Decorating & Design
November 3, 2022
From The Archives: House & Home’s Best Christmas Trees
Nothing says Christmas quite like a magnificent tree dressed for the season. From minimalist boughs with a winter-white palette to grand trees with a curated mix of ornaments, H&H’s best Christmas trees are those that reflect the homeowners’ personalities. Get inspired below!
Decorated with string beans, little mice and candy canes, this whimsical tree is the centrepiece of the children’s playroom in the West Coast home belonging to NHL hockey star David Jones and his wife Kimberly.
If your approach to holiday decorating is “the more, the merrier,” this maximalist Christmas tree will spark joy. Locally made ornaments, string lights and poinsettias give this fir a festive makeover.
“We chose a real white-flocked noble tree to tie in perfectly with our black and white home,” says designer Marianna Tomlenovich. “On the tree is a curated mix of newer and handed down vintage glass ornaments from previous generations. Inspired by our two daughters’ favorite color, we added a soft pink-colored silk garland for a little pop of color.”
In this West Coast exterior living room, a narrow, tall tree decked with sparkling white lights and dried orange slices has a vintage feel. Topped by a gold star, the tree’s ornaments reflect the fire’s glow.
The homeowners of this North Vancouver home cut down this 15-foot fir tree from the Oh Christmas Tree Farm for their great room. The peaked roof gives plenty of room for this soaring tree.
Alison Westlake of Coriander Girl took a Scandinavian approach to trimming the tree by tucking feathery dried florals into the branches (far right). The result is simple yet spirited, and doesn’t take away from the heritage home’s original details.
Designer Ami McKay is known for her understated Christmas trees with West Coast flair, and this one does not disappoint. Natural elements — like birch offcuts and pinecones — evoke an enchanted forest feeling. “It’s not garish, but it’s still festive,” says the homeowner.
Designer Brenda Danso chose a neutral palette for her luxurious Christmas tree. She mastered the mix with rose gold, gold and silver baubles, and topped it all off with a grand ribbon.
A petite tree in the dining room proves that every corner in your home — no matter how small — deserves a dose of holiday cheer. Pops of turquoise and star-shaped lights feel wonderfully whimsical.
This petite tree — housed in an oversized, Scandi-style woven basket — works well for small spaces. Neutral ornaments and a wooden star are the epitome of understated elegance.
In this charming heritage dining room, a soaring tree illuminated with simple lights offers instant coziness. “For me, the holidays are about clementines, natural boughs and greenery that make the house smell wonderful,” says homeowner and designer Cynthia Zamaria.
“I love everything to be natural, so we always get a real tree,” says designer and homeowner Shannon Vosters. “The house smells amazing!” Metallic baubles add warmth and subtle shimmer.
Maximalists, rejoice! Sometimes, more is more when it comes to decorating the tree and this sugarplum showstopper is no exception. Candy-colored mercury ornaments, tinsel and fairy dust bring the festive fairytale to life.
Get more Christmas tree decorating inspiration on H&H TV.
A winter-white palette of baubles, stars and fairy lights gives this timeless tree a fresh look — and provides the perfect backdrop for a vibrant collection of gifts tucked underneath.
For a dose of Christmas cheer, homeowner and designer Angela Wheeler added colorful ornaments and nostalgic motifs (think: gingerbread men and rocking horses) to her tree. It harkens back to childhood memories when sugarplum fairies danced in our heads.
In this Toronto home, Christmas tree decorations change yearly due to homeowner Patrick Dickinson’s growing ornament collection. The earth-toned palette and Kraft paper-wrapped gifts exude plenty of warmth — no crackling fire required.
“It looks like a tree in nature when icicles hang from it,” says homeowner Heather Ross, thanks to the mercury glass balls and clear dangling ornaments. For a patinated touch, she used her grandparents’ metal garbage can as a stand.
Homeowner Andraya Frith and her daughters’ yearly tradition is adorning their Christmas tree — a fresh Douglas fir — with festive ornaments, family heirlooms and dried orange slices made by Andraya herself.
Learn how to make Andraya’s DIY: Dried Orange Holiday Ornaments.
Adorned with splashes of turquoise and wooden ornaments (designer Ami McKay added loops of ribbon to napkin rings — genius!), this natural tree takes a spare but stunning approach to decking the halls.
Designer Philip Mitchell dresses up his Christmas tree using ornaments wrapped and tied in scrap pieces of fabric for a richly patterned tableau.
Florist Alison Westlake dresses the tree in her PEC farmhouse parlour with vintage ornaments, pastel ribbons, twinkle lights and a dried orange-slice garland.
In this Victorian heritage home, a statement tree — complete with white feathers and gilt baubles — brings the glamour. “I put the Christmas tree early in the season,” says homeowner and designer Elle Patille. “Its twinkling lights bring me so much joy!”
