Joanna Gaines is making sure the best-dressed guest at your holiday party isn’t your Gen-Z niece, or even your impossibly chic, cardigan-clad uncle – it’s your Christmas tree. Not because of the ornaments or the twinkle lights, but because it’s wearing a really amazing skirt.
We tend to fuss over the top (the star) and the middle (prime ornament real estate) and forget about the bottom. But Joanna’s latest Magnolia Home holiday drop – a lineup of scalloped wicker, hand-beaded stars, and nostalgic plaid tree skirts and collars – makes a convincing case that the base deserves some airtime. Think of it as footwear for your fir. And as any stylist will tell you, an outfit’s only as good as its shoes.
So before you spiral into Christmas decorating idea overload, start with the foundation. Below, six tree skirts and collars that prove underdressed trees are officially out this season.
Often, the cottagecore-adjacent pieces lean on ruffles and gingham – which we do find charming, even during the holidays – but Joanna went in the opposite direction. Her brass-finished iron tree collar lends an authority, and maybe even a little edge, to an otherwise sweet floral cutout design.
A lot of love went into this one. Each twinkling star is meticulously hand-beaded, while the scalloped border was inspired by a motif found in an 1800s embroidery book. Set against deep blue velvet, it’s about as luxe as a tree skirt gets. If it came in our size, we’d consider wearing it.
Some of the most tasteful people we know like to keep it casual – or at least, make it look that way. This natural weave tree collar in rich chocolate brown captures that energy. It’s the Christmas trend equivalent of throwing on a Charvet button-down before having a few friends over for wine on a Tuesday. You look nonchalant, but you know exactly what you’re doing.
For the Christmas purist, Joanna has something too. This tree skirt hits three of the season’s sweet spots: 1) plaid – the forever holiday fabric, 2) bows – the coquettish detail having a serious moment right now, and 3) botanicals – a delicate floral repeat dancing along the rim. It’s a perfect marriage of everything we love about Christmas, old and new.
Arguably the most design-forward piece in Joanna’s holiday lineup, this woven wicker tree collar feels modern but familiar. The generous height hides any tree imperfections; the scalloped edge punches up the personality. Its neutral tone makes it a phenomenal enabler, playing nicely with whatever Christmas ornament story you’re telling.
Joanna’s decadent mustard velvet skirt – embroidered with botanical motifs, trimmed with scalloped edging, finished with a neat row of bows – has got the holiday opulence thing down pat. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to go for a gold Christmas color scheme this season, consider this it.
If we had to pick another source of holiday inspiration, it would be Shea McGee – but thanks to Target, we don’t have to choose. Joanna and Shea’s holiday collections each scratch a different festive itch: Joanna leans nostalgic and homespun; Shea, polished and tonal. Together, they make a case for mixing your muses. Shop the best throw pillows and blankets from both lines.
