8 Most Popular Gold Christmas Tree Themes

Contents:

• Why is gold a go-to colour for Christmas tree decorating?
• 8 most popular gold Christmas tree themes
• Frequently asked questions

Image credit: Craftberry Bush

1. Celtic heritage

Perhaps considered the least festive colour, black surprisingly works well with coppery gold and hunter green against the backdrop of a traditional pine tree. Tying in dark tartan to match the tree ornaments brings the whole look together.

How to achieve the look:

Create the foundation with burnished gold leaf garlands and sprays of Queen Anne’s lace flowers. Add glossy black and mocha brown baubles, gilded frames, tartan ornaments, and burnt amber gold ribbons.

Image credit: Veranda

2. 1950s tinsel bonanza

Tinsel is making a huge comeback to reclaim its place as the statement accessory for festive glamour. This season’s take on tinsel is a throwback to the 1950s, when tinsel was draped onto the tree in extra-long, cascading strands, far removed from the winding, fluffy garlands that defined the 90s. And if ever there was a time to make your home feel like a scene from a Roaring Twenties party, now is the time to bring your Great Gatsby fantasy to life.

How to achieve the look:

Hang your gold baubles first before drenching the tree in tinsel. Use packets of gold tinsel strands or cut tinsel fringe (the type used for party decorations) into small strips. Place clusters of tinsel on individual branch tips all over to flow down the tree from head to toe. It shimmers wonderfully against warm Christmas tree lights. Add sumptuous red or gold ribbons to complete the look.

Image credit: Jeannie Pence

3. Marie Antoinette

Playful and feminine, a Rococo-inspired Christmas tree is a fun way to incorporate the pastel colours, ornate jewellery, and elaborate fashion that marked the 18th century. Marie Antoinette, famed for her extravagant taste, would have approved of a tree layered with sumptuous adornments as delightful as a box of French macarons, which capture the era’s theatrical beauty.

How to achieve the look: 

Start by weaving and twirling ivory and golden-embroidered ribbons around the tree. The aim is to create a tree that resembles a tiered cake, complete with piped garlands and swirled flowers. Add sparkling pendants, pink peonies, glittering gold accents, and Fondant French Fancy baubles.

Image credit: Anthropologie

4. Celestial wonder

A fantastical burst of golden magic comes to life with a Christmas tree brimming with magnificent stars, bird motifs, and crescent moons. To showcase something out of this world, imaginative, and celebratory, a night-sky tree nods to the shining sky full of stars on the night of Jesus’ birth.

How to achieve the look:

For a tree basking in a golden halo, start with generous bundles of warm LED lights or gold LED mesh ribbon to represent the starlit heavens. Hang different sizes of bright gold baubles, stars, metallic crescent moons, dainty swallows or hummingbirds, and honeyed pinecones. 

Image credit: Sunnyside Up

5. Gold-frosted woodland

If a full-on maximalist Christmas tree look isn’t your scene, then a subtle and unstated theme could be up your street. A woodland-inspired tree suits homes with a country living, cosy cottage, or modest aesthetic. By letting most of the greenery take centre stage, a minimalist golden theme enhances rather than overwhelms. Perfect for those who love the beauty of natural foliage.

How to achieve the look:

For a rustic forest fir, simplicity is key. Go for ornaments that feature matte textures, pearlescent finishes, or a gentle shimmer. Festoon the branches with strings of golden beads and garlands crafted from copper-toned foliage. Choose baubles in shades like mother-of-pearl, dusty pink, and espresso, and sprinkle in some hanging golden stars for a touch of magic. Finally, finish it off with soft buttermilk-hued ribbons and a striking gold tree topper.

Image credit: Country Living

6. Scandanavian straw

Natural straw accents also complement a gold-adorned tree. The art of making straw ornaments has deep roots in Scandinavian tradition, originating from a custom known as “The Remembrance of the Birds.” Farmers would save the last sheaf of grain and weave it into stunning shapes, with the Julbock, or Yule Goat, being the most famous. These intricate figures were often set outside for birds and animals to enjoy, a gesture thought to bless the farm and spread goodwill to all living creatures.

How to achieve this look:

Thick golden ribbon is the main foundation for the tree’s decoration. Deck the branches with glittering gold baubles and blue and teal balls to add dimension. Bring the Scandi aesthetic together with straw-themed accessories.

Image credit: The Decor Diet

7. Magnolia glam

Turn heads with a golden, Palatial Glam tree, inspired by the luxurious charm of 17th- and 18th-century European palaces, particularly those of the Baroque style. Well-suited to homes with white walls, mirrored accents, and a subtle colour scheme, this Christmas tree theme is all about creating grandeur. The most layering of ornaments you’ve ever seen creates unmatched fullness, so much so that the tree itself nearly disappears beneath its lavish décor.

How to achieve this look:

Begin by weaving a gold-trimmed ivory ribbon down the tree, starting from the top. Pouffe sections out so they appear full. Reach for large and extra-large white and pale gold-tinted baubles. Nestle cream flowers, and gold-coated magnolias to add drama. Where there are gaps left, stuff with white berry sprays, white foliage, and golden leaves.

Image credit: Citrine Living

8. Scholarly Noël

Straight from a Cambridge College campus is a tree that you might imagine standing proudly in a well-appointed library or glowing softly by the fire in a winter study. Its pale blue and red tartan ribbons lend a scholarly touch, while the clusters of crimson berries look as delicious as the redcurrants garnishing a Christmas trifle. It’s the perfect polished touch for an inviting and refined home.

How to achieve this look:

Pale blue and red tartan ribbon is the star of the show. Thread the ribbon vertically down the tree making sure it’s visible through the branches. Place large gold flowers, leaf foliage, and hang an array of gold baubles. Pick out tones from the ribbon for the other decorations, such as a few blue baubles, red glass balls, and plenty of crimson-coloured berry sprays.