AboutFOUR TREES TO MAKE YOUR OWN
The ornaments you love. A ribbon that ties them together.
Shop four complete Christmas tree looks: collected red and gold, blue and white, burgundy velvet, and colorful heirloom-inspired. Includes ornament counts and ribbon yardage for a 7½-foot tree.
Explore & shop the looks ↓
A COLLECTED CHRISTMAS
A beautiful tree can begin with the decorations you already own. Choose one of these four combinations, repeat a few colors, and leave room for the ornaments with a story. Each plan includes a tree, topper, skirt, ornament mix and ribbon, with quantities to help you shop deliberately.
01 / RED SUEDE RIBBON + WARM GOLD + A LITTLE TARTAN
The familiar Christmas combination, with the shine softened by a suede-finish ribbon and the ornaments varied in size. Tartan belongs at the base; the tree itself can stay a little quieter. Bring in old family baubles before adding anything new.
FOR A 7½-FOOT TREE
| Layer | Starting quantity | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ornaments | About 100–120 total | Three plain red sets (36) + six ruby accent pairs (12) + two gold sets (60) give 108 ornaments. Substitute your own pieces freely. Mix larger balls inside the branches with smaller pieces at the tips. |
| Ribbon | 20–25 yards | For loose tucked loops rather than a tightly wrapped spiral. Reserve a few extra yards if you want matching gift bows. |
| Finishing pieces | 1 star + 1 skirt | Choose the tree’s 7½-foot option. Check the star’s mount and the skirt’s finished diameter against your stand. |
Christmas Central / Whitehurst
Twelve 2¾-inch red glass balls per set: a simple base for more distinctive pieces.
For this plan: 3 sets of 12 = 36 plain red ornaments.
Shop at Christmas Central / Whitehurst ↗
Michaels / Nearly Natural
Thirty 2½-inch gold ornaments per set. These are shatterproof, with a mix of finishes, rather than glass.
For this plan: 2 sets of 30 = 60 gold ornaments.
Shop at Michaels / Nearly Natural ↗
Fig & Dove
Red suede-finish ribbon with a gold reverse, 2½ inches wide and 10 yards long per roll.
For this plan: 2 rolls = 20 yards; a third roll if you want 25 yards or extra gift bows.
Shop at Fig & Dove ↗
Frontgate
Choose the 7½-foot option with clear warm-white LED lights. This size measures 63 inches across; check the current delivery estimate.
For this plan: 1 tree; choose 7½ feet and clear warm-white lights.
Shop at Frontgate ↗
McGee & Co.
An aged-gold starburst for the red-and-gold or colorful tree. Check the mount and ceiling clearance.
For this plan: 1 topper; check installed height.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗
McGee & Co.
A 60-inch tartan skirt with a navy and green ground. On the featured full tree it sits beneath the outer branches rather than extending beyond them.
For this plan: 1 skirt, 60 inches across; a tucked-under base on the 63-inch tree.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗
McGee & Co.
Two 4-inch ruby-red baubles with decorative detail. Use these as larger accents among plain balls.
For this plan: 6 pairs = 12 larger accent ornaments.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗BRING THE LOOK HOME
Place the plain gold balls further inside the branches. Red ornaments and favorite figurals can sit nearer the outside where you will see them.
Cut a few manageable lengths first and test their depth in the tree. Tuck the ends out of sight; leave a little green between each loop.
A patterned skirt makes the whole arrangement feel finished without needing plaid ribbon as well. Use the skirt you already love if it fits.
02 / PORCELAIN PATTERN + NAVY VELVET + COOL GLASS
A Christmas tree that belongs in a blue-and-white room. Patterned ornaments are the special layer; white and silver balls give them breathing room. Navy ribbon adds definition without making the tree feel icy.
FOR A 7½-FOOT TREE
| Layer | Starting quantity | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ornaments | About 90–110 total | Begin with 16–24 patterned blue-and-white pieces, then add about 40–48 white and 30–40 silver or clear ornaments from the linked sets and your own collection. |
| Ribbon | 12–15 yards | For approximately 18–22 modest bows using 24 inches each, plus a trimming allowance. Longer tails require more. |
| Finishing pieces | 1 pewter star + 1 ivory skirt | A plain base keeps the patterned ornaments in focus. Check the topper dimensions against your ceiling. |
McGee & Co.
