Reese Witherspoon’s Nostalgic Christmas Tree Is the Chicest Take on a Classic Color Scheme I've Seen – and It’s Easy to Recreate

Red and white at Christmas can easily veer traditional. But this tree makes the classic color combination feel fresh, pared-back, and decidedly chic.

Although Reese Witherspoon's Christmas tree is a few years old, we'd still happily take inspiration from it this holiday season. In fact, its age is almost beside the point: the restrained palette of crisp white, rich red, and cool silver feels as relevant now as ever. In fact, its simplicity is what makes it so appealing. Rather than layering on every color and decoration associated with Christmas, it commits to a tightly edited Christmas color scheme that feels polished and effortlessly Scandi-cool.

Witherspoon has experimented with plenty of festive decorating styles over the years, but this remains one of our favorite Christmas tree ideas. A statement silver tree – I love this top-rated Christmas tree from Amazon – sets the scene, while red and white ornaments, delicate bows, and touches of sparkle create a festive look that feels polished rather than cluttered.

The appeal is largely in the simplicity of the palette. White keeps the scheme feeling light and fresh, while red brings warmth and personality. Against silver, the colors have an almost jewel-like quality, creating plenty of visual impact without needing an abundance of decoration.

‘There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about decorating with red and white at Christmas,’ says Hebe Hatton, Head of Interiors at Homes & Gardens. ‘They’re colors that instantly bring to mind the Christmases of our childhood – red ribbons, candy canes, traditional baubles and snowy white decorations. But that doesn’t mean the combination has to feel old-fashioned. Used in a more pared-back way, red and white can feel fresh and sophisticated while still capturing that sense of warmth and familiarity that makes Christmas decorating so special.’

That sense of nostalgia is part of why I love the color combination. Red can feel bold, but a few carefully placed ornaments, ribbons or bows bring warmth and personality, while white keeps the scheme feeling fresh and gives those traditional touches room to breathe. A little silver adds sparkle without taking away from the simplicity.

The decorations don't need to be complicated, either. Glossy red baubles, white ornaments and plenty of ribbon are enough to create a considered tree, with an oversized bow adding a playful finishing touch.

How to Get the Red and White Christmas Tree Look

Recreating this look at home is surprisingly straightforward. Start with warm white lights, then build your scheme around red and white decorations, introducing silver or metallic accents if you want the same cool, polished finish as Reese Witherspoon's tree.

Choose a mix of finishes – red baubles, candy canes, matte white ornaments, delicate ribbons, and a few reflective pieces – but keep the color palette tightly edited. Finish with an oversized red or red-and-white bow at the top of the tree for that final Scandi-inspired flourish.

The result is festive without feeling fussy, traditional without looking dated, and proof that a classic Christmas color combination can still feel incredibly chic.

You don’t need to reinvent the Christmas tree every year. Often, the schemes we return to are the ones that bring back a sense of Christmases past – familiar red and white decorations, a little sparkle, and the simple ritual of making the tree feel special.

And if you’re looking to bring more of that nostalgic charm into your home, we’ve curated a selection of Christmas decor in our Amazon Storefront.