The holiday season brings a certain pressure to create a picture-perfect home, straight from the pages of a design magazine. We see elegant, minimalist trees and sophisticated, color-coordinated mantels. But what about the decorations that bring a different kind of joy? The ones that might make a designer cringe but make us smile year after year.
This is a celebration of those wonderfully gaudy, gloriously over-the-top, and delightfully tacky Christmas decorations. They may not be refined, but they are full of personality and memories.
Here are some tacky festive items we just can’t quit.
1. Inflatable Yard Decorations
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Those giant, illuminated figures swaying on the front lawn are a hallmark of suburban Christmas cheer. From a 12-foot Santa to a waving snowman, these blow-ups are impossible to miss. While some see them as loud and excessive, they bring an undeniable sense of fun and festivity to a neighborhood. They are a bold declaration of holiday spirit that makes children’s faces light up.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: Inflatables are incredibly easy to set up and take down. They offer maximum holiday impact for minimal effort. Plus, they announce to the world that your home is a hub of Christmas joy.
- Care and Tips: To prevent damage, avoid placing inflatables near sharp objects or tree branches. Secure them firmly with the included stakes and tethers to keep them grounded during winter winds. After the holidays, check that the decorations are completely dry before folding and storing them in a sealed container to prevent mold and mildew.
2. Colored Christmas Lights
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White lights are classic and elegant, but there’s a special nostalgia tied to a tree wrapped in a rainbow of colored lights. These vibrant bulbs in red, green, blue, and yellow can feel a bit chaotic compared to their uniform counterparts. Still, they create a dazzling, joyful glow that reminds many of childhood Christmases. The kaleidoscope of color is festive and full of energy.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: Colored lights are pure, unadulterated fun. They pop against the dark green of a Christmas tree and create a vibrant, celebratory atmosphere that feels less formal and more playful.
- Care and Tips: When buying new strands, opt for LEDs, which are more energy-efficient and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs. Before stringing them on the tree, plug in each strand to check for burnt-out bulbs. Store them by wrapping them around a piece of cardboard or a specialized light spool to avoid a tangled mess next year.
3. Tinsel
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This shimmering, metallic material was once the height of Christmas fashion. Now, draping your tree in strands of silver, gold, or colored tinsel can look a bit dated. The process is messy, and the cleanup can last for months as you find stray strands all over the house. Yet, nothing catches the light quite like tinsel, creating a magical sparkle that dances with every movement. If you have pets or young children, keep an eye on loose tinsel. If any is swallowed, consult a vet or pediatrician for guidance.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: Tinsel adds a layer of glittering texture and vintage charm. It fills in sparse areas on a tree and reflects the lights, making the whole display seem brighter and more dynamic.
- Care and Tips: Apply tinsel after all other ornaments and lights are on the tree. Drape it strand by strand for a delicate look or toss it on by the handful for a more dramatic effect. Be mindful if you have pets or small children, as it can be a choking hazard if ingested.
4. Animatronic Santas
Image Credit: Arunravi.signs – Own work – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.
A life-sized, singing and dancing Santa Claus figure can be both startling and delightful. These animatronic decorations, often found near the fireplace or entryway, move their arms, sway to a holiday tune, and sometimes even hold a saxophone. They are the opposite of subtle, but their cheerful robotics bring a dose of unexpected entertainment to your holiday setup.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: An animatronic Santa is a conversation starter. It adds motion and sound to an otherwise static display, creating a lively and engaging experience for guests, especially younger ones.
- Care and Tips: Before setting up your animatronic figure, check the batteries or plug and ensure all moving parts are functioning correctly. Store it in its original box or a protected area in the off-season to protect its mechanical components from dust and damage.
5. The Elf on the Shelf
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This little scout elf has become a modern tradition, watching over children and reporting back to Santa. The daily ritual of moving the elf to a new, mischievous position can become a creative burden for parents. Some find the concept of a watchful doll a bit strange. However, for many families, the elf creates a month-long game full of excitement and magic, resulting in cherished memories.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: The Elf on the Shelf builds anticipation and encourages good behavior in a fun way. The creative scenarios bring laughter and wonder into the home every morning in December.
- Care and Tips: If you’re running low on ideas, a quick search online will reveal thousands of creative and easy-to-stage scenarios. To keep the magic alive, establish a clear rule that no one is allowed to touch the elf.
