Holidays & Entertaining Christmas Christmas Ornaments 36 Christmas Tree Topper Ideas That Deserve a Starring Role From rustic to nostalgic to sparkly, these Christmas tree toppers will look beautiful in any holiday home. By Claire Hoppe Claire Hoppe Claire Hoppe is an editorial apprentice for Better Homes and Gardens who has a passion for making others feel at home in their space. She is currently a senior at Iowa State University studying journalism with a minor in criminal justice. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on November 8, 2023 Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: David Land A Christmas tree isn't complete without a pretty topper. Whether it's a simple bow, a paper snowflake, or a sparkling star, these Christmas tree topper ideas are the perfect finish to your beautiful holiday tree. 36 Christmas Tree Topper Ideas That Deserve a Starring Role 01 of 36 Nutcracker Topper Julie Soefer This Christmas tree topper idea is sure to bring fond memories of Christmases past. Use a red majorette hat as a topper for a Nutcracker-themed tree, and pair with bells, tartan ribbon, and plenty of festive figurines. 02 of 36 Paper Fan Topper David Land This paper tree topper is both affordable and versatile. Purchase paper fans at a party or crafts store in various shapes, colors, and prints. Or create your own from folded paper cutouts. Pair multiple paper fans together for the perfect tree topper. 03 of 36 Minimal Tree Topper Aniko Levai Whether your Christmas tree is decorated with classic bulbs or macaroni crafts from the kids, a minimal star topper is the perfect addition. Find one at a home store, or craft your own using wood, dowels, or cardstock. 04 of 36 Gingham Tree Topper Julie Soefer Plaid is good for more than cozy winter blankets and sweaters. Try adding plaid touches throughout your Christmas tree, and finishing it off with a handmade bow tree topper. 05 of 36 Paper Poinsettia Topper Carson Downing This Christmas tree topper idea not boasts impressive color and texture. Deck out your tree with paper poinsettias of all shapes and sizes. Use store-bought faux poinsettias or make them at home using felt or paper to store and reuse next year. Get the Free Poinsettia Template 06 of 36 Glass Globe Tree Topper Ball and Albanese If you're looking for a unique way to spice up your Christmas tree, try adding a colorful glass ornament to create a snow globe effect. This glass tree topper's shade of pink builds on the colors displayed throughout the tree and ties in the rug and throw pillows. 07 of 36 Wooden Sign Topper Ann VanderWiel Wilde This light-up wooden sign is an elevated twist on a traditional tree topper. While a star is a popular choice, don't hesitate to reach for other shapes like a snowflake, angel, or reindeer. 08 of 36 Bandana Tree Topper Brie Goldman Styl A bandana tree topper adds an Americana touch to your Christmas tree. Using a star-shaped piece of wood or cardboard, begin gluing down pieces of bandana fabric with decoupaging adhesive. Continue until the shape is covered, and finish with a final layer of adhesive to seal the topper. 09 of 36 Textured Toppers Jay Wilde Give your tree an eclectic layered look with this Christmas tree topper idea. Stack two toppers made with contrasting textures, whether wood, fabric, ribbon, beads, pom-poms, or glitter. Here, a flocked snowflake combines with a buffalo check bow for a double-decker tree topper. 10 of 36 Paper Snowflake Topper Adam Albright Paper snowflakes are a fun project for all ages. Express your creativity and get the kids involved with this DIY Christmas tree topper. Use multiple colors and sizes of paper to achieve a multi-dimensional effect. 11 of 36 Angel Tree Topper Joyelle West While there are lots of ways to top a tree, few beat a simple Christmas angel. Give your tree a warm touch with a wooden or light-up angel, or use a vintage angel for a retro look. 12 of 36 Feathered Tree Topper Julie Marie Wilson Looking for an out-of-the-box way to add texture and vibrant color to your Christmas tree? A feather tree topper is a great way to update a traditional tree. Use the feathers as the focal point or as filler behind a central shape. 13 of 36 Rustic Star Topper Joyelle West A farmhouse-inspired star topper is a perfect choice for a classic Christmas tree. Create a star topper using sticks and string. Enhance the whimsical look by hanging more stars throughout the room. 23 Farmhouse Christmas Decor Ideas to Make Your Space More Festive 14 of 36 Classic Star Topper David Land If simple Christmas tree topper ideas are your style, try out a monochromatic scheme on your tree with layers of gold. A crowning gold star Christmas tree topper completes the look. 15 of 36 Monogram Tree Topper Marty Baldwin A wooden block letter is transformed into a creative tree topper with some paint and holiday-color ribbon. Paint your letter a desired color; let dry. Measure strips of glittery ribbon to fit across your letter, and adhere in place using hot glue. Secure a paper towel roll to the back of your letter with hot glue and slip onto the top of the tree. 16 of 36 Double Topper Kim Cornelison Easiest Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make Accent your favorite Christmas tree topper with a pretty bow for a fresh look. Doubling up your toppers adds a visual weight to your tree, an especially smart move if your tree sports a lot of small-scale ornaments and decorations. 17 of 36 Reindeer Topper Scott Little Go full-on rustic by adding a set of antlers to a woven star. Fun little touches like this give you a chance to reuse decorations year after year, but with a new twist. 18 of 36 Kids' Craft Topper Brie Williams Reserve a place of honor for displaying your child's Christmas artwork, right at the crown of the tree. Save the same piece to use year after year or rotate through your collection, displaying a different Picasso moment every season. 19 of 36 Fleur-De-Lis Medallion Tree Topper Jay Wilde Rolls of old book pages come together in this pretty paper tree topper with a vintage feel. Attach the rolled pages together in a circle shape with craft glue or tape. Add a pin or image to the middle to finish off this homemade topper. 