It’s hard to please everyone during the holidays – a fact most of us know a little too well. For stores, the challenge is even bigger: how do you make a collection with mass appeal that still feels cool, personal, and worthy of your holiday rituals? This year, West Elm ditched the one-size-fits-all approach, releasing one big Christmas 2025 collection that breaks down into four distinct moods, each more specific (and frankly, more stylish) than the last.
The first leans hard into holiday kitsch – a nostalgic nod to 90s mom-and-pop Christmas decor, when string lights were multicolored and the glittery Elmer’s-glue ornaments your kids made actually made it onto the tree. West Elm’s version is cheekier, swapping popsicle sticks for tongue-in-chic designs, like an ornament that looks like a tin of caviar.
For the Christmas minimalist who cringes at garish color palettes, there’s pared-back but equally festive fare: origami paper trees for the mantel, cotton-mâché stars, and other perfectly imperfect accents tapping into the wabi-sabi trend.
For the magpies among us – lovers of holiday glitz – the brand leans into shimmer and shine with crackling gold mercury candle jars and real feathered bird ornaments. Merry motifs, made luxe.
And finally, for the holiday trend purists, West Elm has nailed the classics: velvet bows, flocked garlands, and the staples you expect, all rendered with that slightly more unique, distinctly West Elm touch.
Whether your vibe is kitsch, classic, or somewhere in between, there’s a look to love. Ahead, Homes & Garden’s favorites from the brand’s four holiday moods.
Kitsch
In the 90s, a funny ornament might have been a chocolate chip cookie. In 2025, the humor is the same but the taste level has climbed. Take your pick of seafood – oysters, sardines, or the crowd-favorite caviar tin pictured here.
Your holiday shirts have collars, so why not your Christmas tree? Dress the base with these playfully striped ruffles that lend a handmade, holiday feel – except there’s no way you could whip up a tree skirt like this in craft class.
Après-ski was once niche, now it’s a bonafide cultural obsession. Lean into the fun with your festive figure of choice – red skier or green. Who will win? Buy both and let them race it out.
Minimalist
This barely-there burst is the finishing touch your modern tree didn’t know it needed. Wrapped in soft gold metallics, it reads as enchanting without the need for excess. Plays well with other tones like silver or chrome.
Minimalists might avoid heavy mantel decor, but even the simplest stylists can’t deny the appeal of these monogram origami paper trees. They bring an art-forward texture to Christmas tables, whether clustered or styled solo.
This pick takes the classic Christmas wreath and pares it back to the essentials: warm pine and pepperberry as flourishes, not full coverage. It still feels inviting, but with the kind of restraint you’d expect from your favorite design influencer’s front door.
Glam
What's more glamorous than a white Christmas in NYC? Channel your inner park avenue princess with this darling pillow cover, designed in collaboration with illustrator Nicole Cicak. Feels festive and fancy in all of the right ways.
White tapers are fine. Red or green ones, festive but obvious. These metallics, though – the quiet luxury of the Christmas countertop – feel surprisingly elevated, dressing up candlesticks you already own.
Add a little twinkle to your Christmas mantel with brass. The finish has a vintage charm that feels cozy but current, especially rendered in this angel figure's streamlined sensibilities. It sets the stage perfectly for snow-flocked accents, chunky knits, and of course, more metallics.
Classic
Holiday bows are forever, which makes this six-piece ornament set a smart stock-up. With a range of colorways to choose from, there’s a velvet shade ready to match any holiday tradition.
Ball ornaments are classic. Garland, too. Flocking as well. But bring them together in a muted, modern palette and suddenly the whole look feels new. It’s familiar, but very of-the-moment.
If your grandmother wasn't a master knitter, now’s your chance to fake it. These knitted stockings are classic, but the bauble-like texture feels unexpectedly avant-garde. Available in all the holiday staples – red, green, and cream.
Where are you bow-ing this season? Before you check out, Shea McGee’s latest holiday collection confirmed the trend we’re all tying into: Christmas bow decor is officially back – and looking sweeter than ever.
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