Move over gonks – there's a new festive tradition in town!

This Christmas, consumers are turning away from the Scandi-style gonks that have dominated festive decor in recent years and embracing a new wave of creature comforts closer to home. Think cheerful frogs, Highland cows and hand-crafted decorations full of character and charm. 

As homes across the country start to twinkle with fairy lights and festive flair, Hillier Garden Centres is unveiling this year’s biggest decor trend – one that’s full of fun, charm and a generous dose of personality. Together, these new-season designs mark a fresh, playful take on festive styling that’s set to define 2025’s seasonal look. 

The collection brings a sense of imagination to the holidays, with plush characters designed to make people smile and spark conversation. From festive frogs complete with Santa hats and cheeky grins to the much-loved Hairy Hectors with their signature shaggy coats and tartan scarves, these decorations are full of life and laughter. 

Tristan Sissons, Head of Purchasing at Hillier, commented: 

“Frogs are the new gonks! Every year we look for something that feels fresh and a little unexpected, and this season our plush characters are doing just that. The frogs with festive flair and our much-loved Hairy Hector Highland cows bring real personality to festive decor – they're light-hearted full of character and guaranteed to raise a smile. 

“We’re also seeing a big shift towards hand-crafted decorations, with our knitted animal range proving hugely popular. From dachshunds and pigs to sheep, dinosaurs and even sharks, these pieces add a playful handmade touch to the tree. Customers are really embracing decorations that tell a story – items that mix humour with authenticity and bring individuality back into the way we celebrate Christmas.” 

Alongside the fun and festive plush, the Christmas range at Hillier celebrates the beauty of craftsmanship with hand-knitted decorations that bring a charming touch to the home. Each design has been lovingly created to add character and a hint of nostalgia – the perfect balance of humour, warmth and tradition. 

Whether it’s a single statement frog perched by the fireplace or a menagerie of handmade animals together of the tree, these new season designs promise to bring laughter, personality and heart to every home this Christmas. 

This Christmas, Hillier customers can enjoy festive offers and discounts by joining the Hillier Gardening Club for free at www.hillier.co.uk/gardening-club. To explore the full Hillier Christmas range, visit your local centre or shop online at www.hillier.co.uk. 

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Editors notes

“To inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future” Hillier is one of the leading names in the horticultural industry, with 160 years of growing and retail experience.

Founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier, the company remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business as it continues to grow.

Not only is Hillier the largest producer of semi-mature trees in Europe and grower of over one million plants at its Hampshire nursery, but it also employs over 750 staff across its nursery, amenity trees and 22 garden centre divisions and is a flourishing multi-million pound company. It proudly holds the world record for the most consecutive gold medals awards at the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show, with 74 wins.

As one of the leading growers in the UK, Hillier is involved in many peat-free initiatives, including the RHS Peat-Free Fellowship, the largest peat-free collaborative research project globally. The company was amongst the first nurseries to become 100% peat-free across both its production nursery and retail garden centres, and all Hillier plants are grown in peat-free compost.

Recent successes for the company include the launch of its online shop, the substantial redevelopment of Hillier Garden Centre Newbury and the acquisition of the Rosebourne Garden Centre Group in November 2022, as well as sponsorship of BBC Gardeners’ World Live and BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair, and the incredibly popular free ‘Hillier Gardening Club’ loyalty program which now has over half a million members.

Renowned for being a leading breeder of plants in the UK at its 100% peat-free nursery in Hampshire, each year Hillier introduces amazing new varieties. Many of these have become essentials in British gardens and the company continues with the tradition of innovation and the introduction of new garden plants in the present day.