With the countdown to the festive season firmly underway, you might already be thinking about Christmas decor for this year.
But regardless of whether you like a more pared back festive home aesthetic, or prefer to go punchier with a colourful and kitsch scheme, certain decorative elements are growing in popularity across the board.
In fact, Google searches for ‘vintage Christmas decorations’ are up 5,000% over the last month, highlighting a real desire for nostalgia in festive decorating ideas this year.
With Christmas famously known as a period to remember the good times while creating new memories, it’s not too surprising that we want to look to the past for inspiration.
Many of us will probably have decorations that we bring out year after year, and leaning into these older traditions and memories is something that’s influencing decorating trends this year.
“Nostalgia is making a strong return, offering a comforting retreat from today’s fast-paced world,” says Victoria Robinson, Style Expert at Hillarys. “People are looking to create spaces that evoke cherished memories and a sense of simplicity.”
“We’re really excited about the resurgence of classic design styles and iconic pieces that allow individuals to express their personal stories.”
So which Christmas decor trends are emerging this year? And how can you integrate them into your interior scheme? Read on for the 10 most popular Christmas decorations trending for 2024…
1. Crystal glassware
According to research from Hillarys, topping the list with over 600,000 searches on Google in the last year alone (from October 2023 – September 2024) is crystal glassware.
Thanks to its elegant sparkle, this type of glassware adds a stylish touch to any festive tablescape and will allow you to elevate any of your gatherings with family and friends in the lead-up to Christmas and beyond.
2. Ceramic Christmas trees
If you’re looking for an alternative to a traditional Christmas tree this year, or want to dot a few extra trees around your home or in smaller spaces, ceramic Christmas trees are the way to go — and are the second most searched-for decoration of the year.
While you can get them in a wonderful range of colours, we personally love the look of sleek white ceramic Christmas, which instantly give a sophisticated touch to any mantle, windowsill or sideboard.
3. Christmas village sets
Christmas village sets are third in the rankings, with 371,400 searches over the 12-month period. With miniature recreations of enchanting, wintery scenes, they really do add a warm and cosy feel to your Christmas decor — and there are lots of great ones to choose from.
4. Christmas placemats
Upgrading regular placements for festive alternatives is a popular choice, taking fourth position on the list. However, to create a cohesive Christmas colour scheme, just be sure to match your placemats with either your tablecloth or centrepiece.
2-pack Scallop-edged Placemats
Set of 2 Gold Snowflake Placemats
Christmas Tree Linen Placemats
5. Wooden Christmas decorations
Wooden Christmas tree decorations are a sustainable and popular choice, coming fifth in the rankings. “Wooden Christmas decorations are a timeless choice and will look as stunning on your tree now as they will in 10, 20, 30 years. Just like natural wood in your home, wooden Christmas decorations will never go out of style,” Betsy Benn, the founder of the eponymous personalised gift brand, previously told Country Living.
From tree decorations and hanging stars to wooden advent calendars and tabletop trees, there are so many different options to choose from.
6. Needlepoint stockings
Another vintage-inspired Christmas decorating idea is a needlepoint stocking — which has a wonderful heirloom quality to it. We love these ones from Land’s End but you could even try embroidering or stitching your own, if you enjoy a spot of crafting.
7. Christmas glassware
Christmas glassware tends to have more of a vintage feel to it, but comes in all shapes and sizes — from elegant Art Deco cocktail coupes and green stemmed wine glasses, to more kitsch options adorned with bows and Christmas trees.
Star Etched Wine Glass
Now 50% Off
Candy Stripe Glass Tumbler
Williams Sonoma Williams Sonoma ‘Twas Tumblers, Set of 4
8. Angel Christmas tree topper
From classic stars and bows, to snowflakes and adorable little festive figures, you can go in lots of different directions with your tree topper. But angels seems to be the firm favourite overall, with more than 136,000 searches for them over the last year.
9. Tinsel trees
If you’re short on time or space, a tinsel tree can be a great solution. Opt for a golden one for a more traditional look, or go all out with a brightly coloured tree to add some personality. It really does lean into the maximalist aesthetic, particularly if you start adding baubles and decorations to it.
10. Nutcracker decorations
No Christmas would really be complete without a charming and whimsical nutcracker in some form.
