How to Decorate a Christmas Tree: 4 Popular Christmas Tree Themes

When watching old Christmas movies or looking at photos from Christmases past gives most people the warmest bit of nostalgia, even for a time we never lived. A traditional Christmas tree is a safe bet because it will be elegant and vintage, an appearance that nearly everyone finds aesthetically pleasing. For traditional Christmas trees, you may want to use bubble lights, silver tinsel, red and white candy canes, old-fashioned wood, glass, or metal ornaments and baubles, bows, bells, dried fruit and nut garlands, or an antique angel tree topper to name a few.

One of the other traditional Christmas tree decorating ideas that used to be wildly popular involves small tapered candles on candlesticks that are carefully balanced on the tree branches. Though, as this is a fire hazard, you probably want to use faux candles to achieve this classic look! Below, you will find some traditional Christmas decoration ideas for your tree.

Alternatively, if modern is more your thing, you can decorate your tree in different modern themes, such as a beach-themed Christmas tree or even a beach-themed Christmas tree that isn't a real tree at all, like the Beachy Branch Wall Christmas Tree! For a beach or nautical theme, you can use shells in different ways, like homemade Christmas ornaments made from shells or shells strung on a line to make a beautiful DIY garland.

You can fill inexpensive clear glass ball ornaments with sand and hang those around your Christmas tree. Use driftwood accents, for example, a driftwood Christmas star topper. We have some ocean inspiration for you below that is must-sea.

Another brilliant Christmas tree theme idea is to decorate your Christmas tree with one color. That means the lights, garlands, ornaments, and other accents are all of the same color, such as pink or white. It's a striking and beautiful contrast to the soft green of the tree. Depending on the color, you may be able to find the decorations in your desired color or you may have to customize them. It's not difficult to do.

Making your own customized Christmas garland is easy and fun and can be done in a variety of ways. You can also make or buy simple ornaments from a dollar store and spray paint them in your color of choice. You can also choose to decorate your Christmas tree with two complementary colors or a rainbow Christmas tree theme!

"Clean and simple" is not a term often associated with Christmas as it's an extravagant holiday for most, yet, it's not without its charm. Decorating your tree with one type of material, like this Christmas tree decorated in only gold stars, provides a look that is clean and simple but also stunning and eye-catching!

Accomplish this Christmas tree theme by only stringing lights, using bows as accents, or hanging one type of simple ornament. Many of these ideas are inspired by cultural traditions, too. Though, the options for this look are numerous as you will see below.