12 Stunning Christmas Tree Themes to Inspire Your Holiday Decor

With the holidays approaching, you might be thinking about upping your decorating game with a new Christmas tree theme. If you’ve spent years hanging ornaments the same way, it’s time for a change. Allow these 12 tree aesthetics to inspire this year’s trimmings. 

1. Traditional Tree

A traditional Christmas tree is ideal for those itching for nostalgia and warmth during the holidays. It’s best to start with all white or colored lights and classic red and green ornaments, mixing in silver and gold for balance. 

Consider iconic holiday symbols, such as Santa Claus, reindeer and snowmen, and begin collecting decorations incorporating these concepts. Remember to add ornaments that hold sentimental value or tell a story. 

Pinecones, holly and ribbons are other elements you can include for an elegant touch. Top your tree with a traditional star or angel and complete the look with a velvety tree skirt. 

2. Vintage Christmas Tree

Vintage items are at least 20 years old but younger than 100. “True vintage” is anything over 50 years old. Each era reflects the styles, trends and aesthetics of that specific period. 

For a vintage Christmas tree theme, you should string lights with a warm glow, adding delicate glass baubles, bubble lights, and clip-on figures. Tinsel was also popular during vintage eras, as were popcorn or cranberry garlands. 

It’s hard to believe that the 1980s and 1990s are now considered vintage periods, but they could serve up plenty of inspiration. Consider novelty ornaments of pop icons, cassette tapes and mini Rubik’s Cubes. You could even loop Scrunchie hair ties around branches. 

Visit local antique stores, thrift shops and flea markets to find decades-inspired decorations. Ebay and Etsy might also carry timeless pre-loved ornaments.

3. Coastal-Themed Tree

A coastal Christmas tree relies heavily on a breezy, beachy palette. For instance, turquoise is reminiscent of seafoam green waves and sea glass. Start with white lights and a blue or creamy white garland. 

Integrate natural elements, such as starfish, seashells and sand dollars, sticking closely to your natural color selections. Miniature sailboats, anchors and lighthouses are other ornament concepts to consider. A star tree topper made of driftwood is a unique way to tie the tree’s design together.

A simple hand drill can poke holes through shells, allowing you to tie a jute string through them. You can even paint the rim of the shells a metallic gold or silver for a bit of shimmer and shine. 

4. Candy Cane Tree

A candy cane tree is a whimsical option, especially if you use a white artificial tree. To mimic candy canes, drape red and white striped ribbon or a sparkly red garland around it. You should then look for candy canes, lollipops and peppermint candy-shaped ornaments.

Other sweet touches could include gingerbread men, gumdrops and wrapped candies. Finally, top the tree with a big, striped bow or candy cane star. You can easily make a candy cane star at home with a hot glue gun and some red ribbon.  

5. Colorful Christmas Tree

When creating a colorful Christmas tree, ditch traditional red and green and choose multicolored fun. Use a white or colorful artificial tree — you can sometimes find them in pink, purple, neon green and blue — with bright LED lighting. Many artificial trees come pre-lit with strings that blink and flash.

You’ll want your tree to make a statement, so incorporate playful elements like pom poms and quirky figurines. Colorful garlands, ribbons and tinsel will add extra excitement and visual interest to your holiday decor. The tree topper should also stand out. 

The idea behind this theme is to embrace Christmas joy with an eclectic blend of color and texture. You’ll want your tree to reflect your outgoing personality and creativity, turning it into something that brings a smile to everyone’s faces.

6. Homemade Craft Tree

Is there anything more fun than making homemade ornaments with friends and family? A homemade craft Christmas tree theme is the best Christmas tree theme for kids, allowing them to create ornament masterpieces you can keep for years.

Purchase paper, glue, glitter, popsicle sticks, buttons, paint and felt for them to create unique trimmings. Classic Christmas crafts include construction paper ring garlands, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer made from toilet paper tubes, and beaded wreaths in various colors and patterns.

