It’s getting to be that time of year, and if you are looking to decorate your home for whatever December holiday you celebrate, you’ve got plenty of options.
Before we jump in – my stance on the Blackout the System Mass Blackout 11/25-12/2 is thus:
While I think the goal is noble, local businesses are suffering right now from tariffs and all of Trump’s other bullsh*t. I think still spending at and supporting local/small businesses is important, but let’s cut back from major corporations like Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc as much as we can. (I will help with that! 😊)
If you shift your spending around, i.e. spending a lot November 24th but cutting 11/25-12/2, it won’t be impactful.
While there may be inconveniences from pulling back holiday spending, as someone who grew up Buddhist and celebrated Christmas with my extended family and Hanukkah with my ex-boyfriend for many years, it’s also a time for joy and getting together. So if you want to spend money to do that, please do. We cannot forget joy in our struggle against billionaires, oligarchs, and fascism.
Local: Shop your local hardware store or garden center (if they’re still open) for decorations and Christmas trees. You can also see if there’s a local Christmas tree farm near you.
Direct: If you have a particular holiday decor brand you like, see if they have a website where you can order directly.
Thrifting & Free: Definitely check out your local Buy Nothing Group or thrift store for Christmas decorations! They may have stuff for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa too depending on where you live. There’s tons of stuff people have gotten rid of over the years that’s still good! If you need ideas on where to get stuff secondhand, check out my article for physical media.
Ace Hardware: Covered here
What they have: Artificial Christmas Trees in a variety of sizes and price points, multiple types of Christmas Lights and accessories, including blue ones if you want Hanukkah Lights, Christmas Outdoor Decor and Inflatables, Christmas Indoor Decor, including stockings, ornaments, and tree toppers, even Christmas Storage
Ordering/Shipping options: You can place your order online and pick-up in store, or have it shipped to you. Some of the online inventory may only be available for in-store pickup versus shipping, but it seems like most of the holiday decor was shippable.
DoItBest/TruValue: Covered before here.
What they have: Smaller selection than Ace Hardware, but still expansive. Artificial Christmas Trees, Christmas Lights and accessories, including blue ones if you want Hanukkah Lights, Christmas Outdoor Decor, Christmas Indoor Decor. TrueValue doesn’t seem to have much online as of now.
Ordering/Shipping options: Beyond visiting in-store, you can place your order online and pick-up in store or have it shipped to you. Some of the online inventory may only be available for in-store pickup versus shipping, but it seems like most of the holiday decor was shippable.
Party City: Covered here.
What they have: Huge inflatables (like this 9ft long train), decorations including fake snow, the reindeer kit for your car, and tons of other items
Ordering/Shipping options: They have approximately 30 franchise locations still open across the US, and you can order online. Party City in Canada is owned separately by Canadian Tire.
What they have: Playful Christmas Decor and Gifts incorporating characters from popular movies and TV shows.
Shipping options: They ship to all US states and territories, and also have UK and Australian sites
TJ Maxx/Marshalls/Homesense/Home Goods: Covered here.
What they have: TJ Maxx has tons of holiday decor, even Hanukkah items and menorahs! Marshalls has holiday decor as well as Hanukkah items & menorahs. Homesense and Home Goods don’t showcase their inventory online.
Ordering/Shipping options: You can order online for TJ Maxx and Marshalls, but Home Goods and Homesense are in-store only.
Five Below: Covered here.
What they have: Tons of holiday decor items, outdoor decor including inflatables, artificial Christmas trees and stockings.
Ordering/Shipping options: You can shop online or in-store, though some items may not be available for shipping.
What they have: Tree skirts, wreathes, decorations, holiday party supplies, and tons more
Shipping options: US, Canada
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Black Paper Party: Founded and owned by three black women, J’Aaron Merchant, Jasmine Hudson and Madia Willis. They received $250K in funding for a 10% equity stake from Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank, which is fun. Black Paper Party does not have a profile on OpenSecrets.
What they have: Wrapping Paper, Ornaments, Stockings, cards, gift bags, and more
Shipping options: Continental US only
The Black Art Depot: 100% black-owned business founded in 2004 by Kani Saburi Ayubu and based out of Atlanta, GA. The Black Art Depot does not have a profile on OpenSecrets.
What they have: Holiday cards, Ornaments, Christmas tree toppers, Black Santa figurines and decor
Shipping options: They ship across the US, including AK, HI, Puerto Rico; Canada, and internationally
Wyntry Collection Wyntry Collection is the online store extension of The Black Santa Houston company. The Black Santa Houston company was founded by Magan Butler-Coleman in 2019 and is still owned by her today. Neither company has a profile on OpenSecrets.
What they have: Black Santa pajamas, wrapping paper, and sweatshirts
Shipping options: Continental US only
Mah Melanin Black woman-owned and founded by Ardean Miller in 2020. Mah Melanin does not have a profile on OpenSecrets.
What they have: Tons of holiday tees and hoodies in different styles, holiday blankets, wrapping paper & bags. Beyond holiday-themed items they also have notebooks, mugs, apparel, weekender bags and clutches
Shipping options: They don’t have a ton of info on their site, so I’m going to assume it’s Continental US only.
Jewitches: Founded in 2020 by Zohare Jacobi, Jewitches focuses on honoring and supporting the magic, mysticism, and folk traditions within Judaism. They are anti-zionist and have a number of posts and resources on topics like antisemitism (what it is and isn’t) and the ways Israel is referred to that I think are quite nuanced and helpful.
What they have: Hanukkah candles
Order Options: Shipping from their site is to the US-only, they also have a store in LA
Narrow Bridge Candles: Founded by Jonah Aline Daniel who was looking for Shiva candles to honor their deceased father, but could not find Judaica without supporting Israel.
What they have: Hanukkah candles & a menorah
Order Options: You will need to be a Patreon member to place an order, but they have various tiers based on financial need.
Pushcart Judaica: Founded in 2022, Pushcart Judaica provides easily accessible, ethically sourced products that uplift the work of queer, trans, disabled, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Jews of Color and other Jewish artists and crafts people.
What they have: Candles and other ritual items
Order Options: You can order online and select your country/region. They support both the US and Canada, and have other country options as well.
Divine Chocolate: Divine Chocolate has two owners – Ludwig Weinrich with ~80% of the ownership, and Kuapa Kokoo with ~20%. Kuapa Kokoo is a Ghanan chocolate farmers co-op, while Ludwig Weinrich is a German family-owned chocolate company.
Order Options: US only through divinechocolateusa.com, but check their main site to see what options are available in your country
Menorahs: Check out TJMaxx, Marshalls or Etsy for Menorahs or make your own.
Seven Symbols of Kwanzaa: Family-owned and operated since 2019, and they do not have a profile on OpenSecrets.
What they have: Kinaras, candles, celebration sets, kids activities and games, posters, and more
Shipping options: US & Internationally
KwanzaaMe: Black woman founded and owned by Lawrielle West.
What they have: Kwanzaa kits and other decor
Shipping options: I believe US-only.
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