The Christmas Tree Trends Taking Over 2025 (And How to Actually Pull Them Off)
- Kate Ieromenko
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
image: K.I.+Designs If your Christmas tree still looks like 2023 threw up on it (hot pink, disco balls, maximum chaos), we need to talk.
Not because there's anything wrong with that—if it makes you happy, keep it. But if you've been feeling like your tree looks a little... off... this year, there's a reason for that.
Christmas tree trends have shifted hard in 2025, and we've collectively moved from playful maximalism to something much more traditional, cozy, and—dare I say it—preppy.
As an interior designer (and someone who may or may not create custom holiday art pieces), I've watched this shift happen in real-time through client requests, Pinterest boards, and the fact that everyone suddenly wants their tree to look like it belongs in a Ralph Lauren catalog.
So let's talk about what's actually trending this year, how to get the look without spending your rent money, and why Christmas decor might just be the best gift you give (or receive) this season.
The Main Character of 2025: Ralph Lauren Christmas
This is it. This is THE trend. If you've been on Instagram or Pinterest at all in the last two months, you've seen it.
What it looks like:
Tartan plaid ribbons everywhere
Burgundy velvet bows on tree branches
Brass ornaments mixed with natural materials
Color palette: burgundy, forest green, cream, brown
Fresh greenery tucked into the tree
Cozy, traditional, preppy vibes
Looks expensive but feels lived-in
Why it's happening: After years of beige minimalism followed by an explosion of pink and chrome maximalism, we're craving something that feels timeless and comforting. Ralph Lauren Christmas hits that sweet spot between "classic" and "current."
It's nostalgic without being dated, traditional without being boring, and it photographs beautifully without trying too hard.
The key elements:
Velvet bows (the bigger, the better)
Tartan ribbon draped vertically on the tree
Warm metallics (brass, not silver)
Natural materials (wood ornaments, felt, pine)
Rich, moody colors (deep burgundy, forest green)
The Supporting Trends (Also Worth Knowing)
Vintage Nostalgia
People are pulling out vintage ornaments, hitting up estate sales, and mixing grandmother's glass baubles with new pieces. The collected-over-time look is having a major moment.
How to do it: Thrift stores, estate sales, your parents' attic. Mix old with new intentionally.
Handmade & Natural Elements
Dried citrus slices, popcorn garland, wooden ornaments, felt animals—anything that looks handcrafted is IN. This ties into the broader trend of moving away from mass-produced plastic everything.
How to do it: Make it yourself (YouTube has tutorials), buy from local makers, or hit up craft fairs.
Fresh Greenery Incorporated
Not just around your tree—IN your tree. People are tucking fresh pine, cedar, and eucalyptus sprigs directly into their branches for added texture and that "just walked through a forest" smell.
How to do it: Buy fresh greenery at your grocery store or Trader Joe's, cut into smaller pieces, and tuck into tree branches.
What's Fading (But Not Dead)
Pink Christmas isn't gone, but it's taking a backseat. If you love pink, consider mixing it with burgundy or using it as an accent.
Chrome-mas (the disco ball explosion) has cooled off. Metallics are still in, but warmer tones (brass, gold) have replaced cool chrome.
Overly matched everything feels less current. The perfectly coordinated single-color tree has been replaced by layered, collected looks.
How to Update Your Tree for 2025 (Without Starting Over)
You don't need to buy all new ornaments. Here's how to make what you have feel current:
The 5-Minute Update:
1. Add velvet ribbon Buy 2-3 rolls of wide burgundy or forest green velvet ribbon. Drape it vertically on your tree. Instant 2025.
Where: Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabric (use a coupon!), or Amazon
2. Edit your colors Remove anything that doesn't fit the burgundy/green/cream/brass palette. Store it for next year. Your tree instantly looks more cohesive.
3. Tie on some big bows This is THE trending element. Even 3-5 large velvet bows scattered on your tree changes the whole vibe.
DIY or buy: Make them from ribbon, or grab pre-made ones from Pottery Barn, Target, or Etsy
4. Add natural elements Tuck in some fresh pine sprigs, hang dried orange slices, add pinecones. Free (if you forage) or $10-20 total.
5. Swap your tree topper A classic star or a large bow instantly makes your tree feel more 2025.
Budget-Friendly Christmas Decor Shopping Guide
Because not everyone has Ralph Lauren Home money (most of us don't).
Under $20:
Target (Hearth & Hand line)
Velvet ribbon
Brass ornament sets
Plaid stockings
Basic but stylish
H&M Home
Surprisingly good holiday decor
Velvet ornaments
Natural material pieces
Very affordable
IKEA
Simple, Scandinavian holiday items
Natural materials
Affordable basics
Dollar Tree/Dollar General
Ribbon by the yard
Basic ball ornaments (spray paint them brass!)
Filler ornaments
$20-100:
Michaels / Jo-Ann Fabric
Ribbon (with 40-60% off coupons)
Ornament supplies
Floral picks and greenery
DIY materials
TJ Maxx / HomeGoods
Hit or miss but great finds
Designer-looking pieces at discount
Unique ornaments
Go early in the season
Trader Joe's
Fresh greenery
Affordable holiday plants
Seasonal stems
Splurge-Worthy (But Still Reasonable):
West Elm
Brass ornaments
Modern traditional pieces
Quality that lasts
Crate & Barrel
Classic pieces
Good sales
Investment ornaments
Anthropologie
Unique, collected-looking pieces
Velvet everything
Worth it for statement items
The Secret Weapon: Thrift & Vintage
Estate sales, thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace
Vintage glass ornaments
Brass candlesticks
Unique finds with history
Usually under $20 total
Etsy
Handmade ornaments
Vintage finds
Support small makers
Custom pieces
Christmas Decor as Gifts (Hear Me Out)
Everyone scrambles for gifts in December, but honestly? Good Christmas decor is a gift that keeps on giving.
Why Christmas decor makes a great gift:
They'll use it immediately
It gets better with time (becomes part of their tradition)
More thoughtful than generic gifts
Can be personalized
What to gift:
A set of beautiful ornaments in their style
A gorgeous tree topper
High-quality velvet ribbon and bows
Vintage ornaments you found for them
A handmade piece from a local artist
Speaking of local artists...
Here's something people don't think about: commissioning custom holiday art or ornaments from local artists (hi, that's me and others like me!) makes for incredibly special gifts.
A custom ornament with their home, their pet, their family—that's the kind of thing that becomes an heirloom. It's personal, it's one-of-a-kind, and it supports artists in your community.
Plus, local artists often work faster than you'd think, especially if you reach out in early December. Just saying for the future. Wink wink.
The Trees That Always Work (Regardless of Trends)
Not everyone wants to follow trends, and that's completely valid. These trees look great every single year:
Classic Red & Green Timeless. Traditional. Always festive. If this is your vibe, keep it.
All-White Winter Wonderland Flocked trees with white and silver never go out of style. Elegant and clean.
Minimalist Scandinavian Sparse, simple, natural. If you nailed this aesthetic years ago, it still works.
The Collected/Eclectic Tree Ornaments from every year, every trip, every memory. These trees tell stories and transcend trends.
Maximalist Ornament-Heavy Some people love a tree absolutely loaded with ornaments. If that's you, own it.
Quick Tips to Make Any Tree Look Expensive
Regardless of which trend you follow (or don't), these tricks work:
Use warm white lights, not multicolor (unless multicolor is your intentional vibe)
Edit ruthlessly - sometimes removing 20% of what's on your tree makes it look better
Invest in one great piece - a beautiful tree topper or a few special ornaments elevate everything
Add texture - velvet, wood, natural materials mixed with glass
Create depth - place larger ornaments deeper in the tree, smaller ones toward the front
Less can be more - a beautifully styled sparse tree beats an overstuffed messy one
The Real Question: What Makes YOU Happy?
Here's the truth: your tree should make you smile every time you walk into the room.
Trends are fun to know about and can help you update your look if you're feeling stuck. But they're not rules.
Your 2023 pink tree? Keep it if you love it. Your chrome-mas disco ball tree? Still sparkly and fun. Your classic red and green from 1995? Timeless.
The "best" Christmas tree is the one that feels like home to you.
But if you've been feeling like something's off and you couldn't quite figure out what, now you know: we've moved from playful boldness to cozy tradition. And a few strategic updates can bridge that gap.
The Bottom Line
2025's Christmas tree trends are all about:
Traditional elements done in a current way
Natural materials over plastic
Rich, moody colors over bright primaries
Collected, layered looks over perfectly matched
Comfort and nostalgia over trendy and bold
You can achieve this look on any budget by:
Editing what you have
Adding a few key pieces (velvet ribbon, bows)
Shopping smart (thrift, budget stores, DIY)
Incorporating natural elements
Supporting local artists for special pieces
And remember: the best gift might not be wrapped under the tree—it might BE the tree. Or at least what's on it.
Now go make your tree look however makes you happiest. Just maybe add a velvet bow. They really do make everything better.
What's your Christmas tree style this year? Traditional, maximalist, minimalist, or something completely your own? Drop a comment—and if you need custom ornaments or holiday art, you know where to find me.
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