To avoid any decorating mishaps, try a new interactive tool that calculates the exact number of ornaments and lights you need, determines the optimal height for the topper, and measures the length of garlands and tinsel. This unique calculator was developed by mathematicians at the University of Sheffield in the UK.
How to Make Your Christmas Tree Elegant
The interactive tool calculates the number of decorations for your tree based on its height. It can even suggest the perfect size for the topper—whether it’s a star, a fairy, or something else.
“This is a brilliant way to showcase the practical side of mathematics,” said Sophie Chong, president of the university’s Mathematical Society (SUMS). She told the Daily Mail that the simple, user-friendly equations behind the calculator were devised a few years ago by two former students who are members of SUMS.
They believe that by following the right proportions for ornaments, lights, and tinsel, you can make your Christmas tree look much more festive.
For a small tree that is one meter tall, you will need just 21 ornaments, 511 cm of tinsel, 314 cm of light garlands, and a 10-centimeter fairy or star for the top. According to the calculator’s developers, this ratio of tree height to the number of decorations ensures no one will accuse you of poor taste, although you might think those quantities seem insufficient.
In contrast, for the massive 20-meter Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London, you would need over 100 meters of tinsel, 62 meters of garlands, and a two-meter topper. You can use the interactive calculator for optimal tree decorating on the Daily Mail website.
Expert Tips for Decorating Your Tree
Richard Egleton, the CEO of the design company Claridge’s Flowers, is responsible for decorating the luxurious Christmas trees at the five-star Claridge’s Hotel in London. Egleton believes that the number of decorations largely depends on the type of ornaments you plan to use.
“For a tree about 1.8 meters tall, we use around 75 to 90 ornaments, assuming they’re about 8 cm in diameter and have texture or patterns. That creates the impression that the tree is fully decorated without being overdone, while still showcasing plenty of beautiful greenery,” Egleton says.
For trees set up in guest rooms, his team uses about 300 lights. That way, the tree isn’t overloaded with bright lights and emits a soft glow.
This decorating approach is significantly more generous than the one suggested by the mathematicians at the University of Sheffield. However, Egleton is generally not opposed to minimalist elegance.
Photo: Unsplash