This Christmas tree takes an untraditional approach with blue and white ornaments that are a modern take on the classic Christmas palette.
This miniature Christmas tree looks dusted with a fresh layer of snow thanks to cream, white and silver ornaments.
This tucked-away tree masters minimalism with white lights that suit the home’s simple decor.
This crafty Christmas tree saves space thanks to fresh cedar boughs attached to a wall with clear hooks.
A grand Christmas tree is given a classic twist with chartreuse and gold ornaments, a grapevine-twig garland and about 2,000 white twinkle lights, serving as a festive focal point in the great room.
Bright red ornaments welcome guests with festive cheer outside this white-painted home.
Tucked into the corner of the family room, this family’s Christmas tree is decked out in shades of silver, pink and rust, to match the palette of the room.
Homeowner Gill Wortley takes inspiration from her childhood when decorating her home for the holidays with antique-looking ornaments that give her Christmas tree a playful, vintage vibe.
This Christmas tree exudes warmth with a plethora of ornaments that are beautiful, but not overwhelming.
A few simple yet impactful decorations add some sparkle and color to this Christmas tree.
This Christmas tree uses simplicity to its advantage with white ornaments that complement touches of sparkle.
In the corner of a home office a miniature tree strung with simple lights adds low-key Christmas charm.
A woven basket in place of the traditional Christmas tree skirt gives this lush tree a rustic feel.
See how Morgan Michener makes this DIY Christmas Tree Skirt Alternative.
In Sarah Richardson’s farmhouse great room, a 12-foot tree is laden with festive ornaments and proves to be the perfect focal point from all sides.
A tabletop tree is a clever way to display your Christmas cheer to passersby while keeping ornaments and presents out of reach for small children and pets.
Not only does a white tree pop against colorful walls, but it also beautifully shows off a collection of vibrant ornaments.
An extra tall Christmas tree takes advantage of the lofty cedar-beamed ceiling height, making a festive statement.
Holiday glam is taken to the next level on this tree with layers of fluffy white feathers and silver and ice blue ornaments.
Classic Scandinavian ornaments — gnomes and Swedish horses — dot this showstopping 13-foot tree.
Even outdoor trees need a little decoration! Dress yours up with a simple strand of lights or hardy plastic ornaments.
Designer Jennifer Worts livened up her mod, white and black patterned living room and dressed her tree with colorful lights, matching the cheery demeanor of the patterned pillows.
An understated tree tucked into the corner of this Muskoka, Ontario, cottage keeps the focus on the stunning vistas beyond.
While a tree in the dining room might be unexpected, it provides just the hit of greenery that this rough-hewn space needs.
Sarah Richardson elevates her Christmas decor with a palette that shines bright, mixing glass ornaments with shiny silver and blue accents.
In a heritage Edinburgh terrace house, handmade decorations, crafted by the homeowners’ children, soften the formal living room.
A grand Victorian-era living room demands an equally grand tree — this one is loaded with mercury glass baubles and accents.
The first thing the Conlon family do every Christmastime when they arrive at their Muskoka, Ontario, cottage is put up the impressive tree in their living room.
Homeowner Stephanie McPherson is known for her love of white interiors. It should be no surprise then that her tree gets the same snowy treatment with feathers and snowflakes.
A bare, white Christmas tree takes center stage against this room’s blue accents, adding to its modern feel.
Proving that a tree doesn’t have to be full-sized to be an attention-getter, a diminutive flocked fir topped with pinecones and small baubles looks as though it was freshly plucked straight from a winter woodland.
This traditional tree is decorated with ornaments made by the homeowner’s daughters or collected on family vacations, calling to mind wonderful memories.
Silver and ice blue ornaments keep this tree sparkling despite its simplicity, complementing the room’s muted palette.
In designer Effie Genovese’s Vancouver home, the luxe factor of the living room’s chandelier is upped thanks to golden ornaments.
This Christmas tree stands tall with twinkle lights and glass ornaments that exude warmth and comfort.
A classic pairing of snowy whites and icy blues matches this Christmas tree to the cool interior of its Vancouver abode.
White ornaments and soft lights add a touch of sparkle to give this tree an angelic feel.
A rustic twine garland and a few solid colored ornaments add charming pep to this farmhouse tree.
This 9-foot-tall Fraser fir tree is decked out with an astounding 3,000 white lights for a truly spectacular and sparkly focal point.
In designer Nicola Marc’s home, the striking yellow ribbons on the ornaments are as much decoration as the ornaments themselves.
Chartreuse ribbons elevate clear glass ornaments.
Swags of beaded strands drip from the branches in this Toronto home.
This space takes a sophisticated spin on Christmas decorating with royal blue and bronze ornaments that give the tree a handsome look.