We know it’s still a fair few weeks off, but December is on its merry way, which means it’ll soon be time to deck the house with every scrap of eco-friendly tinsel you can get your mitts on.
Every home has its own tree-decorating traditions. While the debate continues on real versus artificial trees and the most appropriate topper (a star for us, since you’re asking), there’s no question when it comes to baubles. They are as essential to the Christmas experience as stockings and arguing over Monopoly after lunch.
Fans of the festive period have likely collected a crateful of treasured baubles over the years, wrapped in tissue paper until it’s their moment to shine. While your favourites will always have a place on the tree, there’s nothing like adding a few more to the line-up to make you smile or reflect back on the last 12 months.
Department store heavyweights like John Lewis and Selfridges have thrown open the doors to their festive shop floors, with exciting Christmas themes to make you giddy. This year at John Lewis, you’ll find pick-and-mix stations with 32 baubles to choose from - choose six for £16. The store is also selling giant baubles to display artfully around the floor or outside, adding a supersized sense of fun to the season. While there are traditional stars and angels themes to coo over, we’re drawn to the novelty selection where an air fryer bauble has joined John Lewis’s line-up this year.
While some plastic is to be expected, many of the baubles are made from sustainable and durable materials: think beaded, cork, felt, metal, wood, rattan and resin. There are also glass and shatterproof styles for homes with clumsy residents.
Selfridges is also balancing traditional red, gold and green looks with novelty designs, and a number of luxury ornaments that may as well have Christmas family heirloom written all over them: think Waterford crystal and beautifully crafted Wedgwood porcelain pieces.
And that’s not even counting food, drink and beauty-packed baubles that are becoming more of a fixture with every passing year.
If you’re starting from scratch, you might want an all-in-one set to get you started or offer a foundation on which to hang the novelty and carefully crafted stars. For you, we’ve added some Christmas bauble sets so you’ll have everything you need for getting your fir tree dressed in festive finery.
Whether you’re looking to add a few new novelty baubles to your tree’s branches or you like the idea of starting a new holiday tradition with the kids, we’ve rounded up the most festive decorations below.
Shop the edit below
Wedgwood Our First Christmas 2023 porcelain ornament
From a British heritage brand, this beautifully crafted ornament from Wedgwood has been made from the finest porcelain and finished with signature blue details including a little plaque inscribed with the year. It’s the kind of thing your nana would love.
Find more Wedgwood Christmas ornaments here.
Buy now £55.00, Selfridges
John Lewis Christmas Cottage Holly Berry Onion Bauble, Multi
Proving that an elegant Christmas needn’t cost the earth.
Buy now £7.00, John Lewis
Anna + Nina Diamond Candy Cane paper-mache Christmas decoration 10cm
Turns out paper mache can be chic, especially at Christmas. Anna + Nina have tons of festive finds for adding a quirky edge to your celebrations - including a pegasus tree-topper that we would keep out all year long. See the range here.
Buy now £8.00, Selfridges
John Lewis Snowfield Scene Bauble
Tis the season to live in the London bubble.
Buy now £12.00, John Lewis
Liberty Christmas Mixed Roses Bauble
Baubles that look handpainted allow you to take the credit while tapping into a deliciously cosy vibe.
Buy now £12.95, Liberty
Fortnum’s Mini Hamper Christmas Decoration
A Fortnum’s hamper in any size gives a thrill, as proven by this dinky novelty ornament in the shape of an F&M wicker basket.
Buy now £21.95, F&M
F&M Glass Jewelled Egg Christmas Decoration, Red
Made from mouth-blown glass before being handpainted and studded with diamantes, it’s a story of opulence from start to finish.
Buy now £18.00, F&M
John Lewis Christmas Cottage Acorn Cluster Bauble
Of the six Christmas themes being triumphed over at John Lewis this year, the woodland look is the cutest. Riffing off cottagecore, these acorns instantly feel like a classic.
Buy now £8.00, John Lewis
Selfridges Bubble Gum glass Christmas decoration 6.5cm
Looking suspiciously like a roll of Hubba Bubba, this bauble will send 90s babies hurtling down memory lane.
Buy now £18.00, Selfridges
Anthropologie Decorative Ombre Disco Ball Christmas Tree Decoration, Medium
A disco ball belongs in every house, but especially at Christmastime.
Buy now £24.00, Anthropologie
Alessi Cubik Santa Christmas Tree Bauble
Alessi’s glass decoration may be square, but Santa just don’t care.
Buy now £20.00, John Lewis
Selfridges car and tree Christmas decoration 7cm
Alexa, play Chris Rea.
Buy now £16.00, Selfridges
Selfridges Negroni painted glass Christmas decoration 10cm
We’re all for Crimbo margs, but a negroni looks prettier on the tree.
Buy now £24.00, Selfridges
Liberty Glass Big Ben Ornament
For proud Londoners everywhere.
Buy now £9.95, Liberty
Anthropologie Dirty Martini Christmas Tree Decoration
Martinis: the filthier the better imo.
Buy now £18.00, Anthropologie
John Lewis Beyond Christmas Robot Snowglobe Bauble
Nod to our AI overlords with a bauble depicting their ancestor.
Buy now £8.00, John Lewis
Anthropologie Mini Assorted Glass Christmas Tree Decorations, Set of 12
For a Christmas tree with vintage leanings, look to Anthropologie. The store has sets of a dozen glass baubles in jewel tones, ready to add a stylish pop to your festive centrepiece.
Buy now £28.00, Anthropologie
M&S 12 Days of Christmas Glass Baubles
Celebrate the classic carol with a dozen hand-painted baubles, ready to lift your tired old collection.
Buy now £25.00, M&S
Anthropologie Bright and Shiny Assorted Glass Christmas Tree Decorations, Set of 6
Spherical baubles, who needs them? Anthropologie’s glass creations throw more interesting shapes than your uncle will after a few brandies.
Buy now £58.00, Anthropologie
Balsam Hill Icy Teardrop Bauble Set
It’s anyone’s guess if it will snow this year, but frosting is guaranteed with a set of icicle-themed baubles.
Buy now £79.00, Balsam Hill
Valery Madelyn 70pcs 3-9cm Shatterproof Christmas Baubles
With 70 ornaments to deck your tree, you’ll need little else.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Issy Granger Etched Glass Christmas Bauble
Here's your chance to support an independent business and bag a pretty bauble for the tree at the same time. Designed by Issy Granger and handblown by artisan craftsmen in Cairo, Egypt, this Borosilicate glass ornament features etched holly that looks to us like frosted glass, adding to the winter wonderland feel. Finished with a green velvet ribbon, it'll make a beautiful gift to give to friends and family.
Buy now £22.00, Issy Granger
