Simple Christmas Decor Ideas Tree You Can Try This Year

So you’re staring at the bare corner of the living room and thinking about Christmas trees, right? Look, I get it. Every year, the same old glitter-and-ball routine can feel… well, boring. But here’s the thing – decorating your Christmas tree doesn’t have to mean maxing out your credit card or spending hours unraveling lights that have somehow gotten tangled up (seriously, how does that even happen?).

I’ve been playing around with Christmas tree decorations for years now, and I’ve learned that sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that pack the punch. You don’t have to be Martha Stewart or have a Pinterest-perfect home to create something that will make your guests say “Whew, did you actually do that yourself?” 🙂

Let me walk you through some ridiculously easy Christmas tree decorations that actually work. These aren’t your grandma’s dusty trinkets (no offense to grandma), but fresh, modern varieties that anyone can pull off.

Why Simple Christmas Tree Decor Actually Wins

Have you ever noticed how the most expensive decorations sometimes look… messy? Yes, me too. There’s something about minimalist wood decor that just hits home differently. When you strip away all the excess, what you’re left with is intention. Every decoration is important. Every light placement counts.

Simple decoration saves you time, money and sanity. In addition, it is much easier to pack up after the holiday. FYI, that last point becomes more important as you get older – trust me on this one.

The beauty of going simple is that you can actually change the theme mid-season if you want. Try doing that with a tree that has 500 ornaments and seventeen types of wreaths wrapped around it. Not happening.

The Classic Monochrome Magic

All-White Elegance

Do you want to know a secret? An all-white Christmas tree is basically foolproof. I’m talking white lights, white ornaments, maybe some silver details if you’re feeling spicy. That’s it.

Here’s what makes this work so well:

• White reflects light beautifully, creating this soft, dreamy glow
• You can use different textures (matte, glossy, glitter) without it looking messy
• It matches literally any room aesthetic
• Budget-friendly because you’re buying in one color family

I tried this in my apartment three years ago and honestly? I haven’t gone back. The whole setup takes maybe an hour, and it looks expensive without actually being expensive. Win-win.

The Gold Standard

If all white feels too cold for you, go full gold. Gold ornaments, gold ribbons, warm white lights. Ready. This creates a cosy, luxurious feel without trying too hard.

Pro Tip: Mix different shades of gold (rose gold, champagne, antique gold) to add depth. Your tree will look intentional and cured, not flat.

Nature-Inspired Simplicity

Rustic Wood and Pinecones

Nothing says “Christmas” quite like bringing the outdoors inside. And guess what? Most of your supplies are literally free.

Here’s your shopping list:

• Pinecones (walk outside and pick them up)
• Wood slice ornaments (cheap at craft stores)
• Burlap ribbon
• Warm white lights

Seriously, it is. The pine cones add texture, the wood chips give you that farmhouse vibe everyone is obsessed with, and the burlap ties it all together. You can even spray paint some pine cones white or gold if you want to get fancy – but you don’t have to.

I made this tree last year using stuff from my yard and $15 worth of supplies from the dollar store. People thought I hired a decorator. :/

Citrus and Greenery

Want something that smells amazing? Dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks and fresh greens. This combination creates a sensory experience that artificial decorations just cannot match.

You cut oranges into thin slices, dry them in the oven and hang them with twine. Add some eucalyptus branches between your existing tree branches. Throw in some cinnamon sticks tied with ribbon. Boom – your tree smells like Christmas exploded in the best possible way.

Quick comparison:

Decor Type	Cost	Setup Time	Wow Factor
Traditional Mixed	$$$	3+ hours	Medium
Monochrome White/Gold	$$	1 hour	High
Nature-Inspired	$	1.5 hours	Very High

The Paper and Fabric Approach

Scandinavian Paper Stars

Here things become stupidly simple. Scandinavian-style paper stars cost next to nothing to make or buy, and they create this airy, modern look that’s super trendy right now.

You can fold paper stars yourself (YouTube has a million tutorials), or grab pre-made ones. Hang them at different heights throughout your tree with invisible fishing line. Add warm lights. That’s literally the whole thing.

