The 12 Best Christmas Tree Ornaments of 2021

Best Tree Topper: Crate & Barrel Glitter Gold 3D Star Tree Topper

Buy on Crate & Barrel

The Glitter Gold 3D Star Tree Topper from Crate & Barrel will make a beautiful finishing touch to your tree. Featuring a three-dimensional starburst-like design, the metallic-gold finish sparkles when paired with Christmas lights, and it'll match perfectly with any color ornament.

The star sits on top of a coiled spiral that frames your tree's branches and keeps them neatly in place. This topper is also made of plastic, so you won't have to worry about it being too delicate for your tree. This star-shaped topper is a timeless piece that will surely be part of your family’s holiday traditions for many years.

Best Collectible: Swarovski Annual Edition 2020 Ornament

Buy on Swarovski.com

Swarovski has been developing limited-edition, crystal Christmas ornaments for decades, and this year’s collection is just as lovely as the last. This delicate snowflake will glitter beautifully on your tree as it rotates from its satin ribbon. Tucking it away in its satin-lined box for next year will be a bittersweet moment, so we won’t judge if you decide to keep it on display all year-round. Swarovski recommends wearing cotton gloves when handling their crystal to avoid leaving fingerprints. To really emphasize this ornament’s shine, polish it before you hang it with a lightly damp, lint-free cloth.

Best Nostalgic: Villeroy & Boch Santa, Deer, and Angel

Buy on Walmart

Reminiscent of a Nativity scene set, this stunning collection of hand-painted, porcelain figures is great for the more traditional celebrations. Figurines of an angel holding a gift box, a deer balancing a teddy bear on its back, and Old Saint Nick holding a Christmas tree hang from bright red ribbons that will gorgeously complement the needles of your Douglas Fir. Each is about three inches tall and heavy enough that they won’t bounce around too much on the branches. The set comes in a gift box, so they will be just as lovely wrapped under the tree as they would hanging from it.

Best Economic Set: KI Store Shatterproof Christmas Tree Balls

Buy on Amazon

If you’re trying to be frugal this year, you can’t go wrong with this 34-pack of ornaments. These beautiful balls come in a variety of finishes—shiny, matte, glitter, swirl, and honeycomb—to give your tree some depth. You can also opt to order a few packs in different sizes and colors to create your own mixed-and-matched style. They are made of high-quality plastic, so you don’t have to worry about your kids handling them too haphazardly or about your pet getting too close to the tree. This collection is the perfect choice for a stress-free Christmas.

Best Modern Set: CB2 Luster Metallic Glass Christmas Tree Globes

Buy on CB2

This set of six delicately gorgeous glass ornaments are painted with a subtle ombre effect to impart a modern style to your holiday decor. The unexpected gold, smoke, and copper colors create a lovely contrast. At four inches tall, these bubble-like orbs stand out without appearing gaudy. If you already have a set of ornaments, display them in a large bowl or vase, and you’ll have a lovely centerpiece for your dining room table.

Best Miniature Set: West Elm Shiny-Brite™ Ornaments, Set of 20

Buy on West Elm

With a variety of beautifully painted glass ornaments, this adorable set will make even the smallest tree look glorious. The rich and dynamic colors will stand out whether your tree is green and fresh, or white and artificial. Each of the 20 balls is equipped with a thoughtfully crafted ring-cap for you to string directly onto the branches, or to hang from your choice of ribbons or hooks. They are about 1.25-inches wide and 1.25-inches tall, so you could even work them into a set of bigger ornaments. Whether you’re decorating with your family or with your roommates this year, these lovely orbs will certainly increase your Christmas cheer.

Best Funny: Kurt Adler Where's Waldo Molded Ornament

Buy on Amazon

Add a whimsy touch to your home during the holidays with this ornament from Kurt Adler. If you or your kids have ever played Where’s Waldo, you know how much fun this hidden-objects puzzle game can be. It’s clear from the “Santa, Find Me!” sign that this wallflower is hoping to stand out, and you can even keep your kids busy by hanging the ornament in different places on the tree for them to find. Waldo is four inches tall and made of plastic, so you don’t need to worry about handling him gently.

Best Picture Frame: Crate&Barrel White Enamel Octagon Frame

Buy on Crate & Barrel

The holidays are all about making memories, so it makes sense that you want to hang photos of your loved ones from the tree. This adorable picture frame is about the size of your average ornament, so it will mix well with the rest of your selection. The gold sunburst layered on top of the white enamel lends some glamour to this sentimental decoration, while a matching charm with the date on it will help you remember when you took the photo. The frame has a kickstand so that you can keep it on display even when you put the rest of your ornaments away.

Best Food Ornament: Kurt Adler Noble Gems Glass Cupcake 3-Piece Ornament Set

Buy on Macy's

Add some sweetness to your Christmas tree with this 3-piece ornament set from Kurt Adler. These adorable glass cupcakes look just like real-life cupcakes and have added pops of shimmer, sparkle, and color. They're even topped off with frosting, sprinkles, and a cherry to finish it all off. You can opt to hang all three on your tree or choose whichever one matches best with your other ornaments. Hang these beautiful ornaments on your tree by the attached gold string, and try to remember, they can't be eaten!

Best DIY: AlisaHandicrafts Embroidered Christmas Wreath Craft Kit

Buy on Etsy

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit with a wreath craft kit? Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned embroiderer, you will love this kit. It comes with everything you need, from the embroidery hoop and cotton string to thorough instructions and a cloth with the pattern of your choice printed onto it. The patterns are accessible but ornate—we especially love the “Merry Christmas” print. Once you’re done, hang it with a ribbon or a strand of jute string for a rustic touch.