The holiday season is creeping closer, and even though it’s only late October, it might be worth getting ahead of your decorating plans. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s Christmas tree, set beneath the wooden beams of their Tennessee home, is a good place to start if you want to make a statement this year. Their secret? A wide red ribbon gives the tree a traditional Christmas look without making the decorations feel overdone.

In their living room, the couple decorated their Christmas tree with lights, nostalgic ornaments, and an angel on top. Long lengths of red ribbon run down the branches, with Santa figures and presents arranged underneath. The ribbon, however, takes center stage. It brings a classic dose of red to the room and making the tree feel a little more dressed up without adding another layer of ornaments.

Every year, red ribbon manages to re-impress. It's a beautiful Christmas decor idea if, like many of us, you've gathered a collection of ornaments over several years. Red ribbon helps tie everything together, even when the ornaments don't match, so there's no need to start from scratch to give your tree a new aesthetic.

To get their look, I'd start with thick red ribbon, like this from Amazon, then decorate with the ornaments you've loved for years.

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'Red ribbon is a charming and versatile decorating theme, adding a touch of elegance and whimsy,' comments design expert Lena Gierasinska.

Lena suggests using different fabrics to give the decorations some variety. Velvet has a richer look, while satin catches the light and burlap brings a more rustic feel. Sticking to red lets you mix these textures without introducing too many competing colors.

'By incorporating red ribbon in various fabrics and sizes, such as velvet on wreaths, burlap on gift packages, or satin on tree branches, homeowners can create a cohesive festive atmosphere that creates sophistication throughout their living rooms,' Lena explains.

It's also worth considering the ribbon's width. Tim and Faith's tree is tall enough to carry broad strips of fabric, which would have a very different effect on a smaller tree. If you have a large tree, wider ribbon can help fill out the branches without buying more ornaments.

'To elevate the trend, go oversized, embodying a playful yet luxurious aesthetic,' Lena advises.

Plus, red ribbon needn't be packed away as soon as Christmas is over, either. It can work for winter dinner parties and other gatherings, especially if you want to keep a little color around once you take the tree down.

'Post-Christmas, use red ribbon bows to decorate when hosting, especially for dinner parties or evening gatherings,' Lena says. 'They can also be utilized in unexpected areas of the home, such as in the greenhouse - attach them to the greenhouse walls to create a charming garden feature.'

Tim and Faith prove that Christmas decorating doesn’t have to mean buying new ornaments every year. Wit red ribbon, you can revive already familiar decorations, bringing a traditional feel to the tree without replacing pieces you already love.

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