How Much Does a Christmas Tree Decorating Service Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $200 - $1,500
A Christmas tree decorating service costs an average of $400, though you could spend anywhere from $200 to $1,500 to have a professional decorate one or more trees.
If you hire a professional Christmas tree decorating service to deck out your tree, you'll pay an average of $400 for the cost of labor alone. If you have a towering 8-foot tree or seek out a stylist in high demand, tree decorating services can cost more than $1,500.
- Average
- $400
- Low end
- $60
- high end
- $2,500
Christmas Tree Decorating Service Cost Factors
How do you know if the Christmas tree decorating service you’re considering falls on the high or low end of the price range? Here’s a look at the main factors that affect the cost. Keep in mind that the base price will not include the cost of the tree, tree stand, or decorations. Some services will purchase the tree and accessories for you for an additional fee.
Type of Decorating Service
| Job Title | Christmas Services | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| Handyperson | Moves and sets up Christmas tree | $60–$125 per hour |
| Professional light installer | Installs Christmas lights on tree and house | $300 on average for a tree |
| Interior decorator | Offers holiday packages of décor and ornaments and can help decorate | $50–$200 per hour |
| Home holiday decorator | Plans a holiday theme and handles all decorating, including the Christmas tree | $300–$2,500 on average |
| Christmas tree designer | Offers a complete tree setup and design plan, including the decorating and preparation, but no other decorating services | $600–$1,500 |
You may find Christmas tree decorating services offered independently or as a part of a larger holiday decorating package. Larger companies and packages are more likely to offer financing and other payment options, too.
Handyperson
A general handyperson will cost between $60 and $125 per hour to tie your tree to the car, carry it into your house, and anchor it safely in your tree stand. They’ll usually leave the decorating itself to you. If the lifting and carrying is the part of the job you're hoping to avoid, this is a key service.
Professional Light Installer
Call in the help of a professional holiday light installer for an average of $300 to focus on your tree's lighting design. They have expertise in choosing colors, balancing the design, and safely connecting the lights to your home's outlets.
Interior Decorator
Interior designers and decorators cost an average of $50 to $200 per hour and often offer special packages for the holidays. Some provide menus of looks for you to choose from, and many will work with the ornaments and other decor you already have. If you've worked with a designer in the past, it can be very helpful to hire someone familiar with the layout and electrical setup in your home.
Home Holiday Decorator
You can hire a local home holiday decorator to dream up the whole vision of your Christmas look. They will handle hanging indoor and outdoor lights, decorating mantels and banisters, and of course, decking out the tree. Christmas decoration services cost $300 to $2,500 on average, including the tree.
Christmas Tree Designer
Highly specialized tree stylists can walk you through the tree decorating process from start to finish for between $600 and $1,500. Many offer consultations to help you choose the best type of tree and decide on a color scheme that fits the rest of your decor. Some will do all the work for you, from prepping your home for the tree to buying and decorating it.
Size of the Tree
While we all know that larger Christmas trees cost more to buy, they also cost more to decorate—whether you're doing it yourself or not. You simply need more lights and more ornaments to dress it up properly. If you’ve chosen a large Christmas tree and your designer charges by the hour, plan for extra time and money.
Let’s say you visit a Christmas tree farm to cut your own tree (or have someone do it for you). Expect the following price ranges for Scotch and White Pines, one of the most affordable species:
| Scotch and White Pine Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Under 4 feet tall | $20–$35 |
| 5 feet tall | $30–$35 |
| 6 feet tall | $35–$40 |
| 7 feet tall | $40–$50 |
| 8 feet tall | $50–$60 |
| 9 feet tall | $50–$80 |
| 10 feet tall | $70–$90 |
The most desirable tree species aren’t usually available beyond six to eight feet. If you are buying a precut or burlapped tree, prices will be higher. Expect an extra charge of around $10 per foot, so an average tree can add $50 to $100 to the overall cost. Meanwhile, an artificial Christmas tree typically costs between $100 and $300, depending on the size and it has no recurring costs for new trees or maintenance.
Labor
Assume that setting up and decorating the tree will take between three and four hours, which means labor charges will total between $135 and $800. Labor costs may be included in a decorator’s overall quote, or charged separately depending on how long the job takes. Decorators don’t usually take on trimming and shaping natural Christmas trees, but they may be willing to set up artificial trees.
Materials
If you don’t have any Christmas tree décor, you’ll also need to purchase the basics to set up the tree and prepare it for decoration. If you don’t have any lights or ornaments, you’ll need to purchase those, too. Here are some common decorating material costs:
| Decorating Material | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Christmas tree stand | $50–$120 |
| Christmas tree skirt | $20–$50 |
| Indoor Christmas lights | $8–$20 per strand |
| Garlands and ribbon | $10–$20 per pack |
| Ornaments | $20–$30 per pack |
| Tree topper | $20–$40 |
Location
Living in an area with a high cost of living or high demand can affect the price of tree decorating services. Additionally, if you live off the beaten path and need to call in a designer from many miles away, you will likely pay more for the designer's travel. Location also has an impact on how much a natural Christmas tree will cost, depending on sourcing from nearby tree farms and the climate.
