Worst Holiday Trends of All Time
Dec 19, 2021
Exchanging Secret Santa gifts. Scoring Black Friday deals. Piling your plate so high with turkey and
stuffing that you can't see your family members across the table. There are, without a doubt, a
seemingly-endless number of holiday trends to look forward to each year. Unfortunately, for every
charming and adorable one—like that reindeer costume your cat begrudgingly agrees to wear, as if he
has a say otherwise—there's a terrible one being lauded in magazines or dubbed the season's next big
thing by a social media influencer.
Welcome message from author
Pretty much anything Christmas-related gets us right in the heartstrings, but we do agree that some trends are way better than others. Tinsel? Upside-down trees? We won’t be sad to see these things
finally depart. Between the trends that could use some work and ones that feel so-right-now, you’ll discover a new way to decorate for Christmas using tips above as inspiration.
Transcript
PowerPoint PresentationOverview
Exchanging Secret Santa gifts. Scoring Black Friday deals. Piling your plate so high with turkey and stuffing that you can't see your family members across the table. There are, without a doubt, a seemingly-endless number of holiday trends to look forward to each year. Unfortunately, for every charming and adorable one—like that reindeer costume your cat begrudgingly agrees to wear, as if he has a say otherwise—there's a terrible one being lauded in magazines or dubbed the season's next big thing by a social media influencer.
Overly Flocked Trees
We enjoy some flocking on trees (otherwise known as that white stuff that creates a snow- like appearance). But too much, and it’ll look like a fuzzy white tree instead of an evergreen. Choose one with subtle, snowy touches. Better yet? Go with a real tree.
Too Much Hygge
Hygge is a lovely way to embrace winter. But if you’ve stuffed your Christmas décor with way- too-many blankets, pillows, and textures, these accents might engulf the space. Instead, think a throw here and a pillow there, as opposed to hygge overload.
Mad For Plaid
We enjoy plaid (there’s a reason it’s been around since the Scots invented it centuries ago), but we think it’s a tad overdone for the holidays. Avoid layering plaid patterns and simply choose a piece or two that will stand out among solid hues.
Decorated beards
While most bearded men hate nothing more than finding something unexpected in their facial hair, countless beardy fellows have made a point to actively adorn their beards in recent years. Enter: the "jingle beard."With thousands of men adorning their faces with tiny ornaments to raise money for bowel cancer. And while this is as good a cause as any for looking absolutely ridiculous, it bears repeating that it makes those engaging in the practice look absolutely ridiculous.
Fake greenery
The scent of a fresh-cut Christmas tree just can't be beat. Unfortunately, 21.6 million fake trees and countless plastic greenery pieces are still being sold each year, to the dismay of holiday purists and environmentalists everywhere.
All white trees
There's something wonderfully festive about a fresh-cut fir trimmed with brightly-colored baubles. Less festive, however, is the recent trend of adding all-white ornaments and lights to your traditional tree.
Ugly sweaters
We get it: you think being earnestly into the holidays is dumb and, instead, ironically don the ugliest Christmas sweater you can find. However, no matter little you want others to think you care about the season, you still shelled out $30 for that hideous sweater, and are still wearing it in public, as are all of your ridiculously-dressed friends.
Inflatables
Blow mold reindeer and snowmen can add kitschy holiday cheer to any yard or garden. That 40-foot inflatable Santa in a snow globe? Not so much. Those neighbors that have a blowup Santa? It's the worst—a tacky look that doesn't work anymore.
However, there's some good news for inflatable-haters: "Like tinsel, the inflatables are dying out too.
Glitter parts
No matter how into the holidays you might be, refrain from dumping a container of craft glitter onto your head. Not only will this absurd-looking trend make it look like you have some kind of scalp disorder, it's likely to leave an unpleasant trail of sparkles anywhere you go, as well.
Elf of the Shelf
Santa is supposed to be a benevolent kind of guy, but his prying little helper is certainly less so. The Elf on the Shelf—undeniably one of the worst holiday traditions in recent memory—is tasked with doing Santa's dirty work for him, spying on kids and narcing to Santa when they've been naughty.
