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Right before my trip to Greece in September, one of the best known Christmas decoration brands, Goodwill, with over 30 years experience, invited me for a lovely trip to Antwerp. I got the exciting opportunity to be part of a group of bloggers from all over Europe who attended a full-day workshop, learning everything there is to learn about the wonderful world of Goodwill Christmas decorations.
I spent the night at the delightful HotelO Sud. A lovely Goodwill goodiebag was waiting for me, which helped to get me in the Christmas mood. The room had a jacuzzi the size of a small swimming pool, you can easily fit in there with 4 people! The next morning we were picked up to head to the Goodwill Showroom. The Goodwill team greeted us with the most delicious pastries and coffee.
I just have to tell you how impressed I was by their huge showroom! Goodwill has a very large collection, in different themes, from very traditional Christmas decoration to super cool tropical vibes. Most of their designs are handmade including miniature Chanel bags, colorful fairies and I even found some quirky options, like pieces of cheese. After our tour around the showroom we had a wonderful lunch with Jean-Paul, the founder of Goodwill, at a beautifully created Xmas table.
We had the chance to meet Darren Roy McKay, the designer and head of decoration at Goodwill. He took the time to explain how to professionally decorate the perfect Christmas tree. Darren really went all out and showed us how to add some special magic to it. He created a gorgeous nostalgic over-the-top X-mas tree as we were sitting around him, marveling at his skills! And with his master X Mas moves Darren made it all look super simple.
And then it was our turn… So it turns out it’s actually not as simple as Darren made it seem 😉 But it was tremendous fun. I partnered up with my girl from Paris @Meetmeeinparee. We thoroughly enjoyed picking out our ornaments and dressing up our tree in the sparkliest way possible. For our primary decorations, we went for a tree full of peacocks, lots off glitter and as many bows as possible.
6 TIPS //
Here are 6 tips that I never knew and made a tremendous difference, when you’re creating a beautiful tree:
1- FLUFF IT UP //
Start to ’fluff’ your tree and make it look alive again. After storing, the branches are usually a bit squashed and flattened, so you have to first make the tree look fuller and appear more voluminous.
2 – LIGHTS //
Then start putting in your X-mas lights! I used to do this towards the end but you can easily fix broken bulbs at this point and it sets a fantastic base to create a fabulous tree.
3 – PICK YOUR COLOUR SCHEME //
Before you start decorating, pick out the theme that you want to work with. This is pretty crucial for a cohesive tree 🙂
4 – START DECORATING ON THE INSIDE //
The next step is to add branch & leaf-shaped pieces to make your tree look fuller. Start by adding some glass baubles 5 inches (12.5 centimeters) away from the trunk. This creates depth and adds some reflection with your X-mas lights and most importantly: it prevents that you end up with empty-looking spaces.
5 – HANG YOUR EYECATCHING ORNAMENTS //
As you stand there in front of your tree, surveying all your ornaments, you will immediately be drawn to the most spectacular, eye-catching ornaments in your collection. Make sure to bring those special ones toward the front, if possible at eye level and make sure you can see the ornaments at their best angle. If you have more ornaments of the same kind, cluster them close to each other, preferably in uneven groups of 3 to 5 to create impact.
6 – ADD THE FINISHING TOUCH //
Add a finishing touch with beautiful bows. You can create them yourself by using silver wire and ribbons. You can really experiment and have fun! Bows are also great on top of the tree!
I had the best time with the Goodwill & Native Nation team, the lovely photographer and the super nice bloggers I met on this trip. Looking back on this day, I can hardly believe how much I learned. I can’t wait to decorate my home this Christmas and go crazy with the Christmas vibes!
If you want to find out where you can get the beautiful Goodwill decorations, here is the store locator.
I hope you’re excited for Holiday season, because I am! 🙂
X Merel
This looks like such an amazing experience! Their decorations are gorgeous! I’m glad you had a good time!
Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
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The decoration is simply flawless!
http://www.kmeetsstyle.com
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The decorations look incredible. I love all the sparkles.
http://sugarcoatedbears.blogspot.com/
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So gorgeous!!! What a fun place to experience. Thanks for the tips 😉
xx, Alexandra
http://www.shethrivestribe.com
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just wanna say its amaizng
http://thestyleride.com/
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This is so festive and beautiful! I just love it! Your photos came out gorgeous! Have a happy holiday!
Xx Caroline
https://foreverdolledup.net/
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Amazing decor!
Hugs from Athens 🙂
https://dinamighty.com/
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How cute is this!!! Love the Christmas tree decorating tips 🙂
Enclothed Cognition
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Color theme and lights are definitely the priority. This looks gorg!
http://www.glitsxgrace.com/2017/12/07/1338/
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This is really a wonderful Christmas decorations world!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
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Wow that looks soooo amazing!!
