How do you decorate a Christmas tree? Fluff and shape the branches first, then add lights (weave them from the trunk out along each branch), then garland or ribbon, then ornaments from largest to smallest, then picks and fillers, and finish with the tree topper and a tree skirt or collar. Pick a color scheme of two or three colors before you start, and tuck some ornaments deep into the branches, not only on the tips, so the tree looks full and lit from within.
Below: the correct order to decorate a Christmas tree, how many lights and ornaments you need, Christmas tree color schemes and themes, ribbon ideas, and the mistakes designers avoid.
How to Decorate a Christmas Tree Step by Step
- Place and shape the tree. Choose a spot near an outlet and away from heat; the National Fire Protection Association recommends keeping a tree at least 3 feet from fireplaces, radiators, candles and heat vents. For an artificial tree, fluff every branch tip by separating the stems up, out and to the sides, starting at the bottom and working up. For a real tree, cut a fresh inch off the trunk and water it daily.
- Add the lights. Start at the base near the trunk and weave the string out along a branch and back in, moving up the tree. Lights near the trunk make the tree glow from inside; lights only on the tips look flat.
- Add garland or ribbon. Bead garland drapes in loose swags; wired ribbon can run in horizontal swags or vertical cascades (more below).
- Hang the largest ornaments first, spaced evenly and set back into the tree, then fill with medium ornaments, then small ones. Hang a few in the gaps near the trunk to add depth.
- Add picks and fillers. Glitter sprays, berries, florals, pinecone picks or dried stems fill holes. To get picks to stay, twist the wire stem around a branch and tuck it deep so only the top shows.
- Finish with the topper and skirt. Some decorators place the topper first so they don't knock off ornaments reaching up later. A tree skirt, basket or tree collar hides the stand.
How Many Lights and Ornaments Do You Need?
| Tree height | Lights (approx.) | Ornaments (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 300 to 400 | 40 to 80 |
| 6 ft | 500 to 700 | 60 to 120 |
| 7.5 ft | 700 to 900 | 75 to 150 |
| 9 ft | 900 to 1,100 | 90 to 180 |
| 12 ft | 1,200 or more | 120 to 240 |
A common rule of thumb is about 100 mini lights per foot of tree height for a full look, and roughly 10 to 20 ornaments per foot depending on how full you like it. Wide trees need more; slim and pencil trees need less.
What size ornaments for a 12 ft tree? Scale up. On a 12-foot tree, use plenty of large ornaments of about 4 to 6 inches or more so they read from across the room, and mix them with 3-inch ornaments. On a tabletop or 4-foot tree, 2- to 3-inch ornaments look in proportion.
Christmas Tree Color Schemes
The easiest way to make a tree look designed is to choose two or three colors (plus a metallic) and repeat them. Popular color combinations:
- Classic red, green and gold: traditional and warm, with plaid ribbon or velvet bows.
- White and silver: a winter wonderland tree with clear glass, mercury glass and white lights.
- Gold and champagne: soft and elegant, with warm white lights and cream ribbon.
- Blue and silver: crisp and cool; pairs with white or navy rooms.
- Pink and gold: playful and pretty, from blush to hot pink.
- Burgundy and deep green: moody and rich, good with dark wood and brass.
- Natural: wood beads, dried orange slices, paper stars, felt and pinecones in browns and creams.
- Black and gold or monochrome green: modern and graphic.
What is the best color combination for Christmas lights? Warm white is the most versatile and works with every color scheme. Multicolor lights give a nostalgic, family look. Cool white suits silver and blue trees. Avoid mixing warm and cool white strings on the same tree.
Christmas Tree Themes and Decorating Ideas
- Vintage and retro: glass ornaments, bubble lights, tinsel and family heirlooms.
- Scandinavian: a sparse tree with wood, straw and white ornaments and paper stars.
- Farmhouse: buffalo-check ribbon, burlap, wood bead garland and galvanized metal.
- Ribbon-happy tree: wide ribbon cascading from top to bottom, with a big bow as the topper.
