23 Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas for a Festive Holiday

“I had a year-round Christmas tree with nothing but colored vinyl 45s hanging on it, like, old Elvis records and stuff.”- John Prine

Your Christmas tree is the focal point and centerpiece of your home for the holiday season. There’s no right way of decorating your tree. What you should focus on is how you want your tree to look. Start by deciding where you want your tree to be. Maybe you want it in the family room, or perhaps you want multiple trees throughout your home.

Now comes the fun part, checking out Christmas tree ideas and deciding a theme and decorating style. You could make all of the ornaments for your tree. Or you could choose a single color for a monochromatic look. Perhaps you want the tree to reflect the rest of your home’s decor aesthetic. These Christmas tree decorating ideas will get you excited for the holiday season.

1. Put up an Oversized Star

Making a bold statement, an oversized star atop your Christmas tree creates a striking focal point. This larger-than-life addition anchors the tree’s design, drawing the eye upward and setting a grand, festive tone.

A decorated Christmas tree with a star topper and ornaments stands in a cozy room, nearby a table with a lamp and festive garland — Source: @desichittum via Instagram

A decorated Christmas tree with ornaments and lights next to two white chairs and a small frosted tree on a wicker stool — Source: @myhomeinlittlesquares77 via Instagram

2. Add Pops of Red

Intersperse vibrant red accents throughout your Christmas tree to inject a classic, yet dynamic flair. These bold red elements, whether in the form of baubles, ribbons, or flowers, infuse a sense of warmth and traditional holiday spirit into your space.

A decorated Christmas tree and stockings adorn a cozy living room with a TV on a white stand, rustic wooden walls, and stone fireplace — Source: @farmhousewithaltitude via Instagram

A decorated Christmas tree with ornaments and burlap garland stands in a living room with hardwood floors and a TV nearby — Source: @the_little_lynden_farmhouse via Instagram

A decorated Christmas tree with white and gold ornaments near a fireplace with stockings, a mirror, and festive decorations — Source: @pearl_stylin_rn via Instagram

A decorated Christmas tree with ornaments and lights stands in a cozy room, next to a TV displaying a nature scene — Source: @bethchicky via Instagram

3. Jazz it up With Muted Pastel Ornaments

Adorn your tree with muted pastel ornaments for a soft, contemporary look. This palette brings a calm, sophisticated air to your holiday decor, blending seamlessly with a variety of interior styles while maintaining a festive cheer.

A decorated Christmas tree with white lights and ribbons stands in a cozy living room with a wall quote in the background — Source: @mellorandco via Instagram

Cozy living room with a decorated Christmas tree, fireplace with stockings, and gifts; earth-toned decor and a plush chair — Source: @vintagesisterssk via Instagram

4. Stick to one Colored Ornament

Embrace simplicity and elegance by decorating your tree with ornaments of a single color. This monochromatic approach creates a cohesive, refined appearance, allowing the texture and shapes of the ornaments to take center stage.

A decorated Christmas tree with white ornaments, a small frosted tree, a candle, frames, and a faux fur rug on the floor — Source: @asher_c via Instagram

Snowy Christmas tree with white and silver decorations, including a star, house, and pom-poms; wall with tree pattern in background — Source: @greyhousetoahome via Instagram

5. Opt for a Winter Wonderland Theme

Transform your space into a serene winter wonderland. Adorn your tree with snowy whites, icy blues, and glittering accents to mimic the enchanting beauty of a frosty landscape, creating a tranquil and magical holiday setting.

A Christmas tree with white and silver decorations, surrounded by ornaments and a piano in the background — Source: @edelweiss.homes_ via Instagram

Cozy living room with a decorated Christmas tree, a "Merry Christmas" banner on a cabinet, and a TV displaying a movie — Source: @ashleymariehomes via Instagram

Elegant living room with a white and gold Christmas tree, decorated fireplace, sunburst mirror, and a small dog on the rug — Source: @saltgrassdecor via Instagram

A decorated Christmas tree with white and silver ornaments, warm lights, and a star topper; a small gift bag sits at its base — Source: @melaniejcurtis via Instagram

A Christmas tree adorned with lights, snowmen, and festive ornaments stands on a green and red tree skirt in a cozy room — Source: @mara.harvey via Instagram

Cozy kitchen with warm lighting seen through glass doors, snow-covered patio, and decorated Christmas tree with glowing lights

6. Rose Gold & Silver

Blend rose gold and silver ornaments for a trendy, sophisticated look. The warm hue of rose gold pairs beautifully with the cool sheen of silver, offering a chic and contemporary twist on traditional holiday decor.

