The meaning of Christmas colours: traditions and trends
The festive season is finally upon us again. In addition to the scent of baked treats, the glow of candles and a delicious Christmas feast to look forward to, Christmas decorations in particular add to the special atmosphere of this celebration. Traditional and modern Christmas colours will make your Christmas decorations stand out for all the right reasons. But what colours are typically associated with Christmas and what meaning do they have? And what are the colour trends for Christmas 2024? We’re about to take you on a journey through the world of festive colours.
December 25, 2024 • 4 min reading time
Christmas baubles in red, gold, green and silver on a white background with a light snow effect.
For centuries, certain festive colours have been closely associated with Christmas. The long tradition of typical Christmas colours such as red, green, gold and white also goes back to their symbolic meaning. Keep reading to find out what messages you’re secretly conveying through your Christmas decorations.
It’s hard to imagine Christmas decorations without red candles, baubles and bows. They add warm accents and create an inviting atmosphere. Red is probably the best-known and most widely used Christmas colour, symbolising love, life and warmth.
The colour red is therefore particularly symbolic at Christmas time, when the focus is on being with family and friends, spending time together and giving gifts. In Christianity, the colour red also represents the blood of Jesus, which ties in with the religious background of Christmas
The second traditional Christmas colour is green, not least because it is associated with the fir branches of Christmas trees. The evergreen fir tree is a symbol of hope, life and health – meanings that can also be transferred to the Christmas colour green.
In the cold and dark months, green serves as a reminder that although nature withdraws in winter, it will bloom again in spring.
In Christmas decorations, green is often found in Christmas tree branches, wreath needles and garlands that adorn the house and create a connection to nature. Green is also often seen in smaller items such as Christmas napkins or wrapping paper.
The Christmas colour gold not only stands for wealth and prosperity, but above all for the light and festive glow of the Christmas season. It symbolises the radiance of the stars, which bring us hope and warmth in the darkness of winter. In Christianity, gold was also a gift from the wise men from the East, who brought their gifts to the newborn baby Jesus.
Gold-coloured elements such as candle holders, Christmas tree baubles and gift wrapping lend a sophisticated, festive character to Christmas decorations. Gold can also be wonderfully combined with other Christmas colours such as green, red and white to create an elegant yet traditional look. Many people now even opt for a mixture of gold and silver accents.
The first thing that the colour white reminds us of is, of course, the snow that falls in many parts of the world at Christmas time. However, white also stands for purity and innocence, which – in the Christian context – can be associated with the newborn baby Jesus. And just like the colour gold, white also symbolises light and enlightenment.
When it comes to Christmas decorations, white often appears in the form of snowflakes, artificial snow and white candles. White tablecloths and napkins are also very popular to create a contrast with eye-catching green and red. White never fails to convey a peaceful, elegant and timeless ambience, while white candles and lights create a soothing atmosphere.
If you want to prepare your home for Christmas and decorate it festively, there are many ways you can incorporate the traditional Christmas colours described above and combine them with each other.
The classic combination of red and green, for example, always works. Decorate your Christmas tree with red baubles and gold accents to harmoniously combine the traditional colours. You can also use some branches to decorate your table or your Advent wreath, for example. Then add red napkins and golden candle holders and voilà: you’ve got the perfect, classic Christmas look!
If you like things a little more modern, but still like to keep things stylish and elegant, you can largely do without green and red and combine gold with white instead. Use white candles and napkins as well as cutlery and Christmas baubles in gold to add a touch of glamour to your decorations.
If you prefer to be more restrained with your decorations, you can also focus on a single colour instead of mixing lots of Christmas colours. A discreet look that uses predominantly one colour can actually look particularly stylish. For example, how about choosing a warm, dark shade of red or Bordeaux for the Christmas tree baubles, candles and table decorations?
In addition to the classic, timeless Christmas colours, on-trend colours also characterise the festive season every year. Read on and we’ll reveal some exciting colours for Christmas 2024 that will add an extra-special touch to your decoration game.
Bordeaux and dark green: the classic colours red and green are making a comeback in a darker, less obtrusive tone. Bordeaux red and fir green in particular will add an elegant and warm touch to your Christmas decorations this year.
Blue: the use of blue in Christmas decorations is an unusual but increasingly popular trend. It’s a colour that conveys peace and tranquillity, and it goes perfectly with the chilly, wintry atmosphere. When combined with silver or white, blue will lend a modern, elegant look to your Christmas decorations.
Pastel tones: for those who prefer light, playful decorations, pastel tones such as soft pink, mint green or light blue are an interesting option. These soft colours add a cheery, fresh note to the Christmas season.
Copper: increasingly coming to the fore as an alternative to gold, this colour gives Christmas decorations a warm glow and works well in both modern and rustic interiors.
Choosing the right Christmas colours when decorating depends heavily on your personal taste and the mood you want to create. Here are some tips on how to use the colours creatively:
Choose your colour scheme: opt for one or two main colours and complement them with accents. You can either go for classic, traditional colours, the latest on-trend colours or a combination: for example, a classic shade of green also works wonderfully with modern copper tones.
Match with your furniture: make sure that the colours of your Christmas decorations harmonise with your interior. Darker colours such as Bordeaux or fir green go particularly well with wooden furniture, while white and silver accentuate modern and minimalist styles.
Use a variety of decorative elements: combine tree and table decorations, gift wrapping, etc. in your chosen Christmas colours to create a harmonious look. Candles and lights in particular play an important role in making the colours look spectacular.
Incorporate natural accents: in addition to eye-catching colours, use natural materials such as fir branches, wood or cones to bring a touch of nature into your home. Especially in combination with green or gold, these elements radiate a special sense of warmth and cosiness.
As you can see, your choice and the correct use of Christmas colours have a big impact on the mood in your home. While traditional Christmas colours such as red, green, gold and white will always be popular, the on-trend colours for Christmas 2024 offer exciting new ways to get creative with your decorations.
Whether you choose to go with classic tones or try out bold new colour combinations is entirely up to you – the important thing is that you truly like your decorations and that they radiate cosy, festive vibes that capture the magic of the Christmas season. This will help you to ensure that Christmas this year is not only a time of love, but also an absolute feast for the eyes!
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