In the spirit of the well-known song, The Twelve Days of Christmas, our writers will be counting up from 1 to 12 as we bring you a numbered, Disney-themed subject on each day leading up to Christmas.
Christmas is a time that most people travel home to be with family and friends. Ever since completing the Disney College Program, I consider my “home” to be in Orlando, FL. More specifically, I consider my home to be Walt Disney World. I wish more than anything I could build my house nestled down the street from the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House, adjacent to Aloha Isle, so I could get a Dole Whip whenever I pleased.
But since that dream will most likely never come true, I have to settle for making my home in Pennsylvania a little more magical. While this is something I like to do all year round, as I mentioned in my last post, Christmastime is even more important to me. Disney has a way of making the holidays more magical than they already are, and I love to bring that magic home with me by bringing Disney Christmas décor into my home.
Although I love frequenting Disney’s Days of Christmas shop in Disney Springs, I can’t always make it to Florida to buy Disney Christmas décor. So, instead I’ve had to seek out other places in my own town to help me bring home the magic and decorate for Christmas the Disney way! Here is a list of my top 3 favorite stores you can visit in your hometown to bring some of the Disney Magic into your holiday decorations!
The first store that I like to visit I actually stumbled upon by accident, but it has been my go-to for Disney décor for any season.
1. The Home Depot: This is a store that I wouldn’t normally make a trip to, but if you own or rent a house you will find yourself frequenting this store for a number of odds and ends. While I went to this store to find something practical, I was taken by surprise when I found a number of Disney-inspired items for sale. I almost forgot what I was there for in the first place and got stuck pretending I was inside the Emporium on Main Street, U.S.A. as I gazed over all of the Disney holiday décor.
Here are just a few of the Disney (and Star Wars!) merchandise items they had for sale this year:
*Tip: I am not solely reliant on Home Depot, however, and would not be surprised if Lowe’s has the same type of Disney merchandise. I just have not been able to make it to Lowe’s during the holiday season. So, if you don’t have a Home Depot in your town, I would recommend looking at Lowe’s.
The second store on my list is probably a no brainer for most, but still a must during the holiday season for me.
2. The Hallmark Store: From wrapping paper and cards to ornaments and figurines,this store has one of the best selections of Disney décor I have ever seen outside of the parks. I have loved this store since I was very young. I would oooh and ahh over the Mickey Mouse ornaments and snow globes. Every year the Hallmark store steps up its game with their Disney merchandise, and I could not be more pleased.
*Tip: I really like to go to The Hallmark Store after New Years Day. They seem to be one of the few stores that still have some great after-holiday deals. So grab a basket and fill up on some Disney gear for next year!
And, last but not least is my number one go-to for Disney Christmas décor.
3. Etsy.com:
This is a store that you can use two ways. Since most things on Etsy are handmade, sometimes I buy Disney décor off of Etsy. Other times I simply take inspiration from Etsy as I would a site like Pinterest, and make my own Disney décor.
Some of the things I have made are a Minnie Mouse door wreath and Mickey and Minnie Mouse ornaments. They are simple, easy crafts that you can easily do on a snowy afternoon. Or you can bundle up with some hot chocolate and turn on some Disney tunes and shop from home on your computer. Both are great options to add some Disney holiday magic to your home!
(Photos from the authors’ personal collection)
What are some of your favorite stores to get Disney holiday décor for your home? Let us know in the comments section below, and don’t forget to join us tomorrow for Day 4 of the WDW Radio Christmas Extravaganza.
Day 1 – Behind Walt Disney’s First Television Program, “One Hour in Wonderland”
Day 2 – Two New Ways to Experience Walt Disney World
Elysabethe is a 23-year old Disney addict and Disney College Program Alum. Her first visit to the parks was when she was just three months old, and her most recent visit was on her honeymoon last June. When she is not in the parks she can usually be found carrying her resort mug full of Diet Coke and singing to Disney music on her drive to work, trying to bring some of the “magic” back home.