A nice way to add a touch of magic to your home, nutcrackers come in a wide array of sizes, finishes and colours, depending on the overall look that you’re going for — plus they have a real timeless element to them, making them a joy to bring out year after year.
Sugar & Spice Wooden Nutcracker Figure
The Seasonal Gift Co Bellini Nutcracker Christmas Decoration
Wooden Chrismas Nutcracker Soldier Ornaments
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The Full Six Bar Collection
Bare Bones Chocolate’s single-origin bars, made in its Glasgow factory, are beloved by Rick Stein – and who are we to disagree? Treat a chocaholic to the full range, or divvy them out into Christmas stockings.
What to give the coffee-lover who has everything? Why, a beautiful cherry-wood scoop, of course. These are hand-carved by woodworker Ambrose Vevers, and will be used in daily coffee rituals and treasured for years to come.
Inspiritus Scented Tin Candle
We celebrated this sustainable candle-maker’s 30th birthday in 2024. From its Cornish farm workshop, St. Eval now makes several million candles a year – but its festive wintery fragrances are always firm favourites.
The Level Collective is an outdoor lifestyle brand inspired by founder and designer Mark Musgrave’s sense of adventure. Specialising in sustainable, handmade British pieces, its waxed cotton backpacks are particular favourites.
Black Meander Candle Holder Small
Jo Anna Butler and Gearoid Muldowney – aka Superfolk – craft homeware and prints inspired by the wild Irish coast. The design of this copper candle holder was based on the meanderings of the Owenmore river – a unique and special gift.
Why not knit a present with one of Donna Smith’s charming hat patterns? Donna knits and produces naturally dyed yarn from her croft house on West Burra.
Angie Lewin 2025 Calendar
In her Speyside studio, Angie Lewin transforms sketches of the landscape into evocative prints and paintings. Her 2025 calendar showcases a seasonal botanical design each month, and comes with £20 voucher to redeem against the purchase of any of Angie’s prints – sure to be well-received by any art lover.
Joan Woods, founder of organic perfumery Waters + Wild, takes her inspiration from the countryside around her in County Cork. Fragrances are created using natural ingredients from her studio overlooking the Atlantic.
Molesworth & Bird make designs using pressed seaweed from Dorset and Cornwall – there are over 600 species in the British Isles. Spark a new hobby by gifting their seaweed pressing kit, complete with guide.
They press blooms from the garden and produce paper using the kitchen blender… the mother and daughter behind Flint, in Sussex, take a down-to-earth approach to crafting their wares. Gift a few of these handmade crepe paper narcissi for a forever vase of flowers.
Initialled Oak Leather Flask
Jason Booth and Gemma Gilleard, of Hord, channel inspiration from the Pennine Hills into bespoke leather accessories for outdoor adventurers. Monogrammed hip flasks are amongst their most popular gifts.
Sussex Oak Fabric Cushion
This is a cushion with a story; Sarah Burns forages for plants to creates dyes from her West Sussex studio, which are then used to block print linen and hemp. Her cushions are filled with local wool and would add a dose of country charm to any sofa.
Forget six-foot Norway spruces: the Arboretum’s Christmas trees, made by a woodworking duo, can fit in the palm of your hand and will never drop their needles.
Anyone would be delighted to receive this tipple, from Herefordshire cider-makers Artistraw.
From Coast & Cove: An artist’s year in paint and pen
Acclaimed illustrator Anna Koska celebrates fish, fruit, shells and seaweeed collected near her Devon home in paintings that burst with life. This book is a beautiful love-letter to the natural world around her.
Ellis Cochrane is a Freelance Contributor for House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, covering everything from expert tips and tricks, to gardening advice, product roundups and the newest properties to hit the market. Ellis has been writing about homes, interiors and gardens for four years now, and her work has also been published on Ideal Home, Prima and Elle Japan. Over the years, Ellis has also written at a number of publications such as Cosmopolitan, Tyla, Daily Express, Expert Reviews UK, Stylist and IndyBest, covering beauty and style, TV and films, books and celebrity news. Ellis studied at the University of Strathclyde, where she completed a Joint BA Hons Degree in English and Politics. Follow Ellis on Instagram at @ellistuesday.
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