Every year there are distinct and subtle changes in what the consumer will gravitate toward when decorating their homes for the holidays. This year, the change is less subtle and, in fact, it is more pronounced.

As we have seen throughout 2014, natural and organic looks continue to dominate demand in the decorative hard goods sector. Christmas will be no different. Not only will this be evident in the types of product sold this season, but in the colors as well. It appears that more muted tones will be popular, putting flashy and glittery looks on the back burner.

Perhaps the biggest demand category will be products that contain burlap. The wave that started a couple of years ago with fabric and ribbon has expanded to permanent botanicals and containers as well as other accessories. Specifically for Christmas, these accessories include ornaments, gift packages, tree garlands and decorative wreaths, all of which are either made of burlap or accented with it.

Burlap-covered containers will also continue to be popular for holiday party centerpieces, while burlap fabric will be used to enhance glass vases, baskets, tin and ceramic containers — giving arrangements a real down-to-earth look.

For use in fresh arrangements and displays (and tying into the natural theme), there will be much demand for birch branches in all shapes and sizes, Manzanita branches, and an array of natural pinecones, which will further reinforce the look of returning to nature.

Berries in all styles look to be popular and items with snow or ice will be used to provide color accents, as will fruits and vegetables.

Seashore-style driftwood is trending as well. Some of the more popular shapes that driftwood is formed into include reindeers, Christmas trees, and heart and star-shaped ornaments. These items clearly convey a sense of both natural and down-to-earth.

Shapes made from grapevine continue to grow in popularity, especially around the holidays. Grapevine balls and wreaths of all sizes provide a great natural base from which to build and create innovative decorations and designs.

The back-to-nature look is also evident in the variety of animal-type ornaments and display items that will be available this year. Coming off the heels of two straight years of increasingly strong sales, these novel items are poised to continue their upward trend. Made from materials such as sisal, wood, pinecones, etc., these owls, penguins, hedgehogs and reindeer give a Christmas presentation that’s both upscale and muted at the same time. Snowy owls have become increasingly popular over the past several Christmas seasons and show absolutely no sign of abating.

So, as you prepare for the 2014 Christmas season, you can’t miss by going back to basics. The degree and scope to which you move in this direction will depend upon which part of the country that you operate in. However, regardless of where you are, the trend is definitely heading that way.

Nick Fronduto is chief operating officer at Jacobson Floral Supply Inc. in Boston. He can be contacted at [email protected].