Santa Joins Goodwill Gulf Coast’s 2026 Christmas on the Coast Ornaments for First Time; Past Years Half Price

MOBILE, Ala. — Santa Claus and his reindeer are making their first appearance in Goodwill Gulf Coast’s “Christmas on the Coast” ornament series, which has marked the holidays in Mobile and Pensacola for three decades. The 2026 Christmas on the Coast ornaments go on sale Monday, Nov. 2, for $20 each at Goodwill Gulf Coast stores, participating local vendors and online, with all proceeds supporting the nonprofit’s programs and services.

This year, for the first time, collectors will also be able to buy older ornaments in the series at half price, giving longtime fans a chance to fill gaps in their collections.

• On sale: Monday, Nov. 2
• Price: $20 each for the 2026 designs; $10 each for ornaments issued from 1994 through 2023
• Designs: One for Mobile and one for Pensacola, both gold-plated limited editions
• Where: Goodwill Gulf Coast stores, participating vendors in the Mobile and Pensacola areas, and online
• Beneficiary: All proceeds support Goodwill Gulf Coast’s job training, placement and support programs

Santa flies over Mobile and Pensacola

This year, Goodwill Gulf Coast has issued two gold-plated, limited-edition designs, one for each city. This year’s pair introduces Santa and his reindeer into scenes built around familiar local landmarks.

• Mobile: Santa and his reindeer soar across the night sky above the city’s skyline. The design highlights Mobile’s historic architecture and festive holiday lights, blending the magic of Christmas with the city’s distinctive character.
• Pensacola: Santa and his sleigh fly over Pensacola Beach and past the Pensacola Beach water tower, one of the area’s most recognizable sights.

The Pensacola Beach water tower was originally built as a water storage tank. It is known for its distinctive spherical shape and for the colorful beach-ball design that was added in 2012, which has made it a favorite photo stop and a symbol of the beach for visitors.

A collectible series three decades in the making

Over the past 30 years, the “Christmas on the Coast” ornaments have become treasured collectibles for many Gulf Coast residents. The ornaments capture scenes from the region, making them popular choices to hang on the tree, give as gifts or send to friends and relatives who have moved away from the coast.

Because each design is a limited edition, collectors who missed a year can find it hard to fill the gap later. This season, Goodwill Gulf Coast is making that easier. For the first time, ornaments issued from 1994 through 2023 will be available for $10 each, half their original price.

“Now is the perfect time to complete your collection or pick up the ornament you’ve always wanted,” said Barry Reed Jr., president and CEO of Goodwill Gulf Coast.

Where to buy the 2026 ornaments

The new ornaments will be sold at Goodwill stores across the region, at a list of participating local businesses and online.

Mobile and Baldwin County area vendors

• Al’s Hot Dogs & Other Fine Foods
• Cammie’s Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe
• Carpe Diem Coffee & Tea
• Christmas Round the Corner in Fairhope
• Do Goods Mercantile Co.
• The Holiday
• Springhill Ace Hardware
• The Urban Emporium
• Zundel’s Jewelry
• Goodwill stores in Mobile, Semmes, Saraland, Fairhope, Spanish Fort and Foley

Pensacola area vendors

• Beré Jewelers
• Joe Patti’s Seafood
• J.W. Renfroe Pecan Company
• Members First Credit Union
• Goodwill stores in Pensacola, Pace, Ensley and Fort Walton Beach

Shoppers who would rather not go out can order the 2026 ornaments online for the same $20 price. Because the ornaments are limited editions, buyers who want a specific design may want to shop early in the season.

Where the money goes

All proceeds from ornament sales benefit Goodwill Gulf Coast’s programs and services. The organization educates, trains and employs thousands of people with disabilities and others who face barriers to success each year. Its services include job training and job placement, along with support programs for young people and parents.

Goodwill organizations across the country follow a similar model. The Goodwill movement traces its roots to 1902 in Boston, when the Rev. Edgar J. Helms began collecting donated household goods and clothing, hiring people in need to repair them and then selling the items, using the proceeds to pay the workers. Today, independent local Goodwill organizations operate thrift stores whose sales fund job training, employment placement and other community services in their regions.

For shoppers, that means buying an ornament supports the same mission as donating clothes or shopping in a Goodwill store: the money stays at work in the region, helping local people build skills and find jobs.

Tips for ornament collectors

• Mark your calendar: The 2026 designs go on sale Nov. 2.
• Fill in the gaps: Ornaments from 1994 through 2023 are $10 each this season, the first time the earlier designs have been offered at half price.
• Consider both designs: Collectors who want a complete set can pick up both the Mobile and Pensacola ornaments.
• Think gifts: A lightweight ornament is easy to mail to friends and family who have moved away from the Gulf Coast.
• Store with care: Keeping gold-plated ornaments in their original boxes or wrapped in soft tissue between seasons can help protect the finish.

With Santa joining the series for the first time and decades of past designs available at a discount, this holiday season may be a good one for both new and longtime collectors to add to their trees while supporting job training and employment programs along the Gulf Coast.