Christmas Color Palettes to Make the Holidays Merry and Bright

Overlapping red, pink, and metallic gold card panels decorated with metallic snowflake designs and script reading “Christmas Wishes.”

There is something inherently comforting about Christmas traditions. Whether you and your loved ones enjoy holiday-specific foods, activities, or decor, that familiarity is part of what adds to the joy of the season. But the beautiful thing about the holidays is that there’s plenty of room for the excitement and newness of freshly found fun, too!

So, while we love the classic Rudolph reds, forest greens, and snowy whites that traditionally surround Christmas, we also think there are plenty of other combinations that make for great Christmas color palettes.

Handmade card with red and coral plaid, green holly leaves, red berries, and three sentiment labels reading “Sending Christmas Cheer.” — Pictured here: Timeless Christmas Designer Series Paper

Whether you want your holiday color palette to feel soft and sophisticated, playful and colorful, or rustic and wintry, we’ve put together five Christmas color combos that will be perfect for any holiday craft. Try using these color schemes on a Christmas card, scrapbook layout, gift tag, packaging, holiday home decor, or whatever else you want to give a perfectly coordinated holiday look!

Gift box wrapped in tan evergreen-patterned paper, tied with green, brown, and cream jute, and finished with a green house-shaped tag. — Pictured here: Neutral Noel Designer Series Paper

Merry and Bright Christmas Colors to Inspire Your Holiday Crafts

No matter which Christmas color combination you choose, there are many looks you could come up with based on your palette preference. Leaning into one or two main colors can change the look and feel of an entire craft project while staying true to the Christmas crafting colors you’ve chosen.

For instance, look at the two Christmas cards below. At first glance, they may appear to come from different color palettes entirely. But looking closer at the details, you’ll find that both use shades of blue, green, red, and white, with varying degrees of emphasis. So, as you start your holiday crafting this season, remember, even if you stock up on products in one color palette, you can change ink colors or swap out background papers to totally freshen the look.

Green card with layered aqua leaves, blue berries, a silver bow, red gems, and a white banner reading “Best Wishes.”

Plaid greeting card with a large deep red paper bow, layered green foliage, an aqua “It’s Your Day!” tag, and silver gems.

Christmas Color Palette 1: Rustic Evergreen

First up is our Rustic Evergreen color combination. This contemporary yet cozy Christmas color palette pulls from shades of rustic bark and pine, dropping us right in the center of every tree cut from the forest.

Rustic Evergreen palette with a house-and-greenery card and swatches of Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake, and Basic Beige.

Stampin’ Up! colors used: Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Pecan Pie, Crumb Cake, Basic Beige

Christmas card with a green evergreen wreath, pinecones, white berry accents, a gold patterned background, and a brown “Merry Christmas” greeting. — Pictured here: Neutral Noel Designer Series Paper

These gorgeous colors are perfect for achieving a vintage or rustic look on a nature-inspired holiday craft or elegant decor like table settings and gift tags.

Brown card with stamped pine branches, layered green sprigs, a gold patterned border, and beige labels reading “Season’s Greetings.” — Pictured here: Noel Tidings Stamp Set

Beige Christmas card with layered white hills, brown houses, green trees, gold stars, and greetings reading “Merry Christmas” and “From Our Home to Yours.” — Pictured here: Neutral Noel Designer Series Paper

Christmas Color Palette 2: Merry Cherry Christmas

A spin on the traditional Christmas colors, this palette takes things to a richer level. Deep, yet softened shades of blue, green, and red feel nostalgic but playful when used in vivid, bold patterns and very merry amounts.

Merry Cherry palette featuring a plaid card with a red bow and swatches of Cherry Cobbler, Peaceful Pine, Secret Sea, Lost Lagoon, and Basic White.

We think white as a background feels clean and simple. Making one of the other colors play a foundational role in your craft project feels utterly festive in a high-end way.

White Christmas card with aqua foliage, blue and red berries, and five layered banners carrying holiday greetings. — Pictured here: All Wrapped Up Designer Series Paper

Stampin’ Up! colors used: Cherry Cobbler, Peaceful Pine, Secret Sea, Lost Lagoon, Basic White

Red greeting card with a plaid border, stamped and layered red and pink bows, white twine, and aqua “For You” and “With Love” labels. — Pictured here: Elegantly Wrapped Bundle

These are some of the best colors for Christmas crafts that involve greenery and other fresh holiday elements like poinsettia (entryway decor!) or cranberries (try food table labels!).

Christmas Color Palette 3: Plaid Tidings

This Plaid Tidings Christmas color combo takes the traditional holiday trio and elevates them to cabin chic! By introducing the earthy tones of Crumb Cake and Basic Beige, the palette feels grounded and uniquely special, capturing a holiday getaway to the woods.

Plaid Tidings palette with a layered snowflake card and swatches of Real Red, Garden Green, Peaceful Pine, Crumb Cake, and Basic Beige.

Stampin’ Up! colors used: Real Red, Garden Green, Peaceful Pine, Crumb Cake, Basic Beige

Green card with stamped pinecones and needles, a plaid strip, a deep red “Winter Wishes” label, and a layered green sprig. — Pictured here: A Little Christmas Designer Series Paper

Christmas Color Palette 4: Snowy Sky

Though it’s called Snowy Sky, this wintry Christmas color combination integrates elements of land, flora, and sky and makes the most of the Frosted Pinecones Bundle. Using stamps, decorative masks, and dies to highlight pine perfection, this set, along with a vivid lineup of blues, greens, and browns, whispers that winter is close.

Snowy Sky palette featuring a snowy pinecone card and swatches of Old Olive, Misty Moonlight, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, and Basic White.

Stampin’ Up! colors used: Old Olive, Misty Moonlight, Early Espresso, Crumb Cake, Basic White

We think these colors are perfect for all your Christmas crafting, but they could be especially appreciated for warm winter birthday wishes. Or you could use them in winter decorations that have a place in your home even after Christmas has come and gone.

Blue Christmas card with a large snow-covered pinecone, green pine branches, white snow dots, and a brown label with a seasonal greeting. — Pictured here: Alpine Winter Designer Series Paper

Christmas Color Palette 5: Icy Flakes

Utterly fresh and youthful, the Icy Flakes Christmas color palette is arguably the most outside the traditional box. And we love it for that! After all, our favorite presents come as a surprise, right?

Icy Flakes palette with a pastel snowflake card and swatches of Pool Party, Pretty Peacock, Gorgeous Grape, Fresh Freesia, and Basic White.

Embracing shades of pink and purple, blue and turquoise, try creating winter baby shower decor or invitations, snowflake-themed scrapbook layouts or cards, and elegant winter decor.

Stampin’ Up! colors used: Pool Party, Pretty Peacock, Gorgeous Grape, Fresh Freesia, Basic White

Pale aqua card with an embossed snowflake background, layered pink and teal snowflakes, purple mittens, aqua sequins, and a white greeting label. — Pictured here: Dreamy Snowflakes Bundle

Christmas Colors You Have to Try This Year

At Stampin’ Up!, you’ll find materials that are already color-coordinated, with inks, paper, embellishments, and other supplies specifically designed to work together, ensuring that the color inspiration you’ve found here can be directly applied to the projects you want to work on this winter.

Now is the time to stock up on your favorite Stampin’ Up! supplies, including the ones you’ve seen here. Your winter crafting won’t be the same if you let these incredible coordinated bundles sell out before you get your hands on them!