Everything comes back around, including that Christmas decor you thought you left back in the ‘90s. This throwback decor makes perfect sense given that millennials have reached the stage of adulthood where they are nostalgic for the past. Using themed decorations, multi-colored lights, and extravagant bows, this ‘90s aesthetic of warmth and comfort is the vibe many people want to create in their holiday style. In a contemporary world dominated by minimalism, this playful look is not only appealing; it encourages people to relive old memories while also creating new ones.
Whether you decide to look for authentic holiday decor from the 1990s or try your hand at some DIY creations, there are a variety of fun ways to bring the look of the ‘90s to your Christmas decorations.
Colorful Christmas Decor
Christmas decorations in the modern era often revolve around a limited and neutral color palette. To get the ‘90s look, search out multicolored decorations for your tree and other areas of the house you want to decorate. This can include multicolored lights, which offer a lively nostalgic look compared to the refined aesthetic of white lights. Paired with multicolored ornaments, tinsel, and garlands, these elements create a dynamic display that brings warmth and holiday cheer to any room.
Pop Culture Ornaments
Pop culture ornaments were a defining feature of 1990s Christmas decorations, capturing the era’s obsession with TV shows, movies, and iconic characters. This was a way to personalize your tree with beloved characters from movies like Home Alone and The Lion King, as well as cartoon characters like the Rugrats.
The popularity of pop culture ornaments reflected broader cultural shifts, such as pop culture’s increasing influence in everyday life as well as changes in broadcasting with the rise of cable and mass marketing. These became treasured keepsakes and markers of family history over time, which explains their recent resurgence in popularity.
Tinsel and Garland Overload
Christmas trees in the 1990s were anything but boring. Rather, they were intended to be bold and eye-catching, with tinsel and garland playing a prominent role. Trees were decorated with dripping silver tinsel, creating a frosty effect and mimicking icicles. Thick garlands in colored metallics or classic options like plaid ribbons were draped generously around the body of the tree, amplifying their festive appeal.
Even if you do not want to go overboard with tinsel and garland, a simple spinkling of silver tinsel and a beaded garland will keep your tree looking elegant while still giving it that popular nostalgic ’90s look.
Ceramic Christmas Village
One of the most popular ways to decorate mantels and tabletops in the 1990s was to use collections of churches, shops, and Christmas cottages to create miniature villages. These intricate displays often featured glowing streetlights, window lights, and figurines to create the look of authenticity and nostalgia. The possibilities of arranging the village in new ways and adding to the collection each year helped keep them fresh year after year.
Look for vintage ceramic village elements to create your own one-of-a-kind collection. Pair mix-and-match pieces with faux snow, evergreens, and LED lights and have the fun of adding to your collection each year.
DIY Christmas Crafts
The ‘90s marked the rise of the DIY craft era, and this was in full swing for creating attractive and personalized Christmas decor. Books by Martha Stewart, the homemaking entrepreneur, praised the hominess and cost-effectiveness of making your own Christmas decorations. Making wreaths, tree decorations, and stockings out of fabric, spray paint, foraged outdoor items, beads, and glitter transformed simple crafts into treasured keepsakes that reflected the simplicity of the decade.
To bring this look to your own holiday decor, look for retro patterns, books, and materials. Consider making decorations like quilted stockings, popcorn and cranberry garlands, and hand-painted ornaments. Hosting a crafting evening with friends or family can make the process more enjoyable and allow you to gain inspiration from the creativity of others.
Plaid and Metallic Embellishments
Plaid and metallic wrapping paper were iconic patterns for under the Christmas tree in the 1990s. Plaid wrapping paper in bold hunter green, red, and gold or brocades in metallics like gold and silver were both celebratory and dramatic.
Look for rich tartan patterns and pair them with shiny metallic paper in gold and silver to create this look for your own tree. Use oversized bows in satin and velvet ribbons in bold colors and metallics to embellish the top. To personalize the gift and ensure a fuss-free Christmas morning, attach glittery gift tags.
