Everything You Need To Get Your Home Ready For The Holidays
14 min readIt’s coming up to the most wonderful time of the year! The holidays are fast approaching and there’s so much to do for getting my home ready for hosting. From finding festive decor to updating my kitchen tools to making the table look great, it can get overwhelming in a hurry. Not to worry though, I’ve curated a giant list of everything you need to get your home ready for the holidays so you can relax and enjoy making memories with your guests!
We’ve got modern serving dishes that make a statement, gorgeous cocktail glasses to fancy up your home bar, all the kitchen equipment you need for a fabulous meal, and decor that’ll get your guests in a festive mood that lasts all season. Whether you want to upgrade your existing kitchen tools or try some new ones that make getting food on the table easier, you’ll find a bunch of great options here. I’m actually excited to be hosting a bunch of guests again! We’ve been cooped up for way too long – it’s time to (safely) gather again and make it the best holiday season yet.
Thanks for reading about our favorite finds from across the internet! FYI: We participate in affiliate programs and may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
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Fall is one of my favorite seasons – the colors are just so beautiful when the leaves turn brilliant red, yellow, and orange. Capture the spirit of the season with this nearly 6 foot lighted autumn leaf garland that adds a festive touch wherever you put it. I like to hang it in swags from our fireplace or wrap it around a staircase’s handrail.
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Arguably the best part of Thanksgiving dinner besides the turkey, mashed potatoes are absolutely delicious. Show your love of the tater with this adorable serving bowl that says “Thankful blessed and mashed potato obsessed”! The pretty white design goes with all your existing serveware so it’ll fit right in.
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Remember those ceramic Christmas trees everyone had in the 80s? They’re back and better than ever since now they extend to more holidays! This cute candy corn tree is perfect for Thanksgiving whether you display it on a countertop, table, or bookshelf.
This Warming Tray is Amazing for Buffets
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Buffet-style is such an easy way of feeding large groups during the holidays, but you need a solution to keep foods warm while people are milling around and serving themselves. This warming tray is purpose-built for buffets since it keeps hot dishes at the ideal temperature. The three food pans also come with transparent domed lids to lock in heat and moisture.
These Geometric Salad Bowls are So Modern
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If you want to put your own modern stamp on your holiday table, try these edgy geometric salad bowls. Generously-sized at 60 oz, they’re ideal for serving side dishes, too. They’d also make a pretty fruit bowl when the holidays are over!
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Make your dessert the star of the sweets table when you display it in this elegant glass trifle bowl. The simple, clear glass design lets your confection take center stage and beautifully displays the layers. It also doubles as a fruit bowl when the party’s over!
This Dutch Oven is a Holiday MVP
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We use our dutch oven constantly, whether baking bread, cooking up soup and stew, roasting meats, or broiling or braising dishes. This 6-quart one is a true holiday helper since you can cook such a myriad of foods in it! Plus, the colors are so beautiful it can go from oven to table as it’s own serving dish.
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I love using runners for holiday dinners because unlike a tablecloth, food doesn’t usually get spilled on them! This non-slip Thanksgiving table runner won’t mind the spills though since it’s waterproof and easily machine washable. It comes in three lengths to fit your table or sideboard buffet.
Amazon
No one likes cold sauces or gravies – keep yours hot with this double-insulated gravy boat. It can hold up to 32 ounces of liquid, has a wide mouth for easy pouring, and the outside stays cool to the touch to avoid burns. You can also use it at coffee time for hot frothed milk to make dessert fancier!
This Roasting Pan is Made for Holiday Meals
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Somehow my husband and I have never acquired a roasting pan in all our years of accumulating kitchen stuff. It’s my turn to cook the roast this year, so I’ve been eyeing this large-capacity one with a U-shaped roasting rack. If you’re cooking for a big crowd don’t worry since this pan can hold a 24 pound turkey!
This Baking Pan Goes Straight to the Table
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Dirty one less thing when you serve directly from this curvy baking pan. It’s so attractive it can go right from the oven to table and look like it’s a fancy serving dish! The excellent news is that it’s also dishwasher safe for quick cleanup.
