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Cori is a freelance writer who covers interior design, gardening and houseplant care, DIYs, and trending style topics. She writes for publications like Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and Better Homes & Gardens. When she’s not working on the next story, you’ll find her enjoying a…read more
Etsy has dropped their autumn/ winter trend edit for 2026, and Merrymaxxing is the predicted festive trend I’m most excited about.
If you thought this year’s Christmas trends would encourage restraint, think again, as Merrymaxxing is the festive take on the Whimsymaxxing trend that was everywhere this summer. Where Whimsymaxxing is the practice of ‘optimising’ the fun factor in your home, Merrymaxxing is about making your space as festive as possible.
Think rhinestones, tinsel, glitter and lots and lots of joy. If this sounds like your sort of Christmas, I asked experts how we can apply the trend to our homes this festive season.
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If you haven’t heard of ‘maxxing’ before, it’s essentially internet slang for optimising an area of your life. It can really be applied to everything from Gem-maxxing which involves embellishing every day items to Sleepmaxxing which is all about optimising your sleep environment for the best possible nights rest.
So by this logic, Merrymaxxing is all about making your decor as festive and bold as you possibly can.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Alexander Edwards)
‘Merrymaxxing is the Christmas take on the wider whimsymaxxing (and indeed everything-maxxing) trend we’ve been seeing. It’s a more-is-more approach to Christmas decorating, making everything more expressive, more characterful, more colourful, more sparkly! Basically, just MORE!’ explains Hannah Bartlett, Christmas expert and founder of Jolly Festive.
‘Fundamentally, it’s about expressing personality and adding joy. There aren’t really any rules. It’s about taking decorations and making them your own: adding playful, unexpected details that tell your story and reflect your individual style.
‘It’s not necessarily something you can buy. It’s putting our own stamp on Christmas and really going to town with the celebrations. No holding back!’
The beauty of the Merrymaxxing trend is that there are no hard and fast rules to follow. This Christmas decorating idea does not rely on any strict styling rules, it’s all about having fun and allowing your inner child to express themselves.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Carolyn Barber)
‘The goal isn’t a picture-perfect, colour-coordinated showroom. Instead, it’s about creating a space that feels delightfully offbeat, deeply personal, and brimming with personality. In years past where I’ve (inadvertently) followed the Merrymaxxing principles, it involved layering and layering of garlands: bells, ribbons, dried orange slices. Now, in the 2026 principles of Merry Maxxing, I’m sure those dried orange slices would be bedazzled…’ says Etsy’s UK Guest Trend Editor, Francesca Perks.
‘So much of the essence of the trend is working with what you already own (that’s the key to keeping it deeply personal and brimming with personality) – however, it would be unrealistic to underestimate the allure of adding some new statement pieces to your Christmas decor arsenal.
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Nassima Rothacker)
‘When looking at specific materials, this trend leans on lush velvets, rich jacquards, and textured pom-poms that add depth and warmth. Visible hand-stitching or hand-painted details are also brilliant for adding an authentic, human feel to all the sparkle, and help ground the maximalism in the festive spirit,’ adds Francesca.
‘Colourwise, I’d recommend leaning into rich, saturated gemstone colours – think luscious emerald greens, ruby reds, vibrant sapphires, and hot pinks. Don’t worry about sticking to a strict traditional two-colour palette, as Merry-maxxing is all about letting hues clash and play together. There’s even a beauty to adding a stand alone neutral hue in the mix, to offset those saturated colours even more. The more bold and unexpected the better, even if it is a Taupe, in a sea of vibrancy.’
nkuku
Dew Drop Baubles – Mixed Antique – set of 12
Why not opt for baubles that look like gemstones for your tree? These ones will catch the light beautifully.","brand":"nkuku","name":"Dew Drop Baubles – Mixed Antique – set of 12","urlStyle":"","retailer":"","layout":"hero","linkText":"","noFollow":true,"noAffiliateTracking":false,"promoLabel":"","price":30,"salePrice":null,"currency":"GBP","linkLayout":"text","sponsored":false,"hawkProductNameMatchedCode":"","review":{"cons":[],"id":"","name":"","pros":[],"rating":0,"strapline":"","url":""},"id":"","externalId":"04d0b021e3130de05c9d5d4d713367c955cb00ca","lastCheckedPriceDate":"","link":{"url":"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=18225&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nkuku.com%2Fproducts%2Fdew-drop-baubles-mixed-antique-set-of-12-dd36gb","merchantName":"nkuku","merchantId":111454,"merchantNetwork":"AW","merchantUrl":"nkuku.com"}}}}}” data-link=”https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=18225&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nkuku.com%2Fproducts%2Fdew-drop-baubles-mixed-antique-set-of-12-dd36gb” data-link-merchant=”nkuku” data-merchant-id=”111454″ data-merchant-name=”nkuku” data-merchant-network=”AW” data-merchant-url=”nkuku.com” data-model-brand=”nkuku” data-model-name=”nkuku Dew Drop Baubles – Mixed Antique – set of 12″ data-name=”Product Block merchantlink widget” data-render-type=”fte” data-show-fallback=”button” data-widget-type=”merchantlink” class=”ecom-root”>
Why not opt for baubles that look like gemstones for your tree? These ones will catch the light beautifully.
