Every January, the US gift fairs give us an early glimpse into where Christmas styling, colour and customer demand are heading. Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas consistently set the tone, and while Europe will add another layer soon, there are already some very clear patterns emerging for Christmas 2026.
In this episode of The Seasonal Operator Podcast, I break down the key trends I’m seeing, what feels strong, and what appears to be softening after a few big years.
From the January US fairs, a few decorating directions are clearly gaining momentum.
Fruit and natural elements are everywhere. Oranges, apples and pomegranates are showing up across glass, beaded and fabric finishes, often paired with cinnamon, cloves and acorns. These sit beautifully with golds, bronzes and deeper tones, creating warmth and richness. Natural foliage continues to lift in quality, with lush garlands and picks now acting as feature pieces rather than fillers. Both flocked and green trees are being used almost evenly, depending on the look being created.
Iridescent finishes are still holding strong, particularly within whimsical and under-the-sea inspired themes. What feels different this year is shape. There are more finials, drops and elongated ornaments rather than just round baubles. Larger iridescent tinsel trees are also appearing, leaning into a vintage-meets-playful feel.
Ribbons as a key decorating element continue to grow. The quality, texture and layering being used this year is next-level. Narrow and wide ribbons are mixed throughout trees, garlands and wreaths, with loops, tails and small bows used creatively.
Vintage Christmas continues to perform strongly. Reflector ornaments, feather and tinsel trees, glass beadwork and nostalgic shapes remain popular. This look leans heavily into glass and works beautifully across both home and retail displays, particularly when layered with simple silver or soft metallics.
Colour is playing a big role in how these trends are coming together. Black and white is showing up in two distinct ways. One is softened with creams, pearls and warm tones for a regal, elegant feel. The other is bold and graphic, layered over rich green foliage for strong contrast.
Red is back again, but in a more evolved way. Larger baubles are now being used more confidently, even by Australian customers. Red with berries remains strong, while cranberry and deeper reds are growing. Red and white continues to be a reliable base that customers can easily build on or refresh.
Cream, champagne and soft golds are leaning firmly into luxury. These looks are paired with plush foliage, jewels and soft metallics, often with hints of pale pink or pale blue layered in for customers wanting continuity from previous seasons.
At the other end of the spectrum, deeper winter tones are gaining traction. Think library-style warmth with deep blues, rich greens, bronzes and tartans or plaids. While this trend is very US-led, it’s already influencing buying decisions in Australia as well.
There is also a playful edge emerging through brights and statement pieces. Pops of strong pink, touches of yellow, bold stripes, polka dots and even neon-style LED signs are being used as focal points to draw attention and create in-store impact. These elements may not always be top sellers, but they are excellent for grabbing attention and sparking conversation.
Not every recent trend is carrying forward at the same pace. Gingerbread is still around, but it feels less dominant as a full standalone theme. Candy themes in soft gelato colours have noticeably softened after several strong years. Oversized bows also feel less headline-driven, now being incorporated into broader looks rather than standing alone.
For retailers and seasonal businesses, this creates opportunity. Customers who invested heavily in these themes may now be looking for ways to refresh rather than replace. Small additions, new textures or updated colour accents can give them a reason to re-engage and buy again.
Early trend insights aren’t about chasing everything new. They’re about helping customers evolve what they already love. The strongest opportunities for Christmas 2026 sit in extension pieces, showing customers how to refresh existing displays with minimal change, and using trend stories as a reason to reconnect well before peak season planning begins.
This is an interactive episode and I’d love your input. What trends stood out to you? What are your customers already asking for? Which looks are you planning to build on for 2026?
You can follow the conversation over on Instagram at @theseasonaloperator.
If you’d like to talk through how these trends apply to your business — from buying decisions to customer experience and marketing — you can book a complimentary 15-minute chat. It’s a simple way to get clarity on your next steps and see where a few small changes could make a real difference for the coming season.