Fancy latkes
The latke is a perfect food specimen on its own: carb-rich, fried to a crisp, and topped with some fat-filled dairy or applesauce. However, in recent years, the traditional latke has been turned into something unrecognizable—and arguably worse—thanks to the addition of toppings like caviar and smoked salmon. So, how popular is this trend? Just ask the participants in the Brooklyn-based fancy latke competition now entering its 10th year.
Matching pajamas
While the idea of wearing matching, or at least complementary, holiday outfits is nothing new, it's only in recent years that the unfortunate matching pajama trend has really taken off. Donning one's gay apparel no longer means putting on a plaid dress or red-and-green- striped tie, but willingly going to a local Christmas tree lighting or pancake breakfast in sleepwear that says, "Where my ho ho hos at" on the butt.
Going overboard with decorations
Though a minimalist holiday isn't everyone's style, maximalism is hardly a better trend. It's loud, it's tacky, and good luck getting that glitter out of your hair by March. Covering every surface of your home or office with holiday décor, or covering every inch of your lawn with lights and figurines, rarely yields an impressive design.
Using too much glitter
A little sparkle can liven up any holiday display. Making every surface in your house the site for a glitter explosion, however, is a trend few people would be sorry to see go. Sparkly decor should add a hint of shine without leaving a train of glitter that'll last until Valentine's Day.
Red and green everything
Sure, red and green may be the traditional Christmas color scheme, but sticking exclusively to these hues is a trend that could—and should—be replaced. Obligatory schemes—like bright red and green, or red and gold—do not appeal to many people. A hint of silver, some shimmery blue, or even a deep jewel-toned purple are a lot more interesting than your average red and blue décor, anyway.
Ball-Shaped Ornaments
This is a bit on the controversial side, but we are sort of over classic, ball-shaped ornaments. It’s cool if you still want to decorate them, but these days, we prefer unique shapes, textures, and colors that make a tree look more modern.
The Polar Plunge
What is it about social media that makes people so intent to prove their toughness through brushes with hypothermia? Unfortunately, taking an ice-cold dip in a lake on Christmas or New Year's Day has become a rite of passage for many people who care more about views than the retention of feeling in their extremities.
Brown paper wrapping
Just because "My Favorite Things" talks of "brown paper packages tied up with strings" doesn't mean that this is a quaint of charming way of packaging your presents. It wasn't an aesthetic choice for Maria and the von Trapps—there was a war going on, folks.
White elephant
Getting gifts is great. Getting gifts that were not specifically selected for you, which is done in the party game of white elephant, and that come with a bunch of rules—including ones that allow your friends or coworkers to steal the present you've just been handed—is not.
Hawaiian Christmas shirts
Even if you think Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka" is the absolute pinnacle of holiday songwriting, the idea that you'd translate your admiration for Hawaiian Christmases into your wardrobe is silly, at best. Unless you're actually spending Christmas on the beach in Maui, you should probably keep that Hawaiian Christmas shirt where it belongs: the trash.
Mistletoe
Sure, those sprigs of mistletoe over your doorways may look cute, but in practice, the trend of hanging mistletoe is pretty creepy. Sometimes, a person just wants to hang out in a doorway without getting kissed by a stranger. Is that so much to ask?
Santacon
While Santacon attendees may tell you that their participation in the costumed bar crawl is all about their love for the holiday, ask anyone who's ever had to ride public transportation with them, and they'll tell you: it definitely has a lot more to do with their love of doing Jägerbombs before noon.
Car costumes
Ugly, distracting, and a great way to make one of the more expensive things you own look instantly trashy, car costumes are, without a doubt, one of the more perplexing—and absurd—holiday trends out there.
Christmas in July
Why enjoy the stress and expense of dressing up, buying gifts, and cooking a feast just once a year? That must be the reasoning behind Christmas in July, a ridiculous rehashing of the holiday during the year's hotter, more humid months. Nothing says "holiday cheer" like sweating in a Santa suit, after all.
