Megan | 17 days ago

Holidays at Home: Christmas 2026 Trends We're Loving

There's something special about decorating for Christmas. Pulling out the ornaments you've collected over the years, finding the perfect spot for your favorite wreath, and adding those little touches that make your home feel ready for the holidays.

At Neighbors Mercantile, Christmas planning starts long before the first snowflake falls. As we've been selecting our collections for 2026, we've noticed a few decorating trends that have us especially excited for the season ahead.

This year, we're seeing a beautiful mix of handmade charm, nostalgic traditions, rich colors, and timeless pieces. Some styles feel like Christmas at Grandma's house, while others bring a more polished, elegant touch. And the best part? You don't have to choose just one.

Here are four Christmas decorating trends we're loving for 2026.

1. A Fruitful Christmas

Move over, traditional ornaments! Fruit is finding its way into Christmas decorating, and we're loving the natural, old-fashioned charm it brings.

Think dried orange slices strung into garlands, candied-looking pears tucked into greenery, and fruit-inspired ornaments hanging from the tree. There's something wonderfully nostalgic about decorating with elements that look like they came straight from the kitchen.

Warm citrus tones, soft greens, and golden accents bring a little unexpected color to traditional Christmas décor.

How to bring it home: Add dried orange slices to a wreath, tuck decorative pears into a centerpiece, or tie a little fruit-inspired ornament onto a beautifully wrapped gift. These small details add warmth without needing to redo your entire Christmas collection.

2. A Little Women Christmas: Handmade & Heartfelt

If you've ever dreamed of spending Christmas in a cozy old-fashioned home, surrounded by handmade decorations, quilts, and simple traditions, this trend is for you.

Inspired by the charm of Little Women, this look celebrates the beauty of things made by hand and collected over time.

We're seeing paper chains, folded paper stars, tin ornaments, patchwork quilts, and simple greenery making their way back into Christmas decorating. Nothing needs to match perfectly, and that's exactly what makes it beautiful.

There's also a renewed appreciation for thoughtful gift wrapping. Instead of elaborate bows and expensive packaging, think brown kraft paper, simple ribbon, and a tiny trinket or ornament tied to each package.

How to bring it home: Hang paper stars in a window, drape a handmade garland across your mantel, or bring out an old quilt to add warmth to a chair or guest bedroom. Mix a few new ornaments with those you've collected over the years for a tree that tells your family's story.

This might just be our favorite reminder that some of the most beautiful Christmas decorations aren't the fanciest ones.

3. An Elevated Christmas: Heirloom Elegance

For those who love a more refined Christmas look, 2026 is bringing plenty of inspiration.

Rich burgundy, deep navy, gold, and silver are creating an elegant holiday palette. Clear glass ornaments, metallic finishes, flocked greenery, and beautiful ribbons give this style a timeless, heirloom feel.

And yes, bows are still having their moment!

We're seeing bows everywhere, from Christmas trees and wreaths to candlesticks, garlands, and wrapped gifts. Whether you prefer luxurious velvet or a simple satin ribbon, they're an easy way to make even the simplest decorations feel special.

Another look we're loving is color drenching—decorating with layers of one color or closely related shades for a rich, coordinated appearance. Imagine a Christmas tree covered in burgundy ornaments, matching ribbon, and touches of antique gold. It's dramatic without feeling overdone.

How to bring it home: Start with a few beautiful glass ornaments, add rich velvet bows to your tree, or use metallic candlesticks to dress up your holiday table. You don't need an entirely new collection to create an elevated look. Sometimes, just a few thoughtful additions make all the difference.

4. Ralph Lauren Christmas: A Classic That's Here to Stay

If you fell in love with the Ralph Lauren-inspired Christmas look last year, you'll be happy to hear that it's not going anywhere!

This timeless style continues to be a favorite, and we can certainly understand why.

Think traditional tartan plaids, deep forest greens, rich reds, warm leather tones, brass accents, and cozy textures. It's the kind of Christmas decorating that feels like a warm cabin, a crackling fireplace, and generations of family traditions all wrapped into one.

What we love most about this look is that it doesn't feel trendy. It's classic Christmas, filled with pieces you'll want to bring out year after year.

How to bring it home: Layer plaid pillows and throws, add brass candlesticks to your mantel, or incorporate traditional ribbon into your tree. Mix vintage-inspired ornaments with natural greenery for that perfectly collected look.

And don't be afraid to mix patterns and textures. A little plaid, a little velvet, and a few antique-inspired touches can make a room feel wonderfully cozy.

Home for the Holidays

If there's one thing we're taking away from Christmas 2026, it's that decorating is becoming less about following a specific trend and more about creating a home that feels like you.

Maybe that's a tree filled with handmade ornaments and memories from years past. Maybe it's a beautifully coordinated collection of burgundy and gold. Or perhaps it's a little bit of everything, gathered together over time.

