The Holiday Collection
The short answer: To decorate a Christmas tree, work from the inside out in this order: fluff the branches, string the lights, add the topper, drape garland or ribbon, hang your largest ornaments, fill gaps with smaller ones and finish with the tree skirt. Pick a theme or two-color palette first, and set your decor budget before you shop.
Our picks for how to decorate a christmas tree
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I love the seasons and the little rituals a family repeats every year, and trimming the tree is one of the best. Plan the date, the decor budget and any new pieces on the Holiday Calendar and Holiday Budget pages of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99), so it stays fun instead of turning into a last-minute store run.
How to decorate a Christmas tree in 8 steps
- Set up and fluff. Place the tree, level it and fluff every branch outward, working from the bottom up. On an artificial tree, this is the step that matters most.
- Test the lights. Plug in every strand before it goes on the tree and set aside any with broken bulbs or frayed wires.
- String the lights. Start at the bottom near the outlet and weave in and out along each branch, from the trunk to the tip.
- Add the topper. Place the star or bow now, while nothing can get knocked off the top branches.
- Drape garland or ribbon. Swag bead garland loosely, or tuck ribbon in waves from top to bottom.
- Hang large ornaments. Space them evenly and set some deep in the branches for depth.
- Fill with small ornaments and picks. Use clusters of three to fill gaps and add sparkle near the lights.
- Finish with the skirt. Add a tree skirt or collar, then step back and fill any bare spots.
How many lights and ornaments you need
These are common decorator rules of thumb, not hard rules. Adjust them for how bright and full you like your tree.
| Tree height | Mini lights (about 100 per foot) | Ornaments (10 to 15 per foot) | Garland or ribbon |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 400 | 40 to 60 | 3 to 4 rolls |
| 6 ft | 600 | 60 to 90 | 5 to 6 rolls |
| 7 ft | 700 | 70 to 105 | 6 to 7 rolls |
| 9 ft | 900 | 90 to 135 | 8 to 9 rolls |
Christmas tree theme ideas
A theme makes a tree look finished, even when the ornaments came from five different stores.
- Classic red and gold: red balls, gold ribbon and warm white lights.
- Winter white: white, silver and clear glass with cool white lights.
- Rustic farmhouse: plaid ribbon, wood beads, burlap and pinecones.
- Scandinavian: wood, straw stars and simple white ornaments on a sparse tree.
- Candy cane: red and white stripes, peppermint picks and a big bow.
- Memory tree: handmade ornaments, saved cards and keepsakes from milestones.
- Jewel tones: emerald, sapphire and plum ornaments with gold accents.
I love giving and receiving cards, and I keep them. A memory tree is a lovely way to bring keepsakes out once a year. Clip a favorite card or a handmade ornament to the front, where people will see it.
Christmas tree safety tips
Lights and heat cause most tree trouble. According to NFPA's winter holiday fire safety page, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 40% of home Christmas tree fires. A heat source too close to the tree started nearly one in four.
The CPSC holiday safety center suggests a few simple habits:
- Water a live tree every day so the needles stay green and do not dry out.
- Look for a "fire resistant" label when you buy an artificial tree.
- Never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights.
- Keep the tree away from fireplaces, heaters and lit candles.
- Turn off tree lights when you go to bed or leave the house.
Decorate a Christmas tree on a budget
- Shop your own bins first and list what you already own.
- Pick one theme so every new piece has a job.
- Use ribbon, which covers more space per dollar than ornaments do.
- Add natural fillers like pinecones and dried orange slices.
- Buy decor on clearance after Christmas for next year.
Plan your tree and holiday decor in one place
The Christmas Budget & Gift Planner ($4.99) puts your decor budget, Holiday Calendar and Holiday To-Do Timeline on one page, so tree day lands on the calendar with everything else. Want to pay for next year's decor ahead of time? The Holiday Season Bundle ($15.99) adds the Sinking Funds Tracker and the Cleaning Schedule for the big pre-holiday tidy. Browse every holiday printable or save with our bundles.
Our free Holiday Budget Starter Kit is three US Letter pages we email you after you join our list. For a handmade element on the tree, choose a few DIY ornaments that fit your colors and available supplies.
See also
- How to organize Christmas decorations
- How much does a Christmas tree cost?
- Christmas activities for the whole season
- Christmas planning checklist
Wondering how many strands you need or whether LED is worth it? Our Christmas lights guide covers ideas, costs and safety.
Still choosing the finishing touch? Browse 30 Christmas tree topper ideas, with a size chart by tree height.
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Planning the whole season? See the holiday sets from $7, with early prices through Cyber Monday
Frequently asked questions
How do you decorate a Christmas tree step by step? To decorate a Christmas tree, fluff the branches, add the lights, place the topper, drape garland or ribbon, hang large ornaments, fill gaps with small ornaments and picks, and finish with a tree skirt. Working in that order keeps you from knocking off ornaments while you string lights.
Do lights or ornaments go on a Christmas tree first? Lights always go on a Christmas tree first, before garland and ornaments. Wrapping lights deep along each branch is much easier on a bare tree, and you can test every strand before anything else covers it.
How many lights do I need for my Christmas tree? A common rule of thumb is about 100 mini lights per vertical foot of tree, so a 7-foot tree takes roughly 700. Use more if you like a bright, glowing look and fewer for a soft one. Writing the count on the Holiday Budget page of the Christmas Budget & Gift Planner keeps the light budget from creeping.
How many ornaments does a Christmas tree need? Many decorators plan about 10 to 15 ornaments per foot of tree for a full look, so a 7-foot tree uses about 70 to 100. Mix three sizes, and put the biggest ornaments deeper in the branches so the tree looks layered rather than flat.
What is the easiest Christmas tree theme for beginners? The easiest Christmas tree theme is a two-color palette, such as red and gold or white and silver, using ornaments you already own. Two colors look intentional, hide mismatched pieces and make next year's shopping list short.
How do you decorate a Christmas tree on a budget? To decorate a Christmas tree on a budget, shop your existing bins first, set one decor number, and fill gaps with ribbon, pinecones, paper chains or dried orange slices. The Holiday Season Bundle's Sinking Funds Tracker lets you save a little each month so next year's decor is already paid for.
How do you keep a Christmas tree safe? Keep a Christmas tree safe by watering a live tree daily, placing it away from heaters, fireplaces and candles, and checking every light strand for damage. The CPSC also advises using a 'fire resistant' artificial tree and never connecting more than three strands of incandescent lights.
When should you take down Christmas tree decorations? Take down a live Christmas tree soon after the holidays, before it dries out. NFPA reports that 35% of home Christmas tree fires happen in January, so a dry tree should not stay up for weeks into the new year.
How do you make a Christmas tree look fuller? Make a Christmas tree look fuller by fluffing every branch tip outward, tucking ribbon or garland into the gaps, and hanging some ornaments deep near the trunk. Floral picks and clusters of three matching ornaments also fill bare spots quickly.
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Sources
- NFPA: Winter holiday fire safety nfpa.org
- CPSC: Holiday safety cpsc.gov