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Pre-lit vs Unlit Artificial Trees: Which is Best for You?

Pre-lit v unlit Christmas Trees - which would you choose?

Choosing the right Christmas tree is often the first big decision of the season. Whether you lean toward a classic green or a snow-dusted white, there’s another choice that can make or break our decorating plans: pre-lit vs unlit artificial trees.

Both options have their fans and for good reason. The best one for you comes down to your style, budget and how much control you want over the finished look.

Personally I have always gotten the unlit ones as i have a collection of Christmas lights and like the freedom of choosing what lights to use each year. If you’re not sure read on and hopefully this post will help you choose what works best for you.

What is a Pre-lit Tree?

A pre-lit artificial Christmas tree comes with lights already installed throughout its branches. These light are typically LED, which means they last longer, use less energy and emit less heat than traditional bulbs. Most modern pre-lit trees offer warm white lighting, though many models now include multicolor settings or even app-controlled options.

Pros of Pre-lit Trees:

  • Instant glow: No untangling strings of lights or trying to get even coverage.
  • Fewer cords: One plug for the entire tree means less fuss and a tidier look.
  • Faster decorating: You can jump straight into ornaments, garlands and ribbons.

Cons of Pre-lit Trees:

  • Less flexibility: Thy light placement is fixed, so it may not suit every decorating style.
  • Harder to replace lights: IF a section goes out, troubleshooting can be tricky.
  • Higher upfront cost: Pre-lit models usually cost more than unlit ones.
Premium pre-lit Christmas tree
A Pre-Lit Christmas Tree that you can purchase through Amazon.

What is an Unlit Tree?

An unlit artificial tree is exactly what it sounds like – a blank canvas without any built-in lighting. You can add your own lights, choose the type of bulbs and customize the layout to your liking.

Pros of Unlit Trees:

  • Creative freedom: Choose warm or cool lights, multicolor, vintage bulbs or twinkling strands.
  • Easier to refresh: You can replace or update your lighting from year to year.
  • Often more affordable: Unlit trees usually cost less upfront.

Cons of Unlit Trees:

  • More setup time: Stringing lights evenly can be a challenge.
  • More storage: You’ll have to store both the tree and separate lights.
  • Wiring mess: It can take longer to hide cords for a clean look.
Premium unlit Christmas Tree
Unlit Christmas Tree that you can purchase through Amazon

Which One is Right for You?

If you love a quick and easy setup with a polished look, a pre-lit tree is a great choice. If you prefer more creative control – or love to change your color scheme each year – an unlit tree gives you the flexibility you need. Also, remember that no matter which option you choose you should always fluff your tree for the best look!

Pro tip: Some people combine the two – starting with a warm white pre-lit tree and layering on extra lights for a custom effect.

Whichever option you choose, the key is picking a high-quality tree with strong branch tips and a realistic silhouette. A little planning now can make you holiday decorating smoother and more magical.

Themed Christmas Tree Ideas

Explore how different lighting works in these themed Christmas tree ideas:

Silver Christmas Ornaments

A selection of silver Christmas ornaments looking very festive

Silver ornaments bring frosty sparkle and elegance to your Christmas tree. Their cool shimmer makes them perfect for a Winter Wonderland theme or for adding shine to any palette.

Pair silver with white and blue Christmas ornaments for a magical icy effect, or with black for a modern striking contrast. Any shade of blue works well from dark navy right through to pastel baby blue. A more modern look is combining silver with aqua – just the color combination is great, but you can also use this as a base for a coastal charm theme.

Silver also layers beautifully with gold or copper for a mixed-metal luxury look. Mixed metallics are very in at the moment and people often stick with gold, bronze and copper forgetting that silver works well as well – adding a cool tone to the other warmer metals.

Combining silver with jewel tones works well as it balances the warm of emerald greens, burgundy, royal blues & regal purple with a little coolness that just pulls things together really well.

An amazing idea for incorporating silver ornaments is if you’re going for a Hollywood glam tree – combine your silver ornaments with black and white ornaments and add in either camera ornaments, celebrity ornaments or microphone ornaments. This is a striking theme.

Use silver mirrored disco ball ornaments with neon colors for a fun retro disco theme.

I absolutely love silver ornaments on a tree because of how versatile they can be – I often think of silver ornaments being to a Christmas tree what a little black dress is to a ladies wardrobe!

