Costco’s holiday aisles are already filling with character collectibles, advent calendars, peppermint treats and lighted decorations. These 25 finds stood out in the first two weeks of October, with the strongest early-shopping cases tied to specific designs, local sell-through reports and countdowns that need to be ready before December.
Research window: October 1–14, 2026. This is an early-shopping watchlist based on dated product coverage, shopper reports and Costco catalog checks. Some items have stronger buzz than others; sellout risk is an editorial assessment, not a forecast from Costco. Prices are reported sightings or checked online listings and can vary by warehouse.
Character Gifts and Collectible Displays
1. Disney Mickey Figural Pre-Lit LED Wreath
Price: $64.99 reported in warehouse; $79.99 online | Size: 30 inches
Mickey’s familiar silhouette gives this wreath a purpose beyond another circle of greenery. A red bow and 50 multicolor lights make it a complete display for a Disney household. The lights can stay steady or twinkle, and the six-hour timer saves you from switching it on every evening.
Why it made the October list: This has one of the clearest early scarcity signals on the list: an October 7 shopping report found the online wreath unavailable, while an October warehouse visit reported that the Mickey-ear style was already gone locally.
Before you buy: Those reports describe particular places and dates. This is an indoor or covered-porch decoration, not a wreath to leave exposed to rain. Three D batteries are included; measure your door before buying.
Our take: Check this one early if the Mickey shape matters to you. A regular holiday wreath is easier to substitute than a particular licensed design.
2. Jim Shore Disney Stitch Elf Statue
Price: $64.99 reported in warehouse | Size: Approximately 14.75 inches tall
Stitch gets a full elf outfit, real jingle bells and Jim Shore’s painted folk-art patterns. The resin figure is substantial enough to anchor a mantel or side table, rather than disappear among small ornaments. It is especially appealing as a gift for someone who already collects Disney figures.
Why it made the October list: An October warehouse walkthrough showed an unboxed Stitch figure and described it as possibly the last one at that location. That is a useful local warning for collectors, though it does not establish a national shortage.
Before you buy: This is an indoor display piece, not a child’s toy. Allow room for its roughly 13.5-by-10-inch footprint, and check the painted surface and projecting details before taking a display model home.
Our take: Prioritize it for a known Stitch fan. The value comes from the specific character and design, so buying a substitute later may not feel equivalent.
3. Jim Shore Hello Kitty Christmas Tree with LED Star
Price: $64.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 14.75 inches tall
Hello Kitty wears a decorated Christmas-tree outfit topped with a glowing star, combining a character collectible with a small lighted holiday display. The hand-painted resin finish has the patterned details associated with Jim Shore pieces. A six-hour timer and included AA batteries make it easy to place away from an outlet.
Why it made the October list: The tree appeared in an October holiday walkthrough, and shoppers discussing Hello Kitty finds also mentioned seeing the Christmas tree figure alongside the ornament sets.
Before you buy: Keep this one indoors and give it a stable shelf. The star lights up, but this is not a room-lighting replacement or an animated village. If it is a gift, check that the recipient has space for a fairly tall figure.
Our take: A strong early pick for a Hello Kitty collector who prefers one substantial piece to a larger village. Buy for the design, rather than an assumption that every warehouse is running out.
4. Jim Shore Character Ornament Sets
Hello Kitty and friends set shown; character assortments vary.
Price: $29.99 reported in warehouse | Size: Four ornaments per set
These boxed sets put Jim Shore’s painted character details into a smaller, easier-to-gift format. Seasonal sightings have included Hello Kitty and friends, Disney, The Grinch and The Nightmare Before Christmas themes. Each box is a coordinated set; it does not contain every character collection shown on the shelf.
Why it made the October list: The ornaments appeared in several October shopping reports. Members also discussed looking for particular character sets, which makes the choice of theme more relevant than whether any ornaments remain available.
Before you buy: Read the front of the box carefully. The pictured set features Hello Kitty and friends, while another warehouse may carry a different selection. Inspect delicate details before gifting, and plan on protective storage between holidays.
Our take: Worth checking early when you want a specific character. At about $7.50 per ornament, the set makes more sense for a fan than for someone simply filling a large tree.
5. Disney Holiday Gingerbread Village
Price: $129.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 13 pieces
Candy-colored buildings, familiar Disney characters and a gingerbread theme turn this into a ready-made tabletop scene. The set includes a lighted building, a musical building, a lighted tree, two lighted lampposts and eight figures. That gives you several ways to arrange it without needing to buy a separate collection of accessories.
Why it made the October list: The same village appeared in multiple October warehouse shopping videos, making it one of the more repeatedly spotted character displays in this roundup.
