10 Things You Should Buy NOW for Christmas
Christmas may be weeks away, yet most of the retail stores already have aisles filled with Christmas decor and supplies. Some of these items sell out fast, so although you may still have pumpkins and fall leaves on your mind – buy these 10 things now.
I get it. Who can think of Christmas when there are pumpkins and Fall Festivals all around. Who wants to really think about Christmas ribbon and Santas and such? Its crazy that I am advocating for you go out now and shop for Christmas. I mean, you haven’t even started to plan your Thanksgiving menu and I’m telling you to get your mindset into Christmas. 🙂
Well, as crazy as it sounds, it’s true. Each year, there are a few things I always like to buy early. Some of them are pretty common sense items. If you think about it, the stores have their shelves filled to the brim with Christmas now. Doesn’t it make sense to go ahead and pick up a few items in advance? This saves last minute worries when you need the items and then find they have already sold out. It also means helping out your holiday budget because you’re not buying everything all at once. Here are some of the items I purchase in advance.
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1.) Christmas Ribbons:
(Tartan Plaid and Houndstooth Bow from my 2015 Christmas Mantel )
Without a doubt, ribbons are one of the first things I buy as soon as they hit the shelves. I learned the hard way a few years back that the pretty ribbons sell out fast. Stores get in one huge supply, and once they are gone they are gone. Burlap ribbon isn’t so much a factor, because that is something that is sold year round. But, ribbons such as pretty plaids, for example, can go fast.
Keep in mind it just isn’t the average person buying for their home that is buying up all the ribbons. Many crafters are getting their stock ready for upcoming Christmas Craft Fairs and Shows – and Etsy sellers, etc, are making items to sell online. Although it means you will have to decide upon what theme or color you wish to go with a little early, it’s worth being able to have a good selection of ribbons now, rather than wait until the choices are low.
2.) Wrapping Paper and Tape:
(Wrapped Packages from my 2015 Christmas Home Tour)
If you were really organized and had your act together, you probably hit the After-Christmas sales last year and already purchased your gift wraps for this year. But, if you’re like me, you were too broke and too tired to do anything after Christmas but lay on the couch and finish up the last of the Christmas fudge. 😀
The reason I suggest that you go ahead and purchase your gift wrap and tape now is one of practicality. I figured out that if I have a few rolls of wrap handy, I can go ahead and wrap the gifts as I buy them. I have a few gifts already wrapped and tucked out of site at the top of our closet. I will add pretty ribbons and bows later. (Oh, make sure you tag who the gift is for.) LOL This saves me so much time and effort later on when things are more hectic. I will share my DIY Gift Wrap Bin with you soon.
Here are a few of my fave Wraps, Tags and Storage Bins:
Christmas Tags | Christmas Wraps | Storage Bins
3.) Christmas Cards:
Again, this may very well be an item you purchased last year at the end of the season. If not, go ahead and pick up a few boxes and slowly start filling these out. I won’t lie, I have been one of those card givers that waited until the very last minute and was lucky if the cards arrived the day before Christmas. Now, I start early. I have a basket on the kitchen counter with my cards, stamps, address labels and my address book. As I am cooking dinner or when I have a few minutes to spare – I fill out a few cards here and there.
4.) Order Your Christmas Dinner Ham or Turkey or Roast:
( 5 Tips for Planning Thanksgiving )
At our local butcher, we can put in our order for our Ham as early as November 1st. I also go ahead and put in my order for our New Year’s Day Prime Rib. One of the things I mentioned in my post 5 Tips for Planning Thanksgiving was to buy non-perishable grocery items a little along. I have been doing this for Christmas, as well. I know I will need extra Chicken Stock, for example, so I picked up some extras.
My FAVE Turkey Roaster | My FAVE Turkey Platter
5.) Ornament Hooks:
Do you know how many times I have had to stop right in the middle of adding ornaments to the tree and run to the Dollar Store to get more hooks? Okay, I won’t confess that. But, more times than I should have. So, a few days ago while out shopping I picked up a few packages to have on hand. Now the secret is putting them someplace I won’t forget. LOL
Take a look at some of these different kinds of Christmas hooks. I think I will try out a few of these this year.
