We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Shopping Holiday Gift Reviews Holiday Decor Reviews The 29 Best Christmas Ornaments of 2023 to Bring New Life to Your Tree Give your tree the update it deserves with these Christmas ornaments for every style and budget. By Addie Morton Addie Morton Addie is a Nashville-based freelance writer who is obsessed with all things home decor. In addition to BHG, her work has appeared in many print and digital publications, including HGTV, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Great American Country, and Tennessee Athletics. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Published on November 3, 2023 In This Article Expand Jump to a Section Reviews What To Know Before Shopping Your Questions, Answered Who We Are Better Homes & Gardens / David Hattan Christmas ornaments are all about holiday joy. From the passed-down treasures to your children’s school creations, ornaments allow you to remember fond memories of previous holiday seasons. “[Christmas ornaments] capture people of all ages and across all continents, which is a testament to their beauty and charm,” says Delia Dahm, President of Cadeaux Christmas Interior Decorating in Dallas. “It just wouldn’t be Christmas without ornaments!” If you’re in the market for new additions to your collection, we’re here to help. In addition to Dahm, we also spoke with Cindy Bulatovich, owner of Love, Santa, a Nashville-based Christmas interior decorating company, to learn what to look for when shopping for every style and budget. Best Ball Ornaments West Elm Pure Boxed Ornaments West Elm View On West Elm $15 Why You Should Get It The pack of 25 includes six classic holiday colors. Keep In Mind Hangers are not included. “The most popular ornament continues to be the ball ornament,” says Dahm. Though they come in a variety of colors, sizes, and styles, some of the best Christmas ornaments are very simple. This set of 25 ball ornaments by West Elm is timeless yet modern. The colored glass features six classic holiday colors to accentuate your tree. Use them to fill gaps in the back of your tree or hang them on the end of branches for a delicate look. Keep in mind that hangers are not included with the set, so add a pack to your cart before checking out. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: 1.2 x 1.2 inches | Price: $39 for 25 Wondershop Shatter-Resistant Textured Plastic Christmas Tree Ornament Set Target View On Target $5 Why You Should Get It These affordable ornaments are shatter-resistent and come in a variety of shapes and textures. Keep In Mind Plastic ornaments scratch easily if they’re not handled with care. Christmas ornaments don’t have to break the bank. This pack of 20 is the most affordable option on our list. They come in 10 colors, ranging from classic red and green to modern ice blue and pink. There are four different shapes and textures in the pack to add dimension and visual interest to your tree. Those with pets or kids will love the plastic material. “Durable plastic is great because it’s shatterproof,” Bulatovich says. But she adds that plastic scratches very easily, so she suggests hanging these ornaments at dramatic heights to help hide any scratches from the previous year. Product Details: Material: Plastic | Size: 1.97 x 1.97 x 1.97 inches | Price: $5 for 20 Frontgate Crystal Ice Beaded Ornaments Frontgate View On Frontgate Why You Should Get It The pack includes two sizes to add dimension and visual interest to your tree. Keep In Mind They’re only available in one color. “Mixing shapes and sizes is always great when decorating your tree,” Bulatovich says. “It adds dimension and uniqueness.” This beaded ball set by Frontgate includes three small (3 x 3 inches) and three large (4 x 4 inches) ornaments. Bulatovich explains that the typical ball ornament is between 3 to 4 inches, so both the small and large size will complement your tree. They’re made of glass and are covered with acrylic silver jewels and gold beads. In addition to your tree, consider hanging these beauties on wreaths or garland centerpieces. Though the silver shade is classic, keep in mind that it’s the only color available. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: Small: 3 x 3 inches; Large: 4 x 4 inches | Price: $79 for six Ballard Designs Suzanne Kasler Plaid Glass Ornaments Ballard Designs View On Ballard Designs Why You Should Get It The classic red and green colors will complement any tree or decor style. Keep In Mind They’re larger than standard ball ornaments. These plaid ornaments are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. The pack of 12 includes six red and six green plaid ornaments. You won’t have to worry about these ball ornaments clashing with your existing collection; the classic red and green shades will complement any tree theme. They’re handmade with gold and silver glitter lines running through to add sparkle. Most ball ornaments are around 3 to 4 inches in diameter, but these are slightly bigger, coming in at 4 x 5 inches. With a pack this size, keep your tree height in mind so the ornaments don’t overwhelm the available hanging space. