Designer Tips for Decorating the Perfect Christmas Tree | Step-By-Step Guide With Syd & Shea McGee

It's Christmas tree decorating time at the McGee home! Follow along with Syd & Shea as they decorate their tree piece by piece while chatting about favorite movies and traditions of the holiday season. (Spoiler alert: there's lots of tinsel involved).
Shop the Christmas Tree and other pieces featured, here: bit.ly/mcgeeholiday
Take a look at our family Christmas Tree here: • First you saw our fanc...
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00:00 Introduction
01:26 Set the base
06:03 Adding Tinsel
08:53 Place Bauble Ornaments
09:35 Add Misc. Ornaments
11:37 Place The Topper

[@alicesmith7180]

I grew up decorating our Christmas tree with tinsel and have missed it. Thank you for making it chic again. 🥰

[@StudioMcGee]

😘❤️

[@ginafriend1690]

The tree is beautiful! Love the realistic look of them now. Decorations came out lovely and knew the second star would be of choice. Tinsel is pretty, added lightly. ❤

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much! Happy holidays!

[@StudioMcGee]

😘❤️

[@franceslovato9842]

I love the neutral colored baubles on this McGee family tree! The neutral colors make it look elegant. It reminds me more of a mountain tree in the winter time. I'm not a fan of all the usual multi-colored colorful lighted trees. This tree turned out beautiful! 🌲💝

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@franceslovato9842]

@@StudioMcGee You're so very welcome! 😊👍

[@kiranbhatti5206]

Wow what a Christmas tree ! Very beautiful decorations! Those tinsels look very very beautiful!

[@adk4419]

Omg I thought I was the only one with 2 trees. I love decorating my own tree too ALONE. Kids tree they can go crazy in the basement. I’ve been doing this for years. I recall other moms always thought I was mean having separate tree, but I wouldn’t be able to sleep knowing all school arts and crafts were on the main floor tree. 😂looks beautiful

[@StudioMcGee]

Glad you can relate 😂 Thank you so much!

[@di4085]

I grew up in the 60s and 70s using a live tree and tinsel with the old fashioned colored lights.🎉 Nicely done simplistic.

[@dianejohnson7235]

Your tree is beautiful!! That tinsel brings me back when I was a small child!!! I love it!!!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!! 🥰

[@TheMennomilist]

I always love when Syd comes in and makes Shea laugh (or think, "Hey, I'm trying to explain something here, can you stop??"), as you two are just cute.

[@StudioMcGee]

🥰

[@Vanessadavalos007]

I love that you did something different and added tinsel. I also love that you allowed us into your home for a decorating session instead of the usual “Studio McGee” promo home. Although those are beautiful and I enjoy to watch them as well, this felt more personal and different. As always, I look forward to your videos. A Syd and Shea video never disappoints. Thank you for posting this.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much for this kind message 😘 Happy holidays to you!

[@KathiwithaK]

I love the color palette you chose! And I‘ve always been very skeptical about tinsel, to say the least but seeing how you added it so lighty, I might be converted! So so pretty :)

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!!

[@adrianedunwell9874]

Hi Shea and Syd,the tree is looking beautiful as usual, Love me some studio McGee!!❤ Have a wonderful Christmas!!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! You too!

[@juliewilliams793]

Love the bows - I will be adding those to my tree next year. What America calls tinsel, in the UK it is called lametta. In the UK tinsel is a garland.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! It is such a great touch 😘

[@christinemrs8431]

I'm 68 yo. In the 1960s my mother put tinsel on the tree one strand at a time. Our job after Christmas was to take it off by laying it over our hand, saving it for next year. In the 1990s I found a package at Kmart for 99 cents. I never knew how cheap it was! Blew my mind and sorta made me wonder about my mother. But that was in the days of 7 kids and 1 breadwinner. Good memory though.

[@susancooper1045]

I love the tinsel! It reminds me of my childhood. My mom used to put the tinsel on piece by piece! It would take her hours. One year the dog pulled the whole tree down. Needless to say, she wasn’t very happy. She started in right away decorating the tree again piece by piece of tinsel!

