Christmas Tree Toppers: Everything You Need to Crown Your Holiday Masterpiece

Christmas Tree Toppers: Everything You Need to Crown Your Holiday Masterpiece

Christmas tree toppers transform an ordinary tree into a showstopping holiday centerpiece, but choosing the right one can feel overwhelming when you’re staring at endless options.

I get it—you’ve spent hours wrestling your tree into the stand, untangling lights until your fingers hurt, and carefully placing each ornament. Now you’re standing there, looking at that naked treetop, wondering what’s going to pull the whole look together.

Let me walk you through everything I’ve learned about tree toppers over the years, from classic choices to wild creative alternatives that’ll make your neighbors do a double-take.

The Classic Contenders That Never Disappoint

Star toppers are the workhorses of Christmas decorating. They play well with virtually any theme you’ve got going—rustic farmhouse, elegant silver and gold, even that chaotic “kids made everything” vibe.

I’m particularly fond of pre-lit star tree toppers because they add that extra sparkle without requiring additional work. The light reflects off the branches below and creates this gorgeous glow that photographs beautifully.

You’ll find stars in every finish imaginable:

• Simple gold or silver wire frames
• Glittery explosion designs that catch every bit of light
• Beaded versions that feel vintage and handmade
• Modern geometric styles for contemporary spaces

Angel toppers bring something different to the table—warmth and tradition wrapped up in wings and flowing gowns. My grandmother had the same angel topper for forty years, and seeing it perched atop her tree was part of what made Christmas feel like Christmas.

Modern angel tree toppers range from traditional porcelain figures to whimsical fabric designs with color-changing fiber optic wings. Some are ornately detailed with sequined gowns, while others keep things simple with burlap and grapevine.

The unlit versions work great if you’re going for a specific aesthetic, but the lit ones add another layer of magic when the room goes dark.

When You’re Ready to Break the Rules

Here’s where things get interesting. Traditional toppers are lovely, but sometimes you want something that screams “this is MY tree” rather than something anyone could pick up at the store.

Ribbon and bow toppers are my secret weapon for budget-conscious decorating. You can create something absolutely stunning with a few yards of quality ribbon and about ten minutes of your time.

The key is going big—forget those wimpy little bows. I’m talking multiple loops, long flowing tails that cascade down into the branches, and enough volume to make a statement.

Velvet ribbon creates a luxurious look that photographs like a dream. Wired ribbon holds its shape better and survives being packed away year after year.

For a truly custom look, I layer different ribbon widths and complementary patterns:

• Wide velvet base ribbon in your primary color
• Medium-width patterned ribbon that coordinates
• Narrow metallic ribbon for sparkle
• Long tails that extend 18-24 inches down the tree

Pick-based toppers opened up a whole new world for me. Instead of buying one finished topper, you gather coordinating decorative stems and combine them into something unique.

I raided the after-Christmas sales last year and grabbed:

• Red berry stems with realistic texture
• White glittered snowflake picks
• Silver pine cone stems
• Cascading pearl strands

Secured them all together with floral wire and added a coordinating bow. The whole thing cost less than twenty bucks and looks like something from a designer’s portfolio.

The trick is using an odd number of stems—three, five, or seven depending on how full you want it. Offset the larger pieces slightly so everything doesn’t line up in a weird symmetrical way.

The Dollar Store Revolution

Let’s talk about budget options that don’t look cheap. Dollar stores have become goldmines for creative decorators who know what to look for.

I’ve made gorgeous toppers using:

• Large snowflake ornaments arranged in a starburst pattern
• Multiple ball ornaments in graduating sizes stacked vertically
• Oversized glittered picks clustered together
• Wooden signs with holiday sayings

One year I grabbed three large plastic snowflakes, spray-painted them with matte white chalk paint, added a dusting of silver glitter, and secured them together with zip ties. Total cost: four dollars. Compliments received: countless.

The starburst design using ball ornaments is easier than it looks. Remove the hangers, hot glue the ornaments to a small Styrofoam ball in a radial pattern, and attach the whole thing to your tree with wire.

Getting It to Actually Stay Put

Nothing’s more frustrating than a topper that tips over or spins around every time someone walks past the tree.

Different toppers attach different ways, and understanding this beforehand saves massive headaches:

Spring-loaded bases slip over the top of your tree. They work great for trees with sturdy central trunks but can be tricky if your tree has a wimpy top or if you’ve got a pre-lit tree with the lights right at the peak.

Clip attachments grip onto branches. These distribute weight better than spring-loaded versions but require more fiddling to get positioned correctly.

Wire-based attachments give you the most flexibility. You can secure them exactly where you want them, but they’re also the least stable if you don’t wrap enough wire around multiple branches.

For heavy toppers, I don’t mess around—I use zip ties. Thread them through the base of the topper, wrap them around the central trunk and a couple of sturdy branches, and pull them tight. Not elegant, but they’re hidden by the topper anyway, and that thing isn’t budging.

Bow toppers need special attention because