19 Christmas decorations to light up your tree: from classic to quirky
From treasured one-of-a-kind ornaments to colourful and hilariously inappropriate baubles, these are the Christmas decorations to hang on your tree.
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We’re approaching the festive season at pace, which means it’s almost time to buy a beautiful, fragrant Christmas tree – or perhaps dust off the plastic one hibernating in the cupboard.
A beloved festive tradition up there with leaving biscuits and milk out for “Santa Claus” is decorating the Christmas tree.
If your box of decorations is in desperate need of an update, there are plenty of dazzling options you can hang on your tree.
From classic dangly baubles in an array of festive colours (we’ve shared our favourites from Myer’s current deal on Christmas decorations) to quirky, bordering-on-inappropriate ornaments that will guarantee laughs (this Tersely 2020 Xmas Survived Tree Hanging, $8.59, option is proving particularly popular), we’ve found the Christmas decorations you’ll enjoy for years to come.
CHRISTMAS TREE DECORATIONS
CLASSIC
From baubles in red, green, gold and silver to homely wooden ornaments and festive scenes, a classic tree will remind you of childhood Christmases.
Merry & Bright Mirrored Rainbow Bauble, Myer, $9.99
This onion-shaped bauble brings new meaning to the Christmas saying “merry and bright” with its eye-catching rainbow pattern. Measuring 8 centimetres in height and with a dangling ribbon for hanging ease, it’s a bauble you’ll want to buy up in bulk. Better still, Myer is offering huge deals across its extensive Christmas decorations collection where you can purchase two decorations and receive 20 per cent off (shop all the deals here).
Heirloom Gold Glitter Wire Sleigh, Myer, $9.99
Hear those sleigh bells ringing? So can we thanks to this delicate gold sleigh decoration with decadent red fabric. It glitters, it’s festive, it belongs pride-of-place on your tree. Plus, with Myer’s sale on, you can afford to deck out your tree with a few of these timeless hanging sleighs (take a look at the offers here).
JillMakes DIY Kit Of Yuletide Christmas Tree Ornaments, Etsy, $43.15
There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction of seeing Christmas decorations you and your family crafted yourself hanging from your tree. This set comprises of 5 wooden ornaments - think reindeers and bauble shapes - a paint brush and eight paint pots (with the festive colours dark teal, white, lavender, black, red, gold, white and glitter too).
Zintan 24-Piece Wooden Christmas tree Hanging Pendant Decorations, $16.99, Amazon
There’s nothing that evokes a stronger sense of festive nostalgia more than a set of wooden ornaments hung from a Christmas tree. This Zintan set of 24 hanging pendants in festive red and white will bring a classic, homely vibe to your tree this year. The pendants come in the shape of reindeers, Christmas trees, bells, hearts and snowflakes and measure 7cm x 7cm x 0.5cm in size. The set comes in a beautifully presented wooden box too, so you can guarantee they won’t get lost or tangled in the sea of decorations you own.
Marks & Spencer Family Fun Glass Baubles 20 Pack, $42.50
The UK retailer means business when it comes to Christmas (they have a dedicated Christmas section here) so it’s no surprise their decorations are decidedly jolly. These hand-finished designs feature textured and ridged balls in different shapes.
The Christmas Warehouse Star Tree Topper in Gold Glitter With Warm White Lights, $25.95
If you fancy a star on steroids to top your tree this year, might we suggest this one? Not only do the gold glitter and sequins dazzle, this star also features a thin strand of micro LED lights to give your tree a warm and inviting glow.
Myer Giftorium Luxe 10 Pieces – Pink Matte and Glitter Baubles, $14.99
If you love a traditional-looking tree in an unconventional colour, Myer Giftorium has you sorted with these beautiful blush-hued baubles. They come in a set of 10 and feature matte, shiny and glitter variations.
Morgan & Finch Boxed Baubles Set Of 30 Assorted in Gold, $19.99
If you’re a fan of gold, this jumbo set of 30 baubles and ornaments is a no-brainer. In muted golds, glitter and shine, they’ll bring a dazzling touch to your tree.
Adairs Dome Glass Deer Round Ornament, $12.99
Reminiscent of the snow domes of your childhood, this precious glass ornament will be a prize on your tree. It depicts a festive winter scene featuring a reindeer and tree.