Before you buy: Lay out the entire scene before deciding where it will live; thirteen separate pieces need more usable surface than one statue. The catalog lists nine AA batteries and two button batteries as included. Keep small pieces and battery compartments away from young children.
Our take: A good early buy for a household that will display the whole scene. Check the gingerbread design on the box, since descriptions of older Disney villages can refer to different features.
6. Hello Kitty Holiday Village
Price: $134.99 online at the time of checking | Size: 13 pieces
This pastel holiday scene includes two lighted houses, a musical house, two trees, two lighted lampposts and six figures. Eight songs add movement to the mood even though the buildings themselves stay in place. It works as a coordinated display for someone who likes Hello Kitty’s softer colors more than traditional red-and-green décor.
Why it made the October list: The village received early October product coverage and a substantial shopper discussion after one recipient shared it as a gift. Other members described ordering it online, giving this find a clearer community signal than a catalog listing alone.
Before you buy: Plan for an indoor display and storage for thirteen pieces. Batteries are included, but music is a feature to consider carefully if the village will sit near a television or a quiet reading area.
Our take: One of the better-supported gift picks for an established fan. Its popularity is documented; a nationwide sellout is not.
Advent Calendars Worth Finding Before December
7. Wine Advent-ure Calendar
Costco catalog image shown; the 2026 box design may differ.
Price: $99.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 24 half-bottles, 375 mL each
This adult advent calendar is built around sampling: twenty-four half-bottles provide the equivalent volume of twelve standard wine bottles. At the reported price, that works out to about $4.17 per half-bottle. The appeal is trying a changing selection over the season, not stocking up on one familiar favorite.
Why it made the October list: October shoppers were asking where the calendar had arrived, with members reporting availability in Texas. It also appeared in an October warehouse roundup and an updated advent-calendar guide.
Before you buy: Wine selection and alcohol availability vary by location. A mixed assortment is a less predictable gift than a bottle you already know the recipient enjoys. Check the 2026 edition and bottle sizes on the actual box.
Our take: Buy early if a December countdown is the point of the gift. For someone with a very specific wine preference, a personally chosen bottle may be a better fit.
8. Red Bull Advent Edition
Price: $47.99–$49.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 24 cans, 8.4 fluid ounces each
Red Bull turns its small cans into a holiday countdown with eleven flavors spread across twenty-four doors. That distinction matters: this is not twenty-four different drinks. At the reported prices, each can costs about $2.00 to $2.08, so the attraction is the variety and presentation as much as the beverage itself.
Why it made the October list: An October 3 warehouse sighting sparked a large shopper discussion. Reactions were mixed: some liked the gift idea, while others questioned the price compared with regular multipacks.
Before you buy: This is a gift for an adult who already enjoys energy drinks. Each 8.4-ounce can contains 80 milligrams of caffeine. Check the flavor lineup, particularly if the recipient only likes one or two varieties.
Our take: Worth considering for a Red Bull enthusiast who will enjoy the assortment. Skip the countdown premium if you mainly want the lowest cost per can.
9. Lindt Teddy Advent Calendar
Price: $19.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 24 chocolates; 10 ounces total
The oversized gold teddy-bear package makes this feel like a gift before the first door opens. Inside are twenty-four chocolates for a traditional December countdown. The format is compact enough for a kitchen counter and easier to wrap than a loose collection of holiday sweets.
Why it made the October list: This exact calendar appeared in an October 1 product listing, an October 2 photographed holiday roundup and a separate October warehouse shopping video.
Before you buy: The package contains ten ounces of chocolate, not a bulk bag’s worth. You are paying partly for the calendar experience and bear-shaped presentation. Check the ingredient and allergen panel for the intended recipient.
Our take: A sensible early purchase when someone specifically wants a chocolate advent calendar. Its usefulness starts on December 1, which gives it a firmer shopping deadline than an ordinary candy gift.
10. Buddy Buddy Catvent Calendar
Price: $24.99 reported in warehouse; $34.99 online | Size: 24 toys plus an additional wand
This cat-focused countdown replaces chocolate with playthings. The official listing describes twenty-four toys and an additional wand, giving a pet owner a succession of small activities to introduce throughout the season. The large illustrated box also does most of the gift-wrapping work for you.
Why it made the October list: The Catvent calendar appeared in an October 1 gift roundup and an October 13 advent-calendar guide. It is a seasonal arrival with repeat coverage, rather than a confirmed nationwide sellout.
Before you buy: These are toys, not daily edible treats. Supervise play, remove damaged items and consider whether the cat actually enjoys small novelty toys. The warehouse and online prices differ enough to make checking locally worthwhile.