6. Colored Christmas Trees
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The Christmas tree trend stretches for centuries, so you can choose whichever color you desire. A Christmas tree that is stark white, bold pink, or a moody black tree? Yes, please. An unnaturally colored tree is a statement. It breaks from tradition in a big way, which can be jarring for purists. However, these trees offer a unique canvas for creative decorating themes and can be surprisingly stylish when done right.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: A colored tree is a perfect backdrop for a specific theme. A white tree can look like it’s covered in snow, while a pink one is perfect for a candy-themed display. It’s an expression of personal style.
- Care and Tips: Choose ornaments that complement or contrast with the tree’s color. For example, metallic ornaments look stunning on a black tree, while pastel ornaments shine on a white one. Store your artificial tree in a tree bag or its original box in a cool, dry place.
7. Christmas Light Reindeer
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These wire-frame deer, outlined in twinkling lights, are a classic piece of yard decor. Often posed in grazing or leaping positions, a family of light-up reindeer brings a sense of gentle wonder to a front lawn. While they can sometimes look a bit sparse during the day, they transform into a magical scene at night.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: These figures add an elegant and peaceful element to an outdoor display. They evoke a classic, storybook Christmas feeling.
- Care and Tips: Secure the frames to the ground with stakes to prevent them from tipping over in winter weather. Check all the bulbs before placing them in the yard. If you have multiple figures, use extension cords designed for outdoor use and protect the connection points from moisture.
8. Popcorn Garland
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Stringing popcorn (and sometimes cranberries) to drape on the tree is a time-honored tradition. It’s also a laborious, messy, and perishable one. The popcorn can go stale, attract pests, and break easily. Still, it’s a wholesome and rustic decoration that offers a fun family activity and a connection to Christmases of the past.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: Making popcorn garland is a wonderful craft for a cold afternoon. It adds a handmade, natural touch to the tree and fills the air with a pleasant scent.
- Care and Tips: Use stale, plain popcorn, as it’s tougher and less likely to crumble. A sharp needle and strong thread (like dental floss) will make the stringing process much easier. If you plan to keep the tree up for a while, consider spraying the garland with a clear sealant to preserve it.
9. Handmade Ornaments
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A collection of mismatched, handmade ornaments from childhood, school projects, and family craft sessions can look cluttered next to curated designer baubles. They may be imperfect, with their lopsided shapes and generous use of glitter. But these ornaments are irreplaceable, each one a tangible piece of family history.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: A tree decorated with handmade ornaments tells a story. It’s a visual representation of the people and moments that matter most, making it far more meaningful than any perfectly coordinated tree.
- Care and Tips: To create a more cohesive look, you can intersperse the handmade ornaments with simple, solid-colored balls. For delicate or aging ornaments, reinforce the hangers and wrap them individually in tissue paper for storage.
10. “Baby’s First Christmas” Ornaments
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That little silver rattle or photo-frame bootie celebrating a baby’s first holiday is incredibly sweet. When a tree is covered in them for every child, grandchild, niece, and nephew, it can feel a bit like a shrine to infancy. Even so, these ornaments mark a significant family milestone and serve as a beautiful reminder of how the family has grown.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: These ornaments are pure sentiment. They capture a fleeting moment in time and become treasured keepsakes that are brought out with love each year.
- Care and Tips: Consider creating a dedicated “family tree” on a smaller, secondary tree to display these special ornaments. This gives them a place of honor without overwhelming your main decorative theme.
11. Burlap Christmas Extravaganza
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A few years ago, the rustic farmhouse aesthetic took over, and with it came burlap. Burlap tree skirts, burlap ribbons, and burlap ornaments were everywhere. Its rough, brown texture can feel more appropriate for a potato sack than a festive celebration, and its overuse can make a home look dated. Yet, it adds a warm, homespun texture that pairs well with natural elements like pinecones and wood.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: Burlap provides a neutral, textural backdrop that makes other colors and decorations stand out. It’s inexpensive and versatile, fitting in perfectly with a country or rustic Christmas theme.
- Care and Tips: Burlap sheds, so be prepared for some cleanup. To minimize fraying, choose burlap ribbon with wired edges. Iron it on a low setting before use to smooth out any creases from storage.
12. Upside Down Christmas Trees
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Hanging a Christmas tree from the ceiling with the point facing the floor is a bold and disorienting choice (yes, it’s a thing!). It defies gravity and tradition, leaving guests wondering about the practicalities of it all. This unusual trend is certainly a spectacle, but it’s also a clever space-saver and an unforgettable centerpiece.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: An upside-down tree is the ultimate holiday statement. It frees up floor space for more seating or presents and allows ornaments to hang freely and be seen more clearly.
