Now’s the Time to Start Buying Ornaments (Yes, Really), and These Are Some of the Best I’ve Seen

To me, the most memorable trees have plenty of personalization — whether that means handmade childhood ornaments or a nod to your family’s names. These snow globe-inspired picks can pack on that extra-special sentiment, with pretty prints decorating each individual initial. Grab a letter for everyone in your household and on your gift list ... they’re too perfect (and reasonably priced) to pass up.

Say “bonjour" to a bit of Parisian-inspired holiday charm, courtesy of ornament extraordinaires Cody Foster & Co. — and honestly, who can resist the allure of freshly baked French bread in miniature form?

If you’re a proud plant parent who wants to create a botanical motif no matter the season, choose these handmade houseplant ornaments to adorn your holiday tree — and consider keeping these adorable little guys out all year long.

Travel enthusiasts, these are for you. !nspire some winter wanderlust with four colored globes, all handcrafted and reminiscent of antique maps. Or, gift to your go-to adventure buddy, especially if you’ve got a post-holiday trip together on the agenda.

Après ski, meet Christmas tree. This set of three chalet ornaments boasts beautifully intricate details, down to the Swiss-style sloped roofs and window openings. There’s no better way to channel the cozy, snowy vibes at home — just looking at them makes me want to curl up with a hot chocolate until further notice.

When the weather outside gets frightful, turn to something pink and oh-so-delightful. Simple but statement making, these accordion ornaments can really go anywhere. Dress up any mantel, staircase railing, or unassuming doorknob.

It’s a corgi! Dressed like a nutcracker! An exclusive to Paper Source, this adorable ornament deserves a front-and-center spot on the tree (or save it as a stocking stuffer for your favorite dog lover).

Consider this star-shaped paper ornament from H&M worth stocking up on — just one costs less than $5, after all. Buy a dozen or so to sprinkle throughout your tree for a clean, cohesive layer of decorations. I promise you'll love these for years to come.

Fans of Anthro’s famed Gleaming Primrose Mirror can get the look (and save hundreds) via the mini ornament version. At just 5 x 3 inches and with “2021” printed on the back, it’s the perfect accent to dress things up and reflect off the Christmas lights. You can leave it out year-round, too — one reviewer actually put it on display in a dollhouse.

Rifle Paper Co’s letterbox ornament feels equal parts nostalgic and necessary. An ode to the North Pole and Santa himself, its red hue makes it a festive complement to any tree’s green needles.

Here to put the “bright” in “merry and bright,” this set of disco ball ornaments has holiday cheer written all over it. Pair them with a few equally shimmery ornaments to fill up decorative bowls for a true party-ready feel.

Etsy has all your modern, unique holiday needs covered. Case in point: this stylish, green-hued ceramic ornament. It's hand painted with a matching chiffon ribbon to boot.

You can never go wrong with the classic holiday motifs — Santa, a polar bear, and a reindeer — especially when they look this cute. Get the bottlebrush ornaments individually for $12.50, or snag all three together for $37.50. I guarantee your mom would fa-la-la-love opening these on Christmas morning.

I’m excited to report that, after four years of living in New York City, I finally have a living room large enough for a Christmas tree, which means I need to actually stock up on the tree-trimming basics. I’ll definitely be adding these glass balls to my cart. They come with nine ornaments in multiple colorways or an all-silver set.

I’ve inexplicably been seeing this stick of butter … everywhere? Maybe it’s an homage to pandemic baking, maybe it’s just the latest installment of ever-popular food-themed ornaments. Whatever the case, it appears to be trending, so grab one (or four) while you can, or turn it into a fun White Elephant gift.

Another Cody Foster & Co. creation, these three country-inspired trucks carrying holiday supplies will never go out of style. Delicate and highly detailed, they’re on the road to becoming a tree-decorating favorite.

Last but certainly not least, tap into your (plus all your friends’) star sign. From Scorpio to Aries, each ornament is made using laser-cut brass and topped off with a gold chain. They’re admittedly way too pretty to get packed up post-holiday, so leave yours out on your dresser or hanging from your closet door throughout the entire Zodiac year.