To avoid any decorating mishaps, you can use a new interactive tool that calculates the exact number of ornaments and lights needed, determines the optimal height for the , 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 based on its height. It can even suggest the perfect size for the topper—whether it’s a star, 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 and user-friendly equations behind the were conceived a few years ago by two former students of the university 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 that no one will accuse you of having poor taste. Although you might think that such a quantity seems 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. Mr. 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 75-90 ornaments, assuming they are about 8 cm in diameter and have some texture or patterns. This creates the impression that the tree is fully decorated without being overdone, while still showcasing plenty of beautiful greenery,” noted the professional decorator.
For trees set up in guest rooms, his team uses about 300 lights. This way, the Christmas tree, not overloaded with bright lights, emits a soft glow.
This decorating approach is significantly more generous than the one suggested by the mathematicians at the University of Sheffield. However, Mr. Egleton is generally not opposed to minimalist elegance.
Photo: Unsplash
