15 Popular Christmas Tree Themes to Try Out in 2023

Enliven your evergreen with these clever ideas.

We're firm believers that there's no better way to kick off the holiday season than with a warm cup of cocoa and an entire day dedicated to decking the halls. From lighting a candle in every window to a stringing the banisters with balsam, holiday cheer can warm up even the furthest corners of your home—and at the center of it all is a towering tree that's the star of the show. The question is, what Christmas tree themes are you considering trying out this year?

While many people choose to stick to a traditional red-and-green color palette, there's a lot of Christmas creativity to be had when it comes to theming your holiday decor. Maybe you want a fancy fir that pays tribute to your love of metallics or an enchanting evergreen that calls to mind the charm of a bygone era. Whatever your chosen trimming theme, we say go for it. After all, your Christmas tree is going to be the center of all celebrations over the coming month, so it deserves to be dressed to the nines in a way that feels authentic to your home and unique sense of style.

To help inspire the little elf within, we're rounding up 15 fun and creative Christmas tree themes sure to put a jingle in your step. From rustic arrangements ideal for a farmhouse to standout midcentury modern Christmas tree ideas, these seasonal twists will bring magic and cheer to your home and—bonus!—look great whether you prefer a faux fir or the real deal.

Classics are classics for a reason—and nothing is more instantly festive than a hallmark red-and-white Christmas tree. This bountiful beauty was decked by Inspired by Charm, who included lodge-inspired elements like buffalo check wrapping paper and wooden skis to make it feel fresh and fanciful.

If a streamlined and sleek aesthetic is more your style, look to this Christmas tree by For the Home for inspiration. The intentionally sparse look nods to traditional Scandinavian spruces, which feature less dense branches and are left mostly bare, save for a few basic ball ornaments and twinkling white lights.

Why choose just two colors when you can have all of them? This Technicolor tree created by Serretta Style leans into a more-is-more aesthetic, with tiers of ornaments that pay homage to every color of the rainbow. While decorations in the same shapes and designs are used here (just in different shades), you could get the same effect by hanging your existing ornaments by color from top to bottom.

Fragrant, spicy gingerbread is pretty much the unofficial cookie of Christmas, so it makes sense that it would find its place atop a tree during the holiday season. This whimsical scene created by Inspired by Charm combines real gingerbread cookies (they're surprisingly durable!) with other ornaments in a brown, rust, and white color palette. The whole scene is complete with a charming collection of plaid presents at the base.

The weather outside may be frightful, but it certainly inspires a delightful Christmas tree design! Nod to all things snow and ice with a winter-wonderland-themed evergreen. This scene designed by Lolly Jane combines a flocked tree with an assortment of white and silver ornaments—like plush "snowballs" and frosty pinecones—for a snowy scene that's oh so chic. Plenty of warm white lights and a pair of ice skates complete the charming look.

The kitchen is the heart of the home—and that age-old adage holds doubly true during the holidays when you're spending the majority of your time cooking or entertaining. Add a little festive cheer to your cook space with a foodie-themed tree, like this mini marvel created by Meme Hill. It acts as a cheeky nod to some of the best food groups out there (hello, french fries!) and includes a cheeky tribute to everyone's cookie season MVP, the KitchenAid.

For a Christmas tree theme idea that's both elegant and rustic, look no further than this warm woodland scene dreamed up by Jenna Sue Design. The creator relied on a tranquil mix of neutrals to act as the base of her tree, complemented by subtle woodland creatures (we spy a deer, owl, and bunny) and elegant black ribbon bows.

Nothing adds whimsy and fun quite like a colorful Christmas tree. Case in point? This joyful bubblegum pink faux fir. Creator Melodrama leaned into all things MCM with a retro color palette, mercury glass ornaments, and a handsewn tree skirt inspired by of-the-era Christmas card illustrations.

This dynamic tree from She Keeps a Lovely Home stands out from the pack thanks to the natural elements used as decorations. Dried orange slices and baby's breath catch the shimmer of the string lights beautifully while hydrangeas and other dried blooms fill in gaps and add a variety of interesting textures.

If a glam, show-stopping spruce is what you're after, metallics are the way to go. There's just something about them that helps to capture the magical twinkle of the holiday season, and they're a great way to make your decor look sophisticated and grown-up. This silver Christmas tree from Ella Claire Inspired glitters and gleams, thanks to its oversize stars, mercury glass balls, and snow-dusted pinecones, all atop flocked branches.

For many, the Harry Potter movies are an unofficial Christmas rite of passage and something to watch every holiday season. If your home is full of aspiring wizards, you'll love this enchanting tree created by Over the Rainbow and Back. It incorporates several motifs from the beloved series, including flying key ornaments, copies of The Daily Prophet, and even the likeness of Hedwig.

If you're someone who gets a lot of holiday cards, you probably struggle each year with how to display them. Allow us to introduce this photo Christmas tree from Delia Creates. Instead of decking your conifer with ornaments, nestle cards featuring your family and friends into the boughs. We love how these are complemented by big metallic stars and simple bauble ornaments.

Perma-travelers who are always dreaming of their next vacation destination will love this tree theme idea from Happy to Wander, which pays tribute to the many destinations you've set foot in over the years. Instead of letting your travel mementos (think: ticket stubs, pamphlets, and even Mickey ears) collect dust in a drawer somewhere, turn them into decorative ornaments you can hang on your tree as a reminder of all the places you've been.

The holidays bring out the child in all of us, so there's no more fitting theme for a Christmas tree than a nostalgic toy workshop. This whimsical design created by Ella Claire Inspired incorporates oversize vintage toys like teddy bears, model planes, and pennant flags for a festive scene that bottles the magic of the season.

Black may be an unconventional pick for a Christmas palette, but no one would dare call you a Grinch with a tree this pretty. Craftberry Bush decked out their evergreen with an impactful mix of black and bronze ornaments, working in unexpected touches like tassels, feathers, metal garland, and gilded berries.

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