Yes, we are talking about Christmas (which we don’t mind).
It may seem early, but Christmas planning starts months before the decorations go up. Brands are already preparing their collections, journalists are beginning to plan seasonal features, and anyone who likes to find something different for Christmas knows that waiting until December is rarely the best strategy.
Press Loft has just given us a preview of what could be shaping Christmas 2026 with its Christmas Trend Report. The report covers interiors, entertaining, fashion and gifting, with 12 main trends ranging from Grecian-inspired Christmas tables to alternative trees, nostalgic decoration and the growing appeal of staying home between Christmas and New Year.
After working with Press Loft for more than ten years, we were delighted to receive the report. It has already given us plenty of ideas for the Christmas content we will be preparing at Alejandra’s Life.
This year, we are also doing something different with our gift guides. There will be one Christmas gift list for the UK and another for Portugal and Spain. Products, availability, shipping, and the brands relevant to each market will all be considered when we put them together.
But first, let’s look at what Press Loft expects to see this Christmas.
Grecian Banquet
Christmas entertaining takes inspiration from ancient Greece with Grecian Banquet.
The look combines urns, busts, pillars and draped fabrics with laurel details, gilded wreaths, grapes, figs and other fruit motifs. Stone-inspired colours, aged metallic finishes and candlelight keep the setting elegant rather than overly bright.
OKA is one of the brands featured in the report. Its interiors already have the sculptural furniture, natural materials and traditional craftsmanship that work well with this direction. The Wisteria Tree is also credited by Press Loft.
For Christmas entertaining, the trend could mean a table filled with sculptural pieces, candlelight and decorative fruit rather than the usual seasonal decorations.
Roll Up, Roll Up!
Christmas gets theatrical with Roll Up, Roll Up!
This trend takes its inspiration from the circus, with red, royal blue and gold combined with stripes, tassels, harlequin and diamond prints, carousel illustrations and oversized decorations.
Gisela Graham London, Meri Meri, Photowall, Rockett St George and Oak Furnitureland are among the brands featured in the report.
Meri Meri’s colourful approach to party products fits naturally with the circus theme, while Rockett St George brings the more dramatic side of the trend into interiors.
For anyone who enjoys a maximalist Christmas, this is the trend to watch. Think statement crackers, colourful decorations and Christmas entertaining that becomes part of the show.
Turkish Delight
The traditional Christmas colour palette gets a richer treatment with Turkish Delight.
Plum, pistachio and rose replace some of the familiar reds and greens, while velvet, decorative glassware, colourful ribbons, shimmer and bold patterns add layers to the look.
Press Loft features Dunelm, Emma Bridgewater, Desenio, DFS, Benjamin Moore UK and Annie Sloan alongside the trend.
NINA D also appears in the Press Loft Christmas material, with colourful tableware that fits the jewel-toned Christmas table particularly well.
This trend can be introduced through smaller details. A set of coloured glasses, velvet ribbon, decorative plates or a few jewel-toned ornaments can change the look of a Christmas table without replacing everything already in the cupboard.
Just Like the Movies
Just Like the Movies takes inspiration from the familiar Christmas interiors seen in festive films.
Paper decorations, bows, patterned textiles, patchwork quilts, vintage-style baubles and gentle lighting create a softer Christmas style, with the emphasis on a home that looks personal and lived in.
Press Loft credits Dunelm, Lights4fun, Emma Bridgewater, DFS, The Cotswold Company and Laura Ashley for this direction.
Lights4fun’s Christmas lighting is particularly suited to the warm, softly lit interiors associated with this trend. Emma Bridgewater also fits naturally into the nostalgic side of the look with its ceramics and traditional Christmas designs.
Unusual Trees
Not every Christmas tree needs to look like a traditional Christmas tree.
The Unusual Trees trend includes stacked books, beadwork, woven designs, paper trees and wall-mounted arrangements.
Lights4fun and Marquis & Dawn are among the brands credited in the report.
The idea works for small homes where a full-size tree may not be practical, but it also suits people who want their Christmas decorations to look more individual.
A collection of books arranged into a tree shape, a wall display made with lights or a sculptural alternative could become the main Christmas feature without taking up much floor space.
Twixtmas
The days between Christmas and New Year have their own trend for 2026.
Twixtmas focuses on staying home, slowing down and enjoying the period after Christmas Day.
Pyjamas, slippers, hot-water bottles, board games, hampers and soft textures all feature in the report.
The brands associated with the trend include Loaf, OKA, Piglet in Bed, Pretty You London and Emma Bridgewater.
Twixtmas also has an obvious place in Christmas gifting. Sleepwear, bedding, slippers, games and food hampers are presents that can be enjoyed throughout the festive break rather than only on Christmas morning.
Sober-Curious Christmas
The Christmas drinks table is changing too.
