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Whether you fit into a rustic aesthetic, a modern aesthetic or somewhere in the middle, we've got the perfect Christmas tree decoration ideas for you
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It’s time to deck the halls and rock around the Christmas tree! But wait: We’re not talking about any old Christmas tree. This year, it’s time to step up your decorating game with these Christmas tree ideas—after all, that’s what Christmas is all about.
The best thing about Christmas tree decorating is that it can easily become one of your family’s Christmas traditions. From ornaments and decorations to fun Christmas crafts for kids, we’ve got dozens of Christmas tree decoration ideas on this list, so you’re sure to find one (or more!) that’s perfect for your home.
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In addition to classic gold ball ornaments, some more creative shapes, such as stars and snowflakes, bring visual interest to this Christmas tree decorating idea.
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You’ll be seeing red (in the best way possible) with this Christmas tree design that makes the most of one of the big Christmas colors. Enhance your red ornaments with red holly berries for a rustic effect.
This is one of those Christmas tree ideas that will transport you to a winter wonderland. Get inspired by the outdoors with this white colorway featuring a silver tree, white ornaments and white bows.
Have yourself a very vintage Christmas with this fun Christmas tree design. Throw in some handmade vintage-style ornaments to complete the fun throwback style.
Sometimes the best presents really do come in the smallest of packages. Place a mini Christmas tree as a centerpiece to spruce up your Christmas tablescape—and don’t forget the Christmas tree topper!
Use a white Christmas tree and blue, gray and white ornaments to recreate this glacial effect.
Take a walk on the wild side with this Christmas tree design. The trick is for no two ornaments to be exactly the same shape. Grab diamond-shaped ornaments and star-shaped ornaments and get to decorating!
Pay homage to Charlie Brown’s adorable Christmas tree with this decoration idea, arguably from one of the best Christmas movies of all time. Put some Peanuts ornaments on the tree for bonus fun.
Use Christmas bows in addition to ornaments for holiday decorating this year. While some people decorate well in advance of the big day, others might turn tree-trimming into a Christmas Eve tradition the whole family will love.
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Let it snow! Bring the magic of a winter wonderland into your living room by spraying fake snow onto the branches of your tree.
Intersperse some faux roses, leaves and other flowers to bring in some springtime.
Take your Christmas tree below deck this year by adding blue ornaments, fish, starfish and other sea-themed ornaments for the ultimate tropical take.
This Christmas tree idea puts the “blue” in blue spruce. Intersperse with gray ornaments so the blue can really pop. “Blue Christmas” is also one of the best Christmas songs that you should add to your playlist.
In need of some celebratory Christmas tree ideas? Try this one on for size. Throw some party streamers onto your tree for an instantly festive mood.
Simple shapes and ornaments in a rainbow of colors. Need we say more?
Committing to a color palette is a shortcut to making your tree look pulled together. Pick two main colors and one accent for all your Christmas decoration ideas. You could go with blue and pink, as seen above, and select color-coordinated ornaments to decorate with.
Create a secret Christmas garden by including ornaments and decorations in the shapes of flowers, butterflies and even colored pine cones.
Purple everything (including the ornaments) is the way to achieve this Christmas tree idea.
A few black ornaments mixed in with red, gold and silver, along with some holly berries tucked in, make for a tree that’s classic and refined.
Rose-gold ornaments get a cheery lift when mixed with peacock-blue ones, as seen in this Christmas tree look.
Show off your patriotic side with these red, white and blue ornaments.
Roses are pink, violets are blue … and adding some pink roses and bows to your tree design is sure to be sweet!
Create a show-stopping centerpiece with a bubblegum-pink tree this year.
Take a simple yet sophisticated route this holiday season by recreating these geometric origami ornaments and using a wooden crate as a potter.
This is for all of you book lovers out there! Stack books and top with a paper star for a truly literary celebration.
Take some pine cones from your backyard and artfully stick them into your Christmas tree among silver frosted ornaments.
Sometimes, it’s best to go with what you know. Nothing says Christmas morning like red and gold ornaments, bows and accents.
This simple Christmas tree uses white paper lanterns in place of ornaments, for a playful look.
For this monochromatic tree, glittery silver feathers and leaves represent the peak of wintry sophistication and whimsy.
This Christmas tree idea brings a touch of calmness to an otherwise hectic season. White dove ornaments are offset by large gold and rose-gold metallic balls.
Bedeck your tree with miniature birdhouses, owl ornaments and clusters of ball ornaments in a fresh pastel color palette.
This is for all those modern artists out there. Because really, anything can be a Christmas tree. Grab your tools and get to work!
This different take on the pink color palette is whimsical and fun. Be sure to feature ornaments of all different shapes and sizes, and tie it up with ribbons.
This Christmas tree decorated in pastel hues looks fit for a princess. It’s so decadent! Get started with a selection of pastel ornaments.
If you look closely, you can see some feathered friends roosting in the branches of this tall tree.
You can’t go wrong with tradition when it comes to holiday decorating. Golden snowflakes look lovely dotted between red and white ornaments.
This tree decoration idea takes advantage of faux snow and pastel colors to brighten the room.
This lush look uses real-wood ornaments to highlight the rustic accents.
Bring the full spectrum of holiday cheer to your Christmas tree this year with a rainbow Christmas tree—we’re talking ROYGBIV.
This pre-lit white Christmas tree will have you pulsing with excitement—and bright lights!
If Halloween and Christmas had a baby, it would be this tree. Get a black tree and some Halloween ornaments to complete the spooky seasonal look.
All that glitters isn’t always gold, but this Christmas tree is. Get a gold Christmas tree and accent it with blue and white ornaments.
