My Winter Themed Christmas Tree
I'm completely obsessed with my Christmas tree this year.
And considering how ridiculously particular I can be about decorating, that's saying something.
This year, I wanted something different. No traditional red and green, no oversized bows, and definitely no need to cram an ornament onto every available branch.
I had a very specific vision: a Christmas tree that looked like it belonged in a winter forest, covered in delicate icicles and frozen water droplets.
Simple, natural, elegant, and just the right amount of sparkle.
Basically, I wanted my tree to look like Mother Nature decorated it herself.
And I'm pretty damn happy with how it turned out.
My Texas House 9' Pre-Lit Cypress Tree
The foundation of this entire look is my 9-foot Cypress LED Christmas tree from Walmart.
What I love most about this tree is its shape.
It's not one of those ridiculously full artificial trees where you can't even see the individual branches. It has a more natural, open appearance, with plenty of space between the branches.
And that's exactly what makes it perfect for this decorating style.
When you're hanging delicate glass ornaments, especially long icicles and water drops, you want them to actually hang.
Not get swallowed up by a giant wall of artificial greenery.
The spacing allows the ornaments to dangle freely, catch the light, and really stand out.
I also love that the tree doesn't need to be overloaded with decorations to look beautiful. The branches themselves are part of the design.
Shop My 9-Foot Cypress Christmas Tree at Walmart
The Glass (Icicles and Water drops)
Let's talk about the ornaments, because these are really what make the entire tree.
I wanted icicles that actually looked like icicles. Not glittery plastic decorations or something that vaguely resembles ice if you squint hard enough.
I wanted clear glass.
I found the Department 56 Christmas Basics Glass Icicle Ornaments on Amazon, and they were exactly the style I had in mind.
These come in varying lengths, which I love because real icicles aren't all perfectly identical.
The clear glass catches the Christmas lights beautifully, creating that frozen, sparkling effect without adding any color to the tree.
And because they're transparent, they don't overwhelm the greenery.
They almost blend into the branches until the light catches them, and then suddenly they're the prettiest thing on the tree.
I also love the simplicity of them. No glitter, no elaborate designs, no unnecessary embellishments.
Shop Department 56 Glass Icicle Ornaments on Amazon
The Glass Water Drops Might Be My Favorite Part
As much as I love the icicles, the glass water drops might actually be my favorite ornaments on the entire tree.
I found these LOYIM Crystal Glass Teardrop Ornaments on Amazon, and they're gorgeous.
The set includes 66 clear glass drops in four different sizes, which is perfect for creating a more natural appearance.
Some are smaller, while others are longer and more noticeable.
I wanted them to resemble droplets of water that had frozen while hanging from the branches.
And that's exactly the effect they create.
What makes these so beautiful is how they interact with the lights.
During the day, they're subtle. You can see the glass hanging among the branches, but they don't dominate the tree.
At night, it's a completely different story.
The lights reflect through the glass, and the ornaments look like little drops of ice suspended in the air.
It's such a simple detail, but it makes a huge difference.
I also love that the different sizes keep everything from looking too uniform.
I didn't want rows of identical ornaments hanging at perfectly measured intervals. I wanted something that looked organic.
My decorating method was pretty straightforward: Hang a few, step back, stare at the tree for an unreasonable amount of time, move one slightly to the left, and repeat.
Very scientific.
But that's part of the fun.
Shop LOYIM Glass Water Drop Ornaments on Amazon
Mixing Warm and Cool Lights Was a Game Changer
The Cypress tree already came with cooler-toned LED lights, which worked beautifully with the glass ornaments.
But I wanted something a little warmer, too.
Don't get me wrong. I love the icy winter look, but I didn't want my living room looking like the frozen food section at Walmart.
So I added a separate strand of warm white Christmas lights to mix things up a bit.
And I'm so glad I did.
The combination creates a really beautiful balance.
The cool lights emphasize the icy appearance of the glass ornaments, while the warm lights soften everything and make the tree feel cozy.
It's especially noticeable in the evening.
The glass icicles and water drops catch both tones of light, giving the tree a little more depth and sparkle.
If you're trying to recreate this look, I definitely recommend experimenting with the lighting.
You don't necessarily need to replace the lights on your tree. Sometimes adding another strand is enough to completely change the appearance.
Shop My Additional Warm White Lights on Amazon
Pine cones: Because Every Winter Forest Needs TheM
With all that glass and sparkle, I wanted to add something natural to balance everything out.
Enter the pine cones.
I found a set of natural pine cone decorations at Walmart, and they were exactly what the tree needed.
The brown tones add warmth and contrast against the greenery, while the texture breaks up all the smooth glass ornaments.
They're simple, understated, and fit perfectly with the winter woodland look.
I didn't want glitter-covered pine cones or anything painted gold.
Just regular-looking pine cones.
Apparently, I'm willing to spend an absurd amount of time finding decorations that look like something I could pick up outside.
But here we are.
Shop Natural Pinecone Decorations at Walmart
A Few Inexpensive Icicles Never Hurt Anyone
I also mixed in some inexpensive clear acrylic icicles from Walmart. They're a simple, budget-friendly way to add a little extra sparkle and fill in areas without spending a fortune on glass ornaments.
Shop Clear Acrylic Icicles at Walmart
The Difference Between Daytime and Nighttime Is Incredible
One of my favorite things about this tree is how much its appearance changes throughout the day.
During daylight, you really notice the natural shape of the branches, the pine cones, and the delicate glass ornaments.
Everything feels simple and understated.
But once the room gets darker and the lights become more noticeable?
Completely different tree.
The glass icicles sparkle, the water drops reflect the lights, and the entire tree takes on this beautiful warm, wintry glow.
Shop My Winter Christmas Tree
Clear Glass Bulbs - Unfortunately, the clear glass ball ornaments I used on my tree are no longer available at Walmart. I'm currently searching for a similar alternative because they're just too pretty to leave out! I'll update this post as soon as I find a good replacement.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
