“Whimsy Christmas decor” is one of the biggest climbers on Pinterest this fall. It’s the opposite of the all-white, all-neutral look of the past few years. Think pink and green, candy shapes, a slightly crooked tree, and the feeling that you’d find it in a picture book.
It’s fun, but it can look like a dollar store exploded. The difference is mostly about limits.
Pick an unexpected palette, then stick to it
Whimsy isn’t every color at once. It’s an unusual combination used with confidence. A few that work:
- Pink, red and lime green.
- Teal, pink and gold.
- Rainbow on a white tree.
- Candy colors: pink, mint, white.
Choose one and buy only in those colors. A mixed rainbow set (on Amazon) can be sorted, and the off-palette ones go in a bowl elsewhere.
Mix shapes
Round ball ornaments in bright colors still look traditional. What makes it whimsical is shape: stars, candy, mushrooms, birds, little houses, food. Buy a basic set of balls to fill the tree, then add a few novelty ornaments that make you smile.
Let something be off
A tree that leans slightly, a topper that’s too big, garland that’s a bit too fluffy. Perfect symmetry kills the feeling. Bottle-brush trees (on Amazon) in different sizes and colors grouped on a shelf look like a little forest from a storybook.
Lights
Warm white lights are fine, but multicolor lights (on Amazon) push it further. Keep them on steady, not flashing.
Garland and bows
A shiny tinsel garland (on Amazon) in a color from your palette, draped in big loose swoops. Or ribbon tied in bows on the branch tips. A bright velvet ribbon (on Amazon) is easy to work with because the wire holds the shape.
Rules that stop it looking messy
- Three colors, maybe four. No more.
- Repeat every ornament type at least three times around the tree.
- Keep the rest of the room calmer than the tree.
- One whimsical area per room. A full whimsical tree plus a full whimsical mantel plus a whimsical table is too much in a small apartment.
If you want to go even further, see Whoville Christmas decor.