As an interior designer, I’m constantly looking for ways to make holiday decorating feel timeless, tactile, and thoughtfully layered—the kind of styling that welcomes guests with warmth and still looks elegant the day the tree comes down. Christmas decor in 2025 leans into exactly that: cozy textures, soft sheen, sculptural silhouettes, and natural greenery. The magic is in the mix—combining classic motifs with modern finishes, and choosing pieces that live beautifully beyond December. Below, you’ll find the year’s most designer-loved trends, plus practical styling tips on how to place, pair, and scale them throughout your home.

Velvet Ball Ornaments

Velvet ball ornaments have a way of softening the entire tree. The plush surface absorbs light rather than bouncing it, which creates that sought-after matte, quiet luxury finish. Choose jewel tones—emerald, garnet, sapphire—or go tonal with champagne, caramel, and cocoa for a hushed, neutral palette. On the tree, cluster three ornaments of similar color but varying sizes to add depth without visual noise. Beyond the branches, tuck a handful into a decorative bowl on a console, pair them with cedar clippings on a tray, or nestle them into a bookcase vignette for a cohesive thread of color running through the room.
Designer tip: If your tree leans bright with glass ornaments, balance it by adding a 20–30% velvet ratio to calm the sparkle and elevate the overall mix.

Tree Ribbon

If you want your tree to look intentionally styled, ribbon is the single most impactful tool you can use. For 2025, think velvet or satin in forest green, cinnamon, champagne, or dusty rose. You can tie bows at the tips of branches for a tailored look, or weave ribbon in a soft corkscrew from top to bottom for movement. To avoid a heavy hand, keep a consistent spacing rhythm (e.g., a bow every 10–12 inches) and alternate widths—a wide ribbon for drama, a narrow one for delicate accents.
Designer tip: Cut ribbon in shorter lengths and “pin” sections into the tree rather than forcing one long piece. It’s easier to control drape and looks more natural.

Battery-Operated Taper Candles

Flameless tapers have evolved—realistic flicker, molded wax sleeves, and warm amber glow make them nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. Use them to layer light: in sconces, antique candelabras, or a row of mixed-height candlesticks down the dining table. Program the timer so they come on at dusk (hello, instant ambiance). For a designer finish, pair warm tapers with brass, matte black, or patinated holders, and echo that metal elsewhere (frame, bell, bowl) to keep the look cohesive.
Designer tip: Stagger heights (9″, 11″, 13″) in odd-number groupings and mix a few off-white/ivory tones so the arrangement feels collected—not matchy.

Brass Bells

Brass bells are the nostalgic jewelry of holiday greenery. Their shape adds gentle movement and their finish adds quiet shine. In 2025, we’re seeing bells layered into wreaths, garlands, and stair rails—hung on velvet ribbon in deep green, burgundy, or warm amber. Use one oversized bell on a front door for a statement, then mix smaller bells in clusters of 2–3 within garlands for sound, texture, and depth.
Designer tip: Vary patina and size for authenticity. Too uniform reads “new”; a mix reads “collected over time.”

Velvet Ribbon Bows & Garland

Velvet ribbon is the season’s finishing touch—it instantly elevates mirrors, frames, candlesticks, baskets, and art. Choose double-sided velvet so your bows look polished from every angle. For a curated palette, blend two complementary tones (say, emerald and cinnamon) and a neutral (champagne or taupe). Use wide ribbon (2.5″–4″) for statement bows on the banister and narrow ribbon (1″–1.5″) to tie around tapers, bells, and stocking loops. Let tails drape a little—relaxed yet refined.
Designer tip: Repeat the same ribbon in three places (tree, mantel, mirror) to create a subtle throughline.

Norfolk Pine Garland

Norfolk pine reads effortlessly natural—drapey, airy, and beautifully soft. It’s ideal for mantels, doorways, and staircases because it frames rather than overwhelms. Layer two strands for fullness, then thread micro fairy lights and tuck in battery tapers or bells. On the table, run a low, meandering strand down the center and intersperse velvet bows, dried orange wheels, wood beads, or pinecones.
Designer tip: Use floral wire in a matching green to invisibly secure add-ons and keep the drape organic.