Sober-Curious Christmas focuses on non-alcoholic drinks, mocktails, festive teas and shareable treats. The report also includes craft sets, skincare and self-care as part of this slower approach to celebrating.
The emphasis is on creating an occasion around food, conversation and activities rather than making alcohol the centre of the gathering.
For gifting, this opens up possibilities around tea, glassware, recipes, craft kits and self-care products.
Friendmas
Christmas celebrations are increasingly spread across family and friends, and Friendmas puts those friendships at the centre.
The trend includes dinner parties, games nights, snacks, crafts, Secret Santa, personalised napkins, baking kits and personalised gifts.
Press Loft credits NINA D, Lights4fun and Swoon for the trend.
The focus on shared activities also changes the way we can think about presents. A baking kit can become part of an afternoon together. A board game can become the evening’s entertainment. Personalised napkins or table accessories can be used for the dinner itself.
Brooches
Brooches are moving beyond fashion accessories.
Press Loft predicts that brooches and decorative pins will appear on clothing as well as cushions, lamps, wrapped gifts and other decorative pieces.
Vintage and pre-loved designs are included alongside new pieces, giving the trend a strong collecting element.
Natalia Willmott is the brand credited in the report.
It is also a useful direction for smaller gifts, particularly for someone who enjoys vintage jewellery, fashion accessories or decorative objects.
All Hands on Deck
Hands become the motif of choice in All Hands on Deck.
The trend includes hand-shaped bracelets, necklaces, rings and brooches, as well as trinket dishes, candleholders and sculptures.
Credit to Rockett St George and The Northern Line.
The report also connects the motif with ideas of connection, craftsmanship and human touch, which gives the designs a particularly appropriate place in Christmas gifting.
Disco, Occasionally
Christmas gets a 1970s-inspired party treatment with Disco, Occasionally.
Disco balls, streamers, metallic finishes, sequins, glitter and tinsel bring the party season into interiors, while flared silhouettes and statement accessories bring the trend into fashion.
Press Loft credits DFS and Rockett St George.
The trend can be used sparingly. One disco ball above the dining table, metallic decorations or a sequinned accessory can bring the look into a Christmas celebration without taking over the room.
Unplugged
After so much screen-based entertainment, Unplugged turns the attention towards analogue activities.
The report includes record players, vinyl, digital cameras, books, puzzles and board games, as well as snail mail and shared listening sessions.
OKA, Gisela Graham London, Umbra and Rockett St George are among the brands featured.
For Christmas gifting, this trend opens the door to presents designed to be used rather than simply displayed. A puzzle, record, board game or book can become part of the day itself.
Celestial Motifs
Stars, moons and suns are taking Christmas decoration in a more decorative direction with Celestial Motifs.
The trend combines vintage astronomy references with beads, sequins, metallic decoration and handcrafted details. Even food styling gets involved, with star-shaped elements appearing in the report.
Brands credited include Westminster Abbey Shop, Dunelm, OKA, Paper Starlights and The Night Sky.
The theme works across interiors and gifting, particularly for decorative lighting, jewellery and smaller objects.
Top Dog
Christmas 2026 has a clear favourite when it comes to pets: the dachshund.
Top Dog brings sausage dog motifs into decorations and gifting, with embroidered pieces, novelty ceramics and metallic sculptures.
Credits Caroline Gardner, Oliver Bonas, Umbra, Emma Bridgewater, Click Style and Sue Ryder.
Oliver Bonas already has Christmas 2026 imagery available through Press Loft featuring animal motifs and festive interiors.
The Smaller Trends on Our Radar
Alongside the 12 main trends, we identified some micro trends.
- In interiors: Old Money, Dark Romance, Into the Woods, Festive Folk, Y2K Medieval/Castlecore and Christmas Villages could influence seasonal collections.
- For gifting: Snail Mail, Little Trinkets and Charms, Blind Boxes and Mother of Pearl are worth watching.
- Fashion brings: Hair Jewels and Bejewelled accessories, Opera Gloves and Hand-painted Bags into the mix.
These details could appear as smaller elements within Christmas collections rather than defining an entire festive look.
Two Christmas Gift Lists for Alejandra’s Life
The trends are only the beginning. This year, we will be researching products and brands for two separate Christmas gift lists.
The first will focus on the UK, with products available to UK readers. The second will focus on Portugal and Spain, with products that can be purchased and delivered in those markets.
We will be looking at everything from fashion and beauty to interiors, technology, food, entertaining and those smaller gifts that are often the hardest to find.
Some of the brands featured in the Press Loft report will undoubtedly appear. We will also be looking for new brands and independent businesses in Portugal and Spain to include alongside the better-known names.
Christmas may still be a few months away, but the 2026 trend report has given us a good place to start.
All image credits are to PressLoft and the respective brands.