Balsam Hill® Christmas Tree Decorations Calculator

How many Christmas ornaments do I need?

Christmas trees come in various shapes and sizes, so each one requires its own number of trimmings to get the right look. Your style preference also comes into play when deciding the amount of ornaments for your tree. Through our Christmas tree ornament calculator, we combine all these factors to give you our recommended count. However, you might need to scale the resulting number up or down depending on the sizes or types of ornaments you’ll use. For reference, our calculator accounts for ornament sizes ranging from 4 inches to 8.75 inches long.

How many lights do I need for my Christmas tree?

The number of lights you need depends on your preferred density and bulb type. For example, your tree may require a higher count of fairy lights or other tiny LEDs to get the right coverage. Read our guide on How to Choose and Hang Christmas Lights to find your ideal light type. To ensure your safety, remember to use UL-listed lights and seek expert assistance on electrical wiring and energy consumption.

Balsam Hill's Christmas lights are measured in feet and the number of bulbs may vary per light type. Check the product description to see the bulb count for each strand as well as our suggested number of light strings for standard tree heights.

What is the ideal length of ribbon for Christmas trees?

When you decorate your tree with Christmas ribbons, your chosen style will affect the length of ribbon needed. A good starting point is to have at least 3 yards of ribbon per foot of tree. If you want to keep it simple, start at the top of your tree and wrap the ribbon around it in a downward spiral. The wider your tree, the longer the ribbon you’ll need. Alternatively, you can create a cascading waterfall ribbon down your Christmas tree for an elegant look. This technique requires several pieces to cover all sides of the tree. Opt for longer strands if you plan to make large, dramatic billows.

To add interest and create depth, layer two or more ribbons of varying designs on top of each other. Visit our blog for more tips on Christmas tree decorating with ribbons.