Different Styles of Silver Ornaments

As well as the plain silver baubles which I love, silver ornaments are great in other shapes and styles.

  • Mirrored Disco Balls: These also help to reflect light from your Christmas lights so are great especially if you’re using a black Christmas tree or darker decor on your tree.
  • Filigree: Silver filigree ornaments add a touch of elegant sophistication to a tree and can also add some vintage charm.
  • Snowflake: As silver is often used in Winter Wonderland themed trees snowflakes are a great shape ornament to add to the tree.
  • Icicle: I think silver and white both look so good in this style of ornament. If you have a shorter tree it also gives the illusion of height if you place them near the tips of the branches. If you place them deeper it adds more depth.
  • Pine Cones: I love this style of ornament as it brings back memories of my childhood where we would gather actual pine cones and my mother would let us spray paint them gold or silver to decorate the tree.
  • Teardrops: Silver teardrop ornaments add elegance to a tree, especially the really long elongated teardrop ornaments. Perfect for an elegant frosty theme or a black and silver dramatic theme.
  • Themed: There are a number of themed silver ornaments available including birds, words and angels.

Styling Tips

  • Use clear glass ornaments alongside silver for an ethereal effect.
  • Add snowflake, icicle or star ornaments to play into the frosty vibe.
  • Wrap your tree in silver ribbon or tinsel for extra sparkle.

Perfect themes: Winter Wonderland, Mixed metallics, Elegant Frost or Retro Disco.

Shop gorgeous Silver Christmas Ornaments here.

For other Christmas ornament inspiration check out our guide to this years Christmas Ornament Color Trends.

Selection of Christmas trees decorated with silver ornaments

Christmas Ornament Color Trends 2025: This Year’s Most Stylish Holiday Palettes

Christmas ornament color trends for Christmas 2025

Every Christmas has its own magic, but if you want your tree to feel current and stylish, keeping an eye on the year’s color trends can make all the difference. In 2025, Christmas ornament colors are moving in some exciting directions – from rich jewel tones to soft pastels, from earthy neutrals to bold metallics. Whether you love tradition, glamor or playful fun, there’s a trend for you.

In this guide, we’ll explore the top Christmas ornament color trends for 2025, how to decorate with them and what other shades pair perfectly to bring your vision to life.

Jewel Tones for a Luxurious Look

Emerald green, sapphire blue, ruby red and amethyst purple are making a strong statement this year. Jewel tones instantly create a rich luxurious vibe, especially when paired with gold or bronze.

  • Style Tip: Use matte jewel ornaments mixed with metallic finishes for depth.
  • Pairing Colors: Gold, cream or even black accents to add drama.
  • Perfect for: Glam, formal or statement making Christmas trees.

Try our Green Christmas Ornaments, Blue Christmas Ornaments or Purple Christmas Ornaments guides for more inspiration.

Earthy Neutrals & Warm Neutrals

2025 is seeing a big move toward earthy, calming palettes – think terracotta, mocha, beige, taupe and warm brown tones. These colors bring a sense of warmth and coziness to your Christmas decor.

  • Style tip: Mix natural materials like wood, felt and glass with warm metallics.
  • Pairing Colors: Copper, cream or muted greens.
  • Perfect for: Rustic, farmhouse or Scandi-inspired Christmas trees

Browse Brown Christmas Ornaments and Beige Christmas Ornaments for rustic inspiration.

Pastels & Playful Candy Colors

If you love whimsy and sweetness, pastels are back in 2025. Think soft blush pink, lavender, mint, pale blue and pastel yellow. These playful colors are perfect for a “Candyland” or vintage toy-inspired tree.

  • Style tip: Balance pastels with white ornaments to keep the look soft and airy.
  • Pairing colors: Silver rose gold or pearl accents
  • Perfect for: Family friendly or nostalgic Christmas trees.

Check out Pink Christmas Ornaments and Yellow Christmas Ornaments for pastel ideas.

Bold Monochrome: Black & White

Monochrome is trending strongly this year, especially the chic black and white palette. Black ornaments give your tree a dramatic, fashion forward look, while white ornaments keep it crisp and snowy. Together, they’re striking and modern.

  • Style tip: Use oversized ornaments for maximum impact.
  • Pairing colors: Silver, gold or just pure monochrome
  • Perfect for: Minimalist, modern or elegant urban homes.

