“People need a Christmas tree topper that is both functional and decorative,” says Tara Spaulding, interior design coordinator for Patio Productions. “A good tree topper should be a focal point of the holiday decorating scheme, but it should also serve as a functional element of the tree. When choosing a tree topper, you need to consider the overall aesthetic of the room and what you plan on using the tree for.” To find the best Christmas tree toppers, we’ve researched a variety of picks and considered factors like dimensions, material, and lighting. In addition to Spaulding, we also consulted Joan Gair, interior design expert at Housetastic; Jillian Tull, a merchant for Ballard Designs; and Christine Mango, holiday designer and producer. Overall, our pick for the best Christmas tree topper is the Glitter Starburst Tree Topper from West Elm. It’s easy to attach to real or faux trees, and its glittery coating shines brightly from the top, creating an eye-catching final touch for Christmas tree pictures and holiday cheer. Here are the best Christmas tree toppers. Keep in Mind: It doesn’t light up. Price at time of publish: $20 Dimensions: 8 x 2 x 13 inches | Material: Plastic | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: This topper is handmade, so each one may be a bit different from what is depicted. Just keep in mind that this tree topper doesn’t light up, so you’ll want to make sure you add lots of twinkly lights or have natural lighting to make it pop. Price at time of publish: From $43 Dimensions: 25 x 20 centimeters | Material: Stainless steel | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: It’s extremely fragile so you’ll want to make sure it’s sturdy in place and your tree doesn’t have any unwanted movement. Price at time of publish: $216 Dimensions: 15.5 x 14 x 3 inches | Material: Hand painted glass and metal | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: It’s not actually vintage, just designed with a retro look. Price at time of publish: $43 Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 8 inches | Material: Plastic | Weight: 1 pound | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: Positioning and assembling the topper may require lots of adjustments. The beauty is in the details on this topper with colorful saddle blankets depicting Thomas Kinkade’s most classic holiday illustrations draped over each flying reindeer. The topper operates on a three-hour automatic timer so you can watch it go round and round while watching your favorite holiday movie. Remember to keep it positioned completely vertical and upright for best use and viewing. Price at time of publish: $120 Dimensions: 19.8 x 10.4 x 5.7 inches | Material: Resin | Weight: 2.59 pounds | Lighting: Yes Keep in Mind: Plastic breaks easily and the cut-out design requires delicate hands. Price at time of publish: $12 Dimensions: 9.5 x 8.5 x 2 inches | Material: Acrylic | Weight: 5.6 ounces | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: This topper is available in two sizes, so be sure to measure the distance between the tip of the tree and your ceiling. Price at time of publish: From $79 Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 3 inches | Material: Capiz shells | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: Yes Keep in Mind: There is no central bulb, so fixing a burned out light will be a challenge. Price at time of publish: $40 Dimensions: 9.25 x 1.25 x 12.5 inches | Material: Recycled plastic | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: Yes Keep in Mind: This topper is one-sided. Price at time of publish: $70 Dimensions: 8.5 x 9.5 x 1 inches | Material: Metal | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: The spiral base may be too wide for small or narrow trees. Price at time of publish: $25 Dimensions: 11.75 x 10.75 x 16.38 inches | Material: Plastic, glitter, wire | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: When it comes to cleaning the topper, don’t use harsh chemical and abrasive cleaners. Price at time of publish: $99 Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 5.75 inches | Material: Steel and glass beads | Weight: 5.25 pounds | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: It’s extremely lightweight so you’ll want to make sure it’s sturdy up on the top of your tree. Price at time of publish: $55 Dimensions: 15 x 10.5 inches | Material: Felt | Weight: 6 ounces | Lighting: No Keep in Mind: It’s tall so make sure there’s room between the top of your tree and the ceiling. Price at time of publish: $130 Dimensions: 14 x 4 inches | Material: Glass | Weight: Not listed | Lighting: No
What to Know About Christmas Tree Toppers Before Shopping
Size
Before buying a Christmas tree topper, you’ll want to consider not only the size of the topper, but also the size of your tree. “You will need to consider the size of the topper and whether it will look right on the tree,” Gair says. “Also, you’ll want to think about the height and whether the topper will be touching the ceiling or if it won’t fit altogether.” Tulle says that while the size of the tree and ceiling matters, you’ll also want to consider the thickness of the stem when choosing a topper so you can rest assured that it’ll fit nicely.
Material
It’s a personal preference when it comes down to the material of a Christmas tree topper. Some are made out of glass while others are made from plastic and metal—it depends on the type and the brand. With that in mind, the material of the topper is an indication of how durable it will be. For example, Mango says that if you’re looking to put your Christmas tree outside, plastic toppers tend to be the most durable and designed to withstand the elements. Glass toppers will be more fragile and have a higher likelihood of breaking with movement while metal and plastic stay in place without much movement. And if they happen to fall, they likely won’t completely break.
Lighting
Many tree toppers that light up usually need to be plugged into an outlet or use battery power. A lit topper is a great way to draw attention to the top of the tree, especially if it’s a big star or gleaming angel. However, sometimes a lit tree topper, in addition to Christmas tree lights, can feel a bit like overkill. To figure out what you prefer, try out both lighted and unlit tree toppers to see which one best fits your holiday vision.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you install a Christmas tree topper?
Once you found the best Christmas tree topper for your style, it’s time to install it. Installation will vary based on the type of topper and tree you have. In general, here are a few tips to help keep your tree topper steady and in-tact all season long. Spaulding says the first few essentials you need to install a Christmas tree topper are a screwdriver and ladder—so you can reach the tip top of the tree. “After that, find where on the top of your tree it would be best for your topper to go. Once you’ve decided on that spot, take one end of the screwdriver and slowly drill through the trunk of the tree until you reach its center point, and then, put in your tree topper,” Spaulding says. For more standard Christmas tree toppers like angels and stars, Mango suggests cutting the tip of the tree down so the funnel rests just above the branches to offer a more balanced look. “I often wire the angel on so she is slightly angled downward as if she’s looking over the tree and admirers,” Mango says. You’ll want to read the instruction manual for your specific Christmas tree topper, but this is standard advice for most toppers.
Do you need a Christmas tree topper?
No, you don’t need a Christmas tree topper. “A tree can look just as beautiful without a topper,” Mango says. However, one might opt for a topper, as Spaulding says, many don’t consider their tree to be “complete” without one. They are a nice touch and can make a tree look more polished and photogenic, but they aren’t a necessity.
Can Christmas tree toppers be used outdoors?
Once again, this depends on the type of Christmas tree topper and the environment. “Some Christmas tree toppers can be used outdoors,” Gair says. “However, you need to be aware of how the materials will react to the elements. Some materials won’t be suitable for use outdoors, so it’s important to select one that can withstand rain and snow.” If in doubt, Gair suggests finding the best Christmas tree topper that is specifically designed for outdoor use.
Who We Are
Casey Clark is a writer who covers beauty, style, home, and commerce. She has been a writer for three years and has been featured in PEOPLE, Taste of Home, Forbes, HuffPost, Cosmopolitan and more. Casey attended Hofstra University and graduated magna cum laude with a journalism degree and minors in public relations and creative writing. The experts interviewed for this article include Tara Spaulding, interior design coordinator for Patio Productions, Joan Gair, interior design expert at Housetastic, Jillian Tull, a merchant for Ballard Designs, and Christine Mango, holiday designer and producer.
