Choosing the right Christmas baubles means matching material, size, finish and quantity to your tree and your home. Pick shatterproof baubles for family homes and outdoor displays, glass for a premium heirloom look on the top third of an indoor tree, and wooden or fabric baubles for texture and warmth. As a starting point, plan on roughly 12 baubles per foot of tree height for a classic look, rising to 18 to 20 for full designer density.
Bauble Types: Glass, Shatterproof, Wooden, Fabric and More
Most baubles sold in Australia fall into a handful of material groups, and each one earns its place for a different reason. Glass gives the clearest shine and the heaviest feel, but it is fragile. Shatterproof (sometimes called shatter) baubles are made from tough plastic with a glass-look finish, so they hold their colour for years and bounce rather than break. Wooden baubles add a handcrafted, matte texture that suits country and rustic themes. Fabric and quilted baubles are soft and child-safe, while metallic and glittered finishes catch the light like glass without the weight.
Matching the material to where it sits on the tree is the first real decision. Christmas World recommends reserving delicate glass ornaments for the upper branches, above eye level and away from passing hips and tails, and loading the bottom two thirds with shatterproof styles. That single rule keeps the tree looking full and expensive while removing most of the breakage risk in a busy home.
Bauble Sizes Explained
Bauble size does more than change the look; it changes the whole structure of your tree. Mixing three sizes is the trick professional decorators use to build depth. Large baubles sit deep inside the branches near the trunk, medium baubles fill the mid layer, and small baubles finish near the tips. Working with one size alone leaves the tree looking flat and crowded on the outside with empty space behind.
In Australia, baubles are usually measured in millimetres across the widest point. The most common sizes range from a dainty 40mm up to a statement 120mm. On a standard 6 to 7 foot tree, 60mm and 80mm baubles do most of the heavy lifting, with a smaller number of 100mm or 120mm pieces used as anchors deeper in the branches.
How Many Baubles Do You Need? The Per-Foot Formula
The quickest way to a balanced tree is a simple per-foot rule. For a classic, evenly dressed look, allow roughly 12 baubles per foot (30cm) of tree height. Step it up to about 18 to 20 baubles per foot for the full, dense coverage you see in shop windows and styled photo shoots. These figures are practical estimates; fuller, wider trees take more, and slim pencil trees take noticeably fewer.
Start from the counts below, then adjust to your own eye. The ranges already allow for layering three bauble sizes, so you can mix 60mm, 80mm and a few 100mm pieces without running short.
If you already own lights and want to finish the look, pair your baubles with a matching tree topper and a tree skirt or collar to ground the base.
How to Choose Bauble Colours and Finishes
Colour Pairings That Work
Red and gold: the classic Australian Christmas palette. Layer red baubles with gold ribbon bows for warmth and tradition.
White and silver: cool, clean and icy. Pairs with frosted or snowy trees and silver tinsel.
Rose gold and copper: modern and soft, matching a rose gold theme or blush and champagne tones.
Blue and silver: crisp and coastal, well suited to summer styling near the water.
Black and gold: bold and dramatic for contemporary homes, layered over a black-themed tree.
Native and neutral: eucalypt and cream with wooden baubles for an Australian-native feel.
Mixing finishes is what stops a colour scheme looking flat. Combine shiny, matte, glitter and textured baubles in your chosen palette, using roughly 70 percent one finish and 30 percent mixed accents. The shine catches the light; the matte and textured pieces give it somewhere to rest.
Styling Baubles on Your Tree
There is a reliable order to dressing a tree so the baubles sit well and stay put. Work from the inside out, largest to smallest, and your baubles will have depth rather than sitting in a flat ring around the outside.
Step 1: Hang the largest baubles first
Start with your 100mm and 120mm pieces and place them deep inside the branches, close to the trunk. This anchors the colour and gives the tree body.
Step 2: Fill the middle layer
Add your 80mm baubles roughly midway along each branch, spacing them evenly around the tree. Turn the tree or walk around it as you go to keep the distribution balanced.
Step 3: Place the small baubles near the tips
Finish with 60mm and 40mm baubles out near the branch tips. These are the pieces the eye lands on first, so use them to carry your accent colour.
Step 4: Step back and rebalance
Move back a couple of metres and look for gaps or clumps. Shift a few baubles to even out the density, and reserve your most special glass pieces for the upper third where they can be seen but stay safe.
