Complete your Christmas tree display with a beautiful tree topper. This decorative accent provides the perfect finishing touch to your holiday centrepiece. With a wide range of designs available, it’s easy to find a topper that suits your preferred theme or style. In this guide, you’ll learn how to choose, position, and secure the right Christmas tree topper to create a polished, picture-perfect look for your home.
What Are Christmas Tree Toppers?
Christmas tree toppers have a rich history that dates back to 18th-century Germany, when the Rauschgoldengel, a golden foil angel, was first used to crown Christmas trees. Over time, these decorative accents grew in popularity around the world and are now available in a wide variety of styles, including classic stars, angels, and other symbolic designs.
Beyond their decorative appeal, tree toppers often carry meaningful symbolism during the holiday season. A star placed atop a traditionally decorated Christmas tree represents the Star of Bethlehem, while an angel symbolizes the heavenly messengers who announced the birth of Christ. Today, tree toppers continue to serve as both a beautiful finishing touch and a meaningful expression of holiday tradition.
What Are the Types of Tree Toppers?
Explore the different types of Christmas tree toppers below to find the style that best complements your décor and overall theme.
Star
Christmas star toppers range from classic five-point designs to ornate, three-dimensional Moravian styles. If you love extra sparkle, choose a design accented with glitter, beads, or sequins. For a cohesive look with your tree lights, a pre-lit Capiz star topper adds a soft, elegant glow to your holiday display.
Figurines
Angel tree toppers are a timeless favourite for traditional Christmas decorating. If you prefer a more playful look, consider figurine toppers featuring beloved holiday characters such as Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. These whimsical options add personality and charm while tying your tree décor together.
Bouquets
Bouquet tree toppers feature arrangements of faux flowers, foliage, and berries. These distinctive toppers add a soft, decorative finishing touch that works beautifully with both classic and modern Christmas tree displays.
Others
In addition to traditional styles, Christmas tree toppers are also available in unique designs such as starbursts, snowflakes, and finials. You can even use decorative ribbons or bows as lightweight toppers for a softer, more customizable finishing touch.
How Do I Choose The Right Christmas Tree Topper?
Shape of the Tree
When choosing a Christmas tree topper, make sure it complements the overall shape and symmetry of your tree. Star and angel toppers work beautifully on full-shaped trees, while finial toppers suit the slender profile of narrow or slim trees.
Height of the Tree
Before choosing a Christmas tree topper, measure the clearance between the top of your tree and the ceiling to determine the size it can comfortably accommodate. As a general rule, leave at least 6 inches 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 base of the stand to the top of the tree for accurate sizing.
Below is a guide showing the recommended tree topper size based on tree height for a standard 9-foot ceiling.
| Tree Height | Tree Topper Size |
| 4 – 5.5 feet | 5 inches tall by 6 inches wide |
| 6 – 6.5 feet | 7 inches tall by 5 inches wide |
| 7 – 7.5 feet | 4 inches tall by 4 inches wide |
Weight of the Tree Topper
Choose a tree topper that’s lightweight enough to sit securely at the top of your tree. Materials such as paper, fabric, plastic, or fibre composites are ideal options. Heavier toppers may tip or fall if not properly supported, so be sure to secure them with zip ties or a tree topper stabilization kit for added stability.
Decorating Theme
As the crowning accent of your display, your Christmas tree topper should complement your overall decorating theme. For a classic look, choose a traditional star or angel topper in red, green, or gold. Minimalist star toppers pair well with contemporary themes, while starburst and snowflake designs in muted tones suit modern spaces beautifully. If your style leans more rustic, bouquet or bow toppers create a relaxed yet thoughtfully styled finish.
How To Put a Tree Topper on an Artificial Tree
Now that you’ve chosen the perfect topper, it’s time to add the finishing touch to your Christmas tree. Follow the tips below based on the type of base your tree topper has to ensure it’s secure and beautifully positioned.
How To Attach Christmas Tree Toppers With a Pole Stand
Insert the pole into the top of the tree, aligning it with the centre branch. Thread zip ties through each eyelet and secure them around the trunk to hold the topper firmly in place.
How To Attach Christmas Tree Toppers With a Conical Base
Gently bend one of the top branches and carefully slide the cone over it. Adjust the surrounding branches as needed to help support the base and keep the topper balanced.
How To Put on a Tree Topper With a Spiral Base
Secure the top branch into the spiral coil and use floral tape in a colour that matches your tree’s needles to hold it in place and keep the tape discreetly hidden.
How To Attach Bow or Ribbon Tree Toppers
Use wire pieces or pipe cleaners to securely fasten bow and ribbon toppers to your Christmas tree. Attach them directly to the top branches, adjusting as needed to ensure the topper sits evenly and stays in place.
