How to Decorate a Halloween Tree

If you're not ready to let go of your tree obsession post-Christmas, we’ve got good news. Halloween trees are officially a thing! Whether you’re turning your tree into an autumnal centrepiece or going full-on gothic with a black Halloween tree, this guide is packed with inspiration for how to decorate a Halloween tree that screams spooky (or cute!) style.

From Halloween tree decorations to creative DIY Halloween tree ideas, here’s how to bring spooky season to life, branch by branch.

What is a Halloween tree?

A Halloween tree is exactly what it sounds like: a tree, real or artificial, decorated with autumnal and Halloween ornaments, lights, and spooky décor.

Think of it as a crossover between a Christmas tree and your favourite creepy characters, from ghosts and skeletons to bats, pumpkins, and witches. It’s a playful, eerie twist that brings extra personality to your Halloween decorations.

This year, Halloween Christmas trees are everywhere on Instagram and Pinterest. Whether you're going full gothic or keeping it cute and kid-friendly with some autumn hues, there's no one way to decorate a Halloween tree, and that’s the fun of it!

Our favourite Halloween tree ideas

Step 1: Choose your Halloween tree

Start with the tree itself. You can repurpose an artificial Christmas tree, or go for a spooky-specific base.

Best trees to use:

Top tip: Browse our black artificial Christmas trees and twig trees to find your spooky style.

Step 2: Pick a theme

Looking for Halloween tree ideas? Pick a theme for a cohesive look, or mix and match for a maximalist Halloween approach!

Spooky themes to try:

  • Classic pumpkin patch – Think mini pumpkins, orange and red fairy lights, and rustic ribbons.

  • Haunted house – Go gothic with bats, cobwebs, ghosts, and skeletons.

  • Cute & creepy – Pastel pumpkins, plushie bats, and googly eyes for a kid-friendly look.

  • Witchy vibes – Stars, moons, potion bottles, broomsticks, and spellbook tags.

  • DIY horror tree – Make it your own with painted baubles, Halloween wreaths, and Halloween tree ornaments made from card or felt.

Step 3: Hang your Halloween tree decorations

Once you’ve picked your look, it’s time to decorate your Halloween tree! Start by covering the branches with your base colour scheme using ribbons, tinsel, or spooky netting. Then add your Halloween-themed ornaments, followed by statement pieces like mini pumpkins, plushies, or LED candles.

Pro tip: If you’re using a white or black tree, stick to 2–3 colours for contrast, like purple, green, orange, or blood red.

Step 4: Add lights for a ghoulish glow

A Halloween tree without lights? Frightening. In a bad way.

For the best effect:

  • Use warm white lights for a soft, flickering glow

  • Try purple or orange string lights for bold, spooky vibes

  • Add battery-powered LED candles or cluster lights to give your tree a haunted shimmer

Need lights? Explore our Halloween-ready lights for indoor and outdoor displays.

Step 5: Don’t forget the tree Topper

Every tree needs a crown! For Halloween decorated trees, try:

  • Witch hats

  • Jack-o’-lanterns

  • Black cats

  • Skeleton heads

  • DIY ghosts or spiders

You could even craft a papier-mache pumpkin or crochet your own ghost topper, ideal for Etsy-style Halloween tree décor.

Bonus ideas: Spooky styling tips

  • Add a Halloween wreath: Hang a coordinating Halloween wreath on your door or above your tree.

  • Create a matching garland: Use mini pumpkins, ghosts or bats to drape around the room.

  • Use black baubles: Add a gothic touch with our black baubles.

  • Fill the floor: Surround your tree with pumpkins, cauldrons, cobwebs and trick-or-treat buckets.

  • Keep it kid-friendly: Let the little ones help paint ornaments or choose a tree theme for their bedroom.

Ready to create your Halloween tree?

Whether you want your Halloween Xmas tree to be cute or creepy, we’ve got everything you need to turn your tree into a spooktacular focal point this October. From artificial Christmas trees in black and white to Halloween tree decorations and battery-powered lights, we’ve got you covered.

Shop now and bring Halloween cheer to your home, because spooky season deserves a tree too.

FAQs about Halloween trees

Can you use Christmas ornaments to decorate a Halloween tree?

Yes! Repurpose your Christmas ornaments by choosing baubles in Halloween colours like black, orange, purple, or silver. You can also DIY or paint over older decorations to match your spooky theme, ideal for a Halloween Christmas tree on a budget.

What are some easy spooky decorations to hang on a Halloween tree?

Some of the easiest spooky decorations to hang include paper bats, mini pumpkins, felt ghosts, fake spiders, and skeleton heads. For a dramatic effect, you can also use ribbons, tinsel, or Halloween garlands to fill out the branches.

What kind of ornaments do you need for a Halloween tree?

Halloween tree ornaments can be shop-bought or DIY. Look for pumpkins, witches, cats, spiders, and ghosts.

You can also repurpose Christmas tree decorations in Halloween colours. Soft plushies or themed baubles are great if you’re decorating with kids.

Can you use a Christmas tree for Halloween?

Absolutely! Many people use a Christmas tree for Halloween by swapping out the usual baubles for Halloween decorations. Add bats, pumpkins, and eerie lighting for a fun twist on traditional Christmas style.