Each year, the holidays feel like they arrive quicker than the last. Which means now is the perfect time to start thinking about your Christmas decor, specifically the theme you want to embrace.
While you don't have to stick to a rigid aesthetic, referencing a theme will help you to curate your Christmas decor ideas and create a cohesive and charmingly personalized home for the holidays.
7 Holiday Decor Themes Designers Love
Embracing a holiday theme isn't about being rigid or restricted with your decor, but more about helping you to create a stylish and cohesive look. And these designer-approved looks prove just how versatile these coveted themes can be.
1. Nostalgia-Core
Gone are the days of a pristine, minimal Christmas – 2026 is the year of embracing nostalgia and celebrating the small decor details that made childhood holidays so special. It's a theme that embraces an eclectic, collected look with decor pieces that spark joy.
'We're feeling a classic Christmas this year. So much of that holiday feeling is pure nostalgia, and we can't wait to lean into the memories of how our families celebrated in years past,' says Melissa Oholendt of Oho Interiors.
'Grandma's Santa Cookie plates? Yes, please! Vintage glass ornaments on the tree? Perfect. A stair banister draped in layers and layers of lush greenery with ribbons tied into bows? Into it. Large outdoor ornaments hanging from string lights wrapped around outdoor trees? Magic. Old-fashioned Christmas vibes are complete with needlepoint stockings, true reds and greens, and twinkly lights.'
What's so special about this particular theme is that it embraces all of the decorations you bought, made, and inherited throughout your lifetime, and brings them together to create a holiday scheme that tells a story. You can then layer in some additional pieces (we love The Six Bells nostalgic Christmas collection this year) that weave a thread and add a final layer of festive coziness.
2. A Ralph Lauren Christmas
Perhaps the most coveted holiday decor theme for 2025, a Ralph Lauren Christmas is on everybody's mind. 'The aesthetic is both timeless and abundant,' says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director at Mazzarini & Co.
'Nothing is subtle, but it allows you to select your own style preferences within the existing identity, whether you prefer sparkly silver, plaid, or mountain-inspired red. Ralph Lauren Christmas has it all, and it always feels aspirational, comfortable, and filled with nostalgia.'
There's a quiet elegance to the Ralph Lauren aesthetic that sets it apart from other themes. It's got those hints of nostalgia and heritage, but with a more curated, refined finish. 'The look is location-specific but universally appealing. It works beautifully across mountain retreats, city apartments, or country homes, blending heritage design cues with the festive warmth associated with Christmas,' Dan explains.
'To create the perfect Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas, candles in hurricanes help to create warm, ambient lighting. Trees should be “everything or nothing”: fully decorated with plaid bows, ornaments, and tinsel or beautifully simple with a naked flocked tree and a white tree skirt,' he continues.
'Incorporating plaid throughout the space is another simple nod to the aesthetic, from bows to ornaments and table settings, while already-owned items like decorative punch bowls, silver tinsel, or cut crystal can add sparkle. The key overall is abundance and layering of elements to create a rich, aspirational holiday environment that isn’t overly contrived.'
3. Whimsical Gothic Decor
The classic Christmas colors might be red and green, but this year, a darker scheme is taking the reins. The whimsy goth aesthetic is back this holiday season, and paired with the everlasting penchant for decorating with moody hues, it's a theme that's sure to shake up your holiday decor.
It's the opposite of bright and nostalgic – it's flocked black baubles, antique ornaments, and warm lights that add a subtle glow amongst the dark tones. Mix in hints of brass or aged silver accents, and you've got yourself the perfect gothic scheme.
The key to nailing this theme is to ensure it looks elevated and curated. It's not supposed to be spooky (even if you're embracing the Gothmas trend), but rather to evoke a sense of moody sophistication, with a Victorian gothic flair.
It could be as simple as a garland down your stair banister, woven with mauve, copper, and black decorations, or an elegant Christmas table with iron candle holders and a classic black and white color palette.
4. Material Elegance
The classic colors and nostalgic style aren't to everyone's tastes, nor will they suit every interior design style. For those who prefer a more pared-back, elegant holiday decor theme, focusing on introducing beautiful materials, like glass and metal, through ornaments and Christmas mantel decor is a chic way to dress your home for the festivities.
'I imagine glass and polished metal accents will be a big holiday decor theme for Christmas 2025,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo, who's embracing a lighter, more classic theme this year with these two key materials at the center of the decorations, with pieces such as the Simon Pearce Vermont Twist Modern Classic Glass Tree and Xion Regency Antique Brass Metal Swirl Candelabra Candle Holder.
'I’m obsessed with decorative elements that feel luxurious and timeless, and these two materials deliver both. Their luminous surfaces reflect light beautifully, making them the perfect accompaniment to a holiday mantel or candlelit table setting,' she explains.
'I like to layer decorative objects of different shapes and heights on my mantel, console table, and coffee table. Mixing materials and silhouettes creates a vignette that feels charming and perfectly layered.'
5. Unexpected Color Palettes
This holiday season, some people are embracing old-school tradition, but for others, it's all about creating a unique scheme with unexpected colors. And one palette that's making waves is a combination of pink and blue.
Interior designer Bethany Adams has embraced the look with a Christmas tree decorated with an array of pink and blue bows, like this Blue Striped Bow Ornament and Velvet Bow Clip-On Ornaments, both from Anthropologie, paired with elegant snowflakes and equally colorful baubles.
It might not be the traditional holiday look, but it works so well because it follows a cohesive color palette. Blue and pink are a contemporary take on red and green without feeling kitsch or juvenile – but the decor pieces you choose are key to the look's success.
The bows in this scheme are a stylish touch – and a huge Christmas trend this year. But you can also bring this color palette into your wreaths and garlands with baubles, ribbons, and florals. Don't forget to coordinate your wrapping paper – blue and pink wrapped gifts below the tree, not only looks cohesive, but adds to the theme in an intentional way.
6. Festively Frosted
There are different ways to embrace the season through your decor, and while the festive colors are a classic way to do it, some designers prefer to look to outside influences. And this year, it's all about frosty, ice-inspired decor.
'This year, I feel like it will be an ice-inspired holiday theme. It brings a refreshing twist to traditional Christmas decor. Think glacial blues, frosted silvers and crystal-clear accents that shimmer under soft lighting,' says Ania Agárdy of Luxury Living by Ania Agárdy.
'It is a look that feels both elegant and serene and works for both Hanukkah and Christmas as well as for homes that are more spiritual than religious. This palette evokes the quiet beauty of winter without overwhelming the senses, transforming your home into a sophisticated wonderland,' she explains.
This theme is more minimal, draped in subtleties, and offers a cooler alternative to traditional Christmas decor. But it's also incredibly versatile. You can go big and busy with mismatched ornaments, layered displays, and blue and silver motifs, or you can go much simpler.
'From glass ornaments and mirrored surfaces to white florals and translucent decor, ice design celebrates purity, reflection, and modern glamour. It is the perfect fit for those who love a chic, understated holiday look and matches with every home's interior design.'
These holiday themes really have you covered, whether you want a bold, moody design or simply want to make your home cozy for Christmas. And whichever theme you choose for your decor this year, don't forget to add a personalized touch with family heirlooms, vintage Christmas decor, or even ornaments you can add a photo to.
We recommend the AERIN Gold Mini Frame Ornaments from Williams-Sonoma, which come in three charming designs, or the wreath-inspired Laurel Picture Frame Ornament from McGee & Co., which remains a favorite year after year.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.