This Pumpkin Bowl Looks Fab on Your Harvest Table
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Having a harvest-themed meal or Thanksgiving dinner at your house? This pumpkin bowl makes an ideal serving bowl for side dishes, veggies, dips, and much more. It’s oven and microwave-safe and retains heat to keep hot dishes at the right temp!
This Pie Server Also Cuts Cakes
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This is another one of those kitchen tools I can’t believe we didn’t own until very recently! We’d been cutting and serving pies and cakes with a butter knife, which is a total rookie move. This pie server keeps all the filling with the crust while you’re plating, and also works for cutting and serving cake.
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Anything but basic, this harvest loaf pan is just what you need to jazz up your quickbreads. My kids’ favorite is pumpkin banana chocolate chip (sounds like it wouldn’t work, but oh does it!) and it’d look so much prettier if I baked it in this pan! Bring your favorite to a potluck harvest meal and watch the compliments roll in!
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If your holiday baking plans include pies, trust me when I say you need this pie crust shield that prevents the edges from burning or over-browning. Luckily for me, my husband has gotten quite into pie-making, but was having trouble keeping his crusts from burning before the pie was cooked through. This shield is so much easier to use than trying to assemble one from strips of aluminum foil, I can tell you from experience.
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One thing we never seem to have enough of is pie baking pans, especially around the holidays. Good thing these come in a set of two – since one’s always tied up holding a pie, now we have another free for turkey pot pie, quiches, crisps, or whatever else we’re cooking up. These are the standard 9 inch size, so they’ll work great with store-bought frozen pie crusts, which is how I roll.
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I love creating little decorating “moments” around the house, and one of the easiest things to do is a tablescape. Just arrange some festive items like this Thanksgiving decor with maybe a few natural branches and leaves scattered for effect. It makes a fabulous centerpiece on the big day, too!
This Nut Dish is Too Cute
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While squirrels are a pain to deal with in real life (ask how much fruit they left us on our pear tree!), they’re super cute on this nut dish. It makes the perfect accompaniment to a charcuterie board or any snack set up for cocktail parties or get togethers. It also has over 700 rave reviews right now from happy customers who also repurpose it as a jewelry holder!
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Don’t start your holiday baking without this silicone baking mat! Not only does it prevent cookies from sticking to the baking sheet, it also has 13 well-spaced markings that show where to place your dough. You’ll get satisfyingly uniform cookies every time – just watch them get gobbled up at your next cookie swap.
These Wine Glasses Look Stunning on Any Holiday Table
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Upgrade your holiday table with these stunning wine glasses that come in pretty silver, gold, and rose gold. An added bonus is these generously-sized glasses are unbreakable due to their stainless steel construction, so you can also use them in warmer weather by the pool! These elegant glasses come in a set of two and have outstanding reviews.
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Big celebrations call for big decorations. You’ll wow party or meal attendees with this LED cocktail stand lit up by string lights! It comes in several size and shape variations that all look amazing, and gets top marks for being easy to assemble and attractive.
These Ramekins Make Dinner Feel Special
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Appetizers or desserts served in these mini ramekins feel so special and look amazing on your table. They come in a festive red, a soft navy, or a go-with-everything white. They’re also genius for holding condiments or olives for your charcuterie spread or meal!
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I love a handmade touch for seasonal decor, and these velvet pumpkins are no exception. You’ll get a six pack of gorgeous fall colors ranging from olive to plum to gold and more! They make it so easy to create a little festive moment anywhere you cluster them.
This Tablecloth is Subtly Festive
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I love that this tablecloth doesn’t scream “Thanksgiving!”, but has a subtle harvest theme that looks great all fall. It’s made of mid-weight, durable cotto, non-slip, and machine washable in case of the inevitable spills. Customers rave about this – it has almost 4,500 glowing reviews!
