Christmas Decorations: Holiday Decor Trends and Shopping Guide
In this post: Are you looking to refresh your Christmas decorations? This shopping guide includes holiday decor trends and where to get them. ⇒
What? Trends for the holidays? Do my holidays need to be fashionable now? Aren’t the holidays the opposite of being in vogue?
Well… yes.
And no.
Because it turns out, every year when you add something new to your Christmas decor, you select from the available offerings, and each year there are over-arching themes that show up everywhere you look. And that is pretty much what defines a trend.
The good news is, for those that love the classics, traditional, or even retro, is one of the most prevalent trends of the year. Let’s look at the top trends and then what to buy in each category.
Neutral and Natural
By far the biggest trend of the past couple of years, neutral and natural shows no sign of slowing. This eco-friendly trend is Scandinavian-influenced, somewhat minimalist or at least toned-down, with an understated color palette that pairs neutral tones with greenery and bits of nature. The emphasis is on a serene and tranquil environment, with natural textures and organic materials. Elements that play into this theme include wooden trees and figurines (in fact, wood everything), burlap stockings, and rattan tree collars.
Of course, the best way to be eco-friendly is to re-use your existing decor and to use faux trees, greenery and wreaths. But to refresh the look of what you already own, you can add in some new pieces to breath new life into your current decor. Just be sure it works with what you have so you’re not replacing everything and starting from scratch. You can also donate what you no longer want.
Earthy Woodland Warmth
A natural extension of the organic theme, this second trend adds a bit more color to the neutrals above with a focus on earth tones and warm hues. Mix blush pinks and rose with browns and bronze, along with a healthy dose of copper and subdued gold.
Key motifs in this theme include woodland creatures and the most of-the-moment of all, the ever-present mushroom, found in ornaments and other holiday decor everywhere. Think winter fairytale with cozy warm color, foraged greenery and paper decorations.
Nostalgic & Personalized
There appears to be a very obvious renewed interest in the customs and traditions of the past. This trend highlights memories and feelings over glitz and glam, with thoughtful and personalized items central to the look. Vintage decorations, family-oriented pieces (think photo-frame ornaments), and anything nostalgic qualifies.
I’m seeing this everywhere with a return to classic holiday motifs, retro imagery, and the inclusion of items that are reminiscent of holidays past. Plaids, fisherman knits, fair isles, and the like are showing up in tree skirts, stockings, pillows and throws. And the red that many have avoided for several years appears to be back, but in the richest burgundy tones, from claret and cabernet to aubergine, as well. Traditional Christmas villages, Santas, reindeer and more are all showing up on shelves all over this year.
Luxe & Artful
But don’t be discouraged if you’re not all about paring back. There is also a trend for those who prefer a bit more glam. Not quite the over-the-top blitz of color we were seeing last year, this trend is more about luxury and richness. Jewel tones rule the day in this theme, along with a generous helping of luxe metals and glass.
You’ll find lush velvet on everything from pillows and throws, to even ornaments for your tree. Mercury glass is prevalent and artfully used in graceful shapes and translucent colors, reflecting the light for easy elegance. Chandelier ornaments, feathered toppers, pearl garlands and fairy lights all round out the look, along with brass and chrome accents and other metallics.
The shopping guide below takes these trends into account and is segmented into 8 categories with my favorite picks in each. The Designthusiasm Holiday Decor Shop is open and newly updated (there are 4 more categories besides these 8), so you can always find that on the blog throughout the season. ‘Tis the season…
Christmas Wreaths
Whether you prefer an all green wreath that you can embellish yourself, a classic piece with pine cones and berries, a snow dusted white wreath with pretty twinkle lights or a wreath bedecked with golden orbs and baubles, there’s something for everyone in this curated mix.
Christmas Decor Accents
This category of decor is a compilation of items that might be placed on tables and mantels, along with pillows to toss on sofas for cheer. Try a mix of bottle brush trees with mercury glass and glittered cones, a sweet little village scene or a Santa and reindeer. The cow bells have been super popular, as are the downswept wooden trees.
Christmas Stockings
This grouping of stockings is cozy at its best, including a faux fur with pompoms, a few wonderful textured knits, an appliquéd village, and flocked and embroidered ones too. The fisherman knit stocking comes in several classic colors, while the pervasive white options forecast a romantic white Christmas to come. But my very favorite is the lush felt Santa appliqué that comes in a DIY kit.
Christmas Trees
If there’s one way to do ‘luxe’ it’s with more than one tree. Place a couple in the same room, or spread them around the house. There are green trees in unlit and lit options, flocked ones in a variety of sizes, and there’s all white and golden tint too.
Christmas Tree Ornaments
There are countless choices for solid color ornaments, whether shiny, mirrored or sparkle covered, but you don’t need me to point you toward ordinary orbs. Instead I’ve included some of the more creative options, with an artisan feel for a heart-warming holiday. Try the gingerbread cookies or the wooden Nutcracker soldiers, or the hanging mushrooms or sweet little bells. There are white rattan orbs, wooden creatures and charming village houses, too.
Tree Toppers
For tree toppers I went very updated with primitive winged angels, a couple of rustic rattan stars, a dove and an assortment of geometric toppers with glam detailing. In addition, there’s a lovely feathered bird, which I think is my favorite.
Tree Skirts and Collars
I included both collars and skirts in classic and retro styling from the wooden box to the rattan collar, to the copper cuff and a couple of other textured collars. There’s a faux fur skirt and a gigantic cable knit, and a shimmering texture knit that mixes rustic with elegance.
Christmas Garland
The garlands I selected run the gamut of the featured trends, from a simple all green faux eucalyptus to a couple of faux cedar options, to wintery white and flocked, to lush garlands embellished with pine cones and berries. There are lit and unlit choices and a simple mixed garland with pretty string lights.
The options on this list were available at the time of publication, so be sure to get your selections in early so as not to get caught in the delivery delays of this unusual year.
Whichever trends you decide to follow, I’m sure you will make them your own and fit them in with your unique traditions!
Resource Guide
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options. If an item is out of stock but may be restocked, I left it on the list.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
SUBSCRIBE AND GET my free guide:
“20 Ways to Update Your Home for Your Changing Lifestyle”!
The Shops
Have you visited the Designthusiasm shops? Click below to shop my favorites, my home by room, and my Amazon shop. Be sure to follow me on Instagram for quick updates.
Such a helpful post Lory, thank you for sharing! I’m especially loving the cute tree collars – off to check those out now!
Sheila
xo
Thanks so much, my friend!!
Walmart has some great items and the shipping is so fast! Off to check some of these out and refresh my holiday supplies.
It’s a good year to shop!
What a wonderful collection of Christmas decor you’ve pulled together, Lory! It gets me excited for the holidays this year. It will be here before we can blink!
Thanks, Rhoda! So true that time passes so fast!!
This is such a great collection and I love having the choices narrowed down. Those little red plaid ornaments are just darling!
That sweet lone flower on that wreath just makes it pop. We were in hopes of a new Christmas tree this year but maybe next year. Keeping the decor to your own liking is key..no fads needed as it’s all beautiful at Christmas time:0)
So true!