How To Decorate A Tabletop Tree Like A Designer

Learn how to decorate a tabletop Christmas tree with simple step-by-step tips that make any small tree look full and designer pretty.

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A tabletop Christmas tree is a beautiful addition to any Christmas home and a smart alternative to a full-size tree. It also makes a perfect second or third tree in a room where you want a little more Christmas sparkle.

In this post, I am walking you through how to decorate a tabletop tree from start to finish. You will see how to choose the right size tree, add ribbon and ornaments, tuck in filler, and give your tree a finished designer look, even if you are working with a small space or a simple tree.

You might also like to visit THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO TABLETOP CHRISTMAS TREES to help you choose the best small tree for your home and get ideas for where to use one as a pretty focal point.

Here’s how to decorate a tabletop tree that will look beautiful the whole holiday season!

What You Need To Decorate A Tabletop Tree

Decorating a tabletop tree is easier when everything is gathered before you start. Here are the basics that work for almost any small tree style.

• Three to four foot tabletop Christmas tree, real or faux
• Container such as a basket, urn, pot, or large bowl
• Soft layer under the container, like a throw or small blanket
• Ribbon or garland to use as a foundation layer
• A mix of larger and smaller ornaments
• Fillers such as pinecones, berries, or decorative picks
• Light and airy stems, what I call sticks and twigs, to tuck into the branches
• Tree topper, a bow, star, or simple pick
• Optional decor around the base of the tree, such as small houses, pinecones, or wrapped gifts

Once these items are gathered and ready, decorating your tabletop Christmas tree becomes a simple, enjoyable project.

3 Important Things

Decorating a tabletop tree is similar to decorating a regular-sized tree, but a lot easier and much smaller! These small trees are so much fun to decorate and add tons of holiday spirit to any space in your home!

There are a few key things to keep in mind to create a beautiful small Christmas tree.

Like any decorating, there are a few things to consider and decide before decorating your tree. Know these things first…

• the theme of the tree
• color palette
• what topper you are using

Once these design elements are decided, decorating a beautiful tree will be so much easier!

There are as many ways to decorate a Christmas tree as people are decorating them. So be creative, use what you love, and follow these steps and tips!

Start With The Right Size Tree

Finding the perfect-sized tree for your home is probably the most important step in decorating a tabletop tree.

Did you know not all trees are actually tabletop trees? A mini tree is not necessarily a tabletop tree! True tabletop trees are somewhere in the neighborhood of 3-4 feet tall. Give or take a few inches! So a 3-foot-tall tabletop Christmas tree IS a real tabletop tree!

The tree shape of a true tabletop tree is very realistic and often looks like the top of a Christmas tree!

Our Tabletop Tree

Knowing where you are going to put your tree is the first step.

I wanted a tree for my sunroom, so I chose a tree that wasn’t too big or too small for the space.

It fit perfectly in a corner between two windows!

Because our tabletop tree is an artificial Christmas tree, it is pre-lit and comes with an AA battery pack and a timer. So I didn’t need to find a spot in our home with a plug. So so convenient!

Put Your Tree In A Container

Many smaller tabletop trees don’t come in a container. Mine came wrapped in burlap. It was pretty, but I wanted to put the tree in something that made a statement! I found a nubby basket in the basement that worked great.

Finding the right container for a tabletop tree is so important!

Here are some ways to contain a tree…

• basket
• urn
• large bowl
• wrap it in a nubby throw
• terracotta pot

I’m not a fan of a tree skirt. They don’t do much but hide a tree’s stand. Instead, use a pretty container to hold a tabletop tree!

Add A Layer Between The Tree And The Table

Layer a throw or a swath of something soft between your table (or in my case, a basket trunk) and the tree container. It’s so much more interesting!

Fluff And Shape The Tree

I think “fluffing” a tabletop tree is one of the most important things you can do. Take time, wear protective gloves, and pull apart and position ALL the branches on a faux tree.

If you are decorating a real tabletop-sized tree, it may need a little bit of trimming. Don’t be afraid to give your tree a little haircut if needed!

Tree Decorating Foundation

The first thing I do when decorating a tabletop tree is decide whether to use a garland or a ribbon as a foundation layer.

I decided to create a woodland tree with natural pinecones and silver and white ornaments. And because I did not have a tree topper for this new tree, I chose to make a big bow on the top of the tree. Because of the bow at the top of the tree, using ribbon to add a foundational layer to my woodland tree seemed to make sense.

Starting at the top of the tree, I tucked and looped ribbon in a random pattern to the bottom. These loops were not all connected. I made a couple of tucks and loops and then cut the ribbon and tucked the end deep inside the tree. And started the process again until the tree was decorated with pretty burlap ribbon.

Ribbon or a garland fills in the tree. And gives our eyes something pretty to look at.

One of the biggest advantages of looping ribbon in a Christmas tree is that it takes up lots of visual space, and adds texture too. And even a tree can use a layer of texture!

Add Large Ornaments First

The next step in decorating a tabletop tree is to add larger ornaments first!