I love Christmas and all the decoration with it – we will get our Christmas tree this weekend and definitely got some Inspo now from you 🙂
Happy weekend Merel ♥
xxx
Tina
https://styleappetite.com
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Wow, what a wonderful opportunity and an amazing trip! Thank you very much for sharing your tips. I am sure I can create my own winter wonderland with their help 🙂
http://www.morethandestination.com
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Love these decorations!Great post:-)
http://www.lostindaydreams.com/
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I’ve never seen decorations that are so pretty like this 😍 Great post and beautiful photos, thanks for sharing! 🙂
https://barbiegirl06.wordpress.com
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I always get super excited when it’s time to decorate my Christmas tree!!! All the decorations look so pretty and colorful!!
Thanks for sharing this experience and the tips! 🙂
Andrea.
Seize your Style
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Your tree came out so loveley! Love the blue color, and those tips are super useful! Haven’t started decorating my tree yet, so these will come in handy!
xo | Cindy Elena
http://www.boringclothes.com
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Such a fun and amazing experience! Christmas decorations excite me; these look so beautiful!! Love the one you helped out with 🙂
http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
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Wow look at these, so lovely and cheerful!! Thanks for the tips here. Great shots!
http://www.missymayification.co.uk
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What a fun event! Great tips, actually didn’t know you should decorate from the inside. Loving all the shots and beautiful trees.
Lisa Linh
https://www.bylisalinh.com/blog/2017/12/6/cook-islands
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Love the photos. Everything so joyful and beautiful 😀
http://www.desiringsme.com/how-to-achieve-dreams/
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Omg this is so beautiful! I love the festive decor!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
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omg this sounds like such an amazing opportunity
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
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I wish we had Goodwill here in Spain!
https://justohana.blogspot.com.es
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So beautiful! WOW!
FASHIONLOVIN BLOG’ | INSTAGRAM
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I’m loving everything about this. It looks absolutely gorgeous x
Lizzie Oladunni
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Those wreaths are to DIE for! All of those decorations are incredible. There are few things in this world that make me happier than Christmas decorations and lights! Those are great tips to make your tree gorgeous, even if it’s small like ours!
Happy Holidays!
Susie | http://milehighdreamers.com
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Awesome! I clearly feel the holiday spirit:)
irinathayer.com
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The decors are so uniqie yet it definitely makes you feel the christmas spirit! A different spin to the usual red and green colors of chirstmas.
Sheena | http://sheenalovessunsets.com
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Wow what a fab and festive event and how fun to learn how to decorate the ultimate Christmas tree! I am a freak about decorating my tree and used to not even let my kids help because they would make it look messy and crazy. I’ve loosened up over the years but still like to take my first stab at it with the bigger ornaments, leaves and frills. I love these tips on how to decorate and will be sure to use them next year for my tree! I love the blue and teal theme with the birds too! xoxo, Christine
http://dailykongfidence.com/
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Wow so stunning babe!!
x Rubi
Pose & Repeat
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This looks like such an amazing experience. The trees looks gorgeous.
http://www.pink-purpledots.blogspot.com
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How wonderfully festive are these snaps. Gorgeous x
Tiffany Tales | Lifestyle & Beauty
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These decorations are incredible! Thanks for sharing these tips.
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
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Absolutely majestic photos! The decorations are a dream!
XX
http://www.tuestilo.eu/blog/21_Que-me-pongo-en-Navidad.html
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Amazing decoration. Looks fantastic.
xo
Marcel
http://marsilicious.com
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OMG those christmas decorations are absolutely amazing!
-Didier
http://www.didieryhc.com
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Decorating a Christmas Tree is my absolute favorite thing to do during holiday season. These are great tips, and the Christmas decorations are so beautiful .
Nina’s Style Blog
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Great tips and amazing decorations!
Such a great experience!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
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OMG those Christmas decors are sooo EXTRA but I love them 🙂 It looks like a great workshop.
xx Alyssa | STYLE VANITY | Worldwide K-Beauty Giveaway!
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Gorgeous photos!
-Emily http://www.coatandcoffee.com
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Wow, this decor is amazing! I have never seen anything quite like it.
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
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OH Babe!! This sounds like such a lovely day!! I love all the Christmas vibes! So beautiful!!
xxx
Ashley
http://www.missgunner.com
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Wonderful tips here and this place is amazing. Wow I loved it so much. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day. xoxo Cris
http://photosbycris.blogspot.com.au/2017/07/novotel-on-collins-melbourne-my-winter.html
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This is such a great post, I love all the Christmas trees!
https://styledwithamanda.blogspot.com
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Wow! Such an awesome deco, love Christmas time so muchhh 🙂
NEW POST:
https://lotofdots.wordpress.com/2017/12/08/victorias-secret-show-2017/
Have a nice day,
xx
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This is literally the most fun event I have ever heard of. The decorations and everything in this room looks spot on magical. I love it!
http://www.fashionradi.com
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I love these pictures!! What a beautiful decoration!! Everything looks so magical!!! ❤ ❤ Have a great week ahead!
xx
Shivangi
http://www.outoncatwalk.com/happiest-place-earth/
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Beautiful decoration,I love your blog
https://thepinkpineappleblog.blogspot.com/2017/12/5-textures-you-should-try-on-this.html
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Absolutely amazing and so beautiful this decoration!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
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So lovely! What a fun post! Adore all the details!!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: COZY DAYS…
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