Conclusion
Pretty much anything Christmas-related gets us right in the heartstrings, but we do agree that some trends are way better than others. Tinsel? Upside-down trees? We won’t be sad to see these things finally depart. Between the trends that could use some work and ones that feel so-right-now, you’ll discover a new way to decorate for Christmas using tips above as inspiration.
Sources
Exchanging Secret Santa gifts. Scoring Black Friday deals. Piling your plate so high with turkey and stuffing that you can't see your family members across the table. There are, without a doubt, a seemingly-endless number of holiday trends to look forward to each year. Unfortunately, for every charming and adorable one—like that reindeer costume your cat begrudgingly agrees to wear, as if he has a say otherwise—there's a terrible one being lauded in magazines or dubbed the season's next big thing by a social media influencer.
Overly Flocked Trees
We enjoy some flocking on trees (otherwise known as that white stuff that creates a snow- like appearance). But too much, and it’ll look like a fuzzy white tree instead of an evergreen. Choose one with subtle, snowy touches. Better yet? Go with a real tree.
Too Much Hygge
Hygge is a lovely way to embrace winter. But if you’ve stuffed your Christmas décor with way- too-many blankets, pillows, and textures, these accents might engulf the space. Instead, think a throw here and a pillow there, as opposed to hygge overload.
Mad For Plaid
We enjoy plaid (there’s a reason it’s been around since the Scots invented it centuries ago), but we think it’s a tad overdone for the holidays. Avoid layering plaid patterns and simply choose a piece or two that will stand out among solid hues.
Decorated beards
While most bearded men hate nothing more than finding something unexpected in their facial hair, countless beardy fellows have made a point to actively adorn their beards in recent years. Enter: the "jingle beard."With thousands of men adorning their faces with tiny ornaments to raise money for bowel cancer. And while this is as good a cause as any for looking absolutely ridiculous, it bears repeating that it makes those engaging in the practice look absolutely ridiculous.
Fake greenery
The scent of a fresh-cut Christmas tree just can't be beat. Unfortunately, 21.6 million fake trees and countless plastic greenery pieces are still being sold each year, to the dismay of holiday purists and environmentalists everywhere.
All white trees
There's something wonderfully festive about a fresh-cut fir trimmed with brightly-colored baubles. Less festive, however, is the recent trend of adding all-white ornaments and lights to your traditional tree.
Ugly sweaters
We get it: you think being earnestly into the holidays is dumb and, instead, ironically don the ugliest Christmas sweater you can find. However, no matter little you want others to think you care about the season, you still shelled out $30 for that hideous sweater, and are still wearing it in public, as are all of your ridiculously-dressed friends.
Inflatables
Blow mold reindeer and snowmen can add kitschy holiday cheer to any yard or garden. That 40-foot inflatable Santa in a snow globe? Not so much. Those neighbors that have a blowup Santa? It's the worst—a tacky look that doesn't work anymore.
However, there's some good news for inflatable-haters: "Like tinsel, the inflatables are dying out too.
Glitter parts
No matter how into the holidays you might be, refrain from dumping a container of craft glitter onto your head. Not only will this absurd-looking trend make it look like you have some kind of scalp disorder, it's likely to leave an unpleasant trail of sparkles anywhere you go, as well.
Elf of the Shelf
Santa is supposed to be a benevolent kind of guy, but his prying little helper is certainly less so. The Elf on the Shelf—undeniably one of the worst holiday traditions in recent memory—is tasked with doing Santa's dirty work for him, spying on kids and narcing to Santa when they've been naughty.
Fancy latkes
The latke is a perfect food specimen on its own: carb-rich, fried to a crisp, and topped with some fat-filled dairy or applesauce. However, in recent years, the traditional latke has been turned into something unrecognizable—and arguably worse—thanks to the addition of toppings like caviar and smoked salmon. So, how popular is this trend? Just ask the participants in the Brooklyn-based fancy latke competition now entering its 10th year.
