Posted by Faraj Beading
The holidays are the one time of year when more is more. More sparkle, more shimmer, more detail. Whether you’re putting together a Christmas costume, decorating your home, or adding a festive touch to an outfit for a holiday party, beaded trim is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to make everything look more intentional and beautiful.
Here’s our guide to the best beaded trims for the Christmas season — and exactly how to use them.
Why Beaded Trim Is Perfect for the Holidays
The holidays are all about texture and light. Beads, crystals, and pearls catch light the same way tinsel and ornaments do — they draw the eye, create warmth, and make even the simplest piece feel festive. The best part is that most of our trims are self-adhesive, meaning you can decorate costumes, table runners, stockings, and wreaths without any sewing or crafting experience.
Top Beaded Trim Picks for Christmas
1. Crystal Rhinestone Trim — The Classic Sparkle
If there’s one trim that belongs on every holiday project, it’s crystal rhinestone. The clear stones catch light like tiny stars and work on everything from red velvet dresses to white tablecloths to Santa hats. Run a strip along the hem of a holiday dress, the brim of a costume hat, or the edge of a Christmas stocking for instant glam.
Best for: Holiday party outfits, costume edges, tree skirt borders, stocking cuffs
2. Pearl Trim — Elegant and Timeless
Pearl trim reads as refined and classic — perfect for bridal holiday looks, church outfits, or any occasion where you want sparkle without being too flashy. White and cream pearl trim also pairs beautifully with winter whites and ivory, making it a go-to for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve styling.
Best for: Holiday dresses, bridal Christmas looks, table runners, wreath accents
3. Red and Green Beaded Trim — Festive and Fun
Nothing says Christmas like a strip of red or green beaded trim. Use it to outline a wreath, border a holiday pillow, or add a pop of seasonal color to a plain white or black outfit. Great for kids’ costumes too — elf costumes, ugly sweater upgrades, and Christmas pageant outfits all benefit from a bold strip of color.
Best for: Wreaths, kids’ costumes, holiday home décor, ugly sweater upgrades
4. Gold and Silver Beaded Trim — Luxe Holiday Finish
Gold and silver trims are the workhorses of holiday decorating. They’re versatile enough to go on everything — garland borders, gift wrapping accents, costume cuffs, curtain edges — and they photograph beautifully, which matters when you’re dressing for a holiday party or family photo.
Best for: Gift wrapping, costume cuffs and collars, garland accents, formal holiday outfits
5. Iridescent Beaded Trim — The Showstopper
Iridescent trim shifts color in the light — from white to blue to purple to pink — giving it an almost magical, winter wonderland quality. It’s perfect for ice queen costumes, Nutcracker-inspired looks, or any holiday outfit that needs to stand out in a crowd.
Best for: Ice queen or Nutcracker costumes, holiday recitals, pageant dresses, dance costumes
Creative Ways to Use Beaded Trim for Holiday Decorating
Christmas Stockings
Add a strip of rhinestone or pearl trim along the cuff of a plain stocking and it instantly looks like something from a boutique holiday collection. Takes less than five minutes with self-adhesive trim.
Wreaths
Wrap a strand of beaded trim around a plain green or white wreath in place of or alongside ribbon. The texture contrast between the beads and the greenery is stunning and holds up for the entire season.
Table Runners and Centerpieces
Run a strip of gold or silver trim along the edges of a table runner or use it to border a mirror or tray used as a centerpiece base. It adds dimension and catches candlelight beautifully during holiday dinners.
Gift Wrapping
Instead of a bow, finish a gift with a strip of beaded trim pressed along the ribbon or tied around the box. It’s reusable, it’s unexpected, and it makes the gift look like it came from a high-end boutique.
Ornament Embellishment
Press a small strip of rhinestone trim around plain ball ornaments to create custom, jeweled ornaments. Works on glass, plastic, and foam ornaments.
Best Costumes to Upgrade With Holiday Trim
Mrs. Claus
Take a plain red dress and add white pearl trim along the collar, cuffs, and hem. Add a crystal rhinestone brooch and you have a Mrs. Claus costume that looks custom-made.
Elf Costume
Add red and green beaded trim to the collar and cuffs of a classic elf outfit. Run gold trim along the hat brim. Simple additions that make a big visual difference.
Nutcracker / Clara
This is where iridescent and crystal trim shine. Add beading along the bodice, hem, and sleeves of a white or pink dress and you have a Nutcracker-worthy look for a recital, pageant, or holiday party.
Ice Queen / Winter Fairy
Layer silver, iridescent, and crystal beaded trims on a white or icy blue gown. The more trim, the better for this costume — it’s meant to be over the top.
Angel Costume
White pearl trim along the hem and neckline of a white dress, with gold trim as a halo accent. Clean, classic, and beautiful for children’s Christmas pageants.
Tips for Applying Trim to Costumes
- Measure twice, cut once. Costumes often have curved hems and necklines — take your time measuring around curves before cutting.
- Use fabric glue as backup on costumes that will be worn and moved in. Press the self-adhesive trim first, then run a thin line of fabric glue along the edges for extra hold.
- Plan your layout before peeling. Lay the trim out dry first to make sure you like the placement before committing.
- For kids’ costumes, double-check that all trim is firmly adhered — active kids will test the hold, and you don’t want beads coming loose.
Shop the Holiday Collection at Faraj Beading
We carry a wide range of trims perfect for the Christmas season — crystal rhinestone, pearl, iridescent, gold, silver, and colorful festive options, all available in self-adhesive or sew-on styles. Free shipping on all orders.
Browse the full holiday trim collection at farajbeading.com
Faraj Beading — Fourth-generation craftsmanship. Made in New Jersey. Free shipping on all orders.