The holidays have always been a time for nostalgia and tradition, and growing up, my family’s decorations were a testament to that. Everything was red and green, but thankfully we never had a tinsel-covered tree (too messy!). It always felt like Christmas had exploded and as a kid that was always exciting. As much as I love those warm memories and classic holiday setups, the vintage decorations, little villages, and train sets for the most part are long gone. Either ruined by storage mishaps, tossed away because of broken pieces, or just lost to time. There is also the fact that as we grow up and go out on our own, our design styles too grow and evolve. With my love of modern design and contemporary aesthetics, I’ve embraced a fresher, more intentional way to celebrate the season - one that feels much more true to my personal style but still embodies that festive spirit.

If you’re like me and grew up reading American Girl dolls or maybe if you just like history, you know that Christmas decorations have a pretty rich history. Many of the traditions we have now originated in the Victorian era like candlelit trees, delicate glass ornaments, and garlands. Fast forward to today, holiday decor trends are as diverse as ever. In 2024, it’s all about breaking the mold while still maintaining that sense of warmth and celebration. I mean think of all the velvet that is out there right now! If you’re ready to ditch the overdone red and green and explore something more sophisticated, here’s how I am personally decorating for the holidays this year.

Breaking Away from Red and Green

Let’s start with the color palette. While red and green will always hold a place in traditional holiday decor, they’re not the only way to feel festive. While looking online or in stores, you’ll even start to notice the plethora of other colors or even different shades of the typical red and green to choose from. This year, I went with colors that complimented my apartment’s design - more black, muted golds, and dashes of pink or red here and there. By choosing a palette that works with the space, I was able to create a cohesive look that feels elevated and fresh.

Homes with more neutral tones and clean lines should incorporate champagne-colored ornaments, textured beige sotckings, and a few pops of deep navy for a contrast. If you’re craving more color, jewel tones like emerald or amethyst can still feel seasonal without leaning on the expected.

Non-Traditional garlands

Evergreen garlands are timeless, but they aren’t the only option. Ever since I saw CB2’s ball garland, I’ve wanted to experiment with alternative materials and textures. Think pampas grass for a more boho vibe or eucalyptus paired with dried orange slices for a modern, minimalist look. I used metallic wire and delicate fairy lights to add a sculptural type garland that doesn’t distract.

The key is thinking outside of the box while keeping the aesthetic in mind. Incorporating unexpected elements like dried flowers or even the popular paper decorations can add dimension and a unique twist to holiday garland. Luckily, many brands and online stores have non-traditional options readily available, or, if you’re more creative, they have options for changing up a traditional green garland to make it original. For example, Joanna Gaines Hearth and Hand line at Target has a ton of greenery options to make not only garland but planter and vase arrangements a breeze.

Getting Merry with Metallics

If there is one thing I’m determined to add this year it’s more metallics. Nothing says holiday glam quite like some gorgeous metallics. This year I’m embracing the shimmer with gold and a few silver accents here and there. Metallics are perfect for adding a festive glow without overwhelming the space. On my coffee table, the gold centerpiece that typically holds a candle and accents now has a few glittery silver ornaments. The glass gold trees accompany those from across the room and are filled with twinkle lights rather than candles for a little magical sparkle at night. And when it comes to the tree, I’ve used a mixture of shiny and matte baubles for a sophisticated mix of finishes.

I envy anyone who can pull off the full disco vibe that I have seen across Etsy and Pinterest lately. It’s honestly, a vibe. Target even had a full line of glittery toy soldiers and trees that can spice up your holiday decor if that is more your style. One of the easiest ways to bring in metallics, other than ornaments, is by adding candy dishes filled with candies with seasonal wrappers. Target has some nice $5 glass tree containers that would look really good with some shiny red, gold, or green candies inside.

Complement the Existing Color Scheme

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about decorating for the holidays is it’s better if the decor enhances rather than clashes with the existing scheme. Why? Well, if it doesn’t it can look like a really busy mess. Not only that, if I don’t want a rather messy hodge-podge, I have to put a ton of stuff away temporarily in order to showcase the holiday decorations. That is just extra work on my end to put pieces away and find room to put them away.

This year, I’m leaning into my existing modern/Mediterranean design vibe by choosing decorations that seamlessly blend together or, at the very least, don’t look out of place. For example, the sleek shelving unit in my living room is home to a stoneware bowl filled with matte colored ornaments rather than it’s usual lemons. A string of red berry twinkle lights lays across the top in place of garland while two gold glass trees bookend the television. I’ve replaced the typical vase arrangements with simple berry and pine branches. My color scheme is mostly black and white, so many of the holiday pieces add that dash of color and festiviness without being too much.