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: 4 x 5 inches | Price: $99 for 12 Best Custom Ornaments Baublebar Home Sweet Home Custom Ornament Baublebar View On Baublebar.com Why You Should Get It This ornament can be hung on the tree or used as a gift tag, table setting, or stocking label. Keep In Mind The customization plate fits a maximum of 12 characters. A custom gingerbread house is the perfect addition to your Christmas ornament collection. This embellished pick features a sparkly base, faux pearl-lined roof, and colorful gemstones to bring life to your tree. The opaque organza ribbon allows you to hang this ornament on the tree, or you can use it as a gift tag, table setting, or stocking label. The customization plate only fits up to 12 characters, but that should be enough for a lot of names, street addresses, and dates. In addition to letters and numbers, there are also a few symbols to pick from, including a heart. Product Details: Material: Enamel | Size: 3 x 2.7 inches | Price: $48 Lenox Together Forever Ring Box Ornament Lenox View On Lenox.com Why You Should Get It Celebrate an engagement with this custom ring box ornament. Keep In Mind The basic version is available on other sites, but you can only personalize it on the Lenox website. Did you or a loved one get engaged this year? Remember the special moment with this custom ornament by Lenox. The light blue porcelain ring box includes a “diamond” ring, and the silver script and tassel completes the timeless look. Each year when you hang this ornament on the tree, you can take a moment to reflect on your special day. While the ornament is available on other sites, you can only personalize it if you order on the Lenox website. The non-custom (and less expensive) option can be purchased from Lenox or on Amazon. Product Details: Material: Porcelain | Size: 2 x 2.38 inches | Price: $56 Pottery Barn 2023 Dated Enamel Frame Ornament Pottery Barn View On Pottery Barn $3 Why You Should Get It Hang your favorite memories of the year on your Christmas tree with this picture frame ornament. Keep In Mind The photo opening is small (2 x 3 inches). Capture your favorite memories of the year in this frame ornament by Pottery Barn. Each frame has a 2023 tag and comes in a round or rectangular shape. They’re available in three classic Christmas styles: red, white, and plaid. If you’re someone who enjoys matching holiday decor, Pottery Barn also sells full-size versions of the 2023 dated frames and plaid frames. The photo opening is 2 x 3 inches (which is a wallet photo size), so you won’t have to custom order. However, the small size can be difficult to see on a large Christmas tree—consider placing these ornaments at eye-level where they can be enjoyed most. Product Details: Material: Iron and glass | Size: 3 x 4.25 inches; Photo Opening: 2 x 3 inches | Price: $13 Hallmark Baby’s First Christmas Booties Personalized Ornament Hallmark View On Hallmark.com Why You Should Get It This custom ornament packaged in Hallmark’s classic red box makes a great sentimental gift. Keep In Mind Customization is only available on Hallmark’s website. Babies often bring back the magic of the holidays, so commemorate this special time in your family’s life with this custom Hallmark ornament. The porcelain booties are tied together with a ribbon that reads “Baby’s 1st Christmas.” The front design features delicate snowflakes, and the back can be customized to include your baby’s name, birthday, weight, and length at the time of birth, or a short message. The ornament is packaged in Hallmark’s classic red “keepsake” box for easy gift-giving. While personalizing, you’re able to select the font, text size, and color. Customization is only available on Hallmark’s website, but you can purchase the non-personalized option on Amazon. Product Details: Material: Porcelain | Size: 1.31 x 1.25 x 2.63 inches | Price: $26 Mod Paws US Personalized Pet Ornament Etsy View On Etsy $44 Why You Should Get It You’ll receive a proof before the item ships, and you have unlimited opportunities for revisions. Keep In Mind A maximum of two pets can be included. Pets are members of the family, so it’s important to include them during the holiday season. This custom ornament is made of porcelain and features a digitally-designed portrait of your favorite furry friend. It comes with a gold-toned string to hang on your tree, but you can easily change this out for colors that match your style. After you order, send photos to the shop, and you’ll receive a proof to approve before the item is shipped. You can send unlimited revisions to get the portrait just how you want it. Keep in mind that up to two pets can be featured—people with many pets will need to purchase multiple ornaments or consider other options. Product Details: Material: