Dolly Parton Ditches Traditional String Lights for Retro Clip-On Christmas Tree Candles – Recreate Her Whimsical, Beaded Look Starting at $5

Dolly Parton's retro tree is outfitted with beaded garlands, metallic ornaments, and chic candles for a nostalgic-yet-timeless look

Dolly Parton
(Image credit: Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty Images)

Candles are practically synonymous with Christmas, functioning as decor and in some cases, aromatherapy. Dolly Parton is showing us that there are creative ways to style candles on your tree, having shared a retro photo to her Instagram page of one of her old trees.

The clip-on candles make the perfect last-minute accessory, adding volume and a hint of whimsy to any tree (not to mention serving as a creative replacement for traditional string lights). We love the way Dolly has styled hers amid beaded, wood garlands, metallic ornaments, and an angel tree-topper.

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'What sets Dolly Parton’s holiday tree apart is not just the clip-on candles themselves. It is the way she layers them with texture, color, and a sense of playful nostalgia,' comments Megan Slack, the head of Celebrity Style at Homes & Gardens.

'Unlike typical string-light displays, her approach creates a three-dimensional, tactile look that feels both retro and fresh. The combination of warm candlelight, beaded wood garlands, metallic ornaments, and a classic angel topper makes her tree feel curated yet effortlessly whimsical.'

Plus, as Megan adds, Dolly's tree reminds us that, when it comes to holiday decor, you don't need to follow the rules. It can reflect charm, humor, and a touch of glamour just like Dolly herself.


Hannah Ziegler
News Editor

Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.

Her love of film is rivaled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.