Complete your Christmas tree display with a beautiful tree topper. This decorative accent provides the perfect finishing touch and helps bring your entire tree design together. With a wide range of styles available, it is easy to find an option that suits your preferred look. Use this comprehensive guide to learn how to choose, position, and secure the right Christmas tree topper for your home.
What Are Christmas Tree Toppers?
Christmas tree toppers have a rich history dating back to the 18th century in Germany, when the Rauschgoldengel, a golden foil angel, was first placed at the top of the tree. Over time, this tradition spread around the world, and tree toppers evolved into a wide variety of styles and designs, including stars, angels, and other decorative motifs.
Today, tree toppers serve both a decorative and a symbolic purpose. A star placed on a traditionally styled Christmas tree is often associated with the Star of Bethlehem, while an angel represents the heavenly messengers. Beyond symbolism, a tree topper also acts as the visual focal point, bringing balance and completing the overall look of your tree.
What Are the Types of Tree Toppers?
Explore the different types of tree toppers below and choose the style that best complements your decorations and overall tree design.
Star
Christmas star toppers range from simple five-point designs to more intricate three-dimensional Moravian styles. Choose a star finished with glitter, beads, or sequins if you prefer extra sparkle, or opt for a pre-lit Capiz star to complement your tree lights and create a soft, radiant glow.
Figurines
Angel tree toppers remain a favourite choice for classic Christmas decorating, offering a timeless and elegant look. For something more playful, consider figurine toppers inspired by well-known characters such as Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. These styles add personality and charm, creating a light-hearted finishing touch at the top of your tree.
Bouquets
Bouquet tree toppers feature a mix of faux flowers, leaves, and berries arranged into a full, decorative cluster. These distinctive tree toppers add texture and visual interest, making them a stylish finishing touch for both classic and contemporary tree displays.
Others
Tree toppers are also available in styles such as starbursts, snowflakes, and finials. For a lighter and more flexible option, ribbons or bows can also be used as tree toppers, offering a soft and elegant finishing touch.
How Do I Choose The Right Christmas Tree Topper?
Shape of the Tree
When selecting a Christmas tree topper, make sure it complements the overall shape and balance of your tree. Star or angel toppers work best on full, well-proportioned trees. In contrast, finial toppers suit slimmer or narrow tree profiles, as their elongated shape enhances vertical lines without overwhelming the design.
Height of the Tree
Measure the clearance between the top of your Christmas tree and the ceiling to determine the maximum size of tree topper your space can accommodate. As a general guide, allow at least 15 centimetres of space between the ceiling and the top of the tree topper. Be sure to factor in any additional height added by the tree stand. All Balsam Hill Christmas trees are measured from the stand to the top of the tree, making it easier to choose the right size.
Below is a guide showing the recommended tree topper size based on tree height for a standard 270-centimetre ceiling.
| Tree Height | Tree Topper Size |
| 120 – 150 cm | 13 cm tall by 15 cm wide |
| 180 – 200 cm | 18 cm tall by 13 cm wide |
| 210 – 228 cm | 10 cm tall by 10 cm wide |
Weight of the Tree Topper
Choose a tree topper that is lightweight enough to sit securely at the top of the tree. Materials such as paper, fabric, plastic, or fibre composite are ideal, as they are easier to support at height. Heavier toppers may tip or fall if left unsupported, so secure them using zip ties or a tree topper stabilisation kit to keep everything safely in place.
Decorating Theme
As the finishing accent of your display, the Christmas tree topper should align with your overall decorating theme. For a classic look, choose a star or angel topper in red, green, or gold. Clean-lined star toppers work well with contemporary styles, as do starburst or snowflake designs in softer, muted tones. If your style leans towards rustic, bouquet or bow toppers offer a relaxed yet beautifully styled finish.
How To Put a Tree Topper on a Christmas Tree
Now that you’ve chosen your tree topper, it’s time to add the finishing touch to your Christmas tree. Follow the tips below based on the type of topper base to ensure it is positioned securely and looks well-balanced.
How To Attach Christmas Tree Toppers With a Pole Stand
Insert the pole into the top of the tree and align it with the central branch. Thread a zip tie through each eyelet and secure it around the trunk to hold the topper firmly in place. Adjust the surrounding branches to help conceal the pole and create a balanced finish.
How To Attach Christmas Tree Toppers With a Conical Base
Gently bend one of the top branches and fit the cone over it. Once positioned, adjust nearby branches to provide extra support and help the topper sit straight and secure.
How To Put on a Tree Topper With a Spiral Base
Twist the spiral base around the top branch until it feels stable. Use floral tape in a colour that matches your tree’s needles to secure the branch inside the coil and keep the attachment discreet.