Two floral blue-and-white baubles per set. Let these patterned pieces sit toward the outside of the tree.
For this plan: 4 pairs = 8 patterned ornaments.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗
Christmas Central / Whitehurst
Twelve 2¾-inch white glass balls per set, with silver-colored caps.
For this plan: 4 sets of 12 = 48 white ornaments.
Shop at Christmas Central / Whitehurst ↗
Michaels / Craig Bachman
Wired navy velvet ribbon, 2½ inches wide and 10 yards per roll. Sold through a Michaels marketplace seller; check shipping.
For this plan: 2 rolls = 20 yards; use about 12–15 yards for the smaller bows.
Shop at Michaels / Craig Bachman ↗Frontgate
Choose the 7½-foot option with clear warm-white LED lights. This size measures 63 inches across; check the current delivery estimate.
For this plan: 1 tree; select the 7½-foot size.
Shop at Frontgate ↗
McGee & Co.
The pewter finish echoes silver ornaments and blue ribbon. Confirm the selected finish before ordering.
For this plan: 1 pewter topper.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗
Fig & Dove
A 72-inch ivory cotton sateen skirt gives the 63-inch tree a visible fabric border. Check the opening against your stand.
For this plan: 1 skirt, 72 inches across; shows beyond the 63-inch branches.
Shop at Fig & Dove ↗
Fig & Dove
A pair of blue glass ornaments with snowflake detail; a second shape for the blue-and-white mix.
For this plan: 4 pairs = 8 additional blue glass ornaments.
Shop at Fig & Dove ↗
McGee & Co.
Ten assorted silver ornaments per set. The different shapes keep a restrained palette interesting.
For this plan: 3 sets of 10 = 30 silver ornaments.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗BRING THE LOOK HOME
Hang patterned ornaments in a loose zigzag from top to bottom instead of grouping them in one band.
Cut one length and tie it before cutting the rest. A 24-inch piece makes a modest bow; make the tails longer if the tree is especially full.
Silver, clear glass and white can share a tree. Repeat navy in the ribbon to connect the patterned pieces.
03 / DEEP RED + WARM GOLD + GENEROUS BOWS
Rich burgundy carries the look, while gold ornaments catch the lights. The ribbon is the main event: a bow at the top, smaller bows through the branches, and enough visible greenery to keep it soft.
FOR A 7½-FOOT TREE
| Layer | Starting quantity | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ornaments | About 90–110 total | Aim for roughly 40–48 burgundy + 50–70 warm gold pieces. Four burgundy sets give 48 balls; two gold sets give 60, for 108 ornaments before any family pieces. |
| Ribbon | 20–25 yards including the topper | Allow about 15–18 yards for 18–24 bows with longer tails, 3–4 yards for a simple topper bow, and a little trimming allowance. |
| Finishing pieces | 1 handmade bow topper + 1 skirt | The linked ribbon makes the topper as well as the branch bows. No separate star is needed. Attach the topper to a firm upper stem. |
Afloral
Burgundy velvet ribbon with metallic gold detail, 1 inch wide and 20 yards per roll. Use the same roll for branch bows and a topper.
For this plan: 1 roll = 20 yards for bows and a simple topper; choose 2 rolls if you need 25 yards or longer tails.
Shop at Afloral ↗
Christmas Central / Whitehurst
Twelve 2¾-inch shiny burgundy glass balls per set, with gold-colored caps.
For this plan: 4 sets of 12 = 48 burgundy ornaments.
Shop at Christmas Central / Whitehurst ↗Michaels / Nearly Natural
Thirty 2½-inch gold ornaments per set. These are shatterproof, with a mix of finishes, rather than glass.
For this plan: 2 sets of 30 = 60 gold ornaments.
Shop at Michaels / Nearly Natural ↗Frontgate
Choose the 7½-foot option with clear warm-white LED lights. This size measures 63 inches across; check the current delivery estimate.
For this plan: 1 tree; select the 7½-foot size.
Shop at Frontgate ↗Fig & Dove
A 72-inch ivory cotton sateen skirt gives the 63-inch tree a visible fabric border. Check the opening against your stand.
For this plan: 1 skirt, 72 inches across.
