Michelle Pfeiffer's Christmas Tree Proves Why Less Is More

We love the holidays as much as the next person, but we have to be honest with you: It's surprisingly difficult to find decorations that are equal parts cheerful and chic. While there are plenty of outdated holiday décor designs to skip this year, even some contemporary accessories can feel a touch tacky. If you're looking for a setup that feels both festive and fashionable, Michelle Pfeiffer's ornament-free, string light-adorned Christmas tree is a masterclass in minimalism.

The actress might be best known for her acting in popular movies like "Scarface" and "Grease 2," but it turns out she also has a knack for interior styling. When Pfeiffer posted a sweet selfie with her Christmas tree on her Instagram account @michellepfeifferofficial, fans were quick to notice she had ditched the garish ornaments. Instead, her natural-boughed Christmas tree had a thin strand of twinkle lights and nothing else.

On first notice, this ornament-less tree might seem unfinished — a Christmas cop-out, if you will. But the more we think about this Christmas tree (which has been admired since the post appeared in 2023), the more brilliant the idea becomes. Not only does this simple setup embody the magic of the season — like you're walking in a winter wonderland sparkling with frost and snowflakes — but it can also blend in with pretty much any interior design style. Plus, since there are no overtly Christmas-themed ornaments, you could keep your tree up long after December ends.

There are plenty of ways to decorate your Christmas tree without ornaments for a timeless look, but you can't go wrong with a simple strand of twinkling lights. However, bringing actress Michelle Pfeiffer's pared-back décor vibe into your home this festive season starts with choosing the right tree. If you prefer real trees, look for a tree with less bushy, more defined branches, like a Fraser fir or blue spruce, at your local Christmas tree farms. Faux foliage can look really fake — and make your minimalist setup look lackluster. Buying a fresh-cut living tree isn't in the budget? There are clever ways to make your artificial Christmas tree look more realistic. Try fluffing the branches, using a tree skirt, and storing it carefully at the end of the season.

Once you've selected your tree, it's time to wrap it in lights. Unlike yesteryear's incandescent bulbs, today's LED string lights have a cooler tone that can appear sterile or clinical. For the gorgeous, inviting glow and simple, vintage appeal of Pfeiffer's tree, look for lights labeled warm or amber — a string of Zeluxdot Plug-In Warm White Fairy Lights costs just $15. Skip the rainbow-colored lights this year, too. While the standard advice is 100 bulbs for every 2 feet of Christmas tree, you may want to lower the bulb count for a minimalist look. Don't have much time for decorating this festive season? Buy a Puleo International 7.5-Foot Pre-Lit Aspen Fir Artificial Christmas Tree. All you have to do once it arrives on your doorstep is set it up in the living room!