[@diasnovitawuri1939]

I’m curious how to get the tinsels off the tree later. What did your mom do at cleaning up? Also, our cats murdered my tree just last night so I have to start again 😂

[@susancooper1045]

My mom would not have to remove it at all because it was a real tree! That was always the easy part throwing it away and then vacuuming. Sometimes my dad would burn the tree in the fireplace but not often. This was in the 50’s and 60’s.

[@StudioMcGee]

Oh no 😅

[@bookwoman5130]

Happy Holidays and Blessings to you and your family.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much! Happy holidays to you too 😘

[@mariaonoufriou3382]

Wonderfull!!! I adore the way you use the tinsel!!! Something "old" in new chic version!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much 😘

[@vflytrap7158]

Tinsel gives the tree a real Xmas sparkle !

[@rasheawhite3644]

I like your Christmas decor Syd and Shea! Give the family my love! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, family!🥰🌟

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much, same to you! 😘

[@rasheawhite3644]

@@StudioMcGee You are so welcome! I love you so much, sissy! THE BEST!🥰🌟🤗☀️

[@JessicaDessus]

Syd standing on the arm of the couch epic

[@StudioMcGee]

😂❤️

[@jennifersanders7377]

When I was kid we just tossed the tinsel on the tree! Watching you so strategically place it made me giggle 🤭 lol

[@miguelesqueda8272]

LOVE it! You guys killed it! Happy holidays to the fam ❤️🎄

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! Happy Holidays! 🥰

[@user-wd4ss9pc3n]

That blue on ornaments is it very unique colour!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! ❤️

[@tiffanyharrison21]

The tree looks great! I love that you use different sizes of ornaments, it really makes a difference, it looks perfect!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thanks so much! 😊

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! ❤️

[@tiffanyharrison21]

@@StudioMcGee You're welcome! Are you interested in doing collabs? xx

[@rosieroberts6738]

Tinsel is beautiful, but not fun to take off of Artificial Trees. 🌲 We used Tinsel, growing up in the 70’s, but we had REAL TREES. We would just leave it on & throw them out with the Tree. Your home is very… COZY & BEAUTIFUL!!! Thank you for sharing!!!🎄🎅🌲🎁😊🥰😃

[@StudioMcGee]

That definitely makes cleanup easier!

[@eileenchang2173]

Our city refuses to take away real trees with any tinsel or decorations that can’t decompose as the trees are ground up as mulch and used in the parks etc. .

[@rubychew6535]

The miniature white lights on the tree are beautiful.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! They are such a special touch.

[@constantineangelgutierrez1851]

Fabulous, merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 beautiful tree I wish I could afford one someday. Not that big.

[@StudioMcGee]

Merry Christmas to you too 😘

[@samrahchughtai2816]

I personally love the tinsel, it looks so elegant 🥹

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!!

[@leilaniaki344]

Love it! Syd is so funny!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! 🥰

[@irmayorke9075]

Such beautiful colors on the tree, not a fan of tinsel as we have pets, though it looks like icicles all over, it's really pretty on your tree. You always make things look beautiful.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much 💕

[@lisaroe6096]

Love, love, love 🥰

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!!

[@marley8560]

Beautiful!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!

[@karenwilliams5468]

Merry Christmas to you, your family and your team. Always so delightful and inspiring. Beautiful and calm. Blessed 2024 all the way throughout with wellness, prosperity, favor, peace, joy and continued success for all of you📯 Thank you always for sharing and inspiring~♡~

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much! ❤️ Merry Christmas to you too!

[@scropper4]

AHHH SO PRETTY

[@StudioMcGee]

🥰

[@mireyaharo6977]

Love the tinsel👍🎄

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! 🥰

[@sherristockfleth746]

I was born in 1967 and remember putting tinsel on when I was 4-10 years old one at a time, painstakingly. lol

[@channy3862]

Stunning! Going to change my tree now😅

[@StudioMcGee]

🥰

[@nakita_neacol]

STUNNING 🎄🤍✨

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! Love how it turned out. ❤️

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!

