16 Best Christmas Decorating Trends and Ideas 2025

Why 2025’s Holiday Style Feels Different

Designers are moving away from minimalist and white decorations, aiming instead for layers of texture, depth, and meaningful pieces. The general direction can be described as:

• Nature-rich neutrals (wood, taupe, warm greens)
• Mixed textures (matte + metallic, velvet + natural fibers)
• Oversized decorative elements (bows, large ornaments)
• Vintage/heritage pieces and "collected over time" look.

1. Burgundy and Deeper Tones

Moody hues are trending again! Deep burgundies, lush greens, and even black or dark wooden elements are ideal for creating a cozy holiday vibe. This look feels luxurious and exudes warmth, creating a rich and inviting space. Check out our moody Victorian-inspired tree this year.

A few practical tips:

• Choose deeper hues like burgundy, brick, or berry colors.
• Metallics such as bright/antique golds and coppers pair well with red.
• I prefer to mix in muted, lush greens like dark emerald or forest green.

2. Vintage Vibes with 80’s Jewel Tones

The nostalgia train is veering off from whimsy straight into the retro ’80s. Think jewel tones, vibrant lights, and geometric shapes that evoke memories of yester-year, with a contemporary twist and dynamic layered look. And rest assured-tinsel is being left behind in the past, where it belongs!

Ways to Add Vintage Feminine Christmas Decorations:

• Multicolored bottle brush trees, wreaths and garlands add a whimsical touch to doorways and mantels.
• Geometric-themed holiday table settings with blush-colored plates and napkins.
• Metallic accents like rose gold or warm gold add a touch of sophistication.

3. Sage and Mint Greens

A growing trend that may be slightly more niche are soft green shades. Sage and mint greens are an ideal holiday twist and perfect for those embracing a light, airy aesthetic. It mixes beautifully with greens, blues, pinks or mauves, gold, white, silver and platinum.

4. Nature Rich Earth Tones + Warm Metallics

Earth-toned Christmas decorations, like our 2023 tree, draw inspiration from the beauty of the great outdoors. This rustic style features a warm and cozy color palette that includes earthy hues like taupe, mocha, espresso brown, soft metallics (warm gold/bronze), and natural greens. Recreate this look by following some of these tips:

• Make your own DIY Clay Ornaments (we give 16 new ideas that you can easily craft here.)
• Natural materials such as wood, burlap, and jute add rustic charm.
• Add beautiful texture with wooden ornaments, rustic wreaths, and woven textiles.
• Forage for inexpensive, easy-to-find elements such as pinecones, dried grasses, or burlap bags.

How I applied it: I chose earthy accent pieces, warm lighting and reused décor from earlier seasons to create continuity rather than reinventing everything.

5. Heritage Curations

This year is strongly nostalgic with vintage ornaments, storied décor items, tartan patterns, family-heirlooms, and a sense of "collected" style over time. Reds often play well into this them but it’s more of an eclectic, gathered feel. In fact, my most popular tree is 2022’s charming red and gold Christmas tree. Santa approved.

Tip: Combine one new "anchor" piece with two old or thrifted finds to give your décor both polish and personality.

6. Ornaments in Layers

This maximalist style can be used in a variety of themes from whimsical to rustic. The key is to keep it interesting without looking overly bulky or weighed down by repetition of the same style of ornaments over and over again.

To get this style, similar to the Tartan Christmas tree pictured above:

1. Start with a few oversized ornaments (6-7 inch bells, for example) to fill in any bare spots in the tree and push them into the branches for fullness.
2. Add at least one statement ribbon.
3. Layer smaller ornaments on top. For small ornaments, string 2-3 on a tree hook so they don’t get lost in the visual.
4. For this look, I recommend a mix of ball ornaments and other shapes. I bought these geometric folding ornaments this year to add interest, for example.
5. Add greenery picks to complete the look.

8. Layering the Bottom

The traditional tree skirt has been gradually overhauled by distinctive items that add character to your tree base. From storage baskets to large picnic baskets, give your tree the royal treatment from trunk to topper.

Modern Tree Skirt Replacements: Swap the tree skirt out this year for something more substantial or layer it for a fuller look! Here are some fun finds:

• Christmas Tree Collar Box
• Willow Basket-style Tree Ring Collar
• Woven White Tree Collar
• Burlap Basket-style Tree Collar
• Hammered Metal Holiday Collar

9. Nutcrackers Galore

In German folklore, these dolls are thought to protect against evil spirits. Of course, modern nutcrackers are usually just ornamental rather than sturdy enough to crack real nuts. While it may be tempting to use an old-fashioned nutcracker for its intended purpose, it’s best to resist the urge.

