17 Best Christmas Tree Toppers: Your Buyer’s Guide

The multi-pointed Moravian star comes from the Moravian Church, which originated in Bohemia in the now-Czech Republic. They were first produced in Germany, where they are called Herrnhut stars and are still popular. They are beautiful and add a touch of class to any tree they sit atop.

This particular star can be used as either a tree topper or a porch light, so you may consider getting more than one and placing them in both spots. This is 12 inches with a 15 inch cord, which connects to the prewired lights within. The pure white goes well with any decorations and is easy to assemble.

Finials make wonderful, elegant tree toppers. They recall palaces and opulence while still being tasteful. This one is hand-painted blown glass from Europe. It stands over ten inches high and manages to feel very modern even as it recalls older designs. There are many finial-style toppers to choose from, including this “Lyrics” topper and this “Snowy Pattern” one.

The angel tree topper is a Christmas classic. This finely-detailed piece features an angel in a gold-trimmed ivory dress, complete with feathery wings. In each hand, she holds a light-up candle, casting soft light over your tree. It measures nine inches tall and is the perfect accent. There is also a black angel version, which wears a gold-colored dress and measures 13 inches and also features feathery wings.

Extending the rustic, old-world vibe, this lovely rattan star will complement a tree decorated with folksy wooden ornaments. The roughly wrapped rattan is complemented by ten warm white light bulbs, which are attached to a 60 inch lead wire. It measures roughly 11 inches. They also make a 20 light version.

This variation on the angel theme also brings a variation in the lighting options. This 12-inch angel holds a fiber optic light that is reminiscent of a pine bough. It’s a finely detailed topper that offers something different from the wealth of angels out there. 

If something classic and restrained won’t cut it for you and you’re looking for a topper with more whimsey, consider this piece. Combining a star with an animated Santa sleigh, this rotating tree topper is meant to impress anyone who views it.

On each of the reindeer’s saddle blanket is one of Thomas Kinkade’s holiday paintings. The star itself is also illuminated to complete the effect. It’s a finely detailed piece that will set your tree apart. There’s also a Disney version, if you prefer.

For those that appreciate a little more color in their Christmas decorations, this eight-pointed star tree topper uses a stained glass effect to achieve a warm, festive look. This one reminds me a lot of the tree topper we had all throughout my childhood. It’s fairly large at 14 inches, and would look best on a larger tree. The gold finish will tie in nicely with gold tinsel garland for a classic approach to tree decorating.

Snowmen also make great tree toppers. While you can of course put them on any tree, they look especially good on white artificial trees. This charming dude stands 14 inches high, with a scarf that can be stretched out to 15 inches long.

An old world Father Christmas is an authentic touch. This earth toned Santa hearkens back to another era of holiday celebrations. This topper includes ten lights, including the two candles in his hands. The faux fur trim accents the deep red coat for a warm and inviting tree topper. At ten inches tall, he’ll preside over your tree until the real Santa shows up.

If you don’t opt for the snowman head above, you can still complement a white tree with this black, lighted top hat. You could opt to decorate the tree as if it’s a giant snowman, but even if you don’t, this makes a cute and whimsical choice for the top of any tree.

This is quite an elaborate treatment. This hand-painted option depicts the quintessential image of Santa climing down the chimney to deliver his gifts. It measures eight by eight by 15 inches, so this is quite a large, robust topper. It’s also finely detailed with a variety of materials for a very festive decoration. 

Geeky Christmas ornaments are a time-honored tradition. I think you can go two ways with it. The first is to tuck a few references to, say, Doctor Who, into a tree otherwise decorated with more expected, traditional ornaments.

The other way you could go is all out, starting with this tree topper, which lights up, of course. Add in a few stings of lights and matching ornaments and you have yourself a theme. If you really want to do it right, grab a few of these mini tree sets for your windows, too. Alternatively, a Weeping Angel tree topper is also available.

Another option which is a little off-beat is this totally retro topper. Great for anyone with a fondness of childhood memories or a love of vintage looks, this topper includes multicolored lights and gold tinsel in a snowflake pattern. Maximum sparkle on this one. 

Okay, so maybe the traditional tree toppers aren’t for you. Maybe what you need is something to honor your abiding love of all things Star Wars. You’re in luck because someone has seen fit to design this Yoda Santa to occupy your tree.

Don’t worry, they also have Darth Vader, as well as the unnecessarily opulent Death Star. Hey, it’s still a star, right?

Willow Tree fans may want to consider this 12 inch figure for the top of their Christmas tree. The woman holds a glitter-covered star, which will catch the lights and sparkle.

There’s also Song of Joy tree topper, if you prefer.

Definitely more of a novelty pick than anything, this Nintendo star is best suited to small trees. The star itself measures five inches tall, so it might be dwarfed on a normal height tree. Nevertheless, we included it because it’s on theme in terms of Christmas – a star on top of the tree, after all – and because an abiding love of all things Mario deserves a spot on your tree.

If you’re a fan of the German blown glass Christmas ornaments, you may want to have a tree topper that matches. This one features an owl perched atop a blue bauble and really captures that classic look. It measures 8.5 inches tall.