How do you anchor a Christmas tree topper?

If your Christmas tree topper has a spiral bottom, you can just place it on the tree, tucking the top branch inside the base. If the tree topper won't sit straight, you can use a wooden or metal skewer and place it behind the topper. You can attach the base of the skewer to the tree with string, pipe cleaners, ribbon, or a nearby tree branch. If you have a cone shaped tree topper that isn't sitting straight, you can add string to the inside of the topper and tie it around the tree to hold the topper in place.

How far from the ceiling should a Christmas tree topper be?

For the best look, you want to have some room between your tree topper and the ceiling. The top of your tree topper should be at least two inches below the ceiling, with six inches of space being ideal. Tree toppers come in a wide variety of heights, so you should be able to find one that fits your tree the best. If you haven't bought your tree yet, buy one at least two feet shorter than your ceiling height. This will make sure that your tree topper isn't too close to the ceiling.

The 11 Best Christmas Tree Toppers of 2022

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With Christmas right around the corner, it's almost that time to start unpacking all of your holiday decorations. While we're looking forward to hanging up our stockings, unloading our favorite festive ornaments, and purchasing our tree, perhaps no finishing touch is as important as a tree topper.

We've researched top brands and unique styles for every tree out there, considering durability, ease of installation, and design. Our top picks include a dainty angel from Willow Tree, a shiny metallic number from Shiny Brite, and affordable yet impactful picks from Amazon.

Here are the best Christmas tree toppers for decorating your tree.

Our Top Picks

Willow Tree Song of Joy Tree Topper at Amazon

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Best Bow:

CaryTreasures Buffalo Plaid Christmas Bow at Etsy

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Best Ornament:

Shiny-Brite Tree Topper at West Elm

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Best Snowflake:

Pottery Barn Jeweled Snowflake Tree Topper at Pottery Barn

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Best Light-Up:

Kurt Adler 10-Light 12-Point Capiz Star at Wayfair

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Best for Kids:

Moon Boat Reindeer Hugger at Amazon

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Best Unique:

Pottery Barn Felt Gnome Tree Topper at Pottery Barn

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Best Festive:

The Holiday Aisle Santa Hat Tree Topper at Wayfair

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Best Star:

Kurt Adler Gold Glittered 5-Point Star at Amazon

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Best Hanukkah:

Kurt Adler Hanukkah Tree Topper at Amazon

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
Why Trust The Spruce

Willow Tree

View On Amazon View On Hallmark.com View On Willowtree.com

Dimensions: 11.5 inches tall | Material: Resin

What We Like

Secure
Packaged for gifting
Universally beautiful design

What We Don't Like

A little heavy

A faceless design paired with an intricately-patterned gown makes this hand-painted angel topper a timeless piece. Her soft pose makes it look like she's singing and dancing at the same time, and she's perfectly packaged in a fitted box, ready for gift giving. The spiral cone makes for easy installation on a tree, but the angel can also be displayed as mantle decor.

Etsy

View On Etsy

Dimensions: 30 x 14 x 6 inches | Material: Ribbon, wire

What We Like

Rustic aesthetic
Handmade

What We Don't Like

Smaller shop may take more time for delivery

Off-gold and black buffalo ribbon offer a more stylish yet minimal approach to your holiday decor. We love that the ends spiral up in dainty little twists, making it look like your tree got dressed up for Christmas dinner too. You can even get multiple of these handmade bows to decorate your mantle, staircase, and more.

Shiny-Brite

View On West Elm

Dimensions: 3.5 x 14 inches | Material: Glass

What We Like

Top brand name for Christmas ornaments
Can last you for years

What We Don't Like

Glass material is tricky to store

Sure, you deck your tree out in tons of ornaments, but did you know that there are special ornaments you can put atop your tree as well? This artful ornament combines two styles—modern and vintage—to create one seriously glam tree topper that suits a wide range of styles.

It looks great with both white or colored lights, as well as a whole host of colored tree baubles and trimmings. For a super sophisticated vibe, try pairing the colorful tree topper with all white lights, white ornaments, and some silver tinsel. This look will ensure the topper really stands out—in a good way!

Courtesy of Pottery Barn

View On Pottery Barn

Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 5.7 inches | Material: Steel, glass

What We Like

Timeless design
Beadwork done by hand

What We Don't Like

Expensive

Dreaming of a winter wonderland? Because not everyone can have a white Christmas, this pretty snowflake tree topper makes a great addition to your holiday tree. The 10-pointed snowflake is crafted with an intricate array of white beads and clear gems that give the whole piece a sparkling, diamond effect.

We Tested the Best Indoor Christmas Lights—Here Are Our Favorites

Kurt Adler

View On Wayfair

Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.8 x 1.5 inches | Material: Plastic

What We Like

Intricate design
Includes 4 spare bulbs and 2 spare fuse

What We Don't Like

Expensive for plastic

If a light-up star better suits your holiday decor style, you’ll swoon over this artistic option. The twelve-point star has ten bulbs to ensure it really shines atop your Christmas tree, and gold glitter detailing adds to the drama of it all. It latches onto the top of your tree via a spiral clip attachment and includes four spare bulbs and two spare fuse.

Moon Boat

View On Amazon

Dimensions: 61.4 x 50.4 inches | Material: Polyester

What We Like

Affordable price point
Conversation starter

What We Don't Like

Quality will wear off over time

A friendly face hugging your Christmas tree will delight little ones, as well as those young at heart. This polyester reindeer is an Amazon best-seller and features wired structuring, perfect for posing as you'd like. It's definitely on the bigger side, so keep the dimensions in mind if you plan to use it on smaller trees. Note that the head is empty, so the brand suggests stuffing it with your own newspaper or cloth for best results.