Porcelain | Size: Not listed | Price: $38 Best Ceramic Ornaments Crate & Barrel Classic Toy Ceramic Christmas Tree Ornaments Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel Why You Should Get It The set includes five classic Christmas shapes inspired by vintage holiday toys. Keep In Mind They’re only available in white and gold. Get in the holiday spirit with these ornaments inspired by vintage toys. The set of five includes a teddy bear, nutcracker, drum and drumsticks, toy train, and gift. Gold accents are painted to bring dimension to the solid white porcelain base. White ribbons allow these ornaments to hang from the tree, but you can also place these around the house as decor. Though white and gold is a classic color combination, it may not be ideal for every aesthetic, so it’s important to keep in mind that this pick is only available in one color choice. Product Details: Material: Porcelain | Size: 2.49 x 1.3 x 2.21 inches | Price: $50 for five World Market White Porcelain Snowflake Ball LED Light Up Ornament World Market View On World Market Why You Should Get It It lights up with LED lights at the flip of a switch for an eye-catching focal point. Keep In Mind You may need to purchase multiple to achieve your desired look. Brighten up your Christmas tree with this LED light-up ornament by World Market. The base is a white porcelain ball with snowflake and star cutouts. With the flip of a switch, LED light will shine through the cutouts to bring a warm glow to your space. The bottom of this ornament is slightly flat, which means you can use this as decor on flat surfaces including the mantel or on a tablescape. If your goal is to bring more light to your room, consider purchasing multiple of these ornaments and spreading them throughout your tree for a dramatic look. Product Details: Material: Porcelain | Size: 3 x 3.5 inches | Price: $9 Creative Hobbies DIY Tree Ornaments Amazon View On Amazon $18 Why You Should Get It The whole family can personalize their own ornament with this set of blank tree silhouettes. Keep In Mind The included gold twine for hanging isn’t the most sturdy. The best Christmas ornaments bring joy. With this pick, you’ll get to gather the family around the table for a craft to get them in the holiday spirit. The pack of 12 unglazed ceramic ornaments allows each member of your family to decorate a tree. You can use normal paint and air dry, or pottery experts can use ceramic glazes for a polished look. Each ornament is 3 x 4 inches in size, so you can hang them on doorknobs, the branches of your Christmas tree, or wherever else you want to spread holiday joy. The included gold twine isn’t super sturdy, so consider swapping that out for your favorite ribbon or hooks since the ornaments are breakable. Product Details: Material: Ceramic | Size: 3 x 4 inches | Price: $18 for 12 Crate & Barrel Light-Up White Ceramic House Christmas Tree Ornaments Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel $5 Why You Should Get It You can purchase individually or as a set of three. Keep In Mind The interior battery can be difficult to change. These white light-up ornaments are meant to resemble a storybook village, and the Scandinavian style is sure to fit in with your modern holiday decor. You can purchase the A-frame, chalet, and house individually or as a set. Hang them on the tree with the white ribbon or place the village on flat surfaces such as a mantel or a sideboard to add holiday joy to your space. The glazed ceramic base includes cutout doors and windows to let the LED light inside shine through. While this adds a warm glow to your tree, keep in mind that the interior battery can be difficult to change because of the cramped area you need to reach into. Product Details: Material: Ceramic | Size: Not listed | Price: $33 for three Best Glass Ornaments Magnolia Vintage Glass and Gold Ornaments Magnolia View On Magnolia.com Why You Should Get It The simple yet elegant design will go with your existing ornament collection. Keep In Mind Their unique sizes are not ideal to hang on wreaths or a garland. “I love glass ornaments, and as long as they are stored properly, they are the easiest to polish and clean,” Bulatovich says. This set of glass and gold ornaments by Magnolia takes a vintage approach to the standard glass ornament. Since they are simple yet elegant, they’ll fit right in with your existing ornament collection. Each ornament is a unique geometric shape inspired by the Art Deco style. While they’ll look great on your tree, their shapes are not ideal for hanging on wreaths or your garland. