That bare spot at the top of your Christmas tree is staring at you right now.

You could spend $50 or more on a store-bought topper, but most of them look exactly like everyone else’s.

What if you could make something unique instead? A DIY tree topper that reflects your personal style and costs a fraction of retail prices.

You’ll need just a few supplies and an hour or two. Ready to give your tree the crowning touch it deserves? Let’s show you how.

DIY Tree Topper Ideas with Simple Steps

Nature meets simplicity in this charming design. It brings an outdoor feel right into the living room.

1. Rustic Twig Star

Gather five sturdy twigs of equal length from the backyard. Arrange them into a star shape and secure with twine or hot glue. Wrap the joints with burlap ribbon for added texture.

This topper works perfectly with farmhouse or woodland-themed decorations and costs almost nothing to make.

DIY Tutorial:Willow Twig Christmas Star by Alison Yeates.

2. Simple Wire Star

Bend thick wire into a star shape and wrap it with string lights or metallic thread. This minimalist design works beautifully on modern trees.

You can spray paint the wire gold, silver, or leave it natural for an industrial look that catches the light perfectly.

DIY Tutorial:How to MakeWire Christmas Tree Star Toppers! Simple Wire Stars for Your Xmas Tree by Creative Fnk.

3. Bow Tree Topper

Cut a long strip of ribbon, about 3 yards total. Form loops and secure the center with wire. Fluff each loop to create fullness and shape.

This topper pairs beautifully with red and white ornaments. The natural material adds a homespun feel to holiday decorations.

DIY Tutorial: Easy Giant Bow Christmas Tree Topper ~ Step-By-Step Sewing Tutorial | DIY GIANT BOW by Rosery Apparel.

4. Velvet Ribbon Bow

Layer rich velvet ribbons in complementary colors to create a luxurious bow. Start with wider ribbons at the base and add smaller loops on top.

The soft texture adds warmth, and you can match it to your tree’s color scheme for a coordinated finish.

DIY Tutorial: DIY Giant Burgundy Velvet Bow for Christmas Tree | Elegant Red Holiday Decor Ideas by LARYSSA MEIRA.

5. Artificial Berries

Cluster artificial berries with small jingle bells on a wire frame. Hot glue them securely and add greenery sprigs for fullness.

You can also add bells to create a gentle sound, and the berries bring a traditional holiday feel that never goes out of style.

DIY Tutorial: How to Create the Perfect Christmas Tree Topper by Start at Home.

6. Pom Pom Ball

Glue colorful yarn pom poms onto a foam ball to create a playful topper. Mix sizes and colors for a great appearance.

This fun option is perfect for kid-friendly trees and adds a handmade touch that makes everyone smile when they see it.

DIY Tutorial: How to make a Perfect Pom Pom with a Clover Pom-Pom Maker by Needlepointers.

7. Personalized Pennant Flag

Sew or glue fabric into a small triangular banner with your family name or a holiday message. Add ribbon tails for movement.

This DIY tree topper makes your tree uniquely yours and becomes a conversation starter when guests visit your home during the holidays.

DIY Tutorial: Pennant Flags – How to Make a Custom Pennant Flag by Justine Silva.

8. Glitter Foam Star

Trace a star template onto thick craft foam. Cut it out carefully with scissors. Cover the entire surface with glue and sprinkle glitter generously.

Let it dry completely before mounting. This topper catches light beautifully and works with any color scheme chosen for the tree this year.

DIY Tutorial: DIY STAR Christmas tree topper | 3D Star | Superholly by superholly.

9. Paper Snowflake Topper

Cut large snowflakes from white cardstock or craft paper. Layer three snowflakes of different sizes together for dimension.

The result is a lightweight, budget-friendly topper that captures the beauty of fresh snowfall without melting away.

DIY Tutorial: 3D Snowflake Easy Paper Tree Topper | Vlogmas Christmas Craft With Me by Emma Sandy.

10. Felt Angel Topper

Cut angel shapes from white or cream felt fabric. Layer pieces to create dimension in the wings and dress. you can add a wooden bead for the head and gold thread for the halo.

This classic design brings a peaceful, spiritual element to Christmas decorating traditions.

DIY Tutorial: DIY Christmas Angel Topper 2020 | Angel Doll | Huong Harmon by Huong Harmon

11. Knitted Santa Hat

Knit or buy a small red and white Santa hat and stuff it firmly. Attach a wire inside to keep the shape. The whimsical design adds a touch of childhood nostalgia to your tree.

This DIY tree topper works especially well if you have kids who still believe in Santa’s magic.

DIY Tutorial: How to make a Santa Hat | Holiday Crochet Tutorial by Jaclyn | Purls & Top Knots

12. Crochet Snowflake Topper

Crochet a large snowflake pattern using white or silver yarn. Stiffen it with fabric stiffener or sugar water solution. Attach a wire support on the back for stability.

This handcrafted topper showcases skill and patience while adding a personal, heirloom quality to Christmas decorating efforts.

DIY Tutorial: Crochet star tree topper! Crochet Christmas Decorations by Brunaticality.

13. Eucalyptus Tree Topper

Bundle fresh or dried eucalyptus stems with floral wire and add a ribbon bow at the base. The silvery-green leaves bring a natural, organic feel to your tree.

The subtle scent refreshes your room, and the simple design pairs beautifully with farmhouse or minimalist decor styles.

DIY Tutorial: Eucalyptus Wreath Tutorial by Flower Fix.

14. Crown Jeweled Tree Topper

A crown-jeweled tree topper brings royal appeal to holiday decor. These ornaments feature sparkling gems and metallic finishes that catch light beautifully.

The crown design sits perfectly atop the tree, creating a regal focal point that commands attention and adds to any Christmas display.

DIY Tutorial: Lit Crown Jeweled Christmas Tree Topper DIY by Your House a Home TV.

15. Gingerbread Tree Topper

A gingerbread tree topper adds to festive decorations. These toppers often feature sweet details like frosting patterns and candy accents.

The warm brown tones create a cozy, homey feel that pairs wonderfully with traditional holiday themes and brings nostalgic memories of baking season.

DIY Tutorial: Gingerbread Tree Topper Tutorial by JoAnn Barrandey.

Tips for Maintaining Your DIY Christmas Tree Toppers

A DIY tree topper deserves proper care to last for years.

A little attention keeps them looking fresh season after season. Follow these simple maintenance tips to protect the investment of time and creativity.

• Keep away from moisture: Store in dry places like closets or attics.
• Check for damage before use: Inspect toppers each season for needed repairs.
• Refresh natural elements annually: Replace dried oranges and greenery every year.
• Photograph each topper: Take pictures to remember materials for future repairs.
• Rotate toppers between years: Switch designs each season to extend their life.
• Keep extra materials on hand: Save leftover supplies for quick touch-ups.
• Remove batteries from light-up toppers: Take out batteries to prevent corrosion damage

Wrapping It Up

Creating a DIY tree topper doesn’t require fancy skills or expensive supplies.

These ideas prove that beautiful decorations come from simple materials and a bit of creativity. Each design offers something different, from rustic natural elements to sparkly modern styles.

Choose one design to try this weekend or make several to rotate through different seasons.

Start gathering materials today and give that Christmas tree the unique finishing touch it deserves this holiday season.