Utility Bill
Hiring a professional Christmas tree decorator could mean that you end up with more lights on the tree than if you did it yourself. For each extra strand of incandescent lights, you'll add between $4 and $15 to your utility bill for a 45-day season. For LED lights, that figure is $0.21 to $0.41 a strand.
Taking Down the Tree
When hiring a Christmas tree decorator, check if taking the tree down after the holidays (including packing up all the ornaments for storage) and removing it from the house is included in your flat fee. If it isn’t, it will either cost a flat rate of $100 to $200 or will be billed at your contractor’s hourly rate.
Cost to Decorate a Christmas Tree Yourself
The cost to decorate a Christmas tree yourself will only come down to the price of the tree—which ranges between $60 and $180 on average—and any new ornaments and lights you need this year. For many people, decorating the tree is a holiday tradition. However, if you're low on time or want a showstopper tree that will dazzle guests, calling a professional is a great treat.
Professional tree decorators are also ideal if you have to climb a ladder for a large tree. If you DIY it, always have a buddy to spot you when you place the star at the tippy top.
Cost of Common Christmas Tree Decorating Service Add-Ons
Hoping to pull out all the stops for your holiday guests this year? Here are some add-on costs you might incur in order to accommodate your dream vision.
Design consultation: $200 to $300
Install an extra electrical outlet: $75 to $500 per outlet
Christmas tree light rental: $200 to $600 (including installation)
Smart Christmas lights: $20 to $200 per strand
Color-changing lights: $18 to $60 a strand
Battery-powered lights: $8 to $45 per strand
How to Hire a Christmas Tree Decorator
When researching a local holiday home decorator, ask neighbors and friends for recommendations. Word of mouth can be one of the best ways to find artists that share your vision. Always interview at least three potential professionals. Ask for quotes, clarify what's included in the package, and make sure you’re clear on what the schedule will be. When you find the right decor pro for you, get everything in writing and sign a contract before jumping in.
Not all Christmas tree decorators will have availability, and not all take on residential tree projects. To cast a wider net, consider searching on local classifieds or creating your own listing asking for help and a budget estimate.
How to Save Money on Christmas Tree Decorating Services
If the sticker shock of a professionally-decorated Christmas tree is too much at first glance, keep in mind that there are ways to cut costs.
Supply your own lights and ornaments
Create ornaments instead of purchasing new versions
Use a Christmas blanket instead of a dedicated tree skirt
Bundle your tree decorating services with other Christmas decorating services or light hanging services that you need
Book the tree decorator at low-demand times, such as during the week
Handle the tree purchase and setup yourself
Stick to light or ornament-only services
Pay for a design consultation and then do the work yourself
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
We’ve covered all the basics about professional decorating costs and what fees you’ll pay to have someone handle it for you. But how does this compare with the traditional DIY option?
Professional tree decorating offers a couple of advantages over DIY decorating. First, it saves time. You don’t have to make a lot of room in your schedule for a pro, and it’s a particularly useful option for decorating multiple trees or decorating a tree for a house showing.
Second, a professional Christmas tree decorator can put together a theme for your tree or house that gets you exactly what you want with an impressive display. You can get a certain look or level of décor that may not be possible otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Decorators often prefer artificial Christmas trees. They’re easier to handle and shape, and decorators don’t have to worry about bugs or allergies. It’s also an ideal choice because artificial trees keep up appearances without owners needing to schedule watering.
However, always confirm that decorators are ready to unbox and set up the artificial tree. If they don’t include tree set-up in their services, you may need to hire a general handyperson for that task.
Professionals often use extra materials that aren’t included in traditional tree decorations, like pins and more expensive wired ribbon that can be carefully shaped. But even without these elements, you can improve your decorating by taking a few professional cues.
Always start by picking an overall theme, including colors, types of ornaments, and the overall feeling or message you want to create. Fluff your tree to its fullest potential, and include a generous amount of garlands, lights, ornaments, and bows to complete the look. Professional trees tend to be very “full” and well-balanced, with only a couple of ornament types to help the decorations flow.
Full decorating services often provide rental trees for their Christmas packages, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one. However, individual interior decorators and others may not offer rented trees, so always check the specifics of their services before booking. Keep in mind that you’ll need to prepare the Christmas tree for pick-up shortly after the holidays.
Decorating a tree yourself will only take between one and two hours, but a professional designer may take more time to create their vision. When hiring a pro, assume the work will take a minimum of three to four hours.
If you are hosting a large party this year or have staged your home for potential buyers, having a professionally-decorated tree can make a big impact. Christmas tree decorating services can also be more than worth it if you're unable to reach the top of your tree and need assistance with precarious ladder work.
Consider hiring your professional to decorate other areas of your house in addition to the Christmas tree. They can match the rest of your home decor to the tree's design and even extend the style to your outdoor holiday decor.