15 Nostalgic Christmas Trends That Are Coming Back In Style This Year

Many people enjoy the Christmas season because of nostalgic associations with their childhood. It's only natural, then, that some older items from this festive time of year would make their way back into modern trends. This year, Christmas decorating has finally moved away from the minimal, stripped-back decor styles of the past few years. Instead of undecorated garland and plain, white ceramic houses, 2025 will be ruled by retro, vintage-inspired pieces that remind people of years past.

But what exactly is trending this year, and how can you incorporate it into your own decor for the upcoming season? The name of the game this Christmas is color — and lots of it. In response to the Scandinavian style of previous years that had an emphasis on natural colors like white and green, kitsch is back with a vengeance. From bright pink decor items to oversized ribbons and icicle ornaments, this year is set to be all about festive joy that offers an escape from reality. In addition, there is a heavy emphasis on handmade or hand-me-down items that show character and individuality. These pieces offer a respite from machine-made, store-bought pieces and place value on items that are personalized, environmentally friendly, and meaningful. So have a look at these stunning Christmas decor trends that'll be taking over this season and see what you can find, incorporate, or even make for your own festive look this year.

The first decoration you likely be thinking about in the lead up to Christmas is your tree. Whether you use the same ornaments every year or you like to switch it up depending on your mood or the fashion of the day, the colorful ornament trend of 2025 is easy to emulate. Simply find your most vibrant — and wacky — pieces and put them pride of place. In particular, look out for whimsical options with bold patterns or neon colors, as they are at the top of trending tree decor this year.

If you're not a fan of bright colors, why not jump on the trend of celestial-inspired decor, a returning fashion from the 'whimsigoth' style of the 1990s? These pieces are characterized by night sky images such as stars, moons, and comets, and come in subdued yet vibrant colors like deep blue and gold. Pairing these with velvet can help give your space a darker, more dramatic feel, or you can lean into the yellow and gold for a brighter, more sparkly look.

Like metallic decorations but prefer a cooler color palette? You could always focus your Christmas look around a '50s-inspired all-silver design. This look was promoted by stars of the day such as Elizabeth Taylor, and has recently become popular again due to the revival of nostalgic decor. If you want, you could always go full mid-century and opt for an aluminum Christmas tree, a style which was popular in the 1950s and 1960s. Keep in mind, however, that due to the conductivity of metal, these trees should never be decorated with lights due to the risk of fire.

If you like the unique aspect of the aluminum Christmas tree but want one to make truly your own, you could choose to take inspiration from the 1970s instead, which had an emphasis on alternative trees. These hyper-personalized trees have made a comeback in recent years due to the popularity of handmade products and desire to move away from cookie-cutter designs. You can also use these Christmas tree alternatives for your small living room to save on space while maintaining a festive spirit.

With the emphasis on individualized, homemade decor this Christmas, you can easily hop on the trend by making your own garland. Many vintage-style festive garlands are making a comeback due to their makeup of affordable materials which are often found around the house. For example, Victorian homes often featured garland made of everything from walnuts to popcorn. Make the most of this year's color frenzy by using brighter materials such as berries to add a pop of saturation to your handmade garland.

Another vintage trend that is getting a refresh in 2025 is the Christmas village. With origins in nativity displays that featured farmyard animals, these sets quickly became more elaborate and festive. Popular in the '50s and '60s and again in the 1970s — where they transitioned from being made of paper and cardboard into ceramic — these quaint exhibits are once again being popularized in Christmas decor. Have a look at secondhand locations such as thrift stores or sites like eBay to find pieces and make the most of this renewed trend.

If you like the look of those classic Christmas villages, then you're in luck! Hand-painted figurines are also among the retro decor styles that are making a comeback this year due to a growing opposition to consumerism and store-bought items with short lifespans. As a result, vintage or vintage-style pieces are being infused into this season's decor, with imperfections and crooked lines seen as a bonus rather than a drawback. Look for items that may have seen better days and give them a light clean to bring out their original shine for a nostalgic yet trendy look.

This next trend doesn't have to cost you a penny. Similar to hand-painted figurines and decorative villages, this Christmas is all about hand-me-downs. What better way to find unique, original items with a nostalgic factor than by raiding your own attic? A great decorating tip for Christmas on a budget, you can make the most of this newly-popular design choice by selecting old-fashioned family pieces that come with their own personal stories. Simply dust them off and set them out. However, always make sure to check older pieces for potentially harmful substances like mercury and lead.

One specific nostalgic item that is back in style this year is the Santa mug. Many iterations of these mugs have graced shelves since they were originally made at the end of the 1940s. These items are not only trending, but have the added bonus of being incredibly versatile. You can use them as planters for festive foliage, as a seasonal boost for your coffee station, or even as ornaments on your tree. These large, colorful mugs fit right in with this season's love of color and kitsch, so adding them to your collection would certainly keep you up-to-date.

References to ribbons in literature go as far back as The Canterbury Tales, which were written by Geoffrey Chaucer in the 14th century. So it is safe to say that they aren't exactly a new material, particularly since bows were popularized by the Victorians as a Christmas decor staple. Since then, bows have waxed and waned depending on trends, but 2025 is certainly seeing a revival. To make this age-old classic feel modern in your home, try opting for large bows with bright colors and fun patterns that put a new spin on the nostalgic classic.

Animal-inspired Christmas decorations have been popular for a long time — from antlers displayed on the wall to cute felt ornaments in the shape of mice and reindeer. However, this year we are likely to see a resurgence of decor that takes more inspiration from the Disney-esque storybook styles of decades past. Items such as retro glass animal ornaments are perfect for taking advantage of this revival and promoting the nostalgic, childhood feeling that many are craving this season.

Mercury glass decorations in the style of trees, bells, and pinecones have also been reintroduced into trending decor recently. Originally made in Europe in the 19th century, these fragile ornaments were coated on the inside, first with mercury and later with silver nitrate, to make them shiny and eye-catching. Modern versions don't use silver or mercury, but instead utilize a safer reflective substance between two outer walls. Look for mercury glass ornaments to decorate your tree or use other pieces such as vases to create a festive, old-fashioned centerpiece.

"Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings," says the popular Christmas film "It's a Wonderful Life." Bells originally became connected to the festive season because they were used as a method of alerting locals to the upcoming Christmas service at the church. Since then, they have been used in various eras for Christmas decoration, appearing on trees, wreaths, and in garland. This year, there's a focus on antique bells, so why not check your own decor or stop by your local secondhand store to see if you can snag a few?

Sometimes, Christmas ornaments can end up looking a little too homogenous, especially when each one is round and of a similar size. Luckily, long icicle or teardrop-shaped ornaments have come back into fashion in recent years and offer a wonderful way to add dimension to your tree. These ornaments enjoyed popularity as early as the 1910s, when they were used alongside tinsel for a snow-decked look. You can find pre-made vintage-inspired icicle ornaments or make your own version using Borax and pipe cleaners.

Finally, a key returning Christmas trend is kitsch. A term that was originally used to mean something was poorly-made or inexpensive, kitschy bright colors, bubbly fonts, and exaggerated forms have recently taken hold again due to a growing demand for nostalgia, individuality, and simplicity. This can be seen in the rise of pink Christmas decor. Appearing in ornaments, stockings, and even trees themselves, pink has become a hugely popular trend in seasonal decorating. This style seems unencumbered by specific shades, so feel free to try out anything from neon pink to bright fuchsia in your decor this Christmas.