Decorative Themes for Christmas Trees: From Movies to Superheroes

For some, each year's Christmas tree is a collage of assorted collected ornaments, amassed over a period of many years. The only thing they have in common is that they all have a meaning behind their creation or purchase.

For others, each year's Christmas tree is an expression of creativity: each year an attempt to exceed the creative wonder of the last. Within that quest, there may be a desire to create a 'theme' for each year's tree. Annual Christmas tree festivals are a tremendous source of inspiration, and generally are a fund-raising event for charity, which makes attending them not only a great idea for inspiration, but also a great way to get into the spirit of the season by giving to others.

Ideas for Themes

A few theme ideas are listed below not just for the tree, but for other holiday decorating as well. The best tip for a successful theme-decorating venture is to plan it out ahead of time. Put it all in writing, and list all of the areas that will need to be decorated within the theme. Will it just be indoors, or will you decorate the outdoors with your theme? Will you only decorate your tree within the theme, or will the entire room or home be decorated within it? Making a list to keep with you will help you more efficiently accomplish your decorating goals.

The ideas below are not all-inclusive, but rather, are a sampling to get your started on your own creative journey to having a theme Christmas tree.

Finding Theme Items

A few great ways to find accessories for your theme decorating are to plan ahead and shop sales such as after-Halloween and Black Friday. Halloween suppliers, yard sales, second-hand stores, flea markets, craft stores, miniatures stores, and online stores are also all great sources of theme items. Party suppliers are another great place to check for theme items. One good online party supply store to try is Oriental Trading. Fast food places often offer small toys in their meals for children that may work with your theme.

Movie Theme: Pirates of the Caribbean

One popular idea is to decorate a tree based upon a popular movie of the year. Pirates of the Caribbean is one movie that could be used as your theme.

Ornaments: Decorations could be things such as mini pirate flags, eye patches, parrots, mini ships, cannon balls, various sea creatures, wooden eyes, wooden legs, hearts, swords, anchors, cannons, bottles of 'rum', wooden barrels, a monkey, golden earrings, compasses, scrolls, maps, giant 'x' cutouts, palm trees, sea shells, and treasure chests.

Tree: Under the tree, a large flat pan with a lip on it could be set up, and then sand could be purchased and poured into the pan under the tree. Gifts then are set on the sand under the tree. Instead of a traditional Christmas tree, a palm tree could be used.

Other: Christmas stockings could be made from pirate-related fabric, such as a pirate flag or black fabric with skull and crossbones. Striped fabric with sew or fabric-glued on ships, treasure chests, sea creatures, etc could all be fashioned into stockings, as well. Another idea would be to use pirate style footwear instead of traditional stockings. Instead of the phrase 'ho ho ho' use the phrase 'yo ho ho' in decorating or on your voicemail. Seascape items and photos can be placed around the room or house to add to the theme.

Movie Theme: Harry Potter

With this theme, planning ahead can easily be done around Halloween - especially taking advantage of after-Halloween sales and markdowns.

Ornaments: wizard hats, a sorting hat, wands, potion bottles, books, a big black dog, three-headed dog, broomsticks, large motorcycle, owls, a rat, a werewolf, a moon, cauldrons, shrunken heads.

Tree: Place the tree in a large black cauldron on top of a blue tree skirt with gold stars on it. Gifts are then placed on the tree skirt. For the tree topper, use a wizard or witches hat or a star.

Other: Mistletoe and Holly are perfect parts of the Harry Potter world and of Christmas. Also, be sure to use any other 'natural' elements which would be part of the magical world of spells and wizards such as pumpkins, herbs, and other plants. Pumpkins, 'pumpkin juice', jelly beans, 'chocolate frogs', and tarts all are appropriate treats for the theme. Recipes for making pumpkin juice and chocolate frogs and many others of the Harry Potter world treats may be found at Hogwarts Recipes. For the stockings, use wizard and witch hats.

