Getting creative with your Christmas tree topper ideas is the perfect opportunity to elevate the overall look of your tree and make a real statement to wow your family and guests with – especially as this year’s Christmas tree topper trends are all standout looks.
Christmas tree toppers make for the lovely finishing touch to your best artificial Christmas tree or and real tree alike – and it’s a decorating step that should not be skipped. A tree topper is like the crown jewel of your tree so best pick it well. But to lend a helping hand with this fun task, we’ve rounded up some of the loveliest and most on-trend tree toppers currently available on the market to give you some Christmas tree ideas.
Christmas tree topper ideas
‘Adding an alternative Christmas tree topper rather than the traditional star or angel, is a great way to add an ultra-personal touch to your festive decor,’ says Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi. ‘Christmas tree topper trends this year are a magical mix of tradition, whimsy, and contemporary aesthetics.’
1. Put an oversized bow on it
Both Christmas tree ribbon ideas and oversized decorations are some of the biggest (quite literally) Christmas decor trends of this festive season. So topping your tree with a supersized bow will look both beautiful and contemporary.
‘Oversized velvet bows are making a big statement, offering a touch of drama and elegance. A large, decorative bow in plush velvet or shimmering ribbon creates an elegant and cohesive look that ties the tree itself to the gift-wrapped presents underneath it,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.
This can be a DIY Christmas decor idea, as content creators on social media have been fashioning their XXL tree bows using everything from dust sheets to pillowcases. But you can also buy a ready-made bow as several brands have them on offer this year.
This is one of our favourite oversized Christmas bow designs we've seen this year. It's handmade and available in several different fabrics in various patterns and finishes.
We can't believe how affordable this gigantic velvet bow from John Lewis is. £12 is a bargain! But many have already caught on and it's selling like hot cakes. Better be quick.
We know this bow-shaped, rhinestone-adorned tree topper from Anthropologie is not the most affordable or all that oversized unless you put it on a mini tree, but it's so unique and so damn pretty!
2. Incorporate the Christmas disco theme
The Christmas disco trend is one that emerged last year. But it’s not going anywhere this time around – in fact, it’s only gotten more widespread and popular. And disco ball-shaped Christmas tree toppers have been popping up all over the place. They’re perfect for making the most of your best Christmas lights as well, reflecting them in the mirrored finish.
But even if you don’t want to approach this trend so literally, you can opt for any metallic, mirrored, glittered or sequined design – any style like that is sure to get your tree into the disco spirit.
If you're going for a fun, disco theme this Christmas, you can't go wrong with a classic mirrored disco ball for a tree topper. Especially when it's this price!
If you want to mix it up a little, why not go for a rainbow disco ball design for a tree topper instead of the classic? Not only that it's fun and groovy, it will also bring some extra colour to your tree other than metallic silver.
We know, parting with the traditional concept of a star-shaped Christmas tree topper is not easy. But luckily, stars fit right into a disco theme. Especially when they look like this shimmery Anna + Nina design.
3. Opt for a different take on the classic star
There is, of course, absolutely nothing wrong with craving nostalgic Christmas traditions – including wanting a star-shaped tree topper just like you used to have growing up. But there are many beautiful star toppers that are both beautiful and a little bit different from the norm, whether that’s an iridescent design or a wicker one celebrating nature.
‘Natural and celestial themes are big this year – think wicker stars or intricate gold stars with cut-out details,’ says Sam Sutherland, Flitch interior stylist.
Lucy at Arighi Bianchi adds, ‘Perennially popular stars are still up there as classic tree topper, but this year they’re paired with iridescent LED lights. Vintage-inspired toppers are having a resurgence and will bring a sense of nostalgic tradition and festive wonder to your decor.’
If you're after a more modern take on a star tree topper, then this pointy H&M number is perfect for you. And it comes both in silver and gold to match your chosen Christmas colour scheme.
Vintage and vintage-style Christmas decor is trending this year. And this Nkuku tree topper is giving us serious antique vibes.
Embrace nature and tradition with a wicker tree topper in the shape of a star. And the fact that it's from Etsy from an independent maker makes it even more special.
4. Choose a light-up option
Light-up Christmas tree toppers are a fun way to finish off your decoration. But be careful about which one you select.
Stay on the classy side by choosing light in a similar shade to the fairy lights around your tree. if one is white and the other yellow, the clash will irritate you. If your light-up topper has a cord then make sure you've explored Christmas tree light hacks to avoid getting into a twist.
Slim, minimalist designs are a great choice because they add a touch of extra sparkle without overwhelming, or looking bare when not switched on.
Not only that you'll get a glimmering star-shaped tree topper but this design also comes with accompanying, attached micro string lights to complete your tree decor with.
What we love about this 3D star design is that it looks incredible both when it's lit up and when it's switched off thanks to its glorious iridescent finish.
