Balsam Hill's Vermont White Spruce Christmas tree.
I spent an embarrassing amount of time researching artificial Christmas trees because I wanted something that looked realistic even when the lights were off.
I eventually decided to spend more on the tree itself rather than constantly buying new ornaments and decorations.
What makes the biggest difference to me is the shape and density of the branches. You don't need to cover every inch with ornaments to hide an obviously artificial tree.
I also invested in a few Georg Jensen Christmas ornaments. They're understated, beautifully made and don't feel tied to a particular decorating trend.
My advice would be to spend on the foundational pieces you'll use every December. A beautiful tree, a good wreath and a handful of special ornaments will outlast most seasonal decorating trends.
I bought beautiful needlepoint stockings from Bauble Stockings, and they're genuinely some of my favorite Christmas decorations now.
Before that, I used to buy whatever stockings matched my Christmas theme that year. Red velvet one year, cream knit the next, something with faux fur after that. They always looked nice, but none of them felt particularly special.
The needlepoint ones have so much more personality. They're beautifully detailed, and I love the idea of using the same stockings every Christmas as the family grows older.
I'm also a huge fan of Christopher Radko glass ornaments. They're definitely not inexpensive, and some of the designs are a little too whimsical for my taste, but there are some absolutely gorgeous ones.
I buy one or two special ornaments each year instead of replacing my entire collection. Some commemorate a trip, some remind me of a particular Christmas, and a few are just things I fell in love with. My only warning is to keep the original boxes. I learned the hard way that expensive glass ornaments and those giant plastic storage bins are not a good combination.
Christmas Decorations Worth Spending Real Money On
Someone slowly building a Christmas collection they’ll keep for decades
$-$$$$
beautiful
well-made
worth storing 11 months of the year
Ornaments, wreaths, garlands, stockings, tree skirts, tabletop pieces — anything you consider “buy it once” Christmas decor.
Balsam Hill's Vermont White Spruce Christmas tree.
I spent an embarrassing amount of time researching artificial Christmas trees because I wanted something that looked realistic even when the lights were off.
I eventually decided to spend more on the tree itself rather than constantly buying new ornaments and decorations.
What makes the biggest difference to me is the shape and density of the branches. You don't need to cover every inch with ornaments to hide an obviously artificial tree.
I also invested in a few Georg Jensen Christmas ornaments. They're understated, beautifully made and don't feel tied to a particular decorating trend.
My advice would be to spend on the foundational pieces you'll use every December. A beautiful tree, a good wreath and a handful of special ornaments will outlast most seasonal decorating trends.
Handmade Christmas stockings.
I bought beautiful needlepoint stockings from Bauble Stockings, and they're genuinely some of my favorite Christmas decorations now.
Before that, I used to buy whatever stockings matched my Christmas theme that year. Red velvet one year, cream knit the next, something with faux fur after that. They always looked nice, but none of them felt particularly special.
The needlepoint ones have so much more personality. They're beautifully detailed, and I love the idea of using the same stockings every Christmas as the family grows older.
I'm also a huge fan of Christopher Radko glass ornaments. They're definitely not inexpensive, and some of the designs are a little too whimsical for my taste, but there are some absolutely gorgeous ones.
I buy one or two special ornaments each year instead of replacing my entire collection. Some commemorate a trip, some remind me of a particular Christmas, and a few are just things I fell in love with. My only warning is to keep the original boxes. I learned the hard way that expensive glass ornaments and those giant plastic storage bins are not a good combination.