How has your family decorated for Christmas? Has it changed at all? Christmas decorations have evolved over the decades to fit the more modern style and consumer needs.

Taking it back all the way to the 1950s, most people had real trees and tinsel stringing the branches. Bubble lights and big glass ornaments were also common trees, illuminating them to be bright and colorful trees. 

However one decade later, tinsel trees became far more common, and many decorations became handmade. Handmade paper chains decorated the branches while the star topper was the cherry on top, with fake snow being added for that “snowy” effect.

The 1970s and 80s still featured an abundance of tinsel on the trees, and considerably more on that note. Bright lights and big glass balls still made an appearance as well.

The 1990s were no different with vibrant and colorful lights, but with the added trend of figurines from classic Christmas movies. Giant and elaborate bows were also an added trend, with the 1990s Christmas decor being quite maximal.

The 2000s still held onto maximalism but held more trends for personal style. Jewel and metallic tones were used for a more unique look, and the creation of the LED lights took the 2000s by storm with people using them for their trees and portraits.

Christmas in the 2010s took a dramatic turn from “more is more” to a more modern look. Many decorations became neutral colored and simplified with the use of white lights, and with the rise of social media apps like Pinterest and Instagram, things were shifted to a more “aesthetically pleasing” look.

Today, the 2020s took even more of a modern twist with decorations and trends becoming even more simplified, focusing on the use of natural effects such as wood.

Although, some traditional decorations are starting to come back as a personal twist. Smaller versions of common Christmas decorations also started to become common, such as tabletop sized trees.