Owl & Otter Personalised Christmas tree Hanging, $22
A personalised bauble is the perfect gift to give before the Christmas tree decorating begins. Created with oak wood veneer and a velvet ribbon, they’ll look beautiful and add an intimate touch to your tree.
Christmas Shop Shiny Chunky Silver Tinsel, $15.48
All the baubles in the world hung on a tree are lovely but a glittering swirl of tinsel takes things to the next level (and it can be hung festively around your home, too). This silver tinsel measures 2 metres by 10 centimetres and is available in three colours.
QUIRKY
If you’re a fan of the unconventional then there are an array of quirky ornaments and decorations that’ll make you laugh out loud every time you look at your Christmas tree.
Tersely 2020 Xmas Survived Tree Hanging, $8.59, Amazon
Feeling pretty chuffed you survived 2020 in one piece? Tersely has an ornament that will commemorate this achievement. Replete with hand sanitiser and toilet paper, it’ll be a humorous reminder of the difficult year you and your loved ones overcame.
La La Land Floral Paradiso Bauble Set, $19.99
If you’re looking to inject a little Australiana into your Christmas decorations, this six-piece bauble box set will do the trick. It features 6 Australian native birds and swaps out traditional Christmas hues for fresh, bright colours.
As far as years go, 2020 hasn’t filled the world with a huge amount of joy. The upside? You can hang these black humour baubles on your tree and laugh about it. The bundle includes 10 ornaments, from an “Oh Balls” bauble, to an “All I Want For Christmas Is To Be Left Alone” ornament.
Marks & Spencer Set Of 4 Glass Travel Baubles, $28.50
While the international borders might be closed, you can still add some overseas flair to your Christmas tree. These cute, handpainted baubles feature a stickered suitcase, the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty and a camera.
Sass & Belle Christmas tree Decoration With Santa Riding A Dinosaur, $24
Swap Santa Claus’ traditional sleigh and reindeers for a dinosaur this Christmas. It’s glitter covered and is sure to please both children and adults.
Typo McChristmas Tree Bundle, $30
Who says decorations need only be Christmas themed? Typo’s set of 8 ornaments inspired by the world’s biggest fast food chain will bring the festive giggles (and hunger pangs).
Sass & Belle Christmas Bauble In Glitter Lobster, $17
For the southern hemisphere, Christmas is a hot, sunny affair so why not reflect that in your ornaments? This sparkly lobster is the perfect summer Christmas addition to your tree.
Woolworths Jolly Santa Characters, $4 (each sold separately)
At a price point that will please the budget conscious come these cute, if not quirky, Santa Claus-inspired decorations. At 8 centimetres in size, you can choose from Santa holding a sausage sizzle, Santa in the bath and Mrs Claus carrying a festive platter.
HOW CAN I DECORATE A CHRISTMAS TREE?
Firstly, it’s important to determine what theme you’re trying to convey through your Christmas tree. Do you want a more traditional Christmas tree, the type you remember growing up with? Is there a colour scheme in your home you want to emulate? Or do you love all things glittery, mischievous and fun? This will help you determine whether you’re looking for more classic ornaments or quirky, fun decorations.
WHAT ARE THE BOXING DAY SALES?
The term ‘Boxing Day’ was first said to be coined in the 1800s when the rich would give their servants a day off and send them on their way with a boxed gift. Now, December 26, the day following Christmas, has become one of the biggest sales events in Australia. In 2019, the Australian Retailers Association’s executive director Russell Zimmerman said Boxing Day sales would hit $2.6 billion in Australia. After the spending spree up to Christmas, Boxing Day sales allow savvy consumers the opportunity to pick up cut-price bargains.
WHY ARE CHRISTMAS TREES A TRADITION?
Surprisingly, Christmas trees have been a tradition well before Christianity – and Christmas – came along. A decorated tree to mark festivities has been a winter tradition for thousands of years, with pagans in Europe adorning fir trees with ornaments in their homes during the cold months. It’s said Christmas trees became the symbol we know and love today in around the eighth century when a German missionary who, as legend has it, noted the rebirth of a fir tree out of a felled oak tree and drew similarities between this and Jesus Christ.
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