Embrace the decade's sense of fun, freedom and foil with these '70s Christmas decoration ideas
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Published on Dec. 12, 2024
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Frosty, flocked trees
“A snowy, flocked Christmas tree brought instant winter wonderland vibes into ’70s homes,” Bartlett says. “They make the perfect backdrop for colorful lights and playful ornaments.”
Artificial Christmas trees were big in the ’70s. While you might think it’s more environmentally friendly to flock a real Christmas tree rather than a fake one, it can’t be recycled or composted after you spray the branches. Instead, consider flocking that old artificial tree lurking in your attic or search for a second-hand one to create your winter wonderland indoors.
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Shiny festoons of foil
Tinsel has been around since the early 17th century, when it was used to reflect candlelight on the tree. But, for many, tinsel and other shiny foil accents are the ultimate flamboyant ’70s Christmas decorations. Bartlett suggests draping these shimmering foil strands on your tree, staircase and mantel.
While tinsel might be the top choice for an over-the-top retro holiday design, buying it new isn’t good for the planet. “Choose biodegradable options where possible or plan for a thoughtful tidy-up to avoid adding to landfills,” Bartlett recommends.
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Oversized, bright bulbs
Big is beautiful when selecting holiday lighting for your ’70s Christmas decoration design. “Larger bulb lights, reminiscent of classic incandescent styles, add instant retro charm. Colored lights were especially popular in bubble, bulb, or Pickwick-inspired floral shapes,” Bartlett says. She suggests using them liberally on your tree, down the stairs and on the front porch to add some ’70s style.
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Glitzy glass ornaments
“Shiny glass baubles were a staple of ’70s Christmas trees,” Bartlett says. She recommends decorating your Christmas tree with a mix of glittery styles, such as patterned onion, bulb, classic round and inverted bauble shapes to catch the light. Maybe your grandma has one-of-a-kind hand-blown and hand-painted family heirlooms she is happy to donate, or you can go thrifting to find nostalgic trinkets or buy new retro-inspired designs to reflect your style and personality.
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Handcrafted classics
“The make-do-and-mend mentality of the time meant handmade decorations were a must,” Bartlett says. She explains that there wasn’t the pressure for picture-perfect Christmas displays in the ’70s as there can be with contemporary designs. “The homespun, relaxed style of the decade encouraged creativity and a playful approach to decking the halls,” she says.
Making your own ’70s-inspired Christmas decorations is fun, family-friendly, and allows you to personalize your theme. Macrame, paper chain, felted and honeycomb paper decorations are just a few materials that can add to that authentic vintage look.
Tips on How to Achieve ’70s Christmas Decorations in 2024
Follow these holiday decorating tips if you’re all stocked up on tinsel, flocking spray, big bulbs and glitter-covered Christmas ornaments but don’t know how to combine them into a cohesive design.
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More is more: Bartlett explains that the ’70s was the era of maximalism, so don’t hold back. “When you think you’re done, add one more paper honeycomb decoration or another strand of tinsel. There’s no such thing as too much,” she says.
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Select sparkly things: “The disco decade loved anything that shimmered and shone,” Bartlett says. You can’t go wrong with tons of tinsel and long, glittering strands of lametta. Plus, the more glittery your ornaments are, the better.
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Express yourself: “From bold patterns to playful shapes, the ’70s embraced individuality, so don’t be afraid to show your personality through your decor,” Bartlett says. Make memories by having a festive family day designing homemade glittery, groovy baubles.
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Be confident with color: Use the vibrant tones that dominated the decade to create a funky retro Christmas tableware design. “Warm earthy tones like orange, brown, mustard, and green were popular, as were bright rainbow shades,” Bartlett says.
About the Expert
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Hannah Bartlett is a Christmas expert and founder of the festive blog Jolly Festive, renowned for its top-ranked Christmas trend analysis. Her deep knowledge of Christmas activities, entertainment, and travel makes Hannah a go-to source for all things merry and bright; email interview, Nov. 25, 2024.
