Christmas Decorating Trends 2025: What People Are
Doing This Year (And Why You Don’t Need to Follow Every Trend)
Christmas decorating in 2025 is bigger, bolder and more visible than ever. Social media drives much of what we see in homes across the country, from the rise of the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic to darker, theatrical looks or nostalgic color schemes. Yet behind all the excitement around new trends sits an important truth. Christmas décor does not need to be reinvented every year. It does not need to follow a theme. Above all, it should make your home feel festive in a way that feels personal.
This year’s trends offer inspiration, but not instruction. Here is what people are doing for Christmas 2025, and why the best décor is the one that makes you happiest.
The Big Looks of 2025: What’s Actually Trending This Year
Christmas 2025 leans into a mix of luxurious tradition and imaginative escapism. Several key looks are taking over interiors and social feeds, shaping how many households decorate this season.
Heritage Luxe: The Ralph Lauren Christmas Aesthetic
One of the most visible trends online this year is the so-called Ralph Lauren Christmas. Deep greens, ruby reds, tartan fabrics, vintage-style ornaments and warm brass details create a sense of cozy elegance. This look taps into a longing for tradition and comfort, which explains why it has become a social media favorite. Shot in soft lighting with roaring fires and ribbon-tied wreaths, it is the kind of imagery that spreads quickly on Instagram and TikTok.
Nutcrackercore and Theatrical Glamour
Fairytale color palettes, velvet ribbons, jewel tones and ornate detailing define the Nutcrackercore trend. It is playful and dramatic, the opposite of minimalist décor, and it brings a sense of childhood wonder to the home. Think oversized nutcrackers, ballet-inspired decorations and richly layered textures.
Moody Christmas and “Gothmas”
Darker palettes are also having a moment. “Gothmas” and moody festive décor combine black, deep forest green or plum tones with warm candlelight and metallics. It creates a dramatic, atmospheric look for those who prefer something unconventional without losing seasonal warmth.
Natural Calm and Earthy Minimalism
On the other end of the spectrum, natural textures and understated simplicity continue to grow. Neutral tones, dried foliage, wooden ornaments and warm white lighting create a calm, peaceful mood. This trend suits people opting for sustainability or who prefer a softer approach to Christmas styling.
A Return to Nostalgia
Tinsel, colored lights and vintage baubles are returning in a wave of nostalgia. Many families are embracing the ornaments they grew up with, celebrating imperfect, sentimental pieces instead of buying everything new. This shift is partly a reaction to constant trend cycles and the desire for authenticity.
The Social Media Influence: Why These Trends Spread So Fast
Social media has become the primary driver of Christmas style. A single viral video showing a tartan ribbon technique or a glamorous staircase garland can influence millions. The Ralph Lauren Christmas trend, for example, rose rapidly because the imagery feels warm, familiar and aspirational. It delivers a curated version of traditional Christmas that fits neatly into the social media aesthetic.
The speed at which these trends spread encourages a belief that Christmas décor must look a certain way each year. Platforms create a pressure to reinvent your home for a single season, often with products that may not be used again. It is visually appealing, but not always realistic or sustainable.
The Problem With Annual Trend Cycles
There is an unavoidable downside to annual trend cycles. Christmas decorating has become another form of consumerism, inviting people to replace decorations that are still perfectly usable. When the goal becomes “matching the theme of the year,” the meaning behind the décor can get lost.
Decorating for Christmas should not require a complete restyle of the home. You do not need a new set of baubles, a new color palette or a new signature look every December. The most meaningful decorations are often the ones with history. The handmade school decorations, the mismatched baubles, the garland you’ve used for years. These pieces carry memory and familiarity, which is something no trend can replicate.
Why Your Christmas Style Should Be Personal, Not Prescribed
While trends can offer fun inspiration, the real joy of Christmas decorating lies in creating a home that feels festive to you. Personal taste, not social media, should lead the way.
If velvet ribbons bring you joy, use them. If you prefer a natural branch over a heavily decorated garland, keep it simple. If you love color, embrace it fully. If you want to mix old and new, do that. There is no correct version of Christmas decor.
Festive decorating should be an extension of your home’s personality. The lights you love, the ornaments you’ve collected, the pieces that remind you of moments or people. Your home doesn’t need to follow a theme to feel magical. It needs to feel lived-in, warm and joyful.
Final Word: Trends Should Inspire, Not Dictate
Christmas décor in 2025 is rich with ideas, from heritage luxe to moody elegance and nostalgic charm. These trends can spark creativity, but they shouldn’t push you to buy more or change your entire decorating style every year. The most enduring Christmas homes are the ones built slowly, with pieces that hold meaning.