- Glowing glass tree: clear, iridescent and mercury glass ornaments that catch the light.
- Woodland: pinecones, birds, mushrooms, berries and moss.
- Maximalist: mix colors, patterns and collected ornaments, but keep it full and layered. See our maximalist decor guide.
- Less is more: a slim tree, warm white lights and one type of ornament.
- Family tree: handmade, kids' and travel ornaments with a simple ribbon to tie it together.
- Christmas village tree: a small village or train set at the base.
- Tall and skinny tree: great for small rooms; decorate in vertical ribbon lines.
- Nature-inspired tree: dried hydrangeas, eucalyptus picks and dried citrus.
Christmas Tree Ribbon Ideas
- What kind of ribbon: wired ribbon, about 2.5 to 4 inches wide, holds its shape. Velvet, plaid, linen, satin and metallic all work; two coordinating ribbons layered together look full.
- Vertical or horizontal? Both are correct. Vertical cascades from the top look modern and make a tree look taller; horizontal swags wrapping around the tree look traditional.
- Tuck, don't wrap tightly: push the ribbon into the branches every 8 to 12 inches and let it puff out between.
- Bows: add small bows on branch tips or one big bow as a tree topper.
How to Choose and Buy Christmas Ornaments
- Start with what you have. Sort your existing Christmas ornaments by color and choose a palette that uses most of them, then buy only what fills the gaps.
- Buy "filler" ornaments in bulk. A trick many interior designers use: buy simple ball ornaments in one or two colors in three sizes, in matte, shiny and glitter finishes. They do most of the work.
- Add a few statement pieces. Large or unusual shapes such as glass birds, finials, stars or heirlooms, placed at eye level.
- Take inspiration from the room. Pull one tree color from your pillows, rug or walls so the tree looks like it belongs.
- Choose shatterproof for the lower branches if you have kids or pets.
What Not to Do When Decorating a Christmas Tree
- Adding lights after ornaments: it's harder and you'll knock things off.
- Hanging every ornament on the tips: the tree looks flat and branches droop.
- Skipping the fluffing: artificial trees look sparse without it.
- Too many colors: more than three or four colors can look busy unless it's a deliberate maximalist tree.
- Too-small ornaments on a big tree: they disappear. Scale up.
- Ignoring safety: keep the tree away from heat, check light strings for damage, don't overload outlets and turn lights off when you leave the house or go to bed.
Where to Put the Christmas Tree
Place the tree where it can be seen from the entry or the main seating area: a corner, in front of a window, or beside the fireplace (at a safe distance). Move a chair or side table rather than crowding the walkway; leave about 30 to 36 inches to walk past. Our living room layout guide covers clearances, and our mantel decor ideas show how to style the mantel to match the tree. For decorating the rest of the house, see our Christmas decorating ideas.
Christmas Tree Decorating FAQ
What is the correct order to decorate a Christmas tree?
Shape the branches, then lights, garland or ribbon, large ornaments, medium and small ornaments, picks and fillers, the topper and finally the tree skirt or collar.
How do you decorate a Christmas tree like a designer?
Limit the palette to two or three colors, repeat each element in groups across the tree, layer textures (glass, matte, glitter, ribbon), place ornaments deep as well as on the tips, use more lights than you think, and add picks to fill gaps.
What are baubles made of?
Traditional baubles are blown glass. Today they are also made of shatterproof plastic (good for homes with kids and pets), ceramic, metal, wood, felt and paper.
What tree represents Christmas?
The evergreen, usually a fir, spruce or pine. In the US, Fraser fir, Douglas fir and balsam fir are among the most popular real Christmas trees.
How do you shape up a Christmas tree?
Work from the bottom up and from the inside out: spread each branch, then separate the tips in a fan shape up, out and to the sides. Shape the top section last and fill visible gaps by angling neighboring branches.
When should you take the Christmas tree down?
Most people take it down in the first week of January. After that, keep plain greenery and candles for winter decorating.