The 8 Best Credit Cards for Holiday Decorating 2023
About Meredith
ExpertiseMeredith Lepore is a content editor for Credello. Her work has appeared in Travel & Leisure, The Observer, InStyle, Marie Claire, Refinery29, Brides, Architectural Digest, Business Insider, and TIME. She earned a Master's in Journalism from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.
Read full bioTis the season to spend a lot of money on decorations for your house that you are just going to take down again in a few weeks and stuff in a box all year but that is what the holidays is all about! And frankly, you tell me who can walk into an Anthropologie store during the holidays and resist any of those reindeer adorned soaps, advent calendars or ornaments. You’d have to have a heart as small as the Grinch’s!
According to the National Retail Federation, the average American household spent $269 on holiday decorations in 2022. This represents an increase of 10% from 2021. That is a significant amount of money so you are going to want to try to get the most bang for your buck. When it comes to finding the best credit cards for holiday decorations and getting the best deals, you should look for credit cards for holiday decorations with rewards and benefits that align with your spending habits. Here are some credit cards for holiday decorating to consider:
Top credit cards for holiday decorating
Chase Freedom Unlimited
Rewards rate:
- 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases.
- 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: None
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 17.99% – 24.99% variable
Signup bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 on purchases in the first 90 days of account opening.
Pros:
- Earn 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, which can be redeemed for travel statement credits, cash back, or transferred to Chase travel partners.
- Earn 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases, which can cover a significant portion of holiday meal and decoration expenses.
- Earn 1.5% cash back on all other purchases, which provides a steady stream of rewards.
- No annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for holiday shopping.
- Intro APR of 0% on balance transfers for 15 months, which can be helpful if you need to finance your holiday purchases over time.
- No foreign transaction fee, which is beneficial if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
Cons:
- Rotating categories, which means that the 5% cash back category changes every quarter. This could be a drawback if you plan to do a lot of holiday shopping outside of the eligible categories.
- No sign-up bonus for balance transfers, which may be a deterrent for some consumers.
Verdict:
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card is a great option for holiday decor shopping due to its combination of high rewards rates, no annual fee, and flexible rewards options. The card’s 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards® can help offset the cost of holiday travel, while the 3% cash back on dining and drugstore purchases can cover a significant portion of holiday meal and decoration expenses. Additionally, the card’s 1.5% cash back on all other purchases provides a steady stream of rewards that can be used to redeem for travel, cash back, or gift cards. The Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card is a good choice for both new and experienced credit card users who want a versatile and rewarding card for their holiday shopping.
Apply now: Chase Freedom Unlimited
Discover it® Cash Back
Rewards rate:
- 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to the first $1,500 in purchases.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: None
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on balance transfers and purchases
Regular APR: 13.24% – 24.24% variable
Signup bonus: $150 cash back after spending $500 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening.
Pros:
- Earn 5% cash back on rotating categories each quarter, up to the first $1,500 in purchases. One of the rotating categories is gas stations (including gas station convenience stores), which can be helpful for holiday travel. Additionally, the other rotating categories often include department stores and home improvement stores, which can be beneficial for holiday decor shopping.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, which provides a steady stream of rewards.
- No annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for holiday shopping.
- Intro APR of 0% on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months, which can be helpful if you need to finance your holiday purchases over time.
- No foreign transaction fee, which is beneficial if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
- Discover it® Cash Back cardholders can use their rewards to cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or merchandise purchases.
Cons:
- Rotating categories, which means that the 5% cash back category changes every quarter. This could be a drawback if you plan to do a lot of holiday shopping outside of the eligible categories.
- Limited cashback on gas and groceries, which may not be appealing to some consumers.
Verdict:
The Discover it® Cash Back card is a solid option for holiday decor shopping due to its combination of high rewards rates, no annual fee, and flexible rewards options. The card’s 5% cash back on rotating categories can help offset the cost of holiday expenses, while its 1% cash back on all other purchases provides a steady stream of rewards. Additionally, the Discover it® Cash Back card’s intro APR of 0% on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months can be helpful if you need to finance your holiday purchases over time. The Discover it® Cash Back card is a good choice for both new and experienced credit card users who want a versatile and rewarding card for their holiday shopping.
Apply now: Discover it Cash Back Credit Card
Citi Double Cash® Card
Rewards rate:
- 1% cash back on all purchases.
- An additional 1% cash back when you pay your bill.
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 13.99% – 24.99% variable
Signup bonus: $200 cash back after spending $1,000 on purchases within 3 months of account opening.
