Have you noticed something about this year’s Christmas décor trends? The mood seems to be saying, keep it simple…

I start looking at colors, textures, and décor for the holidays in the late Spring and early summer. At that point, for me, it’s casual curiosity. I’m interested in seeing if there’s anything new or exciting that catches my attention. Some years it’s a dominant color that seems to be everywhere. Other years it’s a nod to a particular theme, (remember the vintage red trucks for a few years ago?) Sometimes, you’ll see a particular texture or pattern, (Buffalo check on everything,) or a specific style that emerges, like farmhouse Christmas…

This year, I noticed that much of the décor was super neutral. I didn’t see the pops of color or the distinct patterns. There’s a less is more vibe happening that feels like a reset. Do you agree?

I’ve noticed evidence of this in the holiday issues of magazines, on my favorite YouTuber’s channels, and in the stores – which is THE metric that trends are measured by. People vote with their wallets, and Christmas stuff was out in like early September, giving us ample time to buy…

(FYI, Retailers attend market shows where vendors display all the new stuff for the coming season. Yes indeed, holiday décor for next year hits those shows practically right after the last present under the tree is opened, this year.)

So, why is this neutral, simple, paired back, or minimal trend happening in 2024? And do you like it, or are you missing all the “zing” the holidays can bring?

Let’s unpack this to see what I think is going on. I’ll Walk you through some tips to help you get comfy with this trend, so you still have all the holiday “feels” and inspiration that you’re used to.

Is Scaled-Back Christmas Decor a Real Trend in 2024?

Let me say, I’m kind of feeling the minimal vibe this year. If you’re on board too, I think we’re in great company.

To understand this, consider what’s happening in the larger scheme of things. On the world stage, we have war in Europe, war in the Middle East, and the ongoing effects of the dreaded global illness (I will not speak its name.) In the US, we’ve had a wildly stressful election season with more twists and turns than a primetime soap opera from the eighties. It’s a heavy time for everybody around the world. I don’t say this to bring you down. This collective heaviness is happening, and there’s no uncertainty about it. I’d argue that when things feel like this, we all crave simple and easy over lavish and complicated, would you agree?

The news isn’t all bleak though.

There’s real value to focusing on simplifying your holiday décor for everything from the environment to your own sense of wellbeing.

1. Sustainability and Eco-consciousness

Sustainability has become a major factor in what we buy and what we consider buying. Many folks look for ways to celebrate the holidays without adding to the growing environmental crisis. Here’s how being sustainably minded could be important and meaningful to your scaled-back Christmas this year:

Reducing Waste: Buying new decorations every year, like plastic ornaments with excessive packaging, often end up in landfills after just one season. As a response to this, lots of people are choosing more durable, reusable, or biodegradable decorations made from natural materials like wood, dried flowers, and upcycled things they already have.

Natural and Eco-Friendly Materials: Instead of tinsel, fake snow, or artificial wreaths, some people are choosing eco-friendly alternatives, like real greenery, wooden decorations, and reusable garlands made from fabric, paper, or dried goods. (Remember the dried pasta garlands? I’m old…) Using organic materials helps you keep your carbon footprint small, while still bringing a unique and timeless feel to your decorating.

Sustainable Brands and DIY Projects: Younger folks are especially aware of the environmental impact of their purchases, and many choose to buy from sustainable brands or even create their own decorations. DIY projects, like making ornaments from recycled things or upcycling old decorations, allow you to get a totally bespoke look without needlessly spending.

2. Things are more expensive.

We’ve heard it over and over during this election season. People are feeling financial pressure more. The average American doesn’t have a portfolio of investments, and many say that an expensive repair would be next to impossible to pay for because they have little to no savings. With inflation, rising living costs, and economic uncertainty continuing to affect many of us in 2024, decorating for Christmas can feel like an extra burden. The desire for simpler decor is closely tied to these financial pressures, resulting in a shift away from elaborate, expensive displays to more affordable, understated ones.

Quality over Quantity: Rather than spending on decor that may only be used for a few weeks, many folks are choosing to buy fewer, higher-quality things that can be used year after year. This could look like buying a smaller tree, a few meaningful ornaments, or more timeless pieces that can last long past the 2024 season. (Think of it like this, you wouldn’t buy a whole new wardrobe, wear everything once, and then throw it away, right? So, apply that to buying holiday décor. Go for the things that you LOVE rather than junky stuff that is hot right now and out next year. )

Nostalgia is in! Inherited decorations, like things from your parents or grandparents is not only special and meaningful, but also uber chic. These things often have stories and memories attached. (I have a sled ornament my grandmother made for me in 1988, and I put it on my tree every year. My other grandma wasn’t as crafty, so I have a lot of her vintage ornaments from when she was a young married lady in the 1930’s. Since they are both gone now, I can look at these treasures and remember - which you can’t put a price on.) You can also find a TON of vintage décor, for very little money in thrift stores. Tip: shop off season or when stores run sales to save even more!

Shift from Excess to Simplicity: Minimalism isn’t just a trend anymore, it’s a lifestyle choice. As a maximalist myself, it has taken me a minute to get on board. But, if you look at high end spaces in magazines, or on blogs, one thing is clear. The unnecessary stuff is edited out. Those who favor an orderly, everything in its place, aesthetic aren’t only minimalists, they’re traditionalists, modern, eclectic, and any-other-design-style lovers. And I think that this cultural shift has influenced the paired-back holiday decorating of recent years. If you don’t have oodles of clutter in your daily life, you probably won’t with the holidays either. So, a few well-chosen decorations, on a subtle theme, goes a long way. A small cluster of antique brass bells with a jute twine on a coffee table, or a monochromatic winter diorama under a glass cloche can make a beautiful, paired back statement.

