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 16 Best Christmas Tree Toppers of 2022

With Christmas right around the corner, it's almost 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 sneaky Santa from Balsam Hill, and an adorable reindeer from Amazon.

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

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look for
FAQ
Why Trust The Spruce

4.2

Amazon

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

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.

Price at time of publish: $65

_{Dimensions: 11.5 inches tall | Material: Resin}

Kurt Adler 8-Inch Gold Glittered 5 Point Star Treetop

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

What We Like

Does not shed glitter
Easy installation
Affordable

What We Don't Like

Must b

There’s no sacrificing 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.

Price at time of publish: $10

_{Dimensions: 8 inches tall | Material: Acrylic}

The 37 Best Christmas Decorations of 2022

Mr. Christmas Animated Tree Topper-Carousel Christmas Decoration

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Lowe's

What We Like

Animated design
Lights-up
Included mount

What We Don't Like

Chord can be cumbersome

Add even more interest to your beautifully decorated Christmas tree with a tree topper that spins. Santa's reindeer spin around the festive carousel and light up the night. It's a simple plug-in design, but be sure to hide the cord, so it doesn't take away from your decorations. The included mount makes it simple to place atop your tree and admire all season long.

Price at time of publish: $65

_{Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.7 x 20 inches | Material: Plastic}

Yostyle Lighted Star Tree Topper with LED Rotating Projector

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Projects up to four feet
Shines very brightly
Stable and heavy

What We Don't Like

The projection gets smaller if your tree is close to the ceiling

Go above and beyond this year with a tree topper that spins and projects gorgeous lights and shapes on your ceiling. The bright star as a built-in projector that shines snowflakes up to four feet around your tree. Combined with lights and ornaments, you're sure to have the brightest tree on the block. It also comes in a snowflake shape if you want to do something different than the classic star.

Price at time of publish: $21

_{Dimensions: 9.2 x 9.8 x 2 inches | Material: Plastic}

luck sea Christmas Tree Topper Snowman Hugger

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Affordable price point
Conversation starter
Great for large trees

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 snowman 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.

Price at time of publish: $20

_{Dimensions: 14.5 x 23.6 inches | Material: Polyester, Metal}

Pottery Barn

View On Pottery Barn

What We Like

Timeless design
Beadwork done by hand
Supports small artisans

What We Don't Like

Difficult to clean

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.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Dimensions: 17 x 17 x 5.7 inches | Material: Steel, glass}

The 9 Best Indoor Christmas Lights of 2022, Tested and Reviewed

Wayfair

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Intricate design
Includes 4 spare bulbs and 2 spare fuses
Adds to lighted decor

What We Don't Like

May be too small for large trees

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 fuses.

Price at time of publish: $59

_{Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.8 x 1.5 inches | Material: Plastic}

Pottery Barn

View On Pottery Barn

What We Like

Cute and quirky
Lightweight
Balances well

What We Don't Like

Might look tiny atop a bigger tree

This festive topper from Pottery 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.

Price at time of publish: $48

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

Courtesy of Wayfair

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Lightweight
No plugs required
Includes inner pocket for branches

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 (maybe with a bit of extra stuffing), and then you'll have a beautiful, decorated tree right before your eyes.

Price at time of publish: $64

_{Dimensions: 15 x 12 x 12 inches | Material: Wool}

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Affordable price point
Looks like it's made of metal

What We Don't Like

A little flimsy

This Hanukkah-inspired tree topper looks like it's made of metal, but 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 it may take a bit of trail and error to get it to look perfect.

Price at time of publish: $13

_{Dimensions: 9 inches tall | Material: Plastic}

Coral & Tusk

View On Coralandtusk.com

What We Like

Adorable design
Made of lightweight felt
Can be used as mantle or tabletop decor

What We Don't Like

Expensive for felt topper

If you're looking for a whimsical spin on a traditional angel tree topper, we love this option from Coral & Tusk. The adorable topper features a friendly fox dressed like an angel who's ready to adorn your Christmas tree, tabletop, or mantle. Delicately embroidered on felt, the fox features glittery gold and silver stitching throughout that will reflect light and draw interest to your gorgeous tree or other decor.

_{Dimensions: 12.5 x 6 x 13 inches | Material: Felt}

Tree Topper Mario Super Star Gen 2 Plug in Light Up Topper

Amazon

View On Amazon

What We Like

Easy to match to other decor
Pop culture reference
Lightweight

What We Don't Like

Not as festive

Get creative with your holiday decor by incorporating some of your favorite fandoms and pop culture franchises. We love this Super Mario option that plays on a traditional star tree topper with the symbol traditionally seen in the beloved video games. The 7-inch super star lights up your tree and looks adorable while doing so.

Price at time of publish: $44

_{Dimensions: 7 x 9 inches | Material: Not Listed}

Etsy

View On Etsy

What We Like

Looks very full
Handmade
Easy to store and reuse

What We Don't Like

Smaller shop may take longer for delivery

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

In terms of size, the bow itself is 10 square inches, while the ribbons are 7 feet long (though you can trim them to suit shorter trees). Just be aware that shopping from small artisans means longer shipping times, so be sure to order early.

Price at time of publish: $40

_{Dimensions: 10 inch bow with 7 foot streamers | Material: Satin ribbon}

Balsam Hill

View On Balsamhill.com

What We Like

Hand-painted
Doubles as decor
High-quality and long-lasting

What We Don't Like

Looks better on large trees

Before Santa comes down your chimney, give him a well-deserved place on top of your tree. This cute tree topper from Balsam Hill features Saint Nick halfway down a chimney with a bag full of toys. While it's definitely pricey for a tree topper, the details are hand-painted and, with proper care, you can reuse this tree topper year after year. We recommend this grandiose pick for large trees for the best look.

Price at time of publish: $99

_{Dimensions: 15 x 8 x 8 inches | Material: Glass}

The Twillery Co

View On Wayfair

What We Like

Festive colors and design
Unique shape
Makes your tree appear smaller

What We Don't Like

Glass can be difficult 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 tall topper features red and gold glass stacked to add to the height of your tree. It looks great with either white or colored lights, as well as a whole host of colored tree baubles and trimmings. For a sophisticated vibe, try pairing the colorful tree topper with all-white lights, white ornaments, and some silver tinsel.

Price at time of publish: $51

_{Dimensions: 4 x 4 x 15 inches | Material: Glass}

Cody Foster

View On Maisonette.com

What We Like

Unique concept
Reflects light beautifully
Can be used year round

What We Don't Like

Not traditional icon or colors

Turn the holidays into a party every day with a disco ball for a tree topper. While it's definitely not traditional, this option from Cody Foster adds a modern feel and an element of fun to your tree. This tree topper works best near a window, so the disco ball can work its magic and project beautiful light all around your living room. Lean into the nontraditional style with an entirely silver, sequined, or shiny Christmas tree. This pick would also look amazing on colored artificial trees. During the other 11 months of the year, use your disco ball as a table centerpiece to keep the party going.

Price at time of publish: $41

_{Dimensions: 14 x 7.5 inches | Material: Glass}

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.

This article was written by Brigitt Earley, a freelance writer with nearly 15 years of experience writing about consumer products like home appliances. Additional reporting was done 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.