Creating a Nostalgic Christmas: Recreating the Magic of a 90s Childhood
I was born in 1986, so the Christmases I remember best live somewhere in the heart of the 90s… those soft, blurry memories made of early mornings, cinnamon rolls baking in the oven, opening gifts in whatever pajamas I went to bed in, and the kind of excitement that made falling asleep on Christmas Eve almost impossible.
Those Christmas mornings weren’t coordinated or curated. They were simple. Warm. Real. And as I decorate my home now, that’s exactly the feeling I’m trying to bring back…not perfection, just the magic we felt when we were little.
Every piece of décor you see in these photos…my classic plaid table, the vintage reindeer, the stockings, the cozy glow…comes from that desire to recreate a feeling, not a scene.
Here’s how I’m doing it this year.
1. Starting the Morning With Cinnamon Rolls (the ultimate childhood Christmas scent)
If I close my eyes and think about Christmas as a kid, the very first thing I smell is cinnamon rolls. The kind that made the whole house feel warm and special without anyone having to do anything fancy.
That memory is what sparked the cozy, nostalgic feel of my holiday table this year.
The plaid linens, scalloped dishes, soft greenery… they’re not replicas of anything from my childhood, but they carry that same warmth.
It’s less about recreating the past and more about recreating the feeling of being cared for on Christmas morning.
2. Opening Gifts in Cozy, Ordinary Pajamas
In the 90s, no one was doing matching family pajamas. We just woke up in whatever we slept in… old T-shirts, flannel pants, stretchy leggings, fuzzy socks… and somehow that made it feel even more magical.
I try to bring that spirit into my holiday decorating now:
unfussy, cozy, relaxed.
The soft tree lights, the garlands draped loosely on the fireplace, the lived-in charm of my Santa mugs and vintage tins… they all echo that “slow morning on the carpet with wrapping paper everywhere” kind of memory.
3. Coloring Ornaments From a Christmas Coloring Book
Some of my favorite childhood ornaments weren’t store-bought at all… they were coloring pages.
Pages I colored in, cut out, and proudly hung on the tree with tape or a loop of yarn.
That memory is why I’m drawn to décor that feels sweet and handmade:
The storybook-style ornaments
The flocked reindeer
The drum planter
The nostalgic Santa faces
The garland that feels like it’s been part of Christmas forever
Nothing too perfect. Nothing too modern. Just simple charm that feels like childhood.
4. Going to My Aunt’s House Later for More Gifts and Dinner
Christmas didn’t end in the morning… we always went to my aunt’s house later in the day.
More cousins. More gifts. More food. And a whole lot of noise, laughter, and warmth.
When I decorate my fireplace, that memory is always in the back of my mind.
The stockings, the garland, the little carolers, the vintage angels above the mantel… they’re all inspired by those full, joyful family gatherings that made Christmas feel like an all-day adventure.
5. Creating Corners That Feel Like Childhood
Throughout my home, I’ve tried to bring those feelings to life in little pockets:
The Christmas table filled with greenery and plaid
The tree decorated with ornaments that feel collected, cozy, and storybook-like
The hutch filled with Santa mugs and sweet treasures
The mantel layered with stockings, berries, and old-fashioned prints
The tray with vintage deer and soft evergreen sprigs
The red lanterns, ribbon chains, and bits of whimsy tucked everywhere
None of it is meant to look overly styled.
It’s meant to feel familiar.
Like Christmas felt when we were kids.
Why I’m Craving This Kind of Christmas Now
As adults, it’s so easy for the holidays to become stressful or busy. But the Christmases we remember most were the ones rooted in simplicity:
Cinnamon rolls on the table.
Cozy pajamas.
Coloring ornaments.
Family time.
Warm lights.
Laughter.
A house filled with love.
Recreating a nostalgic Christmas isn’t about copying the past.
It’s about bringing back the feeling.
This year, that’s what I’m chasing… and every garland, stocking, reindeer, and Santa mug is helping me find it again.
Sincerely,
Kari Anne