I chose silver and white ornaments from my stash and evenly distributed them around the tree. Can you see that I did not overcrowd the larger ornaments? I kept in mind that I’ll be adding other decorations to the tree!

Just a little tip… Add one or two of your prettiest ornaments front and center! I put a pretty, elongated, etched, and glittered ornament in the center of the tree.

Add Any Filler

Once the larger ornaments are on the tree, now is the time to add any filler that will be tucked into the tree.

I used pinecones to continue the woodland theme.

Be generous. Tuck any filler deep into the tree and where the tree meets the container. Be generous with this decorating layer. I like to “plug” in many of the holes in the tree.

Here’s a pinecone tip… put some pinecones in backward. Let the pinecones with the prettiest bottoms show them off!

Add Small Ornaments

After tucking filler into the tree, now is the time to add smaller ornaments.

I don’t particularly care for tiny single ornaments all over the tree unless they are special ornaments like darling little red trucks, Santas, snowmen, and such.

So, I strung three different silver/white balls on one ornament hanger and grouped them in threes all over the tree.

Sticks, Twigs, And Brambles

If you have been a StoneGable reader for any time, you know I am crazy about what I call sticks, twigs, and brambles. It’s a light and airy layer of something that embellishes and blurs the sharp edges of what you are decorating.

I love a bramble! And you should too! And I have a big stash of sticks, twigs, and brambles in boxes in the basement. They really hide a multitude of decorating sins!

I perused my stash of silver and white sticks, twigs, or brambles and found these pearly balls on wired stems. They are old! I think they were once a garland a couple decades ago that at one time I cut apart. They and I go way back!

I’m glad I kept them because I knew they would look great on the tree!

Adding something that will protrude a bit from the tree gives it a beautiful look!

Keep whatever you choose light and airy! No heavy branches, especially on a tabletop Christmas tree! And use a light hand. Just a bit here and there on a tree will work perfectly!

Here are a few things that might look pretty in a small tree…

• pinecones
• berries
• pearls
• acorns
• tiny wrapped gifts
• snowflakes
• start
• Christmas motif ornaments
• metallic picks

Add A Tree Topper

For this tree, I added a bow made from the same burlap ribbon I used as the foundational element, along with another, deeper brown ribbon.

Bows are a pretty and inexpensive option to add to the top of a tree! I wired the bow together and then wired the bow to the tree!

If you would like to know how I made the bow, here is a very old post with great content. See MAKING A CHRISTMAS BOW HERE.

Fluff And Edit

Now is the time to go over the tree, re-fluff the branches and ribbon, straighten the ornaments, and fill in any holes in the tree! Also, make sure to add or edit anything on the tree!

Don’t skip this step! It really pays off! Your tree will look so much better if you take the time to fluff!

Decorate Around A Tabletop Tree

A tabletop Christmas tree looks prettier and more intentional when it is part of a small grouping instead of sitting all by itself. Consider creating a simple vignette around the tree to make the whole area feel finished.

I like to add a few elements that echo the tree’s colors and style. For this tree, I chose white and silver houses, a couple of ornaments, and some pinecones. They echo the woodland look and make the tree feel connected to the rest of the room.

You could also try:

• A row of small ceramic houses
• A group of wrapped gifts in coordinating paper
• A collection of bottle brush trees
• Lanterns or candles placed safely away from branches

The idea is the same, no matter what you choose. Do not let the tree stand alone. A few well-chosen pieces around it can make a big difference in how your tabletop tree looks styled and finished.

Pretty Tabletop Christmas Tree…

Tabletop Christmas Tree Ideas For 2025

Tabletop Christmas trees are more popular than ever, and this year, the look is simple, textured, and collected. Think fewer decorations, but each one chosen with care.

Here are a few current ideas you might want to try.

• Keep the color palette simple
  Choose two or three colors and repeat them on the tree. Soft neutrals with warm metals, natural browns, or a touch of green feel very current and look beautiful with many styles of decor.
• Use a pretty container instead of a tree skirt
  Woven baskets, simple white pots, and rustic urns are loved right now. They give a small tree a finished look and help it feel grounded in a room.
• Focus on texture
  Mix glass ornaments with wood, paper, metal, and natural elements like pinecones. A blend of smooth and rough textures makes even a simple tree look rich and interesting.
• Place tabletop trees in unexpected spots
  A small tree on a kitchen counter, sideboard, dresser, or bedroom chest adds Christmas cheer without taking up much space. If you have a tiny room, a tabletop tree is often the perfect solution.

Presents under a tree would work wonderfully as partners for a tabletop Christmas tree, too! Just choose something festive so the tree does not stand alone!

This whole tree-trimming process took about 90 minutes from start to finish!

Pretty Tabletop Trees You Might Like

Decorating a tabletop Christmas tree is such an easy and pretty way to bring Christmas into any room. With a few simple steps and a little planning, you can create a beautiful tree that fits your style and brings joy to your home all season long.

I hope this post inspires you to try a tabletop tree this year. Start small, enjoy the process, and have fun creating a little Christmas magic right where you live.

Tabletop Christmas Trees FAQ

Merry Christmas, friends…