In High Spirits

From ribbon-draped trees to lush garlands and wreaths, Mark Thompson's classic moves enliven every room

- BY CAMERON BEALL

LET YOUR TREE be the star. For Mark Thompson, co-owner of Shoppe in Birmingham, this means choosing a live one that reaches the ceiling. The floral-and-garden expert selected a silvertip fir, which grows with plenty of space between the branches to allow the adornments to shine. (He notes that a natural Fraser fir makes a good substitute if a silvertip isn't readily available.) For denser species, he recommends thinning them by cutting out some of the branches before decorating. “This allows the ornaments to hang freely without being squished into the tree and makes it easier to light,” he says.