14 Types of Holiday Wreaths That Are Past Their Prime

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Yes, wreaths adorn front doors all over neighborhoods during the holiday season, twinkling lights and bringing cheer. But let’s be honest: Not all wreaths are spreading good vibes. Some have outstayed their welcome, looking more tired than festive. So if your wreath isn’t so much a ‘holiday statement’ and more of a ‘holiday question mark,’ it might be time to move it down on the hierarchy of your holiday decorating line up.

Wreaths are a story teller, the teller that welcomes your guests and sets the mood for your festivities. Yet, certain styles are starting to feel like a Christmas sweater that’s been washed one too many times: stretched thin, a little frayed around the edges, and a bit out of step with the times. Let’s take a small walk through some of the wreath types that are officially on the naughty list.

Pinecones and Red Bows

You know the one: A wreath of fake holly berries, pinecones and a big red velvet bow that could have been pulled from the ’90s. Once upon a time, it yelled ‘traditional’ but now it hints at ‘grandma’s attic.’ If you’re hanging on to this one, think a new update with fresh greenery or a minimal aesthetic.

Tinsel Explosion

Back in the day tinsel wreaths were fun; like disco balls for your door. But now? They’re ‘over the top Vegas’ rather than ‘holiday chic’. Swap the sparkle overload for a modern metallic wreath that’s shiny without being gaudy.

Plastic Fruits

Plastic apples, grapes and pears on a wreath were their heyday in some bygone era, but now they’re like a time capsule from a home decor museum. Instead, let’s leave the fake produce to school craft projects and accent with a natural such as dried oranges or cinnamon sticks.

Feather Wreaths

In those days, feather wreaths were a whimsical trend, especially in stark whites or pastels. Today, they’re more likely to leave your guests wondering if a bird lost its wardrobe. A better alternative? Subtle pops of color and even more greenery, but textured.

Artificial Snow Overkill

You’ve probably seen them: wreaths covered in fake snow that’s more blizzard than light dusting. Instead of an over frosed look, try a more subtle snow tipped edge that resembles the real thing, but not like it was achieved by a can of spray paint.

Over-the-Top Monograms

While I appreciate personalized decor, I don’t think oversized monograms in the middle of a wreath are quite as cute as they seem. The same statement can be made in a tasteful way without being overwhelming, through the use of a tasteful tag or ribbon with your family name.

Burlap Everything

Pinterest loved the burlap wreaths, but now they just feel tired and dusty. If you can’t get enough of a rustic look, consider adding things like wood or pinecones to a more modern wreath design.

All-Gold Everything

The era of the gold wreath sparkle was heavy, but they can sometimes be a bit too much of a ‘flashy’ read for festive. Change this by mixing metals—bronze, silver, and gold—to create a sophisticated layering of metals.

Plastic Ornaments

Ornament wreaths made entirely of plastic balls are kind of like a craft store explosion. They’re heavy, fragile, and can pretty much only be used to yell ‘clutter.’ On a greenery based wreath, a few thoughtfully placed ornaments feel more elegant than messy.

Neon Lights

A neon lit up wreath may have been cool for a hot minute, but it’s not a cozy holiday scene, maybe okay for a roadside diner. Try warm fairy lights woven into a natural wreath for a warm glow.

Mesh Ribbons

Those mega poufy deco mesh wreaths that look like they belong on a parade float? Time to let those go. Pick a clean minimalist design that feels timeless not trendy. “The best holiday decor feels natural and intentional,” home design expert Emily Henderson once said. That’s what you should be going for.

Overly Fake Greenery

Surprising Items Interior Designers Say You Need to Ditch ASAP! — Photo Credit: Pexels

Shiny plastic greenery that’s obviously synthetically doesn’t cut it anymore. According to the Statista, their research shows that consumers prefer real pine or high quality faux greenery to fake greenery because it looks real.

Velvet Everything

Photo Credit: Megan Shandel/Shutterstock

Velvet accents can make for a luxurious addition to holiday decor, but a velvet bow or ribbon wreath entirely covered in velvet bows or ribbon? That’s a one way ticket to dated-ville. Velvet is modern if used sparingly.

Candy Cane Stripes

Red and white wreaths can be candy cane striped to the point of feeling an overdose of chaos. Instead of going over the top, weave in subtle red and white accents into a greenery based design as your nod to the holiday classic.

Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.