There is something about December that makes braids feel extra special. Maybe it is the parties, the family photos, or just the excuse to try something a little more festive than your everyday ponytail. Christmas tree braids have become a holiday favorite for good reason. They look intricate, they photograph beautifully, and they work on so many hair types and lengths.
The name covers a few different styles. Some people mean braids shaped and pinned into an actual tree silhouette. Others mean braids decorated with tiny ornaments, ribbons, and sparkle so the whole hairstyle reads like a walking Christmas tree. This list covers both, plus plenty of wearable versions you can actually sit through a long dinner in.
You do not need to be a professional braider for most of these. A few take practice, and a couple are worth booking a stylist for, but every tutorial below breaks the style down into steps you can follow at home. Grab some clear elastics, bobby pins, a tail comb, and a light hold spray before you start.
1The Classic Christmas Tree Braid Updo
Start with clean, detangled hair and part it down the middle. Braid each side into a loose Dutch braid, working from the hairline toward the nape, then cross the two braids at the back and pin them upward in a triangle shape. Tuck the ends underneath and secure with pins. Add small gold baubles or star clips along the braids for the tree effect. This suits medium to long hair and works well for holiday parties and family photos. It holds for a full day with light hairspray, though sleeping in it will flatten the shape. Cost is minimal at home, but a salon version runs higher because of the pinning time.
2Mini Tree Braids With Ornament Clips
Section the top layer of hair into three small vertical sections. Braid each one loosely, starting an inch back from the hairline, and secure with clear elastics. Gently pull the edges of each braid outward to make them look fuller, then clip tiny ornament charms or red and gold beads along the lengths. Leave the rest of your hair down in soft waves. This is perfect for beginners and for anyone with shorter hair who cannot manage a full updo. It takes about fifteen minutes and lasts until you brush it out. The only drawback is that tiny clips can slip on very fine hair, so use a dab of styling cream for grip.
3Side Swept Tree Braid With Ribbon Weave
Sweep all your hair to one side and start a French braid just above the ear. As you braid, weave a thin green or red ribbon through the outer strands so it spirals down the length. Secure the end with an elastic and wrap the ribbon around it to hide the band. This style suits thick hair best, since the ribbon shows up more against a fuller braid. It is comfortable for all-day wear and pairs nicely with an off-shoulder dress. Maintenance is simple, just re-wrap the ribbon if it loosens. The downside is that ribbon can slide out of very smooth, freshly washed hair, so work with day-old hair or add texture spray first.
4The Full Tree Silhouette Braid
This is the showstopper version. Divide hair into a top ponytail and two lower side sections. Braid the top section downward, then fan the side braids outward and pin them in widening rows so the whole shape widens toward the bottom like a tree. Pin a star clip at the top and tuck small ornaments into the braid gaps. It suits long, thick hair and is ideal for themed parties and costume events rather than everyday wear. It takes forty minutes or more and needs plenty of pins. The drawback is comfort. After a few hours the pins can pull, so keep the base braids loose and take it down before bed.
5Two Dutch Braids With Star Pins
Part hair down the center and Dutch braid each side from the front hairline to the nape, keeping the braids fairly tight at the top and looser toward the ends. Tie off both braids, then cross them loosely at the back and pin. Add gold star pins at the crown and a few tiny red beads along the braids. This suits almost everyone, including kids and teens, and it works on medium length hair. It stays neat for a full day and survives dancing better than most updos. The only real drawback is that tight Dutch braids can cause tension headaches if you pull too hard at the hairline, so keep the first few stitches gentle.
6Christmas Tree Braid Crown
Start by parting hair to one side. French braid along the hairline from one ear, around the back of the head, to the other ear, picking up hair as you go. When you reach the end, braid the remaining length and tuck it under the start of the crown, pinning securely. Weave in a few small ornaments or a string of tiny fairy lights made for hair. This crown style suits oval and round faces and looks elegant with evening outfits. It holds well for eight to ten hours. Maintenance is low once pinned, but taking it down requires patience and a wide-tooth comb. Salon cost is moderate, and the style is not ideal for very short hair.
7Fishtail Tree Braid With Gold Thread
Brush hair into a low side ponytail, then split it into two sections and fishtail braid by crossing small outer pieces from each side to the other. As you braid, wrap a thin gold thread around every few crossings so it catches the light. Finish with a clear elastic and gently loosen the braid for fullness. This suits long hair and anyone who wants a softer, more romantic holiday look. It is surprisingly comfortable and lasts through a long evening. The drawback is time. Fishtails take longer than regular braids, and the thread can tangle if you rush. Keep a seam ripper or small scissors nearby for removal, and avoid pulling the thread tight against the scalp.
8Half-Up Tree Braids With Curls
Take two sections from the front of the hair, one on each side, and braid them back toward the crown. Join them at the back with a small elastic or decorative clip. Curl the remaining hair with a large barrel iron for soft waves. Add two or three tiny ornament clips where the braids meet. This is the easiest option on the list and suits every hair type, including layered cuts. It takes under twenty minutes and looks polished without much effort. It will not last as long as a full updo, especially in humidity, so carry a few extra pins. The braids can also loosen on silky hair, so a light texturizing spray before braiding helps a lot.
