You may be dreaming of a white Christmas, but that was so last year for Ruth Edgar. Every season, the owner of Shear Creation in Waipahu decorates her holiday tree in one main hue, and this year it's pretty in pink. And it rotates.

“;It's on a stand that spins,”; said Edgar. Though the tree is artificial, the shop is filled with a pine aroma from scented potpourri that she places at the tree's base.

While for most, tackling just one tree with stand, lights and ornaments in an eclectic mix might be an epic chore, that's nothing for Edgar, who embellishes two trees: one for her shop and one at home—each in one solid tone. The stylists pick the color for the salon, but at home, the children rule.

At her place of residence it's a democracy that involves about 10 children, including her sons, nieces and nephews, who vote mostly by shouting colors out over dinner. Sometimes the tree ends up in two tones, “;because someone's favorite color is blue and the other's is green, so we mix it,”; said Edgar.

“;Last year, at the house we had a white tree. Oh God, if you saw my white tree, you would fall in love with it. I used all white doves and angels, bought at Macy's on sale.”;

Just as it takes several meticulous snips to create a perfect coif, Edgar approaches tree decorating with the same exacting flair. Branches are draped with what she calls “;clusters”;—balls, flowers and ribbons grouped together.

“;When I'm done with it, it looks like a thousand-dollar tree.”;

Edgar plans two years ahead, anticipating color trends and themes. She shops after the holidays to take advantage of the biggest discounts. Trips to San Francisco often result in a score of a few ornaments at great prices. (”;It's cheaper on the mainland.”;) Her attic is a storeroom filled with boxes of ornaments within bins, all packaged by color.

“;I rotate the colors over the years. But let's say I bought all brand -new blue ornaments at Kmart, so I hope the kids will pick blue. But if they say 'purple,' then blue stays in the box. But it's OK, because I bought them so cheap anyway, and I'll get to use them maybe the next year.”;

What does it take to create a tree that looks like a million bucks? Edgar offers these tips:

Cluster the ornaments: ”;Put the balls, flowers and ribbons together attached in a bunch ; this makes it easier to place on the tree. Take them apart after Christmas to be stored, so that they will look fresh the next time. If you take them apart and have to regroup them, it will look new, not exactly the same as the last time you used them.”;

Papier mache: “;It's the cheapest, and often the most beautiful. You can paint them any color and it's simple to make. Just blow the balloons, make your big pot of glue, water and flour, and cover (the balloons) with two layers (of paper). Not too many layers, or it will be too heavy for the tree. They dry overnight. Just get the kids to do it. Some of the nicest ornaments we have are the ones the kids made.”;

Never pay full price: “;Wait until after the holidays for the best prices. Even if you don't plan on using them soon, just store them, you will use them eventually.”;

Use plastic storage bins: “;I find the 33-gallon Tupperware-type bins are best, everything fits.”;

Though a tree adorned in one color is stylish and stunning, Edgar is not oblivious to the sentiment and tradition that goes into trees trimmed in a hodge podge way.

“;People ask me, 'But Ruthie, don't you let the children do the decorating?' Well, they do have their own Christmas tree to decorate,”; said Edgar. Each child is assigned his own 2-foot artificial tree and they are all placed in a section of the house they can call their own. She bought them, of course, at a great price. “;They cost about $1 to $2 each after Christmas—the green ones are the cheapest.

“;One year they wanted a Pokemon tree, I said, 'Go ahead.' Another year, one of them wanted a popcorn tree, I said, 'Go ahead and put popcorn.'

“;It's all about the kids and the fun,”; said Edgar. “;But they know, don't touch Auntie Ruthie's Christmas tree.”;