In this post – why tabletop Christmas trees are perfect for small spaces, plus 10 tips for styling a themed tabletop tree.
Styled 2 Ways
It’s time for another fun Styled 2 Ways collaboration and once again, MaryJo of Masterpiece of my Life and I area sharing our individual takes on the same theme. This month it’s all about Christmas trees – to theme or not to theme? You can also find MaryJo on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. Let’s dive in!
Why Have a Tabletop Tree?
Tabletop Christmas Trees Are the Perfect Holiday Accent
When it comes to holiday decorating, bigger isn’t always better. While grand trees steal the spotlight, tabletop Christmas trees are having a well-deserved moment. Charming, versatile, and easy to style, these miniature versions bring all the magic of Christmas in a perfectly scaled-down package — ideal for side tables, entryways, kitchens, guest rooms, or even your home office.
Whether you’re short on space, love creating cozy vignettes, or want to sprinkle a little holiday cheer throughout your home, tabletop trees are an easy way to do it. Here’s why they’re a great idea and how to make them sparkle with your personal style.
They’re Perfect for Small Spaces
If you live in an apartment, condo, or coastal cottage where space is at a premium, a tabletop tree gives you all the festive feeling without the floor space commitment. You can tuck one onto a console table, kitchen counter, or nightstand — even a bathroom vanity!
Easy to Set Up (and Store!)
No wrestling with tangled lights or rearranging furniture. These trees are easy to decorate, take down, and store — making them perfect for busy seasons or secondary spaces like guest rooms and offices. We have this funky little built-in corner cabinet in our primary bedroom. I decided it would be a good spot for a small tree. I’ve always wanted a Christmas tree in our bedroom. Fun!
A Fun Way to Highlight a Theme
Because they’re small, you can dedicate each one to a special theme — like travel memories, seashell ornaments, or vintage treasures. It’s the perfect way to tell a story without overwhelming a space. This year, I’m designing a mini travel-themed tree for our bedroom that showcases photos and souvenirs collected during our travels over the years.
In this case, I decided to decorate the tree with travel-themed ornaments with an overall coastal vibe. I used souvenir ornaments and travel photos along with small blue, green, silver and gold mini glass ornaments.
Instant Festive Mood Boosters
Even the smallest tree with a string of lights and a few ornaments can transform a corner. They bring warmth, sparkle, and that unmistakable Christmas magic wherever you place them. We’ve never had a tree in our bedroom before. I love this small tree adds a cozy feel to the room!
10 Tips for How to Style a Tabletop Christmas Tree
Start with the Right Base
Choose a tree that suits your décor style — flocked, green, or even metallic. Place it in a pretty container such as a ceramic pot, woven basket, galvanized bucket, or seagrass planter for a finished look. This tree came from HomeGoods and was already secured in a small white ceramic pot.
For more inspiration, Pottery Barn has lots of tabletop trees in different types of containers, from pottery to metal and even wicker. You can also check your local thrift store for inexpensive containers, or use a container you already own.
Keep the Scale in Mind
Use smaller ornaments, delicate garlands, and lightweight lights. Oversized decorations can overpower the tree. Mini glass baubles are the perfect starting point for decorating a tiny tree.
I found this Shiny Brite set at HomeGoods and this Jingles & Joy set at Target, but you can also find them online. The colors complement the overall coastal feel for the tree. They fill in the tree and add color and sparkle.
Choose Ornaments to Match Your Theme
I added larger souvenir ornaments here and there for impact, being careful not to overwhelm the small tree. Plus, I didn’t want it to tip over!
Kurt Adler Miniature Ornaments and Treetop, Set of 16
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Christopher Radko Shiny Brite Christmas Confetti 20 Count 1.25″ Signature Flocked Rounds
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Shiny Brite Festive FETE 20 Count 1.25″ Half Reflector Half Rounds
Buy Now →Add a Touch of Texture With a Skirt
Wrap the base with linen fabric, a chunky knit scarf, or even a piece of burlap for warmth. There are lots of mini tree skirts available to buy too. I found my travel-themed skirt on Amazon. It was a little larger than I needed, but I was able to fold up the edge.
18 Inch Mini Knitted Christmas Tree Skirt
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Small Christmas Holiday Embroidered Snowflakes Tree Skirt
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Mini Burlap Tree Skirt 24 Inch with Ruffle
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Vintage World Map Christmas Tree Skirt 35.4 inch
Buy Now →Other Themes
- Coastal: Seashells, sand dollars, driftwood stars, and sea glass ornaments.
- Travel: Mini globes, postcards, and souvenir ornaments.
- Rustic: Burlap ribbon, pinecones, and wood slices.
- Glam: Metallic ornaments, pearl garland, and satin ribbon.
- Minimalist: Simple white lights and neutral ornaments for a calm, elegant look.
Light It Up
Mini string lights or fairy lights add instant magic. Choose warm white for a soft glow or cool white for a modern vibe. The tree I used already had fairy lights. They are great because they are battery-operated and don’t get hot.
4-Pack Fairy Lights Battery Operated with Timer
Buy Now →Don’t Forget the Topper
Even a small tree deserves a finishing touch. Try a starfish for coastal charm, a velvet bow for a classic look, or a small star for a timeless feel. For this tree, I opted for a starfish ornament I found in Hawaii. Using a souvenir ornament for the topper seemed appropriate.
Style It Like a Vignette
Place your tabletop tree next to a candle, a framed holiday photo, or a bowl of ornaments. Layering small decorative elements around it turns the display into a mini holiday moment that feels intentional and cozy. I styled the area underneath the tree with three small ceramic houses, some bottle brush trees and more fairy lights.
Great for Layered Holiday Decorating
Think of tabletop trees as the jewelry of your holiday décor. They can complement your main Christmas tree or carry a unique theme of their own — from rustic and cozy to glam and coastal chic.
Play with Themes
Because a tabletop tree is smaller than a regular tree, you can easily make it a themed tree without having to buy or make lots of ornaments. In fact, you can sometimes buy the tree with all of the decorations included! All six of the trees below come with decorations, with themes ranging from holiday sweets to alpine skiing. As Ina Garten likes to say, “How easy is that?”
Bonus Ideas for Tabletop Tree Magic
- Use a pair of mini trees to frame a mantel or entryway.
- Create a kitchen coffee corner with a small pre-lit tree, mugs, and cocoa jars.
- Decorate your guest room nightstand with a petite potted pine for a warm welcome.
- For a modern twist, use a grouping of three trees in varying heights on your dining table as a living centerpiece.
Final Thoughts
Tabletop Christmas trees prove that festive style doesn’t depend on size — it’s all about creativity and charm. Whether you’re decorating a seaside cottage, a city apartment, or simply adding small doses of cheer around your home, these little trees bring just the right amount of sparkle and joy.
So grab your favorite ornaments, pour a cup of cocoa, and start decking the (tabletop) halls — one tiny tree at a time.
It’s Styled 2 Ways Time!
Be sure to head over to Masterpieces of my Life to see what MaryJo has for our theme this month. I always love to see her creativity at work!
One Response
Great article Susan. Table top trees are super versatile and fun. Always great to share on these posts. XO- MJ