Take the guesswork out of seasonal shopping with our insider's guide to holiday gifts and decor—and get ready for your most heartfelt holiday yet.
A colorful row of personalized stockings hanging from the mantel just so. Matching family pjs, complete with embroidered monograms. A freshly baked batch of cookies delivered to your neighbor’s doorstep in a beautifully decorated box. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the biggest difference during the holidays. So to help you make the most of this year’s season and focus on the moments that really matter, we’ve compiled a simple month-by-month shopping timeline, chock full of expert tips and tricks for finding the best of the season on Etsy, from cheerful decorations to extraordinary presents at every price point.
“On Etsy, you can find the most unique and thoughtful gifts, plus one-of-a-kind trimmings and table settings guaranteed to make your home feel warm and bright,” says Etsy Trend Expert Dayna Isom Johnson. “With a bit of basic planning and a few handy search suggestions, you’re sure to find just what you need to get the festivities flowing.” Whether you’re counting down the days until you deck the halls or just want to get a jumpstart on gift shopping, read on for the inside scoop on everything you need to make the holidays feel special this year, and rest easy knowing you’re prepared.
Bonus: Want even more genius shopping ideas? Check out our all-new insider’s guide to discovering the best of Etsy.
SHOP: Personalized family portrait ornament from Oliveberry Designs, from $25
What to buy in December
Local and fast-shipping gifts
A stunning pair of statement earrings for your super-stylish bestie. An extra-cozy throw blanket covered in sushi for your takeout-obsessed aunt. Scarves shaped like swans for your bird-watching nephews. Etsy is brimming with one-of-a-kind, ready-to-ship presents guaranteed to feel just as special as the custom kind. Need to find some inspiration stat? Our curated guide to last-minute gifts is where it's at.
Tip: Need a gift delivered fast? You can filter your search results by “estimated arrival date” to find items expected to arrive quickly. You can also filter by shop location to find Etsy sellers in your area, which may help reduce shipping times. (It’s also a great way to support local artists!) You can also find the estimated arrival date conveniently located at the bottom of any listing you’re browsing, for help ensuring your order will arrive on time.
SHOP: DIY printable wreath from SkyGoodies, $7
Printable cards, gifts, and decor
For the inevitable last-minute need or two, sellers are at-the-ready with a slew of creative solutions. “This is where Etsy can really come to the rescue,” Mary says. Whether you need a cheerful greeting card or set of stylish place cards for an intimate family dinner to remember, save time and money with a budget-friendly printable option. You can even purchase a downloadable piece of wall art, print it at home, and frame it for a quick but memorable gift.
In case you missed it: What to buy in October
Holiday decor
With fall in full swing and Thanksgiving just around the corner, now is the perfect time to begin dreaming about decorating your space for the holidays. Start with versatile staples you can use throughout the season—think modern wreaths, playful doormats, and cozy essentials like chunky knit throws and seasonal scented candles—to establish a decor foundation that effortlessly transitions from autumn to holiday.
SHOP: Personalized flannel stockings from OMySoulStudio, from $35
SHOP: Balsam fir-scented soy candles from Downeast Doodle Candle, from $13
Then, stock up on all the handmade tree skirts, inventive advent calendars, and stockings that suit your unique taste to layer in and dial up the festive feeling as December nears. Have a specific vibe in mind? “No matter what your personal style is, you can find holiday decor to match it,” says Etsy’s director of merchandising, Mary Andrews Vidra.
Tip: Try adding terms like “classic”, “modern”, “alternative”, “colorful”, “minimalist”, “boho”, “farmhouse”, or “Scandinavian” to your search to find holiday decor that matches your preferred aesthetic. You can also filter your search results by price to find items in your budget range.
Speaking of budgeting, starting your shopping early is a great way to spread out your holiday expenses over time, and October is the perfect opportunity to pre-order personalized milestone ornaments to commemorate a recent wedding, new baby, or first family home—be it yours or that of a loved one.
SHOP: Personalized recipe cutting board from Morning Joy Co., from $51
Custom and made-to-order gifts
One of the best parts of shopping on Etsy? Many sellers are willing to create custom items just for you—or rather, just for the lucky recipient of your ultra-personalized present. This year, some of our favorite custom creations include recipe cutting boards (which let you preserve a cherished recipe in its author’s original handwriting), kid-friendly name puzzles and mom-friendly name necklaces, charming illustrated ceramic mugs, and frame-worthy family, pet, and house portraits. Since these made-to-order gems can take a bit more time to whip up (and may be offered in limited quantities each season), beginning your search in October is a good idea. A great place to start is Etsy’s holiday gift guide, which includes a wide selection of dazzling curated gifts, organized by price.
