A thoughtful Christmas tree topper adds the perfect finishing touch to your festive fir – because no Christmas tree feels complete without a striking star, angel, snowflake, or ribbon to finish it off in style.
When it comes to Christmas tree decorating ideas, a tree topper is one of the most important finishing touches. Whether your preference is for an angel, a fairy, an elegant bow, or something a bit more unique like your favourite novelty ornament, it's all about adding that perfect finishing touch.
Christmas tree topper ideas: 14 ways to style your tree
Tinsel and baubles aside, nothing finishes a Christmas tree quite like a showstopping tree topper. Our guide to the best on-trend Christmas tree topper ideas will help you find the right style to suit your home, to inspire your festive decorating theme for 2025.
1. Shining gold stars
A gold star complements so many different looks
Nothing beats a festive gold star when it comes to Christmas tree topper ideas; in fact, they're almost as essential as Christmas tree skirts when it comes to decor. The gilded gold star is one of the most iconic Christmas decorations of choice for almost any tree size, colour, and type. Thanks to being a warm metallic, gold goes with most colour trends to enhance accent tones and give other hues a luxe feel.
The beauty of modern designs means that there's a variety of different gold stars to suit all, from traditional hammered gold stars to modern paper star-like creations. There's a star to shine bright for all tastes.
RRP: £8 | If you want to keep your decor traditional this year, then there's nothing more classic than a gold star topper. This one is made from metal, with a textured semi-matt surface and has an easy clip-on attachment.
2. Elegant bows
A simple bow is one of the most popular Christmas tree topper ideas to take over holiday decorating trends in recent years – bigger than ever in 2025. The simplicity is a major factor in its popularity, no doubt because all you essentially need is a length of ribbon to make your own DIY tree topper.
You can use a length of coloured ribbon that coordinates with your decorating, or make more of a statement with a contrasting accent colour that might be visible within the decor of your living room (or whichever room the tree resides in).
Of course, you can buy beautiful, readymade bows, but if you're on a budget, a homemade bow is just as effective.
RRP: £8 | For such a small price, this bow decoration is sure to be a big hit. It's easily attached thanks to the clip on the back and will fit right in amongst your festive baubles and twinkling tree lights.
RRP: £9.99 | If you're up for the challenge of creating your own bow tree topper than then the wide ribbon from Amazon will get the job done. You'll be able to create a bigger bow thanks to the ribbon's width, 10.1cm x 20.1m
3. Statement snowflakes
A snowflake Christmas tree topper is an understated show-stopper that catches the light and adds a glimmer of extra shine to the top of the tree without having to add actual lights.
Reflective metal and beaded snowflake ornaments are ideal if you prefer modern icier, cool tones for your Christmas decorating ideas, such as silver, pastels, or white, to create a snowy-like scene.
RRP: £15: A cutout snowflake design is a simple but sophisticated option to finish any tree without overwhelming the scheme.
4. Novelty ornaments
Some of the most popular and best Christmas decorations of recent years are novelty ornaments that welcome a touch of personality and playfulness to a decorating scheme. Whether it's a trending animal-of-the-moment, like the Llama has been in recent years, or a kitsch Santa on a surfboard a quirky decoration adorning the top of the tree adds a fun finishing touch.
Best of all, this could be an ornament you already have that's an all-time favourite that you simply reposition at the top of your tree or it can be a new find that you wish to draw attention to this year. Any colour scheme goes, it's all about having fun with this idea and taking a more maximalist approach to decorating.
RRP: £10 | Novelty decorations are everywhere this year, but in terms of using one as A tree topper, we couldn't pass over the adorable Spencer Bear. It's made to sit proudly in place on top of the tree for all to see.
5. Rustic rattan decorations
A rustic-style Christmas tree topper, whether a star or heart-shaped design, is a perfect tree topper for homes that prefer a more natural decor with a subtle hint of country-style charm thrown into the mix.
Being made of woven wood this style of tree topper is best suited to more traditional Christmas decorating ideas, sitting idyllically alongside woodland creatures, red berries, pine cones, dried fruit, and foliage for a freshly foraged look.
6. Angelic angels
An angelic angel sitting on top of a fir tree is a timeless choice that will work year after year, especially in homes with a more traditional approach to decorating.
From classic, handmade angels with fabric dresses and halos to more modern abstract angel silhouettes this iconic Christmas tree topper is ideal for those who prefer more traditional decor, so we'd advise it for trees and homes with gold/silver decor.
Angel tree toppers are the kind of heirloom decoration that remains a family favourite for generations, so we reckon it's a good investment to last for years.
RRP: £8 | This decoration is the perfect mix of simple yet elegant. The angels body is crafted from resin and her large skirt is made of tulle. The dainty golden wings might be our favourite part.
7. Jolly red stars
If your tree is traditional red and green with very little metallic incorporated within the decorating scheme you may find a metallic star, be it gold or silver, a little jarring. In that instance, a red star tree topper is an ideal way to add a topper without distracting from the other decorations adorning the tree. Sticking to the same colour palette means your tree topper idea feels cohesive and doesn't stand out for all the wrong reasons.
8. An illuminated star
If you're looking to make a real statement with your tree topper go for a design that shines, quite literally. A shining pre-lit star decoration, like this fine example at Lights4Fun, is a great pick for homeowners looking for a star tree topper that is unique and made to be the centre of attention. If you want your Christmas tree topper to stand out you can't go far wrong with a captivating light that draws attention.
