Bauble Calculator: How Many Baubles do you Need for Your Christmas Tree?

Got endless boxes of decorations to go on the tree, but don't know where to start? Help is at hand: our bauble rules will help you create a top-tier tree.

Whether you’re a meticulous planner or prefer to go with the flow, take the time to consider a few things before your start decorating to achieve a cohesive, balanced design. The size and shape of your tree will impact the number of decorations you need, as well as the style of your baubles and how full you want your tree to look.

Top tip: Remember to think about any extras – lights, ribbons, garlands and tree toppers all need space on the branches, too.

How to balance baubles with your other Christmas tree decorations

Quantity matters, so make sure you’re not filling your tree with baubles: too many will hide the foliage and look overcrowded, while too few will leave your tree looking unfinished. Add variety by mixing shapes, colours and textures, or experiment with pre-lit garlands and tinsel to add depth and texture.

Create a quintessentially British tree with classic red and gold baubles accented with felt mice, reindeer and robins. For a kitsch feel, mix novelty decorations with bright-coloured baubles and velvet bows for a touch of nostalgia.

Top tip: If you have a real Christmas tree, let it stand for a few hours before you start decorating to allow the branches to drop into their natural position.

The size of your Christmas tree is the most obvious factor when deciding how many baubles you need. Larger trees need more decorations to achieve a full, evenly distributed look, while shorter trees can easily look overcrowded.

If you have a tall tree but prefer minimalist decor, you may want to dial down the number of recommended baubles – simply dot a few clusters amongst your lights, tinsel or garlands. Equally, if you have a smaller tree but prefer to fully embrace the extravagance of Christmas, pile on the baubles for a burst of colour and pattern. More is more, after all.

Top tip: Add variation and depth by placing larger baubles nearer the trunk and smaller ones closer to the edge of the branch.

How many baubles do you need for a three-foot tree?

Dress a three-foot tree with about 30 decorations: 20 filler baubles, such as this red boxed set, 10 statement pieces and a few collectable ornaments for an individual touch. Many of our three-foot Christmas trees are pre-lit with up to 40 bulbs, making decorating so much easier.

The perfect amount of baubles for a six-foot tree

We recommend 40 filler baubles as your base layer, 18 statement pieces and eight personal ornaments for six-foot trees. Our pre-lit six-foot slim trees are perfect for narrower spaces and need at least 20 filler baubles, 12 statement pieces and six collectables for added wow factor.

How many baubles do you need for a seven-foot tree?

Seven-foot trees need a minimum of 75 baubles: try 40 filler baubles with a mixture of statement and memorable decorations. This height is the best size for standard ceilings and comes pre-lit with up to 2000 lights for a tangle-free Christmas.

The ideal amount of baubles for an eight-foot tree

60 filler baubles create the perfect base, then add around 40 statement and collectable pieces amongst the pre-lit lights to create a festive showstopper. Up the ante with matching wrapping paper and ribbons beneath the tree for a co-ordinated look.