Television Theme: House

Another idea is to decorate using the theme of a popular or favorite television show. For ideas and supplies to decorate for any medical-theme show, any medical supply store or pharmacy would work. One such place is QuickMedical.Com. Every dollar store has a first aid section that can be searched out for supplies, as well. Your doctor's office may be willing to donate (or sell cheaply) items for your decorating, as well. Since dental offices use some of the same items, you may consider hitting them up, too.

Ornaments: Surgical masks, thermometers, tongue depressors, gauze pads, cotton balls and cotton swabs strung up like popcorn and cranberries, suckers (what doctor's office is complete without suckers for the kids?), bandages, medical eye patches, small empty pill bottles, and latex gloves.

Tree: For the tree skirt, use exam table paper. For the tree topper use an inflated latex glove.

Other: Latex gloves may be inflated like balloons and hung up. Any kind of medical paraphernalia (real or toy) such as a stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, surgical cap, surgical booties, medical books, clipboards, 'ekg' readouts, 'medical charts', inflatable 'donuts' on the seats, and bedpans can be placed around the room. For the stockings, use latex gloves, scrubs with the ends tied off, surgical masks or caps, or compression stockings. Sundry jars can be filled with Christmas candies or used in lieu of stockings.

Holiday Theme

This is the easiest themes as it includes Christmas items, and uses many things that you already have. For this theme, use a little of something representing all the holidays of the year.

Ornaments: Mini flags, hearts, little pumpkins, clovers, little turkeys and pilgrim hats, little ghosts, cupids, little new years babies, little Santas, little toy firecrackers, little ties (Father's Day), little flowers (Mother's Day), and little baskets (Easter).

Tree: In this case, the easiest idea is to use a traditional Christmas skirt. Other holidays could be used, however, such as using a picnic blanket as a tree skirt (Independence Day).

Other: Pull out all of your other holiday décor and go wild. Mix and match it as you are able to.

International Theme

This theme celebrates the nations and rich cultures of the world. It is a fun and educational theme to use.

Ornaments: Any item which would represent any country of the world may be used including (fake) food items, small stuffed or plastic animals like lions, koalas, kangaroos, and pandas; flags, small dolls in cultural costumes, and geographic cut-outs (Italy looks like a boot and is easily identifiable. The USA is another country that has an easily identifiable shape).

Tree: Top the tree with a small globe. If you can find one that lights up - even better! Under the tree, use a grass skirt as your tree skirt.

Other: Go wild with larger representations of the countries of the world. Be sure to use flags (out of respect, do not let any of them touch the floor) and at least one globe. Be sure to try out some recipes or food from other countries. There are some great online sources for both. One directory for such places is Marilee's International Food Links. Be sure to shop around for the best prices on the product and shipping/custom charges before purchasing, as well.

Galactic Theme

Another easy theme, this one celebrates the beauty of our galaxy. Many of the items are very easy to find or to make; or may already be owned.

Ornaments: Stars, moons, planets, the sun, comets, black holes, galaxies, glow-in-the-dark stars and planets. Very twinkly lights work well to add to the theme.
Tree: A traditional star may be used to make it easy. A sun or planet may be used as well. Even better if they light up. Black fabric under tree with glow in the dark stars painted on it or a glow in the dark 'aurora borealis' makes a lovely tree skirt.

Other: Books with photos of the galaxy scattered around, as well as constellation charts, telescopes, and planet/system models. You can add a sci-fi twist to it and use items representing your favorite science fiction show or movie.

Superhero Theme

Now you have an 'excuse' to publicly display all your superhero memorabilia.

Ornaments: Second-hand stores are great sources of action figures (cheap) if you need more than what you already have. Raiding the toy box of your kids may be useful, too. Use your superhero's colors to decorate with, and be sure to include some of their archenemies, as well.

Tree: Their symbol can be used as your tree topper, and a tree skirt in one of their colors with their symbol on it can be created.

Other: Decorate with your remaining memorabilia and be sure to display posters and cutouts. Carefully preserved and protected comic books can also be displayed on easels. Use catchphrases of your superhero and their enemies on your voicemail message, or make signs of them to display.

One Final Note

Be sure to take many pictures of your results and post them for others to see, admire, and be inspired by.