Christmas Tree Themes: 16 Budget Looks That Make Your Tree Look Like a Designer Did It

Christmas tree themes are the secret behind every tree that makes you stop scrolling and say, how did they do that? It is almost never about money. It is about picking one clear story and sticking to it. This season the biggest tree videos online are all about a theme, from a plaid ribbon tree with tens of thousands of reactions to a burgundy velvet tree that had people asking for the ornament list in the comments. The good news is that most of these looks start with things you already own, a few thrift store finds and a little craft time at the kitchen table. Below you will find 16 looks, each with a simple supply list and easy steps. Pick the one that feels like your home, and get ready for compliments..

Christmas Tree Themes Start With Burgundy Velvet and Gold

The decorated evergreen tree has been part of the holidays for centuries, and this version is the one everyone is copying right now, and it is easy to see why. Deep burgundy velvet bows sit against warm brown and antique gold balls, and the full look reads rich without trying hard. The secret of great Christmas tree themes is repetition: the same bow, over and over, tucked deep into the branches. Buy velvet ribbon by the roll instead of ready made bows and you cut the cost in half. Pair it with these velvet ornaments you can make for even more texture. Once you see this one, you will want to try them all..

You will need: two rolls of wide burgundy velvet ribbon, brown and antique gold ornaments in three sizes, floral wire, scissors, a few gold picks.

How to make it: 1. Hang the biggest ornaments deep inside the tree first. 2. Tie 15 to 20 simple bows and wire them evenly from top to bottom. 3. Fill gaps with smaller gold balls and a few gold picks near the tips.

Plaid Ribbon Cascade With One Big Bow

One flowing plaid ribbon from top to bottom can carry an entire tree, which is why it ranks among the most loved Christmas tree themes. A version of this look pulled in more than 50,000 reactions online, and it uses only a few rolls of ribbon. The oversized bow on top replaces a star, so there is nothing else to buy. Let the ribbon tails drop in loose loops rather than tight spirals. For more ways to play with ribbon, see this ribbon Christmas tree.

You will need: three to four rolls of wired plaid ribbon, red and gold ornaments, floral wire, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Make one big bow with long tails and wire it to the top. 2. Run each tail down the tree in soft waves, tucking it into branches every foot. 3. Add red and gold balls in the open spaces between the ribbon.

Woodland Tree With Pinecones and Felt Mushrooms

Of all the Christmas tree themes, a woodland tree feels most like a walk in the forest on a cold morning. Gather pinecones on your next walk, add little red felt mushrooms, and clip a few felt birds on the branches. A wooden bead garland ties it together. Bake pinecones on a sheet at low heat with adult help to dry them before they come inside. For more mushroom ideas, browse this mushroom Christmas decor.

You will need: pinecones, red and white felt, fiberfill, felt birds with clips, a wooden bead garland, craft glue.

How to make it: 1. Dry pinecones on a lined sheet at low heat for 30 minutes. 2. Sew or glue small felt caps over fiberfill stems for mushrooms. 3. Drape the bead garland, then add pinecones, mushrooms and birds.

Christmas Tree Themes for the Kitchen

If your family lives in the kitchen, give the tree a job there too. Metal cookie cutters on red ribbon, tiny whisks and small wooden spoons tied with gingham bows make a tree that looks like a bakery window. Most of it comes from your own drawers or the dollar aisle. A checked tablecloth works as the tree skirt. For more cutter tricks, try these cookie cutter Christmas crafts.

You will need: metal cookie cutters, mini whisks, small wooden spoons, red ribbon, gingham ribbon, a checked tablecloth.

How to make it: 1. Thread red ribbon through each cutter and tie a loop. 2. Tie gingham bows on spoon handles and whisks. 3. Wrap the tablecloth around the base and hang the tools evenly.

Christmas Tree Themes for Gardeners: Tiny Clay Pots

Tiny terracotta pots make the sweetest ornaments, and they cost pennies each. Tie twine through the base, add a sprig of dried flowers inside, and hang them like bells. Plain kraft seed envelopes become little paper ornaments too. This tree is perfect for anyone who misses the garden in December. Find more garden fun in this junk garden art.

You will need: mini terracotta pots, jute twine, dried flowers, small kraft envelopes, a few small wooden garden tools.

How to make it: 1. Knot twine and thread it up through the base of each pot. 2. Tuck dried flowers inside and hang. 3. Fill kraft envelopes with tissue, add a twine loop and clip them to branches.

Christmas Tree Themes for Book Lovers

A book lover’s tree is quiet, warm and full of charm. Fold paper stars and fans from cream paper or old book pages, then add tiny handmade books tied with twine. Burgundy and green ribbon give it a library feel. Set it near a reading chair and it looks like a cozy bookshop. For more paper ideas, see these old book Christmas crafts.

You will need: cream paper or old book pages, a glue stick, twine, small cardboard scraps, burgundy and green ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Accordion fold strips of paper and pinch the middle to make fans. 2. Fold squares into simple stars. 3. Wrap small cardboard blocks in paper for tiny books and tie them with twine.

Coastal Christmas in White and Soft Blue

Not everyone dreams of snow. Coastal Christmas tree themes bring back summer with driftwood stars, white and soft blue balls and a natural rope garland. Little beach treasures collected on vacation finally get a place to shine. It feels light, calm and fresh, especially in a bright room. Add a few sea blue glass pieces like these sea glass Christmas crafts.

You will need: driftwood sticks, hot glue, white and soft blue ornaments, natural rope, small white beach finds, twine.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, hot glue five driftwood sticks into a star shape. 2. Swag the rope loosely around the tree. 3. Add blue and white balls, then hang the beach finds with twine loops.

