A burgundy velvet bow on your Christmas tree or wreath is a simple way to introduce color to your holiday decorations. You can carry that same shade into gift wrapping, mantel arrangements, or an entryway display to give your home a coordinated look without making everything match perfectly.
Emerald green, burgundy, and eggplant work beautifully together for Christmas. Pair them with ivory, brass, or dark wood to balance the deeper colors. You can also mix in ornaments and greenery you already own, so there's no need to replace your usual holiday decorations.
Start with the areas that get the most attention, such as your Christmas tree, mantel, or entryway. From there, add a few matching colors and textures throughout your home. Here are six ways to use this jewel-tone color scheme for your Christmas decorations.
A Jewel-Tone Palette for the Holiday Season
Emerald green works well as the main color for Christmas decorations since it blends naturally with wreaths, garlands, and other greenery. Burgundy adds a warmer touch, while eggplant brings in a deeper purple shade through ornaments, gift wrapping, or smaller accents. Together, these colors offer a beautiful alternative to the usual bright red and green Christmas theme.
To balance the darker shades, add a little ivory through ornaments, ribbons, or wrapping paper. Brass and warm gold decorations also work well, especially when they catch the glow of Christmas lights. If you have wooden furniture, you can leave it as part of the look without adding more decorations.
Texture makes a difference, too. Velvet ribbons have a soft finish that changes slightly depending on the lighting, while glass and metallic ornaments add a little shine. Before decorating, try placing a few pieces together to see how the colors look during the day and under your Christmas lights at night.
You don't have to use every color equally. Your Christmas tree could feature mostly emerald and burgundy ornaments, while wrapped gifts bring in touches of eggplant and ivory. For the mantel, you could keep the greenery as the main feature and add a burgundy velvet bow with a few brass accents to tie everything together.
6 Ways to Decorate With Jewel Tones for the Holidays
Use these ideas individually or combine a few within the same room. Repeating one ribbon color or metallic finish is often enough to make the arrangements feel related.
1. Style a Holiday Mantel With Burgundy and Brass
Start by arranging greenery across your mantel, leaving room for a few decorations you already own. Add a bow using burgundy velvet ribbon and let the ribbon tails rest naturally over the greenery. A brass-framed mirror, small vase, or a few ornaments can bring in some warmth, while ivory ceramics or eggplant-colored ornaments help balance the darker shades. Avoid crowding the bow with too many decorations so it remains the main feature. If you have a working fireplace, keep fabric and greenery at the required safe distance from the heat. You can also recreate the arrangement on a console table or shelf.
2. Dress the Christmas Tree in Emerald and Burgundy
Start by wrapping your tree with Christmas string lights, then hang the larger ornaments first. Fill the gaps with smaller decorations and burgundy velvet bows, spreading them evenly throughout the branches. Add ivory ornaments to brighten the darker colors, along with a few eggplant accents for contrast. For the base, you can use a 120-inch emerald green velvet tablecloth as a tree skirt. Simply drape it around the outside of the stand, tuck the extra fabric toward the back, and arrange the folds for a soft, gathered look. Make sure the fabric doesn't affect the tree's stability, block access to the water reservoir, or extend into walkways. Finish by placing a few wrapped gifts around the base, leaving some of the emerald velvet visible.
3. Carry the Colors Along a Staircase Banister
Decorate your staircase with greenery, using attachments that won't damage the surface. Make sure the handrail stays easy to grip and that nothing hangs over the steps or catches on clothing. Add small bows where the garland gathers or curves, keeping the loops similar in size and the ribbon tails short. Burgundy ribbon stands out against the greenery, while emerald velvet ribbon creates a more subtle look, especially against pale painted wood. You can also add a few warm gold ornaments, leaving some greenery uncovered so the arrangement doesn't look too crowded. If your Christmas tree is nearby, use the same ribbon color on both to give the decorations a coordinated look.
4. Give a Wreath a Jewel-Tone Update
Give your Christmas wreath a fresh look with velvet ribbon and a few matching ornaments. You can start with a wreath you already own or choose from these greenery wreaths and vines. Add a burgundy velvet bow at the bottom or slightly off to one side, then place a few eggplant or brass-colored ornaments around it. Leave some of the greenery uncovered so the decorations don't look too crowded. Adjust the ribbon tails to fit the size of your wreath, making sure they won't get caught in the door handle or frame. Velvet works best in a sheltered entryway, so if you're hanging the wreath outdoors, check that the ribbon and ornaments can handle the weather.
5. Coordinate Gift Wrapping With the Holiday Display
Wrapped gifts are another easy way to bring eggplant and ivory into your Christmas decorations, especially if your tree already features emerald green and burgundy. Choose two or three wrapping paper colors and use them across different box sizes. Matte paper works particularly well with velvet ribbons, giving the gifts a softer look. Try burgundy ribbon on ivory paper or emerald ribbon on eggplant wrapping paper. You can also use leftover decorative ribbon for smaller presents and gift tags. Keep the bows similar in size for a coordinated look, then arrange the gifts naturally around the tree. Leave some of the emerald fabric showing underneath, and make sure the presents don't block access to the tree's water reservoir or nearby walkways.
6. Create a Holiday Party Backdrop With a Giant Burgundy Bow
Make a statement with a 7-foot giant burgundy velvet bow as the main feature of your Christmas party backdrop. Pair it with ivory velvet backdrop curtains for contrast, or choose emerald green for a darker, richer look. Keep the curtain folds simple so the oversized bow stands out. Use sturdy backdrop stands that can support the full setup, and follow the assembly instructions to secure the bow properly rather than attaching it directly to the curtains. Finish with a few wrapped gift boxes or low greenery on one side. Make sure the long ribbon tails stay within the display area and leave enough room for guests to take photos.
Velvet Pieces That Connect the Look
Each decorative piece has its place in your Christmas setup. Small burgundy ribbon bows work well on trees, wreaths, and wrapped gifts, while emerald velvet fabric adds a soft, rich finish around the tree base. For a larger Christmas party display, an oversized burgundy bow can bring the same colors and textures into your backdrop.
You don't need to use every decoration in every area. Choose pieces that suit the size of each display, and repeat a few colors and materials throughout your home to keep everything looking coordinated.
Bring the Palette Together at Your Own Pace
Start with the Christmas decorations you'll see most often, whether that's the tree in your living room, the mantel, or the wreath by your front door. Choose the main colors for that area first, then look for simple ways to use them in other parts of your home.
Sometimes, a few burgundy bows on the tree and wreath are enough to bring everything together. You can add eggplant wrapping paper and a handful of brass ornaments for variety. There's no need to try all six ideas or buy new decorations when you already have pieces you love.
Before putting everything away after Christmas, take a few photos of your favorite arrangements. Save any leftover ribbon and make a note of the color combinations you liked most. When the next holiday season comes around, you'll have ideas ready to use and can change things up however you like.
