Image by @Home

by Anita Bloom

The festive season is here – and with it comes that irresistible urge to sprinkle a little magic everywhere. Whether you love a full Christmas makeover or just a few special touches, this year’s trends are all about personality, warmth, nostalgia, and creating spaces that feel beautifully you. Think rich textures, heartfelt details, and décor that sparks joy the moment you walk in.

Here are some top 2025 festive décor trends to inspire your most creative season yet:

1. The Statement Bow featuring @homelivingspace

Bows have been quietly trending for a few years… but 2025 says go big or go home. We’re talking huge, dramatic bows as tree toppers, on garlands, tied around lamp bases, hanging on door handles, and even wrapped around cutlery for Christmas dinner. Choose velvet, satin, moiré ribbon, or this year’s trending striped ribbons for a lush, textural look. The bigger and more sculptural, the better.

2. Deep Jewel-Toned Christmas featuring @homelivingspace

Move over bright red and forest green, this year is all about deeper, moodier jewel tones for a grown-up nostalgic Christmas. Think emerald and forest greens, burgundy, oxblood, and even inky blacks paired with deep reds. These colours add instant depth and richness, giving your festive décor a sophisticated, almost cinematic feel.

3. Monochromatic Gift Wrap

Wrapping presents becomes a décor moment this year. The trend: all gifts wrapped in one monochromatic palette, either fully solid or featuring subtle tone-on-tone prints. Finish with satin or velvet bows in the same colour for a luxe, uniform look under the tree. Pro tip: Save boxes throughout the year wrapping is so much easier (and neater!) when everything has clean edges.

4. The Ralph Lauren Christmas

If you love that luxurious cabin-in-winter vibe, this one is for you. Think wool, satin ribbons, rich tartans, plaids, and specifically Black Watch plaid. Add polished brass, silver accents, and skip the glitter entirely. It’s a look that’s rich in texture, colour, and heritage very “holiday in Aspen” without trying too hard.

5. Outdoor Holiday Living

In South Africa, Christmas and sunshine go hand-in-hand, so it’s no surprise this trend is huge. Make your outdoor space part of the celebration with candles, bows on outdoor lanterns, fairy lights, outdoor scatter cushions, and festive table settings. Create a cozy zone around your fire pit, decorate your patio, and embrace the magic of the outdoors. Bonus idea: festive pool floats – because why not?

6. Nostalgic Christmas Maximalism featuring @homelivingspace

This year welcomes back the Christmas many of us grew up with. Classic red and green, colourful fairy lights, tinsel, handmade ornaments, vintage baubles, and whimsical décor. It’s a move away from minimal Scandinavian styling toward maximalist, joyful nostalgia. Dial it up with full colour and childlike wonder, or keep it classic with cleaner lines it works either way.

7. Mixed Metals featuring @homelivingspace

Forget choosing between gold and silver 2025 says mix them. Layer gold, brass, silver, and pewter in your table settings, candleholders, ornaments, and garlands. It’s elegant, festive, and perfect for creating a celebratory sparkle without going overboard.

8. Full-Length Tablecloth Drama

A full-length tablecloth instantly elevates your festive table. Upsize your tablecloth so it drapes luxuriously to the floor—or even slightly billows and ruches for added texture and softness. It creates a cleaner, more dramatic backdrop and makes your place settings feel intentionally styled.

9. Velvet & Satin Touches

Velvet and satin continue their reign, especially for ornaments, bows, stockings, garlands, and cushions. They add softness, richness, and a timeless feel  perfect for creating a warm, cozy Christmas atmosphere. We’re also seeing a shift away from the ultra-glam tree of previous years toward a more relaxed, organic, candlelit tree with crystals, soft lighting, and understated décor.

10. Monochromatic Black & White Christmas featuring @homelivingspace

Clean, modern, and incredibly chic. Black-and-white décor creates a statement tablescape especially when paired with fresh white flowers, dark cutlery, candles, and ceramics. It’s perfect for modern homes and design lovers who still want festive magic without colour overload.

11. “Snowy Greens” – A Fresh White Christmas featuring @homelivingspace

Give this look a name: The Snowy Greens Christmas. It’s a soft, serene mix of all-white décor paired with fresh greenery ferns, leaves, stems, wreaths, and garlands. Add warm fairy lights, candles, white baubles, and statement fairy-light trees in the entrance hall for a magical welcome. Minimal, calming, and beautifully fresh.

12. Christmas Trees in Baskets & Decorative Pots

One of the biggest décor trends for 2025 is ditching the traditional tree stand and styling your Christmas tree in beautiful baskets, woven planters, ceramic pots, or storage tubs. This creates a more curated, interior-designed look and works brilliantly in South African homes where natural textures pair well with summer décor.

Where to shop:

• MRP Home – affordable woven baskets, belly baskets, textured planters.
• Woolworths Home – clean, minimalist ceramic pots and woven planters.
• AtHome – designer-looking oversized planters and sturdy baskets.
• Jet Home – simple storage baskets that can be repurposed as tree bases.

At the heart of every festive season is joy, connection, and the little personal touches that make a home feel special. Trends are simply inspiration your own style, your family traditions, and the memories you create are what truly make your holiday décor shine.

Whether you lean into dramatic bows, nostalgic colour, cozy textures, or chic minimalism, make it yours. May your 2025 festive season be filled with creativity, warmth, laughter, and magical moments shared with the people you love.

Wishing you a beautifully decorated and wonderfully festive holiday season.