Our take: A fun pick for a cat owner who likes rotating toys. It is less compelling for a household already overflowing with unused pet accessories.
11. LED Wooden Village Advent Calendar
Price: $34.99 reported in warehouse; $43.99 online | Size: 30 inches long
A row of illuminated wooden houses turns the countdown into a reusable mantel decoration. The numbered windows mark the days, and a movable snowflake tracks progress toward Christmas. This is an important distinction from a treat calendar: there are no little drawers to fill with sweets or gifts.
Why it made the October list: The village appeared in October warehouse coverage and an October 13 advent-calendar guide, with both warehouse and online prices reported.
Before you buy: Measure the display area before buying. The village is roughly thirty inches long but only 3.8 inches deep, making it more suitable for a long shelf than a small side table. It uses three AA batteries and has a six-hour timer.
Our take: A good choice for someone who wants a decorative countdown without buying twenty-four fillers every year. The reason to shop early is having it ready for December 1.
12. Plush Ornament Advent Calendar
Price: $29.99 reported in warehouse; $37.99 online | Size: 12 ornaments, approximately 5 inches each
This twelve-day calendar offers small plush ornaments in either cat or dog designs. Each opening adds another soft-looking decoration to the tree, which makes it a gift and a gradual decorating activity in one package. The cat and dog versions are separate assortments.
Why it made the October list: The calendar appeared in an October holiday walkthrough and an October 13 advent guide. The specific animal theme is the main reason to look before the seasonal selection narrows.
Before you buy: These are decorations: the official product information says they are not toys and are not intended for pets. Also note the twelve-day format, which differs from the twenty-four-day calendars elsewhere on this list.
Our take: Best for an animal-loving adult who enjoys themed tree decorations. Choose the design deliberately, and keep the ornaments out of reach of pets that might chew them.
Holiday Sweets and Freezer Finds
13. Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark
Price: $12.99 reported in October | Size: 21 ounces
Layers of dark and white chocolate with crushed peppermint make this a straightforward holiday dessert-table shortcut. Break the bark into smaller pieces for a candy dish, add it to cookie plates or serve a few shards alongside coffee. The format is easy to portion without preparing a separate dessert.
Why it made the October list: The bark’s early return drew several October mentions, including a dated Houston warehouse sighting and a separate warehouse shopping roundup. Its appearance before Halloween helped drive the conversation.
Before you buy: Peppermint is the defining flavor, so this is a more specific choice than a general chocolate assortment. Store it according to the package directions and away from warmth that can soften the chocolate. Use the price at your own warehouse as the final check.
Our take: Worth picking up when you see a fresh package at a price you like. Its current return is well documented, but that alone does not establish an imminent shortage.
14. Häagen-Dazs Mini Peppermint Bark Ice Cream Bars
Price: $13.89–$13.99 reported | Size: 18 mini bars, 1.85 fluid ounces each
White chocolate ice cream sits inside a dark chocolate shell studded with peppermint pieces. This season’s mini format makes the bars useful as a small dessert after a large holiday meal. At $13.99 for eighteen, the cost is about 78 cents each.
Why it made the October list: October launch coverage identified October 14 as the planned rollout, while an October business-center shopping video had already spotted the box. This is a fresh arrival whose timing can differ between locations.
Before you buy: Look for the eighteen-count mini box. Older references to fifteen bars describe a different pack and should not guide a price comparison. Clear freezer space before adding a second or third holiday dessert box to the cart.
Our take: A practical pick for peppermint fans who prefer individually portioned desserts. Check local availability as the rollout develops rather than assuming every warehouse has received it.
15. Lindt Lindor Five-Flavor Holiday Assortment
Price: $16.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 21.3 ounces
This holiday assortment combines milk chocolate, hot cocoa, salted caramel, double chocolate and snickerdoodle white chocolate truffles. That gives a candy bowl more variety than a single-flavor bag while keeping the familiar individually wrapped format. It is also convenient for adding a few chocolates to several small gift bags.
Why it made the October list: The bag appeared in a photographed October 2 Costco holiday roundup. Its inclusion here rests on that current arrival and verified product details; the available evidence is thinner for widespread shopper buzz.
Before you buy: Check the five flavors before buying for a picky chocolate lover. The white-chocolate and cookie-inspired options make this different from an all-milk-chocolate assortment. It is one large bag, so provide your own boxes if you plan to divide it into gifts.
Our take: A useful seasonal candy-bowl option. Buy because the assortment suits your household, rather than because a sellout has been demonstrated.