String a red tree with lights and you’ll create a dramatic look before you even add ornaments.
Christmas season is the perfect time to get personal. Add your family’s names to this wooden Christmas tree and display it as is, or use it as a tree topper.
Another Christmas tree aesthetic, but this time using sticks and twigs scavenged from your own backyard. Grab some small ornaments for a simple but sweet design.
This Christmas tree keeps it neutral with glowing lights and tone-on-tone ornaments.
When it comes to decorating a tree, half the battle is picking out the perfect tree. This year, consider a fuller, wider tree to achieve this decorating idea. Add a nutcracker to the mantel to enhance the traditional Christmas atmosphere.
Nothing says sophistication like a tree fully trimmed in white.
Show off your Christmas spirit by decorating your tree with the ultimate Christmas flower this year—the poinsettia.
We can’t confirm that Santa sees us when we’re sleeping and knows when we’re awake—but this tree certainly does, with those googly eyes!
Create a fashionably rustic aesthetic by transforming stalks of wheat into a Christmas tree.
This Christmas tree decoration idea uses shades of brown, taupe and gold to create a calming but festive look. Those neutral Christmas ornaments really bring the look together.
Add some intergalactic charm with iridescent moon, star and globe ornaments.
The more bows, the merrier! Stick these Christmas bows traditionally used for wrapping presents on your tree for a fun surprise.
All you need to create this bubbly and fun idea? Balloons and creativity!
Bedeck your tree with real houseplants for a look that shows off your green thumb.
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You’ll certainly be rockin’ around the Christmas tree with these fun gold disco ball ornaments and matching decorations. It’s definitely one of the groovier Christmas tree ideas on the list!
DIY a tree with your seashell collection, or buy one premade. Either way, it’s a shore thing.
A ribbon garland is the perfect way to complete a sophisticated Christmas tree. Swirl it over lights for a magical glow.
Make Frosty the center of your holiday celebration by designing your tree to look like a snowman—or simply buy a premade snowman tree to skip the hassle.
Kid will love decorating their tree with their toy trucks and wrenches. Swap out tinsel garland for yellow caution tape and a tape measure.
Let the sea inspire your next Christmas tree design. Sprinkle coastal decor throughout your tree’s branches, including mini anchors and maritime flags.
Give your real or artificial spruce a winter-inspired upgrade with snowflake ornaments. If you’re feeling crafty, DIY your own paper snowflakes to feature throughout.
Gold and pink make a gorgeous combination, especially when using them in your Christmas tree decorations. Wrap all your gifts in pink paper and place them under the tree for an extra “pretty in pink” aesthetic.
Your spruce will make an elegant statement decorated with white and glittery poinsettias. Use a range of sizes, and feature white and gold ornaments throughout.
This Christmas tree idea is simple, yet offers a stylish and rustic vibe that’ll make tree decorating fun! Along with adding a wooden bead garland, find wooden ornaments as well, like a wood bead snowman (which you can DIY on your own too!).
If you don’t have one already, a Polaroid is a practical and cool gift for teens, tweens, adults and everyone alike (including you!). Take photos of family, friends and loved ones to feature in-between your branches. Use a hole punch and ribbons to turn your photos into mini ornaments for hanging!
A silver tinsel tree with vintage ornaments and an antique angel tree topper will make a great addition to your retro Christmas decor. If you find the idea too old-school for your living room spruce, consider purchasing a mini one to decorate.
If you love bright colors, especially a vibrant shade of red, then you’ll enjoy decorating your greenery with red ornaments. Opt for accessories that replicate red Christmas candy, like candy canes and Starlight Mints.
Not purchasing a Christmas tree this year? Consider stacking your presents into the shape of a classic holiday spruce. Make sure every box has a ribbon or star on the front to imitate ornaments.
Guests won’t expect to see an upside-down Christmas tree in the living room or dining space. It’s a unique way for you to embrace the holiday tradition. You’ll have to drill or screw hooks into your ceiling before flipping the tree upside down for hanging.
If tennis is your favorite sport, make that your Christmas tree theme. Choose a color, in this case blue, and decorate your spruce with mini tennis rackets, tennis balls and medals.
Use shiny green fabric to DIY a mini “Christmas tree.” Embellish the “branches” with small gold, brown and silver baubles. Then hot-glue a mini star to the top.
On a budget and looking to save money on Christmas ornaments? Well, dried orange slices are budget-friendly and will add beauty and fragrance to your spruce. Gather pine cones from the backyard to use as ornaments, along with cinnamon sticks too!
Kids love LEGO, but we know some adults do too! Luckily, LEGO has a Christmas tree building kit where you can build your very own holiday spruce. It will make a fun Christmas activity to do with the littles ones. Plus, it can be taken down to rebuild year after year.
Downswept Christmas trees are graceful, and when flocked with realistic snow, you’ll truly feel as if you’ve entered a wintry forest. It’s one of the best Christmas tree decoration ideas for the holiday season. Plus, finding one that comes with lights, or adding your own, will give your space that warm and Christmasy glow.
Gather reclaimed wood planks, paint them green and then attach them to the wall in the shape of a Christmas tree. When done, decorate your new “tree” with flat wooden Christmas ornaments and lights.
Here’s another Christmas tree idea that involves wood planks. Stack and arrange the boards in the shape of a tree. Hammer nails into each board to hang ornaments.
Get creative with your Christmas tree idea and create a homemade alternative. Attach a large white cardboard sheet to the wall. Hot-glue fir branches in the shape of a tree to the board before decorating them with your desired ornaments. Hot-glue a paper star to the top, and voilà, you have your Christmas tree.
Additional reporting by Kelly Kuehn.
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