SHOP: Custom house portrait embroidery from Munns Made, from $75
Tip: Many items on Etsy are eligible for flexible payment options from Klarna. US-based buyers can start crossing gifts off their lists now and pay for them later (terms and conditions apply).
In case you missed it: What to buy in November
Just-for-them gifts
Good news for slightly-less-early birds: Etsy offers a treasure trove of lightly personalized presents that still feel unique to your giftee, but don’t require extra time for customization. Thoughtful options include birthstone or initial jewelry, zodiac-themed items, and city- or state-specific pieces that let the recipient show off their hometown pride. Plus, from custom color combos to monograms to hand-picked scents—on Etsy there's no shortage of unique—and quick!—ways to personalize a present. To get started, try describing your intended recipient in your search terms (see: gifts for mom, gifts for grandpa, or gifts for pets), then filter your results by “personalizable” and your budget.
Tip: For an even more curated approach, check out Etsy’s personalized gift guide.
SHOP: Personalized mercury glass ornaments from MÆRRIMENT, from $33
Vintage decor and gifts
From glitter-encrusted putz houses to nostalgia-inducing mercury glass ornaments, Etsy is a wonderland of vintage holiday decor with unparalleled one-of-a-kind appeal. And for the retro fans on your gift list, throwback faves like old-school botanical prints and art-deco-style cocktail rings make for delightfully different presents. Thanks to their ready-made nature, vintage pieces also often boast the bonus benefit of quick turnaround times—but remember, once they’re gone they’re gone for good, so when you see something you love, don’t wait to snag it!
Tip: Unable to celebrate in person this year? Many sellers offer gorgeous gift wrap options and would be happy to send your order right to its recipient (often with a handwritten note!). Filter your search results to find items that “can be gift-wrapped.” Check individual listings for details, and reach out to sellers directly with any questions or special requests.
SHOP: Custom family holiday sweatshirts from Olive & Pip, from $28
Holiday fashion
Whether you’re dressing up for holiday parties or staying in with family, make sure your closet is stocked with all the merry must-haves. From matching pajama sets perfect for holiday cards or Instagram, to comfy Christmas sweaters (including over-the-top vintage pullovers from the ‘80s and ‘90s and custom holiday sweatshirts featuring the kids’ own drawings), cozy choices for snuggling up on the couch with your loved ones abound.
As for those of us who crave a little glitz and glam at our festivities, now’s the time to prep your party-ready outfits and accessories. “I love the idea of getting dressed to the nines in your favorite cocktail dress even if you’re just toasting the season in the kitchen with your family,” says Mary. Or embrace a happy medium and top off your comfiest loungewear with a crystal-studded headband or gemstone-encrusted brooch and bring a touch of shimmer to your Santa’s-eve shindig.
Tip: Looking to save on extraordinary gifts? When searching on Etsy, you can filter your results to find items on sale or those with free shipping, or browse more seasonal deals here, as the holidays approach.
SHOP: Handmade vegan soap from La Marcotterie, $8.50 each
Stocking stuffers
What would the holidays be without a stocking full of pint-sized surprises? This year's most popular picks include anything for curating a personalized self-care moment, whether it's a meditation journal and a stack of affirmation cards or an assortment of bath and beauty products for a bit of at-home relaxation. “In the past few years, a shift towards healing and introspection has come into focus,” Dayna says. “On Etsy, there are thousands of items for the wellness enthusiast on your list, from beautiful bath bombs to DIY essential oil kits—everything they need to keep their zen intact.” To discover some of our favorite budget-friendly little luxuries, check out Etsy’s under $30 gift guide, or filter your search results by price.
SHOP: Knitted headband from Elfrieda & Jabir, $23
For a more practical-meets-playful approach to stocking stuffing, try socks and mittens featuring cheeky phrases or playful patterns, DIY embroidery kits, tech accessories like cable organizers and multi-use phone stands, and plenty of goodies like name crayons and playing cards for the smaller members of your fam—plus treats for the pets, too. “A lot of these items can be personalized to make them even more special,” notes Mary.
SHOP: Personalized name puzzle from Bloom Owl, from $20
Editor’s note, October 2022: This story, originally published in 2019, has been updated to reflect the latest decor and gifting trends for the 2022 holiday season.
