The topper is the last thing to go on the tree and usually the one we think about least. It’s also the first thing people see. Searches for tree topper ideas are up again this season, and there’s more variety than star or angel.

A classic star, sized right

A gold star (on Amazon) is never wrong. The common mistake is size. A tiny star on a 7 ft tree looks lost. As a guide, the topper should be about a tenth of the tree’s height: 7 inches for a 6 ft tree, 9 inches for a 7.5 ft one.

An oversized bow

The big-bow look is everywhere this year. A large bow (on Amazon) with long tails that run down the tree. Tuck the tails into the branches every foot or so, so they follow the shape.

A ribbon cascade

Make your own: take three to five long lengths of wired ribbon (on Amazon), gather them at one end, attach at the top, and let them fall in different directions down the tree. Pinch and twist the ribbon here and there so it looks loose.

A spray of stems and picks

Instead of one object, a bunch: glitter picks, berry sprays, faux eucalyptus (on Amazon) or feathers, fanned out from the top like a bouquet. Good for natural or farmhouse trees. Secure the stems together with floral wire before attaching.

A paper star

A folding paper star (on Amazon) fixed to the top is light, cheap and very Scandinavian. Some come with a gap to slip a light inside.

A vintage glass finial

The pointed glass spire that topped trees in the 1950s and 60s. Look in antique shops and thrift stores. They suit nostalgic trees and tinsel especially well.

Keeping it upright

Most toppers lean because the top of the tree is weak. Fixes:

  • Tie a thin dowel or a chopstick to the top branch with green zip ties (on Amazon) so there’s something solid to attach to.
  • Use a zip tie or floral wire to fix the topper base to the trunk, not just balance it.
  • Put the topper on before the top section of lights and ornaments, so you can reach.

Skipping it

A tree with no topper is fine too. Just make the top a little fuller with an extra cluster of ornaments, so it doesn’t look unfinished.