Yes, I know it’s still summer, but the John Lewis online Christmas shop just opened – and if you want to get the best decs, you need to act fast
These festive baubles won't hang around for long
The summer is officially still not over – but the prep for this year’s festive season starts now as the John Lewis online Christmas shop is open, with the physical in-store version soon to follow in September. If you’ve ever been the victim of not acting fast enough when popular Christmas decorations launch as I have been - I still mourn some metal bows from Søstrene Grene I missed out on in 2024 - then you’ll know that you have to be quick in order to snap up the best ones before they sell out.
Autumnal and Christmas decor are starting to drop earlier than ever, and this year is no exception. While John Lewis is one of the first to officially open its Christmas shop, many other brands and retailers have been quietly dropping their Christmas decor for the past couple of weeks – this includes Marks & Spencer’s foodhall-inspired baubles, which launched last week and shoppers have already been going crazy for them.
Below, I’ve rounded up the just-landed John Lewis Christmas decorations that I (and the John Lewis team) predict are going to sell out first, along with some of my personal top picks.
'After the success of our felt mice last year, we have super high hopes for our brand new felt friends,' says Cydney Ball, head of Christmas at John Lewis. 'This includes all new animals with exciting hobbies and some fun new John Lewis and Waitrose additions, such as our beauty counter cat and wine aisle schnauzer.'
Top picks
John Lewis is one of the aforementioned brands that quietly dropped some of its Christmas decorations early. And this panettone bauble has consistently been one of the top sellers.
How charming is this wooden house decoration?! I love the folk Scandi aesthetic. And there are two other styles available, too. This little red house is my favourite though.
Christmas bows are not going anywhere this festive season. They're still a huge trend, especially the XL-sized ones like this 60-centimetre design. And the gingham print is going to make it so popular.
I predict that these paper fan decorations will fly off the shelves for two reasons - for one, they're only £10 for a set of three. And on top of that, those prints are so chic.
Tassels and fringe detailing are currently trending in home decor. And I've been seeing this style of gold-hued metal festive decs popping up across various brands' collections. So this bauble is right on trend!
Anything Christmas decoration with initials that John Lewis makes, people go crazy. This year, the initials are paired with the brand's felt mice, another bestseller. People are bound to go crazy for them.
A felt mouse dressed as Elton John - need I say more?! There are other pop culture icons mousy lookalikes available (including Freddie Mercury) but I predict this one will be the most popular.
No fun and sophisticated Christmas is complete without a lovely cocktail or a glass of fizz. But nothing is as elegant as a martini - and this one looks so good!
This year, John Lewis has a whole range of frosted fruit decorations on offer, from figs to lemons. But this apple is arguably the most beautiful.
I've been seeing cheese-themed Christmas decorations appear across several brands' collections and I predict a foodie festive decor trend.
If you're more into pretty decorations than traditional, you're going to love to the range seashells John Lewis is coming out with this year. This one covered in polka dots and embellished with little pearls is bound to be a hit.
I love that pretty much anything and any food is being turned into a Christmas bauble. And as a lover of dim sum, Chinese dumplings and bao bans, this is very much up my street.
John Lewis Christmas themes for this year
Just like last year and the year before, John Lewis’ Christmas collection has a few different themes which could also be referred to as their Christmas decor trends. These are the looks that the retailer is championing in 2026.
1. The Cherisher
The Cherisher is all about decorations with a vintage look and a handmade quality. There’s also a slightly folksy, rustic feel to them, whether it’s the adorable wooden house decs or the much-loved felt mouse characters.
2. The Connoisseur
If a fancy Christmas is your jam then you’ll love the Connoisseur trend. All the luxuries of the festive period and beyond - whether it’s caviar or indulgent cocktails - are included. Metallic tones of silver and gold are also complemented by seashell decorations which I predict are going to be very popular with shoppers.
3. The Curator
The Curator brings together references to the natural world with nods to antique artifacts. The stars of this trend are beautiful frosted fruit decorations which look both fairytale-like and vintage-inspired.
4. The Enthusiast
The Enthusiast is John Lewis’ most playful and ‘out there’ theme of this year. It references pop culture moments, as well as kitsch childhood memorabilia, all done in bold, bright shades. The here-pictured Yetis which John Lewis is championing as part of this look are not my favourite. But I can get behind a felt mouse dressed like Elton John or a bedazzled pink stand mixer.
Ever since the temperatures have dropped, I think we’ve all been a little bit over summer. So why not make the most of it?! Happy early Christmas shopping!
