Draw Merry Christmas Illustration

Start by creating a new file (File>New), having 800x300 and 100 dpi.

Apply now the Rectangle Tool (U) to represent the background of the picture to be next:

Set the next parameters for the layer by making a mouse click on the processed layer on the layers' panel:

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Next we have to choose the Custom Shape Tool (U) to represent several snowflakes of different sizes and white color.

The snowflakes' layers should have the next parameters indicated: Fill 50%

Blending Options>Stroke

Try to represent now a Christmas special toy decoration, using the Ellipse Tool (U) for drawing the primary layer of the fir tree's decoration.

The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Outer Glow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Applying the same tool, it's possible to make three more decorations of different colors.

The parameter Blending Options>Outer Glow is the same for all decorations (the same with the red toy decoration)

1. The parameters for the blue ball decoration: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

2. The parameters for the yellow ball decoration: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

3. The parameters for the violet ball decoration: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Next we have to represent the top part of the fir tree's toy decoration, selecting for this operation the Rectangle Tool (U) and correcting its shape with the Convert Point Tool.

The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Outer Glow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Make three copies of the last represented layer and choose Free Transform option to make smaller the necessary copies and place them above the fir tree's decorations:

Now we have to represent the thread the decorations hang up with. It's necessary in this case to select the Line Tool (U). The threads' layers should be placed lower than the layers containing the toy decorations. Select also the next color for the threads: #7B7B7B

Begin paining the fir tree's toys. On the next layer we'll apply the Pen Tool (P) and the Convert Point Tool for making necessary corrections on the elements' shapes:

The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters:

Using the last chosen method and the same parameters, it's necessary to represent another ornament, having the fir tree's shape:

Take the same Pen Tool (P) to represent another fir tree's ornament on the decoration, by representing firstly the ornaments outside edges and only after that using the tool's regime.

Cut out the inside part of the fir tree's ornament:

The layer's parameters: Blending Options>Drop Shadow

Blending Options>Gradient Overlay

Gradient's parameters: