Let’s be real for a second—scrolling through Pinterest during the holidays can be stressful. You see these stunning, dark and dramatic homes that look like they belong in a magazine, and then you look at your own budget and think, “No way.” I used to think achieving that high-end look required a professional designer and a credit card with no limit. But the truth is, creating a Moody Christmas aesthetic is actually easier (and cheaper!) than the traditional bright red and green explosion.
This year, we are embracing the Jewel Tone Christmas Decor trend. I’m talking about the “Gilded Gemstone Approach”—using affordable brass and gold accents to make deep emeralds, sapphires, and rubies absolutely glow. Whether you love a deep red and blue Christmas theme or a sleek Emerald and Gold Christmas, this list is your ultimate guide to Luxe holiday styling without the luxe price tag. Get ready for cozy nights and guests who will think you hired a decorator! 🎄 🎀 ✨
🎄 My Top 3 Favorites
Here are the ideas from the list below that I personally swear by:
- Most “High-End” Look: The ‘Gilded Emerald’ Library Tree (#1)
- Easiest to Set Up: The Ruby Red Velvet Dining Chairs (#3)
- Best for Small Spaces: The ‘Mixed Gem’ Centerpiece Bowl (#4)
🛍️ The “Holiday Styling Kit”
Before we dive in, grab these 5 essentials. Trust me, having these on hand makes the whole “Jewel Tone” transformation happen in minutes.
- Luxury Velvet Ribbon Spools (Deep Emerald & Burgundy)
- Gold Rub ‘n Buff or Metallic Spray Paint (For DIY upgrades)
- Warm White LED Fairy Lights (Copper wire blends best!)
- Gold/Brass Ornament Hooks (The visible hardware adds a vintage vibe)
- Assorted Shatterproof Baubles (Matte and shiny mix)
12 Luxe Jewel Tone Decor Ideas You’ll Love
1. The ‘Gilded Emerald’ Library Tree ❄️
This styling technique uses a deep forest green base loaded with varying shades of emerald ornaments, using heavy antique gold garlands to break up the darkness. It creates a Luxe holiday styling vibe that feels incredibly traditional yet modern. The layers of green-on-green make the tree look fuller and more expensive than it actually is.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • 4-inch wide gold mesh ribbon • Matte emerald baubles • Antique brass tree topper | Best For: Living Room / Main Tree Time: 1 Hour Budget: $$ |
📸 A close-up of a lush **Christmas tree** adorned with *emerald green ornaments* and draped with a thick **gold mesh ribbon**.
🐦 Why I love it: This adds instant volume and shimmer to dark branches without needing 100 extra ornaments. #NancyApproved
2. The Sapphire & Brass Mantel Scape ❄️
This is a dramatic fireplace display using navy or midnight blue taper candles and velvet stockings against lush greenery, accented with bright brass candlesticks for contrast. It perfectly captures that Moody Christmas aesthetic by balancing deep shadows with warm metallic reflections.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Blue velvet stockings • Assorted brass candlesticks • Seeded eucalyptus garland | Best For: Fireplace Mantel Time: 30 Minutes Budget: $$ |
📸 A low-light shot of a fireplace mantel featuring **navy blue tapers** in varied **brass holders** nestled in *eucalyptus*.
🐦 Why I love it: These are timeless—I use them for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even romantic Valentine’s dinners. #NancyApproved
3. The Ruby Red Velvet Dining Chairs ❄️
This is an easy textile swap using burgundy velvet ribbons tied in bows on the backs of dining chairs, accented with a small gold bell or sprig of green. It brings a Jewel tone holiday color palette into the dining room without needing new furniture.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Wide burgundy satin or velvet ribbon • Small gold bells • Floral wire | Best For: Dining Room Time: 15 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 The back of a wooden dining chair featuring a luscious **burgundy velvet bow** with a tiny *gold bell* dangling from the center.
🐦 Why I love it: Velvet texture instantly makes even basic folding chairs look like expensive rentals. #NancyApproved
4. The ‘Mixed Gem’ Centerpiece Bowl ❄️
A budget-friendly coffee table styling trick using a vintage gold or brass bowl filled with an intentional mix of ruby, emerald, and sapphire ornaments. This is elegant maximalist Christmas decor at its finest—simple concept, big impact.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Large brass bowl (thrifted) • Battery fairy lights • Surplus jewel-tone ornaments | Best For: Coffee Table or Entry Console Time: 5 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 A vintage **brass bowl** overflowing with *jewel-tone ornaments* and glowing with warm **fairy lights**.
🐦 Why I love it: It’s the perfect way to use those random leftover ornaments that didn’t fit on the tree. #NancyApproved
5. Peacock Palette Wreath ❄️
This door statement piece shifts away from red/green, focusing on teal, sapphire, and purple tones with gold dipped feathers for a moody, exotic entrance. It creates a sapphire blue Christmas tree vibe but for your front door!
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Peacock feathers • Teal satin ribbon • Gold spray-painted dried leaves | Best For: Front Door or Entryway Mirror Time: 45 Minutes Budget: $$$ |
📸 A stunning wreath featuring **teal and purple ribbons**, accented with iridescent *peacock feathers* and splashes of **gold leaf**.
🐦 Why I love it: These natural gems add a color complexity that plastic ornaments just can’t replicate. #NancyApproved
🎅 Quick Question!