Luxurious room with a decorated Christmas tree adorned with rose gold and silver ornaments — Source: @richstudio_foto via Instagram

7. Outdoor Christmas Tree With Lights

Elevate your outdoor space by setting up a Christmas tree adorned with weather-resistant lights. This creates a welcoming, festive atmosphere, turning your garden or patio into a charming holiday haven.

Snow-covered yard at night with illuminated Christmas tree and a lit deer figure, string lights adorn a wooden fence

8. Modern String Christmas Tree

For a minimalist, space-saving design, create a Christmas tree using only strings of lights. This contemporary concept is perfect for urban living, offering a unique and artistic take on traditional holiday decor.

Minimalist Christmas tree made of string lights with glowing bulbs and a star on top, set in a dimly lit room — Source: @annaahelen via Instagram

9. Balloon Christmas Tree

For a fun, unconventional approach, construct a Christmas tree out of balloons. This playful design is perfect for family-friendly spaces and adds a whimsical, festive touch to your holiday celebrations.

Balloon Christmas tree in red, green, and gold with a star topper — Source: @diy.party_ via Instagram

10. Modern Metal Bone Christmas Tree

Embrace industrial chic with a modern metal bone Christmas tree. This sleek design adds an avant-garde edge to your holiday decor, perfect for contemporary interiors seeking a bold statement piece.

A wireframe Christmas tree with star, wrapped in warm fairy lights, stands next to potted plants on a table — Source: @immitchbtw_ via Instagram

11. Paper Christmas Tree

Craft a unique, eco-friendly Christmas tree using recycled paper. This DIY approach allows for endless customization and adds a personal, artistic touch to your holiday decor.

A triangular Christmas tree with ornaments, large pinecones, presents, and a doll sits on the floor near a potted plant — Source: @preepsy via Instagram

A colorful Christmas tree decorated with various ornaments, ribbons, and a star on top, standing beside a wooden door — Source: @mariathony via Instagram

12. Wood Pallet Christmas Tree

Create a rustic, charming tree using wood pallets. This sustainable option brings a warm, natural element to your holiday decorations, perfect for a cozy, country-inspired home.

Wooden Christmas tree with red and blue ornaments and warm white lights, set in a dimly lit room with a curtain on the left — Source: @vongan_auag via Instagram

13. Creative Christmas Tree Stack

Stack different elements, like books, bottles, or even smaller trees, to form a creative Christmas tree. This innovative design allows for personalization and adds an unexpected twist to traditional holiday decor.

A Christmas tree made of stacked wine bottles, decorated with string lights, stands in a room with large windows — Source: @18_below via Instagram

A Christmas tree made of stacked books, decorated with red lights and star ornaments — Source: @anugummaraju via Instagram

14. Uniquely Shaped Tree

Break away from the norm by choosing a Christmas tree with a unique shape. Whether it’s spiral, slim, or irregularly branched, a distinctively shaped tree adds a modern, artistic touch to your festive display.

A mannequin draped in a dress made of Christmas tree foliage and ornaments, with a pink flower belt and veil — Source: @thesequinhanger via Instagram

A decorated Christmas tree with lights is in a cozy living room, surrounded by children's toys and a few books on a nearby shelf — Source: @harpianist via Instagram

15. Just Add Lights

For a minimalist approach, simply decorate your tree with lights. This understated style highlights the natural beauty of the tree and creates a warm, inviting glow, perfect for a serene holiday ambiance.

Spacious living room with a vaulted ceiling, Christmas tree, white sofa, dark armchairs, and a brick fireplace with a TV above — Source: @pleasant_hill_design via Instagram

16. Table Christmas Tree Ornament

Incorporate a small, decorative Christmas tree as a centerpiece on your table. This adds a festive touch to your dining area and is ideal for smaller spaces where a full-sized tree isn’t feasible.

Wooden Christmas tree decorations and a gnome figurine on a wooden table outside, with a brick wall and bushes in the background — Source: @annaaelmans_diy via Instagram

17. Use a Mini Christmas Tree

Place a mini Christmas tree in smaller rooms or as an additional decoration in larger spaces. These petite trees can be customized to fit various decor themes, offering a charming and space-efficient way to spread holiday cheer.