Shop at Fig & Dove ↗BRING THE LOOK HOME
Tie and attach a generous but simple bow, then step back to check its scale before cutting branch bows. Leave enough clearance above it.
Mix shiny gold balls with quieter antique finishes you already own. Use a few shiny pieces to reflect the lights among softer finishes.
Place two or three ornaments at different depths, then leave a visible patch of branches. This gives a bow-led tree some breathing room.
04 / MIXED GLASS SHAPES + SMALL STRIPED BOWS + TARTAN
For the tree with a favorite ornament on every branch. Mix vintage-inspired shapes with the pieces your family has collected, using a repeated ribbon and warm lights to make the different colors feel at home together.
FOR A 7½-FOOT TREE
| Layer | Starting quantity | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Ornaments | About 100–120 total | Try 40 colorful balls + 40 small heirloom-inspired glass ornaments + 24 patterned paper ornaments give 104 pieces. Substitute family ornaments wherever you like. The paper ornaments provide a softer contrast to glass. |
| Ribbon | 10–12 yards | For about 20–24 small bows at 12–15 inches each, plus trimming allowance. Test one bow before cutting the roll. |
| Finishing pieces | 1 gold star + 1 tartan skirt | Repeat red or gold in the topper or skirt to give the mixed ornament colors a common thread. |
Fig & Dove
Twenty small vintage-inspired glass ornaments per set, about 1½ inches each. These provide detail, alongside larger balls and family favorites.
For this plan: 2 sets of 20 = 40 mini glass ornaments. These are small, about 1½ inches.
Shop at Fig & Dove ↗
McGee & Co.
Four high-gloss balls in mixed colors. Repeat the mix through the tree rather than grouping each color together.
For this plan: 10 sets of 4 = 40 colorful balls; subtract any you already own.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗
Hobby Lobby / Merchant 41
Red-and-white grosgrain, ⅞ inch wide and 7 yards per spool. This non-wired ribbon works for small tied bows.
For this plan: 2 spools = 14 yards; use about 10–12 yards for small bows.
Shop at Hobby Lobby / Merchant 41 ↗Frontgate
Choose the 7½-foot option with clear warm-white LED lights. This size measures 63 inches across; check the current delivery estimate.
For this plan: 1 tree; select the 7½-foot size.
Shop at Frontgate ↗McGee & Co.
An aged-gold starburst for the red-and-gold or colorful tree. Check the mount and ceiling clearance.
For this plan: 1 gold star.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗McGee & Co.
A 60-inch tartan skirt with a navy and green ground. On the featured full tree it sits beneath the outer branches rather than extending beyond them.
For this plan: 1 skirt, 60 inches across; sits beneath the branch spread.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗
McGee & Co.
Eight patterned paper-mache ornaments per set. Their softer surface contrasts with reflective glass.
For this plan: 3 sets of 8 = 24 patterned paper ornaments.
Shop at McGee & Co. ↗BRING THE LOOK HOME
Once the ball ornaments and ribbon are in place, give the pieces with a story a visible spot at eye level.
Finials, little houses, fruit and round balls bring character. Repeated colors matter more than matching every shape.
You do not have to buy a full heirloom collection this year. A small new set and your existing favorites are enough to begin.
PUTTING IT TOGETHER
Assemble the tree, shape each section and check the lights before ornaments go on. Put it in its final position first.
Attach the topper securely, then add ribbon in a few places and check the balance from across the room.
Hang larger, simpler ornaments further into the tree, with smaller pieces toward the branch tips.
Finish with patterned and sentimental ornaments. Arrange the skirt around the stand and leave gifts clear of light cords.
MAKING IT YOUR OWN
Our relaxed, full-tree plans use roughly 90–120 ornaments, depending on the look. Width, ornament size and density change the count. Start with what you own and add gradually; an especially full or densely decorated tree may need substantially more.
Yes. A green tree with warm white lights is a flexible foundation. The four combinations change the ornaments, ribbon, topper and skirt rather than requiring a different tree each time.
For tucked loops, it is usually easier to establish the ribbon first. Small tied bows can go on near the end. Test the placement before filling every branch.
Measure the stand and the tree’s lower branch spread. The skirt needs to cover the stand, fit around the trunk and suit the available floor space. Compare finished dimensions rather than relying on tree height alone.