8 Ways to Nail ’90s Holiday Decor This Christmas

As a proud ’90s kid, I can assure you that Christmas decorations from the 1990s were simply the best. Bright lights, traditional trinkets, and an abundance of red and green made the holiday season feel warm and cozy. Back in the ’90s, Christmas was free from social media trends and viral shopping guides, which today often make holiday decor feel like cookie-cutter copies.

So, if you’re looking to swap out some of your bland, neutral Christmas decor (please, ditch those sad brown ornaments), you’ve come to the right place. I'll guide you through some of the most iconic '90s Christmas decorations, and you might even spot some of these items in stores—because luckily, the ’90s are making a comeback!

Colorful Decor

Christmas decorations in the ’90s were all about color! While traditional Christmas colors like red, green, and gold were everywhere, all the other colors of the rainbow had a place too. To recreate the look, embrace the "more is more" philosophy: think colorful lights, gaudy wrapping paper, and tree ornaments without a strict color scheme.

What Makes It ’90s: Before we limited our Christmas decor to whites, metallics, and neutrals, color ruled in the ’90s.

Poinsettias

Decorating with poinsettias has always been a Christmas tradition, but they truly shined in the ’90s. There was no such thing as too many poinsettias; they adorned the fireplace, the dining table, the front porch, and even the tree. My mom had faux poinsettia floral picks that we used every year.

What Makes It ’90s: We didn’t overthink holiday decor in the ’90s. Poinsettias were affordable and traditionally festive, making them a timeless decor choice.

Extra Festive Table Settings

Just like all ’90s Christmas decorations, the table settings were over-the-top. Matching plates, red and green glassware, large centerpieces, and layers of Christmas linens made the table look full and cheerful. You can tone it down a bit, but don’t be too restrained if you want to capture that ’90s vibe.

What Makes It ’90s: Traditional red, green, and gold were the go-to colors for a ’90s Christmas dinner table. Patterns like plaid, holly leaves, and reindeer were also popular.

Quilted Stockings

Crafty country decor was huge in the ’90s—think gingham, carved wood accessories, baskets, and faux ivy. This country style extended to Christmas decor, especially quilted stockings. These stockings looked like traditional quilted blankets with stitching and featured cute characters on the front; mine had a teddy bear!

What Makes It ’90s: What we now call “cottage-core” or “vintage farmhouse” was just plain eclectic and cozy ’90s decor.

Figurine Ornaments

Ornaments shaped like figurines have been around for a long time, but they were especially popular in the ’90s. Glass, plastic, and wood ornaments shaped like various characters, animals, and classic Christmas items filled the tree—no matching required!

What Makes It ’90s: These figurine ornaments often had a personalized touch, with the receiver’s name or the year it was purchased inscribed on them.

Mini Village

A mini Christmas village made up of ceramic houses, storefronts, and tiny people is an iconic ’90s Christmas decoration. My grandpa would add new pieces to his village every year. The houses often had bulbs inside so the windows glowed and looked extra cozy at night.

What Makes It ’90s: Although the mini Christmas village originated in 16th-century Germany, it was a staple of ’90s Christmas decor. And don’t forget the fake snow!

Burgundy and Hunter Green

Burgundy and hunter green are synonymous with the ’90s in both home design and Christmas decorations. A perfect example is the interior of Kevin’s house in the classic ’90s Christmas movie "Home Alone." This ’90s color scheme is making a comeback, as shown in a tour by @victoriasvineswreathco of a local At Home store.

What Makes It ’90s: Many 1990s homes had burgundy accent walls and hunter green furniture. This color combination is great for Christmas decor—a fun nod to the era with a sophisticated twist.

’90s Thrift Store Finds

You can find plenty of genuine ’90s Christmas decorations at your local thrift store. Watch as @jessicandesigns shows off her haul of candles, baskets, greenery, and ornaments, all from the 1990s. Thrifting is a fantastic way to recreate the ’90s on a budget, and you'll be using authentic items instead of reproductions.

What Makes It ’90s: The best part about ’90s thrifting is that you don’t need perfectly coordinated pieces. The goal is to create colorful and chaotic Christmas decor with a mix of trinkets and baubles.