Large scale purple and silver shining bows and ribbons laced throughout the house will make any living space festive and different!
The history and meaning behind traditional Christmas colors
When you close your eyes and picture Christmas decorations all over your home from childhood, what colors do you see? If you’re met with all things red and green, we’re not at all surprised since it’s the standard Christmas color combination. But what is it about these cheery hues that makes them fit for the holiday? And when did gold, white and purple get added to the mix?
As it turns out, the origins go way back, and as expected, the colors have roots in Christianity. But from a psychological standpoint, it makes perfect sense why our homes are brimming with red, green, gold, white and purple decor come Christmastime.
Read on to find out why these common Christmas colors go together like Santa and his sleigh, along with a breakdown of the history and meaning behind each seasonal shade. That way you can decorate with purpose this year or at the very least, wow everyone with a bit of Christmas trivia during your festivities.
Christmas colors and their meaning
Red
“No one knows for certain how red and green became the iconic Christmastime color scheme,” Lori Sawaya, color strategist at The Land of Color and expert on colorimetry, or the art and science of color, tells TODAY.com. “Theories abound.”
Sawaya says that most Christians believe red symbolizes the blood of Christ’s crucifixion. And when it comes to the classic color combination, green represents renewal and eternal life through Jesus, whose birth is celebrated on Dec. 25.
From a color psychology perspective, red demands visual attention and communicates dynamic, strong, and confident feelings, according to Sawaya. Just think about Coca-Cola’s iconic ad campaign from the 1930s. Santa’s bright red suit is just one example of leveraging this holiday hue to grab everyone’s attention during an otherwise chaotic holiday season.
Green
Bob Richter, vintage lifestyle expert and author of A Very Vintage Christmas (and A Very Vintage Holiday, which will be published in 2023), says it’s difficult to separate red and green because they “really are the quintessential Christmas color combination.”
“The best example of this is holly and ivy, which remains brilliant and abundant during the winter, when other shrubs and trees shed their leaves,” he tells TODAY.com. “Some say the holly is the Christ child and the ivy is his mother Mary.”
The roots of bringing holly and ivy indoors goes back to the Celts, who Richter says reportedly used it to ward off evil spirits. “It was also the Celts and/or Pagans who began bringing in greens as a way to honor the change in seasons and bring life into their homes during the cold winter months.”
Christians eventually adopted this tradition, displaying green through wreaths, swags and evergreen trees.
As for holly, Sawaya adds that it “symbolizes good luck, protection and prosperity for the new year.”
Many credit modern commercialism for solidifying red and green as the classic Christmas color palette. “Part of the magic of red and green is each amplifies the other because they sit on opposite sides of the color wheel, making them complementary colors,” Sawaya tells TODAY.com.
Gold
Glimmering gold is associated with Christmas because, as the story goes, the Three Wise Men brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to the “Christ Child.”
“Because of its association with great financial value, gold is the color of prosperity and abundance,” Richter says. “Adding gold to your home at the holidays is a way of celebrating these gifts and inviting in even more of them.” Perhaps the most opulent holiday color, it shows up frequently in bows, ornaments, candlesticks and other glittering decor.
“Gold can also be a metaphor for the Star of Bethlehem,” Richter adds.
Gold does have a way of making a holiday gathering look instantly festive. As Sawaya points out, “Gold amplifies a sense of celebration and extravagance that many feel during the special time of year as the holidays roll into a new year.”
White
“Christmas is about the birth of Jesus, and white aligns with God’s promise of life everlasting and the purity, hope and goodness that Jesus’ life and death represent,” Sawaya says.
Religious tie-in aside, white is a color that’s naturally linked to the freshly fallen snow in winter. For that reason, Richter adds that white decorations can be left up all season long, everything from cotton batting that resemble snowy landscapes to white lights for an inviting glow.
“Even if white winter snow doesn’t blanket where you live, it’s ubiquitous in decorations and greeting card artwork,” Sawaya says. “Dreaming of a white Christmas can, after all, be done from anywhere.”
Purple
“Purple is the color of royalty, and many (Christians) associate it with the King of Kings, Jesus Christ,” Richter says. That explains why we often see purple used throughout Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas.
“A purple candle is lit each week to signify the coming of Christ,” Richter continues. “Of course, adding purple adds a richness to holiday decor and also creates a feeling of celebration and opulence.”
Purple has long been considered to be a regal and royal color because, as Sawaya explains, prior to 1856, purple dyes and pigments were rare and only the wealthiest could afford it. That all changed when chemistry student William Perkin stumbled upon a way to produce mauve-colored dye while working on a malaria treatment at the Royal College of London.
Bring on the Christmas cheer
- Things to buy your friend who’s obsessed with all things Christmas
- The best Christmas movies to watch for instant holiday cheer
- Christmas songs to add to your holiday playlist
“The world and the color purple would never be the same,” Sawaya says. “Even though Perkin’s discovery democratized the color purple, associating it with wealth, royalty and mystery carries on. No other color conveys specialness and the essence of sacredness like purple.”