How To Attach Pre-Lit Christmas Tree Toppers
Many high-quality pre-lit Christmas trees include a female electrical plug at the top of the tree, making it easy to connect a lighted topper. Simply secure the topper in place, then plug it in. If your tree doesn’t have a top plug, use an extension cord to connect the topper to a nearby outlet.
What Are Safety Tips for Installing and Anchoring Christmas Tree Toppers?
- Use a sturdy stepladder to safely reach the top of the tree.
- Ask a friend or family member to steady the tree while you secure the topper in place.
- Consider the weight of the topper before installing it, and have the proper tools on hand to secure it safely.
- Keep fragile decorations, such as glass or crystal toppers, out of children’s reach to help prevent accidents.
- For pre-lit tree toppers, check all connections for loose wires and inspect bulbs for damage before plugging them into an outlet.
Balsam Hill’s Best Christmas Tree Toppers
Explore some of our most-loved tree toppers below to find the perfect finishing touch for your holiday display.
Animated Christmas Tree Toppers
There’s something even more magical than a lighted tree topper, one that moves. Delight the whole family with animated designs, such as a miniature Santa in his sleigh gracefully circling the top of your Christmas tree. These playful toppers add motion, charm, and a sense of wonder to your holiday display.
Angel Christmas Tree Toppers
Let this serene angel take pride of place at the top of your holiday centrepiece. Crafted with pearlescent Capiz, the design allows light to softly shine through, creating an ethereal glow that adds beauty and meaning to your Christmas tree.
Holy Family Christmas Tree Toppers
Celebrate the true meaning of Christmas with a beautifully crafted tree topper featuring the Holy Family. This timeless design symbolizes peace, faith, and devotion, making it a meaningful finishing touch for your holiday centrepiece.
All Over Beaded Star Christmas Tree Toppers
Add brilliance to your holiday décor with a shimmering star tree topper adorned with intricate beading. Designed to catch and reflect light from every angle, this eye-catching piece brings a radiant finishing touch to both classic and contemporary Christmas tree displays.
Santa and Mrs. Claus Christmas Tree Toppers
Add a touch of festive charm to your holiday décor with this delightful tree topper featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus. Full of warmth and cheer, this playful design brings joy to the heart of your Christmas tree and creates a magical focal point for family celebrations.
Berry Bouquet Christmas Tree Topper
Embrace a floral-inspired look with this rustic take on the classic Christmas tree topper. Featuring an abundant arrangement of red berry sprays, this bouquet-style topper adds rich colour, texture, and natural charm to your holiday centrepiece.
Double-Sided Starburst Tree Toppers
Beautiful from every angle, this illuminated starburst Christmas tree topper is handcrafted from natural Capiz shells and pre-lit with traditional incandescent bulbs for a warm, classic glow. Its double-sided design ensures it looks stunning from all viewpoints, making it a striking finishing touch for your holiday tree.
Radiant Star Beaded Christmas Tree Topper
Elevate your Christmas tree with this radiant star topper, designed with intricate beading that catches the light and sparkles with festive elegance. This striking piece adds a refined finishing touch, making your holiday display feel polished and luminous.
Lit Capiz Bethlehem Star Tree Toppers
This elegant eight-pointed Bethlehem star tree topper features gold trim and shimmering sequins that catch and reflect the light from your Christmas tree. Crafted from luminous Capiz, it adds a radiant, meaningful finishing touch to your holiday centrepiece.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Most Popular Christmas Tree Topper?
The star is the most popular Christmas tree topper, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. Angel toppers are also a timeless favourite and are often treasured as family heirlooms passed down through generations.
What Is the Most Popular Thing To Put on Top of a Tree?
Traditionally, a star or an angel is placed at the top of the Christmas tree. Both options carry meaningful symbolism while serving as the perfect finishing touch for a beautifully decorated tree.
How Big of a Tree Topper Should I Get?
Your tree topper should be proportionate to the size of your tree. Smaller trees typically suit toppers around 5 to 7 inches tall, while larger trees look best with toppers measuring about 8 to 12 inches. Be sure to leave at least 6 inches of clearance between the topper and the ceiling.
What Are Some Unique and Creative Tree Topper Ideas?
For a creative alternative, consider oversized bows, floral sprays, rustic lanterns, or even a cluster of coordinating ornaments. These unique options add personality and work well with modern, rustic, or themed holiday décor.
How Do I Ensure My Tree Topper Stays Securely on the Tree?
Choose a topper with a sturdy base or cone that fits snugly over the top branch. For added stability, reinforce it with floral wire, zip ties, or ribbon to keep it securely in place throughout the season.