One Tweak To Transform Your Christmas Tree

An ornament with a too-long loop can drag the branch down and ruin the intended look. Luckily, there's a simple, two-second fix.

December 5, 2025 HOME HACK #364 The One Simple Adjustment That Makes Your Ornaments Look Better There's something special about unpacking Christmas ornaments. Whether they're treasured family heirlooms or a brand-new set of shimmery bulbs, pulling them out of storage marks the start of a magical holiday season ahead — that is, unless the ornaments hang awkwardly on your tree. Credit: Iuliia Zavalishina/ iStock An ornament with a too-long loop can drag the branch down and ruin the intended look. Luckily, there's a simple, two-second fix. This clever hack from TikTok creator @designsbydylanp is a tree decorating game changer. Instead of letting the ornament droop, wrap the hanging loop around the tree branch as many times as necessary so the ornament sits flush beneath it. Aim for a snug fit. This creates tension, anchoring the ornament securely in place — no dangling strings to spoil your sparkling tree. The result will be a more polished holiday tree, since the eye will be drawn to the ornaments themselves instead of the hanging hardware. You'll also gain more control when arranging, allowing you to tuck some ornaments deeper into the tree for depth and to position favorites (a Christmas pickle, perhaps?) closer to the branch tips for visibility. This trick is especially useful for larger or heavier ornaments, which tend to pull branches down. Best of all, it requires no extra hooks, ties, or tools. Just a quick wrap of each ornament's string gives your tree a cleaner, more cohesive design. This makes it easy to layer ornaments thoughtfully and achieve a perfectly styled tree. Even Santa will be impressed.  Bonus Hack: Bundle Ornaments With Pipe Cleaner For an entirely fresh take on a traditional Christmas tree, forget about buying new lights or ornaments — all you need are a few pipe cleaners. TikTok creator @whatlololikes recommends using them to bundle two, three, or more ornaments of varying sizes together into small clusters. This simple technique allows for precise placement and spacing, ensuring a full, balanced look for your tree — a designer-approved finish for your festive display. Surgeon Reveals How To Make Thinning Brows Look Thicker These days, everyone wants brows that look naturally full, thick, and youthful. Now, one doctor says he's found the secret — and it's not microblading or makeup. According to Dr. John Layke — a husband, father, and Beverly Hills beauty expert — thinning brows are one of the most noticeable signs of aging. "Thinning brows can actually age your appearance even more than wrinkles," he revealed. Fortunately, this is a problem you can easily solve at home. Dr. Layke has created a short video where he explains his brow-enhancing secret from beginning to end (complete with instructions), so you can try it for yourself at home. The video has since gone viral and received millions of views. Watch Now *This content is brought to you by our sponsor which helps keep our content free. PRODUCT PICK Kurt Adler Glass Icicle Ornaments, Set of 24 Bows were last year's must-have Christmas tree decoration, but in 2025, it's all about glimmering icicles. This set of 24 includes 3.5-inch and 5.5-inch icicles made from real glass, not acrylic. They are lightweight and somewhat delicate, so it's best to handle them with care. The icicles catch the light beautifully, making your tree look magical. The ornaments come with attached silver cords for hanging, though you could easily swap those out with clear fishing line for a cleaner look. — Kelsey Morrison, House Outlook Editor SHOP NOW We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. AROUND THE HOUSE Better Report How To Clean and Organize Your Space To Benefit Your Mental Health When our living spaces are clean, tidy, and clutter-free, we often feel more relaxed and at ease. Better Homes & Gardens 4 Appliances You Need To Unplug After Every Use Avoid fire hazards and save on energy costs by unplugging these items when you're done using them. Real Simple 6 Pro Tips To Keep Your Floors Clean Longer It always feels like the second you get your floors all clean and shiny, someone tracks in mud or drops a PB&J on it. Megan McCarty Writer Megan McCarty is a Los Angeles-based writer who covers the fun stuff: design, travel, wellness, beauty, and fashion. She has written for publications including Domino, The Spruce, MyDomaine, Bustle, and Rue Magazine. Her life rules include, but are not limited to, zipper when merging, contribute to your IRA, and do the nice thing. Was this email forwarded to you? SUBSCRIBE No longer interested in receiving our content? Unsubscribe from future emails. Contact Us     Privacy Policy     Terms of Use     Do Not Sell My Information Advertisements: 325 North LaSalle Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60654