Christmas Chandelier Decorating Ideas

Wreathed in Ornaments

• Turn a chandelier into a Christmas wreath one of two ways. First, weave a green garland in and around the chandelier's arms so it forms a wreath shape, interwoven with the fixture. Then fasten pine cones and red berries to the wreath with green florists' wire. Finally, attach one or more red velvet or red-and-green plaid bows to the wreath. Or tie three lengths of holiday ribbon to the inside of an evergreen wreath, collect the ribbons into one strand and knot them around the baluster of the chandelier so the wreath hangs horizontally below it. Hang colored tree ornaments all around the wreath, using small metal tree hangers.

Starry Night

• Create a starry, starry Christmas night in your living or dining room with silver ribbon and star-shaped ornaments. Tie different-sized glitter, silver, gold and platinum stars to varying lengths of gauzy silver ribbon; then tie the ribbons to the branches, baluster, and finial of the chandelier. Thread silver twine or more gauzy ribbon through holes in small crystal or silver star ornaments and festoon strings of them around the fixture. Turn the lamp on low with a dimmer and add a little more drama with an uplight featuring a rotating mirror disc or colored gel focused on the twinkling chandelier.

The Red and the Green

• A crystal chandelier becomes a reflection of Christmas when you embellish it with more light. Carefully wind connected strings of tiny red and then tiny green fairy lights around the chandelier. Ensure that the chandelier's crystals hang free of the light strings to maximize the sparkle when the Christmas colors are turned on. Run the last light string up the chain or cord that connects the chandelier to the ceiling mount and plug it in to a power source there or run an extension cord to a corner and down to a power outlet. Turn on just the red and green lights for a shimmering ball of holiday colors.

Kissing Ball Chandelier

• Make a red flower pomander and suspend it from the finial of the chandelier over the dining table and the holiday centerpiece. Carnations will last for some time if you use a soaked florists' foam globe as the base. Try a striped mix of red- and green-dyed carnations for a definite Christmas vibe. Share the love with sparkly snowflake ornaments in silver and white glitter, clear hanging icicle ornaments and a tiny kissing ball of real mistletoe, dangling from a satin ribbon tied to the finial and challenging guests to smooch their partner across the table.