The star
The star stands for the star of Bethlehem, which in the Gospel of Matthew guided the wise men to the infant Jesus. It is the most common topper today, and in many homes the most ceremonial: someone is chosen, often the youngest child, and lifted up to put it on.
Stars come in many shapes. The classic five-pointed star is the simplest. Eight-pointed stars echo older depictions of the Bethlehem star. Paper and straw stars are traditional in Scandinavia and Germany.
The Moravian star
The Moravian star - also called the Herrnhut star - is a three-dimensional star with many points, usually 26. It was first made in the nineteenth century at schools of the Moravian Church in Germany, reportedly as a geometry lesson, and became an Advent and Christmas symbol for the church. Today it hangs in windows and on trees far beyond the Moravian community.
The angel
The angel recalls the angels who announced the birth of Jesus to the shepherds. Angel toppers were common in Victorian Britain, and many families have one that has been handed down for generations. If the star is about the journey to Bethlehem, the angel is about the announcement.
Bows, snowflakes and the rest
Not every topper is religious. A large red bow turns the tree into a wrapped present. A snowflake suits a white or silver scheme. Some families use a Santa hat, a pinecone or a family heirloom that has nothing to do with Christmas at all. The topper is where a tree is allowed to be personal.
Choosing the right size
A topper that is too small looks lost at the top of a full tree; one that is too large makes the tree look top-heavy and can bend the leader branch. A useful guide:
- Choose the topper after the tree is decorated, and hold it up before you fix it in place.
- Match it to the top third of the tree, not the whole tree. A wide tree with a slim top needs a smaller topper than its height suggests.
- Check the weight. The top branch of an artificial tree is thin, and a heavy star needs a firm clip or a support.
- If the topper lights up, plan where its cable will run before the lights go on.
Who puts it on
The answer differs by family and often changes over the years: the youngest child, the oldest grandparent, or whoever did the most work on the rest of the tree. Whoever it is, it is the moment the tree is finished.