Holiday decor gets interesting when it sidesteps nostalgia and leans into shape, texture, and a little attitude. This season’s most design-forward pieces, from Ralph Lauren’s tartan plate set to Hannah Polskin’s carved-marble menorah, feel confident enough to stand alone. Each could anchor a lobby vignette, a retail display, or a hospitality setting that wants its holiday moment to feel intentional rather than sentimental.

The range is wide, but the point of view is consistent. CB2’s white cement toy soldier delivers cheer with architectural restraint. Anthropologie’s bow-shaped candle softens a table through silhouette instead of sparkle. Meanwhile, Pottery Barn’s illuminated gingerbread houses glow like miniature façades, blurring the line between ornament and object.

Even the menorahs lean expressive. The Gehry-inspired chrome menorah plays with reflection and rhythm. Susan Alexandra’s dirty martini menorah injects humor without tipping into novelty. The Colour Menorah by 4ArtPartners reads like a small sculpture in motion, vibrant and unapologetic.

Holiday decor works best when it captures feeling rather than tradition alone. Light, warmth, shared space. The kind of joy that carries from table to window, and lingers well past the season.