As the holiday season of 2025 approaches, interior design enthusiasts and festive decorators alike are eagerly anticipating the trends that will define the aesthetic of Christmas celebrations. Among the most influential voices in home decor, Shea McGee and her brand, McGee & Co., consistently set the tone for sophisticated yet approachable design. This year, the focus is on a captivating blend of timeless elegance, personalized touches, and a dash of unexpected whimsy, ensuring every home can capture the spirit of the season in a unique and stylish way.
From cozy Nordic minimalism to playful mushroom motifs, the overarching theme for Holiday 2025 is the artful layering of textures, the harmonious mixing of eras, and the celebration of individual traditions. McGee & Co.’s upcoming holiday collection, slated for a September 23, 2025, release, promises to be a masterclass in understated glamor, offering pieces that are both chic and enduring. So after poring through the earliest holiday collections shaping Christmas 2025 decor, with a special emphasis on McGee & Co.’s contributions, let’s talk about how to integrate these looks into your own festive sanctuary.
Shea McGee’s Signature Touches: Twists, Tiny Wreaths & Tassels
Shea McGee’s influence on holiday decor is undeniable, and her upcoming McGee & Co. holiday collection for 2025 introduces several signature elements that embody her aesthetic of refined simplicity and subtle luxury. These trends are not merely fleeting fads but rather thoughtful additions designed to elevate classic Christmas decor with a contemporary twist.
The Allure of Twists
One of the standout elements from Shea McGee’s collection is the incorporation of ‘twists.’ These braided metallic accents are versatile and can be integrated into various aspects of holiday styling. Imagine delicate twisted metallic ribbons adorning a festive tablescape, serving as elegant napkin rings, or even framing cherished holiday photographs. The beauty of these twisted elements lies in their ability to add a touch of understated glamor and visual interest without overwhelming the overall design. They provide a subtle shimmer and a tactile quality that enhances the sensory experience of the holiday season.
The Charm of Tiny Wreaths
Another delightful detail from McGee & Co. is the emphasis on ‘tiny wreaths.’ Moving beyond traditional large door wreaths, these miniature versions offer endless possibilities for creative application. They can be used to adorn the backs of dining chairs, adding a festive touch to holiday meals, or even serve as charming place card holders, personalizing each guest’s experience. These small wreaths bring a sense of intimacy and handcrafted charm, reinforcing the idea that thoughtful details can make a significant impact on the overall ambiance of a space.
The Elegance of Tassels
Vintage-style tassel details are also making a prominent appearance in Shea McGee’s 2025 collection. These elegant embellishments are found on a variety of items, including ornaments, lamps, and other decorative accents. Tassels give a sense of old-world charm and sophistication, adding a soft, luxurious texture to holiday arrangements. Their presence suggests a curated, collected aesthetic, where each piece tells a story and contributes to a rich, layered decor scheme. The subtle movement of tassels also adds a dynamic element, bringing a sense of life and warmth to static displays.
These three elements—twists, tiny wreaths, and tassels—collectively represent Shea McGee’s approach to holiday decor: a blend of classic motifs with fresh, refined details that create a truly timeless and inviting atmosphere.
Shop Tip
For those eager to incorporate these chic and timeless pieces into their 2025 holiday decor, I recommend bookmarking McGee & Co.’s website as the full collection usually launches in late September. Early access is key to acquiring these sought-after items that tend to sell out quickly!
Onto some other trends I am seeing from various retailers…
The Richness of Jewel-Tone Velvet
Velvet, with its inherent luxurious feel and deep, captivating hues, is set to be a prominent material in Christmas 2025 decor, particularly in rich jewel tones. This trend emphasizes tactile richness and visual depth, instantly elevating the sophistication of any holiday setting. The provided content specifically highlights forest-green velvet as a key color, suggesting a connection to nature and a classic Christmas palette, but with an added layer of luxury. Be sure to check out our Amazon storefront Holiday section where you can a bunch of great holiday decor products including ribbon for decoration and wrapping presents!
Forest-Green Velvet Ornaments
Among the most striking examples of this trend are forest-green velvet glass ornament sets. These ornaments, often accented with gold, are designed to impart a sense of high-end design without the prohibitive cost. The deep green provides a rich backdrop, while the velvet texture adds a soft, inviting quality that contrasts beautifully with the sparkle of traditional Christmas lights. Similarly, individual forest-green velvet bauble ornaments offer a budget-friendly way to introduce this texture and drama to a Christmas tree, instantly enhancing its mood and visual appeal.