[@ireneclark3993]

I love your tree it looks really soft and elegant.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! 😊

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!!

[@ozywomandius2290]

If you have pets watch them with the tinsel. Lovely tree!

[@StudioMcGee]

Very true. Thank you!

[@alondrachavez8016]

I've never seen trees decorated with tinsel before but I loved it! Next tree I do will have tinsel!🎄😍

[@joyceadair3003]

You must have missed Christmas trees in the 70’s if you have not seen tinsel! 😊

[@StudioMcGee]

You should!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!🥰

[@tslilbearshoppe9870]

Your husband will never get old lol...lovely vid! Merry Christmas to you and your family :)

[@StudioMcGee]

Happy holidays!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! Merry Christmas! ❤️

[@sandylunden5782]

So pretty🎄

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! ❤️

[@lenahanna9647]

Beautiful Christmas tree 🎄 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!

[@giaconterno2458]

The tinsel makes the tree. It looks great 👍🏼

[@StudioMcGee]

We love it, too!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much!

[@glendashine9468]

I remember my mom doing the tinsel. We weren’t allowed to because she was so precise where each piece was placed. I do remember it taking forever to finish!

[@StudioMcGee]

It is a labor of love!

[@terri3696]

Love it ❤

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! ❤️

[@cindyhoneyman8259]

I have a frame tv and have been looking for that wonderful Santa painting on your TV. Is it available anywhere? Thanks! Oh and love love the tinsel. I never stopped using it. Even when it was “ out”. It says everything that is Christmas to me. I will always have it.

[@jmaniatis1]

Very tastefully done!!!

[@StudioMcGee]

Glad you think so!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!

[@jalonburton5800]

Beautiful! 😍 Now please, come do mine! 😊 Merry Christmas 🎄

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you too 🥰

[@drakedrones]

I loved it!!! ❤❤❤❤

[@StudioMcGee]

Yay! Thank you!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!! 🥰

[@nicolemangum5023]

I haven’t gotten on the tinsel train yet 😂 It does look beautiful in your space. And I love the droopy bows.

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!! 🥰

[@christianviiperi]

¡Fantástico! 🎄

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! 🥰

[@loredanabongiorno5086]

❤❤❤so beautiful !! Absolutely gorgeous!! I have never understood why some people load up a tree with so much tacky red that you can see from outer space!! This tree is perfect!!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@debbiemarshall2972]

I am so jealous, I look every year for clip candles.Beautiful😊😊😊

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you 😘

[@StudioMcGee]

They sold out so fast!

[@helenaandrews2567]

Beautiful ❤

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! 😊

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!🤍

[@jyotirasal207]

I need to know about your cardigan sweater please. Really love it like your 🎄

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! Here's a link 💕 www.shopltk.com/explore/studiomcgee/posts/f51f9eb0-776a-11ee-bf80-0242ac110004

[@Artatthecornercastle]

OMG…growing up with tinsel on the tree was so hectic, because back in the 60’s my parents required that we had to put one strand on at a time. 😂. As kids we would just grab a hand full and throw it on. Made my mom furious. Once i left home, i swore NEVER to use tinsel again.

[@StudioMcGee]

😂

[@rachaelbruesch6306]

Tinsel no thanks, I have a cat.

[@lifeextensionespana580]

Tinsel is absolute no no in 21st century, and gives a phantom sensation to the tree, even a bit scary

[@frank_dangelo]

Artificial Christmas trees should be built to accommodate a topper (star, angel, etc.) with an anchor point at the very top. If the topper is crooked as it rests at the highest point, it kinda ruins it.

[@deewaipio]

I put tinsel ONLY on real trees. When Christmas is over, no worries about it since tree is tossed along with the tinsels. Let us know how it went removing them?

[@jacquelinedelaneaux9256]

What brand and kind of tree is your adult mom tree? I love the shape!

[@KrisDallman]

My dad was a veterinarian and while tinsel is pretty and fun, it is really dangerous if you have pets. Many eat it and it gets wound up in their intestinal track and can be fatal.