Nutcracker and Snow Globe Displays
Nutcrackers and snow globes were key elements in decorating mantles, under the tree, and table tops in the 1990s. Snow globes with different scenes and vistas evoked a nostalgic and whimsical touch, while the brightly colored uniforms of the nutcrackers added to the colorful display.
A wide variety of colorful Christmas decor that fell out of favor in today’s minimalist displays can be found hidden in attics across the United States. Look for nutcrackers and snow globes at thrift and vintage stores to create layered and multicolored displays in your home. Combine them with other retro elements like tinsel, garland, multicolored lights, and quilted stockings to complete the look.
Oversized Ribbons and Bows
The 1990s Christmas decorations were extravagant, and another way to achieve this look is to use oversized ribbons and bows for the Christmas tree and decor. You would often see oversized and elaborate bows adorning gifts but also as an integral part of the Christmas tree decorations. These bows were rich satin, velvet, plaid, or brocade and often wired to achieve the full look.
To create this look in your own Christmas decor, use wired ribbon in rich colors and tie bows to adorn the top of your tree. You can also wrap the ribbon loosely around the tree to use as a garland or in cascading spirals from the treetop bow. Use wide ribbons to tie your packages and top them with elaborate and full bows.
Play Retro ’90s Christmas Music and Movies
Background music and movies are essential in creating your retro ‘90s Christmas. The soundtrack of the decade is one that evokes memories of warm family gatherings and festive cheer. Movies like Home Alone, The Santa Clause, Miracle on 34th Street (the 1994 remake), and Jingle All the Way are all ideal options for your family movie night.
Pair these film options with Christmas music from Miriah Carey, NSYNC, Boyz II Men, and Gloria Estefan. You can also indulge in some Christmas classics from the ‘50s and ’60s, like those from Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby, which experienced a new surge of popularity in the ‘90s.
Candy Cane Decor
Candy canes were a beloved Christmas decoration staple in the 1990s, and you could see them everywhere, from outdoor decorations to hanging unadorned on the Christmas tree. Their simple red and white striped design makes them a versatile option for any decor scheme.
To use in your holiday decor, consider hanging them on your tree. Kids will particularly love these festive and tasty additions to the tree. Use them to embellish garlands for mantles or staircases. Arrange them in clear jars with greenery and berries to make simple centerpieces for islands or tables.
Holiday-Themed Tableware
Christmas tableware from the ‘90s was adorned with holiday themes, both simple and elaborate. Cheerful designs like snowflakes, snowmen, Santas, holly, and Christmas trees were common motifs. These brought a cohesive and maximalist look to holiday gatherings. Because this tableware was unique and only used during these festive gatherings, it became a part of family traditions.
To incorporate this look into your home, begin collecting holiday-themed tableware and linens. These are easy to find at both antique, vintage, and thrift stores and are available throughout the year. Pair this holiday tableware with a retro centerpiece like a ceramic village or nutcrackers and plaid accents to complete the look.
Themed Christmas Trees
With the rise of decorators that specialized in Christmas like Kurt Adler, the ‘90s featured the rise of Christmas trees that featured specific themes or color palettes. Popular themes include winter wonderland, Victorian-style, or pop-culture inspired.
Consider themes that reflect your family’s culture or interests if you want to recreate this look in your own home. Decorate your tree with a selection of carefully chosen elements like decorations, garlands, and lights that align with your chosen theme.
Window Clings
Window clings are a simple but effective way to create a retro ‘90s look. These fun Christmas decorations were a staple in many homes and were especially fun for children to rearrange on windows or refrigerators. Popular themes from that era included jolly snowmen, playful reindeer, Santas, twinking stars, and candy canes.
For an authentic style, look for window clings from the 1990s. These are easily found on resale websites such as eBay or Etsy.
