Gather artificial tree branches or the real thing from your backyard. Forgo straight branches for those that have some width to them; they’ll look best in the arrangement.

In a well-ventilated outdoor space (covered with newspaper, if necessary), carefully coat the branches with spray paint. Try silver, white, or glitter spray paint for a festive look.

Tip: If you're painting branches white, use spray primer instead of paint. It covers better, requiring less time and paint to do the job.

Arrange the branches in a vase, preferably one with a wide mouth so that the branches spread out and the display appears more full. Start by placing one branch in the right side of the vase, one in the left, and one in the center. Then fill in the empty spaces.