3. Smaller Living Spaces and Urban Living

As more people move to the cities and smaller spaces, things like large trees, bulky garlands, and massive outdoor displays, is becoming less practical. In fact, many people are now going for decor that fits their smaller homes, so they won’t feel cramped or cluttered.

Apartment Living and Limited Space: With more people living in apartments or smaller homes, there’s less space to display big décor. Instead of overstuffing a space, people are choosing one or two key pieces, like a small tree, a minimalist wreath, or a simple table centerpiece. You must think about where to store everything after the holidays too, right? If you live in the city, you probably don’t have a full attic to keep everything in. More likely you have a small closet or, if you’re lucky, a basement storage unit for EVERYTHING. If your storage isn’t huge, then how practical is it to use valuable space for big décor that is out for only a short time?

Maximizing Small Spaces: Planning your décor, with the full knowledge that space is limited, can be empowering and creative. I always say that knowing exactly how much space you have is the most important thing for planning your furniture layout and design. This also applies directly to holiday décor. As a rule, a 4’ wide Christmas tree will overpower a small room. If you have to scoot around it, or squeeze buy it to turn on a lamp, or open and close window treatments, it’s too big. Knowing your actual space isn’t limiting, it frees you to think critically about what you can do with the space. It allows you to dream up new ways to decorate that you may not have thought about. So, that 4’ tree that doesn’t fit could be swapped for a tree that’s 2.5’ wide that fits perfectly. Tip: If you have taller ceilings, use that height! Get a thinner, tall tree and you’ll see it will still be impactful and stunning!

4. The Rise of Mindful and Intentional Living

There’s this broader trend toward mindfulness and intentional living that’s influencing holiday decor as well. People are rethinking their approach to the holidays, choosing to focus on experiences, family, and meaningful connections over materialism and excess.

Focus on Meaning Over Excess: The idea of “more” doesn’t always mean “better” anymore. Maybe your focused on meaningful and intentional ways to celebrate, like family traditions and time spent with those you love. That’s far more important than over-decorating. You can’t get time back with the people you love, so invest in time well spent over stuff. If you’re lucky enough to have the older generations still with you, spend time learning those traditions. (I remember my grandma, who lived in a super small house, would bake cookies for days before Christmas. They’d be cooling on every surface in the house, including on the bedroom dressers. She’d bake dozens of different cookies, each one a masterpiece! She’d have the Polka music cranked, and the house smelled glorious! I miss those days.)

Emotional and Mental Well-being: The holidays, while joyous, can also be stressful. I think about Clark Griswald, in Christmas Vacation, putting up the lights. (If your decorating has the potential to cause you bodily harm, reevaluate. LOL) Being more Minimal with holiday decor can have a calming effect on you. Since moving into my small house, I still love to decorate, but I also love not having to spend DAYS putting up and taking down my decorations. I enjoy the process so much more because I focus on a few key items throughout the house. I don’t overload every surface with stuff. I still have that peaceful and serene feeling without all the woes of overwhelm because of excess. A pared-down look can help you focus on what truly brings happiness during the holidays, like spending time with loved ones, enjoying a classic movie, or just having quiet moments.

5. Digital and Tech Influences

Finally, technology plays a subtle but important part in how people are decorating for the holidays in 2024. As tech-savvy folks look for ways to use smart devices to power lights and décor, it makes sense that they’re looking for streamlined, digital-friendly decorations. In my opinion, go for easy solutions over hard ones any day.

Smart Home Integration: In 2024, we’re seeing more and more smart holiday decor—lights that change colors with the tap of a button, wreaths that play music, or digital displays that can be easily customized. Robot home assistants like Alexa and Google Home make it a cake walk to power up everything in the house and outside. Gone are the days of having to plug in each light and turn each off before bed. Now you can be in bed and ask the robot to turn everything off at once. Or you can set timers for everything instead. Have the lights go on at sunset and off at bedtime. I’ll take those tech options all-day-long over having to think about every light-up decoration. (Plus, I always forgot to turn something off, how about you?)

Easier Setup and Takedown: Scaled-back decor isn’t just about looks, it’s about convenience too. Smart tech makes setting up and taking down holiday decorations so much easier and faster. Smart lights, automated timers, and app-controlled decor allow you to enjoy a beautifully lit home without having to manually string lights or rearrange decorations every season. Many of these options come with different settings, so you can switch up colors or digital décor every year, or every day if you want. The best part is that these options are cheaper to run than strings of lights that could fail if one is loose or gets wet outside. Good luck fixing that! Instead, you can stick one small projector in the front yard and display an incredible light show on your house, trees in the front yard, or a fence. Yes please!

As we wrap up 2024, it seems the "less is more" vibe is here to stay for this holiday season. Whether it’s driven by sustainability, the desire for simplicity, or the realities of our changing world, there’s something refreshing about pared-back decor. It’s an invitation to slow down, focus on what really matters, and create a holiday vibe that feels calm, meaningful, and true to who you are.

So, if you’re embracing theses trends this year, you're not alone. And if you're missing the usual holiday "zing," no worries—you can always find ways to make your home feel festive with a thoughtful touch or two. Whatever direction you go, here’s to a joyful, stress-free season that reflects everything you want it to be!

I’d love to hear if you agree with this assessment for holiday decorating this year. What are you shifting toward, or leaving behind? Are you embracing this trend, or do you love more is more? Leave me a comment below and tell me all about it. I’ll be sure to answer!

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.