I will be the first to admit, I never saw the appeal of white Christmas trees. While I know they look stunning in the right setting, I have always thought that the style of my home lends itself to a more traditional, natural option. After seeing Simone Biles's twist on the white tree, however, I confess, I've changed my mind.
While I await seeing how the Olympic gymnast decorates her Texas home this year, I'm returning to her white Christmas tree from 2023 for inspiration.
White Christmas trees gained popularity in the 1960s with the rise of artificial designs, but their history dates back to 1953. A magazine feature promoted the look and grew in line with the decade’s fascination with sleek, modern holiday decor. In Simone's home, however, the retro white tree has never felt more contemporary.
Simone has maintained a cool color palette, dressing her tree with icy blue bows and silver ornaments (including some disco balls, like this one from Target), which keep her space ultra-modern, despite the tree's vintage roots.
Shop the look
This silver ornament is made from foam and glass to create a classic disco ball look that reflects plenty of light on any colored tree (but, we admit, white is the perfect backdrop). Inspired by the ornaments on Simone's tree, it measures four inches tall and includes a built-in loop for easy hanging.
As I mentioned, choosing a non-green tree without it feeling gimmicky can be challenging, but a white tree is a reliable option. While it breaks from tradition, it remains stylish year after year, and its neutral color provides the perfect backdrop for blue and silver ornaments.
These silver ornaments feature a mix of sparkly and matte finishes, offering a modern way to add metallic shine to your holiday decor. The varied textures create visual interest and catch the light differently, giving your tree a stylish, dynamic look.
The 24-pack of Christmas velvet bows features an icy blue colorway and a soft, single-sided velvet finish, adding a cool, elegant touch to any tree. Each bow includes a gold twist tie for easy attachment to trees, the Simone way.
This set of 12 Christmas ornaments brings vintage-inspired elegance to any tree and looks especially striking on white trees. Their classic design pairs beautifully with colorful tinsel for a timeless holiday look that'll impress for generations.
This 6ft white artificial tree adds a sleek, modern feel to any living room. Its bendable PVC branches create a full, customizable look, while the three-piece design with a durable stand ensures easy setup and floor protection, perfect for both indoor and outdoor styling.
Despite its retro roots, holiday trend forecasters say that Simone's cool-toned tree taps into one of 2025's biggest Christmas decor trends: The 'Arctic Wonderland' look. It's easy to follow her example.
'“For those drawn to a cooler palette, Arctic Wonderland offers a frosty, magical atmosphere. Featuring blues, whites, silvers, and golds – with night blue emerging as a standout accent – this trend captures the serene beauty of winter,' comments Tristan Sissons, the Christmas Buyer at Hillier.
'Sparkling polar bears, penguins, and owls bring character and charm to the décor, while icy baubles, glittering snowflakes, and frosted branches create the impression of a snowy landscape. Fill your tree with a mixture of matte and shimmering ornaments in crisp whites and deep blues, then add statement icicles and frosted stars to heighten the wintry feel.'
I'm returning to Simone's space as my unexpected decorating blueprint for 2025. Will you be joining me?