Hanging Baubles Beyond the Tree
Baubles do not have to live on the tree. A clear bowl of shatterproof baubles makes a quick table decoration, and a few wired baubles tucked into a garland along a staircase or mantel pulls the colour through the room. You can also suspend lightweight baubles from window-frame hooks or hang a cluster above a dining table at varying heights.
Quick Tips for Decorating with Baubles Off the Tree
- Fill a wide glass vase with a mix of 60mm and 80mm shatterproof baubles for an instant centrepiece.
- Wire medium baubles into a mantel garland every 20 to 30cm so they stay put and complement the hanging decorations.
- Suspend a small cluster of baubles from a ceiling hook above a sideboard at staggered heights for height without floor space.
- Keep heavier glass baubles on stable surfaces and use shatterproof anywhere they could be knocked.
- Match off-tree baubles to your Christmas decorations colour scheme so the room reads as one look.
Storing Your Baubles Safely
Good storage is what lets you reuse quality baubles for many seasons. Wrap individual glass baubles in tissue paper and nest them in padded, divided boxes so they cannot knock together. Shatterproof baubles are more forgiving, but still benefit from a dedicated decoration storage box with individual compartments. Keep everything in a cool, dry spot, away from the roof cavity where an Australian summer can reach 60 degrees Celsius and warp or discolour plastic and glue.
Frequently Asked Questions — Christmas Baubles
What is the difference between glass and shatterproof baubles?
Glass baubles are hand-blown, heavier and give the truest shine, but they are fragile and can crack if dropped. Shatterproof baubles are made from tough plastic with a glass-look finish, so they bounce rather than break and resist UV fading, making them the practical choice for family homes, lower branches and outdoor trees. Use glass up high where it will be seen but stay safe, and shatterproof down low.
How many baubles do I need for a 6ft tree?
For a 6ft (1.8m) tree, plan on about 70 to 80 baubles for a classic, evenly dressed look, or 100 to 120 for full, dense coverage. The rule of thumb is roughly 12 baubles per foot of height for a classic look, rising to about 18 per foot for designer density. Mix three sizes, with large baubles deep inside and small ones near the tips, for the best depth.
What size baubles look best on a Christmas tree?
A mix of sizes looks best. Use 80mm to 100mm baubles deep inside the branches, 60mm to 80mm in the middle, and 40mm to 60mm near the tips. On a standard 6 to 7ft tree, 60mm and 80mm baubles do most of the work, with a few larger 100mm pieces as anchors. Working with one size alone leaves the tree looking flat.
Can you get personalised Christmas baubles in Australia?
Yes, personalised Christmas baubles are available in Australia, usually with names, dates or messages added by hand or engraving. They are popular as keepsakes and gifts for new babies, weddings and first Christmases in a new home. Check the product listing for personalisation options, as not every bauble in a range can be personalised.
Are wooden baubles suitable for outdoor use?
Wooden baubles are best kept indoors or under cover. Painted wood can fade and absorb moisture in direct sun and rain, so it is not the right choice for exposed outdoor trees or verandah displays. For outdoor use, choose shatterproof or UV-resistant baubles, which are designed to handle sun and humidity without cracking or fading.
How do I stop baubles from falling off the tree?
Use metal bauble hooks or looped ribbon rather than the thin plastic threads many baubles ship with, and hook them over a sturdy branch close to the trunk, not at the very tip. For added security, give the hook a small twist to close it around the branch. Place heavier glass baubles on stronger lower branches and keep the door side of the tree clear of bumping hips and bags.
What is the best way to store baubles after Christmas?
Wrap glass baubles individually in tissue paper and nest them in padded, divided storage boxes so they cannot knock together. Keep all baubles in a cool, dry place away from the roof cavity, where summer heat can warp plastic and discolour finishes. A dedicated decoration storage box with individual compartments keeps everything organised and ready to reuse next year.
Where can I buy quality Christmas baubles in Australia?
Christmas World stocks one of Australia's largest ranges of quality baubles, including glass, shatterproof, wooden, fabric and personalised styles in dozens of colours and finishes. You can shop online with delivery Australia wide, or visit one of our eight NSW stores at Alexandria, Belrose, Penrith, Castle Hill, Campbelltown, Gregory Hills, Newcastle and Wollongong to see them in person.
