Don't Fall Into The Trap Of These Holiday Decor Trends (And What To Try Instead)

'Tis the season to be jolly — and to decorate for the upcoming festivities! And just because Christmas is a hundreds-of-years-old tradition does not mean the holiday season isn't immune to trends. Like the rest of the year, there are seasonal décor styles that come in and out of fashion. While Christmas is a time that you should definitely decorate to your personal tastes and family traditions, there's also room to incorporate some of the latest touches. And if you're in need of some new pieces, you probably don't want to waste money on ornaments and holiday décor items that are preordained to look passé. Ahead, we detail some popular Christmas decorating trends that are on their way out, and what you can try instead.

Trending holiday decorations tend to echo the current popular décor styles of the day. In recent years, that meant modern, minimalist holiday décor, often in neutral color palettes. But as we see a shift away from minimalism and neutral interiors towards spaces with more character, color, and even full-blown maximalist décor, it's no surprise that holiday trends are following suit. There's a move to bring personality and coziness back into our homes by looking into the past. This is reflected in the 2024 festive decorating trends, where a traditional, nostalgic Christmas is back in full force. Christmas this year isn't afraid to be cozy, kitschy, and full of genuine, handmade, honest touches. The trending color palette leans a lot moodier, with jewel tones dominating — so it's kind of like your childhood Christmas, but more elegant and grown up. Here's a definitive list of the holiday decorating trends that have become dated this year, plus how to pivot away from them.

Red and green are pretty much synonymous with Christmas. This traditional color combination is always in style for the holiday season, but there's a way to elevate it for 2024. Holiday decorations are often available in bright hues, like candy cane red and Grinch green. There's nothing wrong with these shades if you love them. But to be on trend and in tune with the zeitgeist for this Christmas, consider deeper hues. One of the overarching Christmas 2024 décor trends is jewel tones. For the red and green color combination, this means darker burgundy reds and emerald greens. Your décor will look moodier and more refined with these deeper shades. Search for decorations labeled burgundy, maroon, or Bordeaux red, as well as dark forest or emerald green.

The Green Velvet Christmas Ornaments and Red Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments from Crate & Barrel are great examples of this darker but still traditional color scheme. This Flocked Ceramic Tree Christmas Sculpture from Target is another dark green option for tabletop décor rather than an ornament. Using dark red or green candles is another great way to incorporate this color scheme around the home.

Juicy glass globes and rich metallics are back! If you have your finger on the pulse, you've likely observed the shift from the minimalist trends of years past, which favored neutral and matte colors. As we move away from these modest hues, there's more acceptance for the shiny and bright, especially around Christmas. When it comes to holiday decorations, metallics and mixed metals are trending this year. Gold, silver, brass, and other colors in reflective sheens are all fair game. 

Following along the trend of going back to a traditional and nostalgic Christmas aesthetic, warm gold accents are particularly popular. For example, the Glass Balloon Christmas Tree Ornaments from Zara are a rich gold shade that will look extra warm and cozy among Christmas lights. Instead of black or white candle holders that fit the previously popular minimalist holiday aesthetics, reach for these gold Taper Candle Holders that bring an ultra-elegant touch of the color. For table- or mantle-top décor, the Crate & Barrel Brass Finish Holiday Church is a nice metallic accent. Don't be afraid of a little extra sparkle too, if that's your style. An option like the Pottery Barn Mercury Glass Tree Cloches have an eye-catching shimmer.

Modern home décor, with its preference for clean-lined decorations, influenced holiday trimmings for the past decade. It felt contemporary and ahead of the curve to decorate your dining table and fireplace hearth with pieces that had sleek lines and barely any embellishments, creating an almost abstract effect. Take, for instance, the unique triangular "Christmas tree" pictured above. It's not your traditional tree, but a gold metal triangle on a base. 

While this aesthetic is simple and sleek, it can sometimes lack coziness. If you're yearning to bring back a comforting feel to Christmas, consider replacing minimalist holiday décor with pieces that have texture, character, and warmth. Embrace having holiday clutter that sparks joy. Don't hesitate to display that kitschy or homemade decoration. Give yourself permission to have some fun, and not get hung up on maintaining a picture-perfect home. With a shift towards nostalgia, kitschy and vintage holiday pieces are making a comeback. To keep it sustainable, see what you can thrift.

