By Jasmine Harding | Updated Jan 20, 2022 2:08 PM

In many households, decorating the Christmas tree is the tradition that marks the beginning of the holiday season. A decorated Christmas tree creates a magical winter wonderland.

A quality set of ornaments helps display an individual’s decorating style and adds personality to Christmas decor. Colorful baubles, novelty ornaments, and shimmering stars and snowflakes—all have a spot on a Christmas tree. The best Christmas ornaments are not only attractive and festive but also so durable they can last season after season.

Photo: amazon.com1. Kurt Adler 65MM 12 Days of Christmas Glass Ornament Set

Kurt Adler produces an array of traditional holiday decorations, and this set is an excellent example of the company’s style. This collection of 12 vibrant flattened ball ornaments has a beautiful old-fashioned design, each with a drawing modeled after the carol “The 12 Days of Christmas.” They’re made of glass and have a traditional feel, while their sparkly detailing adds a bit of glamour.

Photo: amazon.com2. Hashtag Home Dot and Line Design Ball Ornaments

Add a whimsical and contemporary touch to decor with these adorable ornaments from Hashtag Home. This six-piece set features white ball ornaments, each with a simple sparkly detail. Red, green, and gold stripes or dots give these plastic ornaments a playful look. The simple colors and lovely design make these ornaments an excellent choice for modern, midcentury, and eclectic decor styles.

Photo: amazon.com3. KI Store 34ct Dusty Blue Christmas Balls

These light-blue ornaments from KI Store make a good choice for a winter wonderland–inspired scene. The 34-piece set includes an array of plastic ornament balls in six slightly different designs. Their classic look makes them suitable for a range of decor styles, from traditional to contemporary. This set comes in a pretty, neutral dusty blue, helping to create a wintry aesthetic. However, vibrant or neutral colors also are available.

Photo: amazon.com4. Clever Creations White Flower Christmas Tree Ornament

Give your Christmas tree a clean, ultra-modern look with these nontraditional flower ornaments from Clever Creations. Each ornament in this set is made of a lightweight shatterproof material. The flexible material is shaped into pretty flower petals to create these round ornaments. The bright white color and silver sparkles give these ornaments a festive appearance.

Photo: amazon.com5. Funoasis Christmas Tree Hanging Gnomes Ornaments

These charming Christmas gnome ornaments from Funoasis are a fun addition to any tree. The set includes 10 plush gnome ornaments made from soft fabric. Each of the whimsical characters features its own individual look, with a different-colored hat and a fuzzy beard. These merry little fellows are sure to be a hit with adults and children alike.

Photo: amazon.com6. Old World Christmas Glass Blown Poinsettia Star

Old World Christmas creates beautiful vintage Christmas ornaments, and this poinsettia star is a gem in their collection. The ornament is handcrafted from blown glass and harks back to traditional ornament making. The flower has a hand-painted glossy finish and a bit of glitter to catch the eye. It makes a pretty addition to a Christmas tree or as a gift for a loved one.

Photo: amazon.com7. Christmas By Krebs Seamless Glass Ball Ornaments

Ball ornaments are a classic. They’re pretty, affordable, and won’t overwhelm a Christmas tree. This eight-piece set from Christmas By Krebs is an affordable choice. The ornaments are made of glass, an elegant upgrade over plastic ball ornaments, and feature a glossy finish. The Victoria Blue color is regal and elegant, but other colors are also available.

Photo: amazon.com8. Sea Team Plastic Christmas Glitter Snowflake Ornaments

Make your Christmas tree sparkle with these snowflake ornaments from Sea Team. This 36-piece set is a good choice for decorating your tree, mantel, windows, and more. Each snowflake is made of plastic, so they’re sturdy and reusable. This set comes in white, but other colors are available. Each snowflake features an eye-catching glittery finish.

Photo: amazon.com9. AMS 90ct Christmas Ball Assorted Ornaments

Serious holiday decorators can rejoice over this bulk ornament set from AMS. This set includes 90 plastic ornaments, which is ideal for decorating several trees or an extra-large tree. The set includes 18 different ornament styles to add personality to the tree, ranging from simple balls to novelty shapes. They are champagne-colored with a blush finish, but other colors are available.

Photo: amazon.com10. Jim Shore “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

Jim Shore makes expertly crafted traditional-style ornaments that add charm to any Christmas tree. This jolly Santa and Rudolph ornament brings these classic Christmas characters to life. Made of stone resin in a hand-painted folk-art style, the ornament has a timeless look that suits any home. Rudolph’s nose even lights up, adding more whimsy to this classic ornament.

Photo: amazon.com11. Kurt Adler Clear Glass Icicle Ornament Set

Cascading icicle ornaments add a wintry effect to a Christmas tree. This glass set from Kurt Adler is a quality pick that glimmers like genuine crystal. The set includes 24 icicle ornaments in two sizes, each made of clear glass with intricate, textured details. Hang them on a Christmas tree, from a garland, or in a window to create a wintry, frosty look for the holidays.

