DIY Tree Topper with Picks

Learn a simple way to use picks to create a beautiful DIY tree topper, giving your Christmas tree an elevated, professional look for the holiday season!

Beautiful Tree Topper with White Decor and Red Accents

Of everything that goes into decorating a Christmas tree, the hardest part for me is usually the topper. Whether I’m choosing a store-bought version or DIY-ing my own, I always seem to have trouble finding the topper that is the perfect complement to the rest of my tree.

When looking at others’ trees, I have found myself drawn to the toppers that seem to spray out of the top of the tree. They look so chic and elegant and definitely make a statement!

So this year I set out to create a spray-style tree topper with picks for myself, and (spoiler alert!) it actually ended up being a lot easier than I expected!

Tree Topper Quick Tip

I know that traditionally we add the topper to the tree last, as that finishing touch on all of our hard work. But I’ve actually found that it helps me to start with the topper. It gives me more room to work and sets the tone for the rest of the tree. It’s also easier to cover up any stems or loose ends as I add the ornaments.

To make this type of DIY tree topper, you use a variety of picks that you arrange near the top of the tree. I’ll break down the process step by step.

How to Make a DIY Christmas Tree Topper with Picks

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

Step 1- Gather your picks.

This step is the most important! If you have the right types of picks, you will be able to play around with them until they create the topper you’ve envisioned.

For my tree topper, I used three types of picks. I wouldn’t go much less than that, but if you want a bigger or more elaborate spray effect than mine, you can certainly use more than three kinds.

Type 1: Something Substantial

I started with my most substantial type of pick. It had white and sliver berries and took up a decent amount of space at the top of the tree. For my topper, I used six of these types of picks.

Christmas Tree Picks with Silver and White Berries

I found these berry picks at Hobby Lobby. I like them because you only need a few to make a statement, so you don’t need to spend a ton on them! I’ll link a few similar options below.

BERRY PICKS

Type 2: Smaller and Complementary

The second type of pick I used is a smaller white pick with sparkly leaves. This was a nice complement to the berry picks. It added some extra interest and dimension without competing with the berries or making the top of the tree look cluttered and messy. I used five leafy picks.

Shimmering white, leafy Christmas tree sprays

Again, these picks were from Hobby Lobby, and I will link some similar versions below.

LEAFY PICKS

Type 3: Interesting but Visually Light

Finally, I used these thin, swirly stick-type picks as my third option. They are thinner and longer than my other two picks. The curly part adds interest without adding lots of weight to the DIY tree topper. Narrow feathers or other types of twigs would work well for this third piece too.

Curly Christmas tree sprays from Hobby Lobby

The thin picks that I used were from Hobby Lobby as well. Similar options are linked below.

CURLY PICKS

Step 2- Arrange the most substantial picks first.

I started with my berry picks because they will be the “star” of the show.

After trying to arrange them in several different ways, I found that it worked best if I stuck one pick straight up and down coming out from the center of the top of the tree. I then put one pick a few inches lower in the back, one pick on each side, and two picks in the front.

Christmas Tree with Berry Sprays at the Top

I spread out the tines on the pick to help them look as full as possible.

Once I was happy with the arrangement of my berry picks, I moved on to the second type.

Step 3- Add the smaller complementary picks.

Adding the leafy picks was the simplest. I just worked them into the berry arrangement, spreading them out at fairly even intervals.

Christmas Tree Topper in Progress with Berry Picks and Leafy Sprays

Again, I tried to “fluff” the tines and spread them out a bit so they would add some fullness to the tree topper. But they were so small that there wasn’t much extra to do to them.

Step 4- Add the longer, thinner picks.

Since these picks were so thin, I needed more of them to make them stand out. I inserted the curly picks slightly lower on the tree than the berry picks. Then I also angled them out a little bit so that the curlicues  weren’t wrapping around the berries.

DIY Tree Topper with Berry Picks, Leafy Sprays, and Curlicue Twigs

I made sure to add the curly picks the whole way around the top of the tree. I found that I like the look best if I had a few extra curlicues sticking out from the sides, but that is totally a personal preference thing! Feel free to arrange them the way you like them best!


Tree Decorating quick tip

Step back. When creating my topper and decorating the rest of my tree, I am always reminding myself to step back to look at the tree in its entirety. We will notice details about the balance and arrangement of our tree from farther away that are not immediately obvious when we are up close.

Step 5- Enjoy your beautiful DIY tree topper!

That’s really all there is to it!

Beautiful Christmas Tree Topper

Everyone will have different styles and preferences when it comes to the look of their tree topper. Don’t be afraid to spend time playing around with your picks and rearranging them until you find a setup you love.

I went through two or three versions of my topper before I found the arrangement that I loved, so if you try it and hate it at first, don’t give up! Like most things, it takes practice and figuring out what you don’t like before you discover the perfect setup for you.

Christmas Tree Decorated in White with Red Accents, Including a Beautiful DIY Tree Topper

Other Christmas Tree Topper Ideas

I hope this simple tutorial will help you use picks to create a DIY tree topper that you love! But there are many other beautiful types of tree toppers out there as well.

If you’re looking for more inspiration, check out these other DIY Christmas tree topper ideas:

Have fun decorating your Christmas tree this year!

DIY Christmas Tree Topper: Frequently Asked Questions

There are so many beautiful and fun ways to add a topper to your tree. Here are a few topper ideas that I love:

  • Star
  • Angel
  • Spray with Picks (see above)
  • Bow
  • Starburst
  • Top Hat
  • Santa Hat
  • Gnome
  • Snowman
  • Snowflake
  • Finial
  • Deer/Antlers
  • Feathers
  • Bird
  • PomPom
  • Santa/Sleigh
  • Wooden Sign
  • Gingerbread Man
  • Disco Ball
  • Lantern

One simple way to add height to your tree is to place a box under the tree stand to raise up the entire tree. You can find a tutorial for creating a simple box for this purpose here.

Nope! If you don’t have enough height in your room or you simply don’t like the look, it is perfectly fine to decorate your tree without a topper. Create a tree you love and that adds joy in your home this holiday season– you make the rules!

Want to save this post to revisit later? Be sure to pin the image below so you can find it easily!

DIY Christmas Tree Topper

Thank you so much for following along! Have a wonderful holiday season!

Abby Lawson at Abby Organizes, justagirlandherblog.com

This post contains affiliate links. For more information, see my disclosures here.

2 Comments

  1. WOW! That is beautiful. Thank you for explaining and showing me how simple it can be to make a stunning tree topper. I can’t wait to try this! Love your blog.

    1. Abby Lawson says:

      Thank you so much for your sweet words, Ann! Hope you have a wonderful Holiday season!

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