So what is a kitschy Christmas tree you ask?
A kitschy Christmas tree refers to a Christmas tree that is decorated in an over-the-top, gaudy, or intentionally tacky style. It often includes bright, clashing colors, excessive ornaments, retro decorations, and a playful, humorous, or ironic aesthetic. Kitschy designs embrace campy or nostalgic elements, drawing inspiration from mid-20th century trends, pop culture, or exaggerated holiday cheer.
Characteristics of a Kitschy Christmas Tree:
- Bold and Bright Colors: neon, metallics, or unconventional color schemes like hot pink, turquoise and lime green – lots of love for neon ornaments and rainbow tinsel. For gifts under the tree, you could even use wrapping paper with mismatched, loud patterns like polka dots or retro Santa designs.
- Overloaded with Decorations: the tree is packed with ornaments, tinsel, garlands, and lights. Think beads, metallic streamers, and feather boas.
- Nostalgic or Retro Vibes: features vintage ornaments, such as those from the 1950s-1980s. Think vintage glass or chrome baubles – check out your local thrift store!
- Playful Themes: incorporates quirky or unconventional items like cartoon characters, fake food, or miniature toys (yay Star Wars ships). Why not throw on some rubber ducks.
- Humorous Touches: intentionally exaggerated or ironic decorations for a fun and lighthearted feel. Hence the death “star” on my tree. Why not use a disco ball instead? How beautiful would the room be…
A kitschy tree is meant to be joyful, loud, and unapologetically festive, often leaning into the “so bad it’s good” category of holiday design.
We all love to decorate our tree. Yes, it is unintentionally kitschy. Filled with handmade ornaments, picture ornaments, random garland that seem to change over the years, and multiple different colored lights.
We are big Star Wars fans so our “star” on the top is the death star. It also lights up in a rainbow of colors, while festively playing the Imperial March. Throughout the tree you will find other star craft, playing scenes from the iconic movie. It’s a crowd pleaser.
Memories Are Key
One thing I can say about our tree, it holds many years of memories that we get to relive with each and every ornament we place. Decorating our kitschy tree is a family affair. Everyone gets involved, while listening to our favorite Christmas music (quite often in fleecy pj’s). Eggnog and hot chocolate in abundance, with a fire in the fireplace, and heart warming joy and laughter. Especially when Spiderman Santa joins in the fun!
For quite a few years now we have been using an artificial tree. It’s small, and starting to lean. I’m sure the needles have thinned out since we first bought it. Maybe one year we will start buying real trees again. I do miss the smell.
All in all, it’s perfect. My kids will say it’s magical. That’s all that matters.
A Little Kitschy Around the House:
Don’t stop at the tree, spread the love!
- Vintage Blow Molds: place retro Santa, snowman, or reindeer blow molds as indoor or outdoor décor (a hollow, plastic decoration that was created using a plastic injection molding process).
- Tacky Christmas Lights: use multicolored flashing lights or themed lights shaped like chili peppers, flamingos, or stars. Rainbow stars would obviously be the best choice.
- DIY Snow Globes: create snow globes with kitschy figurines like gnomes or dinosaurs wearing Santa hats. You can also make anything into an elf with pointy ears!
- Holiday Figurines: display a ceramic Santa, elf, or holiday gnome with exaggerated or silly expressions. Oh oh! Christmas gnomes with the see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil expressions instead of monkeys (ok, now how to crochet this…).
- Giant Candy Decorations: use oversized candy canes, fake lollipops, or wrapped candies for a whimsical touch.
- Colorful Wreaths: create a wreath with bright ornaments, neon bows, and a little (or a lot) of tinsel for that over-the-top flair.
- Nostalgic Table Settings: use melamine plates with retro holiday prints, mismatched glassware, and kitschy napkin rings. Toss in a retro printed tablecloth and/or runner for even more color.
- Printable Wall Art: Etsy is full of wall art by artists around the world. Simple print, frame and hang! The colors and designs are endless.
FREE DOWNLOAD
CLICK HERE FOR A FREE COPY OF MY KITSCHY TREE CHRISTMAS CARD!
Simply download, print and cut. Hand out to all your friends and family this Christmas. See my Etsy shop printable cards for more!
My crafty brain is turning!!
Kitschy Crafts for Christmas:
- Ugly Sweater Ornaments: make mini versions of ugly Christmas sweaters to hang on your tree. Sew, knit, or crochet in the all the best kitschy colors. I even recently found chrome “yarn” but haven’t tried it yet – woohoo for chromas! (or is it chromeas…). Why not incorporate pinkmas, and catmas too!
- Tacky Photo Garland: string a garland of Polaroid photos of your family in festive poses or ugly sweaters. Even better, with everyone making their best silly faces!
- Faux Food Ornaments: add crochet ornaments shaped like donuts, cupcakes, or pizza slices for a fun foodie vibe. We are big fans of pizza in this family. Ok, donuts and cupcakes too!
Be Proud of your Kitschy Christmas Tree!
Kitschy Christmas is all about embracing the fun and the gaudy—go wild, break the rules, and make it unapologetically cheerful!
For more Christmas inspiration, check out my Christmas craft blogs! And don’t forget to subscribe and comment. I would love to hear all about your kitschy tree! You can even post a pic in our Facebook community!
You might also like to browse my printable shop on Etsy! I have created a collection of quirky and kitschy Christmas tree products. Click on the images below to be directed to the listings shown.
MY CREATIONS
Thank you for supporting my small business, and Merry Christmas!
