HomeGoods Christmas: What to Buy, When to Shop, and What to Skip

HomeGoods is one of the best stores for Christmas shopping, and most people don’t realize it. The store is a treasure trove of holiday decor, dinnerware, wrapping supplies, and gifts at prices that are significantly lower than department stores. The problem is that HomeGoods is also overwhelming. The aisles are packed, the inventory changes daily, and if you don’t know what you’re looking for, you’ll either leave with nothing or leave with a cart full of random items that don’t work together. The key to shopping HomeGoods for Christmas is knowing what to buy, when to go, and what to skip.

HomeGoods Christmas covers the holiday merchandise available at HomeGoods stores, including decor, dinnerware, wrapping supplies, food gifts, and home accessories. The best HomeGoods Christmas finds are high-quality items at discount prices, unique pieces you won’t find at big-box stores, and seasonal items that sell out quickly. The worst are damaged goods, items that don’t work with your existing decor, and impulse purchases that fill your cart without a plan.

The right HomeGoods Christmas shopping trip is one where you find quality items at great prices without being overwhelmed. Here’s what to buy, when to shop, and what to skip.

What to Buy at HomeGoods for Christmas

Christmas Decor

HomeGoods is the best place to buy Christmas decor that looks more expensive than it is.

What to look for:

• Trees (artificial, pre-lit, in various sizes and styles)
• Wreaths (fresh and artificial, in various sizes)
• Garland (pre-lit and unlit, various lengths)
• Ornaments (by the box or individual, in glass, wood, and metal)
• Tree skirts (in velvet, knit, and faux fur)
• Stockings (in velvet, knit, and felt, often personalizable)
• Table runners and tablecloths (in holiday colors and patterns)
• Candles and candleholders (in winter scents and styles)
• Figurines and nativity sets (in ceramic, wood, and resin)
• Outdoor decor (lighted figures, pathway lights, and door decorations)

What to skip:

• Decor that’s damaged or missing pieces (check the box)
• Decor that doesn’t match your color scheme
• Inflatable yard decorations (they look cheap)
• Decor that’s too trendy (it’ll look dated next year)

Christmas Dinnerware

HomeGoods is the best place to buy holiday dinnerware without spending a fortune.

What to look for:

• Holiday plates (by the set or individual pieces)
• Holiday bowls and mugs
• Serving platters and bowls (in holiday patterns)
• Cloth napkins and napkin rings
• Table runners and tablecloths
• Glassware (wine glasses, water glasses, and champagne flutes)
• Flatware (holiday patterns or classic styles)
• Salt and pepper shakers (holiday designs)

What to skip:

• Dinnerware that’s too matchy-matchy (mix and match for a more interesting table)
• Dinnerware that’s only for Christmas (choose winter patterns you can use through March)
• Sets with missing pieces (check the box)

Wrapping Supplies

HomeGoods has a great selection of wrapping paper, gift bags, and ribbons at discount prices.

What to look for:

• Wrapping paper rolls (in quality patterns and weights)
• Gift bags (in various sizes and designs)
• Tissue paper (in bulk packs, various colors)
• Ribbon and bows (in various widths and materials)
• Gift tags and labels
• Baskets and tins (for food gifts)

What to skip:

• Wrapping paper that’s too thin (it tears at the corners)
• Gift bags that are too small for your gifts
• Ribbon that’s too narrow (it looks cheap)

Food Gifts

HomeGoods has a wide selection of gourmet food items that make great gifts.

What to look for:

• Gourmet chocolate and truffle boxes
• Fancy coffee and tea sets
• Olive oil and balsamic vinegar sets
• Jam, honey, and preserves
• Crackers, cookies, and shortbread
• Hot chocolate and apple cider mixes
• Spiced nuts and snack mixes

What to skip:

• Food items that are close to their expiration date
• Food items with damaged packaging
• Anything with nuts if you’re not sure about allergies

Home Accessories

HomeGoods has home accessories that make great gifts and seasonal updates.

What to look for:

• Throw blankets (in holiday colors and patterns)
• Pillows (in holiday colors and patterns)
• Candles and diffusers (in winter scents)
• Picture frames (in various sizes and styles)
• Books (coffee table books, cookbooks, and novels)
• Soaps and lotions (in gift sets)
• Kitchen accessories (towels, oven mitts, and aprons)

What to skip:

• Items that are damaged or have missing pieces
• Items that don’t match the recipient’s decor
• Items that are too specific to one taste

When to Shop HomeGoods for Christmas

October: The Best Selection

October is when HomeGoods starts stocking Christmas merchandise. The selection is at its best, the store is fully stocked, and the crowds are thin. If you want the best items, shop in October.

