Tinsel Christmas Tree Ideas: How Much to Buy and 5 Easy Looks
Part of our guide: Holiday Party Decorations: The Complete Guide
Tinsel is back on Christmas trees, and it is one of the cheapest ways to change how a tree looks. The hard part is the amount. Too little looks thin, and too much looks messy. This short guide tells you how many strands to buy for your tree size, shows 5 easy looks, and covers the one safety point you should know if you have a pet.
Quick facts:
- Amounts: about 3 to 6 garland strands of 9 feet for a 4 foot tree, 6 to 10 for a 6 foot tree, and 8 to 14 for a 7.5 foot tree. These are planning estimates.
- Cost: about $22 for a light look and $38 for a full look on a 7.5 foot tree.
- Time: about 30 to 45 minutes to wrap.
- Pets: tinsel is a risk for cats and dogs who chew or swallow it. Skip it if you have one.
Top Decor Picks for this Setup
Curated essentials on Amazon to help you recreate this setup easily.
Silver Tinsel Garland 9 ft 12 Pack
The tinsel to wrap the tree.
Gold Tinsel Garland 9 ft 12 Pack
Gold option for a warm look.
Warm White LED Tree Lights 300 Count
Lights under the tinsel.
Shatterproof Ornaments Red and Silver
Ornaments on top of the tinsel.
Table of Contents
- Three ways to use tinsel
- How much tinsel garland to buy
- 5 easy tinsel looks
- How to wrap tinsel garland
- Pets, kids, and cleanup
- Budget for a 7.5 foot tree
- Mistakes to avoid
- FAQ
- Related articles
Three ways to use tinsel
1. A full tinsel tree. The whole tree is made of tinsel, in silver, gold, pink, or green. It needs almost no other decor, just lights and a few ornaments.
2. Tinsel garland on a green tree. Wrap strands of garland around a regular tree. This is the easiest and cheapest way, and you can take it off in a few minutes.
3. Tinsel as an accent. Tie 10 to 15 short pieces of 12 inches into the branches, to catch the light. This is good for a small or slim tree.
How much tinsel garland to buy
Tinsel garland is a long rope of tinsel, sold in strands of about 9 feet. Loose tinsel is short pieces, like icicle strands. This table is for garland.
How the numbers were built: one 9 foot strand makes about one loop around a tree that is about 3 feet wide on average. A full look has one loop for every 6 to 7 inches of height, and a light look has one loop for every 11 inches. Use this as a guide, and buy one extra strand.
| Tree height | Light look | Full look |
|---|---|---|
| 4 feet | 3 strands | 6 strands |
| 6 feet | 6 strands | 10 strands |
| 7.5 feet | 8 strands | 14 strands |
Adjust for the shape of your tree. For a slim tree under 2 feet wide, buy about one third fewer strands. For a wide tree over 4 feet wide, buy about one third more.
5 easy tinsel looks
| Look | Colors | Add | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic silver | Silver tinsel, white lights | Red and silver ornaments | Keep the loops even from top to bottom |
| Gold and red | Gold tinsel, warm white lights | Red ornaments and a gold star | Wrap tighter at the top and looser at the bottom |
| Pink and white | Pink tinsel, white lights | White ornaments and a bow topper | Use one color of ornament only |
| Retro multicolor | Silver tinsel, multicolor lights | Large shiny ornaments in red, blue, and green | Hang the large ornaments on the inner branches |
| Green and gold | Gold tinsel on a green tree | Cream ornaments and pinecones | Leave some green showing between loops |
Silver tinsel with warm white lights and red ornaments.
How to wrap tinsel garland
- Lights first. Put the lights on the tree before the tinsel, and test them. LED lights stay cooler than old bulbs.
- Start at the top. Tuck one end into the top branches, near the topper.
- Wrap in a loose spiral. Go around the tree and down, with the strand about 6 to 8 inches below the last loop. Let it sag a little between branches.
- Hold it in place. Tuck the tinsel into the branch tips, or tie it with a bit of floral wire if the tree is slick.
- Add ornaments last. Hang them on top of the tinsel, so they stand out.
- Fluff it. Step back and pull the tinsel gently to hide any gaps.
For the full process see our Christmas tree decorating ideas, and for the top of the tree our Christmas tree topper ideas.
Pets, kids, and cleanup
- Cats and dogs: tinsel can cause a blockage if a pet swallows it, so the safest choice is to keep it away from pets. If you have one, use ribbon or fabric garland instead.
- Small children: tinsel can come off in strands. Keep it above the reach of a toddler.
- Keep it away from heat: put the tree away from heaters and candles. Use LED lights.
- Cleanup: tinsel is often not accepted by recycling programs, so check locally. Store it in a box and reuse it for several years.
Gold tinsel in a loose spiral, with cream ornaments and pinecones.
Budget for a 7.5 foot tree
This is a planning estimate for U.S. stores. It excludes the tree, ornaments, and tax, and prices vary by store and region.
| Item | Light look | Full look |
|---|---|---|
| 8 or 14 strands of 9 ft tinsel garland at about $2 each | $16 | $28 |
| 300 LED lights | $6 | $10 |
| Total | $22 | $38 |
Mistakes to avoid
- Wrapping too tight. Let the tinsel sag between branches.
- Tinsel before lights. Put the lights on first.
- Too many colors. Pick one tinsel color and one ornament color.
- Using tinsel with pets. Skip it if a pet can reach the tree.
- Throwing it away. Store and reuse it.
FAQ
How much tinsel garland do I need for a Christmas tree?
For a 7.5 foot tree plan about 8 strands of 9 foot garland for a light look and 14 for a full look. For a 6 foot tree plan 6 to 10 strands, and for a 4 foot tree 3 to 6. These are planning estimates.
How do you put tinsel on a Christmas tree?
Put the lights on first, then tuck one end of the garland into the top branches. Wrap it in a loose spiral, with 6 to 8 inches between loops, and add ornaments last. Pull the tinsel gently to fill gaps.
Is tinsel safe for pets?
Tinsel is a risk if a cat or dog chews or swallows it, because it can cause a blockage. If you have a pet, use a ribbon or fabric garland instead, and keep decor out of reach.
What colors go with a tinsel Christmas tree?
Silver tinsel goes with white lights and red ornaments. Gold goes with warm white lights and red or cream ornaments. Pink tinsel goes with white ornaments. Stay with one tinsel color and one ornament color.
How much does it cost to decorate a tree with tinsel?
For a 7.5 foot tree, tinsel garland and LED lights cost about $22 for a light look and about $38 for a full look. This is a planning estimate and excludes the tree, ornaments, and tax.
Can you reuse tinsel?
Yes. Take it off in a loose spiral, coil it, and store it in a box. Many recycling programs do not accept it, so reusing it for several years is the best option.
Related articles
- Christmas Tree Decorating Ideas
- Christmas Tree Topper Ideas
- Christmas Party Decorations
- Christmas Coffee Table Decor Ideas
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Recreate This Look: Complete Supply Checklist
Every prop, decor item, and material identified in our styled photos, linked directly to top-rated supplies on Amazon.
A full tinsel tree.
For a pink look.
For the retro look.
Topper for the tinsel tree.
Retro ornaments.
Holds the tinsel in place.
Pinecones for the gold look.
Store the tinsel to reuse.
Skirt for the base.
Stable stand.
A pet-safer alternative to tinsel.
Pet safe garland.
To reach the top.
Bead alternative.
Hide the light cord.
Timer for tree lights.
