Over the past 17 years we’ve decorated many homes for the holidays, so we’ve learned which methods and items make decorating easier and more festive. Finding the right Christmas tree lights can feel surprisingly tricky, but after trying a lot of options, we’ve narrowed down our favorites. This post is a compact guide with photos, ideas, and the products we like most—from artificial trees and outdoor faux evergreens to real greenery, lights, tabletop decor, and other seasonal touches.
In this post we cover our top picks for:
- Artificial Christmas trees
- Outdoor faux evergreen trees
- Fresh holiday greenery
- Christmas lights and light timers
- Tabletop holiday decorations
- Other seasonal decor items
Where possible we reference items we own. Holiday decor is seasonal and can sell out, so if an exact item isn’t available we suggest similar alternatives.
Our Favorite Artificial Christmas Trees
In our smaller home we love a narrower tree that doesn’t overwhelm the room. A 6.5-foot prelit slim tree tucks into corners and small nooks easily. We often set ours inside a wicker storage ottoman or a woven basket to add texture, and a woven tree collar can give a similar cozy look.
That same 6.5-foot slim tree works well in other spots in the house. Because it’s narrower at the base, it fits in tight places and can be enjoyed from multiple rooms. We’ve placed ours so it’s visible from the front entry and the downstairs living areas.
For larger spaces we’ve loved a fuller 7.5-foot tree. Even after prelit strands eventually failed on one of our older trees, we rewrapped it because the shape and fullness looked so authentic. A full tree suits a grand room and pairs nicely with faux sheepskin rugs at the base for extra coziness.
We’ve also used compact trees—like a 6.5-foot “Charlie Brown” style tree—for small spaces and seasonal homes. Its sparser branches showcase ornaments and garlands nicely. For kids’ rooms or casual family spaces, a 3-foot tabletop tree is perfect to decorate with felt or handmade ornaments.
To store trees between seasons, a durable Christmas tree storage bag with sturdy handles makes getting the tree into and out of an attic far easier than wrestling with a boxed tree.
Our Favorite Outdoor Faux Evergreen Trees
If you want low-maintenance greenery that looks great year-round, faux outdoor trees are fantastic. We used a set of lightweight outdoor faux trees in planters on our front porch, sprayed them a copper color once for a custom look, and added warm white LED lights to make them glow at night.
We’ve also used smaller faux evergreens that look surprisingly realistic and are suitable for year-round styling. They’re lovely without lights, but adding warm white LEDs can make them especially festive during the holidays.
Our Favorite Real Holiday Greenery
Sometimes nothing beats fresh greenery. In Richmond I hosted wreath-making gatherings every winter; magnolia wreaths made that way often lasted a month or two. Fresh garlands from grocery stores like Trader Joe’s or Costco are great for draping over windows or mantels—just a few nails or hooks will hold a long stretch securely.
We also enjoy fresh tabletop trees when available. Small live trees bring scent and authenticity to a room and are easy to style in a pretty pot. Kids especially enjoy decorating small trees with felt ornaments and simple handmade pieces.
A compact pot and some felt ornaments are all you need for a charming, kid-friendly display.
Our Favorite Christmas Lights & Light Timers
String lights instantly add warmth. For both indoor and outdoor use, we prefer warm white lights because they create that cozy glow other tones don’t. We’ve transitioned to warm white LED strings that last longer, offer attractive twinkle settings, and work indoors or out.
Battery-operated LED fairy lights are a cheap, flexible way to add glow to mantels, garlands, vases, and small displays. For outdoor use, solar-powered fairy lights are convenient because they come on automatically at dusk. Remote-controlled battery LED candles are a safe, flameless option that still delivers a warm ambiance.
To automate indoor lights we use compact smart plugs that let us turn the tree on and off by voice or schedule. They’re easy to set up from a phone and save the hassle of reaching behind a decorated tree to find the plug. For outdoor displays we use simple weatherproof timers for set-and-forget operation, and for more control there are smart outdoor timers that let you adjust lights remotely.
Our Favorite Tabletop Holiday Decorations
Tabletop touches are some of my favorite seasonal items. Feather trees, bottlebrush trees, and mercury glass or light-up decorative trees add instant charm. Mixing different shapes, sizes, and finishes creates a collected, playful vignette.
A dough bowl filled with shiny ornaments is an easy centerpiece—use shatterproof ornaments for durability or glass ornaments if you prefer a more delicate look. We often store our ornaments in the bowl, so decorating is as simple as pulling it out and placing it on a console or table.
We’ve also added small, whimsical items—like iridescent mini trees—to shelves for a bright, playful touch. Simple swaps, like a holiday-themed plate or a letterboard with a seasonal message, bring understated cheer to everyday spaces.
Other Favorite Holiday Decor Items
Some favorite items don’t fit neatly into a single category. A realistic faux wreath can last for years and looks great on a front door. Cozy, oversized stockings feel extra homey on a mantel—knit or cable-knit styles both look classic, and fun little personalized charms can be added to each stocking.
We sometimes tuck our tree into an ottoman or place it in a woven tree collar for a textured base. One of our favorite porch touches is a pair of rubber rain boots filled with faux or fresh branches—simple, playful, and welcoming on any stoop.
Before I go, a quick note: our holiday gift guides are already published with many ideas at a variety of price points, if you’re also shopping for presents this season.
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