Pros: Best selection, fully stocked, no crowds. Cons: Full price (no sales yet).

November: The Sweet Spot

November is the sweet spot for HomeGoods Christmas shopping. The selection is still good, the store is well-stocked, and the crowds are manageable. The best items are still available, but they’re starting to sell out.

Pros: Good selection, well-stocked, manageable crowds. Cons: Popular items are starting to sell out.

December: The Last Chance

December is the last chance for HomeGoods Christmas shopping. The selection is picked over, the best items are gone, and the crowds are heavier. But you can find deals on items that are being cleared out.

Pros: Clearance deals on remaining items. Cons: Picked-over selection, heavier crowds, best items are gone.

After Christmas: The Clearance

After Christmas is when HomeGoods clears out holiday merchandise at deep discounts. This is the time to buy decor, dinnerware, and wrapping supplies for next year.

Pros: Deep discounts (50 to 75% off), great for stocking up for next year. Cons: Picked-over selection, items are packed away for the season.

How to Shop HomeGoods for Christmas Without Being Overwhelmed

Go with a list. Know what you need before you go. HomeGoods is overwhelming, and without a list, you’ll either leave with nothing or leave with a cart full of random items.

Go early in the day. The store is less crowded in the morning, the aisles are more navigable, and the staff is more helpful.

Go on a weekday. Weekends are the busiest time. If you can, shop on a Tuesday or Wednesday.

Check for damage. HomeGoods is a discount store, and some items are there because they’re damaged. Check ornaments for chips, dinnerware for cracks, and decor for missing pieces.

Shop the end caps. The end caps (the ends of the aisles) often have the best deals and the most interesting items.

Don’t overbuy. It’s easy to fill a cart at HomeGoods. Stick to your list and your budget. If you see something you love but don’t need, take a photo and think about it. You can always come back.

Bring measurements. If you’re buying decor for a specific space, bring the measurements. HomeGoods doesn’t have a great return policy for holiday items.

What to Skip Entirely

Damaged goods. Check every box, every item, and every piece. If it’s damaged, skip it. The discount isn’t worth a broken item.

Items that don’t match your decor. A beautiful wreath that doesn’t match your door color, a table runner that clashes with your dishes, or a figurine that doesn’t fit your style. If it doesn’t work with what you have, skip it.

Inflatable yard decorations. They look cheap, they take up the entire yard, and they deflate during the day. Skip them.

Items that are too trendy. A decor piece that’s very trendy this year will look dated next year. Choose classic styles that last.

Items that are too Christmas-specific. A plate with Santa’s face on it can only be used for one month. Choose winter patterns that can be used from November through March.

Food items close to expiration. Check the dates on food items. If they expire before or during the holiday season, skip them.

FAQ

What should I buy at HomeGoods for Christmas? Buy Christmas decor (trees, wreaths, garland, ornaments), holiday dinnerware (plates, bowls, serving pieces), wrapping supplies (paper, bags, ribbon), food gifts (chocolate, coffee, olive oil), and home accessories (throw blankets, candles, pillows). Choose quality items at discount prices.

When is the best time to shop HomeGoods for Christmas? October for the best selection, November for the sweet spot (good selection, manageable crowds), December for last-chance deals, and after Christmas for clearance (50 to 75% off). Shop early in the day on a weekday for the best experience.

Does HomeGoods have good Christmas decor? Yes. HomeGoods has a wide selection of Christmas decor at prices that are significantly lower than department stores. Look for trees, wreaths, garland, ornaments, tree skirts, stockings, table runners, candles, and figurines. Check for damage before buying.

Does HomeGoods have Christmas dinnerware? Yes. HomeGoods has holiday plates, bowls, mugs, serving platters, cloth napkins, table runners, glassware, and flatware. Choose winter patterns you can use through March, not just Christmas-specific designs. Mix and match for a more interesting table.

What should I avoid buying at HomeGoods for Christmas? Avoid damaged goods, items that don’t match your decor, inflatable yard decorations, items that are too trendy, items that are too Christmas-specific, and food items close to their expiration date. Check every box and every piece before buying.

Can I return Christmas items to HomeGoods? HomeGoods has a generous return policy, but holiday items may have a shorter return window. Check the return policy before buying, especially for expensive items. Keep your receipt and the original packaging.

When does HomeGoods put out Christmas merchandise? HomeGoods typically starts stocking Christmas merchandise in October. The full selection is available by late October or early November. Shop early for the best selection, as popular items sell out by December.

References

• HomeGoods. “Store Locator.” https://www.homegoods.com/locator
• The Spruce. “HomeGoods Shopping Tips.” https://www.thespruce.com/homegoods-shopping-tips-4150125
• Good Housekeeping. “Christmas Decorating Ideas.” https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/