How to Use Nutcrackers in Christmas Dècor:

• As ornaments: Hang small Nutcrackers from the branches of a Christmas tree. 
• On fireplaces: Use doll-sized nutcrackers to decorate the mantel or flank a fireplace. 
• In doorways: Larger nutcrackers like these can be placed inside doorways to greet visitors.
• As a centerpiece: Group nutcrackers to create a centerpiece on the coffee table or dining table.
• Pastel Nutcrackers offer a beautiful twist on this Christmas classic.

10. Statement Accents

Oversized bows, large scale ornaments, bold shape pieces are trending in 2025! Pick one or two large focal pieces (e.g., big lantern ornament, 5ft tall nutcracker, dramatic glittery star topper) and coordinate smaller accents around them.

My version: I love to make a mantel with simple layered greenery (this tutorial shows you how) and pop on a few statement decorations to anchor the whole piece.

11. Lots of Lights

There’s a saying that everything looks better under Christmas lights. From the brightly colored bulbs of a nostalgic Christmas tree to the coziest of candle lights, this season is all about bringing on the twinkly ambiance.

If you lean towards the minimalist look, try hanging several strands of LED lights around your windows, or over your headboard, or place a simple bundle on top of a coffee table. It’s simple to spread the joy around!

12. Merry Smell Goods

Ready for an instant infusion of holiday spirit? There’s nothing more joyful than the cozy smells of the holiday season.

Achieve the ambiance of warm winter nights with a few of these merry-making ideas:

• Follow our simple guide to DIY gingerbread ornaments.
• Make Pomander balls.
• Scent your home with perfect Christmas Candle –cinnamon, cider, cookies, and a freshly cut Cedar tree.
• Or try this Warm Sugar Cookie Candle– all the feels, minus the calories.
• Make a simmering potpourri.
• Mix a few drops of aromatic essential oil in a spray bottle and add water for a homemade holiday room spray.
• Add fresh greenery to artificial trees get that fresh pine smell!

13. Faux Norfolk Pine

While cedar has been the reigning Christmas garland champ for several years, Norfolk pine has really made a splash, showing up in garlands, florals, and even small trees. This year, we embrace the tradition of blending the old with the new.

Here’s a few ways to add Norfolk Pine to your Christmas decorations:

• Create a lush full look with several layers like this mantel. Norfolk pine is quite wispy, so you will need a ton of garland and extra picks to create a full look.
• Add a small houseplant. They often come sprinkled with glitter in home improvement stores for a little sparkle.
• Mix with cedar, eucalyptus, or other drapey greenery.
• Use some branches in a vase like this.
• Lay under bannisters handrails for an elegant look.
• Attach around mirror like this for a modern looking wreath alternative.

14. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Decorations

Eco-friendly materials have become increasingly popular in home decor trends over the past few years, and they’re equally applicable to holiday decorations. If you’re interested in getting crafty, consider using upcycled materials or items from your kitchen. Ideas to explore:

• Dried Fruits
• Repurposed items such as old books and glass bottles
• Recyclable Wrapping Paper
• Foraged items from nature like pinecones, branches, rosehips, or holly
• Recycle garage sale finds or find a holiday purpose for everyday items you already have. Neutral dishes are easy to dress up for the holidays, for example.

Where else can you find sustainable Christmas Decorations?

Choose decor made of recycled materials or FSC-certified wood. Many sustainable decorations are also made from organic cotton, linen, vintage fabrics, or raffia.

16. Budget Friendly Christmas

I’ve mastered the skill of budgeting to expand and enhance my Christmas collection over the years! Here are some of my favorite tips for maintaining a low entertainment budget for Christmas:

• Plain white plates work year-round.
• Goblet style glasses are beautiful to use all year, but extra festive during the holidays!
• Use pillow covers rather than new pillows.
• Tiered serving trays make fa-la-la-la fabulous centerpieces and more.
• Make a centerpiece out of yard clippings or findings from a winter walk in the woods.
• Sprinkle extra glass ornaments in containers.
• Ditch the fancy wrapping paper! Try these creative and budget friendly wrapping ideas.