Warm holiday living room featuring an elegant Christmas tree adorned with red velvet ornaments, white ribbons, and candles. The tree is placed in a woven basket and topped with a glowing star. Cozy pillows in red and green accent a light gray couch nearby, while the stone fireplace is decorated with greenery, stockings, and small holiday accents on the shelves. A vintage wooden rocking chair completes the inviting, nostalgic holiday decor.

Decorating an Elegant Christmas Tree – It’s Timeless!

Lifestyle

This year, I went for a timeless, simple style with my Christmas decor—and honestly? I think it turned out pretty amazing! Especially the centerpiece of it all: this elegant Christmas tree. It’s filled with unique touches like baby’s breath and pearls, mixed with classics like red velvet bows and vintage-style clip-on candles. Let me show you how I pulled it all together, with links to everything you need to recreate the look!

Elegant Christmas tree adorned with red velvet ornaments, white ribbon bows, and delicate greenery, topped with a star tree topper. The tree sits in a woven basket stand beside a stone fireplace with a lush garland and knit stockings hung with care. In the background, a dark built-in shelf displays festive decor, including small white ceramic trees, a Christmas village, and angel figurines, creating a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere.

Table of Contents

The Best Artificial Christmas Tree

Let’s start with the tree itself. Are you someone who decorates before or after Thanksgiving? I’m an early November person all the way. If you’re like me and want the holiday vibes to last as long as possible, an artificial tree is a game-changer. Mine is super realistic, pre-lit, and easy to set up—just a little fluffing, and it’s ready to go.

A beautifully lit artificial Christmas tree with soft white lights, standing in a large wicker tree collar. The tree is partially decorated, adding a warm glow to the surrounding room, with a modern built-in shelf displaying books and neutral decorative items.

Placing the Tree Topper

Have you ever noticed in movies that the tree topper always goes on last? Don’t fall for it! Reaching around all those carefully placed decorations to put the topper on is way harder than it looks. I always start with the topper and tuck the cord neatly through the branches. This year, I used a gorgeous capiz star—it’s simple, classic, and ties the whole tree together.

A woman dressed in red is holding a beautifully crafted stained glass star tree topper, examining it before placing it on top of the Christmas tree. The tree in the background awaits final touches.

Using Pearl Garlands

Once the topper’s in place, it’s time for garlands. For this tree, I went with strands of faux pearls, and let me tell you—they’re a total game-changer. Just like a pearl necklace makes an outfit feel fancy, these garlands instantly gave my tree that elegant, polished look.

A Christmas tree adorned with warm white lights as a woman in red pajamas carefully drapes a long strand of white bead garland around the branches. The tree is topped with a radiant star, and a cozy living room backdrop completes the holiday scene.

Adding Natural Elements

If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve always been a fan of layering eucalyptus garlands around my home during the holidays. Why not try it on the tree? I added some faux eucalyptus stems, and the result was this lush, full look. Then, I tucked in little bits of baby’s breath throughout the tree—and wow. It’s such a simple touch, but it made everything feel so magical.

Woman in red pajamas standing beside a pre-lit Christmas tree, carefully adding eucalyptus sprigs to the branches. The tree is placed in a woven basket base, adding a natural and cozy touch to the holiday decor.

Tying Velvet Bows

The next step in decorating my elegant Christmas tree was adding some velvet bows. I used rich red and ivory velvet ribbon to make bows with long, dramatic tails. The quality is soft and luxurious. My biggest tip? Use more ribbon than you think you’ll need! I used about three feet per bow to get that flowy, drapey effect that feels super elegant.

Woman in red pajamas decorating a pre-lit Christmas tree with a mix of red and cream ribbon bows, eucalyptus sprigs, and delicate white florals. The tree sits in a woven basket base, creating a cozy, festive atmosphere in a room with built-in shelving.

Time for Ornaments

This year, I kept the ornaments simple but impactful. First up: these stunning red velvet ornaments. Just look at all those details! They have that luxe, high-end look but were an absolute steal—proof that you don’t have to splurge on beautiful, quality pieces.

A set of nine deep red, affordable velvet Christmas ornaments in assorted designs, including swirls, lattice patterns, and open-frame spheres. The rich textures and classic colors add a luxurious touch to holiday decor.

Then, I mixed in some neutral honeycomb paper ornaments for texture and a vintage vibe.

Finally, I added a custom-made ornament from PembiMade that’s super special to our family. It’s the perfect finishing touch!

A woman in a red outfit carefully placing cream-colored ornaments on a beautifully decorated Christmas tree with red velvet ornaments, bows, and delicate white flowers. The soft lights illuminate the classic holiday decor, creating a festive ambiance.
A handcrafted wooden ornament featuring a simple illustration of a family of six, including two adults, four children, and a small black-and-white dog, painted on a round wood slice. The ornament hangs on a Christmas tree branch, adorned with white lights, green foliage, and red velvet ribbon for a warm, personalized holiday touch.

