The 2026 Christmas Decor You Need to Buy Early

The Best Christmas Decor to Buy Early

Sure, Hobby Lobby has been in Christmas mode since July, but now is when a lot of other stores start rolling out their holiday collections. And the best time to check certain things is before you actually need them.

That’s especially true for anything you may need to match later, like lights or ribbon, and for bigger pieces like trees and garlands where the most realistic styles tend to go first.

Think of me as that good friend who lets you know there’s lipstick on your teeth. Except instead, I’m here to say: check your Christmas stuff now. Future you may be very glad you did.

Here’s what I’d look at first.

2. Holiday Lights

If you already own Christmas lights, test them now instead of waiting until you’re halfway through decorating.

Every year, I pack mine away thinking they’re fine, and somehow there’s always at least one strand that doesn’t make it to the next Christmas.

The bigger problem is finding a replacement that actually matches.

Because “warm white” is definitely not universal. You can end up with three strands of soft warm white and one strand that looks like it belongs under fluorescent office lighting.

And once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.

This goes for both tree lights and outdoor lights, so plug everything in now and check for dead strands, flickering bulbs, or sections that look noticeably dimmer. If you need replacements, buy the same brand and style while you still have a decent chance of finding them.

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. Christmas Ribbon

Ribbon is one of those things I always seem to underestimate. I find the perfect color, buy what seems like plenty, start decorating…and realize I need two more rolls.

Of course, by then the exact ribbon I bought is sold out.

If you’re planning to use ribbon on your tree, garland, wreaths, or packages this year, buy all of it at once. This is especially true for velvet ribbon, wired ribbon, plaids, and more unusual colors that can be hard to match later.

Before ordering, think through everywhere you plan to use it and estimate how much you’ll need. Then I’d add a little extra because somehow ribbon always disappears faster than expected.

Styling Tip: If you’re using ribbon throughout several rooms, repeating the same ribbon in small amounts is an easy way to make your Christmas decorating feel connected without everything matching.

5. Tree Toppers & Special Ornaments

Basic ornaments will still be around in November. The unusual ones are another story.

If there’s one ornament, topper, oversized bow, or other special piece that you’re building your tree around, don’t wait on that piece. You can usually substitute basic ornaments later. It’s much harder to replace the one distinctive piece that gave you the idea for the tree in the first place.

So if there’s something special you already know you want this year, this is a good time to grab it.

Styling Tip: You don’t need an entire tree full of special ornaments. A handful of larger or more distinctive pieces mixed with simpler ornaments can make the whole tree feel more collected.

6. Stockings, Tree Skirts & Tree Collars

If you need several matching stockings, buy them together. Finding four matching stockings in October is easy. Finding the fourth after you’ve already bought three can turn into a much bigger project than it should be.

The same goes for tree skirts and tree collars. If you already know the size, color, or style you want, there’s really no advantage to waiting until the selection gets smaller.

This is especially worth checking now if you’re changing your Christmas color palette, adding stockings for new family members, or using a new tree this year.

Styling Tip: Before buying a tree collar or skirt, measure the widest part of your tree stand. Tree collars in particular can look plenty big online and then somehow barely fit around the base.