Key Takeaways
- While pine green trees provide a traditional look, try decorating an aqua, pink, or lime green tree for a coastal aesthetic.
- When learning how to decorate a coastal Christmas tree, explore ideas with beach and ocean-inspired colors. This means choosing ornaments and decorations in colors, like seafoam green, sandy beige, seashell white, and sky blue.
- Accessories make the tree. Fill out your Christmas tree and enhance its look with decorations like beach themed ornaments, colorful ribbon, tree sprays, and garland.
- Top your tree with a sea life topper or a shining star to complete your coastal Christmas aesthetic. Make sure it’s lightweight so it doesn’t weigh your tree down.
When most people think of the beach, the only images that come to mind are those of summer fun and mid-year vacations. But for a beach lover, white sands and beautiful ocean views are good any time of the year, even Christmas. Naturally, when the holiday season comes around, employing tropical or beach Christmas tree ideas is on the agenda.
Need help getting started? Here are Christmas tree ideas to make all of your coastal Christmas dreams come true.
How Do I Choose a Christmas Tree?
You can’t very well deck the halls without your Christmas tree! As the base of your decorations, the tree you choose is just as important as your ornaments, lights, and other beach Christmas decor. Colorful Christmas trees should match the beach aesthetic that you’re going for to create the most cohesive look.
Do you want a coastal resort feel? Do you want to create your own vibrant, tropical paradise in your living room? Determining your aesthetic will help determine your tree color. Green trees (pine green, lime green, etc.) are perfect for a more classic Christmas look. But don’t be afraid of color. Different coastal Christmas tree ideas like blues, pinks, and natural wood colors are unique and complement your theme beautifully, too.
Don’t forget to add lights if your tree isn’t pre-lit!
How to Decorate a Coastal or Beach Themed Christmas Tree: Must-Have Colors and Themes
Now you’re on to the most fun part: choosing which beach and coastal themed Christmas tree ideas to use with your decor! The number one tip to keep in mind with decorating is that you want beach themed Christmas ornaments and accessories that generally stay within the same color theme. Coastal Christmas decorations usually stick to shades of blue, seafoam, and seashell neutrals.
Feeling tropical? You can infuse your tree with brighter colors, like hot pink, coral, and turquoise.
Mix Christmas and Beach Themes
This is also where you’re going to want to merge the beach theme and Christmas together. How? Mix and match ornaments that have beach themes, like sea life featuring Christmas characters, like snowmen and Santa. Kurt Adler and Mark Roberts make ornaments in fun themes like:
- Iridescent reindeer
- Beach snowmen
- Snowflakes in coastal colors
- Beach Santa/Papa Noel
- Nutcrackers with sunglasses
Pair these ornaments with different coastal and beach themed Christmas tree accessories, like seashells, starfish, sea glass, and driftwood, to make it your own.
Need the perfect Christmas present for a beach lover? Beach ornaments make amazing gifts!
Make Your Tree Fuller With Tree Sprays and Ribbons
One idea that we love is adding eye-catching details that complement your coastal Christmas tree and its decor. Trust us when we say that details can make all the difference in the finishing appearance of your tree. Christmas tree accessories will also make your tree appear fuller.
Play around with different textures that remind you of the beach, like twine and glass. Here’s how to decorate your beach themed Christmas tree to highlight the coastal color palette:
- Ocean-themed tree skirts
- Shimmering tree sprays
- Tree picks
- Ribbons
- Beach figurines
- Starfish, seashell, and more beach themed ornaments
Use Coastal Christmas Decor On and Off the Tree
If you’ve ever looked enviously at the holiday decor in Christmas movies, then you’re someone who definitely wants to add Christmas decor both on and off of your tree. Just make it beach themed, of course. Like Christmas tree extras, these elements will help your tree stand out and shine like you’ve always dreamed, while accenting the rest of the house for a cohesive look.
Here are some fun beach and coastal themed Christmas tree ideas:
- Display beach decor on tabletops or upon a mantel next to your tree
- Cascade tinsel and garland on the branches of your Christmas tree
- Add beach themed hanging or standing signs
- Hang stockings with coastal designs and colors
These coastal Christmas decorations will make your home feel like a welcoming resort, so get ready for the compliments!
Choose the Perfect Coastal Christmas Tree Topper
You can’t forget the topper! If the Christmas tree is the centerpiece of your space, then the topper is the star (sometimes literally!). A tradition dating back hundreds of years and thought to have originated in Europe, Christmas tree toppers add the final touch that essentially kicks off the holiday season.
A few coastal Christmas tree topper ideas are angels, stars, and bows, but you can go in any direction you want with your tree. Follow these tips when figuring out how to decorate a coastal or beach themed Christmas tree:
- Include tropical toppers with colors that remind you of sunny, breezy islands.
- Want something unique? Sea life toppers add a unique and whimsical feel.
- Beautiful angels can highlight the aquamarine, azure, and white sandy colors of your Christmas decor.
- Stay on theme with the aesthetic you’ve chosen, whether it's coastal or tropical.
- Make sure your topper isn’t too heavy for your tree so it doesn’t weigh it down.
- If needed, stabilize your topper with pretty ribbons or pipe cleaners to make it stay straight.
We Have Plenty of Coastal Christmas Tree Ideas to Love
You can always feel like you’re on a relaxing beach vacation, even if you’re having a white Christmas. Do the holidays a little differently this year by decorating your Christmas tree and home with the decor in our beach shop. Decorate for any holiday and find perfect tropical gifts at Beach House Gift Boutique!