No One Decorates for the Holidays Quite Like the March Family – Here’s Why the Charming ‘Little Women’ Christmas Aesthetic Continues to Inspire Interiors Today

There’s something inherently nostalgic about the holiday season – the return of old traditions, the warmth of homecomings, and the quiet joy of generosity and togetherness. It’s a feeling steeped in comfort and memory, one that the March family captures so beautifully in the iconic book and films of Little Women. The Little Women Christmas aesthetic brings this timeless sentiment to life, blending the charm and magic of family and celebration.

Based on Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel and its various film adaptations, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic embraces the simplicity of the holiday season by means of charming and evocative home decor. This Christmas decorating theme leans into 'nostalgia-core', or a yearning for the peace, comfort, and childlike joy of Christmases past. It's no surprise that this aesthetic is such a popular trend this year, as it 'captures what people are craving right now: more warmth, more color, more character,' interior designer Terri Brien explains. 'It’s sentimental and layered, with a feeling of nostalgia and comfort that is just perfect for the holidays.'

Unlike other holiday trends that might only speak to certain personalities or interior design styles, there's something universal about the Little Women Christmas aesthetic. It embodies the essence of the Christmas holiday itself, not only through its colors and its decorations, but through the feeling it establishes within individuals.

Even if you've never read Alcott's classic novel or seen any of the films, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic is not hard to imagine. Just picture yourself in a cozy Christmas living room with a modest-sized Christmas tree in the corner, decorated with homemade paper and felt ornaments. A fireplace crackles in the background, and from its mantel hangs a collection of patchwork stockings and fresh garland. The feeling is warm, inviting, and humble – nothing is too curated or too pretentious. Rather, the holiday decor holds sentimental value, the atmosphere feels like an affectionate embrace, and the room itself reflects the personalities of its inhabitants.

'This aesthetic evokes the feeling of being welcomed in and truly cared for,' interior designer Lauren Saab explains. 'The goal is not to impress. It is to offer comfort. When a room feels easy to exhale in, you have achieved the mood.'

According to Terri, rooms that embody the Little Women Christmas aesthetic hold a lived-in charm. These spaces feel as though they've been built over time, and they're layered with rich character. 'There’s a softness to the aesthetic,' she says. 'Think candlelight glow, pattern play, wood tones, handmade and vintage touches.'

A traditional Christmas color scheme can certainly benefit the Little Women Christmas aesthetic, but it goes beyond decking the halls with red and green. The colors that make the most impact in this aesthetic are the nuanced shades, like deeper reds, rich greens, patinaed metallic tones that add some shine, and neutral shades that ground the display. 'It’s less about everything matching, and more about creating a sense of warmth and belonging,' Terri advises.

Texture plays a role, too, and especially textures that 'lean warm rather than sleek', Lauren tells me. Woven wool certainly leans that way, like this Wool Blend Fisherman Knit Throw Blanket. Brushed brass decor does too, like this Vintage-Inspired Brass Rocking Horse.

Lauren also makes note of lighting and the ways in which a thoughtful lighting scheme can benefit a home to match the Little Women Christmas aesthetic. 'Table lamps and candlelight will create a gentle ambiance that no amount of overhead lighting can replicate,' she says. Try adding this Vintage Brass Taper Candle Holder to your holiday tablescape to achieve that warm and inviting look.

As for the decorations themselves, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic prioritizes homemade, DIY Christmas crafts over mass-produced, overly-trendy designs. This reflects the decorations that the March girls made for their own family home. According to Lauren, 'handmade decorations bring an element of time and history to your space, which shifts the emphasis away from perfectionism and towards presence.'

Homemade decorations could take any form, and as Terri says, they 'add to that nostalgic feeling'. Terri suggests stringing dried oranges tied with velvet ribbon (like this Silk Velvet Ribbon) through your Christmas tree, hanging handmade cranberry garlands from your mantel, and even snipping greenery from your garden to display indoors. Lauren thinks similarly and recommends displaying handwritten holiday cards as another sentimental touch.

'These elements tell a story,' Lauren says of homemade details. 'They make the holiday feel grounded in real life rather than performance. Even if you pair homemade pieces with store-bought items, the spirit is what matters. Handmade adds heart.'

Through sentiment, mood, and certain decor features, the Little Women Christmas aesthetic can be translated to a modern context. But the truth is, our interiors look drastically different than homes of 19th-century New England – so how does this aesthetic adapt to a modern context without looking out of place?

'To keep the Little Women Christmas aesthetic from feeling dated or too rustic, it’s all about balance – mixing vintage pieces like brass candlesticks or old glassware with cleaner lines and the lighter, more modern spaces of today as the backdrop,' Terri explains. 'That blend of cozy, time-worn charm and refined, transitional elements is what makes it feel timeless instead of themed.'

As for any holiday decor ideas, it's important to establish rhythm between your existing decor, and that which you add. 'Start by anchoring the space with clean lines and let the charm come from the layers,' Lauren suggests. 'For example, a modern sofa can instantly feel more nostalgic when paired with a vintage plaid throw. Similarly, a simple round dining table can immediately feel like a place of memory when adorned with taper candles and some greenery.'

To achieve the Little Women Christmas aesthetic in your interiors, you don't have to turn your home into a replica of the March's. It's quite the opposite, actually. 'Keep major furnishings clean and timeless, then add the historical references through textiles, books, ribbon, and candlelight,' Lauren says. 'The balance is achieved when the space feels cozy and familiar without feeling like a set. Modern bones. Historical soul.'

'At its core, this look fulfills a deeper need – a desire for home to feel personal again. After years of pared-back minimalism, people want spaces with soul,' Terri muses. The Little Women Christmas aesthetic undoubtedly delivers that soul and radiates a sense of charming nostalgia that few interior design trends can replicate.

The Little Women Christmas Edit

Although the Little Women Christmas aesthetic thrives on homemade decorations, get your home started with these store-bought Christmas finds that look like they'd belong in the March family home. They'll tastefully complement any handmade Christmas decorations that you eventually decide to make.

The Little Women Christmas aesthetic isn't the only decorating trend that's having a major moment this holiday season. Meet the Ralph Lauren Christmas aesthetic – a decor style that's just as characterful, but brings a bit more chicness and sophistication.