5 Christmas decorations to avoid if you hate mess – curb cleaning chaos with our pros' alternative picks

Decorating for Christmas is messy, there are no two ways about it. Whether you pick a real or a fake tree, pine needles, fake snow, and glitter always end up everywhere.

It's nothing a good vacuum won't fix but if you don’t like the thought of cleaning up after your decor every day, there are some Christmas decorations to avoid to limit mess this festive season.

We asked professional decorators and home organizers for their thoughts on the worst Christmas decor idea offenders, and they have shared the best alternatives to help you get the look without the constant cleanup.

Christmas decorations to avoid if you hate mess

Your pre-Christmas cleaning efforts should be focused on the areas around your home that guests will see and use, not running around after messy Christmas decor.

1. Anything glittery

Glitter is a cornerstone of Christmas, but that doesn't make it any less annoying. It gets everywhere, embedding itself so deeply into carpets that you often still find it six months down the line, despite using your best vacuum twice a week.

Patricia Derpinsky, professional decorator and lead designer at Hudson Holiday Decor says, ‘If you hate cleaning up after the holidays, as most of us do, try to avoid anything that sheds, like glittery ornaments, real pine garlands, or flocked trees. These can look beautiful but leave you with a trail of glitter, needles, or flocking to clean up.’

You don’t have to stick with minimalist Christmas decor ideas to achieve this, Patricia assures us. ‘Instead, go for mess-free options like high-quality artificial greenery, which looks just as festive without the hassle. Choose ornaments made from durable materials like wood, metal, or glass – they’re timeless and easy to maintain.’

2. Faux snow

One of the biggest artificial Christmas tree buying mistakes to avoid is opting for a model covered with fake snow, says Kanika Bakshi Khurana, principal interior designer and founder of Kanika Design. ‘While faux snow might look whimsical, I find it tends to spill everywhere, and the cleanup is never fun.

‘If I’m craving that wintery vibe, I’ll reach for soft white throws, pillows, or faux fur accents. These elements give me that cozy, snowy feel without all the mess.’

3. Maximalist decor

Maximalist Christmas decor ideas can be reminiscent of childhood Christmases, but they are difficult to maintain. Cutting clutter when decorating for Christmas will limit how often you need to clean, and make it easier to clean around Christmas decorations when you do.

Patricia Derpinsky, a professional decorator says, ‘A more minimal approach also helps reduce mess: focus on a few standout pieces, like a beautifully decorated tree and a festive centerpiece, instead of trying to fill every corner of the house. It keeps your space festive but manageable.’

Plus, it makes clearing up fast after Christmas day a breeze, too.

4. Real trees

Caring for a Christmas tree is no joke. They need watering frequently and correct placement, Christmas trees smell bad after a while, and they are always dropping needles. If you want a mess-free Christmas, the faux Christmas trees are a safer bet. Don’t worry, there are plenty of ways to make an artificial tree look more realistic if you love the freshly cut look.

Nitya Seth, interior designer and owner of NITYANAMYA suggests, ‘going for LED string lights, fabric or wooden ornaments, pre-lit artificial trees, and any decoration of that sort. These are beautiful, reusable, and conventional structures, which are relatively easy to maintain.’

5. Real candles

This might be controversial at Christmas, but real candles are a big no-no if you hate mess in the festive period.

Kanika Bakshi Khurana, principal interior designer shares, ‘Candles are beautiful, but I don’t want the added stress of monitoring them to avoid messes or fire hazards. Instead, I go for LED candles with a soft, flickering glow. They still give off that magical holiday light I love, minus the cleanup.’

Try some of our best tricks to make LED candles look like the real thing if you are worried about still making a home look cozy with artificial ones.

It is not just the decor you choose that can make a difference to your Christmas cleanup. Patricia Derpinsky, a professional decorator adds, ‘After 25 years of working with holiday decor, I can’t stress enough how much organization and proper Christmas decor storage makes life easier.

'Invest in sturdy bins with bright labels for ornaments, wreaths, and garlands. For artificial trees, a durable storage bag is a must – it protects against dust and moisture and keeps everything in great condition. Wrap lights and garlands carefully to avoid tangles, and consider clear bins so you can see what’s inside at a glance. A little effort now will make next year’s decorating so much easier and more enjoyable.'