More Than Ornaments

Ornaments may be the stars of the show, but the supporting decorations – lights, ribbons, garlands, tinsel and toppers – create the structure, sparkle and magic that bring a Christmas tree to life.

This guide explores how to decorate a Christmas tree beautifully without relying solely on ornaments.

For some these pieces of Christmas decor are all they use on their trees, for others these mix in nicely with their curated Christmas ornaments.

We’ll start with lights and work our way up to the Christmas tree topper – let’s begin!

Christmas Tree Lights: The Foundation

Lighting is the base layer of every tree.

A Short History

From dangerous candle-lit branches to Edison’s first electric bulbs in the 1880s, tree lighting has come a long way.

Prior to 1882 people used candles to lit up their Christmas trees which were quite the fire hazard. In 1882 the first strand of electric holiday lights were produced and while they were a safer option they weren’t affordable for most people. Within 50 years these lights were being mass-produced and had started to become established holiday decor.

Today there are many different types of Christmas lights available as we’ll discuss below. There are also a huge selection of pre-lit artificial Christmas trees on the market.

Types of Lights

• Incandescent: These provide the classic Christmas tree glow, but they are less energy-efficient.
• LED: These come in a variety of colors and are both long-lasting and cool to the touch.
• Fairy Lights: I personally love these on a Christmas tree – they provide a tiny, delicate sparkle which I personally think is magical.
• Globe/Bulb Lights: These give you a modern, oversized look which can really add an impact on your tree.
• Smart Lights: These lights are App-controlled and provide customizable patterns which are pretty awesome.

Lighting Tips

• Test before hanging!
• Use 100 lights per foot of the tree as a rule of thumb.
• Test before hanging – yes I’m repeating this as it’s very important.

How to arrange your Lights

• Start at the bottom and work your way up – weave lights in a zig-zag patten (this will make it easier to remove after the holidays than if you do a spiral pattern.
• String lights vertically for even coverage and to add height to a shorter tree.
• If you want to spotlight areas on the tree and don’t have any oversized Christmas lights you could create your own cluster lights where you gather several strands of lights together at the base of a branch or in a specific section of the tree .

Tinsel & Garland: Adding Sparkle and Depth

Tinsel

Tinsel originated in 17th century Germany and was once made of real silver. It is now available in multiple colors and adds shimmer to a tree. Although in the past lots of tinsel was added to Christmas trees (think of the retro Christmas trees from your youth or your parents youth) if you’re after a modern look you should use it sparingly.

If you want a vintage look you can use twisted tin tinsel, this can also be used for a dramatic monochromic look or a modern, sophisticated look.

Garland

Bead garlands, popcorn strands, ribbon garlands or natural greenery – garlands are another great way to decorate your tree. If you layer your garland horizontally you can add depth to the tree; if you drape the garland vertically you add more texture to the tree.

Ribbon, Bows & Fabric Wraps

Ribbon has become a trendy alternative to garland.

• Wide Cascading Ribbon: Dramatic and luxurious these can add a sumptuous look to a tree.
• Spiral Wraps: Adds movement, this is good as it helps to add texture and depth to a tree without being bulky.
• Rustic Burlap: Farmhouse aesthetic is what most people think when adding burlap, but it also works for a woodland themed tree or a coffee themed tree.
• Oversized Bows: Use at branch tips for accent.

Tree Picks, Sprays & Florals

Tree picks are decorative stems you insert into the branches.

• Berry Sprays: Add pops of red.
• Glittered Branches: Sparke and dimension.
• Florals: Poinsettias, roses, magnolias.
• Feathers: Luxe, modern statement.

Tree Toppers: The Crown of the Tree

• Traditional: If you were growing up in the 70s/80s or earlier then the only toppers on the tree were a star or an angel. I do think that when we’re talking traditional now, however, we can add Father Christmas to the Stars and Angels Toppers.
• Modern: Oversized bows, snowflakes, geometric designs and themed tree toppers. There are so many themed tree toppers available today you can have a lot of fun choosing from Mickey Mouse to Yoda and lots of things in between.
• DIY: Paper stars (or I remember one year our star topper got broken so I used a cardboard Weetabix box to make the star and covered it in foil – my daughter thought it looked great!). Floral arrangements or even handmade crafts can also be used.

Themed Decorating Without Ornaments

Some stunning trees skip ornaments entirely.

• Minimalist Trees: Just lights and ribbon.
• Rustic Charm: Burlap, pinecones, wooden beads.
• Elegant Luxe: Metallic sprays, velvet ribbon and fairy lights.
• Whimsical Fun: Colorful lights, oversized bows

DIY & Budget-Friendly Decor Ideas

• Handmade paper chains or garlands.
• Dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks for natural decor.
• Fabric scraps tied into bows.
• Painted pinecones collected from outside.

Final Thoughts

Ornaments are only part of the magic. Lights, ribbon, tinsel, sprays and toppers transform your tree into a masterpiece. Whether you love minimalist Scandinavian style, rustic farmhouse charm, or bold luxe sparkle, the right supporting decorations will make your Christmas tree unforgettable.