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It’s that time of year again – the days are getting shorter and the kids have finally gone back to school. As such, it’s time to plan the perfect Christmas. Decorations, of course, are the key to transforming your home into the ultimate display of holiday confections and nerdiness.
Granted, planning decorations for the holidays can be stressful, especially if you’re looking for a specific theme. And boy, if you don’t want an angel, Santa, or a star on top of your tree, you are in for a long search.
So if you’re looking for nerdy tree toppers to complement the rest of your cool Christmas stuff, check out our list of 12 Nerdy Tree Toppers for 2023. Hand-picked by our editor, this list is an easy and convenient way to find the tree topper you need this holiday season.
From the most popular franchises like Star Wars to the lesser-known steampunk genre, there are more than enough nerdy options for your perfect tree. Whether you’re still knee-deep in pumpkin spice season, or wistfully waiting for the winter wonderland to come, this list is sure to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Here are the 12 best nerdy tree toppers available right now:
Darth Vader Tree Topper
Let’s start this list off with the guy who went to the Dark Side before it was cool. You can finish off any tree (like a Star Wars-inspired tree) with this awesome Darth Vader tree topper. Though this tree topper is probably the most common out of all the tree toppers on this list, he is also one of the best. What better time to show your true alignment to the dark side than sticking Darth Vader himself at the place of honor atop your tree.
Doctor Who Weeping Angel Tree Topper
Maybe angels are your thing this year and Halloween is never quite over for you. Creep out fellow Whovians with this Weeping Angel tree topper – don’t blink! You can assure them it is only a plastic recreation and does not at all possess the same powers as the Weeping Angels from the show.
Despite being plastic, you can be assured that this nerdy tree topper is from the esteemed Kurt Adler company, so you know it’s not going to fall apart on you by the time Christmas is over. In addition, it is much better to have a lightweight tree topper than a heavy one that might fall and take your tree with it.
Death Star Tree Topper
If you thought Darth Vader just didn’t have quite the Christmas cheer you were looking for you, you can get another version of the Christmas star – the Death Star! Same difference, right? This Death Star from ThinkGeek even twinkles! Sort of! It lights up and changes color from red to blue, with the laser dish flashing a bright green. What’s more, this Death Star tree topper also plays the Stars main theme and the Imperial March. Not exactly Jingle Bells, but the music the perfect cherry on top to your nerdy Christmas tree.
Doctor Who TARDIS Tree Topper
This TARDIS tree topper is another ornament from Kurt Adler. It’s 9 inches tall (not too shabby for the average tree topper) and the windows light up. The light requires 3 button cell “LR411 .5V” batteries, which are not included. The batteries should be relatively easy to find, if not at your local Wal-Mart, then at the pharmacy (button batteries are often used for ear pieces) or the jewelers (they tend to have a larger variety for the watches they sell). Even if you can’t manage to light this tree topper, it will look great atop your tree.
BB-8 Tree Topper
Now, all of the above may be tree toppers, but they don’t quite have the tell-tale marks of holiday decorations, like snow or presents. Luckily, this BB-8 tree topper has both! A little over 9 inches tall, BB-8 is all set for Christmas with a small bed of snow under him and presents all around him. He lights up and can be used as a centerpiece instead if you decide against putting him on your tree.
Yoda Tree Topper
If you’re not a big fan of the Dark Side, you can always imbue your Christmas tree with the wisdom of the Light Side from the wisest Jedi of them all: Master Yoda. He will stand tall upon your tree, guarding it with a fierce expression and wielding his famous lightsaber. The latter lights up a brilliant green, sure to complement your decoration theme.
Santa Mickey Mouse Tree Topper
Alright, so if Star Wars is a little too nerdy for you, you can also make the kids really happy with this Mickey Mouse tree topper. Once again from Kurt Adler, Mickey Mouse is wearing a Santa Claus costume and is eyeing a pair of candy canes in his hand. It’s hard to tell if he plans on eating them himself or handing them out to lucky children.
Krampus Tree Topper
Whether you loved the 2015 movie, are Central European, or really love horrific Christmas traditions, this Krampus tree topper is for you. For those that may not know, Krampus is an anthropomorphic creature described as half-goat and half-demon.
What coal in your stocking is to American children, Krampus is to European children. In modern tradition, Krampus is to roam the streets on December 6th (Krampusnacht) in the guise of a bishop with a golden staff. He visits homes and businesses, handing out coal to any ill-behaving humans.
In true Krampus fashion, this tree topper is in the guise of an angel complete with talons and dark wings. Admittedly, this does make it look more like a terrifying Christmas version of Chucky. Nonetheless, if you like to combine a little macabre with your Christmas, this tree topper is for you.
Steampunk Tree Topper
Are Victorian dress and clockwork the way to your heart? Check out this Steampunk tree topper – complete with beautiful copper, silver, brass, and gold colored gears. They aren’t made out of real metal, but they are very well done and arranged to a beautifully complex snowflake. Standing at a good 9 and a half inches tall, this nerdy tree topper is worth every dollar spent.
Price: $36
Tinker Bell Tree Topper
Here we see Tinker Bell from Peter Pan sitting on what could very be the fabled “second star to the right.” Perhaps this Christmas, Neverland is not as far as our childhoods might make it seem. Let Tinker Bell remind you of the good old days or excite your kids when they spot their favorite Disney character atop the Christmas tree this year.
Price: $34.95
Pokéstop Pokémon Tree Topper
Can’t put down Pokémon Go, no matter where you are? Make your Christmas tree a Pokéstop! Get everything you need while you sit around the tree with your family during the holidays, what could possibly go wrong? Well, to be clear, this tree topper doesn’t actually make your tree a Pokéstop, but it’s a nice thought. Show off your nerdiness and love for all things Pokémon with this amazing tree topper.
Price: $21.31
Glass Dragon Tree Topper
If you ever wanted a nerdy tree topper to double as a family heirloom, this Glass Dragon tree topper will do the trick. It’s handblown, high-quality, and stunningly expensive, but it will take your breath away every time you look at it. This topper’s beauty is so much more than a mere dragon – there are even tiny scales all along with its body that are carefully painted with gold accents. The final step is making sure it never, ever breaks.
