First of all, please introduce yourself and what you do!
Hi! I’m Noam and I work as a building designer at Concept Design, LLC. We provide creative solutions to your residential construction design needs. I was born and raised in Bellingham and intend on making the town more beautiful and stunning than it already is.
How, exactly, does one become a professional Christmas tree decorator?
When I was a freshman at Western Washington University, about nine years ago, I was looking through the college’s job listing web page. There was an advertisement for a “Christmas Decorating Elf” position that caught my eye. I replied to the posting giving my credentials of decorating for my high school prom and professing my love of Christmas and got the gig. I have been working as a private Christmas tree decorator ever since.
Where are your favorite places to find ornaments?
I love the selection at Greenhouse; they have a mix of classy and flashy. Cresswell Boggs has a fun selection of unique glass blown ornaments. If you are ever in Leavenworth, you have to go to Kris Kringl. That place is pure magic! I buy a lot of my ornaments second hand because I prefer glass ornaments. When buying bulk balls, they are usually advertised as “unbreakable” which means plastic– and I don’t think they shine like glass ornaments do.
What is the trickiest part about decorating a tree?
What sets the fantastic trees apart from the ordinary is ornament curation and placement. When it comes to ornaments, I say the more the merrier! When arranging ornaments I start at the top of the tree and work my way down. Make sure to put ornaments close to the trunk and continue to place them along the branch until you get to the tip so the tree has dimension. Large glass balls will reflect and refract light from the middle of the tree. Icicles look great dangling from the end of branches. Fill the rest of the tree out with ribbons or garlands.
How do you decorate your own home for the holidays?
I, of course, have a decked-out Christmas tree that I try to keep up as long as possible each year. One year I cut out 100 different paper snowflakes and strung them on LED light strings that went around my living room. Ever since I was little, my mom would make me and my siblings personalized Christmas stockings with felt. I have a large collection of stockings and now make them for friends and loved ones.
Do you have any tips for at-home decorators who are looking to get creative with their Christmas tree?
Anything can be a Christmas tree decoration. I have put keychains, dolls and toys, and origami on a tree. One year when I could not afford ornaments I put hooks through clementines and strung popcorn and cranberries. Dried flowers can give the tree a romantic look. Maybe you lost one of your favorite earrings and just can’t let the other one go. Currently my tree has a sparkly Rubik’s cube, a feathered mask from a masquerade party, and some old Christmas card cutouts. It’s a great way to repurpose old items that invoke special memories. 104 Prospect St., Bellingham, 360.255.0459, conceptdesignllc.net
