Christmas tree decorations UK: what to buy and how many

Christmas tree decorations: baubles, toppers and more

Baubles, toppers, skirts and hanging pieces for the tree, from glass and shatterproof plastic to wood, resin and dried fruit. Most items here cost between £7 and £33. Plan by tree height: about 10 baubles per foot gives a standard look, and the guide below adds the topper and skirt size for each height.

Christmas tree decorations: the layers of a tree

A decorated tree is built in layers, and the order matters: lights first, then garland or ribbon, then baubles and hanging pieces, then the topper and the skirt. Our guide on how to decorate a Christmas tree goes through the order step by step, and Christmas tree lights covers the first layer.

Baubles

Baubles make up the body of the tree. Most of the bauble sets here are shatterproof plastic in packs of 12 to 108, and glass is the exception. The Christmas baubles page has the guide to size, material and quantity.

Toppers

Stars and angels are the two classics, from 6 cm minis to light-up versions of 35 cm. Weight and fitting matter more than the shape, and the Christmas tree toppers page explains both.

Skirts and collars

A skirt hides the stand and gives presents a neat base. Soft mats in faux fur or velvet spread across the floor, while wicker and metal collars sit around the stand. Christmas tree skirts lists the sizes.

Hanging pieces

Beyond baubles, the range includes wooden nutcracker soldiers, gingerbread men, candy canes, crystal stars, dried orange slices and resin character ornaments, sold singly or in small sets. Hang them at eye level, where they are seen up close, and let baubles fill the rest.

How many Christmas tree decorations do you need?

About 10 baubles per foot of tree gives a standard look, with 6 per foot for a lighter tree and 15 per foot for a full one. The chart turns that into counts and adds the topper and skirt that suit each height. Treat the figures as starting points, because trees vary in width.

Tree height	Baubles (standard, mostly 6 cm)	Topper height	Skirt or mat diameter
4ft (122 cm)	40	15 to 20 cm	61 to 78 cm
5ft (152 cm)	50	18 to 25 cm	78 to 90 cm
6ft (183 cm)	60	20 to 30 cm	78 to 90 cm
7ft (213 cm)	70	25 to 31 cm	90 to 122 cm
8ft (244 cm)	80	30 to 35 cm	90 to 122 cm

On a table-top tree under 3ft, use 3 to 4 cm baubles, a mini star of 6 to 10 cm and a small mat or collar of 40 to 61 cm.

Material, colour and cost

Material decides weight and breakage, so it matters more than shape.

Material	What to expect	Best on
Shatterproof plastic	Light, does not break, lowest price per piece	Any tree, and homes with children or pets
Glass	Heavier than plastic, breaks if dropped	Sturdy branches, away from the tips
Resin	Detailed characters and keepsakes, usually single pieces	Eye level, on strong branches
Wood and dried fruit	Light and matt, with a natural look	Rustic or Scandi trees

Cost per piece

Plastic sets of 40 pieces or more usually cost well under 50p a piece. Small glass baubles cost around £1 each, and a resin character ornament sold singly costs several pounds. Use sets for the body of the tree and single pieces as focal points.

Colour

Red and gold is the most common pairing here, followed by white, silver and clear pieces. Two or three colours and a single metal keep a tree coherent, and our Christmas tree decorating ideas list 12 themes with colour schemes.

Children and pets

In homes with toddlers or pets, hang glass, small pieces and edible-looking items such as dried orange slices and candy canes in the upper two thirds of the tree.

Vintage, personalised and handmade decorations

Several of the most searched decorations are styles rather than types, and they all fit the layers above.

Vintage-style: small glass baubles in mixed colours and retro shapes, sold in sets of 12 to 25 here.
Personalised: baubles that carry a name, a date or a baby’s first Christmas, usually one piece per listing.
Handmade: wooden slices, dried orange slices and craft kits for children. Salt dough is a low-cost alternative.
Bows: a large ribbon bow works as a topper, or tied to the ends of branches.

Placing and storing decorations

Hang larger baubles deeper in the tree, close to the trunk, and smaller ones towards the branch tips. The difference in depth makes the tree look fuller.
Repeat each colour in several places round the tree, so it reads as a pattern rather than a patch.
Keep special pieces at eye level, and put fragile glass on sturdy branches, away from the lowest tips.
Pack decorations away in their original tray or box, wrap glass pieces in tissue, and store them somewhere dry.

Frequently asked questions: Tree Decorations

What is the correct order for decorating a Christmas tree?

Shape the branches, then add the lights, then garland or ribbon. Baubles come next, largest first, followed by hanging pieces, the topper and the skirt. Lights go on before everything else because threading a cable through a decorated tree knocks the decorations off.

What are the things used to decorate a Christmas tree called?

The round ones are baubles. Baubles, figures and other hanging pieces are all called decorations or ornaments. Tinsel, garland and beads are strung round the tree, the piece on top is the topper or finial, and the mat or basket at the base is the skirt or collar.

What are traditional Christmas tree decorations?

Glass baubles, tinsel, candy canes, ribbon bows and wooden figures such as nutcrackers and gingerbread men are the classics. Red, green and gold are the traditional colours. A star or an angel goes on top.

How many decorations does a 6ft Christmas tree need?

About 60 baubles for a standard look, or 36 for a lighter tree and 90 for a full one, using mostly 6 cm baubles. Smaller baubles act as fillers, so count them separately. The chart in this guide gives the figures for trees from 4ft to 8ft.

How can I make my Christmas tree look more attractive?

Limit the tree to two or three colours and one metal, vary the bauble sizes, and hang the largest ones deeper in the tree for depth. Fill gaps with ribbon or picks, and finish with a topper that suits the height. Check the tree from the sofa and from the door as well as from the front.