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: 0.75 x 1 x 2 inches | Price: $48 for six Anthropologie Glass Bulb Ornament Set Anthropologie View On Anthropologie $68 Why You Should Get It No shade is alike though the set is cohesive. Keep In Mind Classic shades of red and green are not included. When it comes to the most popular Christmas ornaments, Dahm says, “Glass is the material of choice since nothing else comes close to it for brightness and luster.” This pack of Anthropologie glass bulbs is bringing color back to the holiday season. Though no shade is alike in this pack of 25, they are cohesive and represent all colors of the rainbow. Group them by finish (matte and reflective) or color (blue, green, yellow, pink, purple, and neutral) to decorate separate areas around the house, including additional trees, tablescapes, wreaths, or garlands. For those who love classic Christmas colors, keep in mind that traditional red and green ornaments are not included in the set. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: 3.5 x 2.8 inches | Price: $68 for 25 CB2 Eira Round Clear Laced Glass Christmas Tree Ornaments CB2 View On CB2 Why You Should Get It The clear glass can change colors when added to a tree with colorful lights. Keep In Mind Round glass ornaments are known to be heavy. Nothing says classic Christmas like clear glass bulbs. This set of eight round ornaments features a lace pattern within the clear borosilicate glass to elevate the look. The glass ornaments are handmade and come in a small and large versions to add visual interest to your tree. Round glass ornaments are known to be heavy, so keep that in mind when hanging; you’ll want to keep them out of reach from kids and pets to avoid shattering. If you are inspired by different holiday styles, Bulatovich says it’s easy to change up the theme of your tree with glass ornaments. Simply change the color of your string lights, and the glass will reflect the color of the bulbs. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: Small: 3.4 x 3 inches; Large: 5.4 x 5 inches | Price: $98 for eight Williams Sonoma Peppermint Candy Ornaments Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma $20 Why You Should Get It They are hand-painted and made from high-end blown glass for a sophisticated look. Keep In Mind The glitter and beads can shed over the years. “There really isn’t anything that compares to [blown glass],” Dahm says. “Shatterproof [glass] is getting better, but it still doesn’t match the beauty of a silvered, hand-painted, blown glass ornament.” This peppermint candy set by Williams Sonoma is made of mouth-blown glass and features hand-painted designs. The base is covered with beads and glitter, which can shed over the years if the ornaments aren’t handled with care. The set of nine includes three designs, and all ornaments are the same size. They come in a sturdy box which is perfect for storing or gift wrapping. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: 2 x 1 x 2 inches | Price: $40 for nine Best Cloth Ornaments Pottery Barn Kids Felted Nordic Icon Ornaments Pottery Barn View On Potterybarnkids.com Why You Should Get It The red and white felt ornaments are made in a Fair Trade certified factory. Keep In Mind You cannot purchase the ornaments individually. Some of the best Christmas ornaments come in red and white. These from Pottery Barn are hand-crafted in Nepal and designed after icons in Nordic culture. They’re made in a Fair Trade-certified factory, which means they’re “supporting fair and safe labor practices and empowering workers to invest in their communities,” according to the PB Kids website. Made of wool felt, the ornaments will bring a touch of holiday nostalgia to your tree. We love that they are soft and non-breakable. The set of six ornaments includes a rocking horse, bird, snowflake, heart, reindeer, and a stocking. Keep in mind that the ornaments are not sold individually. Product Details: Material: Wool | Size: 5 x 5.5 x 1 inches | Price: $40 for six Balsam Hill Parisian Palace Ornament Set Balsam Hill View On Balsamhill.com Why You Should Get It They’re hand-beaded to elevate the simple velvet ball and make a real statement. Keep In Mind The color choices are not customizable. This set from Balsam Hill takes a glamorous approach to classic felt ornaments. The velvet balls feature hand-applied beading that makes a snowflake design, plus they’re wrapped with gold embroidered ribbon that doubles as the tree hanger. Depending on the other ornaments on your tree, these can appear as modern or fit right in with your vintage-inspired pieces. It’s important to keep in mind that these ornaments come in pre-selected colors. The featured bluish gray, beige, and ivory colors are stunning, but they may not go with your established color theme. The set of six can also be used as filler balls or on the end of branches to stand out. Product Details: Material: Velvet | Size: 3 x 3 inches | Price: $79 for six Melrose International Woven Resin Ball Ornament Set Wayfair View On Wayfair $118 View On Houzz $59 Why You Should Get It It’s a large set of 12 that comes in different sizes to fill a sizable tree. Keep In Mind There are no bright colors available. If you need a large set of fabric ball ornaments to fill a large tree, look no further. This pick by Melrose International comes with 12 resin ball