Tinsel is back in style this year – and Shea McGee's chic Christmas tree shows how this retro holiday decor should be used

This holiday decor trend was last popular in the 1950s

shea mcgee of netflix's dream home makeover
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Love it or hate it, tinsel is back. The 1950s Christmas staple has been appearing in some of the world's most stylish homes across social media, including in the house of the final harbinger of what's cool in interior design: Shea McGee. The McGee & Co. founder's style is sleek, coastal, and neutral. 

Basically, the opposite of the gaudy maximalism we've come to associate with tinsel. However, as is to be expected, Shea has made the silver garland look effortlessly chic and completely in line with her signature style. Her Christmas tree loudly declares: It's time to give tinsel a chance.

Shea McGee's Christmas decor is full of cool, neutrals, incorporating several pieces from the 2023 McGee & Co holiday collection. Unexpected silvers and blues form the basis for the look with grayish-blue, brown, and silver ornaments on the tree amongst the cascading tinsel.

This shade of modern Christmas decor is trending, according to color experts. Research from Hiatt Hardware shows that searches for Blue Christmas Decor reached over 3 million views on Google and TikTok this year. 

Ryan Calvert, color expert at Hiatt Hardware states that when it comes to Christmas tree decor, 'A focal point of one color can work well when executed correctly.' He continues, 'Different shades of blue will add dimension to your interiors and prevent a flat, 2D look from developing, whilst achieving a wintery and cool effect. To execute this trend, you can buy a blue Christmas tree, like this on-sale blue tree at Lowe's or decorate a regular one with blue ornaments, tinsel, and lights.'

ryan calvert at Hiatt Hardware
Ryan Calvert

Ryan is a product expert at Hiatt Hardware, where he specializes in pairing the company's finishes with other elements of interior design. This holiday season, he predicts that blue Christmas decor and vintage Christmas decor will be some of the biggest interior trends.

Furthermore, many experts welcome the return of tinsel. Jennifer Ebert, digital editor at Homes & Gardens states: 'This trend will always cycle back around because it has the ability to turn your living room into a magical winter wonderland. Silver tinsel cascading down your tree reflects light around the room, creating an icicle-like effect. When paired with blue ornaments like Shea has done, the trend looks sophisticated and stylish.'

Jennifer Ebert
Jennifer Ebert

Jen is the Editor (Digital) of Homes & Gardens. Before starting this position, she had completed various interior design courses at KLC Design School, as well as working across Ideal Home, LivingEtc, 25 Beautiful Homes and Country Homes & Interiors as an interiors writer.

Shop The McGee & Co. Holiday Collection


Will you use tinsel on your tree this Christmas? There are a whole host of Christmas decor trends interior designers are using in their homes this year, but the best policy is always to take what you like and leave the rest. By blending trends with your personal style, you can create holiday decor that feels both timeless and like a true reflection of you.

Sophie Edwards
News Editor

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.