What to Put on a Christmas Tree Besides Ornaments

Besides ornaments, you can decorate a Christmas tree with ribbon, garland, floral picks and sprays, bows, pine cones, dried orange slices, and a topper, plus personal pieces such as family photos, children’s crafts and small keepsakes. These fill the gaps between ornaments, give the tree texture, and can carry the whole look if you have only a few ornaments.

Here is how to use each one, and the order to add them in.

Ribbon

Ribbon is the quickest way to make a tree look finished. Two common styles:

Cascading: cut lengths and let them fall in vertical lines from the top to the bottom, tucking them into the branches every foot or so.
Swagged: drape ribbon loosely from branch to branch around the tree, pushing the “dips” in slightly.

Wired ribbon holds its shape best. Choose one or two widths and colors that match the ornaments you do have.

Garland

Beaded garland for a vintage look
Wood bead or felt ball garland for a soft, natural tree
Popcorn and cranberry strings for a traditional one
Paper chains made with children
Crochet or knitted garlands for a cozy tree
Tinsel, used lightly, for sparkle

Drape garland in shallow swags rather than tight spirals, and start at the top so the weight sits evenly.

Picks, sprays and florals

Picks are short stems on a wire you can bend into the branches: berries, frosted pine, eucalyptus, glittered twigs, poinsettias, magnolia leaves. Push them in at an angle so they appear to grow from the tree, and work in odd-numbered groups. They are good at hiding bare spots and the trunk.

Natural options work too: dried hydrangea heads, cotton stems, wheat, or real holly and pine cuttings tucked in for a day or two.

Bows

Bows in a single color, spaced evenly, give a tree structure without ornaments. Velvet bows look traditional; plaid or gingham looks rustic; small bows tied from leftover ribbon are cheap and easy to make in quantity.

Natural decorations

Pine cones, plain or with a touch of white paint on the tips
Dried orange, lemon or apple slices on a loop of twine
Cinnamon sticks tied in small bundles
Small birds or feathers clipped on

Tree toppers besides a star or angel

A large bow with long tails falling down the tree
A spray of picks or branches fanned out at the top
A wreath or a crown made from garland
A large single bloom, such as a poinsettia
A sign or a letter with the family’s initial

Personal items

These are what make a tree look like your family’s tree:

Family photos in small frames or clipped on with mini clothespins
Children’s crafts and school ornaments
Old holiday cards, punched and hung on ribbon
Travel souvenirs: a small map, a ticket, a tiny flag
A grandparent’s jewelry or a baby’s first shoes, hung where they are safe
Handwritten notes or wishes on paper tags

Our guides on what to write on a Christmas ornament and what to write on a Christmas gift tag have wording ideas for paper tags and keepsakes.

At the base

A tree skirt, a tree collar, a basket, or a few wrapped boxes finish the bottom of the tree and hide the stand.

What order to put them on

Lights
Topper
Ribbon and garland
Picks, sprays and florals
Bows, natural items and any ornaments you have
Personal items, at eye level where they can be seen
Skirt or collar

For more on the ornament stage itself, see how to put ornaments on a Christmas tree.

Quick answers

How do I make my tree look full without ornaments? Use picks and florals to fill gaps, then ribbon or garland to tie it together.
What can I use instead of ornaments for cheap? Paper chains, bows from leftover ribbon, pine cones, dried orange slices and photos.
Does ribbon go on before or after ornaments? Before, so you do not knock ornaments off while arranging it.
Should I mix real and artificial greenery? You can. Real cuttings dry out, so keep them to a few days or swap them for faux picks.

From the shop

For a garland, the crochet Christmas tree garland strings seven little crochet trees on twine, about 39 inches long. For the base, the quilted poinsettia tree skirt is printed with a family name.