If you're buying new, something like the Pottery Barn Gingerbread Bath Rug can replace a plain mat and channel lighthearted Christmas cheer in the bathroom. The Lands' End Needlepoint Christmas Stocking has plenty more personality than a simple neutral stocking. And even in the most minimalist of kitchens, the Pink Merry Kitschmas Christmas Tree Figural Cookie Jar can bring a touch of coziness.

A holiday theme can be super fun, but there's no need to approach it with too much rigidity. It's popular to choose a theme and decorate accordingly: Some trending examples include a blue and silver-hued winter wonderland, red and white candy cane lane, or a glam blush pink palette. This idea often involves highly matching décor in a limited style or selection of colors. And while there's nothing wrong with a merry theme or having matching pieces, don't let it dictate all your choices. Instead, consider getting ready for the holidays with dopamine decorating in mind. In this case, it means embracing some level of color and decorating with items you truly love rather than following strict rules. After all, your home doesn't need to look like a department store!

Non-matching décor will make your holiday spread look cozier and more personalized. Part of the trend towards a homey Christmas means showcasing your individuality. Even if you want to keep to a general theme throughout your home, incorporating pieces you really love (even if they don't perfectly match) will inject some personality and make it yours. Instead of going out and buying an entire home's worth of new holiday décor, this approach also makes it easy to mix in old favorites with thrifted finds, dig out inherited décor pieces from the attic, or invest in a small selection of fresh store-bought items that are catching your eye this season — without being worried that "they won't fit."

If covering every inch of your home's exterior brings you Christmas joy, then go all-out with your outdoor décor. But if the setup process feels stressful or the season is a lot on your electricity bill, feel empowered to turn down the volume on these decorations. Items like inflatables, extra large holiday statues, and having every surface covered with lights can be fun, but too much can also look a bit flashy and dated. Instead, go for a toned-down display that suits your style, budget, and the amount of time you want to spend setting up.

There's a lot you can do nowadays with smart lights to create an eye-catching display that isn't over-the-top. Smart Christmas lights can be scheduled, change colors, and even display light shows, all controlled from your phone. Bulb and LED strip versions are available too, for example, the Philips Hue Indoor/Outdoor Festavia String Lights for the former and the Govee Outdoor LED Strip Lights for the latter. You can mix these strand types to vary the look of your display.

In terms of décor, there are lots of options apart from inflatables (which constantly suck up energy to stay expanded). Non-inflatable décor is more low maintenance but can be just as eye-catching and adorable. The LED Rattan Fawn is a cute festive option. If you want something easier to store, you can opt for pop-up decorations like the Best Choice Products Outdoor Christmas Ornament Set — which is large like an inflatable but folds down flat for storage.

A real rustic Christmas never goes out of style, but it doesn't look nearly as nice when it's forced. If you're buying cheap, factory-made holiday décor to try to imitate a rustic look, it doesn't quite feel the same as the real thing. A performative rustic Christmas might include elements like farmhouse-style text holiday signs, mass-produced distressed wood, and other factory-made décor made to look old when it really isn't. Considering part of what gives the rustic aesthetic such charm is its natural and antique elements, these types of holiday products don't really capture this design style's essence.

In general, imitation is out for Christmas 2024. Instead, opt for real natural touches. For a truly cozy look that's also eco-friendly, try making your own décor out of natural items. Making sustainable holiday garlands, like citrus garlands (which are particularly popular this year) and popcorn garlands, give a real sense of rustic-ness that isn't trying too hard. Consider decorating with real twigs, pinecones, and other greenery collected from outdoors, which looks nicer than imitation options you can get from the store. Thrift shop finds made from natural materials like wood and metal can also bring a more genuine rustic air.

Minimalist trends were also reflected in winter textiles in recent years. Blankets, cushions, rugs, and bed linens were popular in whites, creams, and beiges year-round, with fluffier options for the cold holiday season. Now, these colors are pretty timeless (how can you say no to a cozy, cream-colored blanket?), but you can add even more personality to your home with colorful textiles. For the holidays specifically, think textiles in traditional Christmas colors and patterns. Red, green, tartan, and plaid are all great options for this time of year. Trending for Christmas 2024, consider options in darker, moodier, jewel tones.

