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The Greatest Deviation from Tradition Can Be Found in These 39 Original Christmas Tree Themes


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1

Sheep-Themed Tree

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Jeanna Loves Christmas

christmas tree themes

Aydin Arjomand

Wooly sheep are an essential part of a nativity scene. Why not bring them to your Christmas tree too? Here, designer Phillip Thomas hung leaping lambs off the boughs of his farmhouse-themed tree in Bellport, New York. Coupled with cozy textiles and more cuddly creatures in the living room, it’s not looking like a baa-d idea at all.

2

Style-Under-the-Stars Tree

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David Christophers

christmas tree themes

Lacey Sombar

Like Hammel, designer Bradley Odom looked to the great outdoors in creating his Christmas tree theme. He scattered the evergreen with star ornaments and then layered on whimsical, camping-inspired baubles including vintage RVs, acorns, mushrooms, and reindeer. Lush greenery throughout the living room makes the theme even more convincing. “I think abundance can really be the highlight of the season,” he tells us. “Instead of thinking of the rule of threes, throw that out the window and go over the top.”

3

Woodland Tree

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Mallory Hudson

christmas tree ideas

Spacecrating Photography

Channel the pine forests your tree is doubtlessly missing by festooning your Tanenbaum in woodland-themed decor. Here, designer Bria Hammel created a woodsy moment with perching birds, berry picks, and pine cone– and acorn-themed ornaments. Safe to say, we’re nuts for the look.

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4

Pastel Ribbon Tree

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Ramon - at HOME

christmas tree themes

Katie Nixon Photography

Think pink…and blue and mint and white. That’s precisely what Caitlin Wilson did in this beyond-pretty holiday scheme, layered with pastels and—yes—poodles. Like the designer, you can take your theme and draw it out into the rest of your holiday decor. Here, matching ribbons appear on the wreath and gifts, too.

5

christmas tree ideas

Jaime Viñas

Elvis may have crooned about the woes of a blue Christmas, but we think—with this grove of cerulean trees—it seems pretty festive. ELLE DECOR A-List designer Ghislaine Viñas selected a trio of trees, in varying heights and hues, for a quirky holiday vignette. An orange, zig-zagging floor lamp provides a zip of contrast. Talk about a Christmas to remember!

6

Under the Sea-Themed Tree

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Royal Christmas

christmas tree themes

Courtesy Mary patton

We love all the critters of the crèche (donkeys! sheep!), but why not shine a light on the other creatures in the animal kingdom? We adore this aquatic creation, courtesy of Mary Patton of the Houston-based firm Mary Patton Design. “I was very inspired by my new hobby— aquariums,” she tells us. “I chose a silver tinsel tree and stuck with a blush and turquoise color palette.”

Still can’t give up those treasured holiday motifs? Mix ’em in, like Patton did! “Even though this is a theme tree, I’ve sprinkled in a few turquoise and pink Santas and other family ornaments to keep it fun,” she says.

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7

Red-as-a-Lobster Tree

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Christopher Hiedeman

christmas tree ideas

Courtesy

This ruby-red tree, courtesy of the one and only Bronson van Wyck, also looks under the sea...and into the art history books. The party planner paid homage to Salvador Dalí in this surreal scheme by covering the crimson branches with red and white lobsters and plenty of glittering extras. With the striped big top–themed enclosure, this Christmas tree is ready for the spotlight.

8

Swedish Tree

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Dantier and Balogh Design Studio

christmas tree themes scandinavian tree

Courtesy Kristina Phillips

The holidays are about treasured traditions, so why not celebrate your heritage with your Christmas tree theme? Here Kristina Phillips of Kristina Phillips Interior Design celebrates her Swedish background by devoting her tree to tomte, a gnomelike creature who keeps a watch over farm animals and children. Ornaments made from timber, straw, and felt add to the cozy Scandi vibes.

9

Dill Pickle Tree

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Decorator's Warehouse

alternative christmas trees

Courtesy John Derian

German-American lore has it that if you hide a pickle in a Christmas tree, its lucky discoverer will have good luck for the rest of the year. John Derian made it easy for visitors by festooning this mini tree entirely in ornaments of the dill variety. Talk about in-spear-ation!

