Photography: Leon Schoots
A couple of years ago, stuck in lockdown, I fell down a YouTube rabbit hole of American Christmas decorating and thought, ‘Why don’t we do this in Australia?’ So I started sharing my own holiday videos, and they just blew up.
On my podcast Home & Hosting with Loui Burke, I love doing deep dives into design and decorating, but the TikToks are a fun way to cover the trends quickly – what’s in, what’s out and what’s coming next. And this year, here’s what I’m seeing that’s in (or about to be).
The biggest Christmas trends of 2025
Evergreen
A big trend I’m noticing in stores this year is what they’re calling the woodland or evergreen look, which is all about greens, earthy browns and warm tans. It works in every kind of home, whether yours is brick, weatherboard or contemporary.
Create the look by layering those greens and browns to create something that feels grounded and natural but still clean and timeless. A nature-inspired table with fresh hydrangeas in green and white would tie in so nicely with the Australian summer. This trend feels festive without being over the top.
Powder blue
Blue is a really big trend this year and it’s only getting bigger. I love the idea of bringing it in through ribbon – not just tied in bows, but cascading down the tree using wire. Velvet is my favourite because it feels so luxe, and in a light powder blue it strikes that perfect balance between wintry and summery.
It still feels fresh but has that nostalgic touch, especially when paired with silver ornaments or mercury glass baubles. If you want to do something crafty, I also love mixing in dried orange slices – blue and orange are complementary colours, so it adds a beautiful, natural element that feels really timeless.
Paper accordion trees
If you want to nod to the season without going all out, paper accordion trees are the way to go. They’re kid- and pet-friendly (since they’re just paper, there’s nothing to smash or break) and totally recyclable. Perfect for apartments or smaller homes, or if you’re heading away for the holidays but still want a festive touch. You can keep it neutral and minimal, go classic Christmas, or have fun with bold, bright colours, adding trees on consoles and stars hung in windows.
The paper accordion tree trend is really good for people who live in small spaces” Loui
Traditional
This year we’re seeing a big return to traditional Christmas, or what everyone’s calling ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’. It’s that classic, heritage look with reds, greens, gold accents and plenty of tartan. In Australia, with our warmer climate and love of light, coastal spaces, it can feel heavy if it doesn’t suit your interior.
It works best in older terraces or cottages with character – places that already have that Victorian warmth. Whereas in modern homes, you might want to take cues from this trend rather than go all in.
Australiana
The Australiana theme is still around, with the kangaroos, koalas and wattle. I think it’s nice to have that nod to Australia, but sometimes it ends up feeling a bit more like an Australia tree rather than a Christmas tree.
Last year, I did a yellow tree inspired by a Martha Stewart one from the ’90s, with lemon picks, lemon ribbon and silver ornaments. It felt really different, and people seemed to love it, but I don’t know if it’s the most accessible look. Still, I think the yellow vibe is a modern, cheerful take on an Aussie summer Christmas.
Character christmas
It’s all about personality and play, with ornaments that celebrate the gifts, food and fun we share at this time of year. Skip the polar bears, deer and snow globes, and go for something more charismatic: cocktail glasses, prawns, Santa boots, even mini picture frames. Add a touch of lametta tinsel for sparkle and you’ve got a playful, fashion-forward tree that suits chic contemporary interiors or mid-century modern homes.
Coastal
There’s a focus on a coastal, ocean-inspired theme this year, which I love, but I’d stick to blues, browns and tans and avoid going full-on coral or jellyfish energy. I’ve seen festive jellyfish hanging ornaments with little mushroomhead shapes with beaded tails, and while they’re fun, I think it’s tricky to make them feel chic and Christmassy.
For that reason I’d avoid going too literal with animals or fauna on the tree. Stick to classic baubles and picks, because once you head down the animal path, it can get a bit rogue and lose that traditional Christmas feel.
Pink
Pink paired with red has been popular at Christmas for a few years, and globally it’s still a trend, but here in Australia we’re seeing it more on its own, with gold or forest green. Although there are a few brands with red and pink in their festive ranges.
I love pink, but we can play with it all year in homewares, so for Christmas I prefer something different. That’s why this year I’m loving blues, and next year I can see purples, magentas, silvers and greys coming in.
Gingerbread
I think the gingerbread theme is really fun for anyone who loves warm browns and cosy tones. It’s a bit cute without tipping too far into full-on winter territory, and it works really well in lots of homes because it’s neutral in tans and creams.
Kids love it, and you can go all out with gingerbread villages or little houses, which I think looks best when it feels authentic rather than too fake. Some people even go gingerbread crazy with dinnerware, but for me, I love it on the tree or as part of a little festive display. It just feels so warm and welcoming.
Burgundy
For a more chic and romantic look, burgundy is really coming through this year. We saw a lot of burgundy over winter, and I think it’s going to make its way onto Christmas trees too, especially in ribbons.
It gives such an elegant feel, perfect for a festive season that’s a little more grown-up and timeless. People are also loving glass hanging ornaments. They’re very chic and happening at the moment and bring that nostalgic feel.
You can follow Loui on Instagram and Tik Tok.
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