Decorating Christmas Tree Lights First

Best Christmas Tree Decorations for 2020

Transform your tree into a work of art with these stylish ornaments, garland and other on-trend Christmas tree decorations we think you'll love.

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Couple decorating for Christmas Westend61/Getty Images

How To Decorate a Tree

When it comes to holiday decorations, your Christmas tree is the star of the show. A few simple steps will ensure it reaches its full glittery, glowy potential. Follow these tree-decorating steps.

First, fluff the branches. On a real tree, make sure there aren't bent or broken stems, and give it a good shake to free any loose pine needles before you bring it into the house. For an artificial tree, this step is even more important. In storage the tree flattens out, so make sure to fluff each individual bough for the most realistic look.

Next add the lights. If it's pre-lit, move on to the next step. If not, test the strands before stringing them on the tree. Then start from the bottom and work your way up, weaving each strand between branches, connecting more light strands as needed. Keep the lights turned on as you go. That makes it easier to ensure the whole tree is lit without any dark areas.

Now add your decorations! This is the fun part. Start with the largest ornaments arranged evenly around the tree, then fill in the bare spots with the smaller ornaments. A variety of ornament sizes adds interest. For texture and body, add picks and sprays in the shape of florals, branches or other forms.

Lastly, don't forget the tree topper!

Read on for more about ornaments and other tree decorations.

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Starburst Tree Topper

We love the delicate, sparkly Starburst Spikes Tree Topper, a different version of the classic tree star. It's finished in champagne gold and wrapped with 70 Christmas lights — 35 fixed and 35 twinkling — for extra glittery glow. A clear clamp ensures a secure fit. Clip, plug in and glow!

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Personalized Family Ornament

Commission a one-of-a-kind tree ornament with this custom hand painted family portrait ornament. The artist uses a family photograph to paint your family's likeness (people or pets!) on a round wood slice. It's sure to become one of your most treasured Christmas heirlooms.

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Hand-Blown Glass Ornament

This glass orb ornament catches the light in beautiful ways. And because it's hand blown, no two are alike! Called the Tree of Enchantment ornament, it comes in 17 tree designs, each representing a special sentiment such as Family or Remembrance. It's beautiful enough to earn a spot in your home decor year-round.

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Wood-Bead Garland

Neutral colors and natural wood elements, like this beaded garland, are big trends this year. Drape two or three strands on your Christmas tree for a stylish, casual look. We love how the light wood beads pop against the green tree branches. It's neutral enough to use in your home outside of the winter holidays, too.

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Clip-On Mushroom Ornament

We're loving nature-themed trees this year, and this glass mushroom ornament would be the perfect addition to one. In place of a traditional hook, the clip-on feature allows you to attach the delicate mushrooms right at the tree-branch tip, for that enchanted fairy tale look.

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Red Berry Pick

Picks, sometimes called stems, are an easy way to add texture and body to your tree. They come in all shapes and styles like berries, glitter curls, poinsettias, even feathers. We love the iced snow detail on this classic red berry pick. If you feel like your tree might be missing something, try adding this pick or another one like it!

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Santa Wearing a Mask

What better way to commemorate 2020 than a masked Santa ornament? The pandemic is no joke, of course, but it's good to find joy in the little things when you can. Surely Santa is washing his hands and social distancing this year, too.

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Pom Pom Garland

Turn your tree into a party with this colorful pom-pom garland! It's a playful spin on traditional garland and looks great styled with other bright and whimsical ornaments — or maybe mostly white, with occasional pops of color — for an overall cheerful tree.

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Santa Hat Tree Topper

This playful Santa hat tree topper creates the figurative star on top of trees classic and modern. It's made from hand-felted wool, stands at 15-in. tall and couldn't be easier to add to the top. Rumor has it Santa left it behind at your house last year.

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Photo Frame Ornaments

Photo ornaments are especially meaningful at a time when most of us leave our photos on our phones and computers. And if ever there was a year to focus on the moments that made you grateful, surely it's 2020. This set is made from classic enamel and can be broken up to give to kids, siblings or friends.

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Word Ornaments

It's the ornamental take on this year's hot typography trend: beautiful Love and Joy ornaments, made with gold and silver glass beads. Use them as happy reminders on your tree, or spread a little of both by giving them as gifts.

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Buffalo Check Farmhouse Ornament

If you love Farmhouse style, this sweet little house with a buffalo check roof is the perfect ornament for you. The battery-operated LED light adds a cozy glow to the windows and offers an unexpected twist to an otherwise traditional ornament.

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Elf Legs

Your kids will get a kick out of these stuffed elf legs that make it look like one of Santa's helpers got left behind. The 23-in. long legs feature bendable wire inside to make them posable. Leave them up all season, or bring them out on Christmas morning.

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Originally Published: November 25, 2020

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