You know that feeling when you walk into a house and it smells like pine but looks like a magazine, yet you still feel like you can actually sit on the sofa? That’s the magic Shea McGee has basically bottled up. If you’ve been scrolling through Instagram or Pinterest lately, you’ve definitely seen it. The McGee and Co Christmas aesthetic isn't just about putting up a tree; it’s about a vibe that feels "collected," not just "decorated."
Honestly, it’s a relief. We’re moving away from those hyper-perfect, stiff holiday setups.
People are obsessed with this look because it feels attainable, even if your budget doesn't quite match the McGee & Co. price tags. It’s about the mix. You've got the high-end brass bells from their main line mixed with a cedar garland that looks like you just foraged it from the backyard. It's relaxed. It's "New Heritage." And for 2025 and 2026, the brand is doubling down on some surprising shifts that move beyond just "neutral everything."
The McGee and Co Christmas Shift: What’s Actually New?
For a long time, the Studio McGee brand was the undisputed king of the "White and Bright" Christmas. You know the one—cream stockings, white ceramic houses, and maybe a hint of green. But things are changing.
In the latest 2025 and 2026 previews, Shea has been talking a lot about "Hollywood Cottage" and "Old World charm." What does that mean for your living room? It means silver is making a massive comeback. For years, brass was the only metal that mattered in the McGee world. Now, we’re seeing pewter frames, silver bow taper holders, and vintage-inspired silver trays.
It’s a bit of a curveball.
We’re also seeing a lot more "pattern on pattern." Think gingham tablecloths paired with floral napkins and block-print pillows. It sounds like a lot, but because the colors stay in that earthy, muted family—burgundy, forest green, and mustard—it doesn't feel chaotic. It feels like a house that has been lived in for decades.
Why the "Collected" Look Beats the "Matching" Look
Most people make the mistake of buying a "Christmas-in-a-box" set. You get the matching ornaments, the matching tree skirt, and the matching stockings. It’s easy, sure. But it lacks soul.
The McGee and Co Christmas philosophy is the opposite. Shea often talks about "layering the old with the new." In her 2025 holiday webisode, she showed off her entryway where she mixed brand-new Blanche Pewter frames with actual vintage finds.
- The "Lazy" Tip: One of her best tricks is just putting ornaments in a bowl. Seriously. You don't need a 9-foot spruce in every room. A wooden bowl filled with glass baubles on a coffee table counts as "decorating."
- The Ribbon Secret: Ribbon is the cheapest way to make your house look like a designer touched it. But don't just use the stiff, glittery stuff from the big-box store. Go for velvet or frayed linen in deep tones like plum or moss. Tie them in "floppy" bows on your wreaths or the ends of your garlands.
- Asymmetry: Stop trying to make your mantel perfectly balanced. Drape your garland so it hangs lower on one side. It feels more organic and less like a retail display.
How to Style Your Greenery Like a Pro
Greenery is the backbone of the whole McGee and Co Christmas look. But there's a specific way they do it that prevents it from looking "fake."
First, they mix textures. They’ll take a base of cedar garland and tuck in sprigs of juniper or eucalyptus. It adds depth. If you’re using faux greenery (which, let’s be real, most of us are because real needles are a nightmare to vacuum), the trick is to "fluff" it until your hands hurt. Then, add a "hero" element.
For 2026, the hero element is bells. Big, chunky, brass or silver bells tied with a leather cord. You see them everywhere in their styling—on the front door, hanging from the banister, or even tucked into the tree branches.
The Table Setting Math
When it comes to the dining room, the brand leans heavily into "fancy tablescapes" that aren't actually that fancy. They use a lot of "functional decor." Instead of a massive centerpiece that blocks your view of the person across from you, they use low arrangements.
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- Start with a textile base: A linen runner or a patterned tablecloth.
- Layer the plates: Don't just do one plate. Put a salad plate on top of a dinner plate, maybe even a bowl on top of that.
- Natural elements: Tossing some walnuts or dried oranges down the center of the table is a classic McGee move.
- Tapers: Tall, thin candles. Always. They add height without the bulk.
The 2026 Trend: Blue is the New Red?
This is the one that might ruffle some feathers. While red is the "classic" Christmas color, the McGee and Co Christmas 2026 predictions are leaning hard into shades of blue.
We’re talking French blue, powder blue, and deep navy.
It’s part of that "heirloom" aesthetic. When you pair a soft blue ribbon with a dark green pine garland, it feels sophisticated and unexpected. It’s a great way to transition your decor if you already have a lot of blue in your house year-round. You don't have to fight your existing color palette just because it's December.
Actionable Steps to McGee-ify Your Home
If you want to start today, don't go out and buy a whole new collection. That's a waste of money. Instead, do this:
- Audit your metals: If everything you own is gold, buy three silver or pewter items. Mix them in. It creates that "collected over time" feel.
- Go for the "Mismatched" Stocking: Pick three or four different stockings that share one common color. It looks much more high-end than five identical ones.
- The 5-Minute Entryway: Put a small, potted "Charlie Brown" style tree on your console table. Put it in a ceramic crock or a ginger jar. Don't put lights on it. Just a few gold or silver ornaments.
- Scent matters: Studio McGee is big on the "sensory experience." If you’re using faux greens, hide a few "scent sticks" inside the branches or light a cedar-scented candle.
The reality is that McGee and Co Christmas is popular because it’s forgiving. It likes a little bit of mess. It likes things that are slightly crooked. It's about making your home feel like a sanctuary during a season that's usually anything but peaceful. Focus on the textures—the wool, the wood, the velvet—and the rest usually falls into place.