Candles are practically synonymous with Christmas, functioning as decor and in some cases, aromatherapy. Dolly Parton is showing us that there are creative ways to style candles on your tree, having shared a retro photo to her Instagram page of one of her old trees.
The clip-on candles make the perfect last-minute accessory, adding volume and a hint of whimsy to any tree (not to mention serving as a creative replacement for traditional string lights). We love the way Dolly has styled hers amid beaded, wood garlands, metallic ornaments, and an angel tree-topper.
To bring this Christmas tree idea to life, we recommend this gorgeous set of 10 clip-on candles from Wayfair, which would pair beautifully with this wooden-beaded garland from Bed Bath & Beyond. It's stylish enough to keep up after Christmas.
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Made from classic wood with elegant draping, this garland brings a timeless, ornate touch. It looks especially striking when layered with sparkling trims for a festive effect.
Inspired by the figurine on Dolly's tree, this angel highlights the appeal of well-crafted holiday décor for anyone who appreciates distinctive design. Created to enhance a tree or mantel, it works as a striking focal point and also makes a thoughtful gift, if you can bring yourself to part with it.
Resembling a long strand of winter berries, Holiday Time’s nine-foot red garland offers deep, vibrant color. Its perfect five-star rating proves its versatility, making it ideal for mantels, shelves, and Christmas table centerpieces.
A garland is a chance to show your style. Keep it fun with pompoms, classic with lush evergreens, or rich and moody with this oxblood garland. Perfect for a mantel or the base of a Christmas tree, it adds texture and depth to holiday décor without relying on tinsel.
Forget the fairy lights. Plow & Hearth’s faux candles clip directly to the branches, bringing an elegant, candlelit glow – minus the fire hazard. They’re remote-controlled, buildable, and far chicer than a string of LEDs.
When it comes to metallics, don’t make yourself pick sides. Bronze – the diplomatic sheeny shade – splits the difference between silver and gold. In mercury glass, these Christmas ornaments are warm, reflective, and a little dramatic, catching the twinkle of tree lights just so.
'What sets Dolly Parton’s holiday tree apart is not just the clip-on candles themselves. It is the way she layers them with texture, color, and a sense of playful nostalgia,' comments Megan Slack, the head of Celebrity Style at Homes & Gardens.
'Unlike typical string-light displays, her approach creates a three-dimensional, tactile look that feels both retro and fresh. The combination of warm candlelight, beaded wood garlands, metallic ornaments, and a classic angel topper makes her tree feel curated yet effortlessly whimsical.'
Plus, as Megan adds, Dolly's tree reminds us that, when it comes to holiday decor, you don't need to follow the rules. It can reflect charm, humor, and a touch of glamour just like Dolly herself.
