Tree Skirts vs. Tree Collars: How to Find Your Holiday Style

As Christmas decorations go, tree skirts sometimes don’t get the respect they deserve.

At its most basic, a tree skirt is a circular covering designed to hide your Christmas tree stand. It visually defines the perimeter of your tree and, if you’re using a real tree, protects your floor from needles and tree sap.

As Christmas nears, your tree skirt provides the backdrop for your wrapped Christmas gifts – or possibly a snow village, nativity set or Christmas train. Later, it’s the spot Santa leaves his goodies for you!

So it makes good design sense to consider the effect your tree skirt has on your Christmas decor and ensure you choose one that harmonizes with your style.

Before exploring how to measure and choose a tree skirt, let’s define its characteristics.

A tree skirt is typically designed as a circle of fabric that wraps around the stand under your Christmas tree.

A hole in the center accommodates the tree trunk and a slit on one side makes it easier to lay the skirt around the base of the tree. The slit might close with ties or hook-and-loop fasteners to maintain the skirt’s shape once it’s in place.

Tree skirts may be simple or showy, rustic or glamorous. They can reflect your overall Christmas theme, tying in your tree style and ornaments with other decor. To really integrate your tree skirt with your decor, look for matching Christmas stockings and tabletop decorations that coordinate with your theme.

In fact, Christmas Central sells hundreds of tree skirts in a wide range of tree skirt designs and colors. Our full range of design choices makes it easy to find the perfect decoration to complement your color scheme, theme or design style.

A tree skirt isn’t the only way to hide your tree stand. Some people use blankets, quilts or baskets to cover a tree base, but for a sturdier, more polished and modern alternative, consider a Christmas tree collar.

Tree collars may resemble a bucket, box or basket that completely envelopes the base of your tree. Collars can be wooden, woven, metallic, fabric or plastic. Some are hinged or come in sections for easy installation and storage. Styles range from metal tubs to natural grass weaves to glam designs with sequins and glittering gems.

How do you settle on the best choice?

When you’re deciding between a tree skirt or a tree collar, there are a few factors to consider. Here are the main points to compare.

What’s your style?

Skirts

Tree skirts are the most traditional type of tree stand cover. They are available in hundreds of different designs and styles to suit virtually any decorating aesthetic or Christmas theme.

If you buy a real Christmas tree every year, a tree skirt is a practical way to contain fallen needles.

Collars

On the other hand, collars are contemporary Christmas tree accessories. They also come in a range of styles, although the selection is not as broad.

There is also a practical benefit to using a tree collar: When using a real tree, it might help keep pets away from the tree water.

How much space do you need?

Skirts

From mini to oversized, tree skirts come in a wide range of sizes. Your best choice is one proportionate to your tree’s height and diameter.

Tree skirts cover the floor beneath the tree and usually extend a few inches beyond the lowest tree branches. Because they spread outward, if you choose a tree skirt, be sure you have enough space to walk around it. This helps avoid tripping on it or scuffing it out of place.

Collars

Tree collars are space-savers that hug your tree stand. If floor space is tight, a tree collar might be a wise choice.

A tree collar is also a practical option for smaller trees that will be displayed off the floor, on a bench, stool or table.

What size is your tree?

Tree size may influence your choice between a tree skirt or collar. Tree collars are designed to fit around most artificial Christmas tree stands, making them an effortless finishing touch.

Tree collars can also be used with natural trees. However, unlike artificial trees, which come in standard sizes, the height and trunk width of real trees vary. Since tree collars are raised, you might need to trim the lowest branches to fit the collar under your real Christmas tree.

In that case, a tree skirt may be more adaptable to size variations.

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Tree skirts are described by diameter, or the width from edge to edge measured through the center of the circle.

When deciding the right tree skirt size, consider the diameter of the skirt as well as the diameter of your Christmas tree.

One rule of thumb is to buy a tree skirt that extends just a bit beyond the tips of your tree’s lowest branches. For instance, small tree skirts work with smaller or narrower trees.

Mini tree skirts, measuring about 24-inches in diameter or less, are perfect for small and miniature Christmas trees.

While tree skirts don’t really come in standard sizes, a diameter of about 48-inches is a common choice for most 6.5-foot to 7.5-foot Christmas trees. A 28- to 36-inch diameter tree skirt works well for trees 4 to 5.5-feet tall.

Large tree skirts measuring 60 to 72-inches might look best under very tall or very full Christmas trees.

Measure the height and width of your tree stand and choose a tree collar large enough to fit around the base but low enough to fit beneath the bottom branches.

To keep things in proportion, some designers recommend choosing a collar size that’s roughly half your tree’s diameter. For example, a 26-inch tree collar would look well under a full-profile 54-inch diameter Christmas tree.

Tree collars and tree skirts are both easy to use, but there are slight differences.

Spread your tree skirt under the tree and wrap it around the tree stand with the slit toward the back of your tree. Use the built-in fasteners, sewing pins or safety pins to secure the skirt opening and create a continuous covering around your tree. You might have to crawl around the tree a little to smooth it into place.

Lay your skirt down after decorating and you won’t have to worry about stepping on it, tripping on it or creasing it. You’ll also have one last chance to clean up underneath your tree before adding the finishing touch.

By contrast, it may be easiest to place a tree collar around the base of your artificial Christmas tree before assembling. This is a sensible approach when your tree collar is a single ring with no hinges or openings, as it avoids having to lift the entire tree into the collar later.

Even if your tree collar is hinged or paneled, you may find it easiest to set the collar around the base before assembling your tree. 

Skirts

Most store-bought fabric Christmas tree skirts are not machine washable. Check the product description to see if it will tolerate gentle spot cleaning.

Otherwise, shake the tree skirt to dislodge dust, dirt and tree needles and store it in a plastic bag, box or plastic container to keep it clean and dry until next year. Place it on top of heavier items to minimize wrinkling it or crushing lace and trimmings.

Collars

Wipe your tree collar free of any dust and dirt. Fold it up or disassemble it before storing it away. Ring-style collars can be stored in a plastic bin with other decorations. Wrap it in plastic, cloth or bubble wrap for protection.

Your Christmas tree stand cover shouldn’t be an afterthought. Whether you prefer the soft, traditional look of a tree skirt or the clean, modern profile of a tree collar, the right choice can make or break your holiday display.

Keep your decorating style, tree type and available space in mind, and select a cover that complements your décor while offering the practicality you need.

Christmas Central carries a wide selection of tree skirts and collars in sizes and styles to suit any holiday home.

We’ve highlighted a few favorites here, but you’re welcome to explore our full assortment of Christmas tree accessories to find the perfect finishing touch for your tree.