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Christmas decor trends have their own way of reflecting the spirit of the times. Take the 1800s: Amid an indulgent obsession with gold finishes and regal embellishments, the Victorian Christmas tree was often anointed with gilded acorns and holly tipped with crystals, no less. A century later in the 1940s, decorators went tinsel crazy, creating a metallic moment we could never forget. That was followed by kitschy leg lamps, Hallmark ornaments, and, more recently, a decidedly understated elegance that leans into the quiet luxury trend.
Yet, in 2024, homeowners are poised to give their homes a holiday moment that is anything but quiet. At least, that’s what we’ve surmised after speaking with designers, trend forecasters, and retail authorities who are keyed in on what’s trending this year in the holiday decor universe. Whether it’s mirror-ball baubles, a profusion of ribbons, or edgy, neon-colored tableware—it’s clear we’re ready for a season of unrestrained jubilance.
If your visions of sugarplums involve something resembling a Lisa Frank pencil case, consider this your sign to go beyond the orthodox red-and-green scheme. You certainly won’t be alone, according to Lauren Chiu, head of color and material trends at trend forecasting company Stylus, who foresees a return to the jubilant palettes of the ’90s in homes this year.
“We predict an avant-garde approach to holiday styling that brings a youthful energy,” Chiu tells ELLE DECOR, predicting that, come December, we won’t be totally over the ubiquitous Brat green trend that hit our TikTok screens this summer. “Expect decorations in high-impact hues like Brat green, hot pink, and striking black accents to appeal to junior markets wanting to create a lively, party-ready atmosphere at home.” Anthropologie Home’s chief merchandising officer, Katherine Finder, says they’re also seeing an appetite for such hues, in a pastel palette. “From mugs to ornaments and candleholders to glass trees, our customers are loving fun pinks and lavenders that give energy and an unexpected pop.”
This punkish, rebellious take on festive decor will likely inspire bold, nontraditional trees, newfangled combinations, and tongue-in-cheek decorations. Think unceremonious pink-and-lavender tableware, upcycled tinsels, colorful maximalist patterns, playful design references like a Gumby nutcracker, and edgy pairings that will stand in equal weight to the austerity of a traditional scheme. Nonconformists might bring in contemporary finishes like natural stones and rose gold metals for a modern touch. Uncommon components are free game here, such as bird feathers, felted symbols, and anything mirrored or metallic—all combined to create an eye-catching show that is decidedly bespoke and bombastically insubordinate in the best of ways.
The 1970s called, they’re bringing disco back. While we all might have assumed the glamorous aesthetic will stay in the shimmering dance floors from whence it came, the interior design world has been drunk on disco fever, it seems, for the past year—and the trend is only gaining steam. Since fall last year, the hashtag #discodecor has amassed 38 million views on TikTok. Naturally, the magical glittering flecks of light created by this retro gem are screaming “put me on a Christmas tree.”
"This holiday season, shoppers are taking the once popular disco trend and elevating it to full on space cadet with what we like to call Chrome-mas," Dayna Isom Johnson, Etsy's trend expert, tells ELLE DECOR. "This trend is a natural evolution of summer’s playful and rebellious Brat Girl vibe, but with a festive twist. Where Brat Girl Summer brought us bold, unapologetic fun, Chrome-mas ups the ante with sleek, futuristic surfaces that feel fresh and unexpected for the holidays." In the last three months, Etsy searches for "chrome glasses" were up 40% compared to last year, Isom Johnson found, with searches for "chrome decor" up nearly 4%—something she estimates will only gain steam as Christmas approaches.
Chiu agrees, adding that the retro aesthetic plays into the plethora of playful ornaments hitting the shelves this season. “Mirror-ball baubles and glitter-embellished glass are poised to gain momentum this season, adding excitement while evoking nostalgia."
What does that look like, exactly? Disco balls can be hung from tree branches, perched overhead as tree toppers, strung along a window pane in garland form, or casually propped at the base of a tree. And don’t get us started on their party potential (after Taylor Swift’s last U.S. “Eras” tour offered a lavender cocktail in a disco ball cup, these retro gems are cropping up everywhere in the form of cups and cocktail picks). Can you have too many mirror-ball baubles, one might ask?
But the disco ball isn’t the only thing that’s rolling. Anything goes, from groovy retro ornaments to colorful LED lights. We’re especially loving that the look segues perfectly into a pumping New Year’s Eve bash, complete with a ball drop.
Bows are clearly having a moment. Perpetuated by TikTok trends that demonstrate a reclaiming of girlhood—like Barbiecore and coquette—the bow seems to be everywhere a ribbon can be tied. To wit: Sia wore an oversize pink bow on her head while performing for Christian Siriano’s 15th-anniversary show; Sandy Liang’s fall 2024 New York Fashion Week show was a total bow fest; not to mention the endless at-home styling videos on TikTok, ranging from bow placement on pants, purses, and, yes, even Apple headphones.
And yet, we haven’t reached the saturation point of bows just yet, Anthropologie is betting. In the brand’s 2024 Holiday House, the annual townhouse takeover that displays their upcoming seasonal collection, bows were the true stars of the show, cascading across fireplace mantels, lording over Christmas trees, even taking center stage on the table display, perched atop a Jell-o dessert. “Ribbons and bows are the Christmas accessory of the year, and we’re totally here for it,” says Finder. The brand is offering everything from billowing satin tree toppers to velvet bow clip-on ornaments.
Fancy seasonal collection features endless items of coquette-ish adornments with bows upon bows.
Maybe it’s because they’ve garnered a cult community of Etsy crafters; maybe it’s because they lean into the artisanal realm; or perhaps it’s just because the people will love felt critter ornaments as innately as they love puppies—felt critter ornaments are exploding online. Whether it’s a curious-looking porcupine, an über-fluffy sheep, or an inexplicably adorable mouse on skis, these specimens—crafted using a needle felting technique—are taking the place of the standard bauble with impressive staying power. “Our felt critters are always a bestseller,” says Beth Smith, Terrain’s managing director, noting that their squirrely little critters nearly sold out last year. “They’re an easy, family-friendly way to add holiday cheer to a mantle, tablescape, or tree.”
With the release of the salacious Netflix hit series Bridgerton, on top of its stateside sister series on Max, Gilded Age, came the ushering in of a new buzzword that is making the rounds on social media with interminable staying power: regencycore. And just like that, three centuries after its original debut, women everywhere are ditching their casual jeans for something more befitting of a debutante. And of course this trend has made its way into our interiors, standing poised to be the Christmas trend of the year.
What, dearest reader, does this look like? Ask yourself, WWQCD (what would Queen Charlotte do)? The old-world Regency style is replete with romantic accents, lavish materials, gilded everything, and rich jewel tones. When possible, make it sparkly. “A standout direction is the plush, lavish aesthetic that’s perfect for creating a decadent escape,” Chiu explains. “Think inky blues, deep burgundy and rich chocolate browns paired with brilliant golds that feel frivolous and celebratory.” Homes will embrace these tones, she says, through textural fabrics like velvet and flocked designs, giving holiday decor a tactile quality. “Vintage-inspired elements, like lace and tassels will enhance tablescapes, while over-the-top decorations like jewel-encrusted baubles and liquidlike glassware will add opulence to interiors.”
