There's a new trend with Christmas trees this year -- skinny is in! Tall and skinny trees are all the rage this year -- both real and fake. The trees can be up to 15 feet high, but half as wide. There are even the more extreme "pencil" trees which are as narrow as 18 inches across.

If you're thinking of heading in the "skinny tree" direction this year, take this advice from a professional Christmas tree decorator (from the Wall St Journal online):

Start at the top with small ornaments and work down using medium-size ornaments, reserving large ornaments for the trunk area and near the bottom. He suggests maintaining an overall sleek, simple presentation for the slim tree but using plenty of flashy gift-wrap for the presents underneath.