The summer is coming to a close, which sounds like a bit of a bummer… but not when the holiday season is on the horizon! Yes, it’s time to tentatively pack away those bikinis and swim shorts; however, that means we get to wipe the dust off the decoration boxes and, in turn, welcome back comfort and nostalgia to our lives! This year, we’re going to add a little bit more intention to everything we do – hosting, gifting, décor, and just about everything holiday-related! Now’s the best time to throw on those thinking caps and start the search for some inspo, so when peak gifting time approaches, you’ll be extra prepped. Now, without further ado, let’s explore the top holiday trends for 2026 and some new ways people are choosing to gather this holiday season.
What’s Happening This Season
2025 saw a personal, creative touch with an emphasis on that handmade feel. Nostalgia played a big part, and the trends were heavily elevated by whimsy and DIY craftsmanship, with a large focus on smaller, more meaningful gatherings. This year, though, we’re taking the familiar and comfortable and turning it on its head! In a nut(cracker)shell, we’re enhancing the known by adding intention and refining what we love with a little more care and attention. Each of the six trends below offers a unique perspective on that same core idea, so let’s get to it!
Top Holiday Trends 2026
The Friendship Holiday
Friends are a second family, and for some, they’re the only family. It’s become more popular than ever to create and build upon traditions that deepen those bonds. And what makes them so special is that they bring a certain informality that family gatherings lack – an opportunity for fun without the pressure! Holiday parties centered on Friendsgivings, ornament exchanges, manifestation parties, and crafting nights are currently dominating the eventsphere, not to mention favorite things exchanges where you wap inexpensive gifts that are practical, sentimental, or are just pure fun! Pick up invitations to match your theme, and include all the necessary information regarding outfits, gifts, time, date, and location.
Classic Christmas, Elevated
As the overused saying goes (which, yes, we will also be recycling): “Classics never go out of style.” Last year saw an uptake in ‘Vintage Christmas,’ emphasizing classic monograms, rich plaids, and heirloom-quality details. This year, we’ll be drawing inspiration by carrying that heritage look forward and elevating it in a more subtle, defined way! Let’s go back to the ‘90s and 2000s and give those familiar cues a more sophisticated styling, such as tailored plaids, reds and greens, classic typography, and high-quality materials like foil and thicker cardstock! Think plaid Christmas cards, monogrammed stockings, and décor adorned in that classic Christmas magic we all know and love.
Intentional Giving
This year, gift-giving is becoming less about giving more, and more about giving with meaning! That means ditching huge collections of items and homing in on smaller gifts that carry an element of thoughtful intention, allowing the recipient to feel seen and understood (and also grants your bank account the gift of not reaching zero). Homemade presents like a batch of cookies or something handcrafted, like blankets, crochet, or socks, for example, tell the recipient “I’m thinking of you.” Alternatively, customize goods such as monogrammed mugs, recipe binders, and matching family sets of pajamas, or print photos onto almost any item you can imagine!
A Dark Red Holiday
Move over classic red – this year, it’s all about its moodier, more sophisticated counterpart! Red is the color most closely related to Christmas – think Santa and lots of candy canes – so it’s time to take that shade and add a little richness, creating a deep burgundy, crimson, oxblood look. We can almost smell the mulled wine just by looking at it! Wrap your gifts, cover your living room with candles, and send out holiday cards all encompassing those opulent undertones! And the best part? It pairs all too well with deep green, gold, and ivory/cream, touching on that nostalgic feel of Christmas.
Home Merch: Deck the Halls
The holiday spirit is officially moving in – this year, shoppers are giving their residences their very own identity, creating branded merch that celebrates their home. This new trend is taking the holiday season by snowstorm, making it a fun idea to bring your house to life! The most exciting part is that you have the final word on every aspect of your (home)brand identity: naming your house, creating a symbol incorporating your family crest, and adding a monogrammed finish. Then, you can add the customized design to mugs, matchboxes, keychains, and ornaments. House merch also doubles up as party favors and décor, a perfect finish for your holiday party.
Midnight Shimmer
Now for a color palette that encompasses winter as a whole, beyond the confines of the holiday season! Midnight Shimmer captures the gracefulness of a deep navy palette, elevated by accents of champagne/gold and silver. The navy brings in that polished foundation, while champagne/gold adds warmth and a soft, plush glow, or silver brings a more contemporary sparkle. Decorating with this color scheme will extend well into New Year’s, and your invitations will be unmatched. All in all, if you’re going for a cozier look, pick Midnight Shimmer, and if you’re going down the refined, glam lane, pick A Dark Red Holiday!
