Joanna Gaines loves retro Christmas decor, and it just so happens that nostalgic ornaments will be the biggest holiday trend for 2024
Take a step back in time by decorating with your favorite childhood ornaments...


Channel the warmth and magic of Christmas with retro ornaments, colors, and themes that remind you of your childhood. Yes, nostalgic decorating has returned to our interior design consciousness and has positively influenced our recent Christmas decorating ideas, too.
Entrepreneur and HGTV star Joanna Gaines was one of the first designers to champion a return of retro Christmas ornaments. Take the Nutcracker decorations, for instance, in traditional red, green, and gold. These handsome soldiers never fail to make you smile, and can be easily dotted around your home for an instant dose of festive flair. Flank a pair on either side of your mantlepiece, use them to dress your Christmas tree, or make do like Gaines and create a Christmas wreath using only Nutcrackers and other wooden ornaments – Angels are another favorite of mine.
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Shop retro Christmas decorations
Nutcrackers are steeped in Christmas tradition and this festive season you can’t down an eggnog without spotting one! In German folklore, decorative nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck and protect the home.
This merry band of nutcrackers has been crafted using natural wood for a raw, minimalist finish. The set of five includes a drummer, cymbalist, guitarist, French horn player, and a band leader. Dress your Christmas tree, festive wreath or even use them to adorn presents.
Lenox holiday ornaments are some of the best around, and they evoke so many good memories for me and my family. We've cherished the same ones for many years, so if you don't already own a set, why not add these retro-themed ones to your tree this year? You won't regret it...
It is very easy to get retro decorating wrong. The key is to invest in well-made ornaments that have longevity and history. The Nutcracker is steeped in a rich history that dates back to 17th-century Germany.
According to German folklore, Nutcrackers were given as keepsakes to bring good luck to the family and protect the home. They were believed to represent power, and strength – and to deter evil spirits.
Nutcracker dolls became popular in the USA after World War II when American soldiers brought them back as presents from German Christmas markets. Today, they've cemented their place in our Christmas traditions, and continue to bring joy to children and adults around the world at this festive time of the year.
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Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for several years in both the US and UK, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing and occasionally dabbles in the social media, commercial, and the e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling houses designed by some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances, and even writing a few news stories or two.
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