We love that this year's trends encourage us to slow down, bring out the things we already treasure, and add a few new pieces that will become part of our Christmas traditions.

At Neighbors Mercantile, we hope you'll find something this season that makes your home feel a little warmer, a little more welcoming, and a whole lot like Christmas.

Here's to making your holidays at home something special.

See you soon!

— Your Neighbors Team

Putting Up the Harvest: A Beginner’s Guide to Canning & Preserving

There’s something special about this time of year. Gardens are overflowing, farmers market baskets are full, and suddenly you have more cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet corn, and green beans than you know what to do with.

That’s where preserving comes in.

For generations, families have found ways to make the summer harvest last a little longer. And while canning may be the first thing that comes to mind, you can also freeze, dry, pickle, ferment, and even freeze-dry your favorite foods.

The best part? You don't need to be an expert—or have a kitchen full of equipment—to get started.

Nordic Ware vs USA Pan: What’s Right For You?

When it comes to reliable, American-made bakeware, two names consistently rise to the top: Nordic Ware and USA Pan. Both brands are known for durability, performance, and thoughtful design—but they take very different approaches to materials and baking styles. Whether you’re a casual home baker or a detail-oriented cake enthusiast, choosing between them comes down to how (and what) you love to bake. Here’s what you need to know before you decide.

Treasure Hunting in Nappanee? Make Neighbors Mercantile One of Your First Stops

If you're planning to visit Nappanee for the annual Experience Nappanee celebration, be sure to add Neighbors Mercantile to your garage sale route.

From Thursday, July 9 through Saturday, July 11, we'll be joining the city-wide Embrace the Pace Garage Sales with a special outdoor garage sale featuring hundreds of deeply discounted items. The city-wide garage sales are part of the larger Experience Nappanee 2026 celebration, a weekend filled with local shopping, live music, family activities, food trucks, and community events throughout downtown.

Bringing Spring to Life with Real Touch Greenery

There’s something about spring that makes us crave fresh starts—open windows, lighter spaces, and a little more life in every corner of our homes. Our Spring Real Touch Greenery collection was curated to do just that: bring the beauty of the outdoors in, without the upkeep.

Designed to look and feel incredibly lifelike, real touch greenery offers the softness and texture of fresh stems with the ease of everyday styling—no watering required. Whether you're refreshing your home for the season or preparing for special gatherings, these pieces make it simple to create a space that feels alive, welcoming, and effortlessly styled.

Stronger Days on the Line: Meet Poly-Grip Clothespins

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe everyday tools should work as hard as you do. Whether you’re embracing a slower, more sustainable rhythm or simply tired of flimsy clothespins that snap, twist, and fail when you need them most—there’s a better way to hang your laundry.

Enter Poly-Grip Clothespins: thoughtfully designed, American-made, and built to last.

Sourdough at Home: A Beginner’s Guide from Neighbors Mercantile

There’s something special about sourdough. The smell of a loaf baking in the oven, the crackle of a golden crust, the tangy flavor that only time and fermentation can create—it’s bread the way it was meant to be.

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe sourdough isn’t just food. It’s a craft, a rhythm, and a connection to simpler, slower living. Whether you’re brand new or ready to try again, this guide will walk you through the why, the how, and the what you need to get started.

Timeless Toys: Built for Play Today and Memories Tomorrow

At Neighbors Mercantile, we believe the best toys aren’t the ones that light up, beep, or need batteries—they’re the ones that spark imagination, stand the test of time, and get passed from one set of small hands to the next.

There’s something special about a toy that doesn’t just belong to one child, but becomes part of a family story. The scuffed wheels, the worn paint, the tiny fingerprints—those are signs of a childhood well played. That’s why we’re proud to offer a collection of timeless, classic toys designed to last for years, even generations.

Bring the Beat Outdoors — Meet Turtlebox Audio at Neighbors Mercantile

At Neighbors Mercantile, we’re all about gear that keeps life loud, rugged, and ready for adventure — and that’s exactly why we carry Turtlebox Audio speakers. These aren’t your average Bluetooth boxes — they’re engineered for real outdoor use: rain, dirt, beach days, campfires, tailgates… you name it. Born from a garage idea to build the ultimate outdoor speaker, Turtlebox Audio has carved a niche as best-in-class for rugged performance and bold sound that travels with you.

Whether you’re chilling at the campsite or powering the party on your patio, we’ve got Turtlebox speakers ready to rock your soundtrack.

Crow Canyon Enamelware: A Classic That Still Knows How to Show Up

There’s something instantly comforting about enamelware. Maybe it’s the familiar speckled finish, the sturdy feel in your hands, or the way it brings to mind campfires, family kitchens, and well-used tables. At Neighbors Mercantile, we love pieces that tell a story—and Crow Canyon Enamelware tells one that spans generations.

Whether you’re discovering enamelware for the first time or grew up eating cereal out of a speckled bowl, Crow Canyon’s high-contrast splatter ware bridges the gap between nostalgia and modern living.