That disaster forced me to get creative. My family and I spent the evening crafting a replacement out of wire, ribbon, and hot glue. Not only was it significantly lighter and safer, but it ended up looking ten times better than the store-bought version. It became our favorite holiday memory.
The holiday season is a time for creativity and joy. While glass ornaments and twinkling garlands look great, the Christmas tree topper is the ultimate finishing touch. It catches the eye and completes the entire look. This year, instead of buying mass-produced plastic at the store, let’s make your own special DIY Christmas tree topper!
Quick Highlights: DIY Christmas Tree Toppers
- Discover creative, lightweight, and unique DIY topper ideas to elevate your holiday decor.
- Find inspiration for various themes, from classic angels to whimsical gnomes and personalized options.
- Learn professional tips for securely attaching your topper so it never falls or leans.
10 Handmade Christmas Tree Topper Ideas for 2024
Whether you like a rustic farmhouse vibe, an elegant traditional look, or a playful cartoon style, there is a DIY Christmas tree topper idea for you. Grab your hot glue gun, and let’s get started!
1. Craft Your Own Angel Topper
A classic symbol of the holiday season, a vintage angel tree topper brings a feeling of peace and calm. To make your own, you can use a ready-made craft doll base or create one yourself using materials like felt, fabric, or even paper mache.
After you create the body, add personal touches. You can design a flowing gown made from velvet ribbon or lace trim. Consider adding details like sparkling wings made from craft wire and crystal beads.
2. Design a Sparkling Star Topper
The star is the ultimate holiday centerpiece. It stands for hope and guidance. Cut out a 3D star shape from thick cardboard or thin balsa wood. Then, cover it with gold glitter, sequins, or shiny foil paper to make it sparkle.
To take it to the next level, wrap battery-operated micro fairy lights around your star for a beautiful glow that doesn’t require a heavy plug dragging down the back of the tree.
The secret to a glowing DIY topper without messy cords:
3. Create a Rustic Gnome Topper
Think about using a rustic gnome tree topper for a bit of woodland charm. These fun figures can add playfulness to your Christmas decor. You can make your gnome’s body by rolling felt or fabric scraps into a cone and stuffing it with cotton to make it look plump.
Next, add a long, pointy hat using colorful felt. To make it even more fun, hot glue a fluffy beard made from faux fur or thick white yarn. Slip the hollow body of the gnome right over the top branch of your tree!
4. Assemble a Festive Feather Topper
Feathers add an incredibly luxurious, high-end department store look to Christmas tree decorations. Begin by choosing large craft feathers (like ostrich or peacock plumes) in colors that match your ornament theme.
Use floral wire to attach the feathers to a central foam cone base. Arrange them in an explosive fan shape for a bold, dramatic appearance.
5. Bake a Gingerbread Man Topper
Nothing smells better than freshly baked gingerbread during the holiday season. Bring that sweet smell into your living room with a cute gingerbread man topper.
- Roll out stiff gingerbread dough and use a large cookie cutter.
- Pro Tip: Before baking, carefully press a thick wooden skewer into the back of the gingerbread man. This will give you a strong post to tie to the tree branch later.
- Bake it until hard, let it cool completely, and decorate with royal icing.
6. DIY a Pom-Pom Garland Topper
Pom-poms add instant fun and texture to DIY crafts. Use a cheap pom-pom maker tool and yarn in your favorite holiday colors to create a dozen large pom-poms.
Thread a needle and string them together tightly. Instead of a traditional star, drape the pom-pom garland heavily around the very top of your tree, letting the ends cascade down the sides.
7. Weave a Ribbon Cascade Topper
This is what I did for our tree last year! Choose 3 or 4 different wide, wire-edged ribbons that look nice together. Cut the ribbons into long strips, making sure they are long enough to hang all the way down the tree.
Tie the ribbons onto a central craft wire ring. The wire-edged ribbon allows you to puff up the bows at the top so it looks full and flowing, while the tails cascade down the branches.
The secret to perfect, puffy bows that never go flat:
8. Construct a Top Hat Centerpiece
A top hat adds a bit of “Frosty the Snowman” charm to your holiday decorations. You can buy a cheap cardboard craft hat or make your own from poster board.
Cover the hat with black felt or plaid fabric. Decorate the brim with festive items like holly berries, pinecones, or tiny ornaments. Because the hat is hollow, it slips securely and perfectly over the top branch!
9. Fashion a Grinch-Inspired Topper
Add some humor to your living room with a Grinch tree topper. You can craft a sneaky Grinch face peering out from the top branches, or even better, craft the Grinch’s furry green arm reaching over the top of the tree, pretending to steal an ornament!
10. Make a Nautical Star Topper
For anyone who likes a coastal look, a nautical star topper adds a lovely seaside touch to the holiday season. Use a hot glue gun to assemble small pieces of driftwood, seashells, or thick nautical rope into a star shape.
Using a dry-brush technique with white or navy blue paint can help boost the weathered, beachy vibe.
How to Keep Your Topper From Falling Over
Keeping your beautiful new topper standing straight up is the hardest part of tree decorating. Heavy toppers will inevitably cause the top branch to bend and snap.
The Dowel Rod Trick
Do not rely on the flimsy top branch of your tree! Buy a cheap, 1/2-inch thick wooden dowel rod from the craft store. Zip-tie the wooden dowel tightly against the sturdy central trunk of the tree, leaving about 8 inches sticking out the top. Now, you have a solid, unbreakable post to attach your star or angel to!
Use green floral wire or green pipe cleaners to wrap your topper onto the dowel rod so the mechanics are completely invisible.
Want a Magazine-Worthy Holiday Display?
If untangling massive balls of Christmas lights and climbing tall ladders isn’t your idea of holiday fun, hire a pro! Local professional holiday decorators can design, install, and eventually take down stunning exterior lights and interior tree displays, leaving you to just enjoy the season.
Find Local Holiday Decorators on Angi
Sponsored affiliate link. Professional availability and services vary by location.
Final Thoughts
Transform your Christmas tree into something truly special with these 10 DIY tree topper ideas. From classic angels to elegant ribbon cascades, handmade toppers ensure your holiday decor is entirely unique. Gather your family, fire up the hot glue gun, and create a centerpiece that you will be proud to display for years to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best materials for DIY toppers?
The best materials are lightweight. Heavy glass or solid wood will cause your tree to bend. Thick felt, stiff cardboard, balsa wood, wide wire-edged ribbon, and hollow styrofoam cones are the best materials to ensure your topper stays upright all season long.
How do I secure my topper to an artificial tree?
Artificial trees have wire branches that you can easily bend. Bend the top vertical branch in half to double its thickness and strength. Then, slide your hollow topper (like a top hat or cone-based angel) over the folded branch, or use green zip ties to secure a star directly to the metal pole.
Can I add lights to a DIY cardboard tree topper?
Yes! However, do not use traditional heavy Christmas light strings, as the thick green cords will drag the topper down. Instead, use battery-operated “micro fairy lights” on a thin copper wire. You can poke tiny holes in the cardboard to push the LED bulbs through, and easily hide the small battery pack in the branches behind the topper.