Explore Black Christmas Ornaments and White Christmas Ornaments for ideas

Metallic Magic: Gold, Silver, Copper & Bronze

Metallics never go out of style, but in 2025 it’s all about mixing them. Shiny gold, frosty silver, warm copper and deep bronze look stunning when layered together.

  • Style tip: Combine shiny, matte and glitter finishes for dimension.
  • Pairing colors: Any solid jewel tone for extra richness.
  • Perfect for: Glamorous, show-stopping trees.

Don’t miss Gold Christmas Ornaments, Silver Christmas Ornaments, Bronze Christmas Ornaments and Copper Christmas Ornaments.

Traditional with a Twist

Red and green will always be Christmas classics, but in 2025 they’re being reimagined with deeper burgundy, forest greens and natural accents. This keeps the look nostalgic but fresh.

  • Style tip: Add plaid ribbon, natural pinecones or cream ornaments for a cozy feel.
  • Pairing colors: Gold, cream or rustic wood textures.
  • Perfect for: Family centered, braditional Christmas decorating.

See Red Christmas Ornaments, Burgundy Christmas Ornaments and Green Christmas Ornaments.

Shop the Look

Ready to bring these trends home? Here are some ornament sets that reflect this year’s most popular colors:

 Kurt Adler Egg Ornament Set Flocked Velvet Christmas Ornament Set Black and White Christmas Ornament Set

 Pastel Christmas Ornament Set Metallic Ornament Set Velvet Christmas Ornament Set

Final Thoughts

Christmas ornament color trends in 2025 offer something for everyone – whether you’re drawn to deep jewel tones, calming neutral, sweet pastels, or dramatic black and white. Whatever palette you choose, your tree can be both stylish and personal.

Browse our full Colored Ornaments Guide to explore every shade and find the perfect match for your holiday style.

2025 color trends for Christmas ornaments

Red Christmas Ornaments: A Holiday Classic

Festive red Christmas ornaments hanging on a tree

Red and green are Christmas’ classic colors. Red Christmas ornaments are bold, festive and they instantly bring holiday cheer. From glossy baubles to glittering stars, red ornaments never go out of style.

Have you ever wondered why red and green are such traditional colors for the holiday? Well I think I know the answer (although these are just my thoughts as I’ve done absolutely no research on this!). I think it’s because of holly!

When you think back to images of Christmases gone past one enduring vintage image is of children collecting holly to decorate their homes for the holiday season. The beautiful berries of the holly are red and the leaves are green so when we put red Christmas ornaments on to our traditional green trees we’re creating our own version of decorating with holly aren’t we?

Red & White Christmas Tree Ornaments

A Classic Christmas Theme

Red & white Christmas ornaments are a classic way to decorate Christmas trees and go back to when candy canes were added to trees to decorate them and also provide a treat for family members over the holiday season.

You can add ornaments that include both red & white as well as a mixture of plain red ornaments and plain white ornaments for a great looking Christmas tree. Another idea is to actually add red Christmas ornaments to a white tree for a stunning centerpiece for your room.

Check out Red and White Christmas Trees for more information on this theme.

Red Christmas Ornaments Look Good with Lots of Colors

Pair with red with both green ornaments and gold ornaments for a timeless, traditional look.

For a modern edge, try red with black and white Christmas ornaments or mix with silver for a cooler, wintry feel.

You could also mix red & blue ornaments or pair red and apple green

Styling Tips for Red Ornaments

  • Layer red ribbon or berry picks throughout your tree for cohesion.
  • Adde plaid accents (ribbons or bows) for a cozy, rustic look.
  • Mix in wooden or natural ornaments for a farmhouse Christmas styles
  • Use a combination of different shapes and textures like matte & glossy, baubles and icicles to add depth to the tree.

Perfect themes for red ornaments include: Classic Christmas, Plaid & Country Charm or Bold Modern Red.

Browse our best-selling Red Christmas Ornaments.

If you’re after more inspiration check out our Guide to the Top Ornament Trends for Christmas this year.

Four different Christmas trees incorporating red ornaments for festive holiday decor.

Black Christmas Ornaments: Sleek, Dramatic & Chic Holiday Decor

Sleek, chic and dramatic, black ornaments instantly elevate your tree into something sophisticated and modern.

Black Christmas ornaments to add drama and elegance to your holiday decor

Pair black with gold, silver or bronze for a glamorous metallic effect or combine them with red and white for a bold and festive statement.

