Last-minute Christmas decorations to buy now

Yellow T Rex with a Christmas tree on his head and a shopping cart filled with baubles

(Image credit: Getty Images | Juj Winn)

published 9 December 2022

One minute Christmas was coming up fast, the next minute it's mid-December and I'm panicking. Aside from the DIY Christmas wreath I made on a cozy Sunday evening with a sudden burst of energy, the house is bare. As someone who gets excited about the prospect of watching Elf (with hot cocoa, marshmallows, and too much syrup in hand) in July, I need to up my game ASAP.

The holidays get me every year, and while I like to be sustainable at Christmas — a real tree, eco-friendly gifts, reusing ornaments from Christmasses past always — I like to keep my festive home looking fresh with a couple of new Christmas decor additions every year. Picking up a cute new ornament with my roommates is also a little like an annual Christmas ritual for us.

Now that our tree has officially come through the door, things are getting real and these are the decorations I'm shipping to my apartment stat.

Last-minute H&M Home holiday decorations

The holiday collection at H&M is so cute this year — it's hard to pick favorites.

Gold Star Tree Topper

What is a Christmas tree without a topper? Even if you've just picked up a mini potted tree this year, adding a topper is enough to make yours feel complete. The shape and gold color are on point.

Ice Cream Ornament

We're big into ice cream in our home, even when it's sub-zero outside and when we're not switching the heating on. So this cute cone from H&M is cute and sums up our festive home vibes pretty well.

Orange and Saffron Candle

A house that smells like Christmas is a big win for the holidays and this cute candle tin will look adorable on a bedside table or on a WFH desk in a studio — ideal for the small-space dweller.

Last-minute Urban Outfitters Christmas decorations

Cute to boot, all in stock, and unlikely to eat into my prosecco budget. Things are looking up with these must-haves from UO.

Disco Ball Swizzle Stick Set

The bar cart has to be well stocked over the holidays and cocktails are where it's at. These disco balls are mini showstoppers that will not just come out for Christmas cosmos but year-round drinks, I assure you.

Merry Hashmas Gift Wrap

This is sure to give every receiver the lolz and wrapped gifts under a tree add instant festive vibes too. Plus, it's made out of paper, so it has a little more eco cred — just try to re-use it next year.

Mushroom String Lights

Mushrooms are in and these red string lights are the cutest way to nod to the Pinterest home decor trend prediction. I would drape these over a mantel or a cactus because houseplants need decorating, too.

Last-minute Anthropologie holiday decorations

Anthro always brings the swankiest Xmas decorations to town. We're into these.

Snow Day Pillows

Fuzzy? Check. Cute? Check check! Whether you're dreaming of being on the slopes or are planning to stay cozy inside for days, these snow day pillows deliver all the holiday cheer.

Bottle Brush Trees

I spotted these towards the end of November and they are actually so good for creating a vibey little forest scene over a mantel or for adding a splash of color to a coffee table or bookshelf.

Set of 4 Party Fans

Fans always bring the drama. We're here for it. A little darker than I would typically go for, but these will be super easy to hang up using mini Command hooks for an elevated holiday home.

When to order

H&M Home holiday shipping times

Express shipping is currently unavailable in the US, but H&M standard shipping takes five to 10 days and is free for H&M members if you spend over $25.

Urban Outfitters holiday shipping times

Standard Urban Outfitters delivery takes seven to 10 days depending on which state you're in. Express and overnight delivery are still available too. Thanks, Santa.

Anthropologie holiday shipping times

If you want Anthropologie Christmas decorations in time for Hannukah on December 16th, you can still order up to the minute (Order by 1 pm EST Tuesday, Dec. 13) for US Express Shipping or by 1 pm EST Wednesday, Dec. 14 for US Overnight shipping.

If you want them for Christmas, perhaps to gift rather than to decorate, you have up until 11:59 pm PST Tuesday, Dec. 20 for standard shipping and for US Express shipping, order by 9 am EST Thursday, Dec. 22.

Hurry hurry, there really isn't a lot of time to waste. If any of these faves sold out, check Amazon's Holiday Shop for Prime delivery. Etsy is another go-to of mine for last-minute anything.

I'm Cam, the former deputy editor of Real Homes who worked on the site from 2020 to 2023. As a renter myself, sharing a home with two friends (and my cat) in London, I know all too well the challenges that this can pose when it comes to creating your perfect setup. As someone who has always loved everything interior design-related, I cannot rest until a home feels right and I am really passionate about helping others get there too, no matter what their living situation, style, or budget may be. It’s not always the easiest to figure out, but the journey is fun and the results are so worth it.

After interior design, travel, art, and photography are my next big passions. When I’m not writing or editing homes content, I’m usually tapping into other creative outlets, exploring galleries in London or further afield, taking photos, scribbling, or drawing!

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