When using lights as a tree topper just be sure to match the warmth of your existing best Christmas tree lights so the lighting is in sync – the last thing you want is a cooler blue light tree topper that jars with the rest of the warm white lights below.
RRP: £9.99 | In addition to the silver reflective structure glinting gleefully this beaded design features a set of in-built lights to make it sign bright on top of the tree. The coiled metal design means it is easy to affix securely in place on both real and artificial trees.
9. Decorative artificial flowers
Decorating Christmas trees with flowers has become incredibly on-trend in recent years, and while the idea of fresh foliage appeals, it's not long-lasting; therefore, artificial flowers are the only way to go when it comes to adding decorative floral flourishes to trees – it's hard enough to manage how to keep your real Christmas tree alive, let along the decorations on it.
Use a classic Christmas flower to take pride of place that effortlessly attaches to the central stem. You can use alternative single-stem flowers and attach them yourself, securing the flower head upright and in position with florist wire.
RRP: £14.99 | As far as artificial Christmas flowers go, this glitter-edge poinsettia in wine red will glimmer under the twinkling lights of
10. Playful paper decorations
From on-trend paper pom poms to concertina paper wheels that look like alternative stars, there's a whole wealth of fun Christmas topper ideas to add a simple yet statement finish to your tree – especially for alternative Christmas tree ideas.
From ready-made decorations to DIY versions you can make yourself. These decorations can be used throughout the tree with a colour theme. Paper decorations work for any festive look, working equally as well alongside modern decorations as they would with traditional ornaments.
Kids will adore a crafting day of making this fun tree topper idea, a great family fun activity to get into the festive spirit.
RRP: £15 | This generous 30cm tall paper star is sure to make a statement on the top of any tree. The candy red and white stripes add a playful touch to the scheme. It's not specifically a tree topper, but because it's lightweight, despite its size, it will stay in place when tied to the top of the tree.
11. Plentiful ribbons
Ribbons are the hugely popular option for dressing Christmas trees, in place of the once popular tinsel toppers and a core part of some of the best Christmas centrepiece ideas, and this option is both fun and sophisticated.
To recreate this fun Christmas tree topper idea try using two different coloured ribbons, interwoven to form a waterfall of cascading ribbon bows, layered like the top of a wrapped Christmas present.
RRP: £26.68 | If you really want a showstopping tree, this is a perfect topper. Not only do you get the statement bow up top, but the cascading ribbons are an easy yet bold way of decorating the rest of the tree.
RRP: £36.83 | Just adding this oversized bow will instantly transform your tree and will mean you don't need to add much else. We'd recommend pairing with warm white lights to really make the satin shine.
RRP: £5.50 | Why not make your own ribbon Christmas tree topper with this tartan ribbon? Adding some pattern and colour to your tree can really elevate its look as well as make it extra Christmassy.
12. Foraged pinecones
Keep things simple and opt for an entirely free and natural tree topper idea by way of foraged pinecones. Embrace nature's decoration by using real pinecones as alternative tree toppers, using a singular pinecone for mini trees, or tying a cluster together using florist wire to make a more impactful decoration.
Many of the best artificial Christmas trees now come adorned with faux pinecones and berries as decorative elements, making this simple topper idea a perfect solution.
RRP: £4.57 | You may only need one for the top of the tree, but this 125g Bag comprises approximately 98 pieces, meaning you could decorate elsewhere in the house too.
13. Understated stars
Not all Christmas tree topper ideas have to command attention; sometimes, less is more. For those after a minimalistic tree topper that won't detract from the rest of your tree decor, an understated colour-coordinated star is a fantastic choice.
For a snow-covered tree, where there's already a lot going on. Here, a simple, silver star design is still fun whilst being minimal too.
14. Charming heart motifs
Another classic symbol that captivates the feeling of Christmas is heart motifs. Adorning your Christmas tree with a heart-shaped tree topper is a lovely way to share a sentiment of warmth and love for the holidays.
Use a simple hanging heart decoration but place it at the top to form an easy Christmas tree topper idea.
FAQs
What is the most popular Christmas tree topper?
According to search data, a star is still the most popular Christmas tree topper, closely followed by an angel, and then a bow. So if you're keen on any of the above Christmas tree topper ideas, you'll be among the popular majority of people who choose either one of these three for their trees this year.
Celebrated interior designer Steph Briggs, and co-founder of award-winning independent gifts and interior retailer, La Di Da Interiors, agreed that angels and stars were popular, saying, "Fairies, angels, are stars are the most popular Christmas tree toppers."
And when it comes to choosing your perfect tree topper, she suggested that you ensure you make note of a few things before purchasing. "Make sure it works with the shape and size of this year's tree," she told w&h. "I also always make sure that the lights go right up to the top of the tree so that it feels part of it rather than plonked on top."
When should you put your Christmas tree topper on?
When it comes to decorating your tree like a pro, consider at what point during the process you should add your Christmas tree topper? According to professional Christmas tree decorator Laura Perry, from Team Festive, the tree topper should absolutely go on last of all.
She explained, "Our top tip is to always put the topper on last. This is for many reasons – including the fact that you might want to see what works best with your chosen colours or theme before finishing off your decor. And, if you have kids, as a child (or a big kid!), putting the tree topper on as a finishing touch is one of the most privileged things to be responsible for, and creates lasting memories and traditions."
It can also be helpful to add your tree topper last to avoid pushing it off or moving it when decorating the rest of the tree.
No matter what Christmas tree theme you choose this festive season, choosing the right topper will be the literal cherry on top and make the whole display magnificent.
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