Amber’s Favorite Stores to Shop at Christmas: Cozy Finds, Nostalgia, and All the Holiday Vibes

There’s just something magical about Christmas shopping — the twinkling lights, the cinnamon- spiced air, the hunt for the perfect gift, and that little jolt of nostalgia that reminds you of being a kid roaming the aisles of Shopko and Kmart with your mom.

And if you know Amber — you already know she absolutely thrives during Christmas shopping season. Like, this is her Olympics. So today we’re breaking down Amber’s favorite stores to shop at during Christmas, the places that give her all the cozy feels, plus the best deals, candles, and decor that make her heart do a little jingle bell shimmy.

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1. TJ Maxx – The Cozy Christmas Treasure Hunt

If there’s one place Amber could move into during the holidays... it’s TJ Maxx. You walk in and instantly get hit with the smell of fir balsam, warm vanilla, or whatever magical $9.99 candle they just decided to bless us with this year. Their Christmas candle aisle? Elite. The vibes? Immaculate. The prices? Chef’s kiss.

TJ Maxx is also Amber’s go-to for:

Affordable but gorgeous Christmas decor

Cozy blankets that feel way more expensive than they are

Advent calendars (the bougie ones without the bougie price tag)

Gifts you didn’t even know you needed until you saw them on the shelf

It’s basically the adult version of toy-aisle excitement from back in the Shopko days. Same feeling, just more gingerbread-scented.

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2. TARGET – The North Pole of Everyday Life

Listen... Target in December is therapy. No notes.

Amber loves Target year-round, but during Christmas? It’s her happy place. The moment the Christmas section appears — the Threshold candles, the adorable ornaments, the $5 holiday mugs that somehow become a “necessary purchase” — it’s game over.

A few Target holiday must-haves on Amber’s list:

The best-smelling Christmas candles (don’t @ us, they just ARE)

Cute, modern holiday decor that makes your home look put-together with zero effort

Matching family pajamas

Stocking stuffers galore

Holiday snacks and treats you absolutely don’t need but always buy

Target just hits the same way Kmart used to — that warm, cozy, “let’s just wander the aisles” vibe. Honestly, the nostalgia is half the reason it’s such a comfort.

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3. The Mall – For Nostalgia and Holiday Magic

Okay, hear us out: the mall at Christmas is an experience. The twinkling garlands, the big Santa display, the peppermint-scented air, the crowds of families taking photos — it all brings back that classic 90s and early-2000s childhood joy. Amber loves hitting the mall not just for shopping, but for:

The nostalgia

The holiday music echoing down the halls

The decor that feels bigger-than-life

The chance to grab a hot chocolate and stroll like it’s a Hallmark movie

Shopping malls around the holidays are pure Christmas serotonin. They don’t make memories like this anymore... except they kind of still do, if you lean into it.

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Why These Stores Hit Home

For Amber, Christmas shopping isn’t just about crossing items off a list — it’s about tradition, comfort, and tapping into that kid-like wonder we don’t get enough of as adults. TJ Maxx and Target feel like modern-day versions of Shopko and Kmart — the places we grew up wandering with our moms, clutching a hot chocolate, and secretly hoping to run into Santa. And the mall? It’s a whole vibe in itself. A little chaotic, very festive, and full of nostalgia.

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Final Thoughts (and a Cozy Call to Action)

If you’re looking for: The best Christmas candles

Affordable, adorable holiday decor

Gifts with personality

A sprinkle of nostalgia

Follow Amber’s lead and hit up TJ Maxx, Target, and your local mall this season. And don’t forget — we’ll be sharing more holiday traditions, cozy shopping guides, and Christmas-season chaos over on the Slacks to Sweats Podcast, Instagram, and our blog.

Grab your coffee, grab your comfy pants, and let’s make this season magical.

Deuces!