Velvet Bow Clip-On Ornaments
Further reinforcing the velvet trend are velvet bow clip-on ornaments. These versatile pieces, noted for their affordability, can be easily integrated into various decorative schemes. They can adorn tree branches, wreaths, garlands, or even be used as elegant accents on gift wrapping. The bows add a touch of classic charm and a soft, inviting texture, making them a simple yet effective way to infuse a sense of luxury and warmth into your holiday decor. The tactile quality of velvet encourages interaction and creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect choice for the festive season.
I love this set of six from West Elm for $28!
Affordable Luxe: High-End Vibes on a Budget
One of the most appealing aspects of the 2025 Christmas decor trends is the emphasis on achieving a high-end aesthetic without a hefty price tag! Who doesn’t love that? This trend, dubbed “affordable luxe,” focuses on smart shopping and discerning choices that deliver significant visual impact for under $40.
Key Elements of Affordable Luxe
Several specific items are highlighted as trending hard in the affordable luxe category:
- Crystal-look ornament sets: These ornaments mimic the sparkle and elegance of genuine crystal, adding a touch of glamour and refinement to any Christmas tree. Their reflective surfaces catch and refract light, creating a dazzling display that belies their modest cost.
- Faux-fur tree skirts: A faux-fur tree skirt instantly elevates the base of a Christmas tree, adding a layer of warmth, texture, and luxury. The soft, plush material creates a cozy and inviting foundation for gifts and ornaments, contributing to a more polished and cohesive look. Okay this one from Home Depot is technically over $40, ringing in at $48 but still a great value and look for the season! This one around $20 is a great option too!
- Metallic candlesticks: Metallic accents, particularly in gold, silver, or bronze, are perennial favorites for holiday decor due to their inherent festive glow. Metallic candlesticks, whether holding traditional taper candles or LED alternatives, add height, shimmer, and a touch of classic elegance to mantels, dining tables, or sideboards. Love these!
Retailers for Budget-Friendly Luxury
To successfully embrace the affordable luxe trend, consumers are advised to explore specific retailers known for their seasonal collections that offer both style and value. The recommended stores include:
- Anthropologie: Known for its unique and artistic home decor, Anthropologie often features distinctive holiday pieces that can add a touch of bohemian luxury.
- Target: A go-to for accessible and stylish home goods, Target’s holiday collections frequently include on-trend items at competitive price points.
- Michaels: Michaels is an excellent source for both finished decor items and supplies for DIY projects, allowing for personalized touches that can also be budget-friendly.
- Etsy: This online marketplace is a treasure trove for handmade and vintage items, offering unique finds that can contribute to a high-end, curated look without breaking the bank.
Vintage Nostalgia with a Modern Twist
The nostalgia trend that has been gaining popularity in design the past couple of years continues into Christmas 2025 with a heartwarming blend of the past and the present. Think cozy, old-fashioned atmospheres that still feel fresh and relevant. The key lies in thoughtfully combining retro-inspired elements with contemporary accents.
Embracing Retro-Inspired Flair
The essence of this trend is captured by incorporating classic holiday decor items that evoke a sense of childhood wonder and cherished memories. These include:
- Bubble lights: These iconic lights, with their mesmerizing bubbling effect, instantly transport one back to Christmases past, offering a whimsical and nostalgic glow. Did you have these lights on your childhood Christmas tree too? I just ordered three sets of these that look just like the ones we used on our tree.
- Ceramic ornaments: Hand-painted ceramic ornaments, often featuring classic holiday motifs, add a touch of artisanal charm and a sense of heirloom quality to the tree.
- Nutcrackers: Traditional nutcrackers, with their intricate details and vibrant colors, serve as both decorative figures and symbols of holiday tradition.
- Vintage string lights: The warm, soft glow of vintage-style string lights creates an inviting and cozy ambiance, distinct from the brighter, more modern LED lights.
The Art of Mixing Eras
The key to mixing eras is simply a strategic blend of authentic vintage with modern LED accents This fusion gives of that nostalgic charm and contemporary functionality. For instance, pairing antique glass ornaments with energy-saving LED string lights will give you a layered and visually interesting display that feels both timeless and current.
Where to Discover Vintage Treasures
For those seeking to curate a collection of vintage-inspired holiday decor, several retail avenues are recommended:
- HomeGoods: Known for its ever-changing inventory of unique home decor, HomeGoods often carries items that evoke a vintage feel.
- World Market: This retailer offers a diverse range of global-inspired decor, including pieces that can contribute to a nostalgic and eclectic Christmas theme.
- Thrift shops: For authentic vintage finds, local thrift shops and antique stores are invaluable resources. These establishments can yield t