It’s Time to Fulfill Your Holiday Decorating Resolutions

Welcome to Someone Buy This!, a monthly shopping column featuring the fun, the frivolous, and the practical from a very discerning shopper.

Did anyone else blink and realize it’s already November? It’s time to toss the pumpkins and open some winter holiday decor tabs. My own holiday decor shopping inspired the topic of this month’s column. I moved into a new space this year that I’m excited to transform into a Martha Stewart-approved winter wonderland. Strap in and let’s talk trees, ornaments, menorahs and more!

This season, after years of buying overpriced and underwhelming live Christmas trees at the nearest bodega, I opted for a fake tree—a silver one. I was inspired by the aluminum "Evergleam" trees of the 1960s, which you can still find on Etsy, but wanted something taller, fuller and, frankly, more affordable. I bought this slim silver tree during Prime Day last month and have been counting down the days to tree day (the day after Thanksgiving, obviously). If you’re looking for a tree with more standard dimensions, this one from Martha Stewart’s collection is great. Tall, full, pre-lit and with Martha’s stamp of approval! What more could you want?

This may be controversial, but I kind of hate tree skirts. I find them to be either too flimsy or way too expensive for something that plays a very minor role in temporary holiday decor. I like to use throw blankets instead, which I can justify spending more money on. Here’s a cute blanket (which, trust me, will be on sale soon) that you can snuggle up under after it’s served a month-long tour of duty under your tree. Tablecloths can also double as tree skirts! I love this one from Dusen Dusen. You may insist on a tree skirt that doesn’t double as anything else. Couldn’t be me, but fine, I can compromise! Here’s a little rattan number from IKEA.

I just gushed over vintage-inspired silver trees so it should be no surprise that vintage fruit ornaments are near the top of my holiday decor shopping list. There’s an excellent Etsy shop called Glass Vintage Decors with an endless supply of glass ornaments in all shapes and sizes. I’m personally partial to the fruits and veggies, but there’s seriously an ornament for everyone at this shop. These globe ornaments from CB2 are a nice, modern version of the traditional ornaments we know and love, minus the glitter that sticks around for months. My wildcard ornament pick is this tiny mug made by my favorite ceramicist Helen Levi, which can hold a thimble’s worth of coffee after it’s done looking adorable on your tree.

I have a troubled history with tree toppers. Years ago, I waited until the absolute last minute to buy one and all I could find was a silver star that was covered in glitter. The glitter is only barely attached to the star, meaning it gets everywhere. Every year, I forget that I hate my tree topper until I’m putting up the tree and I get mad at myself all over again. This is the year of change! Here are three that are on my list for this season. First a topper resembling a gold mylar balloon. It’s not too big, not glittery and a bit of a spin on the traditional star-shaped topper. Next, a beaded, velvet heart. I love the maroon color! And lastly, this simple, Nordic-looking star from Schoolhouse. It’s a great low-profile option.

My boyfriend is Jewish, so we’re celebrating Christmas and Chanukah this year, meaning we’re in the market for a menorah. I’ve narrowed it down to two. I love this dramatic bronze-colored option from West Elm. It’s so cool looking that we’d likely just keep it out on display all year. Our runner up was a cast iron menorah, which also felt really bold and dramatic.

Let’s move on to what I like to call miscellaneous decor. This might be controversial but, for me, stockings and garland fall into this category. If you’re chomping at the bit for stockings and are open to something colorful, artist Lorien Stern just dropped a fun collection that includes customizable options. Baggu also makes stockings, with print options ranging from mild to loud.

Maybe you’re sick of my intense desire for patterns and just want something calm! I get it! These color-blocked stockings are for you. And lastly, garland, which I’m never super drawn to so I’ve only pulled one option because it made me smile. To absolutely no one’s surprise, fruit is involved. Happy holiday decorating!

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