Chattanooga design experts say today's holiday decorations are steeped in nostalgia and family traditions

It's the time to turn on the lights. Trim the tree. Deck the halls. But what exactly that means is different for everyone. Some people like white, twinkling lights, while others prefer giant, multi-colored bulbs. Some prefer the sophistication of silver or clean decor or choose classic red and green for their tree branches, while others aren't afraid to branch out with a little rainbow tinsel. We spoke to local experts to find out what the latest trends in Christmas decorations are.

As we close out 2024 with the holidays, people are returning to the traditions of the past and embracing eclectic and retro “decor of yesteryear,” says Cassie Courtney, founder of Featherlane Design Co.

“We pull out grandma’s old Christmas plates. People are starting to find antiques and second-hand items and add their own flair by freshening up the look with high-quality greenery,” she says. “People now feel comfortable using things that we might have frowned upon in the early 2000s, adding a touch of the old to our modern surroundings.”

High-quality greenery that people can use to brighten up their homes and tables year after year is also a special focus of her company this year, adds Courtney.

“People are investing more in well-made green spaces and are looking for something that will last,” she says. “You want to buy this and not have to buy it again and have a garland that you can keep and look forward to every year.”

Hallie Haley and Susan Reynolds of Haley Reynolds Home help their clients create new holiday decorating traditions that complement their existing collections and heirlooms.

“Whether it's expanding their Wallace bell collection or adding some melamine plates to their china collection to entertain the grandchildren, people enjoy mixing the old with the new to build new traditions that celebrate the past honor,” Reynolds says.

These days, colors are also trending toward the eclectic and unconventional, and people are incorporating their favorite colors into Christmas decorations, she adds.

“The big trend is that green and red are no longer the staples they once were,” says Reynolds. “Any accents you love, whether pink or blue, can be holiday colors, and gold is always popular when paired with holiday decor.”

According to Haley, a return to entertainment on a large scale is also planned for 2024.

“People are returning to more formal gatherings to really enjoy special gatherings – and to make them feel welcome and cared for,” she says.

From formal family dinners to casual cookie parties and decor exchanges, getting together is something people appreciate and enjoy with renewed energy after the pandemic-induced muted holiday activity is over, Reynolds explains.

“Instead of trying to give a gift to every family member, neighbor or friend, it's about being together and coming together,” she says.

But this is still the season of gift-giving, and wrapping something simple or thoughtful in a pretty package is also an important theme this season, says Haley.

“People are turning back to colorful paper, a big bow and insert cards that make giving a gift memorable,” she says.

And the only thing better than a beautifully wrapped gift is a gift that someone else wrapped for you, adds Reynolds.

“If we ask 10 customers if they like the wrapped gift, 10 will say 'definitely,'” she says.

Kyle Ferrin, designer at Kathie Penland Interiors, also sees a move away from trends and towards the tried and tested.

“In recent years we’ve seen more and more of our customers embrace the magic of Christmases past and incorporate pieces that evoke a sense of nostalgia,” he says. “Whether they're treasured heirlooms passed down through generations or a collection of nutcrackers that once belonged to a beloved grandmother, these sentimental touches create a warm, timeless holiday atmosphere.”

Towering trees richly decorated with eclectic ornaments are also making a comeback, he notes.

“Minimalist and sparser Christmas trees were all the rage; however, for 2024, we see a return to fuller, more traditional trees decorated with abundant ornaments, including handcrafted details like popcorn and cranberry strings,” says Ferrin.

This look at the past is also changing the way people approach space when preparing for entertainment. The old open living style has given way to a focus on more traditional, defined spaces that provide a special gathering place, says Courtney.

“People are creating more spaces for guests to sit together at a table and really planning how they want to gather, and that includes a nod to a more traditional home style,” she says. “Many of us work from home, and in our homes you see a greater separation of time, space and purpose, and that carries over into the way we entertain ourselves.”

While 2024 offers a more personalized and eclectic approach to holiday decorating, Ferrin says the most important thing will always be what people take away from the experience.

“Trends may come and go, but memories last a lifetime,” he says.