The 7 Best Christmas Tree Ornaments of 2021

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

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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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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!