Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas: 20 Looks by Theme and Color

Most trees get decorated the same way every year: lights, whatever ornaments are in the box, a star. This list gives you 20 looks you can copy, sorted by color and theme, with the numbers that make them work: how many lights, how many ornaments, how much ribbon and which layer goes on when.

Look through the white, gold, red and green, ribbon, slim, natural and kids' ideas, then use the counts below for your tree height. If space is tight, see our small apartment Christmas decor ideas, or carry the same palette across the room with a Christmas mantel.

Before you start: counts and order

These numbers are starting points. Buy a little extra of whatever you run short on, and trim down rather than up.

Tree height	Mini lights (about 100 per foot)	Ornaments (8 to 12 per foot)	Ribbon (about 5 to 6 feet per foot)
3 ft	300	24 to 36	15 to 18 ft
4 ft	400	32 to 48	20 to 24 ft
6 ft	600	48 to 72	30 to 36 ft
7.5 ft	750	60 to 90	38 to 45 ft
9 ft	900	72 to 108	45 to 54 ft

Light density changes the mood. About 75 lights per foot looks soft, 100 is the usual glow and 150 looks dense and bright. Slim trees can drop about a third from every column, and a very wide tree needs more. Read the box before linking sets, because each light string has a maximum number of sets that can safely connect end to end.

The order that avoids redoing work:

1. Fluff every branch tip, bottom row first.
2. Lights, starting near the trunk and working out to the tips.
3. Ribbon or garland.
4. Large ornaments, set deep near the trunk.
5. Medium ornaments, then small ones on the tips.
6. Picks and sprays in the gaps.
7. Topper.
8. Skirt or collar, if you did not set it before the lights.

Hang about a third of your ornaments inside the tree, near the trunk. It adds depth and hides the bare center.

1. Run champagne ribbon through a slim tree

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A slim tree by a window needs fewer colors, not smaller ones. This one has a gold star, pale gold ribbon looped through the branches, and white, gold and silver balls with a few white snowflakes, all under warm white lights. The branches carry a light snow dusting, so nothing competes.

For a 6-foot slim tree, use about 450 lights, 36 to 48 ornaments and 25 feet of ribbon. Loop the ribbon every 10 to 12 inches and tuck each end behind a branch. Keep ornaments off the bottom row so a skirt can sit cleanly.

2. Pair a white flocked tree with red and white

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A tall flocked tree takes red well. This one has bright red bows on white gift-shaped ornaments, glossy red balls, white and silver balls, red glitter flowers and red berry sprays, with warm white lights inside. A big mirror behind it doubles the effect.

For a 7.5-foot tree, plan on 750 lights and 60 to 90 ornaments. Use about two red ornaments for every three white ones so the white keeps winning. Put the berry sprays in last, one to a gap, so they read as accents.

3. Go all white, ivory and champagne

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For the soft version of a white tree, stay in one family. This flocked tree uses matte, shiny, glitter and ribbed balls in white, ivory, silver, champagne and pale blush, plus teardrops, snowflakes and frosted foliage. Variety of finish does the work that color would.

Use at least three finishes and three sizes, roughly 20 percent large, 50 percent medium and 30 percent small. Warm white lights keep the palette from turning gray. Wrap the gifts underneath in cream and gold ribbon so the base matches the tree.

4. Add gold, pinecones and leaf sprays

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Gold looks richer with something natural beside it. This flocked tree has shiny gold and champagne balls, a gold glitter ball with scrollwork, one long gold tassel, brown pinecones, gold leaf sprays and cream berry clusters.

Keep gold to two or three shades so it reads as a plan. Use 8 to 10 balls per foot, then add one pinecone or leaf spray every 10 inches or so. Hang the tassel where it can swing a little, near the front of a lower branch.

5. Mix red and gold on a green tree

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This is the warm, classic combination. The tree here holds shiny and matte gold balls, red glitter balls, red bows with gold edges, a cream ball patterned in red, gold and black, and a thin red metallic garland winding through.

Pick one red and one gold that look good together, then add a cream accent. For a 6-foot tree, 50 to 70 ornaments and about 8 red bows is enough. Space the bows in a zigzag from top to bottom so they do not line up in stripes.

6. Keep a classic red and green tree natural

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Red against green needs little else. This full tree carries red balls in several sizes, smaller ribbed and pointed red ornaments with gold detail, brown pinecones and a small gold bell. A glittery gold reindeer stands at the base.

Use three sizes of red ball, about 3 inches, 2.5 inches and 1.5 inches, and vary the finish between shiny and matte. Add one pinecone for every four balls. Put the biggest balls low and deep, with smaller ones climbing toward the top.

7. Wrap wide red mesh ribbon around the whole tree

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Mesh ribbon fills space fast. This lightly flocked tree has wide red mesh with silver stripes, one oversized red bow, smaller red bows, red balls, red gift-box ornaments and a gold star topper.

Use a 4- to 6-inch ribbon and about 6 feet per foot of tree. Start at the top and loop it down in soft swags, tucking it behind branches every 12 inches rather than wrapping a tight spiral. Add the oversized bow at the front, a third of the way down.

8. Dress the tree in velvet bows only

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Bows alone make a calm, soft tree. These white-flocked branches carry deep red velvet bows with long tails and nothing else. Velvet absorbs light, so the tree reads as one strong color.

For a 6-foot tree, 20 to 30 bows is a fuller start, per the usual guidance for medium bows. Use wire to attach each bow, and leave the tails long enough to droop 10 to 14 inches. Keep lights warm white and tucked deep so the bows catch the glow.

