This year, my dearest friend and I started our Christmas shopping early—not only to make the most of seasonal sales, but also to enjoy the experience before the holiday rush began.
Shopping for Christmas decorations together has a way of turning an ordinary day into part of the celebration. We had time to browse, exchange ideas and imagine how individual pieces could become something entirely our own.
That is how this beautiful flower-and-bow combination began.
A One-of-a-Kind Christmas Detail
We were immediately drawn to the rich chocolate-brown velvet flower. Its gold-trimmed petals and sparkling jeweled center felt warm, elegant and a little unexpected for Christmas.
It was beautiful on its own, but we imagined it layered over a dramatic gold bow to give it more dimension and presence on the tree. We designed the combination together, and she handmade the full, layered bow behind the flower.
Once the two pieces were joined, they became something completely new—a custom-looking Christmas accent that could not have been purchased exactly as shown.
And, in a way, it became a small reflection of our friendship: two perspectives, one shared idea and something beautiful created together.
Why We Shop for Christmas Early
Beginning early allows us to enjoy decorating without feeling rushed. It also gives us the best opportunity to shop seasonal sales while colors, ribbons and coordinating decorations are still available.
When you start early, you have time to:
- Compare ribbons, flowers and ornaments
- Take advantage of seasonal promotions
- Find enough coordinating pieces for a cohesive look
- Experiment with unexpected color combinations
- Complete simple DIY projects at a relaxed pace
- Spread holiday purchases over several weeks
- Enjoy decorating as part of the season
Instead of buying everything at once, we can begin with one inspiring piece and gradually build the design around it.
Combine Handmade and Collected Pieces
A memorable Christmas tree does not need to be filled entirely with expensive or custom decorations. Some of the most beautiful details begin with affordable store-bought pieces that are combined, layered or used in a new way.
For this tree, the chocolate velvet flower established the color palette. The handmade gold bow added scale and shimmer, while oversized gold ornaments, frosted greenery and sparkling botanical picks carried those colors throughout the branches.
The combination feels rich and thoughtfully collected without requiring every decoration to be purchased as part of a matching set.
Begin With One Inspiring Detail
If you are unsure where to begin decorating, choose one element you genuinely love. It might be a velvet flower, beautiful ribbon, meaningful ornament or even a color you have never used for Christmas before.
Allow that one detail to guide the rest of your choices.
Our chocolate brown and gold centerpiece inspired us to add:
- Champagne-gold ornaments
- Brown velvet accents
- Frosted evergreen stems
- Glittered botanical picks
- Pinecones and natural greenery
- Warm white lights
- Soft touches of cream and muted green
Repeating these colors and textures in different ways helped the tree feel coordinated without appearing overly matched.
Decorating Is Better Together
As beautiful as the finished decoration is, its meaning comes from the way it was created.
Every time I see the velvet flower nestled into the handmade bow, I will remember the day we spent shopping, sharing ideas and decorating together. That memory makes it more valuable than anything we could have simply taken from a shelf.
The most meaningful holiday decorations often carry a story—who made them, who chose them with you or where you were when you discovered them. Those personal connections are what transform Christmas decorating into tradition.
This year, consider beginning a little earlier. Invite someone special, choose a few pieces that inspire you and see what you can create together.
You may come home with beautiful decorations, but the best thing you create could be the memory that returns each year when the Christmas lights go on.
Create the Look
- Chocolate or burgundy velvet Christmas flowers
- Gold wired ribbon
- Oversized champagne-gold ornaments
- Brown and neutral velvet ornaments
- Frosted evergreen stems
- Glittered botanical picks
- Decorative pinecones
- Warm white Christmas lights