How To Attach Bow or Ribbon Tree Toppers
Use pieces of wire or pipe cleaners to secure bow or ribbon toppers to the top of the tree. Fasten them firmly to the central branch and adjust the loops or ribbon tails so they sit neatly and appear well-balanced.
How To Attach Pre-Lit Christmas Tree Toppers
Many premium pre-lit Christmas trees feature a female electrical plug at the top of the tree, allowing you to connect a lighted topper easily. Position the topper securely, then plug it into the designated socket. If needed, use an extension cord to connect the topper to a nearby power point while keeping cords discreetly hidden among the branches.
What Are Safety Tips for Installing and Anchoring Christmas Tree Toppers?
- Use a stable step ladder to safely reach the top of the tree.
- Ask a friend or family member to hold the tree steady while you position and secure the topper.
- Check the weight of the topper before attaching it and have the appropriate tools ready to keep it firmly in place.
- Keep fragile toppers, such as those made from glass or crystal, out of reach of children to help prevent accidents.
- For pre-lit tree toppers, inspect the connections for loose wiring and check for cracked or burnt-out bulbs before plugging them into a power point.
Balsam Hill’s Best Christmas Tree Toppers
Explore a selection of our most loved tree toppers below and find the perfect finishing touch to complete your Christmas tree.
Animated Christmas Tree Toppers
The only thing more delightful than a lighted tree topper is one that moves. Add a playful touch to your tree with an animated topper, such as a miniature Santa in his sleigh, travelling around the top of the tree. It is a charming detail that brings movement, character, and joy to your Christmas display.
Angel Christmas Tree Toppers
Let this serene angel take pride of place at the top of your Christmas tree. The pearlescent Capiz material allows light to shine through beautifully, creating a soft, ethereal glow that adds elegance and warmth to your display.
Holy Family Christmas Tree Toppers
Honour the true meaning of Christmas with a beautifully crafted tree topper featuring the Holy Family. This timeless design symbolises peace, devotion, and tradition, making it a meaningful and elegant finishing touch for your Christmas tree.
All Over Beaded Star Christmas Tree Toppers
Add a touch of brilliance to your Christmas décor with this shimmering star tree topper. Detailed with all-over beading, it reflects light beautifully from every angle, creating a striking and refined finishing touch at the top of your tree.
Santa and Mrs Claus Christmas Tree Toppers
Add a charming finishing touch to your Christmas tree with this delightful topper featuring Santa and Mrs Claus. Full of warmth and character, it brings a sense of joy and tradition to the heart of your tree, making it a standout feature in your festive display.
Berry Bouquet Christmas Tree Topper
Choose a floral-inspired finish for a relaxed, rustic take on Christmas tree toppers. This berry bouquet topper features abundant red berry sprays that add texture, colour, and natural charm, creating a beautifully balanced focal point at the top of your tree.
Double-Sided Starburst Tree Toppers
Designed to look beautiful from every angle, this illuminated star tree topper is handcrafted from natural Capiz shells and pre-lit with traditional incandescent bulbs. The result is a soft, classic glow that adds depth, texture, and an elegant finishing touch to the top of your Christmas tree.
Radiant Star Beaded Christmas Tree Topper
Elevate your Christmas tree with this radiant star tree topper, detailed with intricate beading that catches the light beautifully. Its refined design adds sparkle and sophistication, creating a striking finishing touch at the top of your tree.
Lit Capiz Bethlehem Star Tree Toppers
This elegant eight-pointed star tree topper features delicate Capiz shells, gold trim, and subtle sequin detailing. As it catches the light from your Christmas tree, it creates a soft shimmer that adds warmth and a beautifully refined finishing touch to your display.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Popular Christmas Tree Topper?
The star is the most popular Christmas tree topper, symbolising the Star of Bethlehem. Angel toppers are also a classic choice and are often treasured pieces passed down through families.
What Is the Most Common Item Placed on Top of a Tree?
Traditionally, a star or an angel is placed at the top of a Christmas tree. Both options carry symbolic meaning while providing a polished and balanced finishing touch.
What Size Tree Topper Should I Choose?
Your tree topper should be proportional to the height and shape of your tree. As a general guide, smaller trees suit toppers measuring around 13 to 18 centimetres, while larger trees can accommodate toppers measuring 20 to 30 centimetres. Always allow at least 15 centimetres of clearance between the topper and the ceiling.
What Are Some Creative Tree Topper Ideas?
For a unique look, consider oversized bows, floral sprays, rustic lantern styles, or a grouped arrangement of ornaments. These creative options add personality and work well with a range of decorating styles.
How Can I Make Sure My Tree Topper Stays Secure?
Choose a topper with a sturdy base or cone that fits snugly over the top branch. For added stability, use floral wire, zip ties, or ribbon to secure it firmly so it stays in place throughout your display.
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