ornaments in three different designs. The woven pattern resembles a cable knit sweater to add a cozy touch to your tree. On top, there’s a wooden piece with twine to hang from tree branches or on your mantel garland. The large set means you can split the ornaments up as gifts for loved ones or have enough to spread throughout your tree. While the neutral color will fit in with most aesthetics and established color schemes, bright and color lovers will miss fun hues. Product Details: Material: Resin | Size: 3.5 x 3.5 x 4.75 inches | Price: $102 for 12 Best Vintage-Inspired Ornaments Magnolia Bird Clip Ornament Magnolia View On Magnolia.com Why You Should Get It The clip attachment gives these ornaments multiple uses and makes them easy to hang. Keep In Mind They’re relatively small, and you’ll likely need to purchase multiple to make a big impact on your tree. These Magnolia Bird Clip Ornaments come in gold, pearl white, and rose gold to fit in with every style and established holiday decor collection. Unlike most Christmas ornaments, they feature a clip on the base of the bird instead of a hanger on top. This allows the birds to appear like they’re perching on your tree branch. The clip also means you can use these ornaments all over the house, including on garland or your tablescape. Though beautiful, they’re relatively small and will likely look best in groups. Consider purchasing multiple to make a big impact on your tree. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: 5.1 x 1.5 x 2.1 inches | Price: $10 Lenox Just Married Vintage Car Ornament Amazon View On Amazon $32 View On Wayfair $42 View On Lenox.com Why You Should Get It You can personalize it with your names and wedding date to make it a special keepsake. Keep In Mind The personalized option is only available on the Lenox website. Newlyweds will love this vintage-inspired ornament by Lenox. It’s modeled after wedding reception getaway cars, with floral details and a “Just Married” sign. To accentuate the vintage vibes, it’s topped with a silver fringe hanger that resembles traditional holiday tinsel. When purchased on the Lenox website, you have the option to personalize the ornament with names and your wedding date for an additional $6. Non-personalized options are also available on Lenox’s website or from the retailers listed above. The best Christmas ornaments celebrate the important moments in your life, and each year, you’ll be able to celebrate your wedding anniversary with this vintage-inspired ornament. Product Details: Material: Porcelain | Size: Length: 4 inches | Price: $86 Pottery Barn Rustic Glam Snowflake Ornament Pottery Barn View On Pottery Barn $7 Why You Should Get It The natural look has all the charm of traditional homemade ornaments but is durably made. Keep In Mind The large size can overwhelm small trees. Bring a natural touch to your Christmas tree with this rustic snowflake ornament by Pottery Barn. It has all the charm of traditional homemade ornaments but with an elegant finish. The iron base is draped with faux leaves and berries to achieve a vintage look. It’s a versatile ornament and can fit in with your nostalgic pieces or balance modern ones. This is one of the largest ornaments on our list coming in at 10 x 10.5 x 1.25 inches. The size can overwhelm small or tabletop trees, but with large trees, you can spread multiple throughout for a dramatic look. It would also look nice tied into gift wrap. Product Details: Material: Iron, plastic, wood | Size: 10 x 10.5 x 1.25 inches | Price: $15 Crate & Barrel Wood Nutcracker Ornaments Crate & Barrel View On Crate & Barrel Why You Should Get It The natural finish means they will fit in with every other ornament on your tree. Keep In Mind There is only one wood finish available. Pay homage to a classic holiday symbol with these musical nutcracker ornaments by Crate & Barrel. The set of five includes a drummer, cymbalist, guitarist, French horn player, and a band leader. You can spread them throughout your tree or even use them as gift tag hangers for presents. They’re made of natural finished wood, which means they will fit in with every ornament on your tree, plus the twine hangers complement the wood tone to create a vintage feel. Though the finish is stunning, keep in mind that there is not a dark wood option. It’s also important to remember that they are only sold as a pack of five. Product Details: Material: Wood | Size: 1.75 x 1.75 x 6 inches | Price: $30 for five Lenox 2023 Vintage Rocking Horse Ornament Amazon View On Amazon $30 View On Wayfair $37 View On Lenox.com Why You Should Get It It’s modeled after a classic toy to celebrate your baby’s first Christmas. Keep In Mind There is no option to personalize. This vintage rocking horse ornament helps keep the nostalgia alive. It’s made of porcelain and features 24k gold accents with a matching gold hanger to complete the look. The base of the horse features wrapped presents and “Baby’s First Christmas” inscribed. The saddle