Sparse Christmas Tree Guide
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Learn all about our slender, sparse Christmas tree that nestles into any space with ease. This pre-lit tree offers a magical glow and makes decorating a breeze! This is a sparse artificial Christmas tree look that you can enjoy for years to come.
Our skinny, sparse artificial Christmas tree might just be my favorite Christmas tree ever! It fits in beautifully with our warm and cozy minimalist home, and I’ve got tips and tricks for how to style it with love, plus shopping links for TEN of the cutest sparse trees on the market right now.
This post was originally published November 23, 2018 and updated with fresh content and links October 19, 2021.
Over the past few years, we’ve done a lot to make our cozy living room feel larger, including removing the built in wet bar. It sat directly behind the corner where this sparse Christmas tree is now located! See the full before and after of our St. Louis home.
We’ve also removed a wall between the foyer and living room, but the footprint hasn’t changed. It’s a small Neutral Living Room which demands a slim Christmas tree – and that works beautifully for our family!
Today’s post is dedicated to this charming sparse Christmas tree style, but you can read more about the Frame TV seen in these photos, along with our Fireplace Mantel, our Built in Bookshelves and Bookshelf Decor Ideas, and even our new Pottery Barn Sofas here!
Check out this gorgeous Sisal Rug, too, for more living room decor inspiration you’ll love.
A sparse artificial Christmas tree is perfect for small spaces, breakfast rooms, kitchens, and even bedrooms!
It has an alpine-inspired, mountain feeling that I just love. It shows ornaments off so beautifully because there’s so much room in between the layered branches.
Table of Contents
Sparse Christmas Tree
Of course we all dream of grand spaces with high (coffered) ceilings, but it isn’t always a reality, so I chose a grand 7′ pre-lit sparse artificial Christmas tree that feels magical and is the perfect scale for the space.
It doesn’t overwhelm our living room but adds so much whimsy and charm!
This is no Charlie Brown sparse Christmas tree, my friends. It feels special, magical, and perfectly fitting for the style of our simple home.
This tree nestles perfectly in the corner between our living room and kitchen. It’s seen from the moment you walk into our home and because it’s a pre-lit tree, you can also get a glimpse passing by on the street.
A pre-lit tree is always magical with lights strung throughout each and every branch – which is difficult to achieve with a real tree.
I chose this 7.5′ Alpine Balsalm Fir and adorned it with pretty pink ornaments, jeweled Christmas tree garland, a starburst tree topper and platinum tree skirt.
How to Decorate a Sparse Artificial Christmas Tree
There’s an incredible variety of options for how to decorate your sparse Christmas tree! You can go opulent, as shown in these living room images. This tree allows every ornament, twinkling light and garland to truly shine.
Or, go equally minimal with a Scandinavian Christmas look, with less ornaments and glitz.
We’ve approached our sparse Christmas tree in three different ways over the last few years, as you’ll see below.
Glitzy Sparse Tree
The first year, we went glamorous! We used sparkling ornaments, bejeweled garlands, silk ribbons and more.
The pearl and crystal garlands drape so effortlessly and have a sweet little bell at the end. The glow of the lights of the pre-lit tree make them twinkle.
I also tied a few silk bows to the ends of branches throughout for a touch of effortless elegance. Don’t forget to come over and see how this Christmas tree looks all lit up at night in our nighttime Christmas tour!
Minimalist Sparse Christmas Tree
We’ve also used this sparse Christmas tree in our Christmas bedroom! When we used it in this space, I knew it would need very minimal decorating to feel warm and special.
So with that in mind, we added only the crystal garlands from our glitzy tree year, swagging them from branch to branch as casually as we could.
Didn’t it turn out just beautiful? As much as I love an over the top Christmas tree, this one might be my favorite look of all!
Scandinavian Christmas Tree
Most recently, we used our sparse Christmas tree at our lake cottage. (See the full before and after of our lake home here!)
I created a Scandinavian Inspired Christmas, using tons of soft velvety blues, creams, raw wood garlands and aged brass. It felt natural, soft and beautiful, reflecting the view of the water through our living room windows.
The sparse Christmas tree felt equally at home in this setting, because we treasure our calming view and the minimalist, Coastal Modern style we’ve embraced here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the sparse Christmas trees called?
These trees are referred to under a variety of names. Some folks call them an Alpine tree, some call it a slim tree, or slender tree. Our favorite is just referring to it as a sparse Christmas tree!
How do you put lights on a sparse Christmas tree?
First, add the bottom layer of branches to the main trunk of the tree. Then, wrap each branch by starting at the base and working your way around each individual branch, from center of tree to tip of each branch, and then back to inside.
Repeat this process from center to tip of each branch all the way up. It will appear as though your tree is lit from within – giving it a truly magical glow!
Sparse Christmas Tree Sources
I absolutely love real trees; however, given my job I tend to decorate a couple weeks prior to Thanksgiving and they just don’t last through Christmas.
Here’s 10 of my very favorite charming sparse Christmas trees, if you’re in the market for one this year!
- Our 7.5′ Alpine Balsalm Fir (as pictured in this post, 7×5 foot pre-lit)
- The flocked version of our tree
- 7.5′ Green Fir Artificial Christmas Tree with 450 Clear/White Lights
- Bed Rock 7′ Pine Artificial Christmas Tree
- 6.5 foot Sparse Norwegian Pine
- Faux Pre-Lit Big + Bright Noble Fir
- Aspen Flocked 7.5′ White/Green Fir Artificial Christmas Tree with 700 Warm White Lights
- 24 inch miniature pre-lit sparse Christmas tree (just $27.99 shipped – so cute!)
- Vickerman Unlit Sparse Tree
- 6 foot Alpine Pre-lit
- Faux Silvertip Fir
Let the season begin! How are you decorating for the holidays this year?
More Holiday Inspiration
- 40 Creative Christmas Ideas
- Pine Garland
- Cedar Garland
- Traditional Christmas Decorations
- 30 Make Ahead Appetizers for Christmas
- Scandinavian Christmas Decorations
- The Best Christmas Cocktails
- 50+ Christmas Recipes
- Fairy Light Trees
- Thoughtful Hostess Gifts
- Christmas Cocktails
- 50+ Christmas Cookie Recipes
Andrea says
Hi there! We actually have this exact tree and I love it so much! Curious where you found your topper? Since it is sparse, I’ve have a difficult time finding a topper that isn’t too heavy for the one branch on top. Thanks!
Julie Blanner says
I’ve used several on it, some heavy and others light without issue. The top is stiff.
Kelly says
I bought this exact tree this year but I’m having a difficult time storing it in the red balsam hill bag. The top segment which consists of two pieces put together will not come out. Were you able to store it as 4 pieces? As three segments, the top part of tree won’t fit in anything. I would appreciate if you can share how you were able to store it. Thx!!
Julie Blanner says
The top piece is not intended to come apart, but rather a portion of it bend over to stow away. It’s confusing for sure!