Decorating the Christmas tree is one of those festive traditions that makes a house feel like home. Whether you love a classic tree filled and red and gold baubles or prefer something a little more understated, the right decorations can transform your space for Christmas.
If you’re looking for Christmas tree decorating ideas, a little planning can make all the difference. From choosing your colour scheme to getting your lights in the right place, there are plenty of ways to create a tree that feels special to you.
At Almondsbury Garden Centre, our Christmas shop is filled with trees, baubles, lights and festive decorations to help you bring your ideas to life. Here’s how to decorate your Christmas tree, step by step.
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Choose your christmas tree and get it ready
Before you start decorating, think about the look you want to create and the space your tree will fill. A full, traditional tree makes a lovely centrepiece in a living room, while slimmer design can work well in a smaller space.
If you haven’t chosen your tree yet, explore our real and artificial Christmas trees to find the right fit for your home.
A real tree brings a lovely natural shape and fresh evergreen scent, while an artificial tree offers a reusable option that you can decorate year after year. If you’re still deciding, read our guides to choosing a real christmas tree and finding the best artificial christmas tree.
Once your tree is in position, make sure it’s secure and standings straight.
For an artificial tree, take time to open out the branches and shape them, working from the inside out. This helps fill gaps and creates a fuller base for your decorations.
If you’ve chosen a real cut tree, let it settle into its stand and make sure it has a fresh cut at the base where needed. Keep it topped up with water throughout the festive season. Our real christmas tree care guide has more advice on keeping your tree looking its best.
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Pick a Christmas tree Decorating Theme
One of the easiest ways to make your christmas tree look pulled together is to choose a colour scheme or theme before you start.
You don’t need every decoration to match perfectly. Instead, pick two or three main colours and repeat them throughout the tree. This creates a sense of balance while leaving room for favourite decorations and personal touches.
Here are a few Christmas tree decorating ideas to try.
Elegant Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
For an elegant Christmas tree, keep things simple and focus on colour, texture and lighting.
Champagne, gold, cream and warm white work beautifully together, creating a soft, understated look. Glass baubles, metallic finishes and delicate ribbons can add interest without making the tree feel too busy.
Warm white lights help bring everything together, especially in the evening. Try combining shiny and matte decorations to add depth, and leave a little breathing room between statement pieces.
For more inspiration, take a look at our Christmas decorating trends for 2026.
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Red christmas tree decorating ideas
Red is a Christmas classic for a reason. Paired with gold, it creates a rich, traditional look that feels warm and welcoming.
Start with red baubles in a mixture of sizes, then introduce gold decorations to catch the light. Velvet ribbon, berry details and a traditional star topper can finish the look beautifully.
To keep the tree looking balanced, spread the colours evenly rather than hanging all the red decorations on one side and all the gold on the other.
If you prefer a more modern take, combine deep red with cream or champagne instead of using too many metallic finishes.
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Natural and understated christmas tree ideas
If you prefer a quieter look, let the greenery do some of the work.
Wooden decorations, soft neutral baubles, simple ribbons and warm white lights all complement a natural tree. This style works particularly well if you want your Christmas decorations to sit comfortably alongside the rest of your home.
You can also bring the same look into other rooms with coordinating wreaths and garlands.
Explore our Christmas decorations and baubles to find pieces that suit your style.
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What is the correct order to decorate a christmas tree?
When decorating a christmas tree, the order you work in can make the process much easier. It also means you’re less likely to have to move decorations around once everything is in place.
A good rule is to work from the inside out, adding the larger elements first before finishing with the smaller details.
Step 1: Add the Christmas Lights
Lights should go on before your baubles and other hanging decorations. This makes it easier to spread them evenly through the branches without knocking anything off.
Start near the bottom of the tree and work upwards, weaving the lights around the branches. Push some lights a little further into the tree and leave others closer to the tips to create depth.
Step back every so often and check dark patches. It’s worth switching the lights on as you go so you can see how evenly they’re distributed.
The type of lights you choose will also affect the final look. Traditional string lights create a classic twinkle, compact lights give more even glow, while cluster lights add extra sparkle.
Explore our Christmas lights collection and read our guide to buying and installing Christmas lights for more advice.
Step 2: Add ribbon or garlands
If you’re using ribbon or garlands, add these after the lights and before the baubles.
Let ribbon fall naturally through the branches, creating soft loops rather than pulling it too tightly around the tree. You can tuck the ends into the greenery to keep everything in place.
For a fuller look, use ribbon in a few carefully placed sections rather than covering every branch. If you’re using a garland, make sure it complements your colour scheme instead of competing with your other decorations.
Step 3: hang your larger baubles
Start with your larger baubles and statement decorations. Space them out across the tree, including some deeper within the branches.
Placing a few decorations further back creates depth, while those nearer the tips help draw the eye. Try to distribute colours and finishes evenly as you work around the tree.
Step 4: fill the gaps with smaller decorations
Once your larger baubles are in place, use smaller decorations to fill the gaps.
Mixing different shapes, sizes and finishes makes the tree more interesting to look at. You might combine shiny baubles with matte ones, or mix traditional hanging decorations with a few unusual pieces.
Don't feel you need to fill every single space. A little greenery showing through can help the decorations stand out.
Browse our baubles and hanging Christmas decorations for inspiration.
