This year, holiday decorating takes a joyful dive into the past. A bold, nostalgia-heavy holiday setup can bring a cheerful sense of excess that feels deliberate rather than chaotic. This style leans into color, shine, and recognizable classics, guiding a home toward the spirited look that once dominated living rooms filled with childhood ornaments and handmade crafts.
Here are four ideas below, pulled directly from the décor elements defining this trend.
1. Embrace an Abundance of Tinsel and Garland
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Tinsel, foil garlands, and plastic bead strands are central to the tacky Christmas style because they catch light and create movement. Each material reflects differently, giving a layered shimmer that changes as someone walks by. The shine energizes darker branches and adds dimension to silhouettes that might otherwise feel flat.
Placement matters with shiny décor, so spreading these materials across multiple surfaces helps keep the look balanced. A tree can hold classic tinsel from top to bottom, while a mantel might use metallic garland for contrast. Plastic beads can line shelving or be looped around figurines for added texture. The combination forms a setting that recalls the retro holiday displays that we’d love to bring back.
2. Go All-In on Mismatched and Novelty Ornaments
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Mismatched ornaments create a layered visual story that grows with every year. These pieces range from sentimental childhood crafts to glossy store-bought baubles. They make a combination that draws the eye and keeps a tree from looking too uniform. The variety offers contrast in shape and color, which helps a tree remain visually engaging even in lower light or from across a larger room.
A simple approach is to distribute larger or more visually heavy ornaments evenly around the tree, then fill gaps with lightweight items. This supports a structured layout while preserving the playfulness that defines the tacky Christmas trend. It also allows cherished pieces to stand out while smaller accents build density around them.
3. Light It Up with Colorful, Retro-Style Lights
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Warm rainbow lights are a strong element of this style because they echo classic decorations from earlier decades. The glow softens the sharper tones of bright ornaments and tinsel, making the color palette feel full without overwhelming the senses. These lights also produce a lively backdrop for garlands, figurines, and foil pieces, helping every reflective surface catch the light in small, lively flashes.
Wrapping lights close to the trunk gives depth, while a second strand toward the exterior highlights ornaments. On mantels or shelves, a loose drape works well, with the curve of the lights creating natural separation between décor layers. This approach invites warmth and contrast while staying consistent with the nostalgic aesthetic.
4. Add Handmade and Vintage Decorations
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Paper chain garlands bring a homemade touch that fits perfectly into the tacky trend’s retro personality. Their simple construction allows a room to carry bright blocks of color in a way that feels cheerful and familiar. With construction paper, metallic sheets, or glitter cardstock, these chains can suit elaborate displays or more modest layouts.
These garlands work best in longer runs, such as around doorways, across windows, or above mantels. When used on a tree, a single continuous strand helps the placement look intentional instead of fragmented. The alternating colors add rhythm, which helps balance visually dense ornaments and lights.
Moving Forward with Festive Freedom
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Adopting the “tacky” Christmas trend is about giving yourself the freedom to decorate in a way that brings you joy. It’s about letting go of the need for perfection and instead celebrating personality, nostalgia, and fun.
You can start by incorporating one of these ideas into your existing decor. Add a few strands of colorful bead garland to your mantel or hunt for a few unique novelty ornaments for your tree. This holiday season, let your decorations tell your story, one mismatched, brightly-colored, and wonderfully tacky piece at a time.