It feels like the holidays sneak up faster and faster every year. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the best decor doesn’t stick around for long. Though fall has just begun to emerge from a very hot summer, I always keep my eye out for holiday decor starting now. This is because the pieces I love most are always the first to go. These are the cozy, neutral finds that make a home feel Christmas-ready without nudging into cheesy territory.
I’ve found that there are five categories of holiday decor that goes quickly (more so than anything else). These are garlands, wreaths, trees, candles, and tabletop decorations. By the time you start shopping around, these pieces are harder to find or incredibly expensive because of scarcity. This year is no different. A few of my favorite holiday decorations have seen an uptick in sales, and I never like the risk of waiting, as restocks aren’t guaranteed.
This isn’t to say you should worry or stress! Instead, it’s a slow, intentional reminder to consider how you’d like your home to look come November and December and see what’s out there. To make this easier, I’ve rounded up the beautiful decorations worth grabbing now.
These simple, cozy touches will make your home feel warm and ready for the season ahead without leading to any disappointment. And when the pressure of holiday entertaining starts up, you’ll have it all squared away ahead of when these months actually do roll around!
Stylish Holiday Decor That Sells Out Quickly
As the holidays are just around the corner, there’s really no better time to start your shopping. I’ll get into all the details below, but if you’re short on time, I’ve compiled my favorite holiday decor that typically sells out the quickest.
Holiday Garlands
Garlands are synonymous with the winter holiday season and the item that emerges before the rest in Christmas collections. They add texture, color, and wintry beauty, so it’s no wonder that they’re always the first thing to disappear from my favorite shops. I love draping one along the mantel for a vibrant centerpiece that draws the eye in. You can also loop one down the staircase for a picture-perfect Christmas scene in your home.
The scent of fresh evergreen is lovely this time of year, but I find it’s easier to achieve that with a candle and rely on faux greenery! These garlands have come such a long way, so you can get that lush, full look without the mess (or the yearly repurchase).
If you’ve been starting to think about your garland this year, don’t wait too long. The neutral, natural-looking ones especially tend to sell out first, since they work in just about any home and don’t scream “holiday” the way some of the more traditional options do.
Holiday Wreaths
A wreath is one of the simplest ways to bring the holiday spirit into your home. Although it’s a classic for framing your front door and making guests feel welcome, there are so many other ways you can bring a wreath into your decor. Place a wreath above the mantel, lean one against a window, hang one above each bed in your home, or hang mini ones from ribbons in your windows. The choices are endless!
Real wreaths are gorgeous, but I’ve been converted into a total faux wreath fan, as the options out there nowadays are so beautifully done and realistic. Many look full and textured in a way that you could only ever get from fresh greenery. I always gravitate toward the ones with soft needles or branches. Outside of classic green, you can opt for red berry wreaths, silver-tinged versions, or frosted twigs. Wreaths are also one of the first thing people pick up as the holiday season draws closer, so if you’ve found one you love, don’t wait.
Christmas Trees
Trees are where I think people tend to wait the longest, but if you’re in the market for a faux Christmas tree or winter-inspired trees to dot around your home or porch, now is the best time to grab them. A mini tree is such a sweet addition to a bedroom, hallway, or even a kitchen counter if you find a super petite size! For larger trees, I have two options I love most: A bold, fluffy traditional evergreen tree or a flocked “winter tree” style, which helps contribute to that soft, coastal feel even during this freezing cold time of year.
Though there’s something to be said for having a real tree, faux make Christmas much more low-maintenance (no shedding) and you can use the same tree for decades. Even if you invest in two so you can rotate between different looks each year, it’ll cost you less in the long run. You can always incorporate real evergreens in other ways, like a garland or vase of boughs.
Winter Candles
With longer nights and darker days, I crave having candlelight around my home to make this time of year feel cozy rather than drab. I have a variety of options for multiple rooms around my home and love mixing scented candles for that warm, seasonal fragrance. I also like using simple, unscented taper and tealight candles for a more understated, elegant glow. These can be placed on tabletops during dinner or lit on top of coffee tables for a warm ambience when you’re cozied up watching a movie.
The scented ones are usually the first to sell out, particularly anything with notes of balsam, cedar, or spiced citrus, since those tend to feel the most like the holidays without being overly sweet. Tapers and tealights don’t always get talked about as much, but they tend to be the things we buy last-minute when we’re prepping for family visits, only to find they’re all sold out. Snag them while you can!
Holiday Tabletop Decorations
Tabletop decor is where you can really have fun layering in little touches, without committing to anything too big. I love using a mix of bells, bowls, vases, and decorative objects and ornaments. You can really add them anywhere around your home. Place a few on a nightstand, sprinkle them on a coffee table, or use these decorations on bookshelves and console tables. Faux gingerbread houses and snowy villages are also an adorable touch for entryway tables or kitchen corners.
These smaller pieces might seem like an afterthought, but they’re often the first things to go because people scoop them up in multiples. I’m always disappointed when I’ve spotted a cute piece for Christmas but it’s disappeared in the rush! So, now is the best time to stock up on these tiny details. They’re what makes a home feel finished and tied together in a big holiday bow. Plus, they’re simple to store and restyle the following year!
