Whether you’re the type of person who puts the Christmas tree up as early as possible, or you’re a little more last minute (Christmas Eve, anyone?), how you choose to decorate is hugely significant.
In fact, your festive décor can say a lot about your overall style. Luxurious, minimalist, or sentimental—it’s all reflected in the ornaments that adorn the branches. As it turns out, your Christmas tree doesn’t just showcase personal taste, but it can also be a surefire way to tell someone’s age.
Indeed, each generation has a very individual take on how to design the perfect Christmas tree, according to interior designer Terri Brien. She told Newsweek that the biggest key to tell someone’s age by their tree is “how committed they are to ‘stuff’ they’ve collected over time.”
Is their tree filled with sentimental baubles and handmade decorations? Or do they choose a different style every year?
The Tinsel Generation
If your tree looks like a box of tinsel exploded, chances are you’re probably a Baby Boomer (people born between 1946 and 1964). Boomers came of age during the 60s and 70s when tinsel was the ultimate holiday decoration. It was festive, shimmery, and most importantly, loud.
Brien, the principal designer and owner of Terri Brien Interiors in Southern California, explained that boomers tend to prefer funky and mismatched ornaments on their tree.
She said: “Not having social media to tell them what the latest trend is, you’ll usually see tinsel, maybe a wooden toy soldier missing an arm, or a Santa who once had a glued-on beard and now just has the sticky remnants where it used to be.
“Some of it is handmade in the 70s, some passed down from grandparents. There isn’t really a theme except Christmas (and of course, the tinsel). Not just a strand here and there but handfuls dragged across the branches. It’s nostalgic, and a little chaotic in the most charming way.”
It’s All About the Themes
While boomers tend not to go for any discernible themes, Generation X (born between 1965 to 1980) adopted their very own style.
Instead of a chaotic tree that screams retro, Gen Xers prefer specific themes and color schemes, Brien explains.
“Sometimes that means all silver and white, or white and gold, a clean sparkle that feels coordinated,” she continued.
“But then there’s the other Gen X side that went bold in the 80s and 90s. Teal, hot pink, chartreuse, purple ornaments, often shiny, sometimes metallic. Like the rebellion was ‘anything but our parents’ tree.’”
Baubles That Tell a Story
The millennial Christmas style lands somewhere in the middle of Boomers and Gen X. While the generation born between 1981 and 1996 likes to have some semblance of coordination, it’s not quite as severe as the Gen X themes.
Think intentional but with a slight edge.
“Coordinated, but not matchy-matchy. Maybe a clean modern look mixed with a sentimental touch. A little pop culture ornament shaped like a slice of pizza sitting next to a glass icicle. Something from favorite travels, a DIY ornament here and there, but not too many because life is busy,” Brien continued.
Sentimental decorations can turn a millennial’s tree into somewhat of “a memory tree,” Brien added.
As millennials came of age during the social media era, they can be easily swayed by trends. They love styling the tree based on Pinterest boards or taking inspiration from influencers to edit their tree, but they won’t sway too far from their norm.
“Millennials love a curated color palette—terracotta or sage green and warm neutrals, brass bells. It’s a moment of retro but softened and more aesthetic,” Brien told Newsweek.
Inflatable Extravaganza
If you remember going past houses with a huge inflatable Santa Claus and Snowman outside, (and maybe even a Rudolph perched on the roof for good measure), you probably grew up in the 1990s.
Perhaps you’re continuing this trend now in your own home to embrace the fun of Christmas.
Your vibrant driveway décor may be the talk of the neighborhood but be prepared for people to know that you’re a Gen Xer or millennial.
The Rise of Minimalism
Do you prefer a sparse-looking tree with muted tones? Maybe some wooden Scandinavian style ornaments. If that’s your vibe, you’re probably Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012).
Many Gen Zers (and younger millennials) love to ensure their décor is Instagram-worthy by opting for a minimalistic approach. But according to Brien, there are others who will gladly change their style each year and go from basic to bold.
“Gen Z leans into a whole different vibe,” Brien said. “You’ve got the ones who love a strong style and will chase the latest trend. One season might be Scandi minimal with barely-there lights and simple paper ornaments. Next year it’s maximalist tartan Ralph Lauren vibes because TikTok said so.”
She continued: “Then there’s those who want their tree to basically say ‘I don’t care.’ Their tree feels like it’s a collection of whatever fell into their laps. Hand me downs, bits from the thrift store or something funky they found at the dollar store that made them laugh.”
While Boomers and Gen X may hold onto decorations for years, Gen Z aren’t as tied to their ornaments. The oldest Gen Zers are in their late 20s this Christmas, so it’s unlikely they have any long-standing traditions just yet.
Instead, Brien says they prefer to swap styles each year as a “little self-expression” during the holiday season.