Christmas trends in demand in 2022

Clean look like hearted+minimal

Subtle colours define hearted+minimal. The neutral range is dominated by a light grey-white, a medium grey and deep black. In the cool range, a Nordic blue, frosty mint and wintry green. The warm colour range starts with gold, followed by soft maple and mild rosé. The materials used include bio-based and biodegradable materials, paper and algae as well as durable natural materials such as wood and stone. Glass adds a filigree touch, as do floral motifs and accents in gold and brass. Shiny decorations and fragrant beeswax give candles a romantic touch.

This clean, reduced look thus perfectly showcases sustainable, natural products and particularly attracts people who are becoming more mindful when shopping and questioning the origins, manufacturing conditions and materials of the products on offer. And this increasingly applies to festive decorations as well. Whether ribbons made of organic cotton, vegan candles, Christmas tree stands made of recycled plastic waste or spectacular light decorations for city centres made of biodegradable sugar cane - the demand for these products is growing.

Exhibitor Vivant Decorations from the Netherlands sums it up nicely: "On the one hand, nature plays a major role this winter as a source of inspiration for designs and patterns inspired by natural textures and surfaces - such as corals, mushrooms, sponges, honeycomb structures, shells, leaves or dried flowers. On the other hand, the issue of sustainability is becoming increasingly important. We try to extend the life cycle and usability of products through recycling and upcycling. We turn leftovers into something useful and beautiful at the same time. The sales figures show that articles that support the well-being of nature are well received," confirms Doreen Lortye from Vivant Decorations. Examples are ribbons made of 100 per cent cotton with catchy texts like "Handmade" or "Hohoho", jute cords with wooden beads and brass bells, handmade winter pendants with winter-inspired gold print or the reusable Lucente gift boxes.

Elegant look like mystic+originate

mystic+originate: Creamy white, silvery grey and dark grey form the neutral range of colours. Violet, petrol and a powdery shade of violet determine the cool colours, while a mossy green, warm light brown and strong earthy brown represent the warm range. Patterns and materials that could have come from nature dominate the picture - such as alienated stone grains, crystalline shapes and blurred patterns as well as shimmering points of light. Diverse glass art with colour effects and inclusions characterise the product spectrum just as much as glamorously printed wrapping paper. Olfactory stimuli also play a major role, for example with scented papers or perfumed candles.

If you ask exhibitors, it is confirmed that a mystically elegant look in earthy tones remains a strong theme. It is noticeable that especially dark colour worlds with black, brown, gold and partly also silver as well as dark woods provide a touch of luxury this season and lend glamour to Christmas tables. In the "Luxury Trees" series from Ambiente Europe, a mystical black and shimmering metallic tones make a modern and trendy statement for Christmas this year. The "Timeless Luxury" collection from Inge's Christmas Decor also plays with an elegant combination of brown and black as well as golden accents.

Classic pillar candles in a matt look are also in high demand - but please be sustainable, as with the candles from Gebr. Steinhart, which are made from natural renewable raw materials and are offered with completely plastic-free packaging. In addition, reusable gift packaging in glossy looks, such as Vivant Decorations, is doing very well.

Colourful look like local+vital

local+vital: In this trend, the tones are powerful and show off graphic shapes as well as individual motifs. Light porcelain, rich beige and black are found in the neutral range. In the cool range, milky nuances of May green and lime are juxtaposed with a strong azure blue. Ochre, urban red and strong signal red characterise the warm colour range. Illustrative motifs and graphic patterns dominate the surfaces of the materials. Moving waves, dot motifs and high-contrast drawings convey a positive and sweeping expression. Traditional objects, hand-painted Christmas decorations and stationery are staged with folklore patterns.

A colourful look seems to be the faithful crisis companion, because what is now increasingly in demand are the traditional Christmas colours and above all candles in all variations. This year in twisted form particularly graceful or spherical with a smooth shiny surface as at Graziani.

"Wax candles are a popular product, especially at Christmas time. A burning candle stands for home, togetherness and happiness. If the candle that takes centre stage is a designer candle, this also enriches the living ambience. The colours that are most popular in Europe in the run-up to Christmas are red, English green and burgundy. Classic and timeless shades, but in combination with the glossy finish and avant-garde shapes, they become a must-have for the home. Following the European colour trends, we have included two new colours that blend into shades of blue: "very pery" and "teal". Two colours that will also be seen at the upcoming Christmasworld 2023 in Frankfurt," says Amanda Martinucci, Communications Manager at Graziani in Italy.

Ludger Post from Design Studio Ambiente Europe also confirms: "Our candles are always very popular for table decoration, but also as gifts or simply as mood enhancers." With the Skating Dwarfs collection, the designers of the Dutch manufacturer present a motif that will create a good mood on the festive days in a humorous way and with a little wink - the sales figures speak for themselves.

Classics thus remain an evergreen in these tense times, although traditional Christmas colours and motifs are happy to tolerate a modern update. At Inge's Christmas Decor, two collections are doing particularly well: "Christmas Classics" presents classic Christmas colours in crimson and fir green combined with dark blue and black. Traditional Christmas motifs round off the festive mood. Tradition is reinterpreted in "Refreshed Memories". Vivid red and rich green combined with white and silver accents spread more carefree cheerfulness.

At Krebs Glas Lauscha, too, there are two main trends for the Christmas tree: Firstly, the elegant Scandinavian Christmas tree decorations of the "Scandic Xmas" collection in the typical northern European colours of white, red, and green. On the other hand, the "Christmas Night" collection is in demand, with its nostalgic motifs evoking fond childhood memories and conveying safety and security. Here, too, the traditional colours red, gold, and green dominate.

At the upcoming Christmasworld, exhibitors will be showing their new products for Christmas 2023.

From February 2023, Christmasworld will be held at the Frankfurt exhibition centre at the same time as the leading international consumer-goods fairs Ambiente and Creativeworld.

• Ambiente/Christmasworld: 3. to 7. February 2023
• Creativeworld: 4. to 7. February 2023