January 2026

From the North Pole to Main Street By Carly McFadden

As retailers unstring lights and pack away the last of their festive décor, their attention shifts immediately to the seasons ahead — and holiday 2026 is already taking shape.

What emerges is a season defined by emotion and connection. Across the board, wholesalers are leaning into nostalgia, charm, whimsy and the comfort of home as they build collections designed for a year when customers crave meaning.

“Holiday 2026 brings together nostalgia, joy, comfort and a touch of the unexpected,” said Gina Cullen, vice president of product development at Mud Pie.

That blend of familiarity and freshness is guiding the early narratives for the year — from reinvigorated vintage motifs to playful, color-forward moments that spark inspiration among consumers.

Of Christmases Long, Long Ago

Nostalgia remains the strongest force shaping holiday 2026. The look has risen to popularity in recent years, but companies are refreshing their vintage-inspired collections with new palettes, textures and silhouettes.

Primitives by Kathy, for example, predicts many customers will opt for a timeless aesthetic, a continuation of the Ralph Lauren-inspired décor — think red plaids, classic greenery and heritage-level quality — that took over holiday mood boards in 2025.

“We’re seeing ‘Ralph Lauren Christmas’ trending all over social media, and I think that has a lot to do with nostalgia and people wanting to get back to basics,” said Kendra Gerwig, creative director of product development at Primitives by Kathy.

The brand is also bringing back tactile, heirloom-style elements — in particular, quilting — to tap into the cozy, memory-rich look consumers crave.

“Our new quilted Christmas collection is all about nostalgia. Think Christmas at Grandma’s. This is perfect for the consumers that want to take a walk down memory lane,” she said.

At The Whitehurst Co., president Kirsten McDonough said the team is channeling a “nostalgic combined with modern” look through its new-to-market collaboration with designer Eddie Ross. The partnership, dubbed Main Street Merriments, celebrates small-town charm.

“It features vintage-style molds but with a modern twist and color scheme,” she said. “It’s very simple yet elegant and brings back happy memories of yesteryear.”

Mud Pie is approaching the resurgence of tradition with its own signature take. For example, its upcoming Winter Wonderland collection is designed to blend classic holiday structure with an updated, highly merchandisable aesthetic.

“Our Winter Wonderland home collection feels particularly on-trend, offering a fresh take on a traditional look that can stand alone as a collection, but can be cross-merchandised beautifully among other groups,” Cullen said.

Visions of Sugarplums

Whimsy is also predicted to have a major moment this year, with a movement toward sweet, motif-driven design and unexpected-yet-joyful combinations.

Mud Pie is leaning into brighter palettes and lighthearted details, including kids’ accessories such as light-up purses and festive headbands that add a playful, festive touch.

“We’re seeing a strong pull toward the unexpected with fresh color stories, whimsical touches and products that feel crafted and meaningful,” Cullen said. “There’s also a resurgence of nostalgia, from classic icons like nutcrackers to playful, joy-sparking designs for kids. … Across the board, categories that blend practicality with a touch of whimsy always perform strongest, and we expect that momentum to continue into the holiday season in 2026.”

Primitives by Kathy also expects shoppers to gravitate toward items that “break the mold,” citing imaginative iconography like gingerbread men, friendly ghosts and pheasants.

Meanwhile, Whitehurst captured the spirit in broader terms: One of their defining moods for the season is, simply put, “fun and lively.”

No Place Like Home

As more people opt for small, at-home gatherings, items that bring comfort are likely to do well in the upcoming holiday season.

McDonough believes the lifestyle shift is rooted in how people are gathering. “People want to be in their home for the holidays, entertaining a more intimate group of maybe 20 people — not 80 people,” she said.

Mud Pie sees cozy materials playing a major role: “Comfort is another defining theme, with cozy sweaters, brushed fabrics and warm neutral tones.”

Primitives by Kathy frames the comfort trend around crafted items and DIY-inspired formats. “People are leaning into creating memories and experiences,” Gerwig said, emphasizing the importance of products that feel handmade or help create meaningful moments.

Colorway Forecast

One of the clearest shifts for holiday 2026 is the dominance of color stories — curated palettes that set the tone for both product design and how consumers decorate.

The 2026 standout? Pink.

“Pink Christmas is emerging as a standout color story for holiday 2026,” Cullen said, noting that Mud Pie pairs the shade with pops of blue for a nostalgic-yet-modern feel.

Whitehurst expects the same customer movement. “We’re gonna see a lot of pinks and reds together versus just red and green,” McDonough said, citing an evolution of traditional palettes, rather than a complete departure from them.

Additionally, Primitives by Kathy noted other expanding colorways for the year. “Pastel and moody are still going strong, but we’re also seeing bright, colorful palettes increasing in popularity,” Gerwig said. Across categories, she added, “a lot of consumers are shifting into color stories for their home décor.”

Santa-Approved Bestsellers

Home décor, hostess gifts and pieces that feel special yet functional are poised to lead the holidays this year. Mud Pie expects “hostess-ready home décor” and giftables with “immediate package-ready appeal” to perform strongly. Whitehurst agreed, citing décor and hostess gifts as top movers as consumers invest more deeply in their home environments.

Collectibles and heirloom-style pieces will also likely gain traction as customers increasingly value durability and craftsmanship over quantity. Primitives by Kathy expects continued momentum in “high-quality items that they can pass down generations,” Gerwig said.

Kids’ gifting continues to rise, especially whimsical, sensory and interactive pieces. In textiles and apparel, Mud Pie is debuting new sweaters and brushed fabrics, while plush emerges as a 2026 standout. “Plush is going to be another really strong category for holiday 2026,” Cullen said.

The Consumer Mindset

Ultimately, 2026 consumers are predicted to expect value, intention and emotional resonance from retailers.

Mud Pie notes that retailers are looking for pieces shoppers can “easily say ‘yes’ to” — items that feel versatile and smart.

Additionally, Primitives by Kathy said products must be functional: “products that they have a use for but are still aesthetically pleasing.”

Whitehurst sees sentiment as a key driver; sometimes price matters, but “that might be overridden with sentiment and thoughtfulness,” McDonough said.

In addition, smaller, affordable gifts are expected to do well if purse strings tighten or economic pressures compound, and Mud Pie is catering to that need in their upcoming collections.

“Collectible, small-scale gifting is a space with real momentum,” Cullen said. “Programs like our Simply Charming line or our Holiday Wreath magnets have strong potential to grow season over season.”

Decision fatigue, economic pressures and a desire for comfort all play a role for consumers. As Gerwig put simply, “They’re looking for a sense of safety and calm in a world of chaos.”

Wrapped Up With a Bow

Thus, for the upcoming season, balance is key.

Wholesalers recommend retailers stock shelves with classic holiday nostalgia, but don’t shy away from color-forward stories, lighthearted characters and crafted details that bring delight to customers. Blend practicality with sentiment and offer products that invite shoppers to commemorate the season in their own homes in ways that feel meaningful.

“This is the year where you should play into something for everyone,” Gerwig said. “While we are seeing that the classics are popular, there will always be those out-of-the-box thinkers that want to stray from the norm. I recommend offering a little bit of everything.”

As Whitehurst noted, the emotional core of Holiday 2026 comes down to “sentiment, home and warm feelings.”