When it comes to decorating a Christmas tree, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right color scheme. The colors you use on your tree can greatly impact the overall look, feel, and mood of your holiday decor. Certain colors evoke specific emotions and aesthetics associated with Christmas. Ultimately, the “best” colors for your Christmas tree depend on the theme, style, and ambiance you want to create. There are many factors to consider when selecting Christmas tree colors including personal preference, decorating trends, meaning behind colors, and how colors complement your home.
Popular Christmas Tree Color Schemes
Here are some of the most popular Christmas tree color schemes and themes:
Classic Red and Green
The traditional red and green color combination is a staple look that will never go out of style. Red and green are quintessential Christmas colors that represent the holiday season. Green symbolizes life and rebirth while red represents the blood of Christ. Together, these rich and bold colors create a quintessential Christmas look that is cheerful, festive, and timeless. A red and green tree will make any space feel instantly Christmas-y.
Red, Green, Gold, and White
Expanding on the traditional red and green palette, adding gold and white ornaments creates a more elegant and sophisticated look. The red and green provide classic Christmas flair while the metallic gold accents add a touch of luxury. Crisp white ornaments balance out the bold colors and keep the tree from looking too busy. This color scheme is perfect for those who want a traditional but upscale Christmas tree.
Blue and Silver
For a cool, icy, wintery style tree, decorate with shades of blue and silver. From light powder blue to navy, and icy metallic, this monochromatic color scheme resembles snowflakes, icicles, and winter landscapes. Accent with clear mini lights rather than colored. Blue and silver creates a peaceful, calming mood and is great for spaces that lean modern.
Non-Traditional Colors
Think outside the typical holiday color box for a unique, creative statement. Use all one color like purple, pink, yellow, or orange for a bold, vibrant look. Mix in unexpected colors like turquoise, lime green, burgundy, or eggplant for an eclectic style. Almost any color combo can work, just pick hues you love. Non-traditional colors are great for the adventurous decorator.
Meaning Behind Christmas Tree Colors
The colors you choose for your Christmas tree can hold special meaning and significance. Here are some of the symbolic associations behind common Christmas colors:
Red
Red represents love, passion, warmth, the blood of Christ, Santa’s suit, rosy cheeks, apples, and lipstick kisses under the mistletoe.
Green
Green symbolizes life, rebirth, nature, pine trees, holly, mistletoe, and being “green with envy” over gifts.
Gold
Gold signifies light, prosperity, royalty, value, riches, and goodwill.
White
White represents purity, innocence, snow, angels, peace, and fresh starts.
Silver and Blue
Silver and blue evoke winter, snowflakes, ice, calmness, and tranquility.
Purple
Purple symbolizes nobility, spirituality, and faith.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Colors
Keep these tips in mind when selecting your ideal Christmas tree color scheme:
- Personal preference – Choose colors you are naturally drawn to and that make you happy.
- Existing decor – Match or complement the color scheme of your overall holiday decor.
- Meaning – Pick colors that hold symbolic meaning for you.
- Home interior design – Consider how the colors will look in your space; cool tones for modern spaces, warm tones for traditional.
- Ornament variety – Mix colors and textures for visual interest.
- Lighting – Use clear or colored lights to enhance your colors.
- Theme – Select colors to create a specific style or theme.
- Trends – Look to current trends like pastels or metallics for inspiration.
How Different Christmas Tree Colors Set a Mood
The colors on your tree can really influence the overall mood and ambiance they create in your home. Here’s a look at the types of feelings different color schemes evoke:
Warm Tones
Warm red, orange, yellow, and gold colors create a cozy, inviting, sentimental mood. They feel nostalgic, festive, and jolly.
Cool Tones
Cool blues, greens, purples, silvers reflect a more peaceful, icy, sparkling winter wonderland vibe. They have a crisp, refreshing, elegant mood.
Neutral Tones
Cream, beige, white, and wood tones provide a calming, neutral, sophisticated ambiance. They have a clean, minimalist, modern feel.
Bold, Saturated Brights
Vibrant reds, fuchsias, lime greens, and other bright intense colors make for an energetic, fun, whimsical statement. They create childlike excitement.
Pastels
Soft, muted, dusty pastel versions of traditional Christmas colors provide a delicate, romantic, vintage feel. Subdued pastels have an heirloom style.