Photo: amazon.com12. Clever Creations Pickle Christmas Ornament Set

Begin a beloved Christmas tradition with these cute pickle Christmas ornaments from Clever Creations. Tuck the three glossy green sparkly pickles deep into the tree, and each family member who finds one gets bragging rights until next Christmas. The pickles have a fun appearance with a festive look that pleases both adults and children.

Photo: amazon.com13. Mercury Row Wood Christmas Tree Hanging Figurine

Add a rustic touch to the Christmas tree with a wooden ornament from Mercury Row. Tiers of wooden snowflake pieces on twine create this hanging mini tree ornament. With a quaint but festive look, the ornament makes an ideal choice for those looking to create a rustic, homey holiday aesthetic.

Photo: amazon.com14. Willow Tree Sign for Love Ornament

This serene handmade ornament makes a beautiful choice to display on a Christmas tree or to give as a gift to friends and family. Willow Tree creates evocative ornaments and figurines designed to inspire and touch others. This angel is part of their hand-painted ornament line. Made from resin, the angel’s arms are crossed to communicate “I love you” in American Sign Language.

Photo: amazon.com15. Christmas By Krebs 12″ Sonic Red Ornament

This extra-large ornament from Christmas By Krebs makes a statement indoors or out. Measuring 12 inches across, this commercial-grade ornament is a must-have for large-scale holiday decorations like giant Christmas trees or outdoor decorating. Since the ornament is shatterproof, UV-, and moisture-resistant, it can withstand outdoor conditions.

Few rules apply when decorating a Christmas tree—the holiday season is a good time to have a bit of fun and let your own style shine. When decorating the tree, you can opt for traditional Christmas ornaments, handmade trinkets, or funny novelty baubles. However, for a more cohesive Christmas tree theme, consider the ornament type, theme, size, and weight.

Christmas tree ornaments come in a variety of different shapes and styles. Consider the ornament type and how it fits into your holiday decor. Common options include balls, figurines, keepsake, novelty items, and homemade ornaments. Mixing and matching various kinds of ornaments can give your tree a charming look.

When shopping for the best ornaments for your home, also consider your usual decor style and color themes to create a more cohesive look. For example, in rustic or traditional homes, vintage ornaments or intricate old-style designs fit right in, especially in deep reds, greens, and golds. For modern or contemporary homes, consider simpler designs and neutral colors.

To ensure you have enough ornaments to decorate, consider the tree size. For more sparse Christmas trees, also consider the ornament weight to make sure it won’t weigh down the branches.

Lastly, always consider safety when shopping for Christmas tree decorations. Small ornaments (or those with small pieces) can pose a choking hazard, and some materials shatter easily. In homes with small children or pets, look for ornaments that are a safe size and material.

When choosing new Christmas ornaments, keep the following tips in mind:

With vibrant, timeless pieces that suit any decor style, the Kurt Adler 12 Days of Christmas Glass Ornament Set delivers traditional charm. For a more modern look, consider the set of Hashtag Home Dot and Line Design Ball Ornaments, which have a contemporary and whimsical design.

When choosing Christmas decorations, the best ornaments for your tree comes down to personal preference. A huge range of ornament options are available to suit almost any decor or style. To showcase a few of the many options available—and help you find ornaments that work in your home—we included a variety of Christmas ornaments. We selected different types according to their style, color, size, and material to reflect the abundance of choices.

Across the ornament types, we looked for a few key features. Aesthetics was first, and we chose ornaments that are both attractive and festive, regardless of their type and color. Through product research and reading consumer reviews, we also chose ornaments that are relatively durable (keeping in mind that some materials, like glass, are inherently breakable). This helps ensure that the ornaments can bring holiday joy to your tree for years to come.

The best Christmas ornaments for your tree are those that make you feel merry and bright. With so many types, colors, and sizes available, choosing new ornaments can be overwhelming. The right pick will deliver holiday joy for years to come. Read on for some frequently asked questions and answers about using and storing Christmas ornaments.

Store Christmas ornaments carefully so they won’t get broken, scratched, or crushed in storage (especially breakable glass options). If they came in a box, retain it and use the container for storage. If not, consider fashioning your own container out of egg cartons, plastic cups, or any other household item that will fit the ornaments.

Choose ornaments that speak to you and your style. You can create your own personalized theme by mixing and matching your favorite ornaments. To further personalize ornaments, consider using paint, markers, or glitter to decorate them.

Prepare the ornaments by making sure each has a string or hook in place. Place Christmas lights on the tree before hanging ornaments. Hang each ornament by sliding it onto the branch, where desired, keeping each ornament’s weight in mind. Place heavier ornaments on sturdier branches and lighter ornaments on thinner ones.

Many Christmas ornaments contain either hooks or strings for hanging.

Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy.

Copyright © 2022 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved.