I don’t even care that it’s not Thanksgiving yet, ‘tis the season to start decorating for Christmas. (Technically I start my holiday prep even before Halloween, so this blog post is actually kind of late by my standards.) As a self-proclaimed Christmas expert (the secular kind who just likes light-up displays and velvet ribbon-adorned greenery), I’m compiling a Christmas decor trend guide for 2023. If you’re looking to spruce up your decor for the season, here’s all the inspo you could need.

Gingerbread Everything

Remember in the 2010s when owls were on everything? Necklaces, hats, shirts? That’s what gingerbread is this year for Christmas 2023. Although gingerbread cookies and houses were always staples of the season, you can now find stores stocked with non-edible gingerbread paraphernalia. Stores like Pottery Barn went viral for their ceramic gingerbread houses (I found a just-as-cute but lower-priced dupe on Amazon, don’t worry), and Target sells gingerbread pillows, candy jars, trays, and baskets.

Some of my gingerbread additions for the year include these cute cups from my favorite small business Hart + Flora, one of the Target Dollar Spot cheese boards shaped like a gingerbread house, the cute welcome mat pictured at the top of this article, and, of course, the aforementioned ceramic gingerbread houses.

I also was ahead of the trend when I picked up this Kate Spade purse last year. It's the most complimented item in my wardrobe every time I bring it out.

Classic Christmas

Also called “Warm Christmas,” this trend is all about undoing the damage that the last few years of neutral decor trends have done. A lot of people are tired of having sterile homes during the season and want to go back to the vintage vibes of more is more. Most of the ideas on this list will help you achieve Warm Christmas — like adding colorful decorations, tinsel, thrifted or vintage ornaments, multicolored Christmas lights, and patterned wrapping paper. This vintage style will help you connect with a time gone by.

Woodsy Vibes

There are sort of two camps with this one. Some stores are taking the Christmas cottegecore vibes very literally with mushroom-themed garlands, deer figurines, mossy gnomes, etc. I spotted tons of options in this realm at Target.

But you can also achieve the woodsy look with handmade decorations. This year may be the perfect time to try out some seasonal DIYs like dried orange garlands, salt dough ornaments, or pinecone wreaths. But if you’re not that crafty you can still buy decorations that give off Folklore cabin vibes. (IYKYK). Amazon sells pre-dried oranges, wood slices to use as ornaments, already-assembled woodsy wreaths, and cute mushroom garlands. It’s all about bringing the outside in.

Color Schemes

The classic Christmas colors like red, green, gold, and silver will never really go out of style, but a couple of surprising colors have been added to the seasonal trends this year.

Since it’s the Year of the Barbie Movie™, pink has made its way into all kinds of decorations this year. From pink trees and ornaments to signs and statues, you can catch this hue on many store shelves. It actually works surprisingly well with the classic colors of Christmas since it’s technically just a shade of red anyway.

Another popular shade this season? Brown. Now, neutral isn’t really my vibe, but I can’t deny that greenery like trees and garlands go great with an earthy brown tone. You’ll probably see browns used as an accent to deep burgundies and rich greens in the form of ornaments, accent ribbons, or stockings like in the below Lulu and Georgia catalogue. (I did see one person on TikTok with a fully brown Christmas tree, though, so to each their own.)

Don’t laugh, but the other big color trend? All red everything. Of course red is always a huge part of Christmas decor, but in 2023 that will be taken to the max. Red was everywhere on the runways for fall, and the style will be carried right into the holidays. Think mixing different shades like burgundy, maroon, bright red, and, yes, pink again.

Velvet & Bows

You can find dozens of Christmas trees on TikTok adorned in muilticolor velvet ribbon bows (and tinsel) in instead of (or in addition to) classic ornaments. This gives the tree a vintage-y look — especially if you use ribbon that strays outside the usual red-and-green vibe. Try chartreuse, blue, or pink to spruce up your spruce. Or tie some velvet bows around mantle and stairway garlands.

If you want the velvet trend without the bows you can pick up some velvet ornaments, figurines, or a tree skirt like this Anthropologie one.

This could never be an exhaustive list because there are infinite ways to decorate for the holidays and everybody’s style varies widely. But hopefully I gave you a little inspiration to embrace a new color scheme, make a nod to the past, or even just try out a Christmas craft. And just like Santa, I’ll be back next year with a brand new list.

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