The holidays aren’t just about what’s on the table—they’re about how people feel when they walk through your door. Hosting this season isn’t about perfection, and it’s definitely not about trying to outdo your neighbor’s gingerbread lighting rig. It’s about dialing into what actually feels good. Warm lighting, easy conversation, fewer rules. This year’s trends are about loosening the grip on overcurated everything and leaning into something more real. The kind of gathering that feels like your favorite sweater—soft, a little nostalgic, with plenty of breathing room.
Soft Light, Big Mood
Lighting is taking a front seat this season, but not in a “500 LED icicles dripping from your gutters” kind of way. We’re talking layers of light that feel like a hug. Tapers in antique holders. Tiny lamps on the buffet table. Candles on top of more candles, tucked into hurricane glass and mismatched brass candlesticks. If you’ve got a dimmer switch, use it like it’s your job.
Even outdoor spaces are joining the vibe. Instead of over-the-top light shows, people are weaving warm string lights through porch railings or wrapping them around bare branches for a softer, quieter glow. It’s less spectacle, more storybook. It signals that you’re not rushing or forcing anything. You’re just glad people are here.
Tables That Tell People to Stay Awhile
Gone are the stiff place settings that feel like you’re about to take the SAT. This year, it’s all about layers, texture, and just enough polish to feel special. Think vintage linens, ceramic chargers with a little weight to them, and natural elements like pinecones or clippings from your yard tucked into napkins. There’s still structure, but it feels relaxed.
What’s getting real buzz this year? Bold tabletop choices. People are going bolder with color and mixing patterns in a way that feels collected, not chaotic. Jewel tones are back in rotation—deep greens, amber, and oxblood especially—and metallics are getting less matchy-matchy. It’s not about having a perfect set of anything. It’s about pieces that have some soul. And if you want to elevate without going overboard, set the tone with stunning dinnerware sets that feel intentional and elegant but don’t scream “formal china.” It’s one of the easiest upgrades that makes everything else on the table look better—without needing to redo your whole setup.
Not-So-Traditional Traditions
People are rethinking the script. There’s a noticeable shift away from big-deal meals that keep the host stuck in the kitchen, and a lot more interest in flexible serving. That might mean a brunch-style spread instead of a late dinner, or a bar-style buffet where everyone builds their own bowl of something warm. You still get that cozy feeling of sharing a meal, but without the pressure to serve it all hot and at the same time.
Desserts are also getting the remix treatment. Traditional pies aren’t going anywhere, but they’re being joined by things like spiced cookies from around the world, hot cocoa boards, or even just a well-curated box of bakery treats someone picked up on the way over. The point isn’t to impress. It’s to make space for all the ways people celebrate, snack, and gather.
Music, too, is getting less formulaic. Classic playlists are fine, but people are making custom mixes again—throwing in a little folk, a little indie, maybe some jazz vocals. Whatever makes the background feel personal instead of just… background noise.
The Rise of Intentional Chaos
This might be the most quietly rebellious trend: not tidying everything to death. There’s a growing comfort with the lived-in look, even when guests are on the way. Toys aren’t hidden. Coats get tossed on hooks. The good news is, this kind of imperfection doesn’t look messy—it looks human. Which is exactly what guests are craving.
This loosened-up approach is showing up outside, too. Front yards that used to be lined with rigid rows of plastic candy canes are being replaced by casual clusters of lanterns, twig wreaths, and event inflatables that don’t take themselves too seriously. The vibe is playful but not chaotic, festive without being overwhelming. A little kid joy, a little grown-up charm. No one’s trying to win anything.
The tree itself is another space where things are shifting. People are skipping the perfectly-themed trees in favor of ones that feel full of memories. Homemade ornaments, clashing lights, tinsel if you’re brave. If you’re going faux, flocked is still holding steady—but sparse, asymmetrical trees are gaining traction, especially in smaller homes or apartments.
Thoughtful Touches Over Flashy Extras
It’s the little things guests remember, not the things that cost the most. A handwritten place card, a tray of slippers by the door, a dish towel that actually dries the dishes. These moments ground the whole event in care instead of spectacle.
Scent is another thing people are paying closer attention to. It’s easy to go overboard with pine and cinnamon, but the trend is skewing more subtle and sophisticated this year. Think wood smoke, dried orange, or even just the smell of something roasting low and slow. Candles, simmer pots, or essential oil diffusers—pick your weapon, but keep it gentle. You want the house to smell welcoming, not like a department store.
Even gift-giving is leaning this way. Fewer “here’s a thing I bought because I needed to get you something” presents. More edible gifts, handmade stuff, or consumables people will actually use. There’s no prize for quantity. Thoughtfulness wins every time.
Less Fuss, More Being
Under all the decor, all the food, and all the decisions, this year’s biggest shift might be internal. People are done performing hospitality. They’re done measuring their homes against magazine pages or Instagram reels. Hosting is finding its way back to being what it always should’ve been: a way to say “you matter” without needing to say it out loud.
It’s the pile of shoes by the door, the extra folding chairs that don’t match anything, the casserole someone insisted on bringing even though there’s no room for it. It’s a little chaotic and a little magical, all at once. And when done right, it leaves people feeling full—not just from the food, but from being welcomed, just as they are.
Where It All Lands
Trends come and go, but the ones that stick are the ones that take the pressure off. This season is shaping up to be less about showing off and more about showing up—for your guests, your space, and yourself. A home that feels open and warm will always outshine one that looks perfect but feels stiff. If that means skipping the fussy centerpiece or letting the dog nap under the table mid-dinner, good. That’s what makes it feel like home.
Former airline pilot Marco Giannini has explored 80-plus countries and now designs immersive, budget-savvy itineraries. He joined us in 2024 to share packing lists, cultural etiquette, and eco-friendly lodging picks that turn dream trips into doable plans. Between flights, Marco mentors student aviators, maps coastal cycling routes, and brews Italian espresso for fellow travelers at community hostels during layovers worldwide.
