Christmas has always been a time filled with childhood wonder, even for those well into their twenties. The nostalgia of holiday songs playing wherever you go and mall Santas letting little kids tell them what they want for Christmas keeps that joy alive. One of the most popular aspects of Christmas is decorating the Christmas tree. Ornaments, lights, garland and so much more get placed on the tree to create the Christmas magic.
Different family decorations that have been collected over the years are scattered throughout the tree. It doesn’t matter where each one is placed; they all have their own space. But now, many trees are devoid of their usual festive decorations as people opt for more neutral colors. Warm lights, a few decorations, all with matching colors, are becoming a popular trend for families. This is the debate of tacky Christmas versus minimalist Christmas.
Tacky Christmas consists of multicolored and mismatched decorations all throughout the house. Trees usually have bright blue, green and red lights. The typical family ornaments can be seen all over the tree, with no care for where they’re placed or what color they are. They don’t have to be perfectly made; no 5-year-old can be Picasso anyway. Garland ties the whole thing together by adding some cohesiveness to the tree. On the couch, holiday pillows and blankets are thrown about, making the room feel cozy. The only thing that matters when decorating for a tacky Christmas is making sure all of the family decorations are on display and the rooms are filled with holiday cheer.
In contrast, minimalist Christmas is much more muted. With minimal decorations on the tree that all follow a certain color scheme, it can be harder to feel the Christmas spirit. Warm lights and maybe one color of ornaments are the best way to decorate a tree for a minimalist Christmas. The family ornaments that typically adorn a tacky tree get stowed away in the attic, in hopes of making it on the tree next year. Different shades of white with simple designs, like thin-lined reindeer and snowflakes, can be found on pillows and are placed neatly on couches and chairs. Cozy blankets of neutral colors are folded and hung over armrests.
The difference between these two types of decorating is truly the difference in the amount of Christmas spirit that one feels. If bright colors, family decorations and an old-time feel are what give you a sense of holiday cheer, then a tacky Christmas is for you. If a more neutral scheme, warmer colors and a tied together look is what you’re going for, then having a minimalist Christmas will suit you best. Personally, a mix of both is what I strive for, with a tree that has a main color with a few family ornaments mixed in. The decorations found in my living room are a mix of red, green, blue and white, not giving it a cohesive look, but it’s exactly what my family wants. No matter how you decide to decorate for the holidays, make sure it brings cheer to you and those around you.