Miniature Christmas tree with colorful ornaments and snow on a ledge, set against a clear blue sky — Source: @misfit_ivi_kivi via Instagram

A small, decorated Christmas tree on a wooden table with framed photos, white ceramic houses, and a quote print — Source: @stagerroz via Instagram

18. Drift Wood Christmas Tree

Assemble a unique tree using driftwood pieces. This natural, beach-inspired design brings an organic, earthy element to your holiday decor, perfect for homes with a bohemian or coastal aesthetic.

A driftwood Christmas tree decorated with lights and ornaments stands near a wooden paddle and a window — Source: @moetaylorart via Instagram

Cozy room with a lit Christmas tree, a leather chair with a fur throw, and a dress form by a large window — Source: @potterybypetra via Instagram

19. Use a White Christmas Tree

Opt for a white Christmas tree for a sleek, modern look. This blank canvas allows for a wide range of decorating possibilities, from bold color schemes to monochromatic motifs.

White Christmas tree with silver and teal ornaments, brown feathers, and lights, placed near a decorative lamp and ornate dresser — Source: @sterling.interiors via Instagram

White Christmas tree decorated with rainbow-colored ornaments, with a small giraffe plush toy beside it — Source: @vpofdaydreaming via Instagram

20. Halloween-Themed Christmas Tree

Combine spooky Halloween elements with traditional Christmas decorations for an unconventional, playful tree. This fusion creates a unique, eye-catching display that’s sure to be a conversation starter.

A Halloween-themed tree decorated with witches' hats, googly eyes, skeletons, spiders, and pumpkins, with purple and green accents — Source: @x____b____x via Instagram

21. Rainbow-Themed Christmas Tree

Brighten your space with a rainbow-themed Christmas tree. Arrange colorful ornaments in a spectrum order for a vibrant, joyful display that celebrates diversity and brings a burst of color to the holiday season.

A small, colorful Christmas tree with multicolored pom-pom ornaments on a wooden base against a gray fabric background — Source: @pom_neon via Instagram

A rainbow Christmas tree decorated with silver baubles and colorful lights stands in a room with a "Merry Christmas" sign — Source: @rainbow_bizzle via Instagram

Festive Christmas room with decorated tree, wreath on wall, stockings over fireplace, and poinsettias on floor — Source: @sarahpcraig via Instagram

22. Colored Christmas Lights

Swap traditional white lights for colored ones to infuse your tree with lively energy. This simple change can dramatically alter the mood of your space, offering a fun, festive twist on classic holiday lighting.

A Christmas tree with white lights and various ornaments stands by a window, with a cozy chair and lantern nearby — Source: @our_nightingale_home via Instagram

A decorated Christmas tree with colorful lights, ornaments, and a star on top stands by large windows with reflections — Source: @the_green_lane_house via Instagram

Small Christmas tree with colorful lights and red decorations, set against a wooden wall — Source: @yesy777b via Instagram

23. Wall Christmas Tree

For those with limited space, create a Christmas tree on your wall using lights, garlands, or even wall decals. This space-saving solution brings holiday spirit into smaller homes without sacrificing floor space.

Minimalist Christmas tree made from branches, adorned with gold and silver ornaments, star shapes, and wooden decorations — Source: @dreaming.of_christmas via Instagram

Wall-mounted Christmas tree with colorful lights and ornaments, featuring four red stockings hanging at the bottom — Source: @fab_u_lysss via Instagram

Wall-mounted Christmas tree made of green garland, ornaments, and lights, shaped in a spiral with a star on top — Source: @himascreations via Instagram

Wall-mounted Christmas tree with colorful lights, topped with a star. Two stockings hang below on the wall — Source: @meilly11 via Instagram

Minimalist Christmas tree wall hanging made of sticks, adorned with lights, stars, and ornaments, forming the shape of a tree — Source: @merve.mestanlar via Instagram

FAQs

What are the things you put on a Christmas tree?

Technically, you can put anything you want on your Christmas tree. Traditionally, people put candles on them. However, this is a fire hazard. Instead, start with string lights. Tinsel is another traditional decorative item, but it’s dangerous to pets. Popular decorative items are garland and ornaments with a tree topper or angel.

How can I make my Christmas tree look nice?

Before you decorate your artificial tree, separate and fluff the branches. Wrap a tree skirt around your Christmas tree base to give the bottom a finished look and hide the stand. Use picks and garland to hide the holes that you find in the tree. Use a theme for your ornaments so that everything blends and complements each other.

How do you put lights on a Christmas tree like a pro?

Start by checking that all of the bulbs work. Begin adding lights at the top of the tree and work your way down and around the tree. Intertwine the lights so that they are both on the outside and towards the center of the tree. Aim to create even coverage throughout the tree.