- Care and Tips: Professional installation is often recommended to ensure the tree is securely anchored to the ceiling. Use lightweight, shatterproof ornaments. Decorate from the widest part (now at the top) downwards.
13. Poinsettias
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These ubiquitous holiday plants, with their bright red and green leaves, are a Christmas staple. You can find them everywhere, from grocery stores to office lobbies. Their sheer commonness and the fact that they are often plastic can make them feel a bit cliché and overdone. A sea of faux poinsettias can certainly look more tacky than tasteful. However, their vibrant colors are undeniably festive and instantly brighten any room.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: Real or fake, poinsettias are an effortless way to add a splash of Christmas color to your home. They symbolize good cheer and success and have a long-standing association with the holiday season that feels comforting and traditional.
- Care and Tips: For live poinsettias, place them in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight and water them only when the soil feels dry. Keep them away from drafts. For artificial ones, a quick dusting before display is all you need. Store them in a covered container to keep them looking fresh for next year.
14. Singing Christmas Fish
Image Credit: Toby Dylan from Cambridge, UK – Billy Bass Fish Head – pauk – CC BY-SA 2.0/Wiki Commons.
Remember Big Mouth Billy Bass? The Christmas version is its festive cousin, a mounted fish that sings holiday classics like “Jingle Bells” at the push of a button or via motion sensor. It’s goofy, unexpected, and completely absurd. Having a fish on your wall, let alone one wearing a Santa hat, is the definition of kitsch. Still, its ridiculous charm is hard to resist and guaranteed to get a laugh from your guests.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: A singing Christmas fish is pure, silly fun. It’s a novelty decoration that doesn’t take itself seriously and provides a moment of shared humor during a season that can sometimes feel stressful.
- Care and Tips: Check the batteries before hanging it up for the season. If it’s motion-activated, place it in a high-traffic area for maximum surprise, but perhaps not right by the front door unless you want every guest to be greeted by a caroling cod.
15. Christmas Villages
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Elaborate miniature Christmas villages, complete with tiny houses, spinning ice rinks, and little figurines, can take up an entire tabletop. These sprawling, illuminated displays can sometimes look cluttered and overly sentimental. The mix of different scales and styles collected over the years can create a chaotic little town. Building and adding to this tiny world is a cherished tradition for many, creating a whimsical scene full of detail and magic. It’s a timeless Christmas decor that never grows old.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: Christmas villages are a work of heart. They represent a tiny, perfect world full of holiday cheer and offer a nostalgic escape. Each little piece often has a story or memory attached to it.
- Care and Tips: Plan your layout before you start setting it up. Use faux snow blankets or white felt to create a cohesive base. To add depth, place taller buildings in the back and use small boxes or books to create different levels.
16. Novelty Christmas Light Projectors
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Instead of stringing lights, these projectors cast swirling patterns of snowflakes, Santas, or candy canes across the entire front of your house. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-impact outdoor decoration. The constantly moving, sometimes blurry images can feel less elegant than a carefully arranged string light display. Yet, they transform your home into a dynamic and festive light show with the flip of a switch.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: It’s the easiest way to cover your entire house in holiday cheer. Kids especially love the moving patterns, and it creates a magical, enchanting effect that stands out in the neighborhood.
- Care and Tips: Position the projector according to the manufacturer’s instructions to get the best coverage. Ensure the unit and any extension cords are rated for outdoor use and are placed where they won’t be a tripping hazard or get buried in snow.
17. The Christmas Pickle Ornament
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The tradition of the Christmas pickle involves hiding a pickle-shaped ornament on the tree. The first child to find it on Christmas morning either gets an extra present or good fortune for the year ahead. It’s a strange and quirky tradition with murky origins. A green glass pickle hidden among the branches of a green tree is certainly an odd sight. However, it creates a fun and engaging game for the whole family on Christmas morning.
Quick Look:
- Why We Love It: The pickle hunt is a simple tradition that adds another layer of excitement to Christmas Day. It’s a silly and memorable activity that brings the family together to stare intently at the Christmas tree.
- Care and Tips: Make the hiding spot challenging but not impossible. For families with multiple children, you can have several pickles or establish a rule that the finder from the previous year is the one to hide it.
Let’s Hear It for Tacky (and Wonderful) Traditions
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If your holiday lights blink a little brighter, your tree leans a little left, or your inflatables shimmy in the wind, count yourself lucky. Start preparing for Christmas early; you will have enough time for stories, laughter, and sweet nostalgia tangled up in every garish garland and glittery Santa. Tacky decorations remind us not to take ourselves too seriously, and that the best memories are often the ones where style gives way to spirit.