If it seems as if 2026 is flying by, sorry to do this to you: Christmas is less than 100 days away.
If you're one of those who has your holiday shopping done in September, that's no surprise and nothing to worry about.
Amazon Christmas deals 2026
But for the rest of us, let the panic start to swirl with the realization that, as of Sept. 17, there are only 14 weekends remaining until Christmas is here.
Of course, Christmas displays are already competing with Halloween costumes in stores so maybe it's not such a big surprise.
Anyway, here's just a few things to keep in mind before the Christmas rush onslaught, including a popular 2025 Christmas ornament set just restocked by Pottery Barn Teen.
When is Christmas 2026?
Christmas is celebrated on Dec. 25, which this year will
be on a Friday.
Countdown to Christmas 2026
Is Christmas Eve a federal or Florida holiday?
No, while Christmas Day, Dec. 25, is both a federal and Florida holiday, Dec. 24 is not.
However, Gov. Ron DeSantis has given state workers an extra day off for some holidays in the past.
In 2025, state offices were closed the day after Thanksgiving, Dec. 26 (the day after Christmas) and Jan. 2 (the day after New Year's Day).
There's been no word as of Sept. 17 that extra holidays have been added to the state calendar.
DeSantis' last day in office will be Jan. 5, 2027.
Amazon Prime Big Deal Days arrives Oct. 6-7
Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days will be held Oct. 6-7 and kicks off the holiday shopping season.
➤ Amazon announces Prime Day Big Deal Days 2026
The October sale is designed to give shoppers an opportunity to grab holiday gifts at some of Amazon's lowest prices before the rush of Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
This event is exclusively for Amazon Prime members.
White House Christmas tree to be chosen Sept. 21 in Wisconsin
Silent Night Evergreens in Endeavor, Wisconsin, earned the honor of providing the 2026 White House Christmas Tree after being named National Grand Champion in the National Christmas Tree Association’s tree contest, according to the Wisconsin Christmas Tree Producers Association.
The Christmas Tree Selection Ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 21.
5 style trends for Christmas 2026
According to Christmas Central, five Christmas decorating trends this year include:
- Ralph Lauren Aesthetic. This "updates traditional Christmas red and green with nuances that make it feel elegant and polished, integrating style points popularized by designer Ralph Lauren’s classic, high-end fashions."
- Williamsburg Christmas. "Inspired by the country’s 250th anniversary, Christmas 2026 will see a bounty of traditional fruit decorations. Berries are big news this season, along with a veritable fruit basket adorning trees, wreaths, garland and table arrangements."
- Natural Christmas. "This softer side of Christmas holds particular appeal for those who prefer simplicity over formality, glitz or glitter. The look brings the outside in through the use of realistic greenery, pinecones, wood, twigs, berries and other natural materials."
- Merry Maximalism. "The polar opposite of a natural Christmas, this exuberant look takes whimsy to the next level! Rainbow, neon, iridescent, Santa’s elves, fairytale, candyland, peppermint, gingerbread and circus themes all fall into this fanciful style."
- Cozy Christmas Escapes. "A number of emerging styles suggest the desire for a cozy Christmas escape – whether that’s an alpine lodge, a cabin in the woods or the seashore. Pick your happy winter hideaway and build a look around it."
Pottery Barn Teen restocks Harry Potter Horcrux Christmas ornament set
Pottery Barn Teen has brought back its best-selling Harry Potter Horcrux ornaments for the holidays and a new a Quidditch ornament set, both priced at $99.
➤ Pottery Barn Teen secretly restocked this best-selling Harry Potter ornament set
Don't wait or you could miss them.
Browse Harry Potter shop at Pottery Barn Teen
New program widens airport access even if you're not flying
Gateside by TSA Precheck was announced in September 2026, allowing eligible TSA PreCheck members without tickets to pass through security and enter gate areas.
➤ TSA letting some non-travelers past security
The program is available at 13 airports during the initial phase, but TSA said it is adding airports in a "phased approach to expand access to the program."
As of Sept. 17, no Florida airports were on the TSA map.
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at floridatoday.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: It's September, so Christmas is less than 100 days away. Who's ready?
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