7 Unexpected Places Designers Like To Shop For Holiday Decor

Tired of visiting the same stores year after year in search of holiday decor for your home? If you’re craving a more unique look this season (without breaking the bank, of course!), head to the retailers below, which Southern designers swear are total hidden gems. Just don’t be alarmed if your friends and family suddenly beg to know where you purchased everything. 

Whole Foods

Your weekly Whole Foods run just got a bit more exciting. “You can always count on Whole Foods to have a unique candle or some cinnamon scented pinecones, but my absolute favorite holiday decor is their miniature rosemary trees that are shaped like Christmas trees,” comments Heather DiSabella, the founder of Heather DiSabella Interior Design in Washington, D.C. “I've had one of these as part of my holiday decor since having my very first apartment—they're tiny, but can be easily dressed up with ribbon or a bow and you can even hang miniature ornaments on them,” she adds. And don’t be so quick to toss these beauties when the holidays are over—DiSabella recommended planting them to give them a new lease on life.

Kristin Keyes is also a Whole Foods enthusiast when it comes time to decorate for the season. “I’m such a minimalist that the idea of having a large collection of holiday decor to store and reset every year gives me anxiety,” she explains. “Instead, we opt for simple, compostable items that we can create together each year and move on from at the end of the season.” For example, the founder of Kristin Keyes Interiors in Nashville enjoys stringing together popcorn and cranberries to use as decor.  

J.P. Horton, the founder of J.P. Horton Interior Design in Charlottesville, Virginia, also relies on the grocery store for his holiday decor needs. “I love to decorate for the holidays with fruits and citrus—it is a very cost-effective way to add color,” says the designer who will layer the fruit into garlands and wreaths or place them inside bowls and vases scattered around his home. “Since the practice is rooted in tradition, it always looks timeless.” He adds, ““My whole family loves making pomanders with navel oranges. They are pretty to look at and smell wonderful!” 

Michaels

The craft store is a must-visit during the holiday season, and it’s an excellent resource for faux foliage, which will transform your mantel top, dining table, stairwell, and more. “I love decorating with fresh greenery and fruit mixed with faux lambs ear or magnolias,” says Anne Hammett, who turns to Michaels for these items. “They are also a great source for ribbon, too,” adds the founder of Anne Pearson Design in Charlotte. 

ACE Hardware

It’s time to make a hardware store run! Retailers like ACE Hardware are chock full of supplies for the holidays. “With each location individually owned, I often find holiday decor that isn’t readily available at major retailers,” explains Evan Millárd, the founder of Millárd in Nashville. He’s managed to get creative with some of his finds, too. “Last year I came across hundreds of patinated metal pinecones which I used to envelope this tree that stands nearly 15 feet tall,” the designer notes. “The pinecones add visual interest and help to balance the other sparkling glass ornaments.”

Anthropologie and Rifle Paper Co.

There’s no need to rely upon standard wrapping paper if you would rather use another material for your gifts. “I use leftover wallpaper samples or look to my favorite stores like Anthropologie or Rifle Paper Co. for some funky paper options,” explains Aston Moody, the founder of Aston Moody Interiors in Columbia, South Carolina. The designer says that she also likes to jazz up her tree skirt with fabric remnants that she already has on hand from past projects or sources from a local craft store. 

Annie Selke

This designer-favorite rug retailer offers decorative holiday pieces, too. “If you're a fan of bright and cheerful holiday decorations like me, you'll want to check out their colorful bottle brush trees,” suggests Jess Harrell, the founder of The Styled Domicile. “They’re the perfect way to add a burst of color and joy to your holiday decorations.” 

Terrain

Anthropologie’s sister store Terrain has only a few brick and mortar locations scattered throughout the United States, but it’s easily shoppable online and is what Molly Solich considers her “go-to for unique and understated holiday decor.” The founder of Molly Solich Design, who is based between Texas and Colorado, specifically likes Terrain’s ornaments. “They have a vintage, heirloom feel, which pairs well with a home full of collected antiques,” she says. Don’t forget to shop the retailer’s greenery, either. “One of their fresh wreaths paired with antique ribbon and their exclusive hanging bells will be gracing my front door this season,” Solich adds. 

Vintage Shops

Last but not least, consider taking the secondhand route when shopping for holiday decor—you never know what you might find! “From unique vintage ornaments and tableware, hand-crafted wreaths and nostalgic décor, antique malls and vintage shops are awesome places to find classic, stylish and interesting holiday decor with the added bonus of sustainable shopping,” says Cheryl Luckett, the founder of Dwell by Cheryl in Charlotte.