Christmas Color Palette Ideas
Table of Contents
Do you ever notice how a single color can bring back a whole memory?
The warm red of your favorite mug, the soft white of snow against the window, the glow of candlelight at night... That’s the magic of Christmas colors, it’s time to wander through the shades that bring the Christmas vibe to your days! 🎄
Modern Christmas Color Palette
The modern Christmas color palette gives a fresh twist on the holiday look. It mixes soft lights with cozy tones.
For anyone searching for Christmas color palette hex codes, this guide highlights five unique shades for easy use.
| Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
| Banana Mania | #FAE2B7 | (250, 226, 183) | (0, 10, 27, 2) |
| Big Foot Feet | #E39A5F | (227, 154, 95) | (0, 32, 58, 11) |
| Dark Slate Gray | #2E6654 | (46, 102, 84) | (55, 0, 18, 60) |
| Jacarta | #443159 | (68, 49, 89) | (24, 45, 0, 65) |
| Dark Terra Cotta | #D14D53 | (209, 77, 83) | (0, 63, 60, 18) |
Coloring tips:
Blend lighter shades like Banana Mania with darker hues for contrast.
Try layering Jacarta and Terra Cotta for warm, stylish depth.
Use: Great for modern holiday cards, cozy illustrations, and coloring pages that feel both trendy and festive.
Retro Christmas Color Palette
The retro Christmas color palette brings a warm nostalgic touch to the holidays. Earthy reds, soft greens and creamy tones make every page feel vintage and cozy.
| Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
| Terra Cotta | #DE6960 | (222, 105, 96) | (0, 53, 57, 13) |
| Topaz | #F4C87C | (244, 200, 124) | (0, 18, 49, 4) |
| Oxley | #6DA06E | (109, 160, 110) | (32, 0, 31, 37) |
| Amazon | #39775A | (57, 119, 90) | (52, 0, 24, 53) |
| Isabelline | #F3F3EB | (243, 243, 235) | (0, 0, 3, 5) |
Coloring tips:
- Mix Terra Cotta with Topaz for warm highlights.
- Use Oxley and Amazon for soft greenery.
Use: Perfect for vintage holiday cards, cozy illustrations, and retro-style coloring pages.
Bright Christmas Color Palette
The bright Christmas color palette is all about bold, playful energy.
Among the many color palettes for Christmas, this one shines with popping reds, lively greens and sunny yellow, making every coloring page sparkle with cheer.
| Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
| Scarlet | #FF1A2A | (255, 26, 42) | (0, 90, 84, 0) |
| White | #FFFFFF | (255, 255, 255) | (0, 0, 0, 0) |
| School Bus Yellow | #FFD800 | (255, 216, 0) | (0, 15, 100, 0) |
| Electric Green | #00D605 | (0, 214, 5) | (100, 0, 98, 16) |
| Coral Red | #FF3A2F | (255, 58, 47) | (0, 77, 82, 0) |
Coloring tips:
- Pair Scarlet with White for a crisp festive contrast.
- Use Electric Green with Yellow for a fun, modern pop.
Use: Perfect for kids’ holiday crafts, lively coloring pages, and décor that feels cheerful and bright.
Muted Christmas Color Palette
The muted Christmas color palette is soft, calm, and cozy.
With earthy greens, gentle browns, and creamy tones, it brings a relaxed holiday mood to your coloring.
| Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
| Axolotl | #727159 | (114, 113, 89) | (0, 1, 22, 55) |
| Bone | #E6DBCA | (230, 219, 202) | (0, 5, 12, 10) |
| Pale Taupe | #C79381 | (199, 147, 129) | (0, 26, 35, 22) |
| Electric Brown | #B4635E | (180, 99, 94) | (0, 45, 48, 29) |
| Dark Olive | #5B7539 | (91, 117, 57) | (22, 0, 51, 54) |
Coloring tips:
- Blend Pale Taupe with Bone for soft highlights.
- Use Dark Olive and Axolotl for natural shading.
Use: Ideal for cozy coloring pages, rustic décor, and holiday projects with a gentle vintage touch.
Pastel Christmas Color Palette
The pastel Christmas color palette brings a soft, dreamy twist to the holiday.
