Hello Friends!
If you know Mary and me at all, you know we have several things that fall into our “love” category:
- Thrifting
- Watching ice skating
- Desserts
- Hosting gatherings
- Family
- Decorating
- Crafting
But if we had to choose one thing we both love the most, it would have to be Christmas. Christmas anything. Decorating, hot chocolate, snow (if we’re lucky), Christmas music, time with family and friends, and of course, Christmas trees.
We think about Christmas trees all year long. Even when they’re boxed up, taped shut and tucked in storage… those trees are still living rent-free in our heads.
And one tree that always makes us happy is my Harry Potter Christmas Tree. I think it’s because so many of the ornaments were handmade by us over the years, and each season we try to sprinkle in a little more “magic.”
The Very First Harry Potter Tree (2018)
Almost ten years ago, I bought a skinny little tree from Michaels and named it THE Harry Potter Tree. It was filled mostly with homemade and thrifted ornaments.
I found ribbon that was the perfect scarlet and gold to represent Gryffindor, and I even spray-painted some large black ornaments I found at an estate sale so everything matched. (It was impossible to find the right shade of scarlet, so we made our own!)
One of the most fun crafts was making the Wanted Posters. Our whole family had so much fun making those.
We also added owls, sparkly deer, witches hats, Harry Potter glasses, flying keys, and Deathly Hallows symbols.
And just like that…the Harry Potter Tree was born.
A Year of Planning and Making: Harry Potter Tree 2019
By 2019, we were fully committed. I upgraded to a beautiful pre-lit flocked tree that immediately gave it that cozy, magical Harry Potter feel.
My mom even made a tree skirt out of Harry Potter fabric.
We created a bubbling cauldron ornament, added remote-controlled candles, and Mary made gorgeous potion bottles. (It took us a few tries to find liquids that wouldn’t leak—but we figured it out!)
I also started decorating more under the tree that year, which made the whole thing feel like a little wizarding-world vignette.
More Magic: Harry Potter Tree 2020
In 2020, we added the wooden 9¾ ornaments and I ordered printable Daily Prophet covers from Etsy. I rolled them up and tucked them into the branches, and they were such a fun little detail.
Every year since, we’ve made it our mission to add at least one new thing to the tree.
This Year’s Addition is Lights, Lights, Lights: Harry Potter Christmas Tree 2025
That sweet flocked tree is now six years old, and its original lights started failing a while back.
This year, I ended up weaving new lights throughout the whole tree—plus adding sparkly accents and the floating remote controlled candles from the ceiling.
Already Planning for Next Year…
And because I can’t help myself, I already have ideas for the 2026 Harry Potter Tree. Whether they’ll turn out the way they look in my head is another story—but that’s the fun of it, isn’t it?
For now, I’m just so happy with how our Harry Potter Christmas Tree 2025 turned out. It’s magical, cozy, familiar, and full of memories—exactly what Christmas decorating should be!
How to Make Your Own Harry Potter Christmas Tree
If you’ve always wanted to create a little bit of Hogwarts magic in your home, a Harry Potter Christmas Tree is such a fun and creative project. Here are a few simple ideas to get you started:
1. Pick Your Color Scheme
You can go traditional Gryffindor (scarlet + gold) like we did, or choose the house colors that make your heart happy—Slytherin greens, Ravenclaw blues, or even a mix.
2. Add Homemade Ornaments
Some of my favorites to make were:
3. Include Magical Creatures
Owls, stags, sparkly deer, and anything whimsical add that extra wizarding-world charm.
4. Bring in the Lighting
Hanging candles and warm twinkle lights instantly make the tree feel enchanted. The glow is worth the extra effort!
5. Build a Little Scene Around the Tree
A great finish to the tree is what goes beneath...use old trunks and suitcases, books, lanterns, mice & spiders, cauldrons, wrapped paper parcels… anything that looks like it could have come straight out of Diagon Alley.
Start with just a few things and add more each year. That’s exactly how ours grew into what it is today!
Thank you, friend, for stopping by A Young Tradition today and visiting with us! We always appreciate you coming over to our little place.
