Budget Christmas Tree Styling (How I Did Mine for Under £70)

My Very.com tree styled for Christmas with cream, gold, and neutral tones

Here’s the honest truth: I had to buy a completely new Christmas tree this year.

My old one developed a musty smell from being stored in the shed, and after a few years of use, bits were starting to come off. I was genuinely stressed about finding a replacement that looked as good without breaking the bank.

Look, my dream tree is a real balsamic fir. But until I can afford one of those (they’re expensive!), I needed to find an artificial tree I actually liked and that wouldn’t cost a fortune.

I went shopping in-store first—The Range, B&M, Asda, B&Q—but I honestly didn’t find anything I liked at the price point. Everything either felt cheap or cost way more than I wanted to spend. So I went online, but the decent options were either out of stock or overpriced.

Finally found this one on Very.com for £68 with postage. The reviews were genuinely brilliant, and it reminded me of one I’d seen on TikTok that everyone raved about (which was obviously out of stock by then). Here’s the thing: it looks WAY more expensive than £68. The quality is noticeably better than my old tree, and honestly, the styling makes it look like I spent triple that.

Here’s how I styled it for under £70 using mostly things I already own.

_{This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’ve actually tested in my own home!}

MY NEW TREE SETUP

Full-size artificial tree from Very.com (6-7 feet, £68 with postage)
Dark green with full, dense branches (much better quality than my old one)
Styling: gold, cream, and blush accents
In a corner of my living room with good natural light
Worth the investment for durability (and the styling makes it look premium)

MY COLOR PALETTE

Cream/white (neutral base)
Gold/brass (warm, elegant)
Cream bows (elegant, cohesive throughout)
Natural greens (the tree itself)

Why this palette? It echoes my home’s existing style. The tree doesn’t feel dropped in from somewhere else—it feels like my home got slightly more festive. Plus, these colors coordinate beautifully with my console table styling (which I did in the same palette).

What I avoided: Multiple competing metallics, too many jewel tones, busy patterns, overly bright colors.

HOW I STYLED IT

The Base: White/gold garland woven through the tree creates depth and covers the frame. This is key to making it look fuller and more intentional.

The cream furry baubles : Cream baubles placed at intervals around the tree. Not evenly spaced (that looks staged)—strategically placed for movement and elegance. They blend seamlessly with the overall palette while adding subtle texture.

The Ornaments: Mix of things I already owned (rose flowers stalk, gold baubles) + new pieces I bought:

5-6 furry white baubles ornaments (£4-£6 for a set)
4 Brass coloured ornaments (£4 for a set)
10 gold berry ornament (£8)
Scented pine cones (£6)
Bow topper (£5)

Hung throughout the tree with larger ornaments distributed around and smaller ones filling gaps. Some clusters are denser, other areas have breathing room.

Under the Tree: Woven tree skirt, I changed this from the silver one i had last year, because it didn’t match the look. This grounds the whole setup and looks intentional.

WHAT I SPENT

Styling – Already Owned: some cream rose stalk and gold baubles, white ornaments Styling Cost: £0

New Styling Purchases (This Year):

White furry baubles : £4
Scented pine cones: £6
White woven baubles: £4
Gold berry ornament: £10
Tree skirt: £14 (or use a blanket you own)

Total Styling Spend: £35-40

The Tree: £68 (Very.com) – separate from styling budget, but worth noting it looks SO much more expensive

Total Investment: ~£103 for a tree + styling that looks like I spent double

WHY THIS WORKS ON BUDGET

Restraint in color: Only 4-5 colors, not every color ever. This creates cohesion.

Repetition: Same gold, cream, neutral tones, Brass throughout = total harmony.

Balance, not symmetry: Cream rose stalk distributed around the tree. Ornaments clusters on left, clusters on right. Different placement, same balance.

Texture variety: Gold berries + matte ornaments + woven baskets + pine cones + natural branches.

Breathing room: Not every inch is covered. You see dark green branches. This creates rest and makes each ornament feel important (not like you tried to hide a sparse tree).

Strategic placement: One statement piece (the large gold ornament) draws the eye. Everything else supports it.

Budget doesn’t mean boring: Thoughtful choices at £48-60 styling spend look more expensive than random buys at £200.

HOW TO CHOOSE A TREE (If Yours Needs Replacing)

Shop in-store first (see what you like, check quality, get a feel for what’s available)

Then check online (often better prices, more stock, more choice)

Read reviews honestly (sort by 4-5 stars, ignore the obviously fake ones)

Check stock (nothing worse than finding the perfect tree and it’s out of stock)

Compare prices (Very.com, Amazon, Wayfair, John Lewis, department stores)

Think about value (Does it look expensive? Will it last years? Is the quality worth the cost?)

Consider your dream tree (Mine’s a real balsamic fir. One day! Until then, a £68 tree that looks premium is my sweet spot)

BUDGET STYLING TIPS

Tip 1: Start with ornaments you already own. Lay them out. See what colors you have.

Tip 2: Buy ornaments in sets, not singles. Better value and more cohesive.

Tip 3: Choose a color palette BEFORE shopping. Stick to it religiously.

Tip 4: One statement piece works beautifully. You don’t need 50 ornaments.

Tip 5: Use what you own. Cream bows, ribbon, fabric scraps, wooden beads. Cost £0, adds personality.

Tip 6: Tree skirt hack: Use a blanket or fabric scrap. Honestly, no one knows.

Tip 7: Warm white lights matter. Cool white can make a beautiful tree look cold and harsh.

Tip 8: Quality tree > cheap tree. Spend a bit more upfront, keep it for 5+ years. One £68 tree that lasts years beats buying a new £25 tree every year.

HOW MY TREE CONNECTS TO MY CONSOLE

Notice the match?

Console has: cream, gold, natural textures, small white trees
Tree has: cream, gold, neutral accents, natural textures

This is intentional. When you walk into my home right now, there’s a cohesive story. Everything feels like it belongs together—not like Christmas styling landed from another planet.

This is the secret: Decorate seasonally but keep your color palette consistent with your everyday aesthetic. It makes everything look intentional and high-end, even on a budget.

FINAL THOUGHT

A beautiful Christmas tree doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. You need:

A quality tree (invest here—it’ll last years)
A color palette (stick to it strictly)
Enough ornaments (40-100 depending on tree size and how extra you want to go)
Texture variety (shiny, matte, natural, fabric)
Restraint (don’t use every color—that’s the key to looking expensive)
A few focal pieces (bows, large ornaments, garland)

Start simple. Let your tree evolve. Decorate in a way that makes you happy.

And if your old tree is past saving (musty smell, broken branches, bits falling off), like mine, don’t feel guilty replacing it. A good tree will last you years and actually save money long-term.

My dream is a real balsamic fir one day. But this £68 Very.com tree styled beautifully? That’s my happy place right now. And honestly, it looks like I spent so much more.

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