Burgundy Christmas Tree: Your Complete Guide to Creating This Show-Stopping Holiday Centerpiece

Burgundy Christmas Tree: Your Complete Guide to Creating This Show-Stopping Holiday Centerpiece

Burgundy Christmas trees have taken over my holiday decorating obsession, and I’m about to tell you exactly why you need one this year.

Forget everything you think you know about traditional red Christmas trees. I spent years decorating with the same tired red-and-green combo until I discovered the rich, sophisticated world of burgundy. Now I’m never going back.

Why Burgundy Beats Basic Red Every Single Time

Look, I get it. You’re probably wondering if burgundy is just another trendy color that’ll look dated in photos next year.

Wrong.

Burgundy delivers that deep, wine-soaked elegance that makes your living room look like it belongs in a luxury hotel lobby. It’s red’s sophisticated older sister who studied in Paris and knows how to pair wine with cheese.

Here’s what sold me on burgundy:

• It photographs beautifully in any lighting without that harsh glare red ornaments give off
• It pairs with literally everything – gold, silver, bronze, copper, even rose gold if you’re feeling fancy
• It creates instant warmth without screaming “Santa’s workshop exploded in here”
• It ages gracefully in photos unlike those neon reds from the early 2000s we’re all trying to forget

Getting Started: Your Burgundy Tree Foundation

Choosing Your Tree

I learned this the hard way after decorating a wimpy tree that couldn’t hold my ornaments.

You need a full, lush tree that can handle weight and volume. I’m talking about trees with dense branches that don’t leave awkward gaps.

For most homes with standard 8-9 foot ceilings, go with a 7.5-foot tree. This gives you that impressive height without requiring a ladder every time you want to adjust something.

My personal favorite is a pre-lit tree with warm white lights already installed – it saves you approximately three hours of your life and prevents at least one relationship-threatening argument about light spacing.

Pro tip: Always buy the “full” version, never the “slim” version. Slim trees are what you buy when you hate yourself and love disappointment.

Consider getting a pre-lit burgundy Christmas tree if you want to skip the lighting headaches altogether.

The Lighting Situation

Since we’re talking lighting, let me save you from a mistake I made three years ago.

Warm white lights only. Not cool white. Not multicolor. Definitely not those blue-tinted “ice white” lights that make everything look like a crime scene.

Warm white creates that cozy, inviting glow that makes burgundy ornaments look like jewels.

If your tree doesn’t come pre-lit, invest in quality clip-on tree lights with warm white bulbs. Your ornaments will thank you.

Building Your Burgundy Ornament Collection

Here’s where things get fun.

The Ornament Strategy That Actually Works

Forget buying one box of matching ornaments and calling it done. That’s amateur hour.

You need layers of different burgundy shades, sizes, and textures to create depth.

Think of it like painting – you wouldn’t use just one shade of blue to paint an ocean, right?

Large Statement Ornaments (3-5 inches):

• Deep wine burgundy in glossy finish
• Matte burgundy with subtle texture
• Mercury glass in burgundy tones

Medium Workhorses (2-3 inches):

• Velvet finish burgundy balls (these are chef’s kiss)
• Glittered burgundy rounds
• Burgundy with gold accents

Small Fillers (1-2 inches):

• Tiny burgundy baubles for tight spots
• Jeweled burgundy pieces
• Burgundy pinecone ornaments

I probably own 150+ ornaments for my 7.5-foot tree. Yes, that sounds excessive. No, I don’t care. Yes, it looks amazing.

Start with burgundy Christmas ornament sets in various sizes to build your foundation quickly.

Texture Is Everything

This is where burgundy decorating separates the basics from the show-stoppers.

Velvet ornaments are non-negotiable. The way they absorb and reflect light creates this incredible richness that flat ornaments can’t touch.

I add approximately 15-20 burgundy velvet ornaments throughout my tree. They look expensive even when they’re not.

Mercury glass finials add that vintage elegance. Glittered ornaments catch the light. Jeweled ornaments provide sparkle without going full disco ball.

Mix them all together and you’ve got visual interest that keeps people staring.

The Secret Weapon: Floral Picks and Stems

This is the game-changer nobody tells you about.

Real talk: ornaments alone make a decorated tree. Ornaments plus floral picks make a designer tree.

I use approximately 50-60 floral picks throughout my tree, and here’s what I include:

Burgundy Florals

• Velvet rose stems (6-8 stems)
• Burgundy hydrangea sprays (4-5 sprays)
• Deep red poinsettia picks (8-10 pieces)
• Burgundy berry clusters (10-15 stems)

Complementary Elements

• Gold-dipped magnolia leaves (10-12 stems)
• Natural brown beech branches (5-8 pieces)
• Greenery picks in deep forest green (15-20 pieces)