Courtesy of Pottery Barn

View On Pottery Barn

Dimensions: 6 x 4 x 19 inches | Material: Polyester, iron

What We Like

Cute and quirky
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Might look tiny atop a bigger tree

This festive topper from Pottern Barn adds a playful element to your tree, and pairs well with nearly any colored ornament. Mr. Gnome himself comes dressed in red and sports a matching pointy hat, with only his nose and long white beard peeking out. He only weighs half a pound, and can be spot cleaned with a cloth.

Courtesy of Wayfair

View On Wayfair

Dimensions: 15 x 12 x 12 inches | Material: Wool

What We Like

Lightweight
No plugs required

What We Don't Like

Flat and may require your own stuffing

Add a touch of Santa to your tree this year with this festive hat topper. Just like Santa's hat, this adorable topper features a classic red and white tinsel design with a white pouf at the end. Made of hand-felted wool, your tree's branches can be tucked into the interior pocket hidden inside the bottom of the hat.

Weighing only a pound, you won't have to worry about it weighing the tree down. A bonus about this topper is that there are no plugs or electricity required. All you need to do is top this little hat atop your tree, and then you'll have a beautiful, decorated tree right before your eyes.

Kurt Adler 8-Inch Gold Glittered 5 Point Star Treetop

Courtesy of Walmart

View On Amazon View On Wayfair View On Walmart

Dimensions: 8 inches tall | Material: Acrylic

What We Like

Does not shed glitter
Easy installation

What We Don't Like

Might look small on bigger trees

There’s no sacrificing on Christmas sparkle with this traditional five-pointed star, a great choice for those who prefer classic holiday decor. Kurt Adler's tree topper is decked out in plenty of gold glitter that will stand out even across the room. It also boasts an intricate die-cut pattern that lets light from your LED lights shine through, creating an attractive glow that spreads across the ceiling.

Attaching it to the tree is easy, too—just place the coil on the top of the tree. Be mindful to push it all the way down, though, so you don’t experience any tilting.

The Best Christmas Decorations for a Festive Home

Kurt Adler

View On Amazon

Dimensions: 9 inches tall | Material: Plastic

What We Like

Affordable price point
Looks like it's made of metal

What We Don't Like

A little flimsy

Users say that this tree topper looks like it's made of metal, but they appreciate that it's lightweight and won't weigh down the tree. It features the classic Star of David design with a silver face and black border. You can easily attach it to the top of your tree with the coil stake, but just keep in mind that some user complained about it being tricky to latch on at first.

Courtesy of The Lakeside Collection

View On Lakeside.com

Dimensions: 11 x 11 inches (bow), 9 feet long (ribbon) | Material: Polyester

What We Like

Wire makes for easy molding
Cascades down the tree

What We Don't Like

The topper itself might seem small on some trees

Ribbons aren’t just for gifts, and this tree topper is proof. With an elegant bow at the top, this topper features ribbon tails that cascade down the sides of your tree for unexpected flair. It's sure to make your Christmas tree the centerpiece of the room—a present to everyone who enters your space!

If you’re worried about the structure, don’t be: an adjustable plastic cone holds the bow in place, and the ribbon tails are wired so you can better control their shape and placement. And in terms of size, the bow itself is 11 square inches, while the ribbons are nine feet long (though you can trim them to suit shorter trees).

Make the Season Extra Festive With the Best Christmas Tree Ornaments

Ability to Light Up

If a tree topper lights up, it will need to be connected to your tree lights in order to work, which is important to consider since wiring can get cumbersome. Also, bulbs in light-up toppers will eventually burn out, so look for toppers that include spare bulbs and fuses.

Size

Tree toppers come in a variety of sizes, and it's important to choose one that's going to look appropriate on your Christmas tree. For instance, smaller toppers can look awkward on bigger trees, and bigger toppers can make already small trees look tinier. Pictures can be deceiving, so be sure to look at dimensions or measurements as you make your decision.

Ease of Use

Tree toppers with good bases shouldn't give you much trouble, but in certain cases, you'll need to anchor, or secure, the topper to the Christmas tree. When you're looking to get a tree topper, pay attention to the base and peruse reader reviews about their installation experience. Different types of bases included clip-on, coil, or attach via a plastic cone.

FAQ

How do you anchor a Christmas tree topper?

If your Christmas tree topper has a spiral bottom, you can just place it on the tree, tucking the top branch inside the base. If the tree topper won't sit straight, you can use a wooden or metal skewer and place it behind the topper. You can attach the base of the skewer to the tree with string, pipe cleaners, ribbon, or a nearby tree branch. If you have a cone shaped tree topper that isn't sitting straight, you can add string to the inside of the topper and tie it around the tree to hold the topper in place.
How far from the ceiling should a Christmas tree topper be?

For the best look, you want to have some room between your tree topper and the ceiling. The top of your tree topper should be at least two inches below the ceiling, with six inches of space being ideal. Tree toppers come in a wide variety of heights, so you should be able to find one that fits your tree the best. If you haven't bought your tree yet, buy one at least two feet shorter than your ceiling height. This will make sure that your tree topper isn't too close to the ceiling.

Additional research for this article is provided by Stacy Fisher, a writer specializing in crafting, DIYs, and other home topics. Additional picks were researched and considered by Shanon Maglente, senior commerce editor of The Spruce, who has years of product writing and testing experience across multiple categories including home decor, toys, appliances, textiles, beauty, and more.