20 of 36 Modern Star Topper Kip Dawkins If your Christmas tree is a colorful display, pick a topper that bucks the trend. Here, a white star crowns a tree awash in shades of pink. Scale is an important factor, too. A large tree with oversized decorations deserves a topper that follows suit. 21 of 36 Rustic Snowflake Topper Alise O'Brien Top a clean and modern white tree with rustic wood snowflakes for a contrasting look. And don't be afraid to think outside the box. You might not find exactly what you're looking for in the Christmas tree topper aisle, but the wall art or ornament section may have the perfect item for you. 22 of 36 Big Bow Tree Topper Werner Straube Reserve a spool of ribbon from your gift wrapping supplies to craft a set of unique Christmas tree toppers. Create an oversized bow to crown your Christmas tree and you might be so wowed, you'll forget the presents underneath. (OK, probably not.) 5 Homemade Bows for Gifts You Can Whip Up in No Time 23 of 36 Photo Star Tree Topper John Bessler Add instant charm to your Christmas tree with this easy tree topper. Cut a star shape from thick paper or cardstock. Cut out a black and white photo, mat it with colored paper, and glue it to the center of the star. Secure the star to a rolled paper cone or paper towel tube with glue, and carefully set your star on your tree's highest branches. 24 of 36 3-D Metallic Topper David Tsay Add a three-dimensional touch to the top of your tree with this DIY topper. Attach gold-dipped cones onto a wooden or foam circle with hot glue. The metallic spray paint is a sparkly way to crown your pretty tree, and the shape is something that's just a little bit different than your average star. 25 of 36 Shining Star Topper Beth Singer When no branch is left undecorated, it's best to keep your Christmas tree topper simple. But that's not to say it can't be eye-catching. Here, a mirrored star matches the silver and white tree decorations, and the mirrored points introduce focal point sparkle. 26 of 36 Contrasting Topper Werner Straube In a tree bedecked in calm neutrals and creams, go with a black or dark gray topper. Here, a star topper keeps in step with the star ornaments on the tree. 27 of 36 Popsicle-Stick Snowflake Tree Topper Marty Baldwin Even if you don't have a white Christmas, your tree can be topped with the prettiest of snowflakes. Grab a bunch of Popsicle sticks and spray-paint them white; let dry. Using hot glue and starting with the base of the snowflake, glue the painted Popsicle sticks together, following the photo as a guide. Once your snowflake is finished, let it dry. Tuck into the top branches of your tree and secure with a bit of wire as needed. 28 of 36 Christmas Pick Topper Michael Partenio Buy up a few extra picks and fashion them into a crown-like Christmas tree topper. Simply arrange them around the top of the tree, wrapping the ends around branches to secure in place. Look for taller picks so your topper isn't left hiding out among the branches. 29 of 36 Cozy Star Topper Alexandra Grablewski Repurpose an old sweater into a cozy Christmas tree topper. Cut out a star shape from the sweater, cutting through both the front and the back. With wrong sides of the two stars together, whipstitch the shapes using upholstery thread and leaving a small opening in each ornament. Fill with fiberfill, using the eraser end of a pencil to push fiberfill into all points. Whipstitch openings closed. Attach to the top of the tree with wire. 30 of 36 Framed Silhouette Tree Topper John Granen This tree topper lends an antique look to your tree. Print a black silhouette on white paper. Cut it out, and fit the paper into a gold oval frame. Top the frame with a red bow, letting the ribbon ends cascade down the branches. Editor's Tip You can create a silhouette by tracing a family member's shadow onto white paper. Create a pattern, resize to fit your frame, and trim from black cardstock. 31 of 36 Peppermint Tree Topper Troy Campbell This tree topper makes for a sweet Christmas decoration and looks especially great with red and white tree decorations. Deck your tree out with other candy-inspired ornaments or go for a classic red-and-white look. 32 of 36 Top Hat Tree Topper Marty Baldwin An unused black hat makes the perfect addition to your Christmas tree. Wrap a light blue ribbon around a plain black hat, then embellish with a button and a poinsettia bract. Dust with a bit of fake snow, and put it on top of your tree for a fun and whimsical look. 33 of 36 Felt Star Tree Topper Michael Partenio A big yellow star is a traditional tree topper, but when made from felt, the topper gets a handmade twist. Cut two identical stars from yellow felt and stitch them together. Stick the star between two top branches. Don't worry about the star being perfect — imperfections just add to the charm. 28 DIY Felt Ornaments for a Festive Christmas Tree 34 of 36 Paper Medallion Tree Topper King Au For miniature trees, this paper topper is perfect. To make, cut pattern scrapbook paper to a 22x2-1/2-inch strip and accordion-fold along a scoring board. Gather into a fan shape and hot-glue the ends together to form a circle. Repeat this process with a smaller strip of solid-color paper. Using a round scallop punch, punch a tag from white cardstock and stamp a message with red ink. Layer the paper and adhere together using hot glue. Glue a strip of ribbon to the back of the paper to tie around the top of your tree. 35 of 36 Musical Star Tree Topper Marty Baldwin Star tree toppers are always popular. Give yours a twist of style by covering it with strips of Christmas carol sheet music and outlining it with glitter. 36 of 36 Glittery Crown Tree Topper Marty Baldwin Crown your tree at Christmastime with this easy-to-make tree topper. Measure a strip of paper to fit around the top of your tree. Cut out triangles on one edge to form a crown shape, then secure the paper edges together with a bit of tape or glue. Slip over the top of your tree to give it a royal look. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit