It feels like it’s suddenly getting darker earlier once again, and right on cue, IKEA has dropped its twinkling new STRÅLA collection, whereby more Scandi lighting styles have joined its sell-out series of cosy, festive lighting.

IKEA’s STRÅLA collection is largely known for its sell-out paper stars, which are big contributors to the biggest Christmas lighting trends. Its paper design is quintessential of classic Scandinavian design and is perfect for practising hygge in your home on cold winter nights.

This year, STRÅLA has seen some colourful and quirky additions to the range. I’ve rounded up my favourites – from pieces that will bring festive joy to your home to the weird and wonderful lights that will get your guests talking.

The IKEA STRÅLA collection produces some of the best budget Christmas decorating ideas, with prices starting from just £3 for the lace paper star lampshade. You’ll need a separate light source (such as the IKEA table lamp base), but the finished look is simply beautiful.

Alas, this is not my top pick, although it is a good one. That award goes to the Paper Petal Star (£9), whose delicate design looks like a perfect snowflake. It’s an elevated take on the typical STRÅLA star, and perfect if you want to create cosy ambient lighting. I think this would be beautifully hung on windowsills or along your stairs’ bannister, so you give the darkest areas of your home a soft glow in the evenings.

It reminds me of a more affordable version of H&M’s £19.99 paper lampshade, although I will admit the H&M version does offer more detail.

Alongside the beautiful paper lampshades, here are a few more options from the IKEA STRÅLA collection that caught my eye.

These IKEA lights have really got me in the mood for festive lighting, so I’ve done some more digging, and here are a few more stunning examples I’ve found that you can shop online.

Alternatives

IKEA’s STRÅLA collection is perfect for creating a hygge glow in your home – and that makes celebrating Christmas worth it.

I’ve been saying this all throughout this month when I talk or write about something Christmassy – I know it’s only September, but brands are dropping their Christmas collections now. And the best ones have to be snapped up asap because people go crazy for them and they sell out fast. These are the 5 Christmas buys that sell out by October year after year in my experience – so it’s likely to happen again this festive season.

Whether you’re in the market for the best artificial Christmas tree or want to get your hands on some of the most popular and viral Christmas decor ideas, this curated list has got it all. In order to avoid regret at a later date closer to Christmas when you’re ready for your holiday shopping, I recommend getting ahead and adding these to basket now while you still can.

1. John Lewis Cotswold Christmas tree

Every year, the John Lewis Cotswold potted pre-lit Christmas tree comes out on top in our best artificial Christmas tree buying guide as the best tree overall. I just did a Christmas tree testing shoot this week and this was one of the trees I tried. And as expected, it did not disappoint.

The only downside of this tree is that it comes only in one size – which is 7ft – and perhaps that’s partly why it sells out so early. Usually, it’s gone by mid October despite its rather high price point of £580.

The tree’s extremely realistic look is one of the reasons behind its popularity, as well as the potted design. Instead of a flimsy metal stand which needs to be covered by a tree skirt or presents, the Cotswold comes with a black ceramic planter which looks so much more aesthetically pleasing and adds to the realistic effect.

2. Marks & Spencer light up candles

The M&S light up candles are notorious for selling out within days of launching. Particularly the Yuletide Pine & Spice Refillable Light Up Candle is flying off the virtual shelves – it’s currently the number one bestseller in the M&S home accessories department. And soon after launch last week, it already went out of stock. But luckily it’s been restocked since then.

Aside from this top seller, there are two other also very popular light-up candles – my personal favourite Mandarin, Clove & Cinnamon light up candle and the Frankincense & Myrrh light up candle, all of which are refillable and sell for £12 a pop.

3. Next gingerbread house Christmas tree skirt

Last year, the whole Ideal Home office missed out on the Next gingerbread house tree skirt as it sold out within days. It all happened so fast we didn’t even manage to let our readers know it had dropped.

But this year, we’d been checking the Next site daily and a couple of weeks ago it launched. Selling for £35, this whimsical tree skirt is made from wood to resemble a row of gingerbread houses. And there’s even a light-up function! How cute and how clever! No wonder it’s so popular.

4. The White Company Symons Nordmann Fir Christmas Tree

The White Company’s Christmas trees are well known for being some of the best, most realistic and highest quality trees on the market. And this is reflected in how quickly they sell out. While the also popular Grand Spruce Pre-lit tree – which I regularly rank as the best pre-lit Christmas tree in our buying guide – usually hangs around a little longer as it comes in various sizes, the Symons Nordmann Fir Christmas tree tends to go out of stock early.

It’s only available in one 7.5ft size but it comes with a stylish wicker tree skirt included. And much like the John Lewis Cotswold tree, this one from The White Company is also extremely realistic-looking. It traditionally comes unlit but now, there’s a pre-lit version available, too, and it’s been one of the brand’s top tree sellers so far this year as well.

5. Marks & Spencer XL velvet bows

The super-sized M&S velvet hanging bow decorations have had us all in a chokehold for the past three Christmases as they sell like hotcakes and go viral every single year. So here’s to hoping that M&S stocked up on these this year so that there’s plenty to go around.

There are two sizes available this time around – the ‘smaller’, currently more popular one is 65cm long and sells for £20, available in three colourways, while the extra large version is £30 and measures a whopping 95cm.

Which one of these top Christmas buys are you snapping up before October?