Christmas tree topper ideas – 10 alternatives to the traditional star to finish up your tree in style

Getting creative with your Christmas tree topper ideas is the perfect opportunity to elevate the overall look of your tree and make a real statement to wow your family and guests with – especially as this year’s Christmas tree topper trends are all standout looks.

Christmas tree toppers make for the lovely finishing touch to your best artificial Christmas tree or and real tree alike – and it’s a decorating step that should not be skipped. A tree topper is like the crown jewel of your tree so best pick it well. But to lend a helping hand with this fun task, we’ve rounded up some of the loveliest and most on-trend tree toppers currently available on the market to give you some Christmas tree ideas.

Christmas tree topper ideas

‘Adding an alternative Christmas tree topper rather than the traditional star or angel, is a great way to add an ultra-personal touch to your festive decor,’ says Lucy Mather, interiors expert at Arighi Bianchi. ‘Christmas tree topper trends this year are a magical mix of tradition, whimsy, and contemporary aesthetics.’

1. Put an oversized bow on it

Both Christmas tree ribbon ideas and oversized decorations are some of the biggest (quite literally) Christmas decor trends of this festive season. So topping your tree with a supersized bow will look both beautiful and contemporary.

‘Oversized velvet bows are making a big statement, offering a touch of drama and elegance. A large, decorative bow in plush velvet or shimmering ribbon creates an elegant and cohesive look that ties the tree itself to the gift-wrapped presents underneath it,’ Lucy at Arighi Bianchi says.

This can be a DIY Christmas decor idea, as content creators on social media have been fashioning their XXL tree bows using everything from dust sheets to pillowcases. But you can also buy a ready-made bow as several brands have them on offer this year.

2. Incorporate the Christmas disco theme

The Christmas disco trend is one that emerged last year. But it’s not going anywhere this time around – in fact, it’s only gotten more widespread and popular. And disco ball-shaped Christmas tree toppers have been popping up all over the place. They’re perfect for making the most of your best Christmas lights as well, reflecting them in the mirrored finish.

But even if you don’t want to approach this trend so literally, you can opt for any metallic, mirrored, glittered or sequined design – any style like that is sure to get your tree into the disco spirit.

3. Opt for a different take on the classic star

There is, of course, absolutely nothing wrong with craving nostalgic Christmas traditions – including wanting a star-shaped tree topper just like you used to have growing up. But there are many beautiful star toppers that are both beautiful and a little bit different from the norm, whether that’s an iridescent design or a wicker one celebrating nature.

‘Natural and celestial themes are big this year – think wicker stars or intricate gold stars with cut-out details,’ says Sam Sutherland, Flitch interior stylist.

Lucy at Arighi Bianchi adds, ‘Perennially popular stars are still up there as classic tree topper, but this year they’re paired with iridescent LED lights. Vintage-inspired toppers are having a resurgence and will bring a sense of nostalgic tradition and festive wonder to your decor.’

4. Choose a light-up option

Light-up Christmas tree toppers are a fun way to finish off your decoration. But be careful about which one you select.

Stay on the classy side by choosing light in a similar shade to the fairy lights around your tree. if one is white and the other yellow, the clash will irritate you. If your light-up topper has a cord then make sure you've explored Christmas tree light hacks to avoid getting into a twist.

Slim, minimalist designs are a great choice because they add a touch of extra sparkle without overwhelming, or looking bare when not switched on.

5. Finish with a flower

Make it appear that you know how to decorate a tree professionally by committing to a striking, floral scheme.

Decorate with a relatively small number of baubles in a restrained palette - think maximum three colours - and fill the gaps with faux blooms in your choice of these shades. For the perfect topper, wrap the stem of an artificial rose around the top brand of the tree and, if need, use wire to position it perfectly. Wrap any exposed wires with florists' tape for a seamless finish.

6. Add some fancy feathers

'Clips, stems and unusual shapes are a great way to give your tree texture and interest,' says Jason Billings-Cray, Christmas buyer at John Lewis & Partners. This is even more applicable when it comes to your choice of Christmas tree topper.

