Christmas trees have always been a symbol of family tradition and holiday cheer, but a dedicated Netflix special for curating the perfect holiday aesthetic is the kind of next-level extra you can only expect in the internet-obsessed 2025 era. I respect the hustle. I must admit, though, the first few minutes of Meghan Markle's new Christmas special, With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, felt a little too... traditional. What I really wanted was to see her show off.
I'm relatively new to the show and her design personality in general. And while the opening scenes of her skipping through a Christmas tree farm and the general earnestness throughout each episode are a bit to get used to, it's wholesome, full of beauty, and I left with some pretty solid Christmas decorating ideas (even though, yes, they were shared only a few minutes in).
In line with what I've gathered about Meghan's sense of style, her tree is pretty classic; a blend of elevated traditional design and family memories. Her way of decorating a Christmas tree is nothing out of the ordinary (lights strung towards the back, baubles in front), but what I like is that it confirms the trusted recipe, making it easy to recreate yourself. Though I was able to steal a few new tips and tricks from her.
So what lessons exactly did I take from Meghan's Christmas special? Well, the type of Christmas tree to choose was the first big thing. While not everyone can enjoy the experience of going to a Christmas tree farm to source a live tree, even if you opt for a faux one, Meghan shares that an eight to nine-foot tree is the ideal height. Full and fluffy branches with a perfectly formed shape, of course.
Once back at the house, Meghan dives into the types of ornaments she chooses and how to expertly trim the tree. Start by stringing your twinkle lights (warm and white) around the back of the tree, and end with a light wrapping on the outer part of the branches. This way, the lights fill the entire space and look more dynamic, she explains.
As for ornaments, despite Meghan's insistence on tradition, she doesn't go for anything green and red. Instead, her tree is filled with gold ornaments with weathered finishes and cozy motifs (think pinecones, acorns, etc.). I even spotted a few embossed gold foil ornaments, which I've been obsessed with lately — they're the perfect last-minute Christmas DIY.
And her one true rule? Hang each ornament near a light so they can sparkle and shine. Really, that's all there is to it. The Meghan Markle way is about keeping things simple yet elevated, classic, and full of tradition.
Eight or nine feet is the perfect height, according to Meghan. Habitat's Christmas trees have been selling out, and this upswept look is especially perfect for anyone who wants a more natural, yet still full look.
I had the chance to view these hammered metal ornaments from TOAST in person, and they are so beautiful. They are handmade, so each one varies slightly, making your tree feel that much more meaningful.
Ornament packs have been my greatest discovery this year. They make perfecting your bauble-to-light ratio so easy when you know your tree size and how full you want your tree to look.
I mean, talk about a cozy them that feels way more elevated! These hanging acorns look like you plucked them right off of Meghan's tree. They add visual interest, yet still blend into that timeless design.
Pinecones help bring the outdoors in for a winter wonderland-inspired theme that feels both cozy and festive. Especially when they come in a gold, glitter-dusted form.
This is my favorite style of Christmas lights because they are so timeless in shape and shine. Plus, at only £8.99, you can grab as many strands as you need to fill the tree.
Though the With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration isn't a show I would throw on for exciting entertainment purposes, it's a lovely, festive scene to have in the background. And if you need help with the basics of Christmas decorating, Meghan has some great tips to share.
It looks like even the celebrity world is going a bit more subtle this year when it comes to holiday decor — just take Victoria Beckham's lazy Christmas tree, for example. It's minimal effort-meets-chic.
