Exclusive: Kevin and Danielle Jonas on designing a 'department store' worthy Christmas tree – and the holiday traditions in their household

If 2023 was the year of maximalism (think dopamine decor, cluttercore, and the vivacious Viva Magenta color of the year), 2024 saw a return of minimalism – a movement fuelled only further by celebrity Christmas trees. This year, we’ve seen the likes of Victoria Beckham and Kourtney Kardashian exhibit a pared-back tree (featuring nothing but string likes), and following an interview with Kevin and Danielle Jonas, we can confirm they're in good company.

The musician and Claim to Fame host recently sat down with H&G to mark their partnership with Lowe's – and Christmas decor was inevitably at the top of their agenda. First up: a surprising holiday decor trick from the Jonas household this month.

'I love Christmas trees, so I’m very good at this. We did a little less this year,' Danielle says. Their Christmas tree isn't as minimalist as the aforementioned, but it's still more pared-back than usual years – and clean – thanks to a wire tie trick. 'I add wire ties to ornaments, and I flip them upside down, and then I'll tie them onto the branch,' Danielle explains. 'You're not hanging the balls; they're actually tied to the branch upside down. It gives it that department store look,' Kevin adds.

'Some [ornaments] get flipped upside down, and then you have some that are small, and then you use the little hook for it because I do like them dangling, too. This year, I used a clear string with little crystals hanging from it, and I hung them on the tree so the crystals could hang from there. Then, I made little small velvet bows; it was fun,' Danielle adds. 'Sometimes, a tree with just lights on it is all you need. It's perfect.'

Christmas trends (like all design trends) evolve with the years, but Kevin and Danielle's decorations and traditions have also changed with their family.

'With family life, it’s about fun as well. There's still the beauty side of things. But now with our two girls, you know, they're, you know, 11 and eight. They definitely have their own vision for what they want in their decorations and like their spaces, which is really cool, and then you have to incorporate the beauty, but they also add the fun stuff,' Kevin says.

When it comes to Christmas traditions, Kevin and Danielle say that their holiday begins straight after Thanksgiving with a family trip to Lowe's. 'We actually start our holiday season there most of the time because our girls love to see all their holiday displays, inflatables, and the things you can get for Christmas. Then, when you're there, it’s amazing because we discover that there’s something for everyone,' Kevin says.

'I know I would be happy to get anything from there all the time, so I'm good with it. [Danielle] has definitely done her damage there, which is wonderful. We always go there every year, right after Thanksgiving, we find ourselves there.'

Back at the Jonas family home, the traditions continue in the shape of Christmas cookies. 'Our entire December calendar is based around the days Danny, her sisters, and her mom get together to bake. You'll eat some, but they bake too many cookies; it’s an absurd amount of cookies. I don't really understand, but I'm not complaining. We say: ‘We can do it, but we can't go and do it that day because we're baking,' Kevin says.

'We also have a special day where they go out before Christmas Eve and get [Danielle’s] Italian dad and go to Arthur Avenue, which is a cool street in an old-school community. It’s the place where you get your bread, your meat, your cheese, fish, and everything for Christmas Eve dinner. Her dad would always go there the day before the day, two days before you go shopping for everything. It's a whole experience, and it's super fun. We've been doing it pretty much since we got married.'

Following Jonas's example is possible in many ways (even if we can't all visit Little Italy before Christmas Eve). Shop our essential picks (including some all-important wire ties for a minimalist aesthetic on your tree. The ties below (available from Amazon) are designed to blend into your tree for the ultimate seamless effect.