7 Outdated Holiday Decorating Trends to Avoid in 2025

The air is crisp and full of festive spirit, so if you haven’t yet pulled out your holiday decorations, now is the time to do so. However, you’ll want to think twice about which décor to reuse and what to store or donate.

While certain holiday staples—like twinkly lights and heirloom ornaments—remain timeless classics, others can start to lose their luster. To keep your home feeling fresh, we consulted with designers to identify seven outdated holiday decorating trends they say to avoid in 2025, along with what they hope to see instead.

Colored Christmas Trees

Colored Christmas trees offer a brighter alternative to traditional palettes; however, it isn’t always best to go bold. “I’m all for personalization, but the neon pink and electric blue trees hitting shelves in mid-September? Absolutely not,” says Bilal Rehman, interior designer and founder of Bilal Rehman Studio. “A Christmas tree should feel warm and intentional,” he adds.

While Martha loves a colorful, vintage tree, Rehman suggests introducing color through the décor rather than the tree itself. “A classic green tree is the perfect foundation for any direction you want to take,” he says. “Layer on colored metallic tassels, ornaments, streamers, or even some DIY pieces that feel personal and special. But don’t mistake a brightly colored tree for a shortcut—the magic is always in the styling.”

A Greenery-Only Aesthetic

The recent trend toward ultra-minimal, greenery-only décor is losing steam. “Fresh cedar and pine are beautiful, but when that’s the entire look, it often feels like it’s missing potential,” says Peggy Haddad, interior designer and founder of Peggy Haddad Interiors.

For a more dimensional look, Haddad encourages mixing finishes and forms, combining handmade pieces with new finds, and using greenery as the foundation, instead of the whole look. “At Christmas, our home becomes an example of this philosophy: soft velvet bows in unexpected hues, toile and tartan with a twist, vintage bells, greenery layered with texture, and hints of blue and pink woven through to tie everything together,” she says.

Overly Coordinated Décor

Don’t fall for holiday decoration sets. “When every ornament, ribbon, and garland is the exact same color or finish, the result can feel flat and overly manufactured,” says Steven Graffam, designer and co-founder of Stivale Graffam Home. “Today’s homes look far more elevated with a mix of textures, materials, and tones that feel collected rather than purchased in one sweep. Imperfect, layered holiday styling feels warmer, more authentic, and more luxurious.”

Haddad practices this approach in her own home. “Whether it’s a childhood ornament on the tree or a small vignette that marks one of our family traditions, those personal touches bring the joy and warmth that minimalism or matching kits simply can’t,” she says.

Fake Presents Under the Tree

While gift boxes are often used to fill space underneath a Christmas tree, they lack substance. “The only thing worse than opening a gift you hate is realizing none of them were real to begin with,” Rehman says.

The designer advises choosing quality over quantity by focusing on the actual gifts instead. “Choose wrapping paper that feels intentional and unique, and commit to making your gifts look cohesive and thoughtful,” he says. “Think of your presents as part of the overall visual experience. This year, I’m loving a vintage-inspired look—I’ve found some incredible options on Etsy and even a few surprisingly chic ones on Amazon.”

Farmhouse Palettes

Farmhouse-style tones—such as soft browns and cool blues— feel grounding and nostalgic. After being so overdone, though, they’re taking a backseat in favor of modern tastes. “Instead of leaning on the predictable farmhouse palette, designers are embracing richer palettes, refined textures, and timeless materials like brown velvet ribbons, aged brass, and natural greenery to create a more timeless and collected ambiance,” says Jennifer Cataldo, interior designer and founder of Maison Cataldo.

Multi-Color Lighting

When it comes to your home’s exterior, bright, flashing rainbow lights end up being overwhelming. More subtle choices can bring the same holiday cheer, sans the chaos. “Choose warm white or soft amber lighting along rooflines, pathways, and trees,” says John Stivale, designer and co-founder of Stivale Graffam Home. “It creates a calm, sophisticated glow that feels intentional and beautifully understated.”

Plastic Garlands With Red Bows

A garland’s shine instantly gives away if it is faux. Plus, if the garland has classic oversized red bows on it, it can look even tackier. “[The] glossy synthetic garland has officially aged out,” Cataldo says. “It just can’t compete with the real cedar, fresh pine, and beautiful ribbon in a forest green or mocha.”