10 Decorating Tips That Give Your Christmas Tree A Nostalgic '90s Glow

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

A rebuke of the picture-perfect Christmas trees that light up social media, it seems many are embracing the idea of a "'90s Christmas tree." This nostalgia-driven move evokes the simpler times when many of us were children without a care in the world. The trees were brimming with personality, sentimental ornaments, and unabashed gaudiness (if so desired). If you're dreaming of that '90s nostalgic glow on your Christmas tree, it's easy to get the look in your home.

Multiple news organizations and blogs have covered the return to a '90s Christmas. Today, according to TikTok and Instagram posts, it's moms who are leading the trend as they strive to give their children the same whimsical, warm, and colorful Christmas they had growing up. Even people who don't have children are following suit, recapturing their youth through so-called gaudy lights, tacky decorations, and oh-so-much tinsel. If this sounds appealing to you, get ready to maximize your lights, visit your local thrift store, and have the merriest throwback tree on the block. Once you're done decorating your tree, you'll feel like you're a kid again, sneaking downstairs to peek at the Christmas presents after everyone's asleep. All you'll need to complete the vibe is a plate of homemade sugar cookies, a cup of hot cocoa, and a selection of your favorite Christmas songs.

The first step toward adding the '90s Christmas glow to your tree is to maximize how many lights you're using. Say goodbye to minimal lights, go all out, aiming for each foot of the tree to have at least 150 lights. Think big, flashy, and bright. You're shooting for a cluttered yet complete appearance, with every branch aglow. With this many lights, you'll want to weave them in and around the tree, even around the trunk, for the best glowing effect. 

Bright white lights weren't typically on a '90s tree. The trees of yesterday were bold, colorful, and incandescent, adding that glowing warmth to the tree on Christmas morning. Picking up a box of cool-toned lights can ruin your vintage Christmas vibe, so stick with incandescents. While authentic incandescents of the '90s got very hot, today's reproductions offer the same appearance without the heat. Don't be content with the small, traditional-sized lights. You can go bold with big funky-shaped bulbs, bubble lights, or even those that play holiday tunes.

The Christmas trees of our youth weren't bound by having a matching style of baubles. Our families used what they had, holding onto various boxes of glass and plastic ornaments from bargain or department stores for years. Visit the thrift store for the same look, picking up pieces you enjoy without caring too much about whether they coordinate with the others on your tree. If you're feeling creative, you can also reuse thrift store finds to DIY breathtaking Christmas tree decor.

These classic trees were all about the sparkle and not just from the lights. Accentuating your tree with tinsel or beaded garland is a great way to create a '90s vibe. Look for shiny golds, silvers, and reds, then place them all over your tree. Be careful with tinsel if you have pets that may nibble on your decorations, as they can easily swallow it and cause a life-threatening blockage. You could also tie ribbons and bows around various branches or throughout the whole tree.

You can buy a real and affordable Christmas tree, but the '90s included plenty of artificial trees. Brought up from the basement or down from the attic, the arrival of the trees, often in battered boxes, meant the holiday season had begun. You might already have one, or you can seek one out. A green that looks real is always popular, but don't overlook "frosted" ones, such as this Decoway 6-foot Artificial Christmas Tree. Ensure whatever tree you get fits your space and can hold all the ornaments you're about to drape on it.

Thinking back to your childhood, which ornaments do you remember? Your parents likely had a few crude picture frames made of popsicle sticks, a slice of painted wood, maybe a few clay handprints on the tree. Encourage your children to make a few homemade ornaments by hitting up Pinterest for ideas, visiting a craft bazaar, or borrowing your own childhood relics from your parents for a '90s Christmas tree. Kits such as Ready 2 Learn Christmas Crafts will let you quickly create that DIY accent as well.

The '90s were anything but monochromatic. This decade was about colors, often the brighter the better, and that sentiment extended to the Christmas trees as well. While modern trees may feature coordinated color schemes like red and silver, gold and silver, or blue and white, a '90s Xmas tree was nothing of the sort. Your tree, its decor, and its lights can be as multicolored as you want here; don't worry about color clashing.

Tree collars are a sophisticated Christmas decoration today, but the trees back in the day weren't similarly accessorized. Tree skirts, especially those made of lace, felt, or even vinyl, accented our trees. Drape a red velvet or emerald green around your tree skirt, or pick up one with appliqued designs. Whether it's Santa, gingerbread cookies, snowflakes, or just stars, your 90s tree isn't fully dressed without a skirt.

After the lights, ornaments, and tree skirt are taken care of, there's another crucial element of the retro Christmas tree: the topper. An angel or a colorful star was often in fashion, again, with bright colors. If you can incorporate one of these, your tree will surely be the epitome of a '90s-style holiday decoration. Adding something with glittering tinsel (try the Northlight 9” Lighted Christmas Tree Toppers) can make it sparkle and shine.

From climbing Santas to chugging trains, many of our childhood celebrations included an animated figure near or around the tree. Today, you can pick up many of these same decorations, and they'll definitely give you a vintage appeal. Just look for anything with the mechanical style and ideally, battery-operated. The classic Lionel brand is a good option, especially as they have a variety of trains, such as the Lionel Battery-Operated Silver Bells Express Toy Train Set with Locomotive.