My favorite timeless holiday essentials to shop early, style year after year, and make your home feel a little more magical
I know it might feel early to start thinking about Christmas decorating, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that the best holiday decor tends to sell out long before we’re actually ready to decorate.
Every year, I find myself reaching for many of the same pieces. Beautiful, realistic greenery, classic brass bells, velvet ribbon, and a few special ornaments that make our home feel festive without having to completely reinvent everything. I’ve always preferred collecting holiday decor slowly and intentionally. Rather than buying an entirely new collection each season, I invest in timeless pieces that I know I’ll love for years and find little ways to style them differently.
With that in mind, I’ve rounded up my favorite holiday decorating essentials that I recommend shopping for now, while the best options are still available. These are pieces I personally own, love, and look forward to bringing out every year.
SEE MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY FINDS HERE
norfolk pine stems + light up branches
If there’s one holiday decorating essential I recommend year after year, it’s realistic Norfolk pine stems.
They’re incredibly versatile and one of the easiest ways to bring that natural, understated Christmas feeling into your home. I love arranging them in oversized vases on kitchen islands, consoles, dining tables, and anywhere that needs a little seasonal greenery.
One of my favorite tricks is mixing in battery-operated light-up branches. They add the prettiest soft glow in the evenings and make even the simplest arrangement feel special.
The best part is that you can use these stems in so many different ways, making them an investment you’ll continue reaching for year after year.
real touch garland & wreaths
Beautiful, realistic greenery is always one of my favorite ways to decorate for Christmas. I especially love Real Touch garlands and Norfolk pine wreaths because they’re timeless, versatile, and can be styled differently year after year.
I love draping garland across mantels, wrapping it around staircases, or adding it above mirrors. Wreaths are equally versatile, whether they’re on the front door, windows, or throughout our home.
My preference is to start with simple greenery and add seasonal details from there. Some years I’ll layer in eucalyptus for added texture, berry picks, dried oranges, or sugared fruit ornaments. Other years, I’ll keep things classic with a beautiful velvet bow and a few brass bells.
That’s what I love most about investing in quality greenery. You can completely change the look from one Christmas to the next without having to replace your entire collection.
pre-lit slim christmas trees
There’s something about the soft glow of Christmas lights that makes a home feel instantly warmer and more inviting.
One of my favorite ways to bring that feeling into different areas of our home is with pre-lit slim Christmas trees.
They’re perfect for filling an empty corner, adding a little Christmas magic to an entryway, or decorating smaller spaces where a full-size tree might feel overwhelming.
I have a beautiful Real Touch version that I absolutely love. The realistic branches make it feel elevated, while the lights add that cozy holiday atmosphere without needing much additional decoration.
Sometimes the simplest holiday touches make the biggest impact.
ribbons + bows
Ribbon is one of my favorite ways to personalize holiday decor. I especially love flocked and velvet ribbon for the beautiful texture they add to wreaths, garlands, and trees.
I always recommend shopping for ribbon early so you have the best selection of colors, widths, and textures. Pre-made bows are another favorite because they make decorating so easy while still giving everything a beautiful, finished look.
brass bells
If you’ve followed along with my holiday decorating, you know how much I love brass bells.
They’re one of those timeless details that work with almost any decorating style. I use them on wreaths, garlands, staircases, and throughout our home in different shapes and sizes.
They’re simple, classic, and something I know I’ll continue using for years.
ornaments
I love starting each holiday season with a general color palette or vision for our home.
Most of our ornaments are pieces I’ve collected over time, and I enjoy bringing them out year after year. But I also love adding a few new ones each season to introduce a different color, finish, or texture.
Shopping early gives me time to find those special pieces that complement what I already own rather than feeling like I need to start over.
I know October might seem early to be shopping for Christmas decor, but I truly think it’s one of the best times to find the pieces you’ll love for years. The realistic greenery, beautiful ribbon, and timeless accessories are often the first things to become harder to find as we get closer to the holidays.
My advice is to start with the essentials. Invest in a few beautiful pieces you can reuse, choose greenery that works in multiple spaces, and slowly build a collection that feels personal to your home. You don’t need to buy everything new each year to create something beautiful. Sometimes it’s simply about finding a different way to style the pieces you already love.
I’ve gathered all of my favorite holiday decorating essentials in one place so you can get a head start while they’re still available.
SHOP ALL MY HOLIDAY DECOR FAVORITES
And when it’s finally time to start decorating, you’ll already have those special pieces ready to make your home feel warm, welcoming, and full of holiday magic!
add it to your pinterest!
