Christmas can surely be a bit over the top

Christmas decorations have their own world. Every year, new colors, materials, and ornaments pop up, while at the same time we’re remarkably keen to hold on to our familiar Christmas classics. And yet, you see small shifts every season—sometimes subtle, sometimes exuberant.What I find interesting is how you can create a completely different atmosphere with just a few well-chosen details. A unique ribbon, an ornament made of an unexpected material, a touch of sparkle, or perhaps a beautiful handmade detail. For me, it doesn’t all have to be grand or extravagant. Although, of course, at Christmas, it’s perfectly fine to go a little over the top.
What does strike me, though, is that the colorful ’70s vibe we’re seeing so prominently in interiors right now hasn’t really made its way into Christmas decorations. We remain remarkably loyal to our Christmas classics: baubles, garlands, and traditional ornaments. 
On Pinterest, you can often see what’s trending, what people are searching for, and which new trends are really popular. Which materials are making a comeback? Which colors are popping up? And most importantly: how can you incorporate them into your own decor? Not that I’m going to throw everything out and start from scratch just because of that—but I do find it interesting to see which directions people are taking.
These are the things that have stuck with me this year. And who knows—maybe there’s something here you can use to get started yourself...

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Tinsel

Tinsel has been popping up for a few years now. Those shiny, delicate strands have a wonderfully festive feel to them. At the same time, they aren't always easy to find and are hard to reuse.

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But it does make a statement. Especially if you don’t just hang it haphazardly on the Christmas tree, but use it, for example, to decorate a few branches or create an eye-catching centerpiece. Besides, it doesn’t always have to be an entire Christmas tree that gets decked out. Sometimes a small accent is more than enough.

Embroidered ornaments: small craft, big fun

Embroidered Christmas ornaments are becoming increasingly common. Many of these beautiful pieces are handmade, including in India. Sometimes they take classic shapes like Christmas trees, reindeer, and stars, but you’ll also find bees, funny little figures, or ornaments with a cute saying.Ornaments with beads and pearls also fit into this category. They have a special charm, precisely because you can see the craftsmanship that went into them. That often makes them a bit more expensive than the average Christmas ornament, but they’re also pieces you won’t just replace after a single season.

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I think it's a nice idea to gradually build up a personal collection. Adding a few special ornaments each year—maybe receiving one as a gift from friends or family. And before you know it, your tree is adorned with a whole collection of memories.

Embossed metal: mijn favoriete DIY

We saw this trend last year as well, but I still think it’s great. They’re metal ornaments with embossed patterns—small designs imprinted into the metal.And here’s where it gets really interesting: you can easily make them yourself. You don’t need any expensive materials. Think, for example, of those aluminum baking dishes or the metal wrappers you find around St. Nicholas Day that hold chocolate coins. Cut out shapes, use a blunt object to create patterns in the metal, and finish them off with a pretty velvet ribbon.

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All done! An original Christmas decoration at a low price. By the way, this is also a really fun activity to do with the kids. It doesn't have to be perfect. That's exactly what makes it charming.

Funny figurines made of glass and metal

Christmas figurines have been making a comeback for a few years now. I especially like the funny ones—from bags of fries to mini cameras, from small animals to unexpected objects you might not immediately associate with Christmas.There’s a wide range in quality, though. You can find very affordable ones, but also stunning pieces that come with a hefty price tag. For the latter, I think they’re mainly meant for collectors. You can add one to your collection every now and then and make it something truly personal.
It also strikes me as a great gift idea. Friends and family can each give you a figurine that reminds them of you. That way, you’ll have a very personal tree and a lovely memory. 

Bows: bigger, fuller, and everywhere

We saw bows last year, but this season they can be a bit bigger and fuller. I used the ribbons as decorations last year—I thought they looked great and were easy to use.It’s budget-friendly, too. With just two or three rolls of satin ribbon in different widths, you can do a lot. Make big bows for the tree, use them to decorate candlesticks, or hang them on a door or cabinet.
My tip: mix and match different widths and feel free to let the ribbons hang a little longer. That adds just a bit more volume and movement. And it doesn’t all have to be perfectly symmetrical.

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Paper and wool: Scandinavian and timeless

For me, paper and wool ornaments are true classics. There’s something simple and soft about them, and they fit beautifully into a Scandinavian Christmas atmosphere.I noticed they were perhaps a little less prominent in the trends this year, but that doesn’t make them any less beautiful. On the contrary. These are exactly the kinds of decorations you can easily reuse year after year. Plus, you can personalize them, make them yourself, or combine them with other materials.
No need for all that glittery fuss. Sometimes the charm lies precisely in the simplicity. And that might also be why this style appeals to me just a little more.

Ceramic ornaments

Ceramic Christmas ornaments are also making their debut. Thanks to the huge trend in DIY ceramics, we’re seeing this trend reflected in ornaments as well.With some clay and a few cookie cutters, you can create the most beautiful shapes: little Christmas trees, stars, houses, or simply something entirely of your own design. You can leave them natural, paint them, or finish them off with a small ribbon. You can even glaze your figurine.
It might take a little time and patience, but handmade decorations really do have that special something. And we still have seven weeks until Christmas, so there’s plenty of time ;)

Tassels

I’d like to come back to tinsel for a moment, because tassels and tassel ribbon are also very prominent. Not just on Christmas trees, but also as table decorations.Here’s an idea I really like: take a few simple cylindrical vases and wrap them in tassel ribbon. The result is playful, a little over the top, but that’s perfectly fine during the holidays.

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I especially imagine it looking beautiful in cream white, burgundy, or hazelnut brown. But of course, you can go in any direction with color. It’s a simple way to give something very ordinary a festive look.

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Lace: my personal favorite

Anyone who knows my closet knows I have a soft spot for lace. So when I saw it popping up as a decorative detail, I was immediately sold.Lace ribbon, for example, is gorgeous for finishing off invitations or place cards. I also think fringe ribbon looks really nice for this. These are small details that give a table setting or festive invitation just that little extra something.
But my absolute favorite? Lace ribbon as a decoration for your antique silver cutlery, or a lace tablecloth draped over your linen—completely over the top, I know, but even as a minimalist, you’re allowed to splurge once in a while, right?

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Last but not least: wrapping paper

A small detail that ties everything together: wrapping paper—to me, it’s simply part of your Christmas decor. After all, those presents sit under the tree for quite a while. Why not give them just as much attention?You really don’t have to get too fancy. Choose a pretty wrapping paper that matches your color scheme, combine different ribbons if you like, or finish it off with a sprig of greenery. And try experimenting with materials that complement the rest of your decorations.
Does that mean you have to buy everything new every year? Maybe you could swap decorations with friends or family. Everyone has a box somewhere with items that haven’t been taken out of storage for a few years. Swap a few things, buy a new piece here and there that you really love, and build up your own collection that way.

Next blog post: the Christmas table

For me, the real Christmas spirit ultimately comes down to the details. A beautifully set table, unique materials, candlelight, a few well-chosen decorative accents, and—above all—a nice, long meal with family and/or friends. By the way, I have a lot more to say about the Christmas table. Napkins, ribbons, table decorations, and little details that make all the difference. So I’d love to come back to that in a future blog post.
And just to be clear: you really don’t have to deck out your entire house in Christmas decorations to make it cozy. A few beautiful accents can be more than enough.
I’ll keep you posted!
Love,
Bénédicte