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Holiday decorations are not exempt from the trends that circulate online, which often declare specific color schemes or styles as "in." These fads enjoy a fleeting period of popularity before being overshadowed by the next emerging trend, with their decorations often relegated to rebranding or disposal.
This year, the influencer community has been busy crafting a new holiday aesthetic: "Tacky Christmas."
Unlike previous themes that are neatly defined and monochromatic, Tacky Christmas embraces a more chaotic, all-encompassing approach. Picture a tree decked out with a hodgepodge of ornaments and strings of large, colorful lights, topped off with an abundance of tinsel, and perhaps even a train set circling the base. “It’s not limited to one aesthetic — it’s about what resonates with you for any reason, be it nostalgia or simply because it brings you joy,” explains cozy-content creator Samantha Ulrich-Herman from Portland, Oregon.
This concept may seem reminiscent of past holiday seasons, as Tacky Christmas essentially mirrors how Christmas was celebrated when people posed for photos in front of their trees using film cameras instead of smartphones, or when “ticktock” referred to the sound of a grandfather clock draped in garland rather than a social media platform.
While Tacky Christmas might appear to be just another fleeting trend, it actually signifies a departure from the hyper-curation often seen on social media. Instead of striving for an idealized perfection, it celebrates a more lived-in and eclectic mix. These ornaments may show signs of wear and tear, but their abundance distracts from any imperfections.
Upon encountering the Tacky Christmas trend, Ulrich-Herman felt a sense of familiarity: “What they showcased reminded me of my childhood and how my parents decorated, as well as my own style. I found it amusing because it felt like true Christmas.” There’s certainly a nostalgic aspect at play. In terms of design and holiday decor, Erika Kikola, who shares her maximalist home on Instagram and TikTok from Pennsylvania, expresses, “I’m always trying to recapture that childlike wonder. You won’t achieve that with a neutral ‘Oatmeal Beige Mom Christmas.’”
Kikola seeks to recreate the joyful memories of her own childhood while also crafting similar experiences for her young children. “What evokes more warmth and happiness: vibrant colors and whimsical shapes or just a plain Christmas tree?” she asks. The “no rules” philosophy is liberating for those weary of the increasingly lengthy holiday season and its pressures, according to Molly Kunselman, principal designer at Molly Kunselman Design in Maryland. She describes Tacky Christmas as a “bit of a rebellion” against the pursuit of flawless decorations, whether in real life or on social media.
Kunselman notes that “these items don’t pretend to be something they’re not, which makes them feel more genuine.” For Kikola, this authenticity is key. She views Tacky Christmas as a festive way for individuals to infuse more personality into their homes. The ornaments she and her children create, along with the treasures she has spent years thrifting for, serve as “a reflection of your life,” she shares. She cherishes the chance to revisit these decorations each holiday season.
“I open the box and there’s my favorite ornament,” she reflects. “There are so many memories tied to it that you simply don’t get when you buy new items from big-box stores every year.”
This makes Tacky Christmas, unlike many other micro-trends, budget-friendly. You can utilize whatever you already have. However, if starting from scratch, Kunselman warns that purchasing a bunch of new decorations would miss the essence of this trend. Instead, she encourages using heirlooms and exploring thrift stores or platforms like Facebook Marketplace.
Marketplace approaches offer superior benefits from aesthetic, economic, and environmental viewpoints. Regarding the somewhat pejorative term "tacky," Kikola embraces the label. “When you combine items that people might not typically see as complementary, they might simply call it ‘tacky,’” she explains. “They struggle to articulate that it’s ‘whimsical, colorful, vintage Christmas.’ That’s just a lot more words.” Ulrich-Herman has never aimed to keep up with the latest holiday decorating fads. For her, each year’s unwrapping of Christmas decorations is a nostalgic experience. She revisits the ornaments crafted by her mother during her childhood and those she has gathered with her husband, which bring back cherished memories from the past year. This year will be no exception. However, due to Tacky Christmas, she will unwittingly be on-trend.
Not only is she attempting to recreate the joyful memories of Christmas from her childhood, but she also aims to create similar experiences for her own young children. “What gives you a warmer feeling: seeing vibrant colors, whimsical designs, and various shapes, or just a plain neutral Christmas tree?” Kikola asks. The “no rules” philosophy is liberating for those who feel overwhelmed by the increasingly lengthy holiday season and its accompanying pressures, according to Molly Kunselman, principal designer at Maryland-based Molly Kunselman Design. She describes Tacky Christmas as a form of “rebellion” against the pressure to make decorations appear perfect, whether in real life or on social media. Rather than aiming for flawlessness, Kunselman notes that “these items don’t pretend to be something they’re not, which makes them seem more genuine.” For Kikola, this authenticity is key. She views it as a festive way for those seeking more character in their homes. The ornaments she and her children have crafted, along with the trinkets she has collected over more than a decade of thrifting, serve as “a reflection of your life,” she explains. She cherishes the opportunity to revisit the same decorations each holiday season. “I open the box and find my favorite ornament,” she shares. “There are so many memories tied to it that you simply don’t get when you’re shopping at big-box stores and purchasing new items every year.” This approach makes Tacky Christmas, unlike many fleeting trends, budget-friendly. You can utilize what you already possess. However, if starting from scratch, buying a bunch of new items to decorate the tree would miss the essence of the concept, Kunselman advises. Opting for hand-me-downs and exploring thrift shops or platforms like Facebook Marketplace are more appealing choices from aesthetic, financial, and environmental standpoints. Regarding the somewhat negative label of “tacky,” Kikola embraces it. “When you combine things that people might not see as matching, they often label it ‘tacky,’” she explains. “They struggle to articulate it as ‘whimsical, colorful, vintage Christmas.’ I mean, that’s quite a mouthful.” Ulrich-Herman has never felt compelled to chase after the latest holiday decorating trends. For her, unboxing her festive decorations each year is a nostalgic journey. She revisits the ornaments crafted by her mother during her childhood and those she collects with her husband to remember special moments from the past year. This season will be no exception. Thanks to Tacky Christmas, she will unwittingly find herself in style.