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10

Flower Power Christmas Tree

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Lifestyle with Melonie Graves

christmas tree ideas

Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Or, if you’re not a fan of pickles, go for fragrant flowers—real and faux. ELLE DECOR A-List designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard swears by engulfing his tree in bunches of bountiful blooms, like roses, hydrangeas, orchids, and even grapes. “Pampas grass stems can be very romantic and create an ethereal tree experience, whilst dried hydrangeas give body and color blocking to the trees,” he adds. You can feel free to use high-quality silk flowers and tuck in big blooms here and there (Bullard recommends amaryllis). For added longevity, he suggests affixing a water vial to the end of each live nosegay.

11

Vintage Chic Christmas Tree

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VIKI Studio DIY

christmas tree ideas

Courtesy Houses & Parties

Rebecca Gardner, in line with her zany entertaining brand Houses & Parties, embraces vintage nostalgia in her Christmas tree theme with charming gnomelike creatures, toadstool ornaments, glass beads, and tinsel. “One of my favorites is a giant blown-glass moon. He’s magic,” she tells us. Need a hand? Shop her selection of adorable ornaments (we’re obsessed with the cocktail-shrimp one!) online.

12

Feathered Christmas Tree

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ReviewBase

jeweled interiors

Jeweled Interiors

After years of use, you’d be forgiven if your tinsel looks a little tired. Why not look to Mother Nature to create holiday’s best-dressed tree? Here Jeweled Interiors’ Jewel Marlowe tucked ostrich plumes and dried origami-like palm leaves into her tree, creating a theme that is equal parts elegant and effortless.

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13

The Candy Cane Tree

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Building & Beauty

themed christmas tree ideas

Jennifer Perkins

If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that candy canes are the candy of Christmas—so why not bring that theme to your tree, like Jennifer Perkins did here? The pink, red, and white color scheme goes perfectly with green and will definitely liven up your living room.

14

The Organic Minimalist Tree

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Oksana FancyBloom

decorated christmas tree

Egle Aleksanraviciute//Getty Images

You don’t always have to cover your entire tree in ornaments and decorations. For a clean, minimal look, adorn your tree sparsely, using pine cones and other ornaments in a similar color family.

15

The Tree for Movie Buffs

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Elizabeth's Old Maple Home

themed christmas trees

Southern Crush at Home

If you or the film lover in your life wants to capture that movie-theater vibe in your own home, then Melanie of Southern Crush at Home has come up with the perfect tree for you. Bonus: That ingenious DIY popcorn topper is actually made of white hydrangeas!

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16

The Candy Land Tree

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REVELATION DESIGN

themed christmas tree ideas

Turtle Creek Lane

Calling everyone with a sweet tooth—this is the themed tree for you. Jennifer Houghton of Turtle Creek Lane layered this tree in ornaments shaped like hard candies, sweet desserts, and adorable little gingerbread men.

17

The Lumberjack Tree

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Rebecca Robeson

themed christmas trees

Weekend Craft

Michelle of Weekend Craft decorated her farmhouse-style tree in a large buffalo-check ribbon, tying it up at the end for the ideal tree topper. Matching ornaments wrapped in black-and-white buffalo-check fabric, along with pine cones and little owls, complete this tree’s theme.

18

The Pom-Pom Tree

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StyledBy Miss Linda

themed christmas trees

Sugar and Cloth

celebrated Christmas in the studio by embellishing a frosted tree in giant fluffy pom-poms. It goes quite well with the colorful velvet seats, don’t you think?

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19

The All-White with Red Accents Tree

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ChicOnTheCheap

christmas tree with gifts and stockings

Hybrid Images//Getty Images

You can go in a lot of different directions when decorating an all-white tree. Here, red ornaments and decor cover the tree for a sleek and stylish look.

20

The Technicolor Tree

VIDEO: Wall christmas tree, space saving christmas tree decorations,#Holidays #Christmas #diy #decor
Hobby Nest

best christmas tree theme ideas

Courtesy of Lia Griffith

Lia Griffith celebrated a Technicolor holiday with this theatrically themed tree. A snowy spruce flocked tree is adorned with handmade decor and large marquee letters.

Headshot of Anna Fixsen

Deputy Digital Editor

Anna Fixsen, Deputy Digital Editor at ELLE DECOR, focuses on how to share the best of the design world through in-depth reportage and online storytelling. Prior to joining the staff, she has held positions at Architectural Digest, Metropolis, and Architectural Record magazines. elledecor.com 

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