Get to know the top Christmas 2025 trends from must-have decor colours, gift searches and travel patterns to dinners, decorations and budget tips. Get ahead of the festive rush.

Table of Contents

1. What people are searching for this Christmas

As I dug into what’s trending for Christmas 2025, it’s clear that the online search behaviour is offering a strong clue about what everyone’s planning—whether decorating, gifting or travelling.

Key insights:

According to Google’s Holiday 100 list, searches for items like movie projectors surged by 945% this year — signalling a shift towards elevated home-entertainment for the season. (Parade)
For travel, the data suggests domestic bookings are up while international outbound travel is down in many markets—a pattern that carries into the Christmas season. (PR Newswire)
On the decor front, design sources highlight that the colour palettes and styles people are searching for this Christmas are all about layering textures, mixed metals and nostalgic cues. (Stone Gable Blog)

What this means for you:
If you’re thinking of decorating, gifting or travelling, aligning your plans with these search-trends means you’ll be right on pulse. Maybe upgrade your home entertainment; maybe pick décor in trending colours; maybe tweak your travel bookings earlier.

2. Travel for the holidays: bookings, destinations & timing

Travelling at Christmas always comes with a checklist of what to book, where to go, and when to do it. For 2025 the signals are clear.

Travel trends for Christmas 2025

Research from Google Flights shows that for international trips, the cheapest booking window for Christmas / New Year departures is around 49 days or more before departure. (blog.google)
For domestic flights, the “sweet-spot” is around 39 days in advance. (blog.google)
Trending destinations for the holiday period lean toward warmer, sun-destination options rather than snowy retreats. (ABC News)
Budget and comfort are major themes: shorter trips, closer to home, less luxury lingering. (Faye blog)

My travel tip

Because I’ve booked for Christmas seasons before, here’s what I’d do:

Decide your departure date now and set up price alerts in tools like Google Flights or other booking platforms.
Be flexible with days of week: flying Monday-Wednesday often saves compared to weekend departures. (ABC News)
If you’re travelling abroad, prioritise booking now if your dates are fixed — waiting longer may cost more.
Consider warmer holiday destinations even for Christmas: the research shows these are rising in popularity.

3. Decorating the home: top styles and colour palettes

One of the most delightful parts of Christmas is how the home transforms. In 2025, the decor trends are leaning into strong aesthetics that show up in search behaviour too.

What’s trending

Deep forest tones, sage green, champagne gold and mixed metallic finishes are dominating decor searches. (ConfectioneryNews.com)
The “Ralph Lauren Christmas” aesthetic — think velvet bows, tartan plaids, rich textures — is being flagged as a major theme this year. (Country Living)
Natural greenery, handmade accents and nostalgic heirloom details are part of the mix: layering textures rather than minimalistic sterile designs. (Stone Gable Blog)

Quick decor checklist for your home

Choose your primary colour palette early (e.g., burgundy + gold or sage + champagne).
Don’t skip texture and layering: velvet ribbons, metallic ornaments, fresh pine/greenery.
Think about one feature piece (e.g., a large wreath or a statement tree topper) that reflects your chosen trend.
For small homes: focus on accents (mantel, side table, door wreath) rather than full room overhaul.

4. Gift searches & what people are really typing in

Gift-giving at Christmas is always top of mind — and the search data tells us what kinds of gifts are climbing fast in 2025.

What’s up

In the Holiday 100 list from Google, searches for home-entertainment gear like “movie projectors” exploded. (Parade)
Travel accessories also saw a surge: items like luggage tags, travel kits are climbing in search terms. (Google)
Among younger consumers especially, cost concern is real: many are opting for meaningful rather than luxury gifts. (PwC)

Gift planning tip

Consider experiential gifts (home movie night kit, travel voucher) rather than only material goods.
If you’re buying tech or travel items, act earlier—as earlier booking for these gifts often means better deals.
Think of gifts that align with your decor/travel theme for the year (e.g., if you’ve chosen a “warm beach retreat” for holidays, perhaps travel-friendly gear).