Black also works beautifully with jewel tones like emerald or burgundy for a rich, luxurious look.

The themes you can have with black ornaments are vintage Hollywood, black tie sophistication or Gothic celebration.

Vintage Hollywood Glam Christmas Tree

Combine black Christmas ornaments with silver ornaments to add a little sparkle to the tree. You can also find Christmas ornaments featuring director’s chairs, old film cameras or clapper boards.

Add a few ornaments featuring your favorite Golden Age film stars such as Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra or Marilyn Monroe.

Styling Tips for your Hollywood Glam Christmas Tree

  • Use fairy lights for a lovely glow or the oversized bulb style of lights to emulate the lights around a dressing room mirror.
  • Include glitter and matte ornaments for depth and also see if you can use some black or silver ornaments that also have rhinestones on them.
  • Use a feather boa in black, silver or white in place of a garland.
  • Add floral picks and sprays to fill in gaps, add texture and enhance the luxurious appearance
  • As a topper find one that is dazzling and sparkling to off-set the black ornaments or use a vintage star to complete the Hollywood glam theme.
  • Drape a plush, fabric tree skirt around the base as though it was a wrap that was worn to the Oscars (you could even use faux fur if you wanted)

Check out Silver Christmas Ornaments or Movie Christmas Ornaments.

Black Tie Sophistication Themed Christmas Tree

If you ever have to wear a tuxedo or a little black dress the chances are you’re heading to a black tie event which means sophistication. Black Christmas ornaments can be used to create a really sophisticated tree. Adding glimpses of a metallic like gold Christmas ornaments adds to the sophistication.

Styling Tips for a Sophisticated Black Tree Decor

  • Use fairy lights to add a glow to the tree.
  • Mix up the ornaments to include matte, glossy and glitter finishes together for texture and depth.
  • Add gold ribbon to soften the dramatic effect.
  • Place mirrored or glass ornaments nearby to reflect the light from the fairy lights and balance the darker tones of your ornaments.

Gothic Inspired Christmas Tree

Most people who are thinking of having a Gothic Christmas tree will gravitate towards a black tree, but you can get a touch of Christmas Goth by using black ornaments and adding splashes of rich color with Christmas ornaments in burgundy, deep purple or emerald green.

The look is really easy to create and can look great for Halloween or Christmas.

Styling Tips for a Gothic Christmas Tree

  • Use eerie lighting to cast a dramatic glow on the dark ornaments and decorations, think purple or red fairy lights.
  • Using black ornaments as your base you can complement it with rich dark jewel tones such as deep purple and emerald green as well as metallic colors like silver and gold.
  • Incorporate contrasting textures – mix shiny and matte ornaments with velvet ribbons and faux pearls to create a rich, layered look.
  • Incorporate mini skulls, bats and spider Halloween ornaments.
  • Use black beaded strands or garlands of white pearls in place of traditional garlands or tinsel.
  • Add dark floral picks and black roses to enhance the spooky aesthetic.
  • Design a custom tree topper – get a star topper and paint it black; or get a cluster of dark floral picks and connect them together to create a dramatic topper; or find a Halloween skull and use that.
  • When it comes to the tree skirt a black velvet fabric would be amazing.

Black Christmas Ornament Ideas

Black is a color that mixes so well with others that there are so many ways these ornaments can be incorporated in a Christmas tree theme. I personally have black on my family Christmas tree as my husband is a Kiwi so we have an All Black Santa and some black baubles with silver ferns on them as a nod to his heritage (and love of rugby).

Here’s a few more ideas for using black ornaments for your Christmas tree:

  • Black & White (or cream) Christmas tree – this can be very dramatic and very sophisticated
  • Black and metallics – pairing black ornaments with luxurious metallic accents like gold or silver can create a dramatic and glamorous look.
  • Add black to bold, vibrant colors like pinks or teals for a modern vibe.
  • Red and green with black ornaments as the contrast can be a lovely twist on traditional Christmas, dd in plaid ribbons and wooden ornaments if you want to turn traditional Christmas to Farmhouse Christmas with a twist.

Shop stunning Black Christmas Ornaments here!

If you want more inspiration check out our post: Top Ornament Trends for the year.

Selection of Christmas trees decorated with sleek, elegant black Christmas ornaments for a sophisticated Christmas theme.