninspired. Always choose a plump, attractively branched one that’s appropriately scaled for the space. As a bonus, wider trees have more room for presents underneath!
Related: 10 Gifts You Should Never Give
Eclectic Evergreen
flickr.com via Michael Strevens
Eclectic trees have the potential to be fun, but they can just as easily look a little off. This public display seems chaotic, thanks to its random decorations, overgrown branches, and asymmetrical shape.
Middle Mistakes
flickr.com via Kimberly Vardeman
Remember to decorate all the way around the Christmas tree! Grab a ladder to reach higher branches, because neglecting these will make the evergreen look sparse.
Color Clash
flickr.com via Jeff
When you’re choosing a color palette for your Christmas tree, it’s best to stick with the classic holiday hues. Introducing funky colors, such as purple or orange, can leave your tree looking corny instead of cool.
Related: The 50 Hottest Gifts from Home Depot
Burn Out
flickr.com via mulf
Imagine this: You’re hosting a holiday party when half of the lights on your Christmas tree suddenly burn out. Enlist the help of a surge protector to ward off disaster and keep lights twinkling all season long.
Spacing Issues
flickr.com via Cavalier92
Didn’t buy enough string lights? Instead of clumping them in one section of branches, space them evenly around the entire Christmas tree. They may end up a little thin, but the symmetry will help create an aesthetically pleasing design.
Tilting Tree
flickr.com via arcticpenguin
Don’t let your tree resemble the Leaning Tower of Pisa. If the evergreen isn’t firmly set in its stand, it could topple over—possibly in the middle of your holiday dinner party.
Related: 25 Handy Stocking Stuffers Under $25
O Christmas Tree
Avoid your own Christmas tree disaster with this helpful guide for finding the perfect evergreen. Then trim your tree with these affordable decorations and fun DIY ornaments.