16. Kirkland Signature European Cookies with Belgian Chocolate
Price: $16.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 49.4 ounces; 156 cookies in 15 varieties
This large cookie assortment handles the volume side of holiday entertaining. Fifteen varieties give a serving platter visual variety, while the reported price works out to roughly eleven cents per cookie. It makes the most sense for gatherings, shared break rooms or households that will work through a sizable tin.
Why it made the October list: The cookies appeared in an October 2 photographed roundup and a separate October warehouse shopping video, confirming that the seasonal assortment was back in the conversation.
Before you buy: The cookies are arranged in trays rather than individually wrapped for gifting. If you want to split the tin among several people, budget for containers and check the package’s storage instructions after opening. Belgian chocolate does not mean every cookie has the same chocolate coating or filling.
Our take: A solid hosting candidate when you need quantity and choice. A smaller selection may be more useful if you only want a few of the varieties.
17. Nutcracker Character Tin with Chocolate Truffles
Price: $12.59–$12.99 reported; $12.89 in October coverage | Size: 12.3 ounces
The nutcracker-shaped tin turns an ordinary chocolate gift into a small seasonal decoration. Inside are chocolate truffles made in Italy; once they are gone, the container can join a mantel display or hold wrapped sweets. The reusable packaging is the main reason to choose it over a plain bag.
Why it made the October list: The tin appeared in an October 9 gift roundup and a separate October 9 warehouse shopping video, giving it two current discovery routes.
Before you buy: Choose the character and finish you actually want, since the assortment can vary. Check the truffle ingredients for the recipient, and inspect the tin for dents if it will be given as a gift. The reported prices vary slightly by sighting.
Our take: An appealing small gift when presentation matters. Consider whether the recipient would enjoy keeping the container; otherwise, a simpler chocolate package may offer better value for them.
Lights, Décor and Hosting Picks
18. Infinity Mirror LED Pathway Lights
Price: $34.99 reported in warehouse | Size: Six lights; 15-foot lighted length
The reflected-light effect gives these red, green and blue decorations more depth than a flat illuminated shape. Six lights cover a fifteen-foot lighted stretch, and the adjustable stakes provide a straightforward way to line a walkway. They can also be hung, giving you another option if the ground is difficult to stake.
Why it made the October list: The lights appeared across several October warehouse videos and a separate early October holiday roundup. That repeated attention makes them a stronger seasonal watchlist choice than a newly listed product with no shopper exposure.
Before you buy: Measure the route and power access first. The listing allows indoor or outdoor use and connection of up to three sets, but six lights will not cover a long driveway by themselves.
Our take: A useful early decorating purchase when you know exactly where they will go. Buying matching sets together is more practical than hoping the same design remains available later.
19. 48-Inch Red Bow with LED Twinkle Lights
Price: $99.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 48 by 48 inches
This oversized red bow is designed to be the main decoration on a wall, garage or other broad display area. Its 651 LEDs combine steady red lighting with white chasing lights, so the effect is more elaborate than a simple illuminated outline. Two hanging loops are built into the frame.
Why it made the October list: The bow appeared in an October 4 holiday roundup and an October warehouse walkthrough, with its scale making it a noticeable display piece.
Before you buy: Four feet wide is substantial: measure the surface and plan the mounting before buying. The bow weighs about 7.1 pounds, needs assembly and uses plug-in power. Although rated for indoor or outdoor use, installation still needs to follow the supplied directions.
Our take: Best for a shopper planning one prominent decoration. It is an expensive impulse buy if you have not yet worked out where it can hang securely.
20. Snowy Woodland Village with Lights and Music
Price: $129.99 reported in warehouse | Size: 18.5 inches tall
Snow-covered houses and trees create a self-contained winter scene, with 88 LED lights, eight songs and a rotating central tree. It offers the look of a small village without arranging thirteen separate pieces. Volume control also gives you some flexibility when placing it in a living room.
Why it made the October list: This exact woodland display appeared in October 4 holiday coverage. The evidence supports it as a current seasonal find; it does not establish that it is selling out across Costco.
Before you buy: Allow roughly a fourteen-inch-square footprint and access to an outlet. This is an indoor display powered by an adapter, not a battery-operated piece for any shelf. Check that you enjoy both the lighting and the moving tree before making it your main centerpiece.
Our take: A good option for someone who wants a complete winter scene with relatively little arranging. Choose it for the display itself, rather than the promise of scarcity.
21. Rotating Glass Ornament Décor
Price: $29.99 reported in warehouse | Size: Two pieces, approximately 6.5 and 8.5 inches
These large glass pieces use woodland imagery, interior lighting and rotation to create a small moving display. The two heights work together on a sideboard or console, and the six-hour timer lets the lights come on for an evening window. Gold and silver versions give shoppers a choice of finish.
