Are you a maximalist who loves tinsel and flashing fairy lights or do you yearn for the Ralph Lauren Christmas look that interior magazines insist is the chicest festive decor scheme for 2025?
Either way, how you decorate your Christmas tree sends out an important message to visitors to your home during the festive period.
Get it right, and you’ll be known as a chic host or hostess all the way into 2026.
But get it wrong and you’re just one misplaced bauble away from looking dreadfully out of touch, or even common.
First and foremost, is the age-old debate of a fresh tree versus an artificial one. And what goes on the top branch? Is a classic star or angel now too twee for modern sensibilities?
Colour schemes also present another tricky debacle. Traditional green and red is a safe choice, but it’s beginning to look dated, while metallic silvers and golds enter the realm of ‘tacky chic’.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, interiors experts Benji Lewis, Kunal Trehan, founder of luxury Touched Interiors and award-winning designer Katie Malik revealed their top tips for making sure your Noel décor is up to par – and warned against the faux pas that could make your tree seem ‘common’…
Real or artificial tree?
Many people fuss over the dilemma of getting a real tree versus a fake one, but Benji says it doesn’t matter. What should be of concern instead, he revealed, is your tolerance for having pine needles all over the floor.
‘The question as to whether you have a real tree or an artificial one comes down to personal taste,’ he explained.
‘I love the smell of pine but needles that drop are a nuisance. There are varieties of tree however that are low shedders when it comes to needle drop – a Fraser Fir for example.’
However, Benji added, there are also extra considerations to keep in mind if you’re going fake. For one, you must consider just how plastic you want to go.
‘I think if you go artificial there’s a case for going fully and obviously fake but levels of artificiality vary, some emulating the illusion of having needles with coloured tinsel along their “branches” while others make no concession to the suggestion of reality,’ he continued.
‘If I was going to fake my tree, I think I’d go for a mid century glam vibe with one of those silver tinsely numbers and then load it up with decorations like mini red and white striped shepherd crooks, vintage baubles printed with naff festive scenes on them and unquestionably a couple of strings of fairy lights – one string looks mean, way better to have two.’
Benji also said he may, for good measure, ‘find a piece of red textile somewhere, cut it into a circle, edge it with fake white fur and lay it on the ground for my silver tree to stand on so the kids might think Father C left his cape behind while he was dropping off the pressies’.
And for those who really want an easy life – a fake tree with built-in fairy lights is a no brainer.
After all, there’s nothing classier than not being fussy.
Going too traditional is try-hard
‘Planning a colour co-ordinated theme is a great start for your tree décor, and if I were after a look that’s OTT then I’d explore colours away from traditional red and green or safe white and gold,’ Benji explained.
‘Blue and silver is a blend that amazes me because not only does it look so artificial but it’s also not very friendly!
‘A multi coloured look is a good way to do gaudy but avoid matt finishes and mid century baubles or else you’ll be in danger of stepping into the realms of tastefully recreating maximalist vintage chic.’
Meanwhile Katie revealed moving away from ‘traditional red and green’ can make for a more ‘contemporary and elegant aesthetic’.
She added: ‘For a refined and modern Christmas, opt for jewel tones like emerald, sapphire, burgundy, or earthy tones, and incorporate sophisticated pinks. These colours should be used thoughtfully to complement the home’s existing palette.’
However, while some colour combinations can feel sleek and modern, Kunal also warned that certain palettes, particularly stark monochromes, can quickly veer into cold and uninviting territory – so must also be avoided.
‘White and black can feel stark and joyless if they’re used in isolation. On their own, they strip away the warmth that makes Christmas inviting,’ he said.
‘If you love a monochrome look, it needs softening, layered with natural greenery, candlelight, or warmer metallic accents, otherwise it risks feeling more like a commercial display than a festive home.’
Don’t be TOO tasteful
And it’s not just the décor – the tree itself doesn’t have to be contained by green and red either, Benji said.
‘Throw things back to how granny might have approached Christmas with an artificial silver metallic tree or if that’s too tasteful for you, look for a fake tree in a colour like shocking pink – they’ll exist somewhere,’ he added.
‘If you’d like to stick with a green tree, buy angel hair and drape it over the crown of your tree to simulate newly fallen snow.’
Fairy lights are tacky but fun
Some things may seem tacky but still win over even the biggest Grinches – and classic festive fairylights appear to fall into that realm.
‘A string of fairy lights on your tree synced to flash to Mariah Carey singing “All I want for Christmas” would have to be the pinnacle of festive naff,’ Benji admitted.
‘But if it’s going to add extra sparkle to your seasonal merriment then knock yourself out and do it.’
… But don’t be too tempted by tinsel
Tinsel, however, despite seemingly being all the rage this year, could veer into inexcusably naff territory.
Kunal said that it could be overly commercial, whereas what’s actually on trend are textures and nostalgic charm, which are all rooted in natural tones and timeless elegance.
‘Tinsel is my biggest bugbear,’ he admitted. ‘For me, it instantly tips a space from chic to tacky.
‘This year, there’s a noticeable shift towards nature-inspired luxury. Think deep forest greens, muted golds and textures such as velvet ribbons and hand blown glass ornaments.
‘Sustainability is also influencing décor, with more clients favouring quality decorations that can be reused or adapted year after year rather than disposable, throwaway pieces.’
Don’t get too serious
‘Things like stars or velvet bows on top of your tree are in danger of making things look a bit serious,’ Benji advised.
‘When we were kids my dear dad crafted a questionable looking fairy from a ping pong ball, white pipe cleaners and crepe paper and on top of the tree each year she’d go and we thought she was magic.
‘A friend of mine on the other hand has a neat little full length photo of her husband in full disco diva regalia en route to ABBA Voyage and she strings him on top of the tree nowadays which works brilliantly for the campery that’s Christmas décor.’
Stay clear of robins, bells and Liberty print
‘When it comes to decorating your festive tree you need to be prepared to go all out – the camper the better,’ Benji said.
‘I think the worst you can do is buy a tree and then do the bare minimum with it; a few strands of ropey old tinsel flung on the last skinny tree you could buy in the shop and a malfunctioning set of fairy lights steps from ‘can’t be bothered’ into just plain naff.’
When it comes to baubles however, he said there are fine lines to tread.
‘Embrace novelty baubles in the shape of something that shamelessly showcases the commerciality of Christmas (a car or a Wurlitzer for example),’ he shared.
‘Avoid robins and bells or anything Scandi or heaven forbid, pretty baubles finished in a Liberty print.’
Elsewhere, Benji said, an extra bit of glitz makes all the difference.
He remarked: ‘You want your tree to sparkle to the max so look for metallic finishes on everything you throw on it, so that you give things an additional glisten and glow when the fairy lights come on.’
Meanwhile, rather than relying on colour alone, Kunal builds festive ambience using organic materials and warm lighting, creating a look that’s both inviting and timeless.
‘For me, it’s all about layering texture and light rather than drowning a space in baubles,’ he explained.
‘I focus on natural elements, such as winter foliage, eucalyptus, pinecones, even bowls of clementines, paired with warm candlelight or subtle fairy lights.
‘This approach creates a festive mood that feels sophisticated and inviting without straying into gimmicks.’
