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 11 Best Christmas Tree Ornaments of 2022

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There’s no shortage of festive accoutrements 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?

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.

Our Top Picks

Best Set:

Sea Team 86-Piece Christmas Ball Ornament Set at Amazon

Read Review

Best Personalized:

Uncommon Goods Your Name in a Snowflake Ornament at Uncommon Goods

Read Review

Best Unique:

CB2 Bordeaux Diamond Black and White Ornaments at CB2

Read Review

Best Funny:

Old World Christmas Ornaments Glistening Pickle at Amazon

Read Review

Best Glass:

Christopher Radko Christmas Confetti at Christopherradko.com

Read Review

Best Wooden:

WillhiteCrafts Christmas Wish Ornament at Etsy

Read Review

Best Felted:

Funoasis Christmas Tree Hanging Gnomes at Amazon

Read Review

Best Angel:

Lenox 2021 Heavenly Angel Ornament at Amazon

Read Review

Best Baby's First:

Mud Pie 2021 My First Christmas Ornament at Nordstrom

Read Review

Best for Kids:

Hallmark 2021 White Holiday Barbie Doll Ornament at Hallmark.com

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
Why Trust The Spruce

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.

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

Uncommon Goods Your Name in a Snowflake Ornament

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.

Dimensions: 5 x 5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Plywood, ribbon | 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.

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 Best Christmas Decorations for a Festive Home

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.

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.

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

View On Etsy

What We Like

Personalized
Comes with hanging string
Interactive

What We Don't Like

Returns not accepted

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 a pretty red ribbon bow and twine for hanging.

Dimensions: 3.7 x 4.1 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Wood | Number of ornaments included: 1

The Best Toy Advent Calendars to Delight Kids All Season

View On Amazon View On Walmart

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.

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

View On Amazon View On Lenox.com

What We Like

Elegant style
Includes cord for hanging
Collectible

What We Don't Like

Heavy
Expensive

For a sweet and warm touch, this stunning porcelain figure is great for more traditional Christmas trees. The highly detailed angel features 24-karat 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.

Dimensions: 3 x 4.75 inches | Weight: 6.4 ounces | Material: Porcelain | Number of ornaments included: 1

Mud Pie 2021 My First Christmas Ornament

View On Nordstrom

What We Like

Makes a great gift
Comes with a hanging cord
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Can’t be personalized

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 is highly durable but looks especially sophisticated thanks to gold script and a gleaming hanging cord.

Dimensions: 3.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Synthetic | Number of ornaments included: 1

Hallmark 2021 White Holiday Barbie Doll Ornament

View On Hallmark.com

What We Like

Comes in a gift box
Collectible

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 White 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, the collectible comes pre-packaged in a box for easy gift-giving, preservation, and storage.

Dimensions: 2.93 x 4.6 x 2.45 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Plastic | Number of ornaments included: 1

IzzyKnitsLYS Christmas Ornament Needle Felting Kit

View On Etsy

What We Like

Fun activity
Comprehensive kit
Includes detailed instructions

What We Don't Like

Requires felting skills

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 six ornaments: full color, step-by-step instructions; two felting needles; needle felting foam; seven colors of felting wool; and cotton thread to hang the ornaments.

Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: Not listed | Material: Wool, string, metal, cardboard | Number of ornaments included: 6

Design

"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. And 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, James 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 Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer who has written and edited hundreds of home décor buying guides. To make this list, she considered each pick's material, as well as special touches like whether the ornament was handmade or had personalization options. Brigitt considered dozens of ornaments from dozens of retailers, carefully evaluating each one and reading customer reviews. All of the options featured here are well made, highly rated, and unique options for your tree. 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.