6.5 Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

Table of Contents

CHRISTMAS TREE TOPPERS

ORNAMENTS

RIBBONS & GARLANDS

PICKS & SPRAYS

TREE SKIRTS, COLLARS, & STANDS

Elegant Christmas tree decorations set up in the corner of a white room

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.

a star beaded tree topper and a gold angel tree topper

FEATURED: STAR BEADED TREE TOPPER & GOLD ANGEL TREE TOPPER

TYPES OF TOPPERS

Stars Ranging from the 5-pointed star to the 3-dimensional Moravian design with 26 points	Bows Lightweight tree toppers made of decorative ribbons
Figurines Including angels, Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, and other classic holiday characters	Others Sunbursts, snowflakes, finials, and more
Bouquets An 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.

HOW MANY ORNAMENTS DO I NEED?

There's no hard rule when it comes to number of ornaments. You might prefer a minimalist look, while others love to mix and match assorted pieces. Here's a rough guide based on tree size to give you an idea.

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

gold and champagne ribbons on a Christmas tree and gold jeweled garlands draped on a sparse tree

FEATURED: GOLD AND CHAMPAGNE CHRISTMAS TREE RIBBON & JEWELED TREE GARLAND

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.

HOW MUCH RIBBON OR GARLAND DO I NEED?

The amount of ribbon depends on the tree's width and your technique. Start with 3 yards of ribbon per foot of tree. This means you need around 22.5 yards of ribbon for a standard 7.5-foot Christmas tree. Adjust the length based on how you drape or cascade the ribbon.

Tree Height	Ribbon Length
6.5 feet	19.5 yards
7.5 feet	22.5 yards
9-10 feet	27 - 30 yards

Watch this video for more tips on decorating with ribbon:

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

metallic magnolia picks and blue berry picks on a Christmas tree

FEATURED: METALLIC MAGNOLIA PICKS & FROZEN BERRY PICKS

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

beaded tree skirts in silver, burgundy, and gold and faux fur tree skirts in ivory, stone, and smoke colors

FEATURED: ELIZABETH BEADED TREE SKIRT & LODGE FAUX FUR TREE SKIRT

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

a Christmas red tree collar and a wooden barrel tree collar

FEATURED: CHRISTMAS RED TREE COLLAR & WOODEN BARREL TREE COLLAR

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

Balsam Hill glittering snow tree stand

FEATURED: GLITTERING SNOW TREE STAND

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.

SHOP CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS