Best Places to Buy Christmas Ornaments: The Ultimate Guide

Updated November 1, 2019
red and gold Christmas ornaments

A Christmas ornament can be fanciful, such as an elaborate personalized glass ornament, or a simple shatterproof ball. Traditionally used to adorn a Christmas tree, Christmas ornaments come in all shapes and sizes. There are many places to purchase ornaments that reflect your holiday décor scheme, fit your budget, and your holiday style.

Best Places to Buy Christmas Ornaments

Trim your tree and decorate your home with beautiful ornaments from around the web. Look for places that have plenty of options, or pick out a few from a storefront that specializes in your Christmas theme.

General Ornaments

Pick up a variety of ornaments at online shops that specialize in Christmas ornaments and decorations. Just a few places include:

  • Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments: Find the perfect ornament that honors any occasion, from the birth of a baby to your favorite new film. Many are limited editions, so be sure to pick out your favorites before they are gone. Special ones have lights, motors, or are interactive, making them a treat to see on the tree. Keepsake collections include Sci-Fi, Magic, Disney, Hobbies and Interests, Magic, as well as a special Series collection with themes like Barbie, classic cars, and Christmas mice. You can also sign up for Crown Rewards to get special offers. Orders over $50 ship free.
  • The Christmas Dove: As New England's largest Christmas store, The Christmas Dove features a wide range of Christmas ornaments in 50 categories. Choose from classics like pretty glass balls along with religious ornaments, fun food themes, angels, cartoon characters, sports, international, and even Egyptian glass. They also have personalized Christmas ornaments available. Shipping costs vary by state and order.
  • Christmas Mouse: With an average of 4.5 stars and thousands of Christmas ornaments, Christmas Mouse is a good option for all types of pieces. Classic Christmas themes like snowmen and Santa are right at home beside novelty ornaments like pickles and party pigs. They have a wide selection that include beach themes, ballerinas, atriotic ornaments, nativity, hobby and lifestyle, collectible ornaments, pop culture picks, and more. If you are sticking to a specific color theme, this is a good place to check out because they also have ornaments grouped by color. Shipping costs are based on the total order amount.

Gold ornaments on Christmas tree

Religious Ornaments

Christian Book: Christian Book has ten different categories of Christian ornaments, including options with angels, the holy family, baby's first Christmas, Christmas stars, and memorial themes. If you're crafty, or if you prefer more simple or rustic looks, they also have a great selection of unfinished wood ornaments with nativity scenes, crosses, doves, bells, and more. You can also shop according to recipient for family members and friends to choose an option with a special message. The cost for shipping depends on the order total and desired shipping method.Select an ornament or two that reflect your beliefs about the season. These shops have lots of options for someone who wants to celebrate spiritually:

  • Catholic Supply: You don't have to be Catholic to enjoy the many religious ornament options sold here. Choices include ceramic crosses, kneeling santas, classic "Jesus is the reason for the season!" balls, enamel angels, holy family themes, custom crosses and much more.

    Orders of $100 or more will receive free shipping.

  • Day Spring: This Christian store has a nice selection of high quality religious ornaments, including shepherds, Christmas tree crosses, baby Jesus figures, doves, nativity scenes, and styles with religious messages or phrases like "Adore Him" or "Lord of Lords." Free shipping is available for orders of $50 or more.

Joy ornament on Christmas tree

Personalized Ornaments

Mark a special event, anniversary, hobby, or other celebration with a personalized ornament. A new job, engagement, baby, or favorite hobby are just a few things you can highlight on your tree with custom tree trimmings. Choose from one of these online retailers:

  • Ornaments With Love: This unique stores specializes entirely in personalized ornaments, so they have everything from engagement themes to group ornaments. Choose from pets, interests, extra large family ornaments, college and graduation, hobbies, weddings, and travel. You can even find ornaments for daycare providers and babysitters. Shipping is a flat rate of $7.95 per order.
  • OrnamentShop.com: Boasting over 4,500 ornaments to choose amongst, this is a one-stop shop for any and all personalized ornament needs. Shipping is free when you purchase five or more ornaments. They also offer free personalization on ornaments and have flash sales that can save you up to 20 percent off your order.

  • Personalized Free: This online retailer has several categories to choose from, including family, sports, kids and teens, first Christmas, hobbies, occupations, and themes. Basic personalization is free, but extras (like adding a pet's name to a family ornament) have a small additional fee. Orders over $60 ship free.

Santa driving car Christmas ornament

Luxury Ornaments

Many Christmas ornaments are $10 or less, and bulbs can be bought in bulk at discount and big box retailers. However, if you want to create a luxurious Christmas tree, consider spending a little more for some extravagant decorations sure to make your tree stand out:

  • Swarovski: Pick out an ornament from this crystalier's collection and your tree will sparkle. Prices range from $28 for a single snowflake to $140 for a set of three. Choose from among options like gingerbread houses, snowflakes, stars, Christmas balls, bells, wreaths, and Christmas trees, all carefully created with dazzling crystals. Get free shipping on orders over $75.
  • Lenox: Lenox is a leading fine china manufacturer located in the U.S., and they create beautiful ornaments to add to any tree. Designs come in various forms from snowflake sets to Tweety Bird. Some options can be personalized, including sports ornaments, friend ornaments, and memorial styles. Orders of $75 or more receive free shipping.
  • Waterford Crystal: Waterford is known for their fine crystal and their ornaments are made with the same eye on quality. Prices range from $55 for their annual Commitment ornament to $175 for a set of three miniature trees. Shipping is based on the total order amount; ground shipping begins at $10.00.
Butterfly ornament on Christmas tree

Special Themed Ornaments

The White House Historical Association: Every year the Association puts out a new ornament. In 2012, it features former President William Taft in a touring car based on a 1908 photograph.If you want something unique for your tree or need something to fit a particular theme, look for an ornament from one of these retailers:

  • Christmas in Prescott: If you love old-fashioned glass ornaments, check out the 1300-plus selection of the Merck Family's Old World Christmas Glass Ornaments available at Christmas in Prescott. They come in a variety of holiday images, from animals to Biblical to western. Enjoy free ground shipping on orders of $79 or more.
  • Mission Del Rey Southwest: Decorate your tree for the holidays with Southwest flair. Find plenty of beautiful options at this retailer, including Navajo pottery ornaments, Tiqua drums, and more. Free shipping is available on orders of at least $149.
  • The Country Porch: Get rustic, country-inspired ornaments and a lot more at this online retailer. Dinosaurs, gymnasts, toy soldiers, longhorn cows, and other varieties are all offered through this website that has plenty of home decorating options for the country decorator. The retailer offers free shipping on orders of $150 and above.
Cow Christmas ornament

Unique Christmas Ornaments

If you are looking for ornaments that are truly original, one of the following retailers might fit the bill for your unique Christmas ornaments:

  • Dresden Star Ornaments: This unique ornament retailer makes special creations that are works of art. The designers use antique materials such as antique chromolithograph, old glass ornaments, and vintage Christmas decorations to create original, handmade ornaments that have a Victorian feel. They have pre-made ornaments, or you can order a custom design.
  • The Met Store: The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers a unique range of specialty Christmas ornaments ideal for art lovers. Thought the selection is not as large as many mainstream Christmas stores, the designs are original, eye-catching, and designed with intricate detail. Find delicate tea sets, vintage purse ornaments, and Tiffany lamp designs among others. Shipping is a flat rate of $7.95.
  • West Elm: West Elm is known for its modern decor styles, and the Christmas ornaments are no exception. You'll find ornaments made from unique materials, like bottle brush or felt Christmas animals, as well as unique designs and themes ranging from whimsical confetti-filled glass balls and blown glass rainbows to sleek metal or ceramic sculpture ornaments. Shipping charges vary based on desired shipping type.
  • Fair Trade Handmade Christmas Ornaments Through Unicef: If you are looking for beautifully crafted, unique, and handmade ornaments to decorate your Christmas tree, you can feel good about buying the fair trade ornaments though Unicef. Find choices like beaded mini stockings, ceramic seahorses, wool elephants, terra cotta Christmas trees, handmade brass bells, and more. Shipping varies based on items ordered and location.
  • The Jolly Christmas Shop: This Christmas retailer has a wide range of eclectic ornaments in various styles. Options include everything from iced brownies to dancing Grateful Dead bears. Ornaments that look like gummy bears are right at home beside retro polaroid camera ornaments and ornaments of glittering goldfish in their bowls. Place an order of $99 or more to get free shipping. Shipping costs vary based on chosen shipping method.

Ornament History

While the history of the Christmas tree dates back several centuries, modern Christmas ornaments are a relatively new phenomenon. In the 1880s, store owner F.W. Woolworth added glass ornaments to his shops, imported from Germany. Hallmark notes that by 1935, over 250 million ornaments were imported to the United States, mainly from Germany, Japan, and Czechoslovakia, with Americans getting into the ornament making business during World War II.

Trim Your Tree Beautifully

Ornaments can take a basic tree to stunning with just a few careful selections. Select your favorite ornaments and add them to your trimmings for a beautiful holiday tree that will create memories for years to come.

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Best Places to Buy Christmas Ornaments: The Ultimate Guide