Ribbon. Tinsel. Tartan plaids and natural materials. Nostalgia. Whimsy. This year’s holiday décor trends run the gamut with one overarching theme — retailers expect consumers to take a maximalist approach.
Retailers have been on the hunt since January for the styles and pieces they expect to wow their customers, searching for their finishing touches at the summer markets, including this month’s Las Vegas Market.
“I do a lot of holiday buying in January before it sells out,” said Will Hunt Lewis, owner of Hunt & Bloom, and one of Home Accents Today‘s 2026 Retail Stars. “As summer markets start, I go through my January orders to see what we have coming in and where we need to fill in. At markets, I look for new product I didn’t see in January,” he said. Lewis, like other retailers, has high hopes for holiday décor this season. The expectation is consumers will choose celebration, and decor and entertaining items will be well-received.
Consumer Holiday Sentiment
Despite economic uncertainty, retailers expect consumers to spend on par with last year. With that in mind, retailers are showcasing inspiring holiday displays that speak to their clientele. Though many consumers are experiencing economic constraints, they will be looking for value — something of quality that tells a story or sparks connection and the joy of the season. “When people feel economic pressure, social stress or uncertainty, they often gravitate toward familiar, comforting décor, which is why traditional Christmas colors and decor will be popular this year,” said Susan Hoechner, owner of Barbara Stewart Interiors.
For most retailers, early planning is important. Many consumers now plunge into winter holiday decorating right after Halloween. But some independent retailers are waiting to put out holiday décor until closer to Thanksgiving in an effort to build anticipation. “We start putting out holiday décor the week before Thanksgiving, when we have our giant open house,” Christina Van Blake, owner of HOME Design, said. “We’ll showcase table runners and the tableware that people want for entertaining that week. We focus on evergreens, burnt oranges and the fall colors associated with being in New England. We’re not open on Black Friday, but on Small Business Saturday, that’s when the reds and greens and Christmas holiday décor come out.”
In addition to perusing vendor showrooms for the latest décor trends, retailers are also focusing on unique and/or local artisans who bring something to the showroom floor that won’t be found anywhere else. For Christopher Todd, owner of Christopher Todd Interior Design & Fine Gifts, he sources ornaments from a Polish ornament company and is setting up one large tree in his store this year that will be easy to pick from. “People have trouble buying something off of a tree when it’s really beautiful,” Todd said. “It helps to have baskets of ornaments near the tree. We’re adding a monitor next to the tree this year where customers can search for what they’re looking for and find it on the tree.”
What’s Trending?
From ornaments and tchotchkes to garlands and wreaths, each retailer has a unique trend direction and way of reaching their customer base. While there are some motifs and colors that transcend regions, for many, it’s catering to their locale. “Ultimately, holiday trends are shaped as much by emotion as by design,” said Keith Winkler, marketing & media relations manager at Replacements Ltd. “Year after year, we see that customers value products that bring people together, honor family traditions and create a sense of comfort and connection — qualities that never go out of style.”
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