It’s like a cute Christmas color palette filled with candy tones and gentle contrasts, making every page feel sweet, fun and lighthearted.
| Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
| Carmine Pink | #F34F41 | (243, 79, 65) | (0, 68, 73, 5) |
| Pastel Red | #FF6961 | (255, 105, 97) | (0, 59, 62, 0) |
| Pastel Yellow | #FBFA93 | (251, 250, 147) | (0, 0, 41, 2) |
| Pastel Green | #77DD78 | (119, 221, 120) | (46, 0, 46, 13) |
| Dark Pastel Green | #03C03C | (3, 192, 60) | (98, 0, 69, 25) |
Coloring tips:
- Pair Pastel Yellow with Green for cheerful highlights.
- Use Carmine Pink with Red for playful details.
Use: Perfect for cute holiday cards, kids’ crafts, and coloring pages that sparkle with joy.
Dark Christmas Color Palette
Who says Christmas has to be only bright and shiny?
The dark Christmas color palette adds depth and mystery, mixing rich greens, bold reds, and moody neutrals for a dramatic holiday vibe.
| Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
| Organ Blood | #691515 | (105, 21, 21) | (0, 80, 80, 59) |
| Antique Ruby | #802A2C | (128, 42, 44) | (0, 67, 66, 50) |
| Sonic Silver | #807A71 | (128, 122, 113) | (0, 5, 12, 50) |
| Wenge | #5C564D | (92, 86, 77) | (0, 7, 16, 64) |
| Kombu Green | #2F4A1D | (47, 74, 29) | (36, 0, 61, 71) |
Coloring tips:
- Pair deep reds with silver accents for elegant contrast.
- Use green tones for strong, grounding details.
Use: Great for moody holiday cards, stylish illustrations, or coloring pages with a dramatic twist.
How to Create a Christmas Color Palette?
Building your own Christmas Color Palette is easier than it looks and way more fun!
Here’s how to keep it simple and creative:
- Pick your palette and swatch the shades.
- Start with the background, then add midtones, shadows, and finish with highlights.
- Choose tools that fit your style: markers, watercolors, or pencils.
- Test on scrap paper before diving into the final page.
- Snap a flatlay shot with soft light and one hero ornament to show it off.
FAQs
What colors symbolize Christmas?
Red speaks of love and sacrifice, green of life that endures, white of peace, and gold of hope. Together, they weave joy and renewal into the season.
What is the lucky color for Christmas?
It’s red for many people. This shade of warmth and courage shows up in stockings, ribbons, and hearts, reminding us of protection and good fortune in the cold.
What palettes are trending this Christmas season?
Jewel tones (emerald, ruby, sapphire), muted earthy greens, nontraditional combinations like turquoise + peacock blue, pastel holiday with metallic, and vintage rust/orange mixes.
What is the best color palette for a modern Christmas tree?
Soft neutrals with metallics, or muted greens with blush and copper, whatever makes your space shine and your heart feel at home.
What are pagan origins of Christmas colors?
Pagans saw green as eternal life and red as fire and vitality. These ancient meanings lingered, blending with Christian traditions, shaping the colors we treasure today.
How to test my Christmas color palette before finalizing?
- Create a small mockup (card, ornament, or digital preview) to check if the colors work well together.
- Test the palette on both dark and light backgrounds for flexibility.
- Print a sample if it’s for physical use, since screen colors can look different when printed.
Can I build a Christmas color palette without red or green?
You can lean into alternatives like icy blues, dusty pinks, muted earth tones, or jewel tones (emerald, sapphire) as accent colors. The key is to maintain contrast and balance (e.g. pairing a bold hue with neutrals).
What contrast rules should I follow for Christmas palette readability?
Make sure there’s enough contrast between background and text or details, like light backgrounds with darker lettering. Avoid dark green on dark green or deep red on red, use neutrals or light outlines for clarity.
How do I avoid my Christmas color palette looking too busy or clashing?
Limit your palette to 3-5 colors; pick one dominant color, one accent, and neutrals. Use a swatch test first. Also consider existing room colors (couch, walls) so decorations harmonize rather than clash.