also features “2023” so you can always remember your first holiday season with your little one. Though there's an inscription on the bottom, keep in mind that you cannot personalize this ornament with names or dates. Product Details: Material: Porcelain | Size: 3.5 x 4 x 1.5 inches | Price: $40 Best Ornament Sets CB2 Noel Polished Brass Icicle Christmas Tree Ornaments CB2 View On CB2 Why You Should Get It They’re a distinctive twist on a holiday classic that won’t look dated in a few years. Keep In Mind The brass material will need to be polished. Simple ornaments can still make a big impact. This set of six polished brass icicles will add a cool touch to your tree. They hook right on the branch to add a hint of shimmer and visual interest. Plus, they’re an unexpected take on classic icicles. The 100% unlacquered brass material is made to last, but it will darken and show some wear over time. When needed, clean with a soft cloth to polish the brass and make it gleam like new. Product Details: Material: Brass | Size: 8.25 x 1 x 0.25 inches | Price: $17 for six Williams Sonoma 'Twas the Night Before Christmas Ornaments Williams Sonoma View On Williams-Sonoma $30 Why You Should Get It The ornaments arrive in sturdy packaging for easy storage or gifting. Keep In Mind The included twine is delicate. The best Christmas ornaments often draw inspiration from classic holiday traditions, and this set by Williams Sonoma highlights the popular poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” The set of four includes Santa, a snowman, a reindeer, and a Christmas tree. In addition to hanging from your tree, you can also hang this set from your mantel garland. For those in need of an easy gift, the set arrives in a nice gift box. If you’re keeping it for yourself, you’ll love the sturdy packaging to store the ornaments throughout the year. The included twine is delicate and will easily blend into your tree branches, but consider switching the twine out for a sturdy ribbon to avoid accidents. Product Details: Material: Glass | Size: Height Range: 4.5-5.25 inches | Price: $60 for four Lulu and Georgia Helena Wood Ornaments Lulu and Georgia View On Luluandgeorgia.com Why You Should Get It They’re handcrafted to add a rustic touch to your tree, with a green velvet ribbon for an elevated appearance. Keep In Mind There are only three ornaments per set. These ornaments take a modern approach to rustic flair. The wood baubles are handcrafted with a natural grain texture. They’re tied off with green velvet ribbon to elevate the look. To add an additional holiday touch, consider tying a red velvet bow on the tree branch above each ornament. Each bauble in the set is a different size to add dimension and visual interest to your tree. If you’re looking to fill your Christmas tree with these rustic charmers, keep in mind that this set only comes with three ornaments, and you’ll need to purchase multiple packages to achieve your desired look. Product Details: Material: Wood | Size: Small: 1.8 x 3.7 inches; Medium: 2.5 x 3.5 inches; Large: 3 x 3 inches | Price: $38 for three Anthropologie Pearly Snowflake Ornaments Anthropologie View On Anthropologie $16 Why You Should Get It The simple design allows them to be used in different ways. Keep In Mind The wires are thin and bend easily. This three-piece snowflake set by Anthropologie is sure to be a favorite this holiday season. Their simple design allows you to play around with how you’ll use them. Are you in need of more filler ornaments? Hang these towards the middle to end of your branches to fill large gaps. If you’re looking for simple yet elegant ornaments, hang these on the edge of your branches to show them off. Keep in mind that the iron wires are thin, and the ornaments can be easily bent, especially straight out of the packaging. This means you’ll likely need to gently reshape the snowflakes before hanging them on the tree. You’ll also want to store them flat with a protective wrap to avoid further damage throughout the year. Product Details: Material: Iron and glass | Size: 8.25 x 5 inches | Price: $16 for three What To Know About Christmas Ornaments Before Shopping Material Keep your family in mind when picking the best Christmas ornament materials for you. Glass can be tricky for households with pets and kids, but Bulatovich says they are the easiest to polish and clean. Durable plastic can be an alternative for these families, but she says plastic ornaments scratch easily. She recommends hanging plastic ornaments at tall heights to hide last year’s scratches, plus you won’t have to worry about them falling and shattering like glass ornaments. In addition to glass and plastic, ornaments can also come in wood, ceramic, and cloth. Ornaments create a theme for your tree, so don’t be afraid to mix materials to achieve your desired look. “Depending on the look you are going for, mixing materials and colors is vital!” Bulatovich says. For a farmhouse look, she recommends combining