Christie Brinkley's Christmas tree takes inspiration from 'a sky full of sparkling diamonds' – her 'more is more' approach is on trend for 2024

The model's Christmas tree is vibrant and timeless, using its branches as a vehicle for bright lights and a collection of ornaments

Christie Brinkley
(Image credit: Alexander Tamargo via Getty Images for Sports Illustrated)

There are countless ways to decorate a Christmas tree, but a maximalist approach never goes out of style. Going all out with lights and ornaments not only makes a tree feel lively but allows you to personalize it with anything sentimental –because if we can't have fun over Christmas, when can we?

As we brainstorm Christmas tree ideas, we are getting some serious inspiration from Christie Brinkley, whose tree was decked out to the max in red, green, and yellow lights, as well as a variety of baubles and ornaments.

'For a couple of weeks, we have the magic of our Christmas trees dazzling us with sparkling lights…but step outside and see how the trees are holding up a sky full of sparkling diamonds all year long!' she says via Instagram.

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According to experts, maximalist Christmas tree decor is a tried and true way to achieve a festive look in the home. However, there is some strategy involved when it comes to the decor process.

'I don’t believe you can ever go over the top with Christmas, and when it comes to fairy lights, more is more!' says Esme Amberg, head of design at The Roost.

'Begin decorating your tree by putting the (tested) fairy lights on first; start at the top and work down,' she says. 'The same applies to the baubles. Hang larger baubles closer to the center of the tree to give it more depth, and medium-sized holiday ornaments in the middle layers and the smallest ornaments on the outer tips of the branches – I like to group them in little clusters of three. Start with hanging your favorite pieces and evenly spread out keepsakes from grandparents, gifts from friends, or hand-made trinkets from the kids around the tree for a beautiful, sparkling tableau of joy and memories.'

She continues, 'If there are a few bare patches, raid the garden for branches and stems, spray them green or gold (there are plenty of foliage sprays out there, especially at this time of year), and simply plug the spaces to add fullness and texture.'


Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivalled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.