Lights
The Christmas Decoration Shopping List
A month-by-month shopping list for a properly decorated British Christmas — what to buy in October, November and December, and what to skip entirely.
The essential Christmas decoration shopping list, bought in the right order from October onwards, costs less and looks better than a panic-buy in mid-December. Below is the master list — genuine essentials only, with what to spend and what to skip.
October: the foundations
Bought now, these last all season and into the next.
- Cast-iron tree stand with reservoir
- £35 – £60
- Weatherproof outdoor extension cable
- £25 – £40
- Six clear 50L storage boxes
- £40 total
- Analogue timer plug
- £8
Early November: the headline items
- The Christmas tree. Real or artificial. If real, order from a garden centre or tree farm now. Nordmann fir 6ft: £55–£90.
- The front door wreath. Order for late-November pickup. £45–£90 for a proper handmade fresh wreath.
- Tree lights. Warm white LED string, three times the length you think you need. A 6ft tree wants at least 600 lights. Around £40.
- Tree topper. Star, angel or oversized bow — pick one and commit. £25–£100.
- Tree skirt or basket. Wicker basket or linen skirt to hide the stand. £40–£80.
Mid-November: the working items
Garland by the metre
- Notes
- For mantelpiece, banister or door arch; calculate generously, add 30%
- Price
- £15–£25/m fresh, £30–£60/m premium artificial
Wreath ribbon
- Notes
- 5m velvet or wired tartan, doubles for wrapping and napkin rings
- Price
- £15–£25
Pillar candles
- Notes
- Six, cream or burgundy, varying heights
- Price
- £30–£60 total
Tealights
- Notes
- Box of 100, used everywhere
- Price
- £6
Signature scented candle
- Notes
- One beautiful candle for the entrance hall, lit only for guests
- Price
- £55–£90
| Item | Notes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Garland by the metre | For mantelpiece, banister or door arch; calculate generously, add 30% | £15–£25/m fresh, £30–£60/m premium artificial |
| Wreath ribbon | 5m velvet or wired tartan, doubles for wrapping and napkin rings | £15–£25 |
| Pillar candles | Six, cream or burgundy, varying heights | £30–£60 total |
| Tealights | Box of 100, used everywhere | £6 |
| Signature scented candle | One beautiful candle for the entrance hall, lit only for guests | £55–£90 |
Late November: the supporting cast
- Six new tree decorations
- £20–£60 each
- Wooden Advent calendar
- £40–£80
- Stockings and holders
- £25–£50 each
- Table linen
- £80–£200
- Christmas crockery
- £40–£150
- Wrapping paper and ribbon
- £30–£80 total
December: the consumables
Mince pies
- Notes
- Roughly 100 for a family of four across the season, half homemade
Christmas pudding
- Notes
- Order in November
Cheeseboard
- Notes
- Stilton, mature cheddar, a soft cheese, a hard French cheese — buy 3–4 days before to reach room temperature
Crackers
- Notes
- £15–£60 for a box of 6–12
Port
- Notes
- A good ruby, around £30, lasts the season open
Mulled wine essentials
- Notes
- Cinnamon, cloves, star anise, oranges, lemons — restock every two weeks
Fresh flowers
- Notes
- Order for delivery on 23rd December, £80–£200
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Mince pies | Roughly 100 for a family of four across the season, half homemade |
| Christmas pudding | Order in November |
| Cheeseboard | Stilton, mature cheddar, a soft cheese, a hard French cheese — buy 3–4 days before to reach room temperature |
| Crackers | £15–£60 for a box of 6–12 |
| Port | A good ruby, around £30, lasts the season open |
| Mulled wine essentials | Cinnamon, cloves, star anise, oranges, lemons — restock every two weeks |
| Fresh flowers | Order for delivery on 23rd December, £80–£200 |
Don't buy these
The big-ticket question: outdoor lights
Nothing
- Cost
- £0
- Result
- Dark facade
DIY supermarket lights
- Cost
- £100–£300 plus an evening on a ladder
- Result
- Real risk, unreliable in rain
Professional installation
- Cost
- £1,500–£3,500 depending on house size
- Result
- Premium display, safely installed, taken down in January
| Option | Cost | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Nothing | £0 | Dark facade |
| DIY supermarket lights | £100–£300 plus an evening on a ladder | Real risk, unreliable in rain |
| Professional installation | £1,500–£3,500 depending on house size | Premium display, safely installed, taken down in January |
For most homeowners with a house worth lighting properly, professional installation is the only sensible option — the cost amortises over three to five years of storage between seasons, and the result is what neighbours photograph.
The day before Christmas Eve
Take an evening: light every candle, switch on every light, pour a glass of mulled wine, and sit in the room. Notice what's working and what isn't, and make a small note for next year. This is how, slowly, a household builds the kind of Christmas the children remember.
Make the outside of your home as ready as the inside. Request a tailored Christmas lighting quote →
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