How to Decorate a Christmas Tree: Step-by-Step Instructions (Updated for 2025)

Christmastime is filled with many traditions, from gift-giving to drinking hot cocoa by the fire. Decorating the tree is a big moment for many families and a fun way to bond. Whether you’re wondering how to decorate a Christmas tree with ribbon or simply looking for ideas and inspiration, you’re in the right place. Here’s how to decorate your Christmas tree, step by step, to make it sparkle and shine.

Before You Begin

You may be in a hurry to get to the fun bit, but successfully decorating a Christmas tree starts with getting organized. 

Pick a Location

To start, you need to know where you will put the tree. If you have lived in your home for a while, you probably have a traditional spot for it, but if it’s your first tree in this home, it pays to think about its location. Choose somewhere away from direct heat, near a socket and where the tree won’t constantly be brushed up against by people or pets moving past. Of course, make sure it’s within view so that everyone can enjoy it. Move any necessary furniture to make space.

Choose Your Tree

You might decide to cut one down with the family, buy a ready-cut tree or pick up an artificial one. Either way, you determine what fits best with your home’s style and your budget.

If you’re cutting down your tree, consider the following tips:

• Make sure the tree is fresh.
• Know the height and width of your space.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Pay attention to how straight the tree trunk is.
• Hose the tree off before bringing it inside.

When looking for artificial trees, choose the one that is easiest to assemble and store. If you’re buying one, make sure the lights are UL-approved. This way, if one light goes out, the whole string won’t fail.

Gather Your Decorating Essentials

You will also need to buy, find or gather:

• Tree lights
• Ribbons and garlands
• Ornaments
• A tree topper
• A tree skirt
• Scissors or wire cutters for ribbon
• Gloves for fluffing branches
• Step ladder

With everything assembled, it’s time to get started.

7 Steps for Decorating the Perfect Christmas Tree

Professionals, when asked how to decorate a Christmas tree, typically recommend this order for a polished look.

1. Tree Assembly and Fluffing

If you cut down the tree yourself, place it into the tree stand. Make sure it is sturdy before you start adding your decor. If you have an artificial tree, assemble the different parts. You will also want to fluff out the branches. When you first take it out of the box, it will probably still be a little flat.

Fluffing your tree gives it a fuller look and fills in any gaps. It is, however, a bit of an art form. A pro tip is to wear gloves, as it can get scratchy really fast. 

Start from the bottom and work upwards. Fluff each section before you add the next one. In each layer, fluff the back branches first and work forward. Fan out each branch’s offshoots in different directions. Adjust the tips of each branch and offshoot to give a more natural look — some tips will point up, some down, some straight out. Periodically step backwards to get a full view and adjust branches slightly to fill in any gaps. 

Fluffing an artificial Christmas tree is time-consuming, but it’s one of the most important elements in creating a wow end result, so try not to skip this step when decorating a Christmas tree step-by-step.

2. Add Your Christmas Tree Lights

Unpack the lights and ensure they are tangle-free. Bonus points if you remembered to store them carefully from last year — wrapping them around a torn-off piece of cardboard is a quick and cheap storage solution to prevent tangles. 

Plug them in. It’s much easier to get lights evenly spaced when they are turned on. Most people then find the end of the lights furthest from the plug, and start from the top of the tree. The easiest way to add lights is to simply wind them around the tree horizontally. If you have plenty of lights, consider doing a zig shape on each layer, positioning some further back on each branch as well as near the front. This will give you a truly dazzling tree. 

If the lights are more sparse, you can skip that and just place them near the ends of the branches for best visibility. You could also consider hanging Christmas tree lights vertically, suspended from a halo at the top – that can be a creative option if you don’t have many. Like tree fluffing, getting evenly spaced lights is an art form, so step back periodically to check what you are doing. 

3. Add Ribbon

Ribbon adds a professional look to your tree, helps to establish the color scheme and fills in gaps. Ribbons can definitely make your tree stand out, but they’re not always the easiest thing to manage. If you’re wondering how to decorate a Christmas tree with ribbon, here are some tips. 

Choose a wired ribbon if possible, as it holds its shape and allows you to create loops, bows or curls. A narrow ribbon is often lost on a tree, so a wider one is better. Popular ribbon techniques include:

• The Cascade: Start at the top and have the ribbon flow vertically down the tree. Tuck it into the branches every 12-18 inches to create a waterfall effect.
• The Wrap: Gently wrap the ribbon around the tree either horizontally or in a spiral. This is a more traditional look. Avoid pulling it too tight — it should be casually draped.
• The Bow Method: Instead of long strands, create numerous small to medium-sized bows and place them strategically around the tree, similarly to how you would place ornaments.

4. Add Garlands

Silver and gold are common garland styles, but here are some other types of garland to consider:

• Pinecone
• Glitter fern
• Winterberry
• Redberry
• Tinsel

5. Add Your Ornaments

This is the perfect opportunity for your creativity to shine! There’s a wide variety of ornaments, from colored balls to handcrafted baubles. Consider starting with larger ones to fill any gaps.