Pros:
- Earn cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or restrictions.
- No annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for holiday shopping.
- Simple rewards structure, making it easy to track and redeem rewards.
- Flexible redemption options, including cash back, statement credits, and gift cards.
- Citi Double Cash® Cardholders can also enjoy access to Citibank’s extensive network of ATMs and branches.
Cons:
- Lower cash back rate compared to some other cards that offer rotating categories or higher rewards rates on certain categories.
- No foreign transaction fee, which is beneficial if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
Verdict:
The Citi Double Cash® Card is a good all-around credit card that can be a good option for holiday decor shopping, especially for those who want a simple card with no annual fee and no rotating categories. The card’s 2% cash back on all purchases, with no rotating categories or restrictions, is easy to understand and earn. Additionally, the card’s flexible redemption options allow you to redeem your rewards for cash back, statement credits, or gift cards, whichever option is most convenient for you.
Apply now: Citi® Double Cash Card
Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card
Rewards rate:
- 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and popular streaming services.
- 3% cash back at grocery stores.
- 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $95
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 16.49% – 24.99% variable
Signup bonus: Earn a one-time $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
Pros:
- Earn high rewards rates on dining, entertainment, streaming services, and grocery stores, categories that are often associated with holiday spending.
- No foreign transaction fee, which is beneficial if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
- Access to Capital One’s Entertainment Benefits, which include discounts and perks on dining, entertainment, travel, and more.
- Capital One’s comprehensive online banking platform and mobile app make it easy to manage your account and redeem rewards.
Cons:
- Relatively high annual fee compared to some other cards that offer similar rewards rates.
- No rotating categories, which means that you earn the same rewards rates on all eligible purchases, regardless of whether they are holiday-related or not.
- Some exclusions apply to the 4% cash back category, such as movie theaters and amusement parks.
Verdict:
If you enjoy entertaining during the holidays and spending on dining and entertainment, this card offers cashback in those categories. You can earn cashback on dining, entertainment, and grocery store purchases. The card’s high rewards rates on these categories can help offset the cost of holiday spending. Additionally, the card’s no foreign transaction fee is a benefit if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas. However, the card’s relatively high annual fee may be a deterrent for some consumers.
Apply now: Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Card
Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card
Rewards rate: 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, including holiday decorations, 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstore.
Annual fee: $95
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR: 13.24% – 24.24% variable
Signup bonus: $50 gift card after spending $500 on eligible purchases within 3 months of account opening.
Pros:
- Earn 5% cash back on Amazon purchases, including holiday decorations, which is great for Amazon Prime members who do a lot of their holiday shopping on Amazon.
- Earn 2% cash back on restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores, which can be helpful for holiday dining and travel.
- Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases, providing a steady stream of rewards.
- No foreign transaction fee, which is beneficial if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
- Access to Visa Signature benefits, such as travel insurance, car rental collision damage waiver, and extended warranty.
Cons:
- Annual fee of $95, which may be a deterrent for some consumers.
- Rewards are not redeemable for cash, only for statement credits, Amazon gift cards, or merchandise purchases.
- Some exclusions apply to the 5% cash back category, such as gift cards, Prime memberships, and certain types of electronics.
Verdict:
The Amazon Prime Rewards Visa Signature Card is a good option for holiday decor shopping for Amazon Prime members who do a lot of their shopping on Amazon (which is probably a lot of people!) The card’s 5% cash back on Amazon purchases can help offset the cost of holiday decorations, and the 2% cash back on restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores can be helpful for holiday dining and travel. Additionally, the card’s no foreign transaction fee is a benefit if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas. However, the card’s annual fee of $95 may be a deterrent for some consumers.
Apply now: Amazon Prime Visa
American Express® Blue Cash Preferred® Card
Rewards rate: 6% cash back on groceries, including supermarkets, wholesale clubs, and farmer’s markets (up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 3% cash back on U.S. gas stations and transit, including taxis, ridesharing, and buses (on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%), 1% cash back on all other eligible purchases.
Annual fee: $95
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 13.99% – 24.99% variable
Signup bonus: Earn a one-time welcome bonus of $300 cash back after you spend $3,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months from account opening.
Pros:
- High cash back rates on groceries, U.S. gas stations, and transit, which can help offset the cost of holiday spending.
- No foreign transaction fee, which is beneficial if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
- Access to American Express benefits, such as travel insurance, car rental collision damage waiver, and extended warranty.
- American Express’ comprehensive online banking platform and mobile app make it easy to manage your account and redeem rewards.
Cons:
- Annual fee of $95, which may be a deterrent for some consumers.