Flameless Candle Lights

These flameless clip-on candles were the last thing I added to my elegant Christmas tree, and they’re officially my favorite find this year. They’re battery-operated, so no cords to hide, and they come with a remote—so convenient! The vintage vibe they bring is just perfect for the classic look I was going for.

Close-up of a woman in a red shirt smiling while holding a small LED candle light, demonstrating its function with a remote. The candle, with a clip for attaching to a Christmas tree branch, glows softly, creating a cozy, festive ambiance.
Woman in red loungewear adding LED clip-on candles to a decorated Christmas tree adorned with velvet ribbons, white berries, and red ornaments. The room exudes holiday warmth, with the tree lit up, creating a magical seasonal setting.

My Elegant Christmas Tree

The final result? A tree that feels fresh, timeless, and just the right amount of fancy. The baby’s breath and eucalyptus give it a unique, natural vibe, while the pearls, velvet, and candles make it feel classic and elegant.

I love switching up my tree decor each year, so if you’re curious about last year’s look, I’ve got all the details right here.

Cozy living room decorated for Christmas with a beautifully adorned tree in red and white tones. The tree, set in a woven basket, features red velvet ornaments, white ribbons, faux greenery, and candle lights. Next to the tree, a stone fireplace is decorated with stockings and a festive garland. Framed family photos hang on the wall above a light gray sofa, accented with holiday-themed pillows, creating a warm and inviting holiday atmosphere.

Here’s a closer look—you’d never guess the tree and greenery aren’t real! Everything looks so lush and high-end, but it was actually really affordable. This elegant Christmas tree is the star of my living room and ties all my holiday decor together perfectly.

Detailed view of a Christmas tree decorated with a mix of ornaments, including a rich red velvet ball, small white flowers, and hanging candles. The tree’s soft white lights create a magical, warm glow.
Cozy holiday living room with a large, lit Christmas tree decorated with red and white ornaments, ribbons, and candles. The stone fireplace is adorned with greenery and stockings, while a light gray sectional with festive pillows sits in the foreground, creating a warm, inviting holiday scene.

The best part? You can grab everything I used—from the tree to the ribbon, ornaments, and even the candles—right on Amazon. I’ve rounded up all the links so you can bring this look to life in your home.

I’ll keep all my Christmas decor up until New Year’s, but then it’s time to pack it away for next year!

Once the holidays are over, I pack everything up in sturdy storage boxes to keep it safe and organized. My favorite is a rolling ornament box with adjustable compartments—it makes packing and unpacking a breeze. Investing in good storage has been a total game-changer for me!

A Coordinated Look for the Holidays

This year, I went for a cohesive look throughout the house, using lots of faux greenery and red velvet accents to tie everything together. If you want to see how I decorated the rest of the house, check out my full 2024 Christmas home tour here.

Holiday dining area with a rustic stone fireplace in the background, decorated with a lush garland and red ribbons on the mantel. The dining chairs are adorned with greenery and red velvet bows, while a small lit Christmas tree and greenery centerpiece bring festive warmth to the space.
Stone kitchen hood decorated with a lush green wreath tied with a red ribbon, hanging over a stove with a white herringbone-tiled backsplash. The stove features a brass pot filler and a glass pot simmering with citrus slices, adding a cozy touch. Potted plants sit on the white countertop near the window, enhancing the natural and festive feel of the space.

This elegant Christmas tree is by far my favorite holiday project this year. It’s classic, cozy, and has just enough sparkle to make the season feel extra special. I hope it inspires you to create a magical holiday look of your own!

FAQ

How can I decorate my Christmas tree to look elegant?

To achieve an elegant Christmas tree, start by selecting a cohesive color scheme, such as red and gold or silver and white. Begin decorating with lights, ensuring even distribution from the trunk outward. Add garlands or ribbons, followed by a mix of large and small ornaments placed strategically to create depth. Incorporating natural elements like eucalyptus or baby’s breath can enhance the sophisticated look.

What are some elegant Christmas tree themes?

Elegant Christmas tree themes include:
Classic Red and Gold: Utilizing rich reds and golds for a timeless appearance.
Winter Wonderland: Incorporating whites, silvers, and icy blues to emulate a snowy scene.
Metallics: Combining gold, silver, and bronze ornaments for a luxurious feel.
Nature-Inspired: Using natural elements like pinecones, berries, and wooden ornaments for rustic elegance.

How do I choose a color scheme for an elegant Christmas tree?

Selecting a color scheme involves considering your existing home decor to ensure harmony. Traditional combinations like red and green or blue and silver are popular. Alternatively, monochromatic schemes using varying shades of a single color can create a sophisticated look. Incorporating metallics like gold or silver can add a touch of luxury.

What are common mistakes to avoid when decorating a Christmas tree?

To maintain an elegant appearance, avoid these pitfalls:
Uneven Lighting: Ensure lights are evenly distributed to prevent dark spots.
Neglecting Tree Fluffing: Properly fluff artificial trees to achieve a full look.
Overloading with Ornaments: Select ornaments that fit your theme and avoid overcrowding branches.
Ignoring the Base: Use a tree skirt or decorative base to conceal the stand and complete the look.

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