Every fall, I wrestle with the same dilemma. I love decorating for Halloween and Christmas, but let's face it – none of us have the space (or time) to redecorate for every holiday. And yet I still want my home to feel as festive as possible.
So over the years, I've adopted something I like to call 'enduring' seasonal decor. Pieces that lean moody and magical in the fall, and then shift seamlessly into a dark and elegant Christmas.
Thankfully for me, it's been given a much better name by the creative minds at Etsy. Meet 'Gothmas', a mysterious meeting of spooky and yuletide decor that will help you see your home through from Halloween to Christmas with all the same pieces.
Ahead of the season of hosting and holidays, Etsy's trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson has set about breaking down the biggest aesthetics of the fall and winter.
And one of the biggest trends she's unwrapping covers two holidays in one lovely, deliciously dark package.
'Christmas style gets a gothic twist, mixing brooding elegance with just the right amount of shadowy allure,' she explains. 'Moody, magical, and a little mysterious, it embraces the shadowy side of winter with gothic candles, velvet ribbons, black lace accents, and celestial motifs. Dramatic yet romantic, Gothmas is the perfect backdrop for night-owl soirees.'
'This year’s hottest accessory? A little mystery,' says Dayna. 'Layer in lace, black accents, and candlelight to give guests a Christmas that’s chicly otherworldly.'
Of course, embracing Gothmas doesn’t mean turning your home into a crypt if you don't wish to do so. The best part is, it can be as spooky as you want it to be.
I’ve come to realise that the secret to a beautiful, enduring festive home isn’t about quantity – it’s about curation. Think reusable pieces like amber glassware, baroque candlesticks, celestial ornaments and lighting, antique candlesticks, and rich velvet ribbons.
Focus on decor that feels luxurious and layered, yet adaptable enough to carry your home from October right through to Christmas, without having to add too much else.
Sure, I'll be peppering in a few pumpkins and this set of 140 Bats from Etsy to my more stylish pieces for spooky season. And at Christmas, things can be livened up with the addition of the burgundy Christmas trend, more twinkling lights, and these sure-to-sell-out Scalloped Rattan Christmas Trees from Shea McGee's Target collection to make a more joyful vignette.
Below, I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite finds that capture that same enduring spirit – chic decor that blurs the line between spooky and sophisticated.
Shop the 'Gothmas' look
These moody, magical finds prove festive decor can be both stylish and sustainable.
Add a celestial twist to your tree (or mantel) with this luminous crescent moon topper. Its metallic sheen catches candlelight beautifully, making it just as suited to a moody Halloween vignette as it is to a magical winter display.
This black-and-white melamine platter from McGee & Co.'s Halloween collection strikes the perfect balance between gothic elegance and festive charm. Whether piled high with Halloween treats or Christmas cookies, it adds a touch of vintage style to the table.
The bow Christmas trend is still going strong for 2025, and this satin black bow, adorned with subtle pearls, is perfect for the top of your tree or wreath to create a dramatic and romantic display and lend glamour to all holidays.
Joanna Gaines' nostalgic nod to traditional tree candles – without the fire hazard – are these chic clip-on LED candles. Clip them to a Halloween centerpiece for a flickering gothic feel, then move them to your Christmas tree for a soft, magical shimmer.
A versatile piece for any season, this sculptural iron and glass vase blends vintage character with a modern edge. Fill it with foraged branches in fall, mini gourds for Thanksgiving, then switch to fresh greenery or red berries for Christmas.
Sure, pumpkins are inherently a Halloween decoration, but you've got to have a few pieces in the mix that truly scream spooky. This hand-painted checkerboard pumpkin is classic Halloween with a playful twist.
Sleek and sculptural, these minimalist reindeer are the epitome of enduring holiday decor. Their antique metal black finish ties into a moody Halloween scheme, while their elegant silhouettes feel instantly festive come December.
This charming metal village house glows softly from within, creating an inviting atmosphere through both spooky season and the holidays. Cluster a few on your mantel or windowsill for a warm glow and cover in cobwebs at Halloween.
Rich, textural, and wonderfully versatile, this deep burgundy hand-crafted wreath has been made using dried setaria stems and is the kind of piece that transitions effortlessly. Hang it against a dark-painted door in October, then layer it with velvet ribbon or twinkling fairy lights for December.
Functional meets decorative with this chic cloche. It keeps matches neatly on display while adding interest to a console or bar cart. Pair it with moody candleholders for Halloween and shimmering metallics for Christmas.
Refined and versatile, these twisted nickel candlesticks bring drama to any setting. Their mirrored finish complements dark, gothic tones in autumn and sparkles beautifully under holiday lights – a true all-season staple.
Intricately crafted and effortlessly chic, these lace-inspired textiles have been made by skilled artisans on Etsy. Their delicate lace pattern adds gothic romance to a Halloween table and refined charm to a Christmas buffet.
Decorating for the holidays doesn’t have to mean switching everything out or overfilling your storage bins. The beauty of this new trend – whether you call it Gothmas or simply a more intentional approach – is that it encourages you to shop for pieces that can evolve with the seasons.