Grandma’s Quilt Tree With Calico Bows

This tree feels like a hug from grandma. Round fabric scrap ornaments in red, blue and cream calico hang next to little fabric bows, and an old patchwork quilt wraps the base. Every scrap from past sewing projects finds a home. Among Christmas tree themes, it is the kind kids remember for years. For more scrap ideas, visit these fabric scrap Christmas crafts.

You will need: calico fabric scraps, foam balls, a butter knife, craft glue, a patchwork quilt, ribbon for hangers.

How to make it: 1. Cut fabric into small squares. 2. Press the edges into the foam ball with a butter knife until covered. 3. Add a ribbon loop and tie strips of calico into small bows for the branches.

Ski Lodge Tree With Paint Stick Skis

Free paint sticks from the hardware store become tiny skis with a coat of red paint and a bit of trim. Add mini knit hats and buffalo check ribbon and the tree feels like a mountain lodge after a long day on the slopes. Wooden snowflakes finish it off. Kids love helping paint the skis. For more checked patterns, see this plaid Christmas decor.

You will need: paint sticks, red and white craft paint, small saw or strong shears, mini knit hats, buffalo check ribbon, wooden snowflakes.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, cut paint sticks in half and round one end with sandpaper. 2. Paint red with a white stripe and tie pairs with ribbon. 3. Hang skis, hats and snowflakes evenly around the tree.

Christmas Tree Themes in Nordic Red and White

Red and white is the easiest color plan in the world for Christmas tree themes, and it always looks crisp. Woven paper hearts, straw stars and white paper snowflakes give it a Nordic feel. The hearts are an old tradition that you can make from two sheets of paper and a pair of scissors. Learn how in these woven paper hearts.

You will need: red and white paper, scissors, a glue stick, straw stars, small red wooden balls, thread.

How to make it: 1. Fold two paper strips in half and cut fingers into the folded end. 2. Weave the strips over and under to form a heart pocket. 3. Hang hearts, stars and snowflakes with thread.

Cozy Sweater Tree With Pom Poms

A sweater tree is pure comfort. Mini knit ornaments, fluffy yarn pom poms and a chunky knit garland make it look soft enough to touch. An old knit blanket works as the tree skirt. Cut circles from a worn out sweater, stuff them, and you have ornaments for free. For more ways to reuse knits, see these old sweater upcycles.

You will need: leftover yarn, a fork or pom pom maker, an old sweater, fiberfill, needle and thread, a knit blanket.

How to make it: 1. Wrap yarn around a fork, tie the middle and snip the loops for pom poms. 2. Cut sweater circles, stitch them around fiberfill and add a loop. 3. Drape the garland and tuck pom poms in between.

Coffee Shop Tree With Cinnamon Bundles

This tree smells as good as it looks. Bundles of cinnamon sticks tied with twine, burlap ribbon and tiny white mugs make it feel like your favorite cafe. Clear ornaments filled with coffee beans add a warm brown tone. It is perfect beside a coffee bar or in the kitchen corner. For more coffee crafts, look at these coffee filter crafts.

You will need: cinnamon sticks, twine, burlap ribbon, tiny white mugs, clear fillable ornaments, coffee beans.

How to make it: 1. Tie three or four cinnamon sticks together with twine and make a loop. 2. Fill clear ornaments with beans. 3. Hang mugs by their handles and weave burlap ribbon through the branches.

Christmas Tree Themes in All Cream and White

When you want calm, go all cream. Knit balls, white wooden beads, ivory velvet ribbon and white clay stars create a tree with texture instead of color. It looks expensive because every piece is the same shade. Mix shiny, matte and fuzzy so it never looks flat. For a snowy finish, see this flocked Christmas tree.

You will need: cream and white ornaments in mixed textures, white wooden bead garland, ivory velvet ribbon, air dry clay, a star cutter.

How to make it: 1. Roll air dry clay, cut stars and poke a small opening for the hanger. 2. Let them dry and hang with ribbon. 3. Mix textures evenly so no two matching pieces sit side by side.

Copper and Green With Dried Orange Slices

Shiny copper balls and dried orange slices glow beautifully in daylight. Add green velvet ribbon and a few eucalyptus sprigs and the tree feels fresh and natural. Orange slices cost almost nothing and fill a room with a soft citrus scent. Make a big batch on a lazy afternoon. Learn the easy method in this guide to dried orange slices.

You will need: oranges, a sharp knife, a baking sheet, twine, copper ornaments, green velvet ribbon, eucalyptus.

How to make it: 1. With adult help, slice oranges thin and pat them dry. 2. Bake on low heat for three to four hours, turning once. 3. Thread twine through each slice and hang with copper balls and ribbon.

Family Photo Tree With Mini Frames

A photo tree tells your family story in one glance. Tiny wooden frames hold pictures of pets, past trips and snowy days, and red bows fill the space between them. Guests always stop to look closer. Update a few photos each year and the tree grows with you, the most personal of all Christmas tree themes. Find frame ideas in these Christmas picture frame crafts.

You will need: mini wooden frames, printed small photos, red ribbon, gold ornaments, craft glue.

How to make it: 1. Trim photos to fit each frame and glue them in. 2. Add a ribbon loop at the top. 3. Hang frames at eye level and fill around them with red bows and gold balls.

Travel Tree With Map Ornaments

Old atlases and road maps get a happy second life on a travel tree. Cut them into stars, hearts and little paper airplanes, then add a few small globes. With Christmas tree themes like this, every ornament can mark a place you visited or dream of going. It is a lovely way to finish the list, and it pairs well with these easy DIY tree skirts.

You will need: old maps or atlas pages, a glue stick, cardstock, scissors, small globe ornaments, twine.

How to make it: 1. Glue map paper onto cardstock for strength. 2. Cut stars and hearts and fold a few simple airplanes. 3. Punch a small opening, add twine and hang them between the globes.