The 2025 Christmas Decor You Need to Buy Early

I know—it’s barely Fall! We haven’t even made it to Halloween, let alone Thanksgiving, and here I am talking about Christmas. But the truth is, the best holiday pieces always sell out early. Getting a head start now means less stress later (and a much prettier December).

Today I’m sharing my updated list of Christmas decor to buy early in 2025—from trees and lights to garlands, greenery, and more. I update this post every year so you’ll always know what’s worth shopping for first.

The Best Christmas Decor to Buy early

Sure, Hobby Lobby has been in Christmas mode since July, but now’s when most other stores start rolling out their holiday collections—and that’s exactly when the good stuff disappears. Every year it’s the same story: by the time we’re finally ready to deck the halls, the best pieces are gone until next year.

Think of me as that good friend who quietly lets you know there’s lipstick on your teeth…except I’m here to tell you it’s time to start shopping. Like, now.

So grab a cup of cocoa (or maybe a pumpkin latte—it’s still Fall, after all), turn on your favorite holiday playlist, and let’s get a head start on creating the most festive home yet. You can use the Table of Contents below to jump straight to my must-buy favorites.

1. Christmas Trees

The best artificial trees always sell out early. You might still find a few left by December, but the full, realistic, beautifully lit ones? Those disappear fast.

If you want a tree that looks high-end and effortless—without spending hours untangling lights—now’s the time to buy.

Below are some of my favorite pre-lit trees for 2025, from realistic firs to more sculptural European styles. You can find even more of my picks in THIS POST.

My Favorite pre-lit Trees

Click the image below to see each of my picks!

2. Holiday Lights

Whether you have a live tree or an artificial one, there’s one universal truth—holiday lights never make it through the year unscathed.

Every season, I carefully pack them away, only to discover that at least one strand has gone dark by the next year. And of course, by the time I plug them in and realize it, the shelves are bare—or worse, the only ones left don’t match the rest!

This goes for both tree lights and house lights, so if you haven’t tested your strings yet, now’s the time. Plug them in, replace any that flicker or fade, and grab your backups early while the shelves are still full.

Styling Tip: Smart plugs and timers make all the difference when it comes to holiday lighting. I use Kasa and Govee brands, which let me turn everything on and off right from my phone—no more crawling behind the tree or running outside in the cold!

4. Greenery Picks

Greenery picks are one of the easiest ways to elevate your holiday decorating. I tuck them into garlands and wreaths to make them look fuller, but they’re just as beautiful layered into vases, bowls, or tabletop arrangements for a little pop of green.

Since the most realistic picks tend to disappear quickly, grab them early while the options are still plentiful. They’re inexpensive, easy to store, and instantly make any greenery look more lush and natural.

Styling Tip: Mix a few different types of picks—like cedar, juniper, and pine—for subtle texture and dimension.

My Favorite Greenery Picks

Click the image below to see each of my picks!

5. Flocking Powder

If you’re thinking about flocking a tree, garland, or wreath, buy the flocking powder now—it sells out every year, long before December.

I like SnoFlock Powder for larger pieces and save aerosol snow for small projects like pinecones. You can flock both real and artificial greenery; I lightly flocked an older artificial tree to give it a softer, fresh look and it was shockingly easy.

Styling Tip: Test on a single branch first to check the density you want, then work in light layers.

Want More? Get my step-by-step tutorial for How to Flock a Tree the Easy Way! Pictures and details for each step along the way.

6. Bells

Brass bells are a timeless accent and one of my favorite pieces of Christmas decor to buy early—their popularity means they rarely stay in stock. The soft jingle of bells just feels like the holidays, doesn’t it? But these days, they’re more than just a sound—they’re a beautiful accent that instantly adds charm and nostalgia to your decor.

Vintage-style brass bells have become incredibly popular again, and the best ones sell out fast each season. Whether you hang them on a wreath, drape them from a ladder, or layer them into a coffee table vignette, they bring a timeless, collected feel to any space.

Styling Tip: Tie a few bells together with ribbon or twine and hang them from a wreath hook, cabinet knob, or mantel corner for a simple, classic touch that works year after year.