---
title: "Christmas flowers for florists: price surge and when to stock up (2026–2028) | Floreboard"
url: https://floreboard.com/en/guides/holidays/christmas/
language: en
last_reviewed: 2026-10-06
publisher: Floreboard (芳华绘)
---

# Christmas flowers: a florist's stocking guide

Before Christmas (Worldwide), pine, holly wholesale prices typically run 1.2–1.6× normal; stock up about 30 days ahead. Dates and order-by dates for 2026–2028.

- **Market:** Worldwide

- **Flowers affected:** [Pine](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/pine/), [Holly](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/holly/)

- **Typical price:** 1.2–1.6× normal wholesale

- **Stock up:** 30 days ahead

## Dates and order-by dates

| Year | Date | Start stocking by |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 2026 | 2026-12-25 | 2026-11-25 |
| 2027 | 2027-12-25 | 2027-11-25 |
| 2028 | 2028-12-25 | 2028-11-25 |

## How people buy for it

Evergreens, holly and berries go into wreaths, garlands and table pieces in red, green, white and gold. Wreath-making starts in late November for Advent, so greens are needed well before the day itself.

## The flowers that surge

| Flower | Role | Vase life | In season | Fragrance | Pets |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pine](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/pine/) | Branch | 14–30 days | Year-round | Light | — |
| [Holly](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/holly/) | Branch | 14–30 days | Winter | None | mildly toxic |

## What the surge does to material cost

If the affected flowers make up the share of a design's material cost shown below, a 1.2–1.6× surge raises the whole design's material cost by:

| Affected flowers as share of material cost | At 1.2× | At 1.6× |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 40% | +8% | +24% |
| 60% | +12% | +36% |
| 80% | +16% | +48% |

[How florists price arrangements: cost, markup and margin](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/florist-pricing-and-margin/)

## Alternatives that are not priced up

Flowers with the same role that are available at this time of year and not on this holiday's surge list — the basis for a "holiday-proof" option:

| Instead of | Consider |
| --- | --- |
| [Pine](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/pine/) | [Bamboo](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bamboo/), [Pussy willow](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/pussywillow/), [Red-twig dogwood](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dogwood/), [Plum blossom](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/plum/) |
| [Holly](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/holly/) | [Bamboo](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/bamboo/), [Red-twig dogwood](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/dogwood/), [Pussy willow](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/pussywillow/), [Plum blossom](https://floreboard.com/en/flowers/plum/) |

## FAQ

### When is Christmas in 2026, 2027, 2028?

2026: 2026-12-25; 2027: 2027-12-25; 2028: 2028-12-25 (Worldwide).

### Which flowers get more expensive before Christmas, and by how much?

Pine, Holly wholesale prices typically run 1.2–1.6× normal.

### How far ahead should florists stock up for Christmas?

About 30 days ahead — around 2026-11-25 for 2026 — and quote at holiday prices.

### What can florists offer instead of the flowers that surge before Christmas?

Instead of pine: bamboo, pussy willow, red-twig dogwood, plum blossom; Instead of holly: bamboo, red-twig dogwood, pussy willow, plum blossom.

[Holiday flower price calendar](https://floreboard.com/en/guides/holiday-flower-prices/)

Last reviewed: 2026-10-06. Surges are typical wholesale ranges for stocking and quoting; local markets vary.