Temu, Amazon and John Lewis tested for value, quality and service in Christmas shopping

As Christmas approaches, shoppers are increasingly turning to cheaper online giants for festive essentials, a shift that is reshaping how people compare value, quality and service. A four-item test extended to six different decorations and gifts, with purchases placed at the same time 11 days earlier across Temu, Amazon and John Lewis to see which retailer delivers the best overall package.

The first item to arrive was a 4ft artificial Christmas tree from Amazon, priced at £14.25 and delivered free within 24 hours. The tree, from the Raxter brand, was quick to reach the door but was not the strongest specimen; spreading out the wire-wrapped branches left gaps in the foliage and the overall result looked less sturdy than expected. Temu offered a similar tree at £15.76, arriving three days after ordering from a UK warehouse; the packaging and stamps indicated UK origin. A John Lewis 4ft tree cost £40 and arrived four days later, but it was the sturdiest of the three, with dense foliage and a more realistic finish. Overall, John Lewis provided the fullest foliage and the most durable option, albeit at a higher price.

Fairy lights followed, with all three sets containing 480 bulbs. The John Lewis branded lights cost £30 and stretched to more than 26 ft, but unraveling proved a headache and took more than an hour. Temu offered lights at £11, spanning 16 ft and easier to unwind, while Amazon lights at £19.99 were comparable in brightness. Temu included a remote control for operation. None of the three sets carried the British Kitemark safety certification, though the Christow lights from Amazon were suitable for both indoors and outdoors and arrived the day after ordering; Temu and John Lewis sets arrived in three days. The winner for ease of use and reliable performance was Amazon, though the John Lewis option was the more premium build.

Baubles presented a clear value gradient. John Lewis offered 2-inch baubles that were shatterproof and finished in a range of classic textures; the attached string for hanging arrived separately and required threading. Temu baubles measured about 1.5 inches and looked fine, at 18p each versus 40p for the John Lewis versions. The Amazon baubles appeared identical to Temu’s but cost about £10 more, and required threading the baubles with the included string. Temu delivered the baubles in multiple packages, while John Lewis sent the order in one box. The winner by price and practicality was Temu, which provided the same look at a fraction of the cost.

For crackers, Temu offered Harvey & Mason branded crackers at £19.97, about £4 more than John Lewis. The Temu crackers included a wooden gingerbread man keyring, a reindeer bottle opener and a small assortment of trinkets, plus a joke and a Who Am I? quiz. John Lewis crackers came with more elaborate hats and a higher-end presentation, while Amazon’s Diamond crackers were priced between Temu and John Lewis at £16.80 and carried a health warning about small items potentially causing damage. Temu again provided the best value on gifts inside the crackers, though some items were not premium keepsakes. The test concluded Temu offered the strongest mix of value and fun items.

The Christmas star to crown the tree showed a stark price split. John Lewis offered a solid, heavy 230 g iron star for about £20, a substantial centrepiece with a premium feel. Temu presented a much cheaper option around £2.28, but it did not arrive within the testing window, limiting its usefulness for a timely display. The John Lewis star was judged the stronger long-term centerpiece.

Stockings tested across the three retailers highlighted another clear gap. Temu offered a personalised stocking for £4.40, Amazon around £11.97, and John Lewis about £20. John Lewis delivered a large, thick, fully lined woolly stocking with two festive bobbles, suitable for year after year use. Temu and Amazon stockings were cheaper but had not arrived within the testing window; John Lewis was the only retailer to deliver a personalised stocking within a week, a factor for many shoppers racing toward Christmas.

The exercise underscores how a single retailer cannot be crowned winner across all categories. John Lewis emerged as the strongest overall for durability and service, particularly on the tree and stocking. Temu offered the best value on smaller items such as baubles and crackers, while Amazon demonstrated strengths in fast delivery and reliable lighting options. The test also exposes ongoing tradeoffs for consumers as price competition from overseas platforms continues to tighten margins on traditional high street retailers. The presence of UK warehousing for some Temu stock shows how global ecommerce players are sharpening logistics in markets where shoppers expect speed, even as safety and quality standards remain a concern for some cheaper products. As retailers refine their offerings ahead of the holiday season, shoppers are likely to continue weighing price against durability and service when selecting Christmas essentials.