[@carolfinn4027]

We used to do the icicle tinsel when I was a very young kid. My dad would say over and over "one strand at a time". We would get impatient and glob it on.

[@StudioMcGee]

The best memories!

[@user-ms1zt4wd4v]

We used icicles in the 70s but always put it on last

[@StudioMcGee]

😘

[@lisas.5783]

Hi. I linked to the McGee & Co. website but could not find the artificial tree. Could you please advise? Thanks! Also, the tree looks beautiful. I love the tinsel!

[@StudioMcGee]

Sadly it is sold out for the season 💔 So sorry about that!

[@ElizabethM-vx6jd]

So beautiful! Where is the basket they used as a tree collar from? I don't see it on the website.

[@StudioMcGee]

Sadly it is sold out! ❤️

[@amiem6480]

@StudioMcGee love it! Where exactly is the Christmas tree. Could not find it anywhere on your site. Can you please link it. This exact tree you’re decorating…how tall, type and name of this actual tree? Please provide link. 🙏🏽

[@StudioMcGee]

Unfortunately this tree is sold out 💔 So sorry about that!

[@jamesrichmond8311]

Very pretty! I have the same color palette on my tree. It matches the LR decor. I love tinsel too but my partner does not so, I use icicles. Lots of icicles in different sizes. I love the fruit slices on your mantle! How do you make those? !

[@StudioMcGee]

You can purchase dried orange slices on Amazon! ❤️

[@alee9961]

Beautiful Tree🎄👏🫠

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you!!

[@andreamaterazzi]

Beautiful! My mom used to COVER our tree in tinsel in the 70’s. I mean you couldn’t even see the tree lol. We would decorate it with her and then when we went to bed she’d redo the tinsel because it had to lay just so and my dad sister and myself had a “heavy hand” with it 😂. I was older before I realized she redid it, still makes me giggle to think about it.

[@StudioMcGee]

Love that so much! Holiday memories are the best. ❤

[@StudioMcGee]

I love that story! It really is so nostalgic. 😍

[@normarideout62]

I grew up with tinsel (yes I'm old) and my mom would be sooo picky because we had to put one piece at a time, it took hours to decorate the tree.

[@BP-nn7tq]

Tinsel convert here!!!

[@StudioMcGee]

😘

[@amypeterson8509]

I don't see the link for the tree? Can you send that. Thx! Looks great!

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! It is from our shop McGee & Co. but sadly it's sold out 💔

[@amypeterson8509]

@@StudioMcGee ok thank you!

[@lemather]

Hi…. Love your tree. Could you tell me where it’s from?

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! It is from our shop McGee & Co. 💕

[@reneenarr7159]

Hi , I didn't see the information on the christmas tree. Can you share?

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! It is from our shop McGee & Co. but sadly it's sold out 💔

[@PugLou]

Does anyone know where those beautiful stockings are from? Didn’t see them on the website, does that mean they’re sold out?

[@StudioMcGee]

They are from our collection with Threshold at Target! ❤️

[@bethaquino5217]

I couldn’t find the blue bulbs on your website?

[@StudioMcGee]

Sadly they are sold out. ❤️

[@amandawilliams4208]

Where did you get your tree? 😅 I didn’t see one when I followed the link.

[@StudioMcGee]

It’s from McGee & Co. but is out of stock. We sell this style every year! 🤍

[@StudioMcGee]

It's from McGee and Co. but sadly it is sold out! 💔

[@pattygilligan-pi8pu]

Do you have the link for the black glass cabinet behind the tree?

[@StudioMcGee]

It's actually a custom built in cabinet! ❤️

[@pattygilligan-pi8pu]

Saw one on crate and barrel website thats similar. Thanks happy holidays.

[@izabelaw8008]

Hello! What type of tree is your Christmas tree! Is it spruce?