9. Cover a big tree in ivory satin bows

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Ivory bows suit a high-ceilinged room. This tall tree reaches nearly to the ceiling and is covered in ivory satin bows with long tails, with no other ornaments competing.

On a tree this tall, make bows from 2.5-inch wired ribbon with tails about 18 inches long, and plan roughly 40 for a 9-footer. Work from the top down and let tails overlap. Clear lights show up better than colored ones against pale satin.

10. Weave in buffalo check ribbon

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Plaid brings a farmhouse feel. This flocked tree has red and black buffalo-check ribbon looped through it, white and red balls, red, white and black striped balls, snow-dusted pinecones and a white openwork star.

Use a 2.5-inch ribbon and 5 to 6 feet per tree-foot. Run it in loose loops, then add stripes and solids so the plaid does not overpower. Keep the balls in the same three colors so the ribbon is the only pattern.

11. Keep a slim tree natural and woolly

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A slim tree with sparse branches works well with handmade pieces. This one has white bead garlands, red mitten ornaments, white knitted-looking ornaments, pale straw tassels and warm white lights. Next to it, a twine-tied bucket holds berry branches and pinecones.

For a 6-foot slim tree, 400 lights, about 30 ornaments and two bead strands of 9 feet each is plenty. Hang the mittens in the middle third where people stand and look. Leave a few open branches, since the sparse look is part of the effect.

12. Set a tabletop tree on a marble or wood surface

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A 2- to 3-foot tree can hold a full theme. This slim tabletop tree has faux snow tufts, three gold and three silver glitter balls, red berry clusters, pinecones and fine-wire lights. Two copper bows and a burlap-wrapped base finish it.

Six to eight large balls, 150 to 250 lights and one bold element, like the copper bows, are enough. Wrap the base in burlap or fabric and tie it with a bow. Keep the tree on a surface that handles a bit of heat from lights, and out of reach of pets.

13. Plant a small flocked tree in a basket

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A basket does the work of a skirt. This small flocked tree sits in a white woven basket with red bells with gold stars, gold and silver bead garlands and sheer ivory ribbon spiraling down.

Ten to twelve bells and about 12 feet of bead garland are enough for a 3-foot tree. Choose a basket 2 to 3 inches wider than the pot or stand, and fill gaps with crumpled paper. Sheer ribbon needs a wired edge to hold its loops.

14. Let kids make fabric ornaments

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Soft ornaments let kids hang their own without worry. This small tree has a red, gray and white plaid star topper, lace-edged red hearts, red and cream mushrooms, ribbon bows and a small plaid cupcake, all fabric.

Give each child 5 or 6 ornaments for the lower third. Use felt, wood or fabric on the bottom 2 feet, and save glass for above arm height. Add a hook or loop to every piece. For a bigger tree, see more tree ideas under Christmas trees.

15. String a dried orange garland

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Dried orange slices glow when warm lights sit behind them. This dense green tree carries an orange slice garland, red balls and pinecones.

To make your own, slice oranges about a quarter inch thick, pat dry and bake at 200 degrees F for 3 to 4 hours, flipping once, until dry to the touch. Thread 12 slices per 3 feet of twine. Hang on the tree within a week, since slices darken and soften.

16. Hang wooden and woodland ornaments

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Wood keeps a tree quiet. This tree has tan wooden mushrooms, acorns, pinecones, cream and tan bell shapes and a cream ball, with warm white lights.

Choose three materials and repeat them: wood, cream ceramic or paper, and one dark accent. For a 6-foot tree, 40 to 50 pieces is enough. Space pinecones evenly, one every 8 to 10 inches, and tie wooden ornaments on with cotton cord.

17. Try a pink and blush tree

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Pink can look polished when you add white and silver. This flocked tree has pink, blush, white and silver ornaments, large pale pink hearts, black scalloped balls, long silver icicles and pink-purple lights.

Keep pink to about half the ornaments and use black or silver to anchor it. Hang icicles from the tips, 15 to 20 on a 6-foot tree, and large hearts in the middle. Use pale pink ribbon through the branches rather than bows.

18. Mix blue and silver on a flocked tree

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Blue and silver feel crisp. This flocked tree has white and pale silver balls, a dark blue ball with silver stripes, sequined silver balls, starbursts, cream roses and pale blue flowers.

Use one deep blue for every four or five pale pieces so it reads as a single accent. Add 8 to 10 flowers for a 6-foot tree and place them around the middle. Warm white lights keep the blue from turning cold.

19. Stand the tree in a woven basket collar

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A collar tidies the bottom of the tree. This one stands in a large woven basket, with a smaller basket beside it holding red, white and silver balls.

Measure your stand and choose a basket about 4 inches wider. The extra ornaments do double duty as a storage and swap box during decorating. Pick ornaments from the basket as you go, and keep ornaments off the bottom 6 inches of the tree.

20. Top the tree with a woven star

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A topper sets the style before the first ornament goes on. This narrow tree wears a large twine-wrapped star trimmed with green needles and red berries, with white-dusted pinecones below.

Choose a topper about one-eighth the height of the tree, so 9 inches for a 6-foot tree. Attach it with florist wire to the top branch and the one below. If the topper is lit, fit it before the lights so the cord runs down the trunk. Tie on a pinecone below it to repeat the material.

Final tips

• Count lights and ornaments against your tree height before you shop, and hang about a third of ornaments deep inside.
• Use two or three main colors, and repeat each at least five times around the tree.
• Never leave lights on when you leave the house or go to bed, and check cords for damage each year.
• Keep fresh trees watered and away from heat sources, and replace any dry tree promptly.
• Carry the palette to the rest of the house with our Christmas ideas.