Matching pajamas
While the idea of wearing matching, or at least complementary, holiday outfits is nothing new, it's only in recent years that the unfortunate matching pajama trend has really taken off. Donning one's gay apparel no longer means putting on a plaid dress or red-and-green- striped tie, but willingly going to a local Christmas tree lighting or pancake breakfast in sleepwear that says, "Where my ho ho hos at" on the butt.
Going overboard with decorations
Though a minimalist holiday isn't everyone's style, maximalism is hardly a better trend. It's loud, it's tacky, and good luck getting that glitter out of your hair by March. Covering every surface of your home or office with holiday décor, or covering every inch of your lawn with lights and figurines, rarely yields an impressive design.
Using too much glitter
A little sparkle can liven up any holiday display. Making every surface in your house the site for a glitter explosion, however, is a trend few people would be sorry to see go. Sparkly decor should add a hint of shine without leaving a train of glitter that'll last until Valentine's Day.
Red and green everything
Sure, red and green may be the traditional Christmas color scheme, but sticking exclusively to these hues is a trend that could—and should—be replaced. Obligatory schemes—like bright red and green, or red and gold—do not appeal to many people. A hint of silver, some shimmery blue, or even a deep jewel-toned purple are a lot more interesting than your average red and blue décor, anyway.
Ball-Shaped Ornaments
This is a bit on the controversial side, but we are sort of over classic, ball-shaped ornaments. It’s cool if you still want to decorate them, but these days, we prefer unique shapes, textures, and colors that make a tree look more modern.
The Polar Plunge
What is it about social media that makes people so intent to prove their toughness through brushes with hypothermia? Unfortunately, taking an ice-cold dip in a lake on Christmas or New Year's Day has become a rite of passage for many people who care more about views than the retention of feeling in their extremities.
Brown paper wrapping
Just because "My Favorite Things" talks of "brown paper packages tied up with strings" doesn't mean that this is a quaint of charming way of packaging your presents. It wasn't an aesthetic choice for Maria and the von Trapps—there was a war going on, folks.
White elephant
Getting gifts is great. Getting gifts that were not specifically selected for you, which is done in the party game of white elephant, and that come with a bunch of rules—including ones that allow your friends or coworkers to steal the present you've just been handed—is not.
Hawaiian Christmas shirts
Even if you think Bing Crosby's "Mele Kalikimaka" is the absolute pinnacle of holiday songwriting, the idea that you'd translate your admiration for Hawaiian Christmases into your wardrobe is silly, at best. Unless you're actually spending Christmas on the beach in Maui, you should probably keep that Hawaiian Christmas shirt where it belongs: the trash.
Mistletoe
Sure, those sprigs of mistletoe over your doorways may look cute, but in practice, the trend of hanging mistletoe is pretty creepy. Sometimes, a person just wants to hang out in a doorway without getting kissed by a stranger. Is that so much to ask?
Santacon
While Santacon attendees may tell you that their participation in the costumed bar crawl is all about their love for the holiday, ask anyone who's ever had to ride public transportation with them, and they'll tell you: it definitely has a lot more to do with their love of doing Jägerbombs before noon.
Car costumes
Ugly, distracting, and a great way to make one of the more expensive things you own look instantly trashy, car costumes are, without a doubt, one of the more perplexing—and absurd—holiday trends out there.
Christmas in July
Why enjoy the stress and expense of dressing up, buying gifts, and cooking a feast just once a year? That must be the reasoning behind Christmas in July, a ridiculous rehashing of the holiday during the year's hotter, more humid months. Nothing says "holiday cheer" like sweating in a Santa suit, after all.
Conclusion
Pretty much anything Christmas-related gets us right in the heartstrings, but we do agree that some trends are way better than others. Tinsel? Upside-down trees? We won’t be sad to see these things finally depart. Between the trends that could use some work and ones that feel so-right-now, you’ll discover a new way to decorate for Christmas using tips above as inspiration.
Sources
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