[@StudioMcGee]

It's a faux norway spruce from McGee and Co! 😘

[@simplylenlen4988]

Hello Shea! I really love the tree! It’s beautiful! I know it’s already sold out but can you just tell me the name of the tree? Thanks

[@StudioMcGee]

Thank you! It’s the Norway Faux Spruce. 💗

[@StudioMcGee]

It is the Norway Faux Spruce Tree 😘

[@laurawolf9613]

🥰

[@StudioMcGee]

💕

[@malloryjenkins00]

Where are the lovely stools from in front of the fireplace?

[@StudioMcGee]

They are custom but the Lilith Stool from McGee & Co. is similar! 😘

[@valeriejohnson6926]

If the tree is not real where did you get it?

[@solecorrea6789]

Shea having two trees killed me XD, although I would do the same if I could TBH

[@StudioMcGee]

😅

[@sonnielee6773]

Couldn't find the tree featured. Is it on your website?

[@StudioMcGee]

Unfortunately this style is sold out! So sorry!

[@StudioMcGee]

Sadly it sold out! I'm so sorry! ❤️

[@miagreen801]

Where is the tree from please

[@StudioMcGee]

It's from McGee and Co. but sadly it's sold out!

[@angelapotts3086]

Where’s is the tree from?

[@StudioMcGee]

It's from McGee and Co. but is sadly sold out! 💔

[@Lizwindsor]

“I feel like I need to bend the top” meaning…….syd, get the ladder, climb up the stairs, bend the branches, climb down, put the ladder down so I can give a thumbs up.

[@StudioMcGee]

😂

[@shannon6565]

I know the tree is sold out, but what kind of tree is it?

[@StudioMcGee]

It's the Norway Faux Spruce Tree!

[@sherryhudson9075]

I love the tree, why don’t you do a tree give away? ❤. PS. You need to take the tensil job away from Stu 😂

[@soniaespada1366]

El árbol se veía mejor sin los adornos, sólo con luces.

[@cindybussey7057]

I do not see the Christmas tree on your site as stated.

[@StudioMcGee]

Sadly they sold out! We're so sorry! 💔

[@EssSimplyDone]

I expected more from a Studio McGee Xmas tree .. I think the tinsel threw me off...

[@carriehiebert7679]

It was from the 1920’s.. lol ! I grew up in the 80’s and it was a big deal then.

[@EssSimplyDone]

@@courtnesingleton6273 Right. So its old school with new school bulbs ..

[@EssSimplyDone]

@@carriehiebert7679 i felt like they could did with the balls with out the tinsel. Its like a mix of old school and new school that just looks off to me.

[@carriehiebert7679]

I honestly thought they did away with tinsel because of how messy it was. But I guess everything comes back into style. Beautiful tree though.

[@lifeextensionespana580]

Same thought, its old school in a very bad way, looks like a phantom, Halloween more than Christmas tree😂

[@JuliaSTAndre]

No To Tinsel!

[@sxy1tanni]

Y'all dead wrong for posting this video this deep into the holiday buying season, knowing the public can't buy NOT ONE DANG THING from McGee & Co. This is unfair

[@AMcD73]

Facts !!!!

[@StudioMcGee]

We're so sorry things sold out so quickly 💔

[@sxy1tanni]

@@StudioMcGee I apologize for my tone.

[@EssSimplyDone]

not a grown man standing on the sofa LOOL...

[@StudioMcGee]

🙈😅

[@StudioMcGee]

😂

[@lolajacomino6574]

Be very careful with the tinsels please, dogs and cats eat it and sometimes end up having surgery bc it gets tangle in their intestines. I don’t know if you have animals but I feel you need to know. BTW, your Christmas tree is beautiful, I need to buy one for next year ❤🎄

[@jenhall1196]

Usually enjoy your chemistry and content. But please, with all your influence, encourage people to decorate with things that aren’t single-use / headed straight for the landfill (tinsel?!?Why????)

[@2006marsha]

No no no tinsel. 😅 you will be vacuuming it all season🤦‍♀️ Sid you put too much tinsel in one bunches.

[@StudioMcGee]

So far, so good! But we'll see how deconstruction goes!