By Cristina Arlia, Founder of Buy Wall Art · Updated November 2026
A traditional Christmas is red, green and gold: a wreath above the fireplace, stockings on the mantel, a tree full of red and gold ornaments, and classic art like Santa Claus, gold bells or a nutcracker on the walls. It is bolder and brighter than a vintage or neutral Christmas, so choose wall art with clear red and green details, frame it in dark wood or black, and repeat its colors in garland, candles and ribbon.
Below are traditional Christmas ideas for the living room, entryway, dining room and study, the classic red and green palette, and how to style it so it looks rich rather than busy.
Key Takeaways
Traditional Christmas style is built on true red, evergreen and gold, with white as an accent
Wreaths, Santa Claus, gold bells and nutcrackers are the classic subjects for traditional wall art
Dark wood or black frames make the reds and greens stand out
Deep cranberry and forest green look richer than bright red and lime green
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What Is Traditional Christmas Style?
Traditional Christmas style is the classic family Christmas most people grew up with: a green tree with red and gold ornaments, a wreath on the door, stockings on the mantel, candles in brass holders and Santa Claus everywhere. The colors are true red, evergreen and gold, with white for snow and candlelight. It is brighter than vintage Christmas style, which uses muted, aged colors, and broader than the heritage tartan look. Wall art fits in when it shows one of the classic Christmas symbols clearly and in strong color. For the softer, old-world version, see vintage Christmas wall art ideas, and for tartan, see Ralph Lauren Christmas wall art.
Traditional Christmas Wall Art Ideas
1. A Christmas Wreath Above the Fireplace
The wreath is the most traditional Christmas symbol, and above a brick fireplace it makes the whole room feel ready for the holidays. The Christmas Wreath print shows an evergreen wreath with red berries and a plaid bow on a cream background, so it stands out against brick, wood paneling or a colored wall. Center it above the mantel at about two-thirds the mantel's width, then add pine garland, red taper candles in brass holders and stockings below. For mantel sizing, see what to hang above a fireplace for Christmas.
2. Classic Santa Claus in the Entryway
Santa Claus is the heart of a traditional Christmas, and the entryway is where guests see him first. The Vintage Santa Claus print shows Santa with his gift sack in a snowy forest, in deep red against soft winter tones. Hang it above a console or bench with a tabletop tree or a bowl of ornaments below. For more entry ideas, see Christmas entryway and hallway wall art ideas.
3. Gold Bells in the Dining Room
Gold bells with a red bow are classic Christmas in a single image, and they suit a formal dining room. The Vintage Christmas Bells print shows two brass bells tied with a red velvet bow. Against hunter green walls and a mahogany sideboard with brass candlesticks and red candles, it brings the red and gold together. For the full room, see Christmas dining room wall art ideas.
4. A Nutcracker in the Study or Library
The nutcracker is one of the most recognizable traditional Christmas figures, and one on the wall looks at home among books and leather. The Vintage Nutcracker print shows a classic soldier nutcracker in navy, cream and gold. Hang it between bookcases or above a chesterfield, then add pine garland and red velvet bows along the shelves.
5. A Lit Christmas Tree Print
Where there is no space for a real tree, or you want a tree in a second room, a tree print fills the gap. The Lit Christmas Tree print shows a glowing Christmas tree on a snowy street lined with lamp posts. In a natural or dark wood frame it suits a hallway, a guest room or the wall above a bar cart.
Red and Green Christmas Wall Art
Red and green is the color pair most people think of first for Christmas. To make it look rich instead of busy:
Deep red over bright red: cranberry, crimson and burgundy look warmer than fire-engine red.
Evergreen over lime: forest and hunter green, like real pine.
Gold to connect them: brass candlesticks, gold ornaments and art with gold details, like the bells print.
Cream or white to rest the eye: a cream background in the art, white candles or a white mantel.
Choose art that already has two of these colors, then repeat them in ribbon, pillows and garland.
How to Style Traditional Christmas Wall Art
Frame it dark: dark walnut, brown or black frames suit traditional rooms and make red and green stand out.
One symbol per wall: a wreath, a Santa or bells on each wall, not all three together.
Layer the classics below: garland, stockings, brass candlesticks and red candles.
Size it to the furniture: about two-thirds of the mantel, sideboard or console width. Sizes run from 11x14 to 24x36 inches, with 30x40 and 36x48 inches on select artwork.
Light it warm: candles and warm white lights bring out the reds and golds in the evening.
For a matching set on one long wall, see Christmas gallery wall ideas.
Traditional, Vintage or Ralph Lauren Christmas?
These three looks share many of the same symbols, so it helps to know which one you want. Traditional is bright and classic: true red, evergreen and gold, with Santa, wreaths and bells. Vintage is softer and aged, with muted colors and old-world scenes like snowy villages and carriages. Ralph Lauren style is heritage tartan, burgundy, navy and brass, for a country estate feel. A wreath or bells print can work in all three; the frame and the colors around it decide which one it reads as.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is traditional Christmas style?
Traditional Christmas style is the classic way of decorating for the holidays, built on red, green and gold, a green tree with red and gold ornaments, wreaths, stockings, candles and familiar symbols like Santa Claus, bells and nutcrackers.
What are the traditional Christmas colors?
The traditional Christmas colors are red, green and gold, with white as an accent. Red and green come from holly, berries and evergreens, and gold from candlelight and ornaments.
How do you make a red and green Christmas look elegant?
To make a red and green Christmas look elegant, choose deep shades like cranberry and forest green instead of bright ones, connect them with gold or brass, and leave some cream or white in the room. One strong piece of art in these colors does more than lots of little decorations.
What is the difference between traditional and vintage Christmas style?
The difference between traditional and vintage Christmas style is mostly color. Traditional Christmas uses bright, true red, evergreen and gold, while vintage Christmas uses muted, aged colors like brick red, sage and antique gold, with old-world scenes like snowy villages and carriages.
Bring a Traditional Christmas Home
Start with the fireplace: hang a wreath print above the mantel and add garland, stockings and red candles below. Then add one classic piece in the room guests see first, like Santa in the entryway or gold bells in the dining room, and frame everything in dark wood or black so the reds and greens stand out. Keep to red, green and gold with a little cream, and the whole house will feel like the Christmas everyone remembers. Every print is made to order and ready to hang.
Next steps: browse the Christmas wall art collection, see Christmas wall art ideas for every room, or find a print for someone else in Christmas wall art gift ideas. Order by December 6 for delivery before Christmas.
About the author
Cristina Arlia is the founder of Buy Wall Art, an online wall art store offering made-to-order stretched canvas, framed canvas and framed fine art prints, with free shipping across the U.S. and Canada.
