What is the best way to store Christmas tree ornaments?

Storing Christmas tree ornaments can be a drag to even think about, but one helpful tip is to declutter every year. It's natural that your ornament collection will grow each Christmas, so as you put your decorations away, make a pile of ornaments that you know you'll use for years to come, and get rid of anything that hasn't been used for a few Christmases or is broken. In terms of actual storage, we recommend investing in storage made for ornaments, as it will have the proper compartments for different sizes and shapes.

What is the most popular ornament on the top of a Christmas tree?

Angels and stars are known to be the classic choices for Christmas tree toppers, but more modern traditions have experimented with anything from big ribbon bows to elaborate snowflake ornaments.

Which ornaments look best on a flocked tree?

Gold and silver bring out the glitter on a flocked tree, but it's always fun and more than acceptable to add in a bright color or two, like red or varying shades of blue.

The 21 Best Christmas Ornaments of 2022

There’s no shortage of festive accouterments for your Christmas tree, from string lights and garlands to tinsel and fake snow. And who could forget the most essential piece of decor: the ornaments?

"With the right ornaments (and maybe a few extra strands of lights), you can elevate even the least expensive trees," says Jaclyn James, founder of home décor blog Jaclyn James Co.

To help inspire your search, we researched the most popular ornaments, keeping in mind the design and price of each. Our favorite set is the Sea Team 86-Piece Christmas Ball Ornament Set, an affordable, multicolored bundle that includes enough ornaments for the whole tree and hooks and strings, so they are ready to use right out of the box.

Here are the best Christmas tree ornaments.

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce?

4.2

Sea Team 86-Piece Christmas Ball Ornament Set

View On Amazon

What We Like

Includes enough to decorate the whole tree
Affordable
Contains a variety of finishes
Hooks and strings included

What We Don't Like

Not as upscale as some others
Smaller than some reviewers expected

If you love the idea of purchasing one set with enough pieces to decorate your entire tree, you can't go wrong with this 86-pack of ornaments. These colorful balls come in various finishes—matte, mirror, glitter, and glaze—to give your tree some depth. Choose from nine colors for an entirely monochrome look or mix and match for a rainbow-themed holiday. Each set also contains differently-sized balls to create depth and interest on your tree.

Because they're made of high-quality plastic, they're an ideal (and stress-free) choice for anyone with kids and pets. The eco-friendly material is shatterproof, and you won't have to worry about debris or glass shards if one happens to break.

While inexpensive, many reviewers love how these look and shine on their trees. Some were disappointed with the size of the ornaments and shared that they look less refined than other options. But it's hard to beat the value of this set based on the affordable price and the number of decorations provided.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Dimensions: 14.17 x 4.92 x 9.25 inches | Weight: 1.3 pounds | Material: Plastic | Number of ornaments included: 86}

Uncommon Goods

View On Uncommon Goods

What We Like

Affordable
Hanging ribbon included

What We Don't Like

Sold individually
Susceptible to damage from cleaning solutions

This wooden ornament allows you to showcase everyone in the family in a truly unique way. From afar, it may look just like a snowflake, but upon closer inspection, you’ll notice your family member’s name hidden in the ornament’s intricate, laser-cut design. It’s a wonderful keepsake that’s sure to be in the family for generations to come. Bonus: The ornament comes packed in a box with festive tissue paper, so there’s minimal effort on your part if you’re gifting it.

Price at time of publish: $35

_{Dimensions: 5 x 5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Plywood, ribbon | Number of ornaments included: 1}

Old World Christmas Ornaments Glistening Pickle

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Handmade
Incorporates a fun tradition
Sparkles in the light

What We Don't Like

Very fragile
Does not include hanging string

It may seem funny to put a pickle on your Christmas tree—and it is—but the pickle ornament actually has quite an interesting history. According to the quirky custom, sometimes called Weihnachtsgurke, the first child to find the pickle Christmas ornament gets something special: the first present, an extra present, or the job of handing out the presents, plus good fortune in the coming year. This handmade version is extra special because the molten glass is mouth-blown into finely carved molds to give it a super realistic look.

Price at time of publish: $11

_{Dimensions: 3.75 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches | Weight: 2 ounces | Material: Glass | Number of ornaments included: 1}

View On Christopherradko.com

What We Like

Affordable
Set of 20
Vintage charm

What We Don't Like

Very fragile
Does not include hanging string

For classic Christmas vibes, you can’t go wrong with Shiny Brites from Christopher Radko. The glass ornaments have a truly nostalgic aesthetic that’ll not only transport you to holidays past but will also make your tree shine more brightly than it ever has before. What makes these colorful ornaments even more special: Despite the affordable price tag, you’ll get 20 high-quality, uniquely charming ornaments for your tree.

