Kitsch Christmas decor has re-emerged as one of the season’s most distinctive design statements. Rooted in nostalgia yet full of contemporary confidence, it celebrates individuality through bold colour, playful motifs, and unapologetic excess. After years of pared-back minimalism and neutral palettes, this look signals a deliberate shift, a return to personality-led decorating that prioritises joy over restraint.
When it comes to Christmas decor ideas, few styles divide opinion quite like kitsch. Some adore its gleeful eccentricity; others prefer to keep things quietly refined. But there’s no denying that it offers a welcome antidote to the cool silvers and hushed neutrals that dominated the early noughties.
The result is a space that feels expressive and confident, festive without the formality. Done well, kitsch becomes less about chaos and more about composition: a studied mix of retro references, saturated tones, and gleaming finishes. Our Graham & Green edit shows how to channel the look with sophistication and a hint of irreverence.
When it comes to embracing kitsch Christmas decor, the key lies in the balance.
'I’m all for it,' says Cotswolds-based interior designer Sean Symington. 'A touch of tacky can be wonderfully charming as it brings personality into a room and stops interiors from feeling too serious. Character is what makes a home feel so special. I’d always suggest a sprinkle of kitsch rather than going all-in. The magic is in finding the right balance and contrast. For example, our own Christmas tree is filled with the most fun little critter ornaments, along with velvet ribbons, which add a sense of whimsy. Still, because it’s just one playful element within the wider space, it feels joyful rather than overwhelming.'
Shopping the Look
This old-school Father Christmas captures that perfectly kitschy charm. With its vintage styling and wink of whimsy, it brings back the childhood magic of Christmas without taking itself too seriously. It’s the kind of ornament that instantly makes a tree feel more joyful, more playful, and wonderfully imperfect in all the right ways.
Inspired by traditional German craftsmanship, this festive cuckoo clock brings a refined take on log-cabin, Hansel-and-Gretel charm. Its understated, storybook details nod to nostalgia without feeling overly whimsical, offering a gentle touch of kitsch that still feels considered. It’s a quietly characterful piece that adds warmth and personality to a seasonal display.
Once perhaps seen as a bit clichéd or out of taste, it’s now making a tasteful comeback with a nostalgic charm. It’s unapologetically decorative, busy, bright, and happily traditional, which is exactly what makes it appealing again.
A snowy Christmas tree candle is kitsch most endearingly, a tiny wax tree dusted in fake snow, leaning fully into that nostalgic, slightly over-the-top holiday look. It’s the kind of decor that feels charmingly retro, more decorative than functional, and impossible not to smile at. A small but spirited nod to Christmas past.
Charming, playful, and full of character, the Pop-Out Wildlife Advent Tree brings a touch of nostalgic fun to your interiors. It's detailed pop-out animals and layered design nod to kitsch in the most delightful way, whimsical, cheerful, and beautifully crafted.
Bold, whimsical, and a little ridiculous, exactly why we love it. This vintage triple toadstool decoration leans fully into kitsch, with its cheerful colours and playful design. It’s the kind of piece that feels delightfully unexpected on a mantel or shelf, adding a touch of nostalgic charm with a wink.
Straight out of a 1950s Christmas, these tree decorations feel like something your grandmother might have proudly hung on her tree. Bright, cheerful, and unabashedly retro, they lean fully into kitsch, a nostalgic nod to a bygone era that still feels joyful today.
If you love this year's kitsch trend these Christmas tree cards are a must. Positively retro and almost absurd they celebrate the over-the-top charm of vintage design with cheerful flair. A playful way to send festive wishes with a wink to the past.
Unabashedly festive and a little over-the-top this wooden ladder is pure retro kitsch. With its candy cane stripes it adds instant character and a playful note to any seasonal display.
'I like to try and mix in the odd fun, kitsch, Christmas decoration with the rest of my plainer decorations, especially on the Christmas tree,' says Oxfordshire-based interior designer Caroline Borgman. 'If you buy a set of 3 kitsch style decorations and mix them in with your more traditional, bling or Nordic-inspired decorations, you will get an eclectic style whilst avoiding a tacky look.'
'There are more and more fun, kitsch decorations around each year, from shiny fruit and vegetables to Rubik’s cube ornaments, usually in a brightly coloured metallic finish, anything but traditional Christmas colours. These look great mixed in with lots of different styles. Or there’s the more nostalgic, retro styles such as tinsel and coloured foil garlands, or laughing Santa ornaments that remind you of your childhood Christmas. Touches of kitsch are always a good idea. Dot it around your space with all your other styles. If you love this kitsch style, then simply go for it and create a kitsch style tree and add lots of tinsel.'
This season, nostalgia is the new luxury, and a little cheerful excess is part of the appeal. These retro treasures remind us that personality and joy make any Christmas feel special.
