9 Kitschy Holiday Decor Items That Designers Say Are Incredibly Cool
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For some people, the holidays are a kind of decor side quest: A chance to apply their usual measured good taste to a seasonal diversion, to prove their design bonafides in the arena of tree decoration and wreath hanging. But for others it's a chance to set aside restraint and ignore all the usual rules. Nostalgia, sentiment, maximalism, and a magpie attraction to all that is shiny and eye-catching rule the day (or month).
Plenty of interior designers fall into this latter camp. Even if they don't fully embrace the kitschy side of Christmas, they hang on to family heirlooms and even start collections of their own vintage treasures. “One thing I always leave room for in my seasonal decor is my grandma's vintage ceramic caroling figurines,” says designer Audrey Scheck, who has taken the figurines with her through many moves and plans to keep them in the family forever. “It's become one of my favorite traditions, and I love spotting them and thinking of her throughout the season.”
Snowbabies Christmas Garland Figurine
Scheck also has an impressive collection of nearly 50 snow babies, which she explains (for the uninitiated) “are small figurines made from porcelain depicting a child dressed in a one-piece snowsuit” that’s “coated to imitate the texture of snow” and “painted a creamy bisque color.” Scheck loves the nostalgic touches they add throughout her family’s holiday decor. “We have three on our entertainment center holiday vignette this year, and I still think they are just precious,” she says.
Some designers lean into activity-based decor. Emily Vaughan loves handmade Christmas tree ornaments created by her kids. “While they may not fit a perfectly curated aesthetic, I do make a point to provide craft supplies that feel timeless or nostalgic—things like felt, sequins, pipe cleaners, pinecones, and even good old macaroni,” Vaughan says. “I love seeing their creativity come to life with these materials instead of simply assembling a pre-packaged craft kit.”
Her family’s “wonderfully quirky nativity set” passed down from her husband’s grandparents is another festive piece that brings her joy to set up. “For some reason, the shepherds are wearing lederhosen, which I'm pretty sure isn’t historically accurate, but my kids love playing with it and talking about the Christmas story,” the designer says. “It’s a perfect reminder that Christmas traditions don’t need to be trendy to be meaningful.”
Vaughan also loves vintage Christmas blow molds, which she always looks for at estate sales. “There's just so much more charm in those classic, sturdy figures compared to their modern inflatable counterparts,” she says.
Caroling Cats Towel
As a cat owner, Vaughan has accumulated many cat-themed Christmas dish towels as gifts. “Eventually, you have no choice but to give in to the kitsch and start using them—if only to free up valuable drawer space,” she says.
As far as widely classic holiday symbols go, designer Mikel Welch is still obsessed with nutcracker men. “I love putting them up every year, and they must be displayed in pairs,” Welch says. “When I have a larger home, I’m definitely putting two on the porch—but of course, they’ll be in a neutral wood tone.”
Other designers go big with their DIYs. Case in point: Maryline Damour pulls holiday decor directly from nature. “Every year, I remember the cozy Christmas in Little Women,” the designer says. “While I don’t make my own decorations, we love to pick and cut our tree.”
Don’t worry, the experience sounds much more pleasant than the Griswold family’s infamous outing. Damour prefers this method to buying a real or artificial tree because it makes “what can feel like an impersonal and rote holiday” feel more intimate. “We meander through the woods, collect pinecones, and talk of ways to showcase them,” she adds. “They generally end up in a bowl—a little reminder to celebrate the journey to Christmas.”
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