White lights or Multi-colored lights? Tell me in the comments!
6. The Amethyst & Gold Bar Cart ❄️
Bring the jewel tones to your party station using purple glassware, gold-rimmed tumblers, and deep plum florals. This fits perfectly with mixed metal holiday decor styles and makes every drink feel like a special occasion.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Colored glassware (purple/amber) • Gold cocktail shaker • Bottle brush trees in jewel tones | Best For: Bar Cart / Sideboard Time: 20 Minutes Budget: $$ |
📸 A chic **bar cart** styled with *amethyst glassware* and a gleaming **gold cocktail shaker** next to a mini bottle brush tree.
🐦 Why I love it: It catches the light beautifully and makes even a simple glass of water look fancy. #NancyApproved
7. DIY Metallic-Dipped ‘Ruby’ Pears ❄️
Get a high-end look for pennies by painting faux fruit (pears or pomegranates) deep ruby/burgundy, and gold-leafing one side for a decadent tablescape filler. These are perfect DIY gold leaf ornaments that look bespoke.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Faux fruit • Dark red acrylic paint • Gold leaf sheets or gold paint pen | Best For: Dining Table Runner Time: 1 Hour (plus dry time) Budget: $ |
📸 A cluster of deep **burgundy pears** on a table, each featuring a patch of shimmering *gold leaf* on the side.
🐦 Why I love it: A little gold leaf goes a long way, and it’s so satisfying to peel back the sheet! #NancyApproved
8. The ‘Moody Magic’ Staircase ❄️
Cascade greenery down the banister interwoven with thick sapphire ribbon and clusters of gold bells, avoiding the traditional bright red. This creates dramatic holiday interiors right in your hallway.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Real-touch cedar garland • Navy blue wired ribbon • Cluster of vintage brass bells | Best For: Staircase Time: 45 Minutes Budget: $$ |
📸 A sweeping staircase banister wrapped in **cedar garland**, tied with **navy ribbon**, and accented with hanging *brass bells*.
🐦 Why I love it: The dark blue contrasts so well with wood banisters, feeling moody and elegant. #NancyApproved
9. Jewel Box Gift Wrapping ❄️
Use the base of the tree as decor by wrapping gifts in solid jewel-tone matte papers (mustard, teal, maroon) topped exclusively with metallic gold ribbons. It’s a clean, Emerald and Gold Christmas look that reduces visual clutter.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Solid color wrapping paper pack • Satin gold ribbon • Double-sided tape | Best For: Under the Tree Time: Varies Budget: $ |
📸 A stack of gifts wrapped in **matte teal and maroon paper**, all tied with identical shimmering *gold satin bows*.
🐦 Why I love it: Satin ribbon ties the most perfect, floppy bows that look professionally done. #NancyApproved
10. The Amber & Topaz Lighting Glow ❄️
Focus on the “Gold” aspect of jewel tones by using amber-glass votives and warm light strings to create that sultry “speakeasy” Christmas vibe. This solves the issue of lighting dark decor!
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Amber glass candle holders • Beeswax taper candles • Dimmable lamps | Best For: Windowsills or Mantels Time: 10 Minutes Budget: $$ |
📸 A cozy windowsill arranged with glowing **amber glass votives** and tall *beeswax candles* creating a warm aura.
🐦 Why I love it: The amber glass turns harsh LED light into a warm, honey-colored glow. #NancyApproved
11. The Velvet Ornament Cluster Trick ❄️
Update a generic wreath or garland by wiring together clusters of 3 rich velvet Christmas ornaments (one of each jewel tone) to create focal points. This brings texture and luxury to cheap greenery.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Small velvet ornaments (sets of 12) • Florist wire • Command hooks | Best For: Mirrors or Wall Sconces Time: 20 Minutes Budget: $ |
📸 A close-up of a pine garland featuring a tight cluster of **velvet ornaments** in *mustard, teal, and ruby*.
🐦 Why I love it: Texture is key! These soft ornaments add a cozy feel that shiny plastic just can’t match. #NancyApproved
12. The Midnight Bedroom Switch ❄️
Bring the theme into the bedroom by swapping throw pillows for deep sapphire or emerald velvet covers and adding a small unlit tree with metallic accents. It creates a cozy retreat that feels like a boutique hotel.
| 📝 What You Need | ✨ Why It Works |
|---|---|
| • Jewel-tone velvet pillow covers • Faux fur throw • Mini gold tinsel tree | Best For: Master Bedroom Time: 15 Minutes Budget: $$ |
📸 A cozy bed layered with **sapphire velvet pillows** and a *faux fur throw*, with a small **gold tree** on the nightstand.
🐦 Why I love it: Pillow covers are the easiest way to change a room’s season without storing bulky pillows. #NancyApproved
Whether you commit to a single monochrome emerald look or mix the entire jewelry box for a maximalist masterpiece, the secret lies in the metallic accents that make these dark colors shine. You don’t need a huge budget to make your home feel rich and inviting this season.
Which jewel tone speaks to your holiday spirit this year: The drama of Sapphire, the warmth of Ruby, or the elegance of Emerald? Drop your favorite in the comments!
Don’t lose this inspiration! Pin this ‘Jewel Tone Decor Guide’ to your Holiday 2024 board on Pinterest. 📌