Tree-Shaped Taper Candles

These sculptural tapers combine form and glow. Choose earthy greens, moss, ivory, and soft stone to keep them sophisticated. Style them in odd groups on a mantel, mix with brass holders, and ground the arrangement with a linen runner or wood tray. On a console, pair a tall tree candle with a smaller companion and one textural element (mini wreath, bell cluster) for balance.
Designer tip: Vary diameter and ribbing for visual interest—subtle differences feel layered, not themed.

Bottle Brush Trees

The 2025 update swaps primary red/green for soft ivory, dusty rose, olive, mustard, and muted metallics. They’re perfect for shelf styling, window ledges, tray vignettes, and even place settings. Stick to a tight color family to avoid clutter, and play with height gradation so the eye flows naturally.
Designer tip: Tuck a single metallic tree into a cluster of matte neutrals for a little sparkle without tipping into glitz.

Textured Stockings

Chunky knits, boucle, and hand-loomed textures are cozy on sight. Keep stockings in a neutral range—ivory, oatmeal, mocha, sage, rust—so they layer with any palette. Personalize with engraved wood, leather, or brass name tags, and hang from uniform hooks or aged knobs for a finished, architectural look.
Designer tip: If your mantel stone or millwork is bold, choose subtle stocking texture; if your surround is simple, go heavier knit to add interest.

Bell Garland

Bell garland brings movement, shimmer, and a soft jingle to mantels, mirrors, and even bookcases. Look for varied bell sizes on a single strand and a mix of patinas so it feels vintage-collected. Layer over Norfolk garland, weave through wool or wood bead garlands, or swag it solo for a minimalist moment.
Designer tip: Let it drape in a gentle curve rather than pulling tight; the negative space beneath the arc is what makes it elegant.

Winter Landscape Art

If you love seasonal mood without overt motifs, winter landscapes are your best friend. Think frosted forests, quiet cabins, and painterly skies in muted palettes of slate, moss, and snow. Swap a few everyday pieces for winter prints in natural wood or antique brass frames, lean them on the mantel, or layer them into shelves with mini trees and tapers. Most will live beautifully through February.
Designer tip: Repeat one tone from the art (e.g., warm taupe) in nearby textiles or ribbon to make the vignette feel intentional.

Wood-Beaded & Wool Ball Garlands

Part playful, part earthy, these garlands add touchable texture anywhere—across a mantel, along open shelving, or spiraled lightly around the tree. Choose creams and beiges for timelessness or lean into cinnamon and deep brown for richer warmth. Mix with greenery for contrast, then add a second strand (velvet ribbon or bells) to layer the line without adding bulk.
Designer tip: Avoid straight, taut lines; allow gentle swoops and drops for movement and depth.

How to Pull It All Together (Without Overwhelm)

• Choose a palette first. Two anchor colors + one metallic + one soft neutral keeps everything cohesive.
• Repeat intentionally. Let the same ribbon, metal finish, or greenery style appear in three zones (tree, mantel, entry) to create flow.
• Vary texture, not theme. Mix matte (velvet, wool) with sheen (brass, satin), and soft (Norfolk) with structured (bottle brush).
• Mind scale. Big statements (oversized bells, large bows) belong to focal points; keep accents smaller and lighter elsewhere.
• Layer lighting. Combine micro lights, flameless tapers, and a few reflective metals for glow that feels ambient—not glaring.
• Think beyond December. Winter landscapes, brass elements, wood beads, and many neutral ribbons transition seamlessly into January styling.

The joy of 2025 holiday decorating is how adaptable it is: a few beautifully chosen textures, a considered color story, and thoughtful repetition can make your home feel custom, cozy, and curated—with pieces you’ll be excited to reuse year after year.