Kitsch refers to art, decorations, or objects that are considered tacky, overly sentimental, or in poor taste, but that some people find enjoyable anyway. Think of those lawn ornaments shaped like pink flamingos, or paintings of sad-eyed puppies, or snow globes with glitter that swirls around tiny plastic landmarks. These things aren't meant to be serious art; they're mass-produced, a bit silly, and designed to appeal to popular taste rather than expert critics.

The word often carries a judgmental tone, as if someone is looking down their nose at what other people enjoy. A decorator might dismiss a velvet painting of Elvis as kitsch, while someone else proudly hangs it in their living room. Holiday decorations, tourist souvenirs, and overly cute figurines often get labeled as kitsch.

Interestingly, what one generation considers kitsch sometimes becomes valued by the next. Some people collect kitsch items ironically or appreciate them for their cheerful lack of pretension. The line between kitsch and genuine folk art can be fuzzy. Whether something is kitsch often depends on who's looking at it and whether they're taking it seriously or enjoying it for its campy charm.