Most UK garden centres open their Christmas departments between mid-September and early October, with the displays built through September, Lemax villages and lights switched on by the first week of October, and real cut trees arriving in the last week of November. Sapcote Garden Centre follows that pattern: the Christmas shop opens in September, the Lemax Wonderland is fully lit from early October, and real Nordmann firs are on sale from late November. If you want the full range and the best choice of a specific line, October is the month to go.

Why do garden centres put Christmas up so early?

Three reasons. The stock arrives in late summer: Christmas trees, lights and Lemax ship from the manufacturers in August and September and have to go somewhere. Serious buyers, especially Lemax collectors and people replacing a tree, shop in October before the popular lines sell out. And the displays take weeks to build; a tiered Lemax village or a floor of lit trees is assembled piece by piece, so centres open the department as soon as it is presentable rather than hiding it until December. Garden centres also have the space outdoors for Halloween and autumn plants at the same time, so the two seasons overlap in September.

What is the timetable at Sapcote Garden Centre?

• Early September: the Christmas shop starts to go in; artificial trees and the first decorations appear while the plant area is still in autumn mode.
• Late September to early October: the Lemax Wonderland is built and switched on, lights run on the display trees, and the early bird offers start (3-for-2 on Lemax figurines and accessories, multi-buy on selected buildings).
• October: the fullest choice of the year. Every tree, light set and Lemax collection is in stock and on display.
• November: the busiest weekends, particularly the last two of the month. Popular tree sizes and sought-after Lemax buildings start to sell through.
• Late November: real cut Nordmann fir and potted trees arrive, kept under cover and unnetted so you can inspect them.
• December: the display stays up until Christmas Eve. The garden centre closes only on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
• January: the Christmas shop is cleared and the display dismantled; what remains is reduced.

When should you buy an artificial Christmas tree?

October, if you want a particular size and style. The 6ft and 7ft pre-lit trees and the slim trees sell through first, and once a line has gone the manufacturer rarely restocks before Christmas. Prices on artificial trees do not usually fall until after Christmas, so waiting rarely saves money and often loses the tree you wanted. Our guides to tree sizes and pre-lit versus unlit trees will help you choose before the rush.

When should you buy Lemax?

As soon as the display opens. Lemax retires designs every year and the new-season buildings arrive in one delivery, so a piece that sells out in October may never come back. Collectors in Leicestershire tend to come to the Lemax Wonderland in the first fortnight of October to see the new pieces lit, then return in November for figures and accessories on 3-for-2. Our visitor guide explains what is on display and how to check stock online before you travel.

When do real Christmas trees go on sale?

Real cut trees reach most garden centres in the last week of November, which is early enough for a tree bought in the first weekend of December to last to Twelfth Night if it is kept watered. At Sapcote the Nordmann firs arrive in late November, and the popular 6ft and 7ft sizes sell out first, so the first two weekends of December are the time to choose. This year’s prices will be on our real Christmas trees page when the trees land.

Quick answers

When does Sapcote Garden Centre’s Christmas shop open?

The Christmas shop opens in September and the Lemax Wonderland display is fully lit from early October. It runs seven days a week until Christmas Eve on Hinckley Road, Sapcote, Leicester LE9 4LG.

When do garden centres get their Christmas stock in?

Christmas stock is delivered from August onwards and most garden centres have their Christmas departments open by the end of September or the first week of October.

When do garden centres sell real Christmas trees?

Real cut trees usually go on sale in the last week of November and sell through by mid-December, with the popular 6ft and 7ft sizes going first.

Is it cheaper to buy Christmas decorations early or late?

Prices on trees, lights and Lemax stay the same through the season, so buying early gets the choice and costs no more. Genuine reductions happen after Christmas, when the remaining stock is cleared.

Andrew Porwol

Andrew Porwol is an expert on gardening, plants, garden design, and outdoor furniture. He is the owner of Sapcote Garden Centre, Sharnford Garden Centre, and Garden Centre Shopping. He’s regularly featured in expert publications, like Forbes, MSN, and Better Homes & Gardens.