Price at time of publish: $32

_{Dimensions: 1.25 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Glass | Number of ornaments included: 20}

View On Amazon

What We Like

Set of 10
Don’t break easily
Come with hanging string

What We Don't Like

Bigger than some reviewers expected

Add a whimsical touch to your home during the holidays with this ornament set. The felted gnomes are said to be made of environmentally-friendly materials, and no two are exactly the same in size or weight—a great way to make your tree look truly custom. Also nice? These Christmas gnomes are said to bring good luck and happiness to the family who hangs them.

Price at time of publish: $17

_{Dimensions: 6.34 x 5.51 x 3.7 inches | Weight: 7.4 ounces | Material: Felt | Number of ornaments included: 10}

Hallmark

View On Amazon

What We Like

Collectible
Available in different skin tones
Comes in giftable box

What We Don't Like

Doesn’t include hanging string

Every year, Hallmark puts out a special collection of holiday ornaments called “keepsake ornaments,” because, well, you’ll want to keep them in your collection forever. For kids, we especially love this year’s Holiday Barbie. It’ll remind them of one of their favorite toys, plus there’s no denying how beautiful Barbie looks on the tree next to all of those twinkling lights. What’s more, she comes in different skin tones and two different outfits—one red and one white gown.

Price at time of publish: $22

_{Dimensions: 2.33 x 3.32 x 1.94 | Weight: 2.82 ounces | Material: Plastic | Number of ornaments included: 1}

CB2 Bordeaux Diamond Black and White Ornaments

View On CB2

What We Like

Hand-painted
Affordable
Hanging ribbon included

What We Don't Like

Sold individually
Susceptible to damage from cleaning solutions

These chic harlequin-style ornaments, which feature striking black and white stripes, are inspired by vintage European art and fashion. With gold-colored glass caps and sheer black ribbons, there’s no doubt these hand-painted glass ornaments will make your tree stand out. Alternatively, they’d look great as decorative objects or gathered together in a bowl.

Price at time of publish: $7 each

_{Dimensions: 3.25 x 3.25 x 3.63 (wide diamond); 2.25 x 2.25 x 5.5 inches (tall diamond) | Weight: Not listed | Material: Glass, ribbon | Number of ornaments included: 1}

The 38 Best Christmas Decorations of 2022

Lenox

View On Lenox.com

What We Like

Elegant style
Includes cord for hanging
Collectible

What We Don't Like

Heavy

For a sweet and warm touch, this stunning porcelain figure is great for more traditional Christmas trees. The highly detailed angel features gold detailing on her dress and wings, plus a tag with the year painted on it. Once you buy one, you’re sure to want more—and good news: Lenox releases a new Christmas angel every year.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Dimensions: 3.75 x 2.5 inches | Weight: Not Listed | Material: Porcelain | Number of ornaments included: 1}

Zazzle

View On Zazzle.com

What We Like

Makes a great gift
Comes with a hanging cord
Can add a photo and customize the design
Supports small artists

What We Don't Like

Not as durable as other options

It's a great idea to pick up an ornament if your baby is celebrating their first Christmas—it makes a great gift for both parent and child since it’s sure to be in the family for years to come. The ornament looks especially sophisticated thanks to the gold script and a gleaming hanging cord. Zazzle makes it easy to customize every part of the ornament including the color, shape, text, and photo.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Dimensions: 2 x 2 inches | Weight: 1.25 ounces | Material: Metal | Number of ornaments included: 1}

Super Smalls

View On Supersmalls.com

What We Like

Fun activity
Comprehensive kit
Includes detailed instructions

What We Don't Like

Kids may get frustrated quickly

What better way to get into the Christmas spirit than crafting your own DIY ornaments? Whether you’re a total newbie or a seasoned crafter, you’ll love this comprehensive kit. It comes with everything you need to make three ball-shaped ornaments. Use over 150 jewels, charms, and stickers to decorate your ornament, then write down a special Christmas wish and stick it inside to start the holiday season right.

Price at time of publish: $36

_{Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: Not listed | Material: Plastic | Number of ornaments included: 3}

Swarovski

View On Swarovski.com

What We Like

Sophisticated
Comes with a date tag and crystal
Hanging ribbon included
Can gift with a box, ribbon, and gift messge

What We Don't Like

Expensive
Too heavy for some trees

It doesn’t get much more classic than this beautiful crystal snowflake ornament. Also nice: Each year the retailer puts out a new version, so you can count on your collection growing over time. Eventually, you’ll end up with enough to really make your tree sparkle—plus, since each one has a ribbon complete with a date tag, your collection is sure to capture specific memories from each year. This ornament is ripe for gifting, too, since it can be engraved and comes perfectly packaged in a sophisticated box.

