Side Hustleslow risk
Christmas Ornament Dropshipping From EU Manufacturers
Import handcrafted Christmas ornaments from Czech and German suppliers for 40-60% margins selling to US collectors via niche Facebook groups.
Last verified: 4/8/2026
Import handcrafted Christmas ornaments from Czech and German suppliers for 40-60% margins selling to US collectors via niche Facebook groups.
Capital Required
$0–$500
Time Commitment
5-20 hrs/week
Skill Level
beginner
Risk Level
low
While everyone scrambles for generic side hustles, there's a $2.8 billion Christmas ornament market where European artisans are selling handcrafted pieces for $3-8 that collectors pay $15-25 for in the US. The window is September through January, and most people have no idea these suppliers exist.
The Christmas collectibles market operates on a completely different timeline than typical e-commerce. Serious collectors start shopping in September, peak buying happens October through December, and clearance sales create inventory opportunities for next year in January.
European manufacturers in Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany have been producing mouth-blown glass ornaments for over 150 years. These aren't mass-produced Chinese knockoffs — they're legitimate artisan pieces that sell for premium prices in US specialty stores. The arbitrage exists because these manufacturers sell direct to importers at wholesale prices, but most small sellers don't know how to find them.
Startup Investment: $300-800
Revenue Model:
Timeline to Profitability:
Realistic First-Year Projections:
The key suppliers most Americans don't know about:
Czech Republic:
Germany:
Poland:
Contact these manufacturers directly via email in August-September. Most require minimum orders of 50-100 pieces mixed designs, but will work with new importers. Always request samples first — expect 2-3 week shipping times from Europe.
Christmas ornament collectors are passionate, organized, and willing to pay premium prices for authentic European pieces. They congregate in specific places:
Facebook Groups:
eBay Categories:
Etsy Performance:
Phase 1: Supplier Relationships (August-September) Reach out to 5-7 European manufacturers with professional inquiry emails. Request catalogs and sample pricing. Most legitimate suppliers have English-speaking export departments.
Phase 2: Market Testing (September-October) Order 50-100 mixed pieces focusing on traditional designs — angels, Santas, winter scenes perform best with collectors. Test pricing on Facebook groups before scaling.
Phase 3: Inventory Scaling (October-November) Reorder successful designs in larger quantities. European suppliers often offer 10-15% discounts on reorders of 100+ pieces.
Phase 4: Peak Season Push (December) Focus on fulfillment and customer service. Last-minute buyers pay premium prices for expedited shipping.
Information Asymmetry: Most Americans don't know European ornament manufacturers exist or how to contact them directly.
Cultural Barrier: European suppliers prefer working with established importers, but will engage with serious inquiries in proper business format.
Seasonal Concentration: The compressed selling season (4-5 months) means less competition from casual sellers who want year-round income.
Collector Behavior: Christmas ornament collectors are less price-sensitive than typical e-commerce buyers and value authenticity over bargains.
Platform Gaps: Amazon is dominated by Chinese mass production. Collectors actively seek alternatives on Facebook, eBay, and Etsy.
Ordering Too Late: European suppliers get backed up October-November. Place major orders by September 15th.
Ignoring Authentication: Collectors can spot fake "European" ornaments immediately. Only work with legitimate manufacturers with verifiable histories.
Generic Photography: Ornament buyers want to see fine details, colors, and craftsmanship. Invest in macro lens capabilities or professional photos.
Pricing Too Low: New sellers often underprice to compete with mass market. Collectors pay premium for authentic European pieces — don't leave money on the table.
Poor Packaging: Ornaments are fragile and often gifts. Invest in proper bubble wrap, tissue paper, and branded packaging.
Step 1: Join the top 3 Facebook collector groups and spend 2 hours daily for one week observing what sells, price points, and seller strategies.
Step 2: Email 5 Czech/German suppliers requesting 2024 catalogs and sample pricing. Use professional business email format mentioning "US import opportunity."
Step 3: Order 20-30 sample pieces from 2-3 different suppliers to test quality and shipping times. Budget $150-200 for this market research.
Seasonal Risk: 80% of sales happen September-January. Unsold inventory loses value rapidly after Christmas.
Quality Risk: Not all "European" suppliers are authentic artisans. Always verify manufacturer history and request samples.
Shipping Risk: International shipping delays can kill Christmas sales. Build in extra lead times and have backup suppliers.
Competition Risk: Success attracts copycats. Focus on building supplier relationships and collector network loyalty.
Facebook Groups: Build relationships first, sell second. Share ornament history and collecting tips. Direct sales via private message.
eBay: Use "Buy It Now" with "Best Offer" enabled. Professional photos with white backgrounds perform best. Focus on detailed descriptions mentioning European origin.
Etsy: Emphasize handmade/artisan angle. Use all available tags. Etsy's algorithm favors consistent new listings throughout the season.
Direct Sales: Build email list of repeat customers for early access to new arrivals. Christmas collectors are extremely loyal to trusted sources.
The Christmas ornament arbitrage works because it combines several advantages: passionate collector market, information asymmetry, cultural barriers, and seasonal concentration. Success requires treating this as a real import business, not a casual side hustle. The window exists now because most people don't know these European suppliers exist or how to access them professionally.
Start building supplier relationships in August, test the market in September, and scale through the peak season. Done correctly, this can generate $5,000-15,000 in profit during the 4-month season with relatively low startup costs and time investment.
Research and Contact European Suppliers
Order Sample Inventory
Join Collector Communities
Test Market Response
Scale Successful Products
Optimize Fulfillment and Customer Service
Check their company registration in Czech/German business directories, request references from other US importers, verify their physical address via Google Street View, and always order samples before placing large orders. Legitimate manufacturers have 20+ year histories and professional export departments.
Most require 50-100 piece minimums for first orders, typically $200-400 investment. They often accept mixed designs within this minimum. Established relationships can reduce minimums to 25-30 pieces on reorders.
Standard shipping: 10-14 days, Express shipping: 5-7 days. During peak season (October-November), add 3-5 extra days. Always factor shipping time into your sales timeline — orders placed after November 15th risk missing Christmas.
No special licenses required for ornaments under $2,000 value per shipment. You'll need to pay standard customs duties (typically 6-8% for glass ornaments) and sales tax in your state. Consider registering as business for tax deductions.
Research completed eBay sales and Facebook group prices for similar pieces. European ornaments typically sell for 3-4x wholesale cost. Factor in 15-20% for platform fees, shipping costs, and 20-30% profit margin. Premium pieces can command 5-6x wholesale.