Christmas is a time of celebration, so why not take inspiration from many festivities around the year - and world - and use an array of statement coloured feathers to create a tree topper? Work the feathers in from a few branches down from the top to give the impression that they're sprouting from the trunk itself.

This style won't just look great at Christmas - if you throw a Roaring Twenties bash for New Year's Eve, your tree will be right on theme!

7. Go for a DIY approach

For a fun and easy Christmas tree design and topper that the whole family can help with, look to paper decorations.

Fold out paper stars are perfect to let little kids get involved in decorating without the worry of anything getting broken or swallowed. You can play around by mixing and matching shapes and sizes, so long as you stick to one or two colours. For extra impact, choose an oversized option to act as the topper.

The 3-D versions of these paper decs are also a wonderful way to fill the space left at the base of the tree once the presents have been opened. Plus, it's a great budget Christmas decorating idea that will save more money for gifts.

8. Add a heart to the top

Christmas is a time for family and friends to gather, so a simple heart hung from the top of your tree is the perfect way to sum up the season.

If your decoration has too wide a string to hang neatly, or there aren't any close enough lower branches to rest it on, use some thin wire in a matching colour to tie directly onto the top.

9. Top with an angel

Another classic Christmas tree topper idea - the angel, or a fairy, is a sweet way of finishing off your family tree.

A benefit of these toppers is that they typically can simply be placed on top of the tree, meaning you don't have to twist, tie or attach anything extra.

There are any number of angelic toppers on offer, so there will absolutely be one to match your style.

10. Embrace maximalist decor

If you're big into following the latest Christmas tree trends, then retro maximalist decor is the one to watch. This involves ample colour and kitsch decorations, and a statement Christmas tree topper idea, like this peacock, will be the ultimate finishing touch.

'A brilliant trend for those who like to mix and match their extensive decorations collection, eclecticism is the name of the game, so don't be afraid to combine colours and textures,' says Jennifer Derry, chief merchandise and design expert at Balsam Hill.

'Another really easy way to begin building this look is with multi-coloured lights which impart an instant touch of nostalgia.'

FAQs

How do I choose a Christmas tree topper?

‘It’s important to choose a tree topper that is to scale with your tree,’ says Sylvia James, interior designer at HomeHow.co.uk. ‘Leaving it until the last minute without any thought will result in a topper that is disproportionate and using the same one with a different tree is lazy.'

'Invest in a few different shapes and sizes and continue adding more to the collection as the years go by.’ Your design should reflect or echo the theme of the tree decorations, or any Christmas style you have running through the room.

Also remember you need a topper which fits! Ideally you want a good few inches of space between it and the ceiling, so you may have to bend or cut the top branch to make your choice of topper sit correctly.

Do you put the tree topper on first or last?

Christmas tree toppers should be the second thing added following the lights. Although we think of the topper as ‘finishing’ the tree, by leaving it to the end to put on, you’re risking knocking off precariously balanced baubles or getting the cord of a light up topper stuck in between decorations.

Another thing to consider that if you put the topper on last and then realise there’s not enough room between the tree and the ceiling, it’s a fair bit trickier to deal with.

What is the most popular Christmas tree topper?

The two most common Christmas tree toppers are far and away stars and angels. And different sources will suggest that one is more popular than the other, but there’s no definitive answer.

‘People in Scandinavian countries tend to use the same tree topper to complete their Christmas tree year after year,’ muses Sandie Wallman, Founder of Nordic House.

‘It can often be a family heirloom and stars are always popular.’ We typically think of stars as being more traditional, however, the tradition of using Christmas tree toppers began in Germany in the 1800s. The Rauschgoldengel, or the tingled angel, was a shiny golden foil angel that became popular during this era,’ say the experts at Balsam Hill.

'The advent of patriotic accents in Great Britain eventually saw flags, such as the Union Jack, making their way to the tops of numerous Christmas trees.'

Whether you stick to the traditional star or angel or mix up your Christmas decor with some DIY bows, any option will be the perfect cherry on top of your tree this season.