The Best Tree Skirts (and Collars!) Don’t Look Like a Tacky Christmas Sweater

Reading up on Domino’s shopping guides is like having your own personal product concierge. We do the tedious part—deep-dive research, hands-on testing, and tapping experts for advice—so all you have to do is hit “add to cart.” That’s why we call them Simply the Best.

Perhaps even more than a topper, a tree skirt is an accessory that will complete your tasteful Christmas centerpiece. It acts as an anchor point for the pine or fir you’ve chosen at your local farm (or that favorite faux you pulled out of storage) and is a complement to every green branch decorated with bulbs and ornaments. There are no sparkling snowflakes or embroidered Santa Claus caricatures here, however: We promise that our list of the best tree skirts, below, is anything but tacky. Our favorites offer a range of pretty prints and sophisticated, subtle neutrals, rounded out with a few collar options, too.

Our Favorites

• Best minimalist: H&M Jute Christmas Tree Skirt
• Best rustic: Lulu and Georgia Caddie Tree Skirt
• Best classic: Schoolhouse Cotton Dot Tree Skirt
• Best nontraditional: Furbish Studio Yadira Scallop Tree Skirt
• Best collars: Studio McGee x Threshold Rattan Christmas Tree Cuff

Best Minimalist Tree Skirts

Simple tree skirts are best if your Christmas color scheme skews more soft and subdued (we’re talking creams, browns, and perhaps a touch of metallic). In these instances, we turn to natural fibers like jute—one particular piece from H&M is our favorite for being far more expensive-looking than it is (at a palatable price point of $17!)—and linen blends, including a red-trimmed option from Joss & Main that reviewers rave about being “classy,” “well made,” and “perfect for a simple Christmas tree.” We also appreciate a textured fabric to elevate a white snow look, whether in the form of a trendy bouclé or tufted velvet. For the latter, we’re still big fans of CB2’s holiday line, which we see pairing perfectly with the frosted needles of a faux tree to drive the wintry look home.

Best Rustic Tree Skirts

If your Christmas vibe is more akin to the Cotswolds cottage featured in The Holiday, take the rustic tree-skirt route. Our favorite designs that fall under this category offer warmer, woodsier tones and textures that remind us of the real base of the tree. These styles also have a tendency to lean into traditional and vintage-inspired patterns—both Food52’s and Terrain’s embroidered options remind us of Scandinavian prints that would look right at home at an après-ski lodge.  

Best Classic Tree Skirts

You know the ones—stripes, gingham, and plaid in classic combos of red, white, and green. Our favorite classic Christmas tree skirts come with a bit of nostalgia, easily mistaken for a family heirloom that’s been passed down from generation to generation. 

Best Nontraditional Tree Skirts

For the holidays, combining a maximalist pattern and luxe fabric is one foolproof way to achieve fancy festive vibes. When it comes to nontraditional tree skirts, we look for vibrant, unusual palettes for a bold or even softer pop of color and whimsical details, whether scalloped trim or felt fringe or a pom-pom-adorned edge. We even found a skirt that looks like our favorite vintage-inspired area rugs. Speaking of vintage, we’d be remiss not to at least mention that St. Frank also just dropped a limited-edition collection of one-of-a-kind skirts made with Frazada fabrics, so grab them before they’re gone for good. 

Best Tree Collars

We’ve been very into tree collars as a skirt alternative since we spotted Shea McGee’s hack using a willow woven basket a few Christmases ago. Lucky for us, her line with Target now includes a rattan look-alike. “I didn’t think a tree collar could make such a difference,” one reviewer writes. “I had a seagrass basket type of tree collar, and it has made my tree so much more beautiful. It’s on the pricey side but well worth it.” 

Other benefits of going with a collar or cuff: This is the type of treatment that will refuse to look rumpled or get caught, always staying neat and tidy in place. Unsurprisingly, our top picks either feature braided wicker or rope and slats of painted wood. 

Ask Domino

Q: How big is a tree skirt? 

The standard diameter of a tree skirt is typically 60 inches. There aren’t often a lot of size options to choose from, with the other popular offerings being a smaller 34, 48, or 54 inches. 

Q: What if I can’t find a tree skirt big enough to fully cover up my tree stand? 

In instances when you can’t find a skirt big enough to cover your tree stand, there are a couple of crafty DIY hacks you can try. One of the easiest routes is simply buying an oversize throw blanket or a bunch of extra fabric and bunching it around the base of your tree. Or just do as Shea McGee did a couple of years back and stuff it in a big basket. 

Q: Is there a difference between a Christmas tree skirt and a collar? 

The biggest difference is the material. A skirt is often fabric that wraps around the base of a tree flatly, whereas a collar more closely hugs against the trunk to cover the stand. You’ll likely lay your presents on top of a skirt but next to a collar. 

The Last Word

If you haven’t invested in a stylish Christmas tree stand, then you’re probably in need of one of the best tree skirts. Not only do they disguise the base of a tree but they offer a foundational place on which to stack presents. Much like the bow on top, a skirt ties your overall gift-opening spot together and makes Christmas morning feel that much more magical.