Step 5: finish with the tree topper
Finish your christmas tree with a topper that suits the overall style. A traditional star is always a favourite, while a decorative bow or another statement piece can give the tree a different feel.
Make sure your topper is secure and doesn’t make the tree look unbalanced. If it feels too large for the branches, try a smaller design.
Finally , add any finishing touches, tuck away visible wires and adjust decorations that have shifted while you’ve been working.
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How to arrange baubles on a Christmas Tree
Knowing how to arrange baubles on a christmas tree can make the difference between a tree that feels a little crowded and one that looks carefully styled.
The trick is to create balance without making everything too uniform.
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Mix bauble sizes
Larger baubles work well as focal points, while smaller ones can fill the spaces around them. Using a range of sizes creates more depth than sticking to one size throughout.
Spread colours evenly
If you’re using red and gold, for example, distribute both colours around the whole tree. Take a step back regularly to check that one colour isn’t dominating a particular area.
Use the depth of the branches
Hang some baubles closer to the trunk and others near the tips. This helps create a fuller look and makes the tree feel more three dimensional.
Vary the finishes
Shiny, matte, glittered and textured baubles can all work together when they share a similar colour palette.
Leave room for favourite decorations
Special ornaments, keepsakes and unusual pieces don't need to match everything else. Give them a little space so they can stand out.
If you’re starting from scratch or adding to your collection, browse our Christmas tree decorations to find pieces that bring your chosen look together.
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How to make a christmas tree look better
If your tree doesn’t look quite how you imagined, don't worry. Often , a few small adjustments can make a big difference.
Fluff and shape the branches
For an artificial tree, spend time opening out each branch and separating the tips. Work from the inside towards the outside to cover gaps and give the tree a more natural shape.
Add depth with your decorations
Avoid hanging every bauble at the very end of a branch. Placing some further inside the tree creates layers, while lights tucked between the branches gives the whole display more depth.
Check your colour balance
If one side looks heavier than the other, move a few decorations around. It’s often easier to spot uneven patches when you stand back and look at the tree as a whole to display more depth.
Check your colour balance
If one side looks heavier than the other, move a few decorations around. It’s often easier to spot uneven patches when you stand back and look at the tree as a whole.
Don’t overcrowd the tree
It’s tempting to keep adding decorations, but more isn’t always better. Give larger ornaments space and let your chosen colours and textures do the work.
Finish the base
A tree skirt or decorative collar can hide the stand and create a more finished look. Choose something that complements your decorations, whether that's a traditional fabric skirt, a natural woven finish or a simple neutral design.
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Christmas tree decorating tips for beginners
If this is your first time decorating a tree, or you’re trying a different style this year, keep things simple.
You don't need dozens or decorations or a complicated theme to create a lovely result. Start with the essentials and build up gradually.
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Choose a tree that suits the height and space of your room.
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Pick two or three colours to guide decorations.
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Put your lights on first and check them before adding anything else.
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Start with larger baubles, then use the smaller decorations to fill gaps.
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Step back regularly to check the overall balance.
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Finish with a topper and a tree skirt or collar if you like the look.
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Keep favourite decorations that hold special memories, even if they don't match your theme perfectly.
Most importantly, make the three your own. Some of the loveliest Christmas trees are the ones collected over the years, with decorations that bring back memories alongside newer additions.
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How long should you leave a real christmas tree before decorating?
If you’ve brought home a real Christmas tree, you don't usually need to leave it for several days before decorating it.
Once you’ve positioned it securely in a suitable stand, allow the branches to settle and relax if they’ve been tied or netted for transport. You can then begin shaping the branches and adding your decorations.
For a cut tree, make sure the base has a fresh cut where needed and place it in a stand that holds water. Check the water level regularly, as a tree can take up a surprising amount, particularly at first.
Keep your tree away from radiators, fireplaces and other direct sources of heat to help reduce drying and needle drop.
For more advice on keeping your tree fresh read our real christmas tree care guide.
Whether you love a classic red and gold tree or prefer a more natural look, the right decorations can make your home feel ready for Christmas.
Explore Christmas at Almondsbury for trees, baubles, lights and festive decorations to bring your Christmas tree decorating ideas to life.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct order to decorate a Christmas tree?
Start by setting up and shaping your tree. Add lights first, followed by ribbon or garlands if you’re using them. Hang larger baubles and statement decorations next, then fill gaps with smaller ornaments. Finish with your tree topper and any final adjustments.
How do you decorate a Christmas tree for beginners?
Choose a simple colour scheme, add lights first and work from larger decorations to smaller ones. Spread colours evenly across the tree and step back regularly to check the balance. You can always add more decorations later if needed.
How do you arrange baubles on a Christmas tree?
Mix different bauble sizes and finishes, spread colours evenly around the tree and place some decorations deeper into the branches. Larger baubles create focal points, while smaller ones help fill gaps.
Where did decorating a Christmas tree come from?
The modern Christmas tree tradition is commonly associated with German speaking parts of Europe, where decorated evergreen trees became popular in homes before spreading widely. The custom developed over time, with lights, ornaments and other decorations becoming part of the festive tradition.
Which country started decorating Christmas trees?
Germany is widely associated with the development of the modern decorated Christmas tree tradition. However, evergreen plants and branches had been used in winter celebrations long before the Christmas tree became a familiar household feature.