- The card is not as widely accepted as Visa or Mastercard, so you may not be able to use it at all merchants.
- Some exclusions apply to the rewards categories, such as gift cards and some types of transportation.
Verdict:
The American Express® Blue Cash Preferred® Card is a good option for holiday decor shopping if you spend a significant amount of money on groceries, U.S. gas stations, and transit. The card’s high cash back rates on these categories can help offset the cost of holiday spending, and its no foreign transaction fee is a benefit if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas. However, the card’s annual fee of $95 and its limited acceptance may be deterrents for some consumers.
Apply now: American Express Blue Cash Preferred
Target RedCard
Rewards rate:
- 5% off all Target purchases, including holiday décor
- Free shipping on all Target.com orders
Annual fee: None
Intro APR: None
Regular APR: 15.49% – 24.99% Variable
Signup bonus: $40 gift card after spending $200 on eligible purchases within the first 45 days of account opening.
Pros:
- Earn 5% off all Target purchases, including holiday décor, which can save you a significant amount of money if you do a lot of your shopping at Target.
- Free shipping on all Target.com orders, which can be a convenient and cost-effective way to shop for holiday décor.
- No annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for holiday shopping.
- Target REDcard™ Credit Cardholders can also enjoy access to Target’s exclusive REDcard™ discounts and promotions.
- Target’s comprehensive online shopping platform and mobile app make it easy to shop for holiday décor and manage your account.
Cons:
- Rewards are only redeemable at Target, which may not be convenient for some consumers.
- The card’s regular APR is relatively high, so it is important to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest.
Verdict:
The Target REDcard™ Credit Card is a good option for holiday décor shopping if you do a lot of your shopping at Target. The card’s 5% off all Target purchases can help you save money on holiday décor, and its free shipping on all Target.com orders can be a convenient and cost-effective way to shop. Additionally, the card has no annual fee and offers Target REDcard™ Credit Cardholders access to exclusive discounts and promotions. However, the card’s rewards are only redeemable at Target, and its regular APR is relatively high, so it is important to pay off your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest.
Overall, the Target REDcard™ Credit Card is a versatile and rewarding credit card that can be a good choice for consumers who want to save money on holiday décor shopping at Target (and they always have some great choices and a lot of it for under $35.) If you are a frequent Target shopper, the card’s benefits may outweigh its drawbacks.
Apply now: Target RedCard Credit Card
U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card
Rewards rate:
- 5% cash back on the first $2,000 spent each quarter in two categories you choose, including department stores (which often sell holiday decor), electronics stores, sporting goods stores, gyms and fitness centers, furniture stores, home utilities, cell phone providers, ground transportation, gas stations, fast food, movie theaters and TV, internet, and streaming services.
- 2% cash back thereafter.
- 1% cash back on all other eligible net purchases.
Annual fee: $0
Intro APR: 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR: 13.49% – 24.49% Variable
Signup bonus: $200 cash back after spending $500 in eligible net purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Pros:
- Earn 5% cash back on the first $2,000 spent each quarter in two categories you choose, which means you can earn 5% cash back on holiday decor purchases if you choose department stores or home utilities as one of your categories.
- No annual fee, making it a cost-effective option for holiday shopping.
- Intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers, which can be helpful if you need to finance your holiday purchases over time.
- No foreign transaction fee, which is beneficial if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
- Access to U.S. Bank’s extensive network of ATMs and branches.
Cons:
- Rotating categories, which means that the 5% cash back category changes every quarter. This could be a drawback if you plan to do a lot of holiday shopping outside of the eligible categories.
Verdict:
The U.S. Bank Cash+® Visa Signature® Card is a good option for holiday decor shopping if you want a flexible rewards card with no annual fee and the ability to earn 5% cash back on holiday decor purchases if you choose department stores or home utilities as one of your categories. The card’s intro APR of 0% for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers can also be helpful if you need to finance your holiday purchases over time. Additionally, the card’s no foreign transaction fee is a benefit if you plan to shop for holiday decorations online or overseas.
Apply now: US Bank Cash+ ® Visa Signature ® Card
Bottom line
Overall, the best credit card for holiday decorations will depend on your individual spending habits and credit score. If you plan to do a lot of your holiday shopping at department stores or home improvement stores, then the Discover it® Cash Back card is a good option. If you plan to do a lot of your holiday shopping online or overseas, then the Chase Freedom Unlimited® Credit Card is a good choice. And if you want a simple card with no annual fee and no rotating categories, then the Citi Double Cash Card or Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card are both good options.