With Thanksgiving recently over and Christmas just around the bend, my For You page has gotten very festive, and there’s a lot of excitement surrounding the upcoming holiday. Homes are being decorated, and people are posting about it online. This year, a new trend popped up, and while scrolling through videos of handmade felt ornaments and colorful paper chains, I was introduced to the idea of having a “Little Women Christmas.”
So what does having a Little Women Christmas mean, and why is everyone so obsessed with it? Is it simply a trend focused on a classic holiday book, or is it something more?
Origins of the trend
Louisa May Alcott’s book, Little Women, was published in 1868 and tells a coming-of-age story featuring four sisters living in Massachusetts during the Civil War era. Because of the war’s impact and their father’s absence, the family has little money and must make do with what they have.
This is illustrated in the three Christmases described in the book, which are very modest (especially the first three). Yet they nonetheless contain love, joy, and a feeling of connection and appreciation; so much so that in the book’s second chapter, the sisters give away their Christmas meal to a family poorer than their own out of kindness.
“And when they went away, leaving comfort behind, I think there were not in all the city four merrier people than the hungry little girls who gave away their breakfasts and contented themselves with bread and milk on Christmas morning.”
From the book Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
This homemade, whimsical Christmas aesthetic has been reflected in the book’s many film adaptations, and now, people all over the internet are attempting to replicate it themselves in their own homes.
What Makes for a “Little Women Christmas”?
When searching online for examples of this aesthetic, there are a few decor elements that you’ll see again and again: paper chains and snowflakes made of colorful paper, dried orange garlands draped cheerfully over window frames, homemade tree ornaments, and candles casting a playful, flickering glow upon the walls.
All of these details foster a feeling of homemade happiness, which is what appears to be the most appealing aspect of the trend. Rather than buy more Christmas decorations for the year, people are making colorful decor themselves, a choice that brings two rounds of happiness: first in the making and again when it’s displayed.
The trend strives to cultivate a cozy holiday feeling while sticking to a tight budget–and realizing that simplicity, passion, and authenticity form a unique aesthetic that money just can’t buy.
“…the December snow fell quietly without, and the fire crackled cheerfully within. It was a comfortable room, though the carpet was faded and the furniture very plain, for a good picture or two hung on the walls, books filled the recesses, chrysanthemums and Christmas roses bloomed in the windows, and a pleasant atmosphere of home peace pervaded it.”
From the book Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott
The rejection of consumerism
This isn’t the first time Gen Z has created a trend built upon a foundation of anti-consumerism.
Earlier this year, “underconsumption” was trending, with videos of people displaying appreciation for the things they had. Creators pointed out that this was all they needed and it was unnecessary to purchase more. The trend celebrated the act of using up items until they were empty, upcycling, regifting, and making rather than buying.
“Little Women Christmas” becoming popular represents this trend in holiday form and celebrates the same key themes of being environmentally conscious while remaining fun, creative, and inspiring. But like with countless other online trends, popular brands such as Wayfair and Magnolia are seeking to exploit the moment and commodify the “Little Women Christmas.”
Can a “Little Women Christmas” be bought?
Many brands seem to think so. It feels ironic that a trend built off a foundation of environmentally-conscious DIY decor somehow became another way for companies to make money off the holidays. It’s not hard to find articles on the trend that list ways to fit the aesthetic, but instead of explaining how to make the decorations, they provide links to expensive decor.
Some of these links literally lead readers to websites where they can purchase paper chains and snowflakes–decorations that are very easily made. The prices shocked me; a set of three of these paper snowflakes was priced at over $30, when they could be created at home for free.
But all these Christmas decorations have to go somewhere, and they don’t magically disappear once the holidays are over. December is a notoriously wasteful month, and a lot of our “holiday cheer” actually ends up in a landfill.
The United States creates 5.8 million tons more waste in December than in other months of the year. That’s equivalent to the weight of 28,713 Boeing 747 airplanes.
Conclusion
Having a “Little Women Christmas” may have started as a nostalgic style of holiday decor–one that paralleled the book’s movie adaptations and helped people step into the lives of beloved childhood characters–but this isn’t the only reason for its popularity. The overconsumption associated with the holidays can be frustrating, and many people want to make memories that feel more genuine and heartfelt.
By making sustainable decor themselves, people across the internet are celebrating a new kind of Christmas together–one less centered around brands and driven instead by an appreciation for home, family, and a bit of Christmas magic.
While brands can do their best to sell decor that matches the aesthetic of the trend, having a “Little Women Christmas” is more than looks alone. It’s a celebration of sustainability and togetherness.
If you’re interested in checking out more iconic holiday-movie duos, check out these other articles from Trill: “8 Best Thanksgiving Movies to Watch This Year”, and “A “Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Special May Be Old, But Here’s Why We Still Love It”