Price at time of publish: $85

_{Dimensions: 3 x 2.5 x 0.38 inches | Weight: Not Listed | Material: Crystal, Metal Tag | Number of ornaments included: 1}

The 9 Best Artificial Christmas Trees of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Shutterfly

View On Shutterfly.com

What We Like

Customizable
Great for gifting
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Glass can break easily

Personalize your tree with these ornaments from Shutterfly that make it easy to add any photos you wish. They're great for gifting to a newlywed couple, new parents, or grandparents: just add in a cute family photo and you're done! You can also take it one step further and customize the color, shape, and text that appears for the perfect sentimental touch to your holiday decor.

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Dimensions: 3 x 3 inches | Weight: Not Listed | Material: Glass | Number of ornaments included: 1}

Cody Foster

View On Food52

What We Like

Unique designs
Giftable sets available
Vintage-looking

What We Don't Like

Some options look different in person

The foodie in your life will flip over these vintage-inspired ornaments from Cody Foster. The collection includes various delicacies from cheese boards and pizza to coffee and sushi. There are a few sets to choose from that make great gifts, or sort through the many individual options for a deliciously themed Christmas tree.

Price at time of publish: $16+

_{Dimensions: Varies | Weight: Varies | Material: Glass, Paper, Resin | Number of ornaments included: 1-3}

The Pioneer Woman

View On Walmart

What We Like

Four festive designs
Affordable
Celebrity name

What We Don't Like

Ribbons can be a bit flimsy for hanging

If you want to stick to a classic red and green color scheme for your decorating this year, we love this ornament set from The Pioneer Woman. The set features four adorable mugs of hot chocolate brimming with marshmallows and a peppermint stick. They each feature a unique design with festive motifs and cute sayings like "stay cozy" and "warm wishes."

Price at time of publish: $15

_{Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 x 3.4 inches each | Weight: 3.84 ounces each | Material: Not Listed | Number of ornaments included: 4}

Hallmark

View On Amazon

What We Like

Recognizable characters
Pack of two
Adorable design

What We Don't Like

Ribbons can rip when hanging

Add some recognizable characters to your tree this year with this two-pack of Peanuts ornaments from Hallmark. The set features a jolly Charlie Brown holding his famous scraggly tree and his four-legged companion Snoopy lounging on his iconic doghouse that's decked out for the holidays.

Price at time of publish: $6

_{Dimensions: Varies | Weight: 1.6 ounces each | Material: Polyresin | Number of ornaments included: 2}

Etsy

View On Etsy

What We Like

Personalized
Comes with hanging string
Interactive

What We Don't Like

Longer shipping times

This clever wooden ornament makes a great gift for any little one on your list since the envelope design features a dedicated spot for their own Christmas list. They’ll love tucking it into the envelope and leaving it on the tree for Santa to pick up and take back to the North Pole. You’ll love the way it looks on your tree—the beautiful wood is laser-engraved, plus it comes complete with twine for hanging.

Price at time of publish: $23

_{Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Wood | Number of ornaments included: 1}

Northlight

View On Home Depot

What We Like

Looks natural
Festive motif
Suitable for any branch size

What We Don't Like

May look strange when paired with traditional ornaments

Clip-on ornaments are a great option for smaller trees with less supportive branches that can't hold heavy ornaments. This lightweight poinsettia will rest beautifully on any natural or artificial tree just by simply clipping onto a branch. The polyester is dusted with gold glitter for a natural, yet festive take on the traditional Christmas plant that even works on wreaths and garlands. Opt for all clip-ons this year if you're worried about sagging branches, or mix and match based on what your tree can handle.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Dimensions: 9 x 9 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Polyester | Number of ornaments included: 1}

AO Glass

View On Aoglass.com

What We Like

Handmade
Ability to customize design
Catches the light

What We Don't Like

Longer shipping times

For a handmade ornament that makes a fantastic gift, look to AO Glass. We love these hand-blown glass ornaments stamped with a festive design that catches the light when hung on your tree. You can choose from multiple designs to build your own set of three ornaments, including a snowflake, a train, a heart, and more. Don't see a design you like? Contact the artisans and they'll customize a design just for you.