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer living in Madison, Wisconsin. She specializes in writing about home design and decor, wellness and mental health, and other lifestyle topics, contributing to national publications like Good Housekeeping, AARP The Magazine, USA Today, and more. When she’s not writing, you can find her shopping flea markets and exploring local trails with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
Why You Should Incorporate A Bit Of Purple In Your Christmas Decor
Christmas, in essence, is about excess and abundance. Even if you observe the holiday simply, the season itself is about reveling in heightened sensations: the smell and sight of fresh snow, the warmth and sound of a crackling fire, the lyricism of carols, and the aroma of cookies baking. It would be easy to go on and on, but we have decorating to do. That is another delight of Christmas. Garlands hanging from staircase banisters and fences, a wreath welcoming guests at the front door, and of course the apogee of decorations — the Christmas tree, which started as a Germanic tradition as far back as the 1550s, according to The German Way.
Grand, elegant, rustic, traditional, or fun, our holiday décor is a celebration, as well as an illustration of our personalities. Many of us sink into a method, using the same ornaments, ribbons, and wreaths year after year. Certainly, there are sentimental reasons for that. Yet adding something different or changing up our usual standards can offer a fresh perspective and revived appreciation, a reminder of a loveliness that brought us joy in the first place. With that in mind, trying a new color could be just the switch that dials up the Christmas cheer. And why not turn to one of the most royal colors for one of the most festive holidays?
Purple’s royal beginning
Purple, although not associated as emphatically with Christmas as the typical red and green, is in fact a very traditional color for the holiday. Bob Richter, author of “A Very Vintage Christmas” said in Today, “Purple is the color of royalty, and many (Christians) associate it with the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.” It’s the principal color representation of Advent. Originally, the pigments required to create purple textiles were both extremely rare and expensive, therefore only the elite could be enrobed in the hue. The outlet explains that this changed when a method for manufacturing a mauve dye was mistakenly discovered by chemistry student William Perkin in the mid-1800s. “The world and the color purple would never be the same,” Lori Sawaya, a color strategist told Today. “Even though Perkin’s discovery democratized the color purple, associating it with wealth, royalty, and mystery carries on. No other color conveys specialness and the essence of sacredness like purple,” she explained.
Gold is another tone steeped in religion; it’s one of the gifts bestowed by the Three Wise Men and is sometimes viewed as symbolic of the Christmas Star. It’s no surprise that purple combined with gold in holiday decorations can hold significant meaning for many while it creates an opulent picture. From a visual standpoint, the tones are almost opposite on the color wheel which means they are complementary, enhancing one another’s properties and making for a richer experience.
Purple’s regal bearing
Purple has a legion of fans outside of (or alongside) its religious context. The Purpleologist is a shop and devotional blog, extolling all virtues of the color. They say mixing decorations in purple, gold, and silver creates an effect reminiscent of light shimmering on the snow’s surface. They recommend stringing white and purple exterior lights instead of the conventional colors for a bit of magic, tying velvet or satin bows on the tree, and hanging glittery purple ornaments.
Per the Purpleologist, the combination of purple and green lends a vintage look, however, we at House Digest believe it’s all in the shades and application. A wreath festooned with a gem-toned bow, dried flowers, or feathers can be modern and elegant, especially when a vibrant or deep background sets it off beautifully. The color pairing is appropriate for any style of decorating and is equally impacted by materials, patterns, and textures. Consider the traditional elegance of a wide, crisp velvet bow or the simple rusticity of raw-edged, wilting linen. Compare droll polka-dots to Victorian florals. Finally, the tones of purple and green displayed together matter. Both colors share blue as a component, therefore evergreens that skew blue will be harmonious, whereas lime and chartreuse greenery (closer to purple’s opposite yellow) will seem poppy and energetic. Incorporate additional shades to amplify your favorite aesthetic: silver, black, persimmon, turquoise, burgundy, and yellow. When you begin with jewel-like purple, the inspiration is jubilantly endless.
Lace Your House With Purple Lights
Christmas lights lining the roofline and twinkling in the trees adds a little extra magic to Christmas. They bring holiday cheer to your home and have become a traditional family outing during the holiday season. Families travel long distances to see the brightest, boldest set up. In some neighborhoods, it has even become somewhat of a competition to see who can be the most creative with their lights .
This year get creative with purple lights. Lace your trees and house with lighter and darker shades of purple. Add white lights for a touch of serenity.
So often we see the typical green, red, and blue lights. These traditional colors are timeless, but switch it up with something a little more modern and elegant by using purple!
Turn Your Tree Purple
For many families, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of Christmas. It is a tradition that we all look forward to each year. Every family has a different idea of how they want their tree to be designed. There is no right or wrong to decorating your tree, but if you ask us at Purpleologist , we believe purple in particular makes for the best tree!
Purple is known as the color of royalty, why not bring a touch of royal to your tree? Decorate your masterpiece in rich purple and violet shades. As mentioned earlier, purple pairs well with the other Christmas colors, gold and silver. Use all three of the mentioned colors to lace your tree with velvet and sparkling ribbons. Glitter coated ornaments will also bring an element of boldness to your rooms centerpiece.
Breaking from tradition is a growing trend, so be different, standout! Go PURPLE!
How to go Purple
Going purple for Christmas can be difficult. It is easy to find the traditional colors red and green in a variety of different ornaments and decor but maybe not so easy for purple.
However, whatever ornaments you choose can be sprayed painted to purple- never underestimate the power of a can of spray paint! You can also use purple glitter to add that sparkle.
However you decide to decorate, purple will be sure to please Santa! He will be especially happy with any purple Christmas cookies you leave! Click here for a sugar cookie recipe and enjoy!
Happy Holidays to all from us in sunny and warm North Myrtle Beach!
- #decorate for the holidays with purple
- #purple christmas
- #purple christmas cookies
- #purple christmas tree