If you love a fleecy blanket, the Eddie Bauer Throw Blanket has a detailed Fair Isle pattern that's perfect for a traditional Christmas. Pair it with the CARRIE HOME Tartan Plaid Pillow Covers for an extra cozy couch setup. These Christmas Tartan Check Placemats can bring some texture and pattern to the dining room table. Also, instead of just a seasonal color or pattern, you can opt for textiles with fun Christmas artwork, like this Vintage Santa Dish Towel or Beaded Nutcracker Pillow. While some of these suggestions have an obvious festive theme, things like plaid and tartan textiles are easy to transition to other seasons, and can be used practically year-round, especially if you want to dabble with the cottagecore décor style. What's more, you might even have a Christmas-appropriate blanket, pillow cover, or dishcloth packed away somewhere. For instance, grandma's crocheted blanket could fit hand in glove with this festive season's return to the homey, traditional, and handmade. 

This year, don't limit yourself to shiny, plastic ornaments. You know the type: Those glossy and cheap baubles (sometimes with a few covered in rough glitter) that you can get from any big box store. Seriously consider replacing these with softer textures and lots of character. Keep in mind the shift away from a minimalist "beige Christmas" too, and consider ornaments in jewel-toned and rich colors.

Ornaments made from genuine materials add a kind of coziness that plastic just can't replicate. Velvet is trending this year in particular, especially velvety baubles, like Pottery Barn's Small Felt Ornaments (which you'll also notice are a deep jewel-toned red). Don't want to splurge on something new? You can even DIY velvet-look Christmas ornaments at home by upcycling old baubles that are no longer at their best. 

Velvet isn't the only popular option. Kitschy wool, felted, and other fabric ornaments always have a lot of charm. The Fair Isle Knit Ball Ornaments from West Elm are stuffed with nostalgia, sporting a knitted texture. The Handmade Felt Travel Fox Ornament from Anthropologie is perfect if you can't resist an adorable anthropomorphist Christmas character.

A glitzy and glamorous Christmas is exciting, but it could also feel like the opposite of nostalgic and cozy. The perfection and impersonal aspect of this decorating style can come across as cold and unwelcoming at times. If you love a lavish holiday season, maybe consider a quiet luxury decorating style instead. The idea of quiet luxury has become popular in both fashion and home décor, and is an interior design trend that's here to stay in 2025. Quiet luxury refers to showcasing affluence in an understated and elegant way. It's characterized by craftsmanship, sophistication, and quality rather than overt signs of prosperity. So think along the lines of a high-quality ornament, either handcrafted or from a luxury brand, rather than one that's blinged out in crystals or loud logos.

Of course, if it's true to your style, you can still include glitzy and bejeweled décor, but try to strike a balance with a homier feeling. Adding nostalgic elements can help. Shop for items that look like they belong in a home and not a reality star's mantle. For example, the Winter Splendor Santa is a handmade, glass-blown Christopher Radko ornament. This heirloom-style piece has a luxury price tag, but isn't overtly showy. The Halcyon Days Seasonal Central Park In The Snow Ornament is another example that shows how you can combine an air of luxury with a homely look. This ornament is made from fine glass china decorated with a vintage-style image. 

Bow décor is trendy this year, adding a sweet touch to your Christmas decor. However, Christmas bow styles and colors change annually. And while kitschy and traditional elements are in vogue, not all vintage pieces are making a comeback. Specifically, the bright red, thick, and lavish bows of Christmases past aren't trending anymore. Instead, opt for smaller, thinner versions.

For a more authentic look, tie your own bows with your choice of ribbon instead of buying pre-made ones. Textured ribbons like velvet can add extra coziness. However, if you want uniform bows, there are some classy options you can buy too. Just shop for products that look like real tied bows and not like extravagant gift bows. Look for versions that are thinner, softer, and more drapey looking as opposed to full and super stiff. For example, the West Elm Velvet Clip-On Bow Ornament Set is made using thin velvet ribbon for a plush appearance. A more eye-catching example is the Anthropologie Satin Bow Garland, which consists of larger bows, but which have a soft drape due to the satin material. And if you don't want to drop over a hundred bucks on bows, we've also covered how you can DIY this Anthropologie décor piece and create your own bow garland with lengths of satin fabric.