Christmas Tree Decorations: The Ultimate Guide
You found your perfect tree, and now it’s time to decorate it. Christmas tree decorations come in various styles, so start with a theme to narrow down your options. This guide covers common kinds of holiday décor and what to consider before purchase.
Christmas Tree Toppers
From shining stars to graceful angels, these classic symbols help keep the holiday tradition alive.
Types of Toppers
StarsRanging from the 5-pointed star to the 3-dimensional Moravian design with 26 points | BowsLightweight tree toppers made of decorative ribbons | |
FigurinesIncluding angels, Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and other classic holiday characters | OthersSunbursts, snowflakes, finials, and more | |
BouquetsAn arrangement of faux flowers, leaves, and berries |
What Size of Tree Topper Do I Need?
Consider the factors below to ensure your topper suits your Christmas tree.
Height of the Tree
Check that you have enough clearance for a topper. Allot at least 6 inches of space between the ceiling and the top of the tree topper.
Shape of the Tree
Choose a topper that complements the shape of your tree. Wide toppers like stars or angels are perfect for a full tree, while elongated ones work well on narrow trees.
Weight of the Tree Topper
Try to balance the topper in the palm of your hand. If it falls within 3 seconds, it might need additional support.
How Do I Attach My Tree Topper?
Tree toppers usually have a conical, spring, or spiral base. Insert the top branch of your tree into the base, and secure with green floral tape if needed.
Insider’s Tip
Balsam Hill® trees have a reinforced top branch tip to secure toppers and keep them upright. For extra support, use our tree topper stabilization kit.
Ornaments
Invest in basic globe ornaments and pair them with themed collections for easy decorating. We offer many Christmas tree ornaments to choose from, whether you’re looking for the classic red, green, and gold look, a winter wonderland theme, or something in between.
Kinds of Ornaments
| Globe Ornaments | Figurines | |
| Icicles | Snowflakes | |
| Finials | Heirlooms |
How Many Christmas Ornaments Do I Need?
There’s no hard rule when it comes to number of ornaments. Your style preference also comes into play when deciding the amount of ornaments for your tree. You might prefer a minimalist look, while others love to mix and match assorted pieces.
Through this Christmas ornament guide below, we combine all these factors to give you our recommended count. However, you might need to scale the resulting number up or down depending on the sizes or types of ornaments you’ll use. For reference, the table accounts for ornament sizes ranging from 4 inches to 8.75 inches long.
| Tree Height | Light Coverage | Heavy Coverage | Ornaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.5 feet | 70 pieces | 105 pieces | 4-8.75 inches |
| 7.5 feet | 105 pieces | 140 pieces | 4-8.75 inches |
| 9-10 feet | 175 pieces | 210 pieces | 4-8.75 inches |
Insider’s Tip
If you prefer heavier coverage, you’ll need more ornaments on full trees compared to narrow ones. Sparse trees with widely spaced branches are great for showcasing ornaments, while fuller trees provide more room for layering multiple sets.
Ribbons & Garlands
Christmas tree ribbons and garlands are an easy way to add texture to your display. Go for embroidered ribbons for a luxurious touch, beaded garlands for extra sparkle, or layered ribbons for a unique look.
What Is the Ideal Length of Ribbon for Christmas Trees?
When you decorate your tree with Christmas ribbons, your chosen style will affect the length of ribbon needed. A good starting point is to have at least 3 yards of ribbon per foot of tree. If you want to keep it simple, start at the top of your tree and wrap the ribbon around it in a downward spiral. The wider your tree, the longer the ribbon you’ll need. Here’s a rough guide based on tree size to give you an idea.
| Tree Height | Ribbon Length |
|---|---|
| 6.5 feet | 19.5 yards |
| 7.5 feet | 22.5 yards |
| 9-10 feet | 27 - 30 yards |
Insider’s Tip
Using wide ribbons adds a fuller look to narrow or slim Christmas trees, especially when hung in billows. For easier styling, opt for wired ribbons that hold their shape.
Picks & Sprays
Tree picks and sprays are offered in designs like florals, berries, leaves, and more. These versatile accents add color to your tree, and can also be used for decorating wreaths and garlands.
How Do I Use Picks and Sprays?
Use these to fill gaps in the tree and complement your ornaments. Simply tuck the stem into a branch and adjust the placement. Try layering floral picks with leaves or berries, or turn them into a DIY bouquet tree topper.
Insider’s Tip
Add as many picks as you need to get the desired look. Floral or leaf picks tend to be bigger than berry picks, providing more coverage. To make them stand out, spread out a few picks throughout the tree.
Tree Skirts, Collars, & Stands
To complete your theme, choose from a variety of Christmas tree skirts that cover the base of your tree. You may also want to explore Christmas tree collars or creative tree stands that give your display a different look.
Christmas Tree Skirts
Tree skirts began as a way to protect the floor from falling needles and wax drippings of traditional candlelit Christmas trees. Now, it hides the wires of your tree lights and creates a beautiful backdrop for presents.
What Size of Tree Skirt Should I Get?
Go for one that’s at least 6 inches bigger than the full width of your tree. Make sure that it covers the entire tree base. For more details, see the table below.
| Tree Width | Tree Skirt Size |
|---|---|
| 30-42 inches | 36-48 inches |
| 42-54 inches | 54-60 inches |
| 54-64 inches | 70-72 inches |
| 64-76 inches | 84 inches |
Christmas Tree Collars
Tree collars are conical cylinders that latch around the base of your tree. These offer more coverage than tree skirts, and are commonly made of metal, wood, or natural fibers.
What Size of Tree Collar Should I Get?
When buying a tree collar, check if it’s compatible with the height and pole diameter of your tree. Our small collars suit trees below 7 feet, while the large collars accommodate 7- to 11-feet tall Christmas trees.
Tree Stands
Unlike skirts and collars that cover your tree base, a decorative tree stand replaces it completely. This supports the weight of your tree and completes your theme.
What Size of Tree Stand Should I Get?
Choose one that accommodates the diameter of your tree pole, as well as any special features of the base. Note that tree stands add height to your tree.
Insider’s Tip
Looking for inspiration to help you get started on your picture-perfect tree?
Browse our blog for beautiful looks only from Balsam Hill.