As someone who usually leans towards the safe and stylish side of seasonal decorating – warm white lights, timeless metallics, a predictable ribbon or two – seeing Joanna Gaines' vibrant, whimsical, and retro tree felt like permission to lean into fun.
After all, Christmas IS kitsch. And who am I to deny myself some joy-sparking Christmas tree ideas? Suddenly, the idea of a nostalgic, color-packed, memory-filled, decorated-in-November tree felt exactly what we all need right now. And we have Joanna Gaines' latest video to thank for that.
Sharing my eagerness for early decorating, in her latest video, the TV star and designer explains how she likes to pace out her holiday decorating throughout November – with the 'big mama' tree arriving at the end of the month. So while this might not be her main event, it certainly has meaning.
On request for a mom and son date night, Joanna and Crew spent their evening adorning the tree with kitschmas decor – vintage ornaments, unapologetic color, and nostalgia you can feel through the screen. 'This is my vintage-inspired tree,' she says in the caption. '[I'm] feeling the need for some nostalgia and whimsy.'
There’s something unexpectedly comforting about embracing the joy of an intentionally over-the-top Christmas, especially in a season that can so easily fall into a perfectionism trap.
So when I spotted that not only is Joanna's tree delightfully kid-friendly but also half-decorated, I thought, actually this is exactly what Christmas is all about. 'Full transparency, I focused only on the front and ran out of ornaments. The sides are bare!' she adds in the caption, to which fans have remarked how refreshingly relatable her half-finished decor feels.
And it turns out, there are just 3 key ingredients to recreating her kitsch look. Think shiny brights, thrifted treasures, and the lametta tinsel trend. So this year, I’m taking my cues from Joanna’s vintage-inspired Christmas and leaning into all things kitsch – here's how.
How to Get Joanna Gaines' Retro Kitschmas Look
1. Lametta Tinsel
If there’s one detail that takes a tree from pretty to unapologetically kitschmas, it’s lametta tinsel.
The delicate metallic strands catch the light and make the whole thing shimmer in the most retro way – and the best part is, there’s no need to over-style it or aim for perfection. You simply let it fall where it wants, and the result is this magical, twinkling effect that feels straight out of a holiday postcard.
It’s messy, it’s glam, it’s wonderfully old-school, and it’s super on-trend for 2025. Silver might be Joanna's hue of choice (and the most popular), but there are also chic gold options out there too like this 1000ct Christmas Tinsel Gold pack from Target.
For a touch of retro sparkle, these silver tinsel icicles bring instant nostalgia to the tree. Each pack includes 1,000 shimmering fireproof strands for a beautifully draped, vintage-inspired look.
From Joanna Gaines' Magnolia, this pack of vintage-style tinsel boasts luminous shine and has been designed for you to delicately drape single strands over each tree branch to dazzling effect.
Add instant shimmer with this modern take on classic tinsel. The sleek silver finish gives your tree a festive yet minimalist edge and is ideal for contemporary interiors or anyone drawn to a retro touch.
2. Mercury Glass Ornaments
Joanna’s tree is packed with collected and colorful mercury glass ornaments that give the kitschmas tree its soul.
Whether you’re lucky enough to collect genuine vintage ornaments or you’re shopping for new pieces with that same charm – mercury glass instantly grounds all the color and sparkle, even when they’re brand new.
Of course, you can shop for loads of vintage finds online or in thrift stores, but the Magnolia Holiday Shop also has loads of sweet options to browse through.
This super rare find of 12 mercury indent ornaments, all intact and in the original box is quite the holiday heirloom. All in a stunning array of pretty pink and silver glitter to bring a warm and jolly quality to your tree.
A fan favorite from Joanna's Hearth & Hand with Magnolia at Target collection, these sweet vintage-inspired ornaments come as a set of 25, with 5 designs in varying colors and shapes to adorn your tree with.
Dating from the 1930s, these totally kitsch ornaments were sourced by the 1st Dibs seller in Nuremberg Germany and will make the most adorable antique addition to your Christmas traditions.
3. Plenty of Color
Color is where the joy of Christmas really comes alive.
When I watched Joanna’s video, the first thing I noticed was the color palette: punchy pinks, sea glass blues, cherry reds, and vibrant metallics that glow under the lights. This is where you throw the usual "Christmas colors" and rules out the window.
Instead of choosing between warm or cool tones, layer everything together until the tree feels like a joyful mix. For me, that also means leaning in with some colorful Christmas tree lights, but you can channel Joanna's look and stick to warm white with these 100 Count Warm White Incandescent Christmas String Lights from Target.
While designers might love warm white lights, there's nothing more nostalgic than a string of colorful Christmas lights on the tree to take you back. This LED set has 8 different modes, are waterproof, and come with an intelligent memory function too.
Inspired by her own vintage bauble collection, this colorful glass garland from the Magnolia Holiday Shop is 6 feet long, making it ideal for wrapping around the tree, your Christmas mantel, or staircase.
Add more color and joy with these velvet bow clip-on ornaments from Anthropologie. Available in a charming mix of jewel and pastel tones, they offer an effortless way to dress the tree with texture and whimsy.
Christmas decorating doesn’t have to be polished to feel magical. A sprinkle of retro tinsel, a cluster of vintage ornaments, and a riot of cheerful color are sometimes all it takes to capture a joyful, kitschmas Christmas.
