With Halloween behind us and November officially underway, festive planning is kicking into gear. As crisp fall days give way to winter chill, decorating the tree remains the ultimate holiday ritual – and setting the right aesthetic is front and center for Christmas 2026.
A throwback photo of Katie Holmes decorating her living room Christmas tree offers the perfect inspiration for this season's vintage decor trend. Her tree skips rigid, modern styling in favor of an effortless, lived-in charm that feels timeless.
Katie's tree features some rather retro ornaments (just like these from Walmart), proving that character-filled ornaments never lose their appeal. Her Christmas decor balances playful nostalgia with classic holiday warmth, setting a cozy tone for the coming weeks.
Shop the Katie Holmes-Inspired Edit
Lenox Blown Glass Snowman Ornament
This glass snowman has a lovely old-fashioned feel, with a delicate finish that makes it a little different from the usual Christmas ornaments. It's a sweet addition to a tree filled with traditional decorations.
Green With Gold Glitter Swirl Ornaments
Katie's tree features similar swirled baubles, and this green glass version has the same vintage appeal. The gold detailing catches the light beautifully, making it a lovely alternative to plain glass ornaments.
Hearth & Hand Brass Christmas Tree Topper
A wooden star is a lovely way to finish a more traditional Christmas tree. I like the simple feel of this one, which brings a little of Katie's understated decorating style to the top of the tree without looking too polished or elaborate.
Glass Christmas Tree Ornament Set
Red and gold are a classic Christmas combination, and this set makes it easy to get the look across the whole tree. With 100 ornaments to choose from, you can mix the two colors throughout your branches for a traditional finish.
I just love the hand-painted snowflake detailing on these gold baubles; they have a little more character than a standard metallic ornament. They're a lovely way to bring some gold into the tree without relying on plain decorations.
A ruffled tree skirt is a fun alternative to the usual plain designs. The red-and-white stripes give it the all-important nostalgic feel, while the gathered fabric adds more personality around the base of the tree.
Ann Couser Kittredge of Dabbling and Decorating explains, 'First, that post of Katie and her tree is a bit telling in itself. Retro and vintage Christmas decorations flood us with memories of our youth or days gone by. She's laughing and decorating a "simple" Christmas tree with what feels right to her. There's no caption or messaging on her post; the post speaks for itself, including the old Pottery Barn hutch in the background (I also had one)... It's a throwback to simpler, happier times.'
Recreating that charm for 2026 does not require a large budget. To recreate the look, Ann suggests, 'By collecting assortments of vintage Christmas tree ornaments at flea markets and thrift shops. They are plentiful these days and very affordable too. I would also repurpose my mother's Christmas ornament collections for that nostalgic look that Katie is enjoying in her photo.'
Focusing on thrifted finds, heirloom pieces, and retro glass accents gives a tree that welcoming, collected-over-time character – nostalgic without feeling overly kitsch, and stylish for years to come.
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