Ryan Seacrest's Anti-Trend Christmas Tree is a Lesson in Warm, Sensory Decor – It's Dripping with Light
Traditional colors come together with icicle ornaments and yellow lights on the presenter's Christmas tree for a cozy and cocooning effect
This year, traditional Christmas decor is getting a new twist. Rather than leaning into the freshest trends, homeowners are embracing the warmth of classic decor, working to make it look even cozier and more inviting.
Ryan Seacrest's Christmas tree provides the perfect example. A close look at his holiday Instagram post from last year reveals that he began with traditional colors; his evergreen is layered with red, gold, and dark green ornaments. A burgundy velvet tree skirt (like this ruffled one from Lulu & Georgia) complements the look. Warm light seems to be dripping from every branch, thanks to the clever placement of amber bulbs throughout the tree. Glass icicle ornaments help the light to reflect throughout his living room.
His Christmas decor is evidence that you don't have to reinvent the wheel for a striking look this season – sometimes, an update on the classics are best.
The aesthetics of Ryan Seacrest's traditional tree align with Christmas trends for 2026.
Design experts at Sophie Allport explain: 'While contemporary Christmas decor remains popular, 2026 sees a renewed appreciation for traditional festive styling. Classic details, nostalgic decorations and timeless seasonal imagery are making a comeback as homeowners seek decorations that bring warmth, familiarity and cherished memories. Rather than chasing trends, many are investing in pieces they can bring out year after year.'
Recreate Ryan's Look at Home
To recreate Ryan's look, all you need are a collection of traditional ornaments, warm lights, and icicle ornament accents. These are our editors' picks.
Close attention to Christmas light ideas is essential for anyone hoping to elevate their tree like Ryan's. 'Homeowners are choosing to be very deliberate in how they light their Christmas trees,' advises Swati Goorha, Founder and Principal Designer of Swati Goorha Designs. 'They'll choose softness over brightness and avoid flash lights as much as possible. The goal is for the warm white lights and Champagne, Brushed Gold, Antique Brass, and other metallic decorations to add festivity without creating an uncomfortable environment.'
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Rather than a single layer of lights over the top of the tree, layering them throughout can help to create a rich, dripping look like we see in Ryan's home. Swati recommends: 'Use my trick and put your string of lights at varying levels within your tree so you can create depth, while giving the entire tree a nice, soft glimmer.'
As we move into the holiday season, Ryan's tree serves as a reminder that decorating can take a variety of forms. With the right treatment, even the most traditional looks can be new again.
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Sophie is a writer and News Editor on the Celebrity Style team at Homes & Gardens. She is fascinated by the intersection of design and popular culture and is particularly passionate about researching trends and interior history. She is an avid pop culture fan and has interviewed Martha Stewart and Hillary Duff.
In her free time, Sophie freelances on design news for Westport Magazine and Livingetc. She also has a newsletter, My Friend's Art, in which she covers music, culture, and fine art through a personal lens. Her fiction has appeared in Love & Squalor and The Isis Magazine.
Before joining Future, Sophie worked in editorial at Fig Linens and Home, a boutique luxury linens brand. She has an MSc from Oxford University and a BA in Creative Writing and Sociology from Sarah Lawrence College.