M&S
Pre-Lit Tinsel Bauble Garland
This light-up garland from M&S nails the Merrymaxxing trend. It's bold, glitters and will add plenty of sparkle to your decor.","brand":"M&S","name":"Pre-Lit Tinsel Bauble Garland","urlStyle":"","retailer":"","layout":"hero","linkText":"","noFollow":true,"noAffiliateTracking":false,"promoLabel":"","price":35,"salePrice":null,"currency":"GBP","linkLayout":"text","sponsored":false,"hawkProductNameMatchedCode":"","review":{"cons":[],"id":"","name":"","pros":[],"rating":0,"strapline":"","url":""},"id":"","externalId":"5efc90e9dee57cbad358ac03c1ae8884b32a15bf","lastCheckedPriceDate":"","link":{"url":"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=1402&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marksandspencer.com%2Fpre-lit-tinsel-bauble-garland%2Fp%2Fhbp61229415","merchantName":"Marks and Spencer UK","merchantId":1042,"merchantNetwork":"AW","merchantUrl":"marksandspencer.com"}}}}}” data-link=”https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=1402&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.marksandspencer.com%2Fpre-lit-tinsel-bauble-garland%2Fp%2Fhbp61229415″ data-link-merchant=”Marks and Spencer UK” data-merchant-id=”1042″ data-merchant-name=”Marks and Spencer UK” data-merchant-network=”AW” data-merchant-url=”marksandspencer.com” data-model-brand=”M&S” data-model-name=”M&S Pre-Lit Tinsel Bauble Garland” data-name=”Product Block merchantlink widget” data-render-type=”fte” data-show-fallback=”button” data-widget-type=”merchantlink” class=”ecom-root”>
This light-up garland from M&S nails the Merrymaxxing trend. It’s bold, glitters and will add plenty of sparkle to your decor.
HANGZHOU RUN SUNSHINE
Red Scalloped Tinsel Garland
You can't beat a flamboyant tinsel garland to add instant sparkle to your decor. Hang from bannisters, ceilings or mantles for a dramatic, festive look.","brand":"HANGZHOU RUN SUNSHINE","name":"Red Scalloped Tinsel Garland","urlStyle":"","layout":"hero","noFollow":true,"noAffiliateTracking":false,"promoLabel":"","price":12,"salePrice":null,"currency":"GBP","linkLayout":"text","sponsored":false,"hawkProductNameMatchedCode":"","review":{"cons":[],"id":"","name":"","pros":[],"rating":0,"strapline":"","url":""},"id":"","externalId":"ce914eb86277d6a25e95842c9eea258135279128","lastCheckedPriceDate":"","link":{"url":"https:\/\/www.awin1.com\/awclick.php?awinmid=21044&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockettstgeorge.co.uk%2Fproducts%2Fred-scalloped-tinsel-garland","linkText":"\u00a312 at Rockett St George","editorialMerchantName":"\u00a312 at Rockett St George","merchantName":"Rockett StGeorge","merchantId":188600,"merchantNetwork":"AW","merchantUrl":"rockettstgeorge.co.uk"}}}}}” data-link=”https://www.awin1.com/awclick.php?awinmid=21044&awinaffid=103504&clickref=hawk-custom-tracking&p=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rockettstgeorge.co.uk%2Fproducts%2Fred-scalloped-tinsel-garland” data-link-merchant=”Rockett StGeorge” data-link-text=”£12 at Rockett St George” data-merchant-id=”188600″ data-merchant-name=”Rockett StGeorge” data-merchant-network=”AW” data-merchant-url=”rockettstgeorge.co.uk” data-model-brand=”HANGZHOU RUN SUNSHINE” data-model-name=”HANGZHOU RUN SUNSHINE Red Scalloped Tinsel Garland” data-name=”Product Block merchantlink widget” data-render-type=”fte” data-show-fallback=”button” data-widget-type=”merchantlink” class=”ecom-root”>
You can’t beat a flamboyant tinsel garland to add instant sparkle to your decor. Hang from bannisters, ceilings or mantles for a dramatic, festive look.
To me Christmas decorating is all about having fun, and that’s why I’m such a big fan of the Merrymaxxing trend. Any decorating idea that encourages you to be as playful as possible has my vote.
