Christmas 2026: Trees, Decor by Colour and Gift Guides
Christmas Central is one page for planning the season: how to choose the right tree, six decor colour palettes with a shop-the-look kit for each, the dates that matter for ordering, and gift guides as they go live. Christmas Day falls on Friday, December 25, 2026, which leaves ten weeks to plan without the rush.
When should you start Christmas shopping in 2026?
Start with the tree and decor in late October, then buy gifts during the Black Friday week. That order spreads the spending out and gets the decor up while it still feels new. The dates below are fixed by the calendar, so they’re safe to plan around.
| Date | What happens | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Late October | Tree and decor stock is fullest | Pick the tree and your palette |
| Thu, Nov 26 | Thanksgiving | Finalise the gift list |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Black Friday | Biggest discounts on gifts and lights |
| Mon, Nov 30 | Cyber Monday | Online-only deals; last big sale day |
| Mid-December | Retailers announce shipping cut-offs | Switch to in-store pickup if late |
| Fri, Dec 25 | Christmas Day | Enjoy it |
| Sat, Dec 26 | After-Christmas sales | Stock up on decor for next year |
Black Friday 2026 is on November 27, the day after Thanksgiving, which always falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
How do you choose the right Christmas tree?
Measure the ceiling first. A tree should stand about 12 inches shorter than the ceiling so the topper fits, which means a 6.5 to 7 foot tree for a standard 8 foot ceiling and a 7.5 to 8 foot tree for a 9 foot ceiling. Then measure the floor space: a full tree takes up more width than most people expect, so a slim or pencil tree is the better choice for apartments and corners.
| Choice | Pick this if | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Real tree | You want the scent and a one-season tradition | Daily watering and needle drop |
| Artificial | You want the same tree for years and no cleanup | Storage space for the box |
| Pre-lit | You hate stringing lights | One dead section can be hard to fix |
| Flocked | You want a snowy, modern look | Flocking sheds a little each year |
| Slim / pencil | Space is tight | Fewer branches for big ornaments |
For lights, a common rule of thumb is about 100 mini lights per foot of tree height, so a 7 foot tree looks full with around 700. Warm white suits every palette below; multicolour works best with the Greenery and Jade looks.
A fresh-cut tree can drink about a quart of water a day for every inch of trunk diameter, according to the National Christmas Tree Association, so check the stand every day, especially in the first week.
Browse artificial trees →Browse slim trees →What are the best Christmas decor colour palettes this year?
Pick one palette and buy for it, rather than collecting single pieces. Every palette below uses the same six-piece kit: velvet ribbon or bows, an ornament set, a tree topper, a tree skirt or collar, a garland, and wrapping paper that matches. Velvet bows are the thread running through all six looks this season, so they’re the one item worth buying first.
Gold
Two golds with warm white lights. Doubles as Diwali decor, so it earns its place for two festivals.
Shop the gold look →Cream
Cream, sand and mocha with wood beads and linen ribbon. Calm, Scandinavian and easy to live with.
Shop the cream look →Greenery
Deep green, pistachio and olive. Lots of real or faux greenery, very little shine.
Shop the greenery look →Jade
Jade with gold and sage. A fresh take on red and green that still feels like Christmas.
Shop the jade look →Dark Pink & Burgundy
Burgundy, dusty pink and wine velvet. Romantic and rich, and it photographs beautifully.
Shop the burgundy look →Light Blue
Powder blue, slate and cream. Wintry without being cold, and lovely with silver accents.
Shop the blue look →Full shop-the-look kits with our own picks go live on the dates shown. Until then, each button opens a filtered search so you can start browsing the colour.
When do the Christmas gift guides go live?
Our gift guides launch on November 8, sorted by person and by budget: mom, dad, teachers, hosts, kids by age, Secret Santa and stocking stuffers. Each guide stays on one page and is refreshed through the season, so the link you save keeps working.
- Under $25: stocking stuffers, teacher and Secret Santa gifts
- Under $50: host gifts, decor and beauty sets
- Under $100: gifts for parents and partners
- Splurge: one big gift for the whole family
What’s on before Christmas?
Halloween is October 31 and Diwali is November 8. Both have their own pages with costumes, decor, party ideas and gifts.
Halloween CentralDiwali CentralShop by storeFrequently asked questions
When is Christmas in 2026?
Christmas Day is Friday, December 25, 2026. Black Friday is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30.
What size Christmas tree do I need?
Choose a tree about 12 inches shorter than your ceiling: 6.5 to 7 feet for an 8 foot ceiling, 7.5 to 8 feet for a 9 foot ceiling. Measure the floor width too, and pick a slim tree for small spaces.
How many lights does a Christmas tree need?
A common rule of thumb is about 100 mini lights per foot of tree, so around 700 for a 7 foot tree. Add more if you like a very bright look.
Is a real or artificial Christmas tree better?
A real tree gives you the scent and a seasonal tradition but needs daily water. An artificial tree is a one-time purchase you can reuse for years. Pre-lit artificial trees save the most time.
What is the most versatile Christmas colour palette?
Gold or cream. Both work with any furniture, look good with warm white lights, and the gold palette doubles as Diwali decor.
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