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