The Whimsical Christmas Tree Trend That Convinced Me to Forgo My Fir – And It Happens To Be Perfect For My Small Apartment

Twinkling twig Christmas trees clustered among traditional evergreens in front of a snow-covered glass entryway, which is punctuated with a coordinating wreath.

If space were no object, I’m convinced I’d have something resembling a forest in my apartment – firs crawling from foyer to living room, Kardashian-style.

But alas, I live in New York, where I can’t spare the square footage for a glorified Christmas tree lot, let alone afford the visual obstruction of tall, needle-heavy branches. A full-sized tree was out of the cards – or so I thought.

That was before I stumbled across a barely-there Christmas tree on Zara Home – ever the arbiter of what’s cool and what’s trending – and then, suddenly, everywhere else, from enchanting offerings by indie Etsy sellers to Pottery Barn, a retailer typically impervious to micro-Christmas trends (which I’m taking as an omen to invest).

Zara’s avant-garde Christmas tree alternative was my entry point into the trend – though little did I know, it was only the beginning. (Image credit: Zara Home)

Some take the form of birch trees, others like weeping willows (arguably the chicest tree in existence). A few assume the silhouette of a traditional fir, just stripped back and needle-free, keeping small spaces feeling open and airy.

The style may skew minimal, but certain versions, like Pottery Barn’s Lit Twinkling Twig Berry Tree, sneak in tiny red berries that bloom from its sparse branches. (Image credit: Pottery Barn)

But perhaps my favorite part is effortless they are. Each of these slender trees comes pre-strung with LED lights, eliminating the need for ornaments, garlands, or tangled strings of wire. Just plug in and glow.

Most twinkling twig varieties – like these birch LED trees by Balsam Hill – are suitable for outdoor use, so long as the space is covered. Why not build a mini, glittering forest on the porch? (Image credit: Balsam Hill)

A tree skirt is optional. Though if you must, keep it subtle with something textural and neutral, like linen or jute. Personally, I think the bareness is the point; it’s more enchanting that way.

These barely-there trees need no bulk to make an impact, but in this case, more is more. A trio in varying heights feels layered, luminous, and dramatic without overwhelming a small space. (Image credit: Wayfair)

Both light and lite, these twinkling twig trees may be minimal, but they add more glow than a traditional fir, and their slimline shape makes them perfect for spaces lacking in square footage.

Shop Twinkling Twig Trees

Shop my favorite alternative Christmas trees below to cluster among evergreens, fill an awkward corner, or display solo as your new, softly glowing centerpiece.

Birch Lane

5.9' Birch Tree with Warm White LED Lights

It’s not often a tree this tall – at this price point – clocks reviews this glowing. This birch-inspired silhouette is dazzling in the most understated way, wired with 700 LED lights that create a soft shimmer. The black version reads moodier, more dramatic; the white – which reviewers insist is less stark and more crystalline – taps into that curated ‘White Christmas’ aesthetic we’re all aspiring to.

Pottery Barn

5' Lit Twinkling Twig Berry Tree

Pottery Barn’s take is one of the merrier twig trees in the mix, a bare-bones silhouette dotted with tiny red berries and warm LEDs for a hit of color. The five-foot version makes a real splash, but the two- and three-foot sizes are perfect for tabletops, narrow corners, or pairing together if you want a little glittering companion moment.

Balsam Hill

3' Lit Winter Birch LED Tree

Balsam Hill’s LED birch tree comes in sizes from two to seven feet, giving you plenty of range depending on how you want this glowing accent to function. The three-foot version, though, is the sweet spot – small enough to cluster beside a traditional tree, but tall enough to hold its own as a soft, jewelry-like shimmer in a corner. Each one has a built-in timer, too, so the lights switch themselves off before you even remember to.

Plow & Hearth

6' Snowy Lighted Tree

Pre-flocked and ready straight out of the box, this Wayfair find is one of the more convincingly lifelike options, with woodland details and perfectly imperfect branches. It’s as if you dragged in a forest tree and asked a fairy to frost it. For anyone leaning into the organic-modern interiors trend, this one hits the mark. Leave it bare or drop it into your favorite pot to finish the scene.

Etta Avenue™

5.9' Roxanne White Willow Tree

Get lost in the long, luminous strands of this LED willow tree – a silhouette that, at this scale, couldn’t be more glamorous. Reviewers rave about how easy it is to assemble and swear it looks even better IRL than in the photos. Wrap the base in a layer of faux snow to mirror the pristine white trunk and twigs and heighten the whole ethereal, winter-willow fantasy.

Arhaus

4' String Light Tree

Arhaus might have the most luxurious interpretation of this twinkling, non-traditional Christmas decor trend, rendered with almost absurd precision. This four-foot version (the smallest of three sizes) is pre-lit with 3,615 warm micro-LEDs. Yes, you read that correctly. It’s instant atmosphere: a single plug-in and the room is transformed with a soft, elegant glow.

Visual bulk aside, sometimes the reality is you just can’t swing a full-size tree. This trend not only solves that problem by being dainty, but it does so in an incredibly chic and sophisticated way.