The beauty here? Paper stars catch and scatter light in this lovely way that plastic ornaments never will. In addition, they are light, so you can use them on even wet branches.

Ribbon-Only Drama

IMO, this is the most underrated tree decoration technique. Skip the ornaments entirely. Just use ribbon—lots of it—in coordinating colors or patterns.

Weave thick ribbon vertically through your tree branches and let it fall naturally. You can create this waterfall effect that looks incredibly elegant. Add your candles, maybe some simple ball decorations if you insist, and call it done.

I’ve seen people do this with checkered ribbons for a traditional look, or velvet ribbons for luxury vibes. Either way, it’s a showstopper that requires minimal effort.

Lighting Makes or Breaks Everything

Let’s talk about something no one pays enough attention to: your lights matter more than your decorations. Seriously. You can have the cheapest decorations in the world, but if your lighting is right, your tree will look amazing.

The Warm White Rule

Cool white lights? Delete them from your life. Warm white creates the cosy, magical Christmas feeling. Cool white makes your tree look like it belongs in a dentist’s office.

Here’s how to do lights right:

• Start from the inside branches and work outward
• Use way more lights than you think you need
• Weave them deep into the tree, not just on the outer layer
• Test them before decorating (learn from my mistakes, please)

Fairy Light Magic

Want to raise a single tree immediately? Layer your regular beach lights with battery-powered fairy lights. These tiny lights fill in gaps and create depth. You can drape them loosely for a whimsical effect or wrap them tightly for structure.

The Minimalist Three-Item Rule

Have you ever heard of the “three-element” decorating principle? You choose exactly three types of decorations and stick to them. That’s it. No more, no less.

For example:

• Gold ball ornaments + white lights + pinecones
• Red bows + silver stars + clear lights
• Wood slices + burlap ribbon + cranberry garland

Why this works: Your brain likes patterns and cohesion. When you limit your choices, you create visual harmony. In addition, you won’t spend three hours in the Christmas aisle recognizing each purchase.

I’ve been using this rule for the past two years and decorating has become so much faster. No decision fatigue, no buyer’s remorse, no crowded trees.

DIY Ornaments That Don’t Look DIY

Salt Dough Creations

If you have kids (or just like to play with dough), salt dough ornaments are clutch. Mix flour, salt and water. Cut out shapes. Bake. Paint or leave it natural. Ready.

They look rustic and homemade in a charming way, not in a “my five year old made this” way. You can stamp them with designs, add ribbon loops or leave them plain for the Scandinavian aesthetic.

Photo Ornaments Done Right

Photo decorations can be tacky or tasteful – it’s all in the execution. Skip the plastic frames with high patterns. Instead, print your photos in black and white, trim them into circles and back them with plain cardstock. Punch a hole, add twine, and you have stylish personal ornaments.

This works especially well on minimalist trees where each ornament gets to shine individually.

Color Blocking Without Chaos

If monochrome feels too restrictive, but you don’t want a rainbow explosion, try color blocking. Choose two complementary colors and stick to them.

Popular combos:

• Red and white (classic Christmas)
• Navy and gold (sophisticated)
• Blush pink and copper (modern and trendy)
• Green and cream (natural elegance)

The key is to choose colors that naturally work together. Don’t try to force purple and orange unless you’re specifically going for “Halloween leftover” vibes.

Arrange your colors in sections or alternate them evenly throughout the tree. Both approaches work—just commit to one and stay consistent.

The Bottom Line

Look, decorating the Christmas tree shouldn’t stress you out. It should be fun, right? The simplest ideas often create the greatest impact because they are focused and intentional.

You don’t need a garage full of decorations or a huge budget. You need a clear vision, a few quality pieces and the confidence to say “less is more”. Whether you go all monochrome, embrace nature, or stick to the three-element rule, your tree will look incredible if you commit to simplicity.

So this year, maybe you can skip the chaotic shopping spree and try one of these simple approaches instead. Your wallet, your schedule, and frankly, your stress level will thank you. Plus, you’ll likely end up with a tree that gets far more compliments than the overloaded one from last year. Just saying. 🙂