Holiday Colors
A Brief History of Holiday Colors!
Have you ever wondered why certain colors instantly come to mind when you think of the holidays? Red, green, gold, and white each have a rich history that includes ancient tradition, religious significance, and even modern marketing.
And to those who celebrate—merry Christmas Eve! Before we explore the history of holiday colors, I’d love to know which colors you enjoy decorating with most.
Green
Green has been a wintertime favorite for centuries, long before the holidays as we know them. Ancient cultures, like the Celts and Romans, used evergreen plants—such as holly, ivy, and mistletoe—during their winter solstice celebrations.
These resilient plants symbolized life and hope during the darker months. Over time, this meaning carried into modern holiday traditions, with evergreen trees and wreaths becoming symbols of renewal and endurance.
Red
Red has its roots in both ancient and modern traditions. The bright red berries of holly, often used in solstice celebrations, later became symbols of life and vitality.
For many, red has religious significance as well, representing themes of love, sacrifice, and celebration.
Red also largely became synonymous with holiday cheer through Santa Claus’s outfit, which was only popularized illustrations in the 19th century.
The other week I talked about Coca-Cola Red, and if you didn’t know, Coca-Cola's 1930s advertisements, created by artist Haddon Sundblom, actually played a massive role in standardizing Santa’s red suit in popular culture!
Prior to this, Santa Claus was depicted in various colors (including red, green, and tan). The soda brand helped make red Santa the most iconic and widely imitated!
Gold
In short, gold has always been tied to celebration and luxury, making it a natural fit for the holidays!
Historically, gold also carries religious connotations, from the gifts brought by the Wise Men to its use in religious decorations.
Today, gold adds sparkle and warmth to the season, whether through ornaments, ribbon, or shimmering lights.
White
White mainly represents purity, peace, and the beauty of snow-covered landscapes. Its association with the holidays stems partly from the winter season itself and partly from traditions like lighting white candles during celebrations.
Aside from snow, this color definitely brings a sense of calm and coziness to the festivities when it comes to decor!
Tying it All Together
So while red, green, gold, and white are the traditional holiday colors, the season’s palette has expanded over time to also include shades like silver, blue, and even modern pastels.
Still, these classic colors remain at the heart of celebrations, connecting today’s traditions to centuries-old customs. Happy holidays everyone!
