Ah, Christmas tree decorating – it’s a ritual, a tradition, and for some, an all-out battleground. A recent study by Bloom & Wild has laid bare just how seriously Britons take their festive firs, revealing not only what’s hot and what’s not but also a few eyebrow-raising confessions about how we deck the halls.
What’s Hot, What’s Not
Let’s start with the essentials. When it comes to decorating your tree, simplicity is the name of the game. Topping the “must-have” list is a classic angel tree topper (30%), followed by elegant gold or silver baubles (29%) and plain white fairy lights (26%). There’s no need to go overboard; it seems we’re all for a bit of understated chic.
But not everything gets a pass. Tinsel? A festive no-no for 18% of people. Flashing, multi-coloured fairy lights?
Absolutely not, say 14%. And as for putting a teddy bear on top of the tree, a whopping 44% shudder at the thought. Other decorative disasters include fake white trees (33%) and even pinecones (9%)—poor pinecones.
The Great Tree Turf War
Decorating the Christmas tree is supposed to be fun, right? Well, for many, it’s less “jolly” and more “holy moly, who’s in charge here?”
Over half of us (57%) have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to others touching our tree, and 41% admit to full-blown arguments with family members about how it should look.
And if you think that’s dramatic, 38% of parents secretly redecorate the tree after the kids have had their turn. Who’s calling the shots here? Unsurprisingly, mums take the lead (40%), with kids (17%) and dads (a humble 8%) following behind.
The Rise of the Tiny Tree
Not everyone is going big this year, and honestly, that’s okay. A third of Britons are downsizing their trees—some because they don’t have the space (65%), others because it’s just too much hassle (24%). Enter the Tiny Tree, the pint-sized hero for small spaces.
Lucy Hook from Bloom & Wild explains, “It’s clear from our research that everyone has strong feelings about the best tree decorations. That’s why we design our Tiny Trees with a range of festive personalities in mind.
Whether they go for Scandi minimalism or full-on jingle bells, a Tiny Tree will bring some festive magic to even the tiniest of spaces.”
And let’s not forget the 15% who swear by their trusty artificial trees, which get dusted off year after year. Some people even skip the tree altogether—5% of households simply opt-out.
Instagram’s Favourite Decoration
For many, the tree isn’t just for the family to admire—it’s also for the ‘gram. Over a third (38%) of people post a picture of their finished masterpiece, while a similar number (38%) secretly judge their friends’ decorating efforts. It’s all in good fun, of course… right?
But whether you go all out or keep it simple, decorating the tree remains one of the season’s highlights. More than half of us (59%) say it’s the best part of Christmas, and 56% believe it marks the official start of the festive season.
Bloom & Wild’s Top Ten Tips for Decorating Like a Pro
| 🎄 What’s Hot | 🚫 What’s Not |
|---|---|
| 1. Antique decorations handed down from family – 32% | 1. A teddy bear on top – 44% |
| 2. An angel on top of the tree – 30% | 2. A fake, white tree – 33% |
| 3. Gold or silver baubles – 29% | 3. Fake candles – 26% |
| 4. A silver star on top of the tree – 27% | 4. A snowman on the top of the tree – 25% |
| 5. Plain white fairy lights – 26% | 5. Fake snow – 21% |
| 6. Gold or silver bells – 21% | 6. Tinsel – 18% |
| 7. Posh chocolate decorations – 21% | 7. Flashing multi-coloured fairy lights – 14% |
| 8. Star shaped baubles – 16% | 8. “Comedy” baubles – 12% |
| 9. Hanging angels – 15% | 9. Pine cones – 9% |
| 10. White decorations – 16% | 10. Red or green baubles – 8% |
If you’re looking to step up your decorating game this year, these tips from Bloom & Wild are a good place to start:
- If possible, opt for a potted tree. Because they’re replantable, you can keep them until next December (making them a much more sustainable choice).
- Start by giving your tree a zhoosh. Ease out its branches, cut away any unruly bits (like extra leaders, the tallest part of the tree) and wipe off any sap. The sap can irritate your skin, so make sure you wash your hands too!
- Next, lay out all of your decorations. Doing this means you can get stuck straight in.
- You’ll want to layer your decorations in a specific order. Fairy lights first, then your garland, baubles, and last but not least the tree topper.
- Try to get an even spread of baubles across the entire tree. For this, it doesn’t matter whether you work top to bottom, side to side or outwards in!
- Only hang one bauble on each branch. And only hang heavier decorations on branches that can support their weight. Otherwise, this can lead to sagging and gaps. (Our Tiny Tree decorations are created to be the perfect size for the little branches.)
- Feel free to add your own flair! Be it with novelty and bright colours, or through a classic red and white colour scheme. This is the part where you can get really creative.
- It’s best to keep your tree out of high-traffic areas, where it could be knocked or accidentally damaged.
- Avoid radiators too, as they can dry out your tree and cause the needles to drop.
- Finally, remember to give your tree a good drink every so often – this goes for potted and cut trees. They can get super thirsty when kept inside.
Tree decorating is as much about creating memories as it is about showing off your flair. Whether you prefer a showstopper adorned with heirlooms or a Tiny Tree that’s all about convenience, the key is to make it yours. And hey, if all else fails, there’s always next year to get it just right.