Many of us want to have our holiday home look like the professionally decorated ones we see on magazine spreads and advertisements, but often find it hard to achieve. We at Balsam Hill believe that, with the right materials and techniques, anyone can have a beautifully decorated home this Christmas.
In our “Secrets from the Shoot” blog series, we reveal exclusive behind-the-scenes photos and tips on how our sets were dressed up for our latest TV commercial, which you can watch here:
We kick off this series with the various ways of decorating and displaying holiday foliage to produce a distinctive, sophisticated look for your home.
Wreaths
Wreaths are a holiday staple in most homes and are often displayed on doors or windows, or above the mantels.

This Norway Spruce Holiday Wreath is beautifully positioned on kitchen cabinets, giving this often-overlooked space a healthy dose of seasonal cheer. It is embellished with a big bow made out of wide, patterned ribbon, which also serves to hide the wire that attaches the wreath to its matching garland.

In this production photo, our BH Fraser Fir Meadow Wreath is seen displayed on the front door. While beautiful on its own, the wreath is enhanced by the addition of amber-hued Gramercy Park Amaryllis Floral Sprays, which provide added detail and striking contrast. A bow made out of our Glitter Gold Ribbon imparts a subtle shimmer that completes the professional look.
Garlands and Swags
Garlands are another seasonal favorite, and look lovely almost anywhere you situate them. For our shoot, we embellished this beautiful pre-lit garland with a selection of our Mercury Glass Ornaments that bring in a welcome infusion of color and sparkle.
Connecting multiple garlands and mounting them on crown molding is an inspired way to imbue a room with a sense of dimension and grandeur.
Swags are not as common as garlands, but these decorative accents are not to be overlooked. A swag’s unique appeal allows it look good on its own, and can lend an air of sophistication to many types of décor. A good example is this Holiday Hill Decorative Sled trimmed with our Pine Peak Swag. The combination of these two rustic elements results in a striking yet heartwarming whole.
Skinny Trees
If you are struggling to decorate smaller rooms or spaces, consider skinny Christmas trees – they are small in stature but big on impact. When decorating skinny trees, just think along the same lines you would when decorating wider ones. Slimmer trees may seem delicate but they can support a good number of ornaments.
For our TV commercial, we decorated a trio of Tannenbaum Evergreen Trees with choice pieces from our Mistletoe and Holly Glass Ornament Set. Bows made from Red Velvet ribbon and Platinum Net ribbon contribute to the traditional charm of this centerpiece.
Try these ideas and put together stunning Christmas displays that will leave a lasting impression. For more ideas on achieving your dream look for the holidays, visit our “Shop the Look” page to see room-by-room guides for getting your home camera-ready for the season.