Colored Lights Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

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65 Elegant Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas

We've got you covered with these tree-trimming tips.

Christmas decoration, Event, Interior design, Room, Winter, Christmas tree, Christmas ornament, Interior design, Christmas eve, Holiday,

There are so many ways to get into the holiday spirit. For some, it's all about listening to Christmas songs on repeat. Others might prefer to curl up with a Hallmark movie (in matching family pajamas, of course) or take a drive around the neighborhood to marvel at the Christmas lights. No matter what your tradition, there's nothing like festive holiday decor to really get you into the mood—and for most that starts with a special family Christmas tradition: tree decorating.

Whether you gravitate toward over-the-top opulence—like something a professional might design for a restaurant—or prefer a more rustic farmhouse vibe that transforms your own home into a winter wonderland (think: flocked trees), creating a statement-making tree is key to jumpstarting the cheer and spreading it all season long.

But before you pick your fir, browse through these elegant Christmas tree decorating ideas for inspiration. From the trendy blue and silver ornaments that are popular for 2021, to traditional red and green multicolor lights, and modern, glitzy rose gold ribbons, there's a unique Pinterest-worthy idea (and photo) here for everyone—even your unicorn-loving toddler.

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Farmhouse-Style

For a sophisticated Farmhouse-style tree Chip and Jo would be proud of, pair natural elements like pinecones and flocked branches with burlap and oversized white ornaments.

Get the tutorial at Love Grows Wild.

SHOP ORNAMENTS

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Family Silhouettes

For a truly personal and unique touch, DIY silhouettes of your family members—pets included!—and place them into framed ornaments.

Get the tutorial at Home Made Lovely.

SHOP FRAME ORNAMENTS

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Unexpected Greenery

Trim a flocked tree with colorful ornaments, then tuck unexpected greenery—like eucalyptus leaves—into branches for a whimsical, yet elegant look.

Get the tutorial at Keys to Inspiration.

SHOP ORNAMENTS

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Minimalist

Embrace the saying "less is more"—pick up a fluffy evergreen, then wrap it in a soft, white tree skirt and decorate the branches with a simple wooden garland and white polymer clay ornaments.

Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.

SHOP WOODEN GARLAND

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Sweet Treats

For a sweet treat, decorate this year's tree with an array of food-inspired ornaments. Bonus points for DIYing a doughnut-inspired tree skirt.

Get the tutorial at The Paper Mama.

SHOP DOUGHNUT ORNAMENT

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Black and White

Create a unique textured tree with gold ornaments, faux magnolia, whimsical bird cage ornaments, and a black and white garland.

Get the tutorial at Craftberrybush.

SHOP GARLAND

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Pom-Poms

This unique Christmas tree decorating idea looks surprisingly elegant—especially if you stick to a neutral color palette.

Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.

SHOP POM-POMS

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Winter Wonderland Glam

Dreaming of a white Christmas? Fill your fir with snow branches, gold and cream ribbon, gold and white flowers, and plenty of seasonal bling.

Get the tutorial at Design Dazzle.

SHOP GLITTERED SNOWFLAKES

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Rustic Chic

For a look that's straight out of your favorite ski town, opt for neutral white ornaments, natural elements like pinecones, and a bold red buffalo check ribbon garland.

Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.

SHOP RIBBON

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Floral

Buck tradition with a snow white tree wrapped in an array of beautiful blooms more reminiscent of spring than winter.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

SHOP FAUX FLOWERS

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Tree Branches

Who ever said your tree has to look like everyone else's? For a low-effort decorating idea, bring a nice big tree branch to life with a few festive ornaments.

Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.

SHOP VASE

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Green and White

For something a little more muted than the traditional red and green holiday palette, skip the red. Instead, pair plenty of white baubles with additional decor in soft shades of green.

Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.

SHOP GREEN ORNAMENTS

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Pink Florals and Gold Metallics

For a tree with plenty of shimmer and shine, fill branches with gold metallic accents, like ornaments and ribbon. Then, for the finishing touch, tuck in a few fresh flowers.

Get the tutorial at Design Dazzle.

SHOP GOLD ORNAMENTS

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Potted Tree

Don't cramp a small space with a monstrous fir—you can pull off a similarly festive vibe with a simple potted tree wrapped in craft paper, trimmed with wooden accents, and assembled in a sweet vignette.

Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.

SHOP WOODEN GARLAND

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Unicorn

Here's a fun Christmas tradition to start this year: Craft mini trees for each of your children's bedrooms to infuse their space with holiday spirit filled with personality.

Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.

SHOP WHITE RIBBON

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White, Pink, and Gold

Though not your typical holiday color scheme, this muted tree fits right in amongst all of your favorite trimmings.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.

SHOP GOLD ORNAMENTS

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Sunflower

If your goal is to go truly out-of-the-box this year, swap the traditional evergreen for a bright and cheerful cascade of sunflowers wrapped in a black-and-white plaid ribbon.

Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.

SHOP RIBBON

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Typographic

It doesn't get more unique than this: An artificial white tree with contrasting baubles in a bold purple and a punny DIY typographic garland.

Get the tutorial at The Paper Mama.

SHOP PURPLE ORNAMENTS

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Citrus

Another minimalistic idea with big pay-off that's perfectly suited for small spaces. Simply dry orange slices and string them from evergreen branches propped in an amber vase.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

SHOP AMBER VASE

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Red and White

If you're the more is more type, you'll love this professionally-decorated tree. Each and every branch is filled with festive red and white accents.

Get the tutorial at Design Dazzle.

SHOP CHECKERED RIBBON

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Balloons

Infuse your holiday with a touch of whimsy by assembling a tree made completely of pastel-colored balloons.

Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.

SHOP BALLOONS

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Ombre

Regardless what color ornaments you choose, this is an easy decorating idea with big payoff.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

SHOP ORNAMENTS

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Silver Tinsel

A sparse, slim Charlie Brown-type tree doesn't look quite so bare when covered in silver tinsel and colorful ornaments.

Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.

SHOP ARTIFICIAL TREE

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