solid and patterned ribbons with burlap and glass and wood ornaments. For an elegant look, she recommends mixing metals (gold, silver, copper) with ribbons, or florals. And for the traditional tree, she says a variety of reds, greens, silvers, and golds in different textures is key. Size The best Christmas ornaments are large enough to make an impact on your tree without overwhelming the space. Dahm says you need to consider your tree size when choosing ornaments. “The bigger the tree, the more large ornaments you’ll want to have,” she says. “Small ornaments can be lost on a big tree.” She also recommends including a variety of sizes on your tree for an aesthetically interesting result. “Typically, you’ll want ornaments that are 2.4 inches on the smaller side to 3.9 inches on the larger side,” Dahm recommends. “If the tree is bigger than 10 feet, you’ll want to use even larger ornaments.” Weight When considering ornaments’ weight, Bulatovich says you need to keep your tree type in mind. “With live trees, the branches will continue to shed throughout the season, and the ornament will start to sag on the tree, especially the heavier it is,” she says. She adds that artificial trees hold more weight than live trees, but you still have to be careful not to add too much to the branches. “Not only will it compromise the integrity of the tree year after year, but it can also change the overall look of the tree if there are too many heavy ornaments used throughout.” Your Questions, Answered Who makes the best Christmas ornaments? This is truly subjective, but we love the brands on our list for their quality and overall style. Regardless of the brand, you need to shop for high quality ornaments that will last. “There is no one brand that makes the best Christmas ornaments, however, our experience is that the finest Christmas ornaments are made with materials and practices that don’t cut corners,” Dahm says. “The materials play a significant role in ornaments' longevity.” Dahm says that cheaper ornaments are known to have thin glass that is prone to breaking. The cheap ornaments that are covered in glitter will shed, and the metal caps and internal silvering will oxidize quicker, which affects how shiny the ornament is. Cheap ornaments will become dull over time, so consider investing in pieces that will last for years to come. What are the most popular Christmas ornaments? Ball ornaments are a timeless staple that can be used to fill gaps in the back of your tree or on the ends of branches for a clean look. Wood ornaments bring a rustic look to your tree and fit in with most ornaments in your collection. Porcelain and glass bring a classic touch and are typically versatile. Bulatovich notes that her residential clients are drawn to ornament collections and custom designs while her commercial clients are all about ball and glass ornaments. Instead of focusing on trends, consider what materials are a good fit for you (delicate glass vs durable plastic, for example), and fill your tree with ornaments that will bring you holiday joy year after year. What color ornaments look best on a Christmas tree? “Red will always be the most popular color choice,” Dahm says. “It is complementary to the green of the tree, so the combination is striking for the eye.” According to color theory, she says the eye responds best to a mix of three colors, so consider picking a main color and then adding two other colors in progressively smaller proportions for the most eye-catching effect. Dahm notes that the team at Cadeaux Christmas Interior Decorating are big fan of the color white in shiny, matte, or textured finishes. “White has a good contrast against the green of the tree, and it brings to life any color around it due to its reflectivity.” If you are a fan of a monochrome approach to decorating, Dahm recommends using different shades or variations of that color to avoid a flat effect. “For example, if you are a purist and like red-only, use variations of it such as wine, burgundy, and pink along with it,” she says. “Like in a painting, it adds depth and interest.” Who We Are Addie Morton is a contributing writer for Better Homes & Gardens who specializes in home decor and lifestyle content. For this story, she spoke with Christmas interior decorating experts Cindy Bulatovich and Delia Dahm. Bulatovich is the owner and operator of Love, Santa in Nashville. She grew up surrounded by a family of Christmas enthusiasts, and her father was the co-founder of the first Christmas decorating franchise in the mid 1980s. Dahm is the President of Cadeaux Christmas Interior Decorating in Dallas. Dahm has spent years building relationships with artisanal ornament and decor manufacturers across Europe, and her company serves clients nationwide. Using Dahm’s and Bulatovich’s expert advice, Morton compiled a list of the best Christmas ornaments of the holiday season considering price, material, and style. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit