I’ll be honest with you. Every year I tell myself I’m going to start my Christmas designs early, and every year Christmas somehow sneaks up on me.
So this year I started looking at the trends in September. If I’m going to spend time creating designs, I want to know what colors and styles people are actually interested in.
And there are some really good ones for 2026.
What’s the Christmas 2026 vibe?
Cozy, nostalgic, colorful, and a little extra.
We’re seeing more velvet ribbon, vintage ornaments, rich colors, bold bows, layered decorations, and Christmas decor that actually has personality.
Minimal Christmas isn’t disappearing, but nostalgia and maximalism are definitely having their moment.
What colors are trending?
Burgundy and deep reds are everywhere. Think wine, merlot, oxblood, and deep cherry paired with forest green, antique gold, cream, or pearl.
Hunter green and gold are still strong too, especially with plaid, navy, burgundy, and velvet for that classic heritage Christmas look.
Soft white is another one to watch. Pantone chose Cloud Dancer, a soft white, as its 2026 Color of the Year, so snowy whites, pearl, champagne gold, and frosted designs fit right in.
Icy and dusty blues are perfect for snowflakes, winter scenes, and frosted Christmas designs.
And yes — pink Christmas is still here.
Soft pink, hot pink, blush, magenta, and frosted pink can all work. Pink and gold gives glam. Pink and white feels soft. Pink with emerald or burgundy gives you something a little richer.
And if you know Artistry Designz, you already know I’m not afraid of a pink Christmas.
What themes are trending?
Vintage Christmas
Old-fashioned ornaments, retro Santas, velvet ribbon, antique gold, and nostalgic Christmas designs are having a comeback.
For PNGs, think vintage Santas, retro ornaments, old-fashioned trees, and nostalgic typography.
Fruit, Citrus and Berries
This one surprised me.
Oranges, berries, pears, pomegranates, and greenery are showing up in wreaths, garlands, and holiday decor.
That could make some beautiful botanical Christmas PNGs.
Heritage Christmas
You may hear people call this the “Ralph Lauren Christmas” look.
Think hunter green, navy, burgundy, tartan, plaid, velvet, brass, and traditional greenery.
Basically, Christmas in a beautiful old library with a fireplace going.
Gingerbread, But Prettier
Gingerbread is still popular, but it doesn’t have to be bright candy colors.
Cream, warm brown, champagne, pearl, and soft gold can give gingerbread designs a completely different look.
Big Bows
If you love bows, this is your year.
Velvet bows. Plaid bows. Glitter bows. Bows on trees, presents, ornaments, and pretty much everything else.
Put a bow on it.
Frosty Christmas
White, icy blue, silver, snowflakes, frosted trees, and plenty of sparkle.
This look works beautifully for mugs, tumblers, shirts, and ornaments.
What about niche trends?
A few smaller styles are worth watching too.
Gothmas brings in black bows, dark florals, deep reds, and dramatic Christmas styling.
Nutcrackercore is all about ballet, nutcrackers, pink, gold, velvet, and feminine holiday details.
And playful Christmas is bringing back bright colors, retro styles, funny ornaments, and a little bit of kitsch.
Not every trend is for everybody, and that’s fine.
What PNG ideas would I look for?
If I were designing or shopping for Christmas PNGs this year, I’d keep an eye on:
- Vintage Santa and retro ornament designs
- Burgundy, gold, and deep green Christmas graphics
- Fruit and botanical Christmas designs
- Plaid and heritage-style Christmas designs
- Pink and gold nutcracker designs
- Icy blue and silver winter designs
- Statement bows
- Pink Christmas and retro Santa designs
- Patriotic 1776–2026 Christmas designs
- Fun Christmas sayings
And this is where I think designers can have the most fun.
Take the trend and make it fit your audience.
Glam Christmas. Cozy Christmas. Funny Christmas. Introvert Christmas. Book-lover Christmas. Baddie Christmas.
That’s how you keep your designs from looking like everybody else’s.
When should you start?
Now.
Holiday shopping and planning can begin as early as September and keeps building through October and November.
If you’re creating products to sell, you still need time to make them, photograph them, create mockups, write your listings, and give customers time to find them.
So September and October?
That’s not too early.
That’s preparation time.
Do you have to follow every trend?
Absolutely not.
Pick the colors and themes that fit your style and your customers.
Trends are supposed to give you ideas — not turn everybody into a copy of each other.
Take the inspiration, put your own spin on it, and make it yours.