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Dana McMahan weaves stories through words, spaces, and experiences. Her writing has appeared in Real Simple, Condé Nast Traveler, NBC, and Washington Post, while a slew of her old-home transformations have been featured in The Kitchn/Apartment Therapy and beyond. Dana designs…read more
I’ve been a renter for essentially my entire adult life, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. While renting your house or apartment can come with a sense of freedom (you can move around easier, don’t need a big down payment, and don’t have to handle your own maintenance requests), there’s also the inherent risk that your rent may just keep going up year after year.
While you can’t magically guess how neighborhoods, vibes, and rents in your area and beyond may shift over time, data can help give you a clue. The folks at Apartment List, a digital platform that connects renters with properties, recently published a report that dives into the best American cities for renters in 2026 that considers not just price, but also the many other factors that make living somewhere worth it.
Apartment List’s 2026 Best Cities for Renters report begins by acknowledging that on average, rents are slightly down and vacancy rates are a bit up. “But any nationwide stats obscure a great deal of regional variation,” the report rightly points out. (I would know — I live in New York City!) When it comes to housing, you want to know specifics, not broad statistics, which is why the list spotlights a range of major U.S. cities and identifies exactly why they’re appealing to rent in.
This year’s list, which went live on October 14, 2026, was created by analyzing “a combination of Apartment List and public data sources.” They scored each city on five diverse categories spanning factors like price, cost of living, job market, renter negotiation potential, and “how well each city facilitates healthy living.”
The report reveals that the best cities for renters are scattered throughout the country, from the Pacific Northwest to Texas and all along the Southeast. There are big-name cities, hidden gems, and everything in between. Each brings different perks: Austin topped the list largely due to a solid job market and potential savings (apparently “over half of all apartments are offering more than a month of free rent on new leases”), Salt Lake City earned second place in part due to low cost of living and good weather, and Charleston, in third, boasts rapid employment growth and “a highly amenitized apartment stock.”
Here are the 10 best cities for renters in 2026:
For many of us, the pinnacle of Halloween is carving a pumpkin to sit on the doorstep. However, I’ll admit that pumpkin carving is a skill in itself, requiring both time and artistic talent. If you lack either, Tesco is offering free pre-carved pumpkins in selected stores this week to add some Halloween magic to your home.
Decorating pumpkins is the most famous of all Halloween decorating ideas. And while no-carve pumpkin ideas are available, carving your own is a hallowed tradition we start as children.
However, if you lack time, or find that your carving skills are terrifying for all the wrong reasons, then you will be interested to learn that Tesco is doing all the hard work for us this October. Here’s everything you need to know about Tesco’s pre-carved pumpkins and how you can get your hands on one.
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Tesco has revealed, using research conducted by Censuswide, that 36% of Brits say they’d appreciate a little help with pumpkin design. 28% of us felt pressure to carve a pumpkin good enough to display on the doorstep, 26% said they lack carving skills, and 19% of us dislike the mess caused by pumpkin carving. However, one thing the majority agrees on (78%) is that we love to see the creativity of children come to life via their designs.
In response to the lack of creative confidence amongst adults, 10 Tesco stores will be offering four pre-carved designs between 22 and 31 October this year. These will be carved by Tesco’s own ‘pumpkin artists in residence’.
(Image credit: Tesco)
Shoppers can choose between two pre-carved designs. The autumn decorating ideas on offer are: the Eclipse, which is a nod to this year’s eclipse and features the partially covered sun and twinkling stars, or a classic Jack-O-lantern face.
The pumpkins will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis from 3-5 pm each day, with the exception of Sunday 25th October at Tesco Nottingham Top Valley Extra, where pumpkins will be available from 2-4 pm. You don’t need to make an in-store purchase to participate, and the pumpkins are only available while stocks last.
The 10 participating stores are:
(Image credit: Future PLC/ Tim Young)
If you choose to pick up your pre-carved pumpkin, there are a few clever tricks you can try to help it last longer post-carving. You can spray your pumpkin with peppermint oil and water to prevent it from rotting too quickly. Peppermint is a natural preservative, making it a great natural method to keep your pumpkin fresh.
Alternatively, if you want to stick to tradition and have a go at carving a pumpkin yourself, prices for pumpkins start at just 55p at Tesco. Here are a few helpful products to make the process easier.
JOYIN
12 Pcs Halloween Pumpkin Carving Kit
Mocoosy
12 Pcs Halloween Stencils
Taspire
7pcs Pumpkin Carving Kit With 12 Stencils and Storage Case
There will be a limited ammount of pre-carved pumpkins, so ensure you head down early if you want to get your hands on one.
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I cover home upgrades, DIY projects, hacks, how-tos, and plants. I’ve written about home decor and renovations for more than a decade since earning my degree in Magazine Journalism from Northwestern University. Before AT, I was an editor at HGTV Magazine and This Old House Magazine.