9Braided Tree Bun With Bauble Accents
Gather hair into a high ponytail and braid the ponytail loosely. Wrap the braid around its base to form a bun and pin it in place, leaving the braid texture visible on the outside. Tuck three or four miniature baubles into the folds of the bun and finish with a star pin at the top. This suits thick, long hair and works beautifully for formal dinners and office parties. It stays put for hours and keeps hair completely off your face. The drawback is weight. A heavy bun plus ornaments can ache after a while, so use lightweight plastic baubles, not glass, and balance the bun high on the crown rather than pulling it tight at the nape.
10Kids Christmas Tree Braid Pigtails
Part a child's hair down the middle and make a French braid on each side, stopping at the nape and tying off into pigtails. Add colorful ribbons at the ties and clip small, lightweight star or bauble clips along each braid. Keep the braids loose and comfortable, and check that no clips pull. This suits children with medium to long hair and is perfect for school holiday events and family gatherings. It takes about twenty minutes and is easy to redo if a pigtail comes loose. The main drawback is that kids fidget, so use soft clips without sharp edges and skip heavy ornaments entirely. Always supervise small decorations around younger children.
11Boho Tree Braid With Loose Waves
Start with loosely waved hair and take a section from one side of the part. Braid it loosely back along the head, pulling out a few face-framing pieces as you go. Repeat on the other side if you like, then pin both braids loosely at the back. Add a thin gold cuff or two around the braid ends and a couple of tiny pine sprig clips for a festive touch. This suits wavy and curly hair especially well, and it flatters anyone who prefers a relaxed look over a stiff updo. It is quick, comfortable, and easy to refresh. The drawback is hold. Loose braids slip faster, so use texture spray and a few hidden pins, and expect to re-pin once during a long event.
12Sleek Tree Braid Ponytail With Sparkle
Smooth hair back with a light gel or pomade and secure it into a high ponytail. Braid the ponytail tightly, then wrap a sparkly ribbon or thin tinsel strand around the braid in a spiral. Secure the end, smooth flyaways with a toothbrush and a little gel, and add a star clip at the base of the ponytail. This suits straight and relaxed hair and looks sharp in photos. It holds all day and handles wind and dancing well. The drawback is that the sleek base shows regrowth and flyaways quickly, so it needs a touch-up if you wear it past the evening. Tinsel can also shed, so choose hair-safe decorative strands and remove them gently at the end of the night.
How to Make Your Christmas Tree Braids Last
Start with hair that is not freshly washed. Day-old hair grips better and holds braids longer, and a light texture spray adds even more hold without stiffness. Section cleanly with a tail comb, because neat partings make the whole style look intentional even when the braids themselves are loose and soft.
Pin strategically rather than piling on pins. Place pins at the points where braids cross or change direction, and push them in against the direction of the braid so they lock. Finish with a flexible hold spray, not a heavy one, so the style can move without cracking or flaking.
For care afterward, undo braids gently and brush from the ends upward. Wash out any gel or spray before bed, and skip sleeping in tight braids, since that causes breakage at the hairline. If you used ornaments, store them separately so they do not snag hair next time. With those habits, you can repeat these styles all season without stressing your hair.
What is a Christmas tree braid?
A Christmas tree braid is a festive braided hairstyle shaped, decorated, or both, to resemble a Christmas tree. Some versions are pinned into a triangle silhouette, while others are regular braids dressed up with ornaments, ribbons, stars, and sparkle for a holiday look.
Can I do a Christmas tree braid on short hair?
Yes, for most versions. Mini tree braids, half-up braids, and crown braids work on shorter lengths, especially if you use extensions or clip-in pieces for fullness. The full tree silhouette style needs medium to long hair, so pick a smaller version if your hair sits above the shoulders.
How long does a Christmas tree braid last?
A well-pinned updo lasts eight to twelve hours, while loose or half-up versions usually hold for six to eight hours. Humidity, dancing, and fine hair shorten that time. Extra pins, texture spray, and a light hairspray finish all help the style survive a long party.
Are ornament clips safe for hair?
Lightweight plastic ornaments and clips made for hair are safe when they are not too heavy and have no sharp edges. Avoid glass baubles, which can break and pull, and skip heavy pieces on fine or fragile hair. Remove decorations gently at the end of the night to avoid snagging.
Should I book a stylist or do it myself?
Do the simpler styles yourself, like mini braids, half-up braids, and side-swept ribbon braids. Book a stylist for the full tree silhouette, the braid crown, or any style with complex pinning. A salon visit costs more but saves time and gives a cleaner finish for big events.
Keep exploring
If you liked these christmas tree braid tutorials, check out French braid hairstyles, fishtail braid ideas, Christmas braid hairstyles for more ideas.