Why it made the October list: The set appeared in October 4 holiday coverage and an October warehouse walkthrough, with the moving light effect a key part of its appeal.
Before you buy: Despite the ornament name, these are tabletop decorations, not ordinary baubles to hang from a tree branch. Keep the glass on a stable indoor surface. Six AA batteries are included, but protective storage is worth planning before the holiday boxes fill up.
Our take: A manageable decorative upgrade for someone who likes a little movement without a full musical village. Choose the finish that works with decorations you already own.
22. Gingerbread House or Penguin Holiday Pillow
Gingerbread house design shown; the penguin is a separate option.
Price: $9.99 reported in warehouse; $19.99 online | Size: Gingerbread about 15 inches; penguin about 17 inches tall
A shaped pillow adds holiday character without needing batteries, an outlet or assembly. The gingerbread house has decorative icing-style details, while the penguin offers a winter theme that can stay out beyond Christmas. At the reported warehouse price, either is a relatively modest way to update a favorite chair.
Why it made the October list: These pillows appeared in multiple October shopping reports, including an early October gift-and-décor roundup and two separate warehouse videos.
Before you buy: The polyester cover and filling are spot-clean only. The warehouse assortment and individual online listings use different item numbers, and online pricing is higher. Check the shape and size on the actual listing rather than assuming both designs have identical dimensions.
Our take: A useful inexpensive decorating pick if you can shop in person. It is harder to justify the online price when the goal is simply a small seasonal accent.
23. Pre-Lit Faux Red Velvet Poinsettia Pot
Gold-pot online version shown; warehouse assortment and pot finish may vary.
Price: $39.99 reported in warehouse; $49.99 online | Size: 30 inches tall
Red velvet-style poinsettia flowers and integrated lights give this arrangement the look of a finished holiday centerpiece. Unlike a live plant, it can return to storage after the season. Eight lighting functions and a six-hour timer provide several ways to use it in an entryway or beside a fireplace.
Why it made the October list: The poinsettia appeared in October 1 warehouse coverage, an October 4 holiday roundup and another October holiday walkthrough.
Before you buy: Allow for the full shape: the official listing gives an approximately twenty-three-inch width as well as the thirty-inch height. It uses three AA batteries and is intended for indoor or covered-porch placement. Container finishes can differ between listings.
Our take: A practical choice for someone who wants a reusable floral display. Measure a small console first; the arrangement is much wider than its pot.
24. Boxed Pine Trees with Twinkle Lights
Price: $109.99 reported in warehouse | Size: Two trees: 3 feet and 4 feet
This pair creates an intentionally staggered display, with one three-foot tree and one four-foot tree. The boxed bases give the arrangement a finished look, and 190 warm-white LEDs add evening light. Because the trees are battery powered, they can work where a nearby outlet would otherwise limit your decorating.
Why it made the October list: The pair appeared in an October 2 warehouse shopping video and another October holiday walkthrough. Repeated sightings support it as a current seasonal option, without proving a nationwide supply problem.
Before you buy: These are two different heights, not matching trees for a perfectly symmetrical doorway. Use them indoors or on a covered porch. Eight AA batteries are included, and the six-hour timer helps manage the nightly lighting period.
Our take: Worth considering for an entryway with room for a layered display. Check the intended arrangement before paying for a pair when one small tree would do.
25. Pandex Holiday Icon Glasses
Price: $24.99 reported in warehouse | Size: Four glasses, 14 fluid ounces each
Each glass has a small holiday icon inside: a Christmas tree, candy cane, gingerbread figure or present. The different designs help guests recognize their drinks while adding decoration directly to the table. They suit sparkling water, chilled juice or a festive mocktail without needing an elaborate place setting.
Why it made the October list: The set appeared in an October holiday warehouse walkthrough. Its usefulness starts with the first seasonal gathering, rather than Christmas morning, although the available evidence does not establish a widespread rush to buy it.
Before you buy: The soda-lime glasses are dishwasher safe but not microwave safe. Treat them as drinkware for cold beverages; the listing does not establish suitability for hot cocoa. Four glasses cover a small table, so decide whether you need a second matching set.
Our take: A good early hosting purchase when you have a clear use for four festive glasses. At about $6.25 each, the appeal is the distinctive design rather than basic drinking-glass value.
Start with the item that would be hardest to replace: a particular character, a matching decoration or a calendar you want ready for December 1. For broadly available sweets and general décor, let the package, price and your actual holiday plans make the decision.
Product photos: Costco catalog; packaging and designs may vary. The featured image is an AI-assisted editorial collage. Buying assessments are based on research rather than firsthand product testing.
