How to Create a Beach Themed Christmas Tree

Jul 15th 2024

You love vacationing at the beach. Whether you stay by the shore every summer or can’t get to the beach as often as you’d like, the seaside holds a special place in your heart.

Here’s a way to relive that relaxed, summertime vibe even in the middle of winter. Put the two things you love together - the beach and Christmas - to create a Christmas tree inspired by your beach vacation.

A beach tree draws on coastal decor style, but is more personal. Feel free to start with coastal-influenced natural elements and a breezy ocean blue and sand color palette.

From there, you’ll want to draw on your own beach activities and adventures to build a beach Christmas tree that truly represents your favorite summer vacation memories.

Ornaments from the Shore

All the things that made your beach vacation special can be brought together in your beach themed Christmas tree.

If you brought home a bag full of seashells, sand dollars, starfish, sea glass and bits of driftwood, find beautiful ways to incorporate those found items into your beach theme Christmas tree.

Haven’t gone on holiday yet? Make a note to collect these items during your trip!

You can turn larger seashells into ornaments by carefully drilling a hole in one end and inserting a piece of thread or jute cord for hanging. You won’t even need a drill If your shells already have a hole or two!

Clear glass ornaments are ideal for turning tiny shells or shell fragments into ornaments. Remove the ornament cap, drop in as many shells as you’d like and replace the cap. Any sand still clinging to the shells is a bonus!

This easy craft works just as beautifully with small pieces of sea glass, creating a colorful kaleidoscope effect.

Your driftwood also can be strung onto thread and hung from pine branches like pendant ornaments.

Use a lovely starfish as your tree topper!

Building on Your Theme

Add to your beach-combed decorations with ornaments that reflect the images and colors of your time at the shore.

Here are some suggestions:

Start with the lights! Let blue starfish novelty string lights add a touch of whimsy to your tree while blending perfectly with your beach theme. Our selection of summer-themed novelty string lights includes flip flops, flamingos and other styles to truly reflect your adventure.

Complement your handmade seashell ornaments with fanciful shells in glass. Our spiral glass seashell ornaments are tropics bright, more than four inches high and ready for hanging.

All the colors of a tropical paradise, plus a dash of holiday glitter! Hang a pair of coastal paradise wooden fish ornaments on your tree. Handcrafted from birchwood, these hand-painted aquatic ornaments can’t help but add character to your beach themed Christmas decorations.

Of course, water is the main inspiration for any beach themed decor. Recall the vivid blues of the shore with turquoise finial ornaments, featuring shiny, matte, glitter and holographic finishes that echo the changing hues of the ocean.

As vibrant as a tropical sunset, a scattering of burnt orange shatterproof ball ornaments offers dramatic contrast to ornaments in sea shades like aqua and turquoise. A stunning addition to your beach theme Christmas decor!

The sea is full of amazing and colorful creatures. Add a bright spot of color and whimsy to your beachy Christmas tree with this dimensional two-toned crab ornament in red and white.

Like a luminous pearl or seashell, use pearlescent white glass ornaments to add a luxurious luster that complements other beach themed Christmas ornaments.

For the finishing touch to your beach tree, add woven netting wired ribbon. Natural jute craft ribbon is woven in a style that resembles macrame to perfectly blend with your coastal Christmas tree vibe.

Want to add a touch of holiday glamor to your coastal Christmas decor? Try this shimmering crinkled satin wire edged ribbon that mimics the delicate glitter of seafoam at sunset.

Experiences that Inspire

The best thing about designing a Christmas tree around beach holidays is that you can make it your own. Maybe your beach vacation included bicycle rides on the boardwalk or hikes around a coastal island. It’s possible snorkeling, surfing or boating were part of your seaside stay.

Perhaps you were charmed by the colorful flowers and birds on a tropical island.

When creating a beachy Christmas tree, search for coastal Christmas tree ornaments that speak to those special experiences. Incorporate beach Christmas decor into your tree to bring back memories and infuse summertime warmth into your holiday festivities.

Browse Christmas Central’s full line of Christmas ornaments, ribbon and tree toppers for more coastal Christmas inspiration.

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