Have you decorated your Christmas tree yet? If not, there's new inspiration to be found here – but be warned, it's not for the faint-hearted or traditional souls!
Christmas is just around the corner, and traditionally, baubles have been a staple part of the tree decorations. However, recent trends show that many, especially from Generation Z and Millennials, find traditional Christmas decorations 'boring'. Instead, they choose to adorn their trees with decorations that reflect their passions and have special meaning to them.
According to a Pensionist, many are opting to cover their trees with unique decorations inspired by TV shows, sports, singers, hobbies, and food. An example of this trend is 'Swiftmas trees' created by Taylor Swift fans, where traditional tinsel and baubles are replaced by large handmade friendship bracelets wrapped around the entire tree. Similar trends are seen among Harry Styles fans, who personalize their trees with pictures of the singer.
Etsy's trend expert, Danya Isom Johnson, has noticed an increase in alternatives to Christmas baubles this year. She says, "Although traditional Christmas decorations have long been the norm, I see a growing pop-cultural influence in the festive season each year, which brings more and more creative designs with it".
Another popular trend on TikTok for Christmas 2023 is 'Christmas tree bows', which have gathered more than 10 billion views. Here, people decorate their trees with bows by tying ribbons directly onto the branches. Influencer Samantha Miller demonstrates in a viral video how she cuts pieces of ivory-colored and black ribbon for her tree.
TikTokers are also getting creative and making their own decorations instead of buying new ones. There's a surge in festive DIY projects and crafts, with many making their own dried fruit slices and garlands. For example, Alexandra Johansen, 21, explains how she plans to swap out Christmas baubles and tinsel for homemade decorations, inspired by trends she's seen on social media.
Alexandra uses dried fruit to add 'different' colors to her Christmas tree decorations instead of the traditional red and green color scheme. She also plans to make pomander balls, which maintain the spirit of Christmas baubles but are less likely to break.
Although the latest trends indicate a move away from traditional Christmas baubles, it's important to remember that the best choice of Christmas tree decorations is what makes one happy. Whether it's traditional Christmas baubles or personal decorations, the most important thing is that the Christmas tree reflects the individual's style and brings joy during the festive season.
