"I adore Christmas. To me, the whole year feels like a countdown to the moment it’s finally socially acceptable to put up the tree and start playing holiday music. As much as I love this season, I must admit that it doesn’t feel quite as magical as it did when I was a kid. Gone are the days of elementary school holiday parties, gingerbread house contests, and the anticipation of waiting for Santa to arrive with presents. These moments added up to create a sense of excitement and wonder that’s hard to replicate in adulthood.
Though we can’t time travel to relive those childhood holidays, we don’t have to simply wallow in nostalgia and wish for the magic of holidays past. This year, I’m determined to make my home feel as festive as it was when I was little. Here are 10 nostalgic holiday decor ideas that’ll make this season feel truly special again.
1. Lean into mismatched ornaments on your tree
The tree is an essential part of Christmas decor, and how you decorate it sets the tone for the season. In recent years, perfectly decorated trees with matching ornaments and monochromatic color schemes have been trending. I don’t know about you, but that is definitely not what the ones from my childhood looked like. We always decked out the tree with mismatched, sentimental ornaments that represented our family’s memories. So this year, skip the perfectly coordinated ornament sets and opt for eclectic, personality-filled ornaments that hold meaning to you. Each piece will bring back the warm feeling of a childhood tree brimming with memories.
2. Try thrifting your decorations
The easiest way to find decor that genuinely reminds you of your childhood is to thrift pieces that actually came from that era. Not only will these finds bring the nostalgic energy you want, but they are often more affordable and will add an authentic, lived-in feel to your home. Plus, hunting for vintage holiday treasures at thrift stores is a fabulous way to get into the spirit.
3. Incorporate classic patterns
Nothing says nostalgic holidays like a classic red-and-green plaid throw. To channel the holiday decor of the past, incorporate timeless patterns like gingham, plaid, and tartan. Using these patterns through throw pillows, blankets, stockings, and wrapping paper will add a cozy, vintage touch to your home.
4. Recreate traditions from childhood
While holiday decor is important, traditions make this season memorable and can help you feel like a kid again. These can be decor-related or not, but recreating childhood traditions brings back the magic. Traditions often get lost among the chaos and demands of adult life, but it makes such a difference when you find a way to weave them into your season. Maybe you used to make homemade garlands with dried oranges, or perhaps your family loved buying matching holiday pajamas. Whatever it may be, revisit those traditions to make the holidays feel more personal and special.
5. Embrace maximalism
As I get older, I feel more pressure to make my holiday decor feel “adult” and elevated. But as chic as minimalist holiday decor can look, it can also lean a little… sterile. It just doesn’t have the same fun and festive vibe as the holiday decor I remember from the ‘90s. This season, embrace a more maximalist approach to holiday decorating. Deck your tree with tons of tinsel, wrap your presents with mismatched wrapping paper, and mix colors and textures freely. The more layers, the more it’ll feel like those unforgettable holidays from childhood.
6. Ditch the basic white string lights
Multi-colored Christmas lights might not be super trendy right now, but they’re an essential element if you’re aiming to recreate a nostalgic holiday look. There’s just something about a tree lit up in a rainbow of colors that feels very ‘90s to me. So this year, consider trading your basic white Christmas lights for a more colorful option for a merrier look. If you really don’t love the look of rainbow lights, however, you could also outfit your tree with clip-on candle lights to stick to the vintage theme in a more neutral way.
7. DIY some of your decor
So many holiday decorations in my childhood home were imperfect crafts that my siblings and I made at school. In any other context, these pieces definitely would not be decor-worthy, but for the holidays, they added lots of charm and cheer to our home. No matter how they turn out, DIYs add a personal, sentimental aspect to your decor. Whether you DIY some holiday artwork, paint your own Christmas village, or create some handmade ornaments, getting crafty is a great way to connect with your inner child and tap into your creativity.
8. Track down seasonal scents from your childhood
We’ve all had that moment where you catch a whiff of something that instantly transports you back to a specific time or place. Scent is closely tied to memory, and a familiar holiday aroma can make you feel like you’re 12 years old and huddled around a fireplace on Christmas morning again. Find candles or diffusers that echo the scents of your childhood—like fresh pine, cinnamon, or sugar cookies—to make your space feel cozy and familiar.
9. Decorate with holiday icons
Holiday decor in the ‘90s was filled with classic characters: Santa, Rudolph, Frosty the Snowman, gingerbread people, and nutcrackers, to name a few. While modern holiday decor tends to be sleek and understated, incorporating these classic icons will bring a playful, nostalgic feel to your holiday decor. Consider grabbing a ceramic Santa mug or a small holiday village setup to lean into that homey holiday cheer.
10. Bring back classic holiday films
Once your home is decorated, there’s no better way to top it off than by cozying up and watching a throwback holiday movie. Put on an animated holiday film you used to watch on VHS and curl up with a mug of hot cocoa. It’s the perfect way to round out your nostalgic holiday setup.
Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
As a Lifestyle Staff Writer for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of home decor, delicious recipes, hobbies, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Instagram for beautiful homes to feature on the site.