Price at time of publish: $65

_{Dimensions: 2.5 x 2.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Glass | Number of ornaments included: 3}

CB2 Textured Metallic Glass Christmas Ornaments

CB2

View On CB2

What We Like

Comes as a set of four
Modern design
Two sizes available

What We Don't Like

Not festive colors

Make sure your tree stands out from the rest this year with these metallic glass ornaments from CB2. While they stray from traditional Christmas colors, the white, silver, and gold balls offer a textured feel and reflecting finish for the perfect modern decor. There are two sizes available depending on the size of your tree. Plus, they come in a set of four at an affordable price, so you can complete your tree with the modern color scheme for a unique take on classic ball-shaped ornaments.

Price at time of publish: $15+

_{Dimensions: 3.5 x 3.5, 5 x 5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Glass | Number of ornaments included: 4}

West Elm

View On West Elm

What We Like

Adorable design
Three animals to choose from
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Can attract dirt

This year, fill your tree with fuzzy creatures that are ready for the cold weather. We love these felt critters from West Elm that can't wait to adorn your cottage-core holiday decor. Choose from a hedgehog, llama, otter, or snag all three. The site has a wide range of adorable felt ornaments that would look precious when styled together for a full felt scheme. A great thing about felt ornaments is how lightweight they are so no matter how strong your tree's branches are, they won't fall off.

Price at time of publish: $7

_{Dimensions: 2.5 x 4 x 4 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Felt | Number of ornaments included: 1-3}

Free People

View On Freepeople.com

What We Like

Unique color options
Modern design
Artisan-made

What We Don't Like

May be a bit large compared to other ornaments

Stars aren't just for the top of your tree anymore. Decorate your whole tree with shining stars for a fun theme that works all year round. Look to this modern option from Free People for a unique star-shaped ornament. The Kaleidoscope star features fuzzy pom-poms and mirrored elements that will reflect light in a snowflake star hybrid. The three colors available are understated and neutral to supplement bold reds and greens, while still looking comforting and complimentary.

Price at time of publish: $28

_{Dimensions: Not Listed | Weight: Not listed | Material: Iron, Polyester, Glass | Number of ornaments included: 1}

Design

While there's no right or wrong way to decorate a tree, it's true that some shapes, colors, and patterns look better when coordinated or used on certain trees.

To make things easier, Jaclyn James, founder of home décor blog Jaclyn James Co. suggests deciding on a theme first. “Each year, I pick a color theme for the tree and find a collection of six to eight types of ornaments, and purchase or (reuse) 12 to 15 of each type. I stick to one or two colors, but then add ornaments with different textures, shapes, and lengths to achieve full coverage on the tree.”

First things first: You need to figure out what types of designs you prefer, what matches your space, and what your overall holiday aesthetic is. For example, if you're all about bright colors and bright lights, then ornaments with varying colors, patterns, and elements make sense. If you have more of a formal or reserved style, then something less busy will be best.

Connection to Your Space

Along the same vein as design, the ornaments you choose should match your décor and space overall. Don't try to follow trends simply because they're trendy—embrace what works for you and what's functional in your space.

Price

Christmas ornaments vary in complexity, flashiness, style, and price. Something that's trending right now may cost more simply because it's a hot item. There are also "luxury" ornaments that feature fancy add-ons that increase their price range.

When it comes to finding your "just right" fit, consider your budget, your space (and the current theme/styles you have), and bragging rights. If you'd rather save money while still looking presentable, then ornaments on a budget make sense.

Some ornaments also come in sets, so that's something to consider when it comes to saving money while purchasing more than one item.

FAQ

What is the best way to store Christmas tree ornaments?

Storing Christmas tree ornaments can be a drag to even think about, but one helpful tip is to declutter every year. It's natural that your ornament collection will grow each Christmas, so as you put your decorations away, make a pile of ornaments that you know you'll use for years to come, and get rid of anything that hasn't been used for a few Christmases or is broken. In terms of actual storage, we recommend investing in storage made for ornaments, as it will have the proper compartments for different sizes and shapes.

Learn More: How to Safely Store and Organize Holiday Décor
What is the most popular ornament on the top of a Christmas tree?

Angels and stars are known to be the classic choices for Christmas tree toppers, but more modern traditions have experimented with anything from big ribbon bows to elaborate snowflake ornaments.

Learn More: The 8 Best Christmas Tree Toppers of 2021
Which ornaments look best on a flocked tree?

Gold and silver bring out the glitter on a flocked tree, but it's always fun and more than acceptable to add in a bright color or two, like red or varying shades of blue.

This roundup was written by Julia Fields a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product round-ups, expert-focused articles, and more. Additional reporting was done by Marisa Donnelly, a writer, and editor with over 12 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Huffington Post, Bustle, BossBabe, Thought Catalog, and more.