Christmas Tree with Handmade Elegance

Looking for a new way to decorate a Christmas tree? Here, festive shapes and a sedate, nontraditional color palette of soft green, gold, copper, and brown offer a fresh look.

All sorts of ornament shapes take on a new look when sewn from felt. On this version, contrasting felt stripes and festive beaded trim give an updated, sparkling style.

Brown felt turns glam with a gold mesh overlay. A stripe of ribbon was embellished with Swarovski crystals (though less expensive sequins or a glitter pen design could also be pretty).

This ornament has the look of hand-painted glass, yet the materials are simple and the technique easy. Flat cardboard shapes are faced with pieces of decorative paper (wrapping paper would be beautiful). A gold loop on top and a delicate string of beads at the bottom give the decoration more appeal.

Turn inexpensive gold sewing trim into something spectacular with this idea. Pinking shears offer definition to the felt bands behind a simple row of metallic gold rickrack.

This simple shape takes on new definition with an outline of Swarovski crystals and a line of golden rickrack.

A traditional glass tree topper was given a new look with striped bands.

This circular tree skirt was custom-sewn in brown felt with a gold mesh overlay and bouillon fringe.

This beautiful Christmas tree has an upscale look on a very modest budget.

Check out the water-and-beach colors and sea-inspired ornaments on this coastal-themed Christmas tree.

• Coastal-Themed Christmas Tree