How to Decorate a Slim Christmas Tree: Step-by-Step
Get the skinny on decorating slim trees.
Whether you’re saving space or simply love the look, slender Christmas trees are a stylish solution. Read on to learn how to decorate a slim Christmas tree the right way for maximum holiday cheer!
Tip!
Learn more about tree options with our guide on Christmas Tree Types!
How to Decorate a Slim Christmas Tree
Use these step-by-step instructions to make your skinny Christmas tree visions come to life. We’ve thought of everything you need to consider to get the job done right!
1. Choose Your Slim Christmas Tree
Picking out the right Christmas tree is the first step to getting the skinny Christmas tree look. To be considered a slim Christmas tree, it should have a diameter of 29–40 inches. You have a few more options to consider when choosing your slim tree:
- Fullness: Decide on the look you want your slim Christmas tree to have. Choose from sparse trees (reminiscent of a Charlie Brown Christmas) or fuller trees with more lush branches to hang ornaments on. Sparse trees can create understated holiday charm, while fuller trees will have a more natural look.
- Height: When going with a slim Christmas tree, we recommend keeping the height under 12 feet. Anything taller than this will cause the tree to be extremely narrow at the top. If you want to go with an ultra-tall tree, it’s best to choose one that’s also a bit fuller to balance out the look. Slim trees under 6 feet tall are great for porches, entryways, or as a bonus tree in other rooms around the house in addition to your main Christmas tree.
- Color: A natural-looking green isn’t your only option when choosing your skinny Christmas tree. Choose from other popular holiday classics like white or silver. If you want to go with a nontraditional colorful Christmas tree, choose your favorite fun color, like pink, purple, or blue. Going with a flashy color can help you make a big impact even with a slim tree.
- Flocking: If you love the idea of a snowy white Christmas, you may want to consider a flocked tree. Flocked Christmas trees have artificial snow adhered to each branch, giving your tree a natural white glow. Flocking can give your slender tree a fuller look by bulking up the branches with frosty faux snow. Use a flocked tree as your main Christmas tree or place two slim flocked trees on either side of your front door for a festive entrance.
Tip!
Love the idea of sprucing up your front porch with Christmas cheer? Check out our Christmas Front Porch Ideas to make sure your outdoor trees have a festive home.
2. Illuminate Your Tree
Lighting is everything! Here are some things to consider when choosing string lights that will elevate your skinny Christmas tree.
- Warm vs. Cool: Choose between warm and cool string lights to give your Christmas tree the glow you desire. Warm-toned lights will give your tree a golden hue, which is reminiscent of candle flames and looks a bit more natural. Cool-toned white lights give off a frosted vibe and paint a scene of snowy nights and twinkling stars.
- Colored Lights: Try traditional multicolored Christmas lights on your tree for a classic festive feel, or go with a red-and-green combo. If you’re going the nontraditional route and are looking for some pops of color to show off your personality, you have no shortage of options with pink, purple, or blue, just to name a few!
Tip!
Need help choosing the perfect lights for your tree? Check out our guide on Types of Christmas Lights. Plus, we’ve got you covered when it comes to How to Put Lights on a Christmas Tree.
3. Decide on a Color Palette
Whether you want to go with classic Christmas colors, something a bit more elegant, or a totally unique choice, here are some popular color palettes to consider.
- Red & Green: These classic Christmas colors will bring big holiday cheer to your slim Christmas tree. Choose ornaments, string lights, ribbons, and bows in these festive colors for the perfect Christmas combo.
- Silver & Gold: Deck your tree out in silver and gold, another Christmas staple that gives off a refined glam flair. Easily add this classy color combination to your slender tree with a silver and gold ornament set, or weave a silver garland and tinsel through the branches for a glittery icicle effect.
- Blue & White: For a frosty aesthetic, go with blue and white Christmas ornaments. Stick with cool-toned lights to nail this snowy winter look. This color palette allows you to embrace the beauty of winter and creates a sense of holiday cheer for all who see this gorgeous display.
- Multicolored: Create a vintage Christmas look with multicolored glass figurine ornaments. Add personal flair to your tree at the same time by choosing ornaments that represent your favorite animals, foods, and Christmas figures! If you want to go with a more eclectic vibe, choose rainbow boho-style ornaments and decor like tassels and multicolored pom-pom garlands.
4. Pick the Perfect Decor
Ornaments are classic Christmas tree decorations. Use them to add personality to your tree or to seamlessly match your home’s aesthetic, whether your style is more farmhouse, dopamine decor, vintage, or coastal.
- Garlands, Tinsel, & Ribbon: Start with garlands and ribbons first since ornaments can get in the way when trying to wind your garland around the tree perfectly – especially so when you’re working with a slim tree. If you’re using bows, choose small- to medium-sized ones so your tree doesn’t get swallowed up in oversized bows. Tinsel can be added after ornaments since it’s draped over individual branches and you can add as much or as little as you desire.
- Classic Ornaments: Classic ball and finial ornaments look great on slender trees. If using ball ornaments, stick to mini- or small-sized ones to avoid overwhelming your tree's slender frame. If you want the oversized-ornament look, medium-sized ornaments will do the trick on a slim Christmas tree. Long dangling finial-style ornaments complement the length of slim Christmas trees well. You can also throw in some classic holiday-shaped ornaments for a boost of festivity.
- Themed Ornaments: If you want to complement your interior design style, choose ornaments that reflect it. Go with sea creatures and nautical-themed ornaments for a quintessential coastal Christmas. Enjoy a farmhouse Christmas with rustic- and distressed-style ornaments, or farm and animal figurine ornaments. Colorful Christmas ornaments and ones made of natural materials like wood or macrame will help you celebrate the holidays with boho style. No matter what theme or style you go with, be careful not to choose oversized ornaments that will swallow up your tree.
- Personalized Ornaments: If you want your tree to reflect your family and loved ones, try making ornaments at home with your kids. Have them design their own ornaments with clay, or capture their tiny handprints for memories as they grow. Photo ornaments are a great way to capture moments that you can cherish as you decorate your tree each year.
Tip!
Get inspired to pick the perfect theme with these Unique Christmas Tree Theme Ideas.
5. Top Off Your Skim Christmas Tree
Don’t forget your finishing touches. Choose the perfect tree topper and tree skirt to make sure your slim Christmas tree is flawless, top to bottom.
- Tree Topper: Complete your tree with a Christmas tree topper. Go with a classic angel or star or something else festive like a Santa, snowman, or snowflake. Just be sure not to choose anything too large or heavy for your slender Christmas tree.
- Tree Skirts & Collars: Make sure the bottom of your tree looks just as good as the rest of it by adding a tree skirt or collar. A tree skirt is cloth material that goes around the base of your tree – it’s the perfect spot to arrange your Christmas gifts and tie your entire display together. An alternative is a tree collar, which is typically made of plastic or wood and covers the base of your tree, hiding wires and tree stands so everything looks put-together and perfect for the holidays.
