Why Red, Green, and Gold? The Colors of Christmas Explained

If you’re one of them, you’ve probably got your tree picked, lights hung, and a sea of red and green decor ready to dazzle the neighborhood. ‘Tis the season, after all! But have you ever wondered why those colors - and others like gold, white, and even purple - are the chosen hues of Christmas?

Just as orange and black scream Halloween and red, white, and pink shout Valentine’s Day, Christmas has its own color code. These shades pop up everywhere - from ornaments to wrapping paper - and make Christmas feel like, well, Christmas.

Let’s unwrap the story behind Christmas colors and discover how red, green, and gold became as festive as a twinkling tree.

Christmas colors and symbolism

The meaning of Red

“No one knows for certain how red and green became the go-to Christmas combo,” says Lori Sawaya, color strategist at The Land of Color. “Theories abound.”

Many Christians believe red represents the blood of Christ, while green stands for renewal and eternal life, fitting for the birth of Jesus celebrated on December 25.

From a color psychology angle, red demands attention. It’s bold, dynamic, and eye-catching - just ask Coca-Cola. Their 1930s ad campaign featuring Santa’s red suit helped cement red as a holiday staple.

A Coke story for Christmas

Believe it or not, Coca-Cola played a major role in shaping the modern Santa Claus. Before 1931, Santa was a bit of a character chameleon, portrayed as anything from a lanky old man to a creepy little elf. Coca-Cola’s take - plump, jolly, and decked out in red - became the Santa we all know and love today.

So, next time you hang your red and green decorations, remember they come with a colorful backstory blending religion, tradition, and a dash of fizzy marketing magic.

The meaning of Green

Bob Richter, vintage lifestyle expert and author of A Very Vintage Christmas and A Very Vintage Holiday, explains why red and green are an inseparable Christmas combo: “They really are the quintessential Christmas color pairing.”

One perfect example? Holly and ivy, plants that stay lush and vibrant through winter when most greenery disappears. “Some even say holly represents the Christ child and ivy his mother, Mary,” Richter notes.

The practice of bringing holly and ivy indoors actually dates back to the Celts, who believed these greens warded off evil spirits. “The Celts and Pagans started the tradition of bringing greens inside to honor the changing seasons and bring a touch of life to their homes during winter,” says Richter.

Christians later embraced the tradition, decking halls with wreaths, swags, and evergreen trees. And as for holly, Lori Sawaya adds that it represents good luck, protection, and prosperity for the new year—just one more reason it’s a staple in holiday decor.

The meaning of Gold

Glimmering gold, a staple of Christmas decor, traces its roots to the story of the Three Wise Men who brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the Christ Child.

“Gold, because of its association with great financial value, symbolizes prosperity and abundance,” explains Bob Richter. “By adding gold to your holiday decor, you’re not just celebrating the gifts, but inviting even more of them into your life.” It’s the most luxurious of holiday hues, often seen in bows, ornaments, candlesticks, and other sparkling accents.

But gold isn’t just a nod to wealth - it’s also a metaphor for the Star of Bethlehem, says Richter.

And let’s be honest, gold has a magical way of making any holiday gathering feel instantly festive. As Lori Sawaya puts it, “Gold amplifies a sense of celebration and extravagance that many people crave as the holidays usher in the new year.”

The meaning of White

In the northern hemisphere, white is often synonymous with snow—everyone dreams of a white Christmas. But the color’s significance stretches back much further than winter festivities. In ancient Egypt and Rome, priestesses wore white to symbolize purity and innocence. During winter festivals, they would don white from head to toe, ushering in the arrival of spring.

In the 18th century, white wafers were used to decorate Christmas trees, alongside red apples - both Catholic symbols of the body and blood of Christ. White has long been considered a color of peace and welcome, which is why Christians adorned their homes with it to celebrate the birth of Jesus. It’s a color that represents both purity and the hope of new beginnings.