According to an article published by The Spruce, some of the most popular Christmas decorations from past decades no longer appeal to designers. The reason? Aesthetic, environmental and even safety concerns.
Below, experts explain which decorations are out of style in 2025 — and how to assemble a truly elegant, timeless and safe tree for the whole family.
1. Tinsel: too much shine and environmental impact
Classic tinsel tops the list of items considered tacky. Interior designer Valerie Darden tells The Spruce that despite its nostalgic sparkle, the material is “terrible to clean and even worse for the environment.”
Tinsel also poses a risk to small children and pets, as loose strands can be easily swallowed.
Designer Emilie Fournet, also interviewed by The Spruce, reinforces: “I always recommend natural and organic materials instead of disposable plastics that end up in landfills.”
2. Trees with perfectly matching ornaments
Another trend that has fallen out of favor is the hyper-coordinated tree — the kind that looks like it was assembled from a single box of store-bought ornaments.
Darden explains that this style makes the décor look impersonal and generic:
“A tree should have a classic and sophisticated look. Opt for mixing gold balls, vintage mercury-glass ornaments and colorful ribbons for an elegant finish.”
3. Low-quality artificial trees and garlands
If you choose artificial pieces, designers urge caution: avoid models that appear overly plastic and unrealistic.
According to Darden, the best options are garlands and trees with a more natural texture, which bring warmth and authenticity to the space.
4. Pastel-colored decorations
Pastel tones may dominate Instagram and Pinterest feeds, but designers say they don’t match the Christmas spirit.
“We’re seeing pink nutcrackers and lilac ornaments in every store, but these colors feel much more like spring,” Darden tells The Spruce.
For a timeless look, experts recommend metallic tones, vibrant colors and a traditional palette.
5. Mass-produced ornaments
Designer Emilie Fournet warns that mass-produced ornaments are not only unsustainable but also make the tree look impersonal.
She suggests investing in handcrafted ornaments made by local artists or in pieces with sentimental value — even if they don’t match the aesthetic trends of the moment.
Fournet adds that her own ornaments hold great sentimental value, from pieces made by her children to ones inherited from family members:
“That’s what truly matters at Christmas.”
Source: The Spruce. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