Hook #1 | Hook #2 | Hook #3 | Hook #4
6.) Christmas Lights:
I know what you’re thinking. You can get these at any time. Once again, read above re: what I ended up doing in the past while I was decorating my tree. 😀 One year, I stopped in the middle of putting up the tree to go get all new lights. Came home, got the lights on the tree – started decorating and adding the ornaments….and realized I did not have enough hooks. Don’t be like Barb. LOL
7.) Extension Cords:
While you’re picking up the lights, go ahead and grab a few extra extension cords. I don’t think one can have enough extension cords when decorating for Christmas.
8.) Baking Ingredients:
While I was grocery shopping last week, I saw a new stand with lots of Christmas baking ingredients. I grabbed 3-4 items I knew I would need. Once home, I grabbed an empty basket and added these new Christmas baking ingredients to it and placed that in the pantry. I will pick up a few more things this week. One of these items I need a lot of is nuts, especially pecans. These yummies are soooo expensive. And I need several bags each year just for all of the Edible Christmas Gifts I make. So, I buy several bags along the way and stick them into the freezer to save until they are needed.
9.) Pre-Order Your Greenery/Wreaths:
In many areas, you can order your greenery/garlands and wreaths in advance. I don’t do that as I use the abundant greenery available in our yard, but I do need to order more of this faux boxwood to make more of these Mini Boxwood Wreaths.
I ordered these twice last year, and when I went to order more, they were all sold out, so get yours now while they are available. By the way, I also love these other greenery and wreath items too….
1.) Preserved Boxwood Wreath | 2.) Faux Cedar Garland
3.) Faux Mistletoe, Leaf and Berry Garland | 4.) Faux Longleaf Pine Garland
5.) Faux Magnolia Garland | 6.) Faux Boxwood Garland *(as used above)
10.) Christmas Toys & Gifts:
I saved #10 for last. For years, we would say that we were going to shop for Santa early and be done early and have everything wrapped early. LAST year was the first year we actually did this. Oh my goodness – what a huge difference that made. First, we had a good selection. We didn’t have to pick and choose from the toys that were leftover. We used Amazon Prime for a lot of the techie gifts, so it was easy, plus we had free shipping and I got airline points. Win-Win-Win. (Hello, France is calling!) But most of all, the stress of “being done” was worth the early shopping. I have a friend who has three children and she has a great idea. She devotes September to the first child, October to the second child and November to the third child. During the dedicated month, she concentrates on one child at a time, wraps the gifts and puts them away. By the end of November, she is done! I think that is an amazing idea!!!!
There you go! The ten Christmas items I suggest you should start shopping for NOW.
What do you think? Have you already started shopping for some of these items? Are there other items on your list you also shop for? I’d love to hear your suggestions.
Thanks for letting me share my 10 Things You Should Buy NOW for Christmas.
xxoo, Barb
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Thank you so much for the monthly calendars! I enjoy them so much.
View CommentYou’re so welcome. I am working on a beautiful new 2017 Calendar which you can download or I will have some available to purchase already bound and ready to hang. 🙂
View CommentI started shopping for Christmas gifts at the end of September. I always try to get my daughter to fill out her list around that time so “Santa has time to get it all ready”. It gives me the opportunity to purchase the things she really wants before everyone else especially if they’re on the popular side. It helps out immensely!
View CommentThanks for stopping by Merry Monday! We hope to see you next week!
Kate | The Organized Dream
I’m happy to see this list because I’ve done most of these so it makes me feel pretty good. Not smug, not perfect — but pretty good!
I always get nuts and butter when they are on sale and early and just freeze them. Other baking things too but those in particular tend to get pricey if you are planning on some serious baking — and I do!
View CommentI completely agree with you about buying ornament hooks early! I have had to make my own from floral wire because I waited too long to buy them!
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View CommentThank you for all the great info I too have been praying for all in the California fires God bless
View CommentThanks for a great list. I always wish I could be more organized and anticipate my holiday needs in advance. Your list has inspired me to try to get my act together this year!
View CommentYour list is spot on!! I purchased my cards last week at Tuesday Morning, ribbon at Costco, wrapping paper at Hobby Lobby and a few toys online for my Grandlove!!! This post did remind me about hooks though…. I run out every year!! Thanks!!!
View CommentI always realize I need hooks just when I start hanging ornaments on the tree. NEVER fails. LOL
View CommentThis is a great list and a great reminder. I have learned the hard way in the past. I have seen it hard to find baking supplies during the holidays.
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