50 years of Christmas decorating inspiration
By Kristen West
AS ST. NICK’S CHRISTMAS & COLLECTIBLES marks its impressive 50th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to look at what’s trending in holiday decorating and what never goes out of style. For generations of Colorado families, St. Nick’s has been the place to find Christmas decor, and both locals and visitors are returning year after year. Owners Shawn and Sue Sealy have spent decades watching those traditions evolve, giving them a unique insight into holiday decorating.
While it is always a personal preference, the Sealys find that choosing a theme or mood is the best place to start.
One popular trend from 2025 that’s holding strong is what’s called a Ralph Lauren Christmas, embracing a traditional, cozy, and nostalgic look. Color palettes include dark greens, creamy whites, navy blue, black, and copper mixed with plaid, low lighting, and touches of velvet and brass—think the McCallisters’ house in “Home Alone.” Add white birch branches, logs, or faux trees mixed with fairy lights, evergreen sprigs, and pinecones for a warm, organic feel.
Alongside traditional looks, some playful themes are gaining attention this year. Oversized bows, richer burgundy and berry tones, decorative fruit, and whimsical animal or food-themed ornaments are giving classic Christmas a fresh twist. The Sealys say nostalgia remains strong, too, with shoppers gravitating toward vintage-inspired pieces that bring personality and fun to their trees.
“Old-timey Christmas still resonates, big time,” Shawn Sealy says. “For those who want to step back into the ’50s and ’60s and get that Coca-Cola Santa feel, we have retro Christmas trees that look like they’re right out of 1950 that people love.”
To refresh decor without a major overhaul, small changes like adding tiny twinkle lights inside your trees for extra glow can go a long way, says Sue Sealy. “Swapping ribbons, flowers, or wreaths, or adding berries, is another easy way to change your color scheme.”
Another favorite is Norfolk pine swags, effortlessly draping and drooping across tables, mantelpieces, and doorways.
To personalize your decor, Shawn Sealy suggests separate, specialized trees or wreaths that have deeper meaning. This could look like a small tree that highlights travel memories or one decorated only with family ornaments and children’s artwork. “My wife and I like to cook, so we have a tall, skinny tree in our kitchen with chef-related ornaments,” he says.
Mantelpieces and wreaths can highlight recentlife events, too. “If you traveled to Scotland, change up a wreath to represent Scotland and hang it on the backside of your door or integrate Scottish colors throughout the house.”
Lighting has also transformed holiday decorating over the last 50 years. When St. Nick’s first began selling artificial trees in the 1970s, they put the lights on themselves. Today, pre-lit trees are the most popular, along with the shift from incandescent bulbs to LEDs. Many newer trees feature dimmable lighting that adjusts brightness to suit the mood.
Outdoor decorating ranges from elaborate, multicolored displays to classic white twinkle lights, but more attention is being given lately to the front porch. Stands, signs, birch trees, and lit-up porches can give a home a festive look without requiring homeowners to decorate the entire exterior space.
While decorating trends come and go, the Sealys say tradition has remained strong. Classic colors, pine, and familiar holiday motifs continue to resonate, even as homeowners find new ways to incorporate them. In that sense, the look of Christmas may evolve slightly, but the heartfelt tone behind it remains unchanged.
ST. NICK’S CHRISTMAS & COLLECTIBLES
5221 S. Santa Fe Dr.
Littleton
303.798.8087
stnicks.com