You can also “frost” pinecone tips with glitter. Although this might be a messier craft, it makes beautiful, sparkly adornments for your tree. Just remember to put the year on each craft so you can reflect on when you and your family made them.

7. Rustic Holiday Tree

Rustic Christmas trees maintain a straight-out-of-the-woods appearance, incorporating burlap ribbon, twine and wooden ornaments in wintery shapes, such as stars and snowflakes. Many people also collect pinecones, dry orange slices or add cinnamon sticks for an organic touch and warm scents. 

You can easily involve your family in a rustic concept, like you would with a handmade craft tree. Forage for natural materials in your backyard or a local park. Just be sure to clean, dry and bake pinecones and acorns to remove bugs and contaminants before using them to decorate. 

This is not the type of tree where you’ll want to string bright LED or colored lights. Instead, look for warm bulbs or fairy lights for a cozy glow. To achieve its rustic charm, top the tree with a giant burlap bow or make something of wood.

8. Neutral-Colored Tree

A neutral-colored tree doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, opting for ornaments in shades of white, cream, and beige invokes serenity and sophistication. You can even pull in shiny gold and silver glass balls or include natural elements from a rustic theme, including pinecones and wooden beads. 

Metallic finishes and textures can add visual intrigue to this aesthetic. Add soft, knitted glands or faux fur for extra warmth and coziness. Like other understated concepts, fairy lights deliver a more inviting glow and cohesive display.

9. Comic Book Theme Tree

Were you a comic book collector as a child? Perhaps you have boxes of superhero figurines you don’t know what to do with. Here’s a creative Christmas tree decorating idea: Tie some strings around them and hang them from branches. 

You can also find popular ornament brands online that sell ornaments of comic book heroes and villains, from Marvel to Star Wars. Colored lights will mimic the bright, dynamic hues found in your favorite comic book artwork.

For a bold and graphic look, create speech bubbles on cardstock with words like “POW!”, “BAM!” and “ZAP!”, and hang them around your tree. You can also find a less expensive comic book at the store or make a copy of an original and cut it up to make a comic-themed garland to string around the tree. 

10. Two-Tone Christmas Tree

Red and green might be the most popular holiday color duo, but several combinations can create a two-toned Christmas tree. For instance, red and gold, green and silver, blue and silver, or red and purple create a clean, simple look. For something more contemporary, think about using rose gold and copper or white and black ornaments. 

Stick with a strand of single-colored lights, preferably white or one of your chosen colors. Add the largest ornaments in both colors, spacing them evenly around the tree. Fill in the rest of the space with medium and small ornaments. 

These don’t have to all be the same shape and texture. Some might have a glossy or matte finish, while others may have glitter or a mirrored appearance. Finish the look with a tree topper in one or both tones. Just be sure to represent the shades equally for balance. 

11. Monochrome Magic Tree

Unlike a two-toned tree, a monochrome tree embraces one color in different shades for a unified look. Use white lights and various gold ornaments in different textures for a gold Christmas. Spray paint pinecones and leaves for interesting shapes. 

Metallic gold ribbon and a shimmery gold topper are a great way to achieve the single-hue magic you’re after. A gold embroidered tree skirt will give it an even more luxurious appearance.

Of course, gold isn’t the only color you can use. You could go all in with red, blue, pink, green or purple. Keep it simple and chic for an enchanting holiday.

12. Collected Memories Tree

Is it your and your partner’s first Christmas together as a married couple? Perhaps it’s your baby’s or dog’s first Christmas in your new home. Look for ornaments that celebrate life’s milestones for a collected memories tree. 

Other ideas include an ornament from somewhere you traveled or a family heirloom. You can also find photo frames to hang family pictures or memorial ornaments for loved ones who’ve passed away.

Your tree should tell a unique story of your life. It’s also a great conversation starter at your holiday party and a way to look back on fun times. 

Create a Holly, Jolly Christmas Tree Theme

The holiday season is a great time to experiment with a new Christmas Tree theme. Step away from the status quo and create something eye-catching, cozy and memorable for everyone.