This tree topper design from Amazon is taking things to the next level as not only that it emits multi-coloured lights, but it's also fitted with a rotating projector that will create a beautiful light show on your ceiling and surrounding walls.
5. Finish with a flower
Make it appear that you know how to decorate a tree professionally by committing to a striking, floral scheme.
Decorate with a relatively small number of baubles in a restrained palette - think maximum three colours - and fill the gaps with faux blooms in your choice of these shades. For the perfect topper, wrap the stem of an artificial rose around the top brand of the tree and, if need, use wire to position it perfectly. Wrap any exposed wires with florists' tape for a seamless finish.
6. Add some fancy feathers
'Clips, stems and unusual shapes are a great way to give your tree texture and interest,' says Jason Billings-Cray, Christmas buyer at John Lewis & Partners. This is even more applicable when it comes to your choice of Christmas tree topper.
Christmas is a time of celebration, so why not take inspiration from many festivities around the year - and world - and use an array of statement coloured feathers to create a tree topper? Work the feathers in from a few branches down from the top to give the impression that they're sprouting from the trunk itself.
This style won't just look great at Christmas - if you throw a Roaring Twenties bash for New Year's Eve, your tree will be right on theme!
7. Go for a DIY approach
For a fun and easy Christmas tree design and topper that the whole family can help with, look to paper decorations.
Fold out paper stars are perfect to let little kids get involved in decorating without the worry of anything getting broken or swallowed. You can play around by mixing and matching shapes and sizes, so long as you stick to one or two colours. For extra impact, choose an oversized option to act as the topper.
The 3-D versions of these paper decs are also a wonderful way to fill the space left at the base of the tree once the presents have been opened. Plus, it's a great budget Christmas decorating idea that will save more money for gifts.
8. Add a heart to the top
Christmas is a time for family and friends to gather, so a simple heart hung from the top of your tree is the perfect way to sum up the season.
If your decoration has too wide a string to hang neatly, or there aren't any close enough lower branches to rest it on, use some thin wire in a matching colour to tie directly onto the top.
9. Top with an angel
Another classic Christmas tree topper idea - the angel, or a fairy, is a sweet way of finishing off your family tree.
A benefit of these toppers is that they typically can simply be placed on top of the tree, meaning you don't have to twist, tie or attach anything extra.
There are any number of angelic toppers on offer, so there will absolutely be one to match your style.
10. Embrace maximalist decor
If you're big into following the latest Christmas tree trends, then retro maximalist decor is the one to watch. This involves ample colour and kitsch decorations, and a statement Christmas tree topper idea, like this peacock, will be the ultimate finishing touch.
'A brilliant trend for those who like to mix and match their extensive decorations collection, eclecticism is the name of the game, so don't be afraid to combine colours and textures,' says Jennifer Derry, chief merchandise and design expert at Balsam Hill.
'Another really easy way to begin building this look is with multi-coloured lights which impart an instant touch of nostalgia.'
FAQs
How do I choose a Christmas tree topper?
‘It’s important to choose a tree topper that is to scale with your tree,’ says Sylvia James, interior designer at HomeHow.co.uk. ‘Leaving it until the last minute without any thought will result in a topper that is disproportionate and using the same one with a different tree is lazy.'
'Invest in a few different shapes and sizes and continue adding more to the collection as the years go by.’ Your design should reflect or echo the theme of the tree decorations, or any Christmas style you have running through the room.
Also remember you need a topper which fits! Ideally you want a good few inches of space between it and the ceiling, so you may have to bend or cut the top branch to make your choice of topper sit correctly.
Do you put the tree topper on first or last?
Christmas tree toppers should be the second thing added following the lights. Although we think of the topper as ‘finishing’ the tree, by leaving it to the end to put on, you’re risking knocking off precariously balanced baubles or getting the cord of a light up topper stuck in between decorations.
Another thing to consider that if you put the topper on last and then realise there’s not enough room between the tree and the ceiling, it’s a fair bit trickier to deal with.
What is the most popular Christmas tree topper?
The two most common Christmas tree toppers are far and away stars and angels. And different sources will suggest that one is more popular than the other, but there’s no definitive answer.
‘People in Scandinavian countries tend to use the same tree topper to complete their Christmas tree year after year,’ muses Sandie Wallman, Founder of Nordic House.
‘It can often be a family heirloom and stars are always popular.’ We typically think of stars as being more traditional, however, the tradition of using Christmas tree toppers began in Germany in the 1800s. The Rauschgoldengel, or the tingled angel, was a shiny golden foil angel that became popular during this era,’ say the experts at Balsam Hill.
'The advent of patriotic accents in Great Britain eventually saw flags, such as the Union Jack, making their way to the tops of numerous Christmas trees.'
Whether you stick to the traditional star or angel or mix up your Christmas decor with some DIY bows, any option will be the perfect cherry on top of your tree this season.