5. Budget, economy and mindful planning for Christmas 2025

Because the economic climate continues to influence how people decorate, gift, travel and celebrate, it’s more important than ever to plan with awareness.

Key financial behaviours

Many travellers in 2025 are opting for shorter trip durations, balancing desire for travel with budget concerns. (Faye blog)
Among younger cohorts (Gen Z in particular) there’s a noticeable pull-back: fewer travel plans, more celebrating at home. (PwC)
The idea of “value over luxury” is gaining ground: better deals, loyalty point usage, anticipatory booking.

Money-wise tips

Set a budget now for travel + gifts + decor and stick to it: early planning = less stress later.
Use alerts & track deals for travel bookings and get decor/gifts in sales rather than waiting.
Prioritise what brings you joy: a meaningful small celebration beats a costly over-stretch you regret.
Consider staying local or domestic if international travel is stretching the budget—still festive, still memorable.

6. My personal plan for Christmas 2025 (and how you can model it)

Let me walk you through my design for this year’s Christmas—so you can imagine how you might adapt it for your own.

My approach

Destination: I’m choosing a domestic retreat for late December, booking around now to capture the “39 days ahead” window for best value.
Decor scheme: I’ve picked a deep sage green + champagne gold colour palette. I’ll use velvet ribbons, metallic baubles, and incorporate a nostalgic ornament or two.
Gift strategy: One key “big” gift (based on trending items) + several smaller, thoughtful ones. Possibly a home-entertainment upgrade since searches show that’s hot.
Budgeting: I’ve set my max spend for travel + gifts + food. I’m using alerts for travel deals and shopping decor/gifts during early sales.
Experience focus: Instead of trying to do everything, I’ll set aside one special moment—for example, an outdoor walk in the snow or a family movie night under fairy lights—to create lasting memories.

How you can mimic this

Choose one main theme for your Christmas (travel, home-celebration, guest-hosting).
Decide one standout colour or decor element and build other choices around it.
Set a clear budget and date milestones (book travel by X, buy gifts by Y).
Focus on memorable experience rather than just “more things”.
Use the search-trends above to select gifts/decor that feel current and meaningful.

7. Frequently asked search questions & answers

Q: When is the best time to book flights for Christmas travel in 2025?

A: For international travel around Christmas/New Year, aim for ~49 + days in advance. For domestic trips, ~39 days ahead is a smart target. (blog.google)

Q: What colour schemes are trending for Christmas 2025 décor?

A: Expect deep forest/ sage greens, champagne golds, mixed metals, tartans and rich textures. The “Ralph Lauren Christmas” look is making waves. (Country Living)

Q: Are people travelling internationally less this Christmas?

A: Yes—data shows outbound international bookings are down in many regions, while more travellers are choosing domestic or warm-destination options. (PR Newswire)

Q: What types of gifts are trending this season?

A: Online searches show big interest in home-entertainment tech (movie projectors), travel accessories and items that support experience more than just material. (Parade)

Q: How can I host a budget-friendly and meaningful Christmas?

A: Focus on what matters most to you (family, friends, experiences). Prioritise booking early, set budgets, select fewer but well-chosen gifts, and avoid trying to replicate everything you’ve seen online.

8. Final reflections: making your Christmas matter

As I reflect on planning Christmas 2025, the biggest takeaway is this: the trends tell us what people are searching for, but what truly matters is what you and your loved ones want. The décor, gifts, travel—they’re all tools to create joy, memories and connection.

So whether you’re flying to a sunny escape, decorating your living room in velvet ribbons, or giving that one perfect gift, let it reflect your personal style and values. Use the trending cues as inspiration—but stay true to your story.

Here’s to a Christmas that’s stylish, meaningful and memorable. Happy planning! 🎄

Christmas 2025 Trends: What Everyone’s Searching For?