By JENNY SMITH MATTFELDT Published December 16, 2024
I don’t know if it’s the craziness of the past few years or if we’re all just craving a little comfort this holiday season, but everywhere you look, people are leaning into holiday nostalgia. While we can’t turn back time, we can certainly create some of that old-school charm in our homes this Christmas. Think big, warm Christmas lights, vinyl record players with Elvis crooning Christmas carols, or simply putting down the phones and being fully present with your family. Here are 9 ways to bring a little nostalgic, cozy Christmas magic into your home this year.
Deck the Halls Like It’s 1999
Go all in on retro vibes with some vintage-inspired decor—think popcorn and cranberry garlands or shiny glass-blown ornaments, whether they’re family treasures or thrifted gems. For the lighting, ditch the harsh LEDs and go for those warm, old-school lights. String them everywhere—on the tree, across the mantel, even around the doorframes—for that cozy, magical Home Alone glow.
Get Baking
Invite your crew over for a baking day filled with classic holiday treats like sugar cookies and gingerbread—dust off grandma’s recipes for that extra hit of nostalgia. And don’t skip the movie moment: crank up the holiday tunes, sip on some cocoa, and let the festive chaos unfold.
Plan a Snowy Outdoor Adventure
Channel the ice-skating magic of The Holiday or the snowball fight fun from Elf with a nostalgic outing to a local rink, sledding hill, or snowy park. Bundle up in scarves and mittens for that perfect holiday postcard vibe, and leave the phones behind so you can fully soak in the festive fun.
Create a Family Christmas Eve Tradition
Set the stage for cozy, movie-worthy moments with matching pajamas, a roaring fire, and a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Nostalgia points if you make it a no-phones night and dive into simple pleasures like storytelling or classic board games.
Better yet, go full-on sleepover mode with your cousins, siblings, or nieces and nephews—who cares if you’re all adults? Break out the blankets and host a holiday movie marathon featuring all the classics.
Make Your Tree the Star of the Show
Go all out with sentimental ornaments—handmade treasures, heirloom baubles, or even little mementos from family trips. Add personal touches like photos or DIY crafts to make your tree feel uniquely yours.
Want to channel a specific movie vibe? Pick a theme:
It’s a Wonderful Life: Angel toppers, shimmering tinsel, and classic metallics.
Home Alone: Bold pops of red and green with cozy, nostalgic ’90s vibes.
The Polar Express: Sleigh bells, warm gold tones, and a train circling the base for that storybook magic.
Set the Table Like a Holiday Movie Scene
Set the table like a scene straight out of a holiday movie with real linens, glowing candlesticks, and vintage china—even mismatched thrift store finds can add charm. For an extra nostalgic touch, add handwritten place cards with sweet notes or quotes from your favorite Christmas movies.
Stick to timeless dishes like turkey, roasted potatoes, and those classic desserts that instantly make you think of your grandma. To top it all off, set the mood with soft holiday music during dinner and serve an on-theme cocktail or mocktail to keep the festive vibes flowing.
Recreate Iconic Holiday Soundtracks
Build a playlist of songs from your favorite Christmas movies (White Christmas, Home Alone, The Holiday—hint: Spotify has all these and more!). If you’ve got vinyl records or CDs lying around, break them out for that extra throwback touch.
Give Gifts That Spark Old Memories
Opt for gifts that spark warm memories: a framed childhood photo, a board game from your younger years, or an album of family Christmas photos. Or take it up a notch by getting those old family tapes digitized so you can relive the memories and enjoy them all over again.
Capture the Moment
Invest in a disposable or polaroid camera to snap those candid, imperfectly perfect photos all season long. The grainy, old-school vibe will only add to the nostalgic charm. After all, nothing feels more 90s than photos of the night from a disposable or digital camera capturing those real moments!
Awwwwwww......what a precious picture!!! The good old days!!!!!!