The American calendar is a crafter's dream: hearts in February, shamrocks in March, red, white and blue for the Fourth, pumpkins and ghosts in October, leaves and turkeys for Thanksgiving, and a December packed with ornaments and gift tags.
Craft stores roll out seasonal supplies well ahead of each holiday, and favorites can sell out close to the date, so it pays to plan a month or two ahead.
Supplies worth knowing about
Valentine's Day
Heart punches, doilies, red and pink cardstock and classroom valentine kits.
4th of July & patriotic
Red, white and blue ribbon, star punches, bunting and paper for Memorial Day, the Fourth and Labor Day.
Halloween
Pumpkin carving kits, felt, orange and black paper, faux spiderwebs and costume supplies.
Thanksgiving & fall
Faux leaves, pinecones, raffia, burlap and place-card supplies for the table.
Christmas ornaments
Clear fillable ornaments, wood slices, ribbon and glitter for DIY ornaments and gifts.
Hanukkah
Blue and silver papers, star of David punches and dreidel craft kits.
Pro tip: Keep one labeled bin per holiday. When the season ends, leftover supplies go straight in, and next year you shop your own stash first.
Know before you buy
When should I shop for holiday supplies?
Seasonal aisles usually appear several weeks to a few months ahead. Shop early for popular items and use after-holiday sales to stock up for next year.
Can I use real candles in paper luminaries?
We recommend battery-operated LED tea lights for anything involving paper, fabric, dried leaves or kids.
How do I store holiday decorations I made?
Wrap delicate pieces in tissue, store in labeled, sealed bins, and keep them out of damp basements and hot attics.