27 ideas for Christmas tree decorations to inspire you this year
It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas tree decorations. After all, the traditional tree is nearly always the centrepiece of the house's decoration, not to mention the perfect place to put all of those beautiful Christmas presents – each one perfectly wrapped, of course. Even the very act of putting the Christmas tree decorations on the Christmas tree has become a ritual in many households, with the whole family joining in with the festive fun. We suggest putting on some classic Christmas music, warming some mince pies in the oven, and perhaps even pouring yourself a glass of something merry to turn your Christmas tree decorating session into a real occasion.
As with any form of interior decorating, there is no single right way to decorate the tree, and the most important thing is to choose Christmas tree decorations you love and arrange them in a way that will bring your joy. ‘You produce this box once a year and it’s full of memories — everything in it has a story attached,’ says doyenne of interior design Nina Campbell in her guide to Christmas decorating. ‘Maybe you bought a decoration after you had your first child, or got your first dog, and the decoration celebrates that moment. When I got my first house and had my own tree, I had just a few special decorations and lots of “filler” ones – plain shiny red ones that would go closer to the trunk of the tree, and then my precious ones would be closer to the ends of the branches so you could see them. Now, I’ve collected masses of lovely decorations so I don’t need the red ones anymore.’
If you’re looking to add to your collection of Christmas tree decorations, there is no end of places to look, with many shops offering a range of bright and beautiful designs. There are traditional ones, charming ones and plenty of fun (and funny!) ones. Here are a few favourites that we have seen so far this year.
And what about the lights? Nina Campbell has sage advice on this, too. ‘I always put lights on the tree – lots of them! They should be white lights with green cables, and crucially, they should be static,’ she says. ‘I don’t like it when they take on a life of their own and start flashing.’
If you’re still looking for a little extra inspiration this year, we have rounded up some wonderful examples of Christmas tree decorations from the pages of House & Garden. From extravagant displays in large country houses to charming cottages packed with character, there is something to delight everyone here.
MAY WE SUGGEST: How to decorate a Christmas tree like a House & Garden editor
































