We take a look at some of the biggest festive trends – from key colours and decorations, to tasty treats and gift giving ideas – and give you the lowdown to help you stay ahead of the curve with your celebrations this year.

What’s on your plate?

Get ready to welcome a few more vegans or vegetarians around your table this Christmas, as more and more people are switching up their diet and lifestyle for ethical, health or environmental reasons. Thankfully, the supermarkets have you covered with an abundance of ready-made vegan and vegetarian festive dishes available this year – from vegan ‘no beef’ wellingtons, to brie and cranberry parcels – just make sure you get your order early because they sell fast!

Or, if you fancy creating a homemade feast, then there is plenty of inspiration for recipes online and in food magazines. And, it doesn’t just stop with savoury dishes. Suppliers have upped their offering of vegan confectionary to meet increasing consumer demand this year; perfect to cater for someone with a sweet tooth.

Meanwhile, presentation is everything! Pinterest’s annual trend report reveals that epic charcuterie spreads are big business and these creative smorgasbords are about to get a whole lot more creative. Based on search terms from millions of global users, Pinterest predicts that charcuterie-style displays with desserts, breakfast foods and Mexican taco boards will be big trends this year. So, why not wow your guests with a show-stopping spread this Christmas?

Thoughtful touches

Sustainability, longevity and a return to tradition are increasingly coming to the fore, according to trend experts for leading festive show, Christmasworld. “Products with permanence and meaning are increasingly in demand. And traditions, cherished rituals and familiar togetherness have also taken on a new, more weighty significance,” says designer Claudia Herke.

With that in mind, expect to see more recycled materials and repurposed items transformed into decorations, a rise in popularity of home baking and activities other family, plus cosy and nostalgic décor. Just look at the desperate search for vintage ceramic Christmas trees this year, with the much-coveted originals going for hundreds of dollars on Ebay, as people seek out the old and familiar after such an unsettling time.

People are making more conscious and choices this year, whether changing up their wrapping routine to incorporate more eco-friendly options or ditching paper altogether and opting for homemade fabric gift bags. In fact, Google searches for ‘sustainable Christmas’ are up significantly worldwide over the past five years!

This is reflected in one of Christmasworld’s central themes for 2021/22, ‘Spirited Response’. The style presents attractive alternatives and unconventional solutions that focus on zero waste, a circular economy and both recycling and upcycling. Design is handcrafted, creative, cheerful, colourful and uncomplicated. Organic forms and eye-catching designs reminiscent of the 1960s, hand-written or -drawn motifs and childlike sketches all form part of this original festive style.

The colour palette combines vivid shades with unusual combinations that result from different recycling processes. Paper waste is transformed into papier-mâché, and old fabrics or cords become creative materials for new objects. Contrasting scrap wood combines to form striking decorations, and leftover flowers and leaves are used to create unusual papers and gift packaging. The colours in this trend generate positive energy, ranging from intense sea green, fiery red, faded rose and a milky caramel brown to ultraviolet, Bristol Blue, bright flamingo orange and corn yellow. Tap into this trend with LifestyleGarden®’s DuraOcean® chair. Not only is this stylish furniture collection the epitome of sustainability, having been constructed from recycled marine waste and also fully recyclable at the end of its life, but its mid-century modern design and stunning sea green finish also hit the mark, complementing this décor trend beautifully.

Top tipples

Pink prosecco looks set to take this Christmas by storm. Anything that sparkles is usually a hit during the festive season, particularly when you give it an on-trend blush, but the excitement around this is that the wine variety didn’t actually exist until last year. A change in Italian law in 2020 allowed pinot noir grapes to be added into the mix to create a rosé prosecco; making wine history and earning a host of eager fans along the way. When the first bottles hit the shelves towards the end of 2020, suppliers were so overwhelmed by enquiries, they had to set up waiting lists.

Crémant de Loire has also seen growth in recent years as an excellent value alternative to Champagne.

Meanwhile, the bubble around the rise of gin could be about to burst. Sales of the spirit have reportedly slowed down over the past year, making way for other tipples, including premium rums and whiskeys. Perfect for gifting or whipping up a cocktail at home this Christmas.