Most Popular Specific Christmas Tree Colors
Based on popularity, tradition, and meaning, here are some of the top specific Christmas tree colors to consider:
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Love, passion, the blood of Christ |
| Green | Life, rebirth, nature, pine trees |
| Gold | Light, wealth, royalty |
| Silver | Snow, ice, winter |
| White | Purity, angels, peace |
| Blue | Calmness, tranquility, winter |
Christmas Tree Color Combination Ideas
Here are some festive, on-trend color combinations to inspire your Christmas tree decor:
- Red, green, gold and white – traditional
- Red, green, silver and blue – jewel tones
- Silver and icy blue – cool and sparkly
- Rose gold, blush pink and cream – warm and romantic
- Red, lime green, and turquoise – bright and funky
- Purple, silver, and lilac – regal and spiritual
- Teal, aqua, silver – coastal
- Gold, champagne, ivory – vintage and glamorous
Christmas Tree Design Ideas for Different Color Schemes
The rest of your tree decorations and design can be tailored to complement your chosen color palette:
Red and Green Tree Decor Tips
– Alternate placement of red and green ornaments
– Use traditional Christmas motifs like Santa, snowmen, reindeer
– Accent with gold ribbon, bows, beads, lights
– Add some sparkle with shiny bulbs
– Fill in with pinecones, berries and burlap if desired
Blue and Silver Tree Decor Tips
– Incorporate different icy blue tones and metallic silvers
– Use snowflake, snowman, penguin, owl motifs
– Add glitter or iridescent ornaments and tinsel
– Accent with white faux fur, sheer ribbons, snowy pinecones
– Layer on glittery ribbon garland
Gold and Ivory Tree Decor Tips
– Mix metallic gold with creams, whites, champagne
– Include candles, angels, crowns, stars as motifs
– Add pearls, feathers, flowing sheer ribbons
– Fill in with fuzzy white pompoms and faux snow accents
– Shimmery beaded garland pulls it all together
Shopping for Christmas Tree Decor in Coordinating Colors
Once you decide on your ideal Christmas tree color scheme, make shopping for coordinating ornaments and decorations easier by:
- Looking for decor in your chosen palette vs. multi-color sets
- Seeking out individual ornaments in the specific shades you need
- Buying packages of solid color bulbs all in one color
- Choosing ribbon, garland, tinsel, beads, lights that match
- Picking tree topper, skirts, collars to complement colors
- Adding faux flowers, berries and picks in color scheme
This helps ensure everything you buy contributes to your desired upscale, uniform look.
Where to Shop for Christmas Decor in Specific Colors
Here are some great places to shop for Christmas tree decorations in specific color palettes:
- Craft stores like Michaels and Joann’s – tons of options to mix and match
- Hobby Lobby, especially for traditional colors
- Target Dollar Spot for inexpensive finds
- Amazon for bulk buys of solid color bulbs and ornaments
- Etsy for one of a kind handmade items
- Homegoods, Marshall’s and TJ Maxx for deals
- Walmart and Dollar Tree for very budget friendly decor
Many stores now carry more options beyond just red, green, gold and silver, making it easier to decorate in trendy colors.
Incorporating Foraged Elements in Complementary Colors
For a natural, organic look, add foraged elements from outdoors that fit your color scheme.
Reds, Pinks, Greens
– Rose hips, red berries, flowers, magnolia stems, fresh cedar, pinecones
Silvers, Blues
– Curly willow branches, frosted pinecones, snowy oak leaves, thistle, dusty miller
Golds, Creams, Browns
– Pinecones, acorns, curly willow, sweetgum seed pods, dried slices of wood
This adds rustic texture and brings in nature’s own coordinating colors.
Conclusion
Selecting the perfect color palette for your Christmas tree is one of the most exciting parts of holiday decorating. Whether you prefer vibrant brights, traditional reds and greens, cool icy tones or elegant metallics, the colors you choose set the entire mood for your decor. Match colors to your existing style, choose hues with symbolic meaning, or go with what makes you happiest. Whichever color scheme you pick, a beautifully coordinated Christmas tree makes a festive statement and anchors the look of your entire holiday decor. With a little planning and creative inspiration, you can deck your halls in stunning style this Christmas!