New Ways to Gather This Season
The holidays are fundamentally about togetherness – finding (or in many cases, creating) excuses to spend time with family, friends, and loved ones. We’ve got our classic holiday events – Thanksgiving, office/work Christmas celebrations, ugly sweater parties – but what are some other ways you can gather this holiday season?
Merry Mahjong & Game Nights: Game nights have always been popular, but 2026 is seeing them bigger and better than ever! Invite your pals for a night of friendly competition. Gather your scorecards, serve pitchers of mixed cocktails, and play anything from chess and Mahjong to Cards Against Humanity or charades! Better yet, hand out scorecards, play a bunch of different games, and declare one king or queen of game night!
Merry Movement: Combining social meetups with wellness-based activities is a double win! You get to hang out AND work your bodies or minds. Organize a group yoga session, Pilates, guided meditation, sound bath, journaling session, or a nature walk! Bring along a few party favors of your choosing to end the meetup with a little token of appreciation.
Card-Stuffing & Cookie Swaps: Stuffing countless Christmas cards can be a bit tedious, so we suggest turning it into one social event! Gather up your envelopes, stamps, labels (and consider grabbing them for your friends, too), and circle up around a table for some tea, gossip, or a little something stronger. Alternatively, host a cookie swap night so you can show off your famous recipes and encourage guests to bring their own!
Celebrating Beyond Christmas
The holidays extend far beyond the scope of Christmas. Every culture has its own unique celebrations and traditions around the fall/winter season, and we’d like to list out a few that come to mind, along with a few trendy design cues that encapsulate each.
Halloween (Oct 31st)
The origins of Halloween can be traced to a variety of different cultural and religious traditions, most notably Samhain, Pomona, and All Saints’ Eve. Halloween continues to inspire everything from spooky to cute, accentuated by invitations and décor in classic black/orange and softer pastel palettes.
Día de los Muertos (Oct 31st – Nov 2nd)
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) has its roots in the Indigenous traditions of Mexico, particularly in ancient Aztec/Mexica civilisations, which later blended with Catholic traditions. Designs influenced by marigolds, papel picado, sugar-skull motifs, and vibrant pink/purple/orange palettes are perfect for this celebration.
Diwali (Nov 8th)
Diwali is deeply woven into the cultural heritage across South Asia, appearing in Hinduism, Sikhism, Jainism, and some Buddhist communities, though its customs and meaning vary between them. Designs that signify this celebration include gold-foil accents, rich rangoli-inspired patterns, and tones such as magenta and marigold.
Thanksgiving (Nov 26th)
Thanksgiving is most commonly linked to a harvest gathering between the Wampanoag people and English settlers in 1621, though Indigenous peoples practiced harvest celebrations long before. Designs inspired by fall foliage, harvest motifs, and warm-toned palettes set the ideal scene.
Hanukkah (Dec 4th – 12th)
Hanukkah began around the 2nd century BCE, honoring the Jewish Maccabean revolt against the Seleucid and the reclamation (and subsequent rededication) of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Adorn your invitations, decorations, and everything in between with Stars of David, menorahs, dreidels, and incorporate blue-and-silver palettes!
Winter Solstice (Dec 21st)
The Winter Solstice marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year, occurring on the 21st of December. Cultures around the world have marked this day as a major transition, celebrating the return of light and a time of renewal. This year’s inspiration is signified by celestial elements, nature-based motifs, and candlelit gatherings.
Kwanzaa (Dec 26th – Jan 1st)
Created in 1966 by Maulana Karenga, this holiday celebrates African heritage, community, and unity, drawing inspiration from African harvest traditions and marking 7 days of reflection and tradition. Designs featuring geometric patterns, cultural motifs, and vibrant color palettes, with an emphasis on red, black, and green, are perfect for anything Kwanzaa-related.
New Year’s (Dec 31st – Jan 1st)
New Year’s celebrations can be traced back thousands of years, with the earliest known celebrations taking place in ancient Mesopotamia. The Romans established the tradition of celebrating New Year’s on January 1st, which later became part of the Gregorian calendar. Anything with astral motifs, metallics (like gold or silver), and countdown-style typography is trending for this holiday in 2026.
The holidays are about celebrating with those closest to you, and this year, ‘intention’ is at the forefront! Picking just one or two trends that resonate with you is so much better than working your way through the full list. Bonus points for trying something new or creating a yearly tradition! With that said, we hope your holiday season is as magical as ever. In our next holiday guide, we’ll be discussing card trends, so keep your eyes peeled!
Adam is a Content Specialist from Kerry, Ireland. His passions include going for long runs, video games, a love for animals, coffee, and travel!
