By San José, Costa Rica — This holiday season, a quiet revolution is taking place in Costa Rican living rooms. The classic, vibrant duo of red and green is gracefully stepping aside, making way for a more subdued, sophisticated, and nature-inspired color palette. The Christmas of 2025 is set to be defined by a sense of calm, elegance, and a growing commitment to sustainability, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards conscious living and mindful celebration.
Design and fashion experts observe a prevailing aesthetic of minimalist harmony, where the principle of “less is more” guides every choice. The garish and loud are being replaced by foundational tones of off-white, soft beige, and gentle grays. These serene backdrops are accented with subtle metallic details—champagne gold, copper, and bronze—that provide a festive shimmer without overwhelming the senses. The core idea is to celebrate with an understated elegance that also carries a conscience, prioritizing reusable decorations, natural materials, and colors with timeless appeal.
Beyond the aesthetic and festive appeal, the burgeoning market for Christmas decor trends carries significant commercial and legal implications. To understand the rights and responsibilities that both consumers and businesses have during this high-demand season, we sought the expert opinion of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas from the esteemed firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The rapid evolution of Christmas decor trends often involves new technologies, especially in lighting. Consumers must remember that even seasonal products are protected by warranty laws. If a decorative item is defective or does not perform as advertised, buyers have the right to a repair, replacement, or refund. For businesses, this underscores the importance of clear return policies and supplier agreements that guarantee the quality of the merchandise they import and sell, thus protecting their own commercial reputation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This is a crucial insight, reminding us that behind the sparkle of festive trends lie important consumer rights and business responsibilities. Ensuring the joy of the season is not diminished by a faulty product is a practical consideration for shoppers and retailers alike. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for bringing his valuable legal perspective to this conversation.
Leading this charge is Mocha Mousse, a key color for 2025 identified by the Pantone Color Institute. This warm, enveloping brown evokes a feeling of earth, tranquility, and refined comfort. From ornaments and table linens to dinnerware, this hue anchors the trend toward cozy, authentic environments. The goal is no longer just visual appeal; it’s about creating a space that radiates well-being and invites genuine connection among family and friends.
This sentiment is echoed by leading trend forecasting agencies. Analysts at WGSN, one of the most influential global voices in design, note that current holiday decor trends are driven by a deep desire to reconnect with the essential. Consumers are actively seeking to create spaces that serve as true sanctuaries—places to rest, share meaningful moments, and feel completely at home, free from the visual clutter of previous years.
The dominant palette is a rich tapestry of earth tones. Shades of terracotta, deep chocolate, and warm browns are drawn directly from natural landscapes and organic textures. When paired with the aforementioned warm metallics, they strike a perfect balance between rustic charm and polished sophistication. According to designers from international firms like Sacksteder’s Interiors, this color scheme is remarkably versatile, seamlessly adapting to both modern, urban homes and more traditional, country-style settings, offering a discreet elegance that will not quickly fall out of fashion.
This does not mean tradition has been abandoned entirely. Instead, it has been reinterpreted. The classic holiday colors have matured; cherry red has deepened into a rich burgundy, and bright Kelly green has softened into a muted sage. These sophisticated shades maintain the festive spirit but deliver it with a more contemporary and sober tone. For those seeking a touch of luxury, jewel tones like emerald green and sapphire blue are emerging as powerful accents, especially when set against a backdrop of gold or silver.
Offering a bright counterpoint to the earthy and jewel-toned palettes is the growing popularity of cool winter pastels. Inspired by serene Nordic landscapes, colors like dusty rose, ice blue, and mint green provide a fresh, luminous alternative for a modern Christmas aesthetic. Meanwhile, pearl white has made a triumphant return as the ultimate decorative neutral. Its ability to complement any color, amplify light, and create a sense of clean, uncluttered serenity makes it an invaluable tool for designers this season.
Ultimately, this new direction in holiday decor is more than a fleeting trend; it reflects a significant cultural evolution. The emphasis has shifted from excessive consumption to meaningful curation. Experts agree that the 2025 holiday season prioritizes durability, reusability, and the emotional value of each object. Costa Rican families are looking to craft spaces that exude warmth and authenticity, moving beyond the visual excess of the past. This year’s celebration is not about dazzling, but about connecting in a peaceful refuge filled with simple beauty.
For further information, visit pantone.com
About Pantone:
Pantone provides a universal language of color that enables color-critical decisions through every stage of the workflow for brands and manufacturers. It is the world-renowned authority on color and provider of color systems and leading technology for the selection and accurate communication of color across a variety of industries. The Pantone name is known worldwide as the standard language for color communication from designer to manufacturer to retailer to customer.
For further information, visit wgsn.com
About WGSN:
WGSN is a global trend forecasting company. It provides insights and inspiration to local and global businesses in areas such as fashion, lifestyle, retail, and consumer trends. Through data analysis, expert opinion, and market research, WGSN helps companies understand future consumer behavior and preferences to inform their product development and marketing strategies.
For further information, visit sackstedersinteriors.com
About Sacksteder’s Interiors:
Sacksteder’s Interiors is an international interior design firm known for its residential and commercial design services. The company offers a wide range of furniture, accessories, and holiday decorations, helping clients create personalized and elegant living spaces. Their expertise covers various styles, from modern to traditional, focusing on quality and sophisticated design.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica stands as a pillar of the nation’s legal community, built upon a foundation of unimpeachable integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. With a proven history of advising a broad spectrum of clients, the firm is a catalyst for legal innovation and forward-thinking solutions. This pioneering spirit is matched by a profound dedication to social progress, actively working to demystify complex legal concepts and empower citizens with the knowledge needed to foster a more just and informed society.