You may also want to decide on a theme in advance. This can help you pick out which ornaments to use. You may even draw inspiration from elements already on the tree, such as your ribbons.

When examining different sections of your tree, consider whether you want the colors to match or contrast. Try placing larger baubles in the center to create more depth.

To make your tree even more personalized, consider homemade baubles. This can also be a fun bonding experience with your family.

Here are some easy-to-make ornament ideas to get you started:

• Mini Santa sleigh
• Clothespin ornament
• Felt Olaf from “Frozen”
• Unicorn ornament
• Walnut Rudolph

If you’re not too crafty, consider shopping at Etsy for unique ornaments. Also, think about adding any extra elements, like flowers, to make your tree shine.

6. Add a Tree Topper

The next step is to add a tree topper! Gold stars or angels are classic toppers, but you can certainly choose one that fits into your overall design.

Here are some classic designs to consider:

• Snowflake
• Bow
• Poinsettia
• Crown
• Gingerbread

Also, placing a bow on top creates a classy style and complements your other decor. Here are the steps to creating your bow:

1. Make a loop.
2. Make a figure-eight.
3. Fill out the bow.
4. Make the central loop.
5. Fasten your loops together.
6. Make the streamers.

7. Finish With the Tree Skirt or Collar

A skirt or collar is the final thing you need to know about how to decorate a Christmas tree. A skirt lies flat on the ground and provides a lovely base on which to stand your gifts. A collar is more 3D and effectively hides the tree base. Which you choose is up to you, but either or both will give your tree a truly finished and professional look. 

Top Christmas Tree Trends for 2025

The best Christmas tree decorating ideas are the ones you simply fall in love with, but if you’re looking for inspiration, it’s always fun to know what’s trending each year. Here’s a sample of what people are loving this festive season:

• Moody and earthy palettes: While red and green are timeless, darker, more sophisticated color schemes are in. Think deep burgundies, forest greens, terracotta or even charcoal, often accented with metallics.
• Sustainable and natural decorations: There’s a big move toward eco-friendly decorating. This includes using ornaments made from recycled paper, wood and glass. Natural elements like dried orange slices, pinecones and burlap garlands are also increasingly popular.
• Vintage and nostalgic themes: Everything old is new again! Many are decorating with retro-style ornaments, bubble lights and classic tinsel to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
• Blush and pastel tones: Softer, more romantic color schemes featuring blush pink, lavender and champagne are a modern, chic alternative. Velvet bows in these colors are particularly trendy.
• Smart tech trees: App-controlled LED lights that change color, sync to music or create animated patterns are becoming increasingly popular for a high-tech holiday display.

Inspiration Corner: Timeless Christmas Tree Themes

When looking for Christmas tree decorating ideas, you don’t have to go with new and trendy. There are many timeless options that will never go out of style, so any decorations you buy will be good investments that you can use year after year. For example:

• Rustic Farmhouse: Use natural elements, like pinecones, wooden beads and woodland-shaped ornaments. A galvanized mental tree collar is the perfect finishing touch.
• Coastal Christmas: Think blues, whites and sandy tones. Decorate with seashells, starfish and anchors. A garland of thick fisherman’s rope can complete the look.
• Classic: Stick to the timeless palette of red, green and gold. Plaid ribbon, classic ball ornaments and a beautiful angel or star topper define this beloved style.
• Winter Wonderland: Silver and white with ice blue accents can give a stunning, frosty look that fits perfectly with the season. A glittery snowflake topper would be perfect.
• Modern and Minimalist: Choose a single color, such as red or white. Source different shapes and sizes of ornaments in that color, including a few statement pieces, and leave plenty of empty space to make your chosen pieces stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions About How to Decorate a Christmas Tree

Christmas comes but once a year, so you’ll want to get this right! Here are some answers to other questions you may have.

How many lights do I need for my Christmas tree?

Aim for at least 100 lights for every vertical foot of tree. So, a 7-foot tree needs 700 plus lights to look its best. 

How do I keep my real tree from drying out?

Make sure your tree has a fresh cut at the base before you put it in the stand and keep the stand filled with water every day. Keep the tree away from heat sources like vents and fireplaces.

Where is the best place to hang sentimental Christmas tree ornaments?

Special ornaments deserve a place of honor. To ensure they are visible and appreciated, place them at eye level in the most prominent areas of your tree. However, if you have kids or pets, you might want to place fragile, irreplaceable items higher up the tree and secure them with wire. 

Enjoy Decorating Your Christmas Tree Step-by-Step

Decorating your tree can be a fun way to get into the holiday spirit. No matter your design style, follow these step-by-step instructions to decorate your Christmas tree like a pro. Turn up those Christmas tunes and get started!

Original publish date: 11/22/22 — Updated 11/27/25