What Size Skirt Should I Get For My Christmas Tree?

Traditionally, a skirt was draped around a Christmas tree to gather the needles and sap released by real conifers. Catching molten wax from lit candles was a compelling reason, too. This helped protect the floor from scratches and kept the rugs and carpets clean. Fast forward to the modern day and people have started using them as a part of holiday décor. Plus, it's a clever way to make your artificial Christmas tree look more realistic. But to enjoy the many advantages of these skirts, you must purchase one that's the right size for your tree — real or faux. So, look at your conifer's height or diameter before purchasing a skirt.

Beyond the basic benefits, finding the right skirt size for your Christmas tree is important because if it's too small, the conifer's bottom will peek through. Plus, your tree will look mighty uncomfortable. On the other hand, a skirt that's too big will draw more eyeballs than your decorated tree. Moreover, it'll turn into a tripping or slipping hazard. So, bring out your measuring tape and determine your tree's height or diameter to buy an appropriate skirt.

If you're looking for a skirt for your mini Christmas trees (between 2 to 3 feet) adorning the tables in your entryway, choose one that measures 18 to 20 inches. Sattiyrch's 18-inch Knit Skirt is available in multiple shades and is ideal for small trees. Alternatively, get a skirt ranging from 24 to 36 inches to adorn your 4 to 5 foot tree, such as TINKSKY's 30-inch Faux Fur Plush White Skirt.

You'll need slightly bigger skirts for medium-sized trees. For instance, if your tree falls in the 6 to 7.5 foot range, a 48 to 60 inch skirt would be ideal to hide its bottom, such as WBHome's 52-inch Double-Sided Cable Knitted Rustic Holiday Skirt. As for the large trees (measuring between 7.5 foot to 16 feet) in your foyer or open living room with high ceilings, opting for a skirt between 72 to 84 inches would be best. Starry Dynamo's 72-inch Rib Knit Cream White Skirt with Oak Buttons will add a little character to your décor without burning a hole in your pockets. 

While getting a skirt based on your tree's height is ideal, you might not be too keen to get on a stepladder when dealing with a tall or medium-sized tree. Under such circumstances, use your tree's diameter to your advantage. Measure the width of the lowest branches and add 4 to 6 inches on top to find the right skirt size. So, if the diameter of your tree's lowest branches is 40 inches, get a 44 to 46 inch skirt to fan its bottom.

Once you determine the ideal skirt size, choose one of the best tree skirts to beautifully jazz up your holiday décor. However, if your budget is a little tight and you'd rather not spend much on fancy coverings, you can DIY an elegant Christmas tree skirt without needing any sewing skills. In case you've already ordered a skirt that's too big for your tree, fold a little fabric underneath and anchor it with slightly heavy ornaments or gifts (faux or real) to keep it in place.