Gone are the days when your only options for Christmas card colors were red, green, and maybe a little gold if you were feeling fancy. Today, holiday cards are as unique as your family, and the color palette you choose can set the whole vibe. Whether you’re dreaming of pastel candy tones, classic holiday hues, or a cool, neutral moment, there’s a look for everyone.
In this guide, we’ll walk through the best Christmas card colors for 2025—both traditional and totally unexpected—and how to pick a palette that’s perfect for your photo and your family.
Do Christmas Cards Have to Be in Traditional Colors?
Definitely not! While classic Christmas colors like red, green, and gold will never go out of style, holiday cards in non-traditional colors are having a major moment. Think pastel pinks, rich jewel tones, moody neutrals, and even black. And when you order cards online, you can customize the colors of your text and design elements to match your exact vision, and your photos too!
Our Best Tip: Let Your Photos Lead the Way
When choosing a color palette, your family photo is the perfect starting point. Match your card’s colors to:
- The outfits you wore in your holiday photoshoot (think dusty blue dresses or burnt orange sweaters).
- Nature’s backdrop, like golden fall fields, snow-covered trees, or even a sunny beach.
- A specific theme or vibe. Modern minimalism, vintage nostalgia, playful fun, or formal and festive.
Pro tip: Once you choose your favorite card design, you can personalize the colors to match your photo and make the design feel totally cohesive.
2025 Color Trends for Christmas Cards
We’re seeing so much creativity this year when it comes to color. A few trends we’re loving in 2025:
- Earthy Neutrals: Think terracotta, sage, oatmeal, and deep charcoal.
- Vibrant Jewel Tones: Emerald, sapphire, deep burgundy, and rich mustard yellow.
- Retro Candy Colors: Pink, teal, yellow, and coral are making a comeback in fun, nostalgic ways.
- Soft, Cozy Pastels: Powder blue, blush, soft lavender, and creamy white for a calm and wintery aesthetic.
Favorite Holiday Cards by Color Style
Classic Christmas Colors
Think classic holiday energy with deep red and green accents—timeless, cheerful, and cozy. A classic Christmas card is perfect if you love a traditional look with a modern photo-forward layout.
Neutral Holiday Vibes
If you love a less-is-more approach, neutral tones like cream, taupe, and black give your holiday card a sleek, elegant look that still feels warm and celebratory.
Playful + Colorful
Turn up the fun with unexpected color combos like pink, aqua and cherry red. Cheer-themed Christmas cards are especially fun when using playful colors.
Modern Black Accents
Who says black isn’t festive? Paired with greenery or gold, black gives your card a sophisticated, modern feel that makes your photos pop.
Candy-Colored Cheer
This playful design is perfect for pastels and non-traditional hues. Customize it with bubblegum pink, mint green, or lemon yellow for a card that’s sweet and unexpected.
So…What Are the Best Colors for Christmas Cards?
The answer? Whatever feels like you. If you love tradition, go for classic red and green. If you’re into modern design, explore neutrals or black-and-white with a pop of metallic. Feeling playful? Try out pastels, candy colors, or a mix of unexpected tones.
With Pear Tree’s easy-to-personalize designs, you can customize fonts, colors, and layout to match your photos and your personality. Whether your vibe is bold and bright or calm and cozy, there’s a color combo that will make your holiday card feel just right.