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Come prepared for coffee time with this Keurig Smart Coffee Maker that has a 78 oz water reservoir and can brew up to nine cups before you need to refill! It’s the ultimate in customization since it recognizes your K-cup pod and customizes the brew settings, lets you select from five brew strengths, six temperature settings from warm to max hot, and five brew sizes up to 12 oz. The smart technology lets you schedule a brew, customize brew settings, create and save favorite settings, and use Voice Assist to brew remotely.
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Since we’ve had my husband’s bachelor-pad glassware for over 15 years, I think it’s time for an update. I landed on these romantic, global-inspired drinking glasses made from durable, heavy glass. The intricate embossed design is perfect for all types of drinks, from cocktails to milk. They’re so pretty I’m going to use them year-round, not just for the holidays!
These Napkin Rings Level Up Your Meal
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Napkin rings are one of those things that’s so easy to incorporate into your table decor but make such a big difference! This set of six comes in distressed metallic gold or silver for a rustic-chic look. Perfect with buffalo plaid napkins for a modern farmhouse vibe!
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Prettify your meal with this shiny gold flatware. It’s made of gold-plated, durable stainless steel that won’t rust or bend, and will look fabulous on your table! Also available in a handful of other color choices including black and rose gold to match whatever decor you’ve got going on.
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Want to make things cozy without dealing with open flames? This set of three battery-operated flickering LED candles look incredibly similar to the real thing! They can be set on a timer and controlled with the included remote to easily turn on and off.
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The cheerful plaid pattern in iconic red and green on these oversized Christmas napkins sets a festive mood for your dinner! The super-soft cotton napkins are durable, wrinkle-resistant, and fade-free through many, many washes. You’ll get a set of 12 for a great price, so there are enough to go around the holiday table or buffet.
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How pretty are these spiral, tri-tone blue Chanukkah candles? The deluxe, extra-long candles dress up any menorah for the holiday! They’re guaranteed to burn clean and bright for at least an hour, too.
Win Holiday Brunch With This Waffle Maker
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This Belgian waffle maker is just what your next brunch needs! It’s so easy to use even kids can do it, and people will love the interactive experience while you’ll love how much cooking it takes off your plate. Just imagine waking up on Christmas morning to a warm pile of fluffy, crunchy waffles for breakfast!
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Christmas stockings are one of the best ways to decorate for the holiday since you can hang them anywhere! This set of four in burgundy, ivory, and khaki is a sophisticated riff on the classic red, white, and green color scheme. These generously-sized stockings also stretch so you can fill ’em to the brim with goodies!
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Not only is this gorgeous electric gooseneck kettle a top gift this holiday season, it’s got over 6,000 stellar reviews! It expertly and quickly heats water based on 5 temperature presets that range from white tea to coffee to black tea and everything in between. For safety, there’s a “keep warm” feature that holds your water at the desired temp for 60 minutes, plus it’ll turn off when it detects there’s no water inside.
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Have you replaced your old holiday lights with LED ones? If not, what are you waiting for? This 115 foot indoor/outdoor strand has 300 bright LED lights with 11 lighting modes and a timer you can control with the included remote!
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This nine foot holiday garland is pre-lit with warm white, waterproof LED lights and it’s ready to hang up inside or out for a classic Christmas look. I like to hang ours as a swag along our porch railings! I also use another on our stairway where we hang the stockings to get everyone in a festive mood.
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These blue star-shaped solar-powered string lights cast a magical glow wherever you place them! They’re the perfect color for Hanukkah or a “Blue Christmas” (thanks, Elvis). The 30 foot string doesn’t need any batteries or a plug, so you can get creative when it comes to hanging them.
These Glass Coffee Mugs are Hot Chocolate-Compatible
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My kids love using these glass coffee mugs for hot cocoa since they can see the marshmallows as they melt! The 15 oz borosilicate glass mugs are sturdily made with thick handles that don’t get hot, and they’re dishwasher, microwave, and freezer safe in case you want frozen hot chocolate. Not just for cocoa, these would look great at coffee and dessert time on your holiday or everyday table.
Use This Tiered Tray For Your Next Hot Cocoa Bar
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A fun way to let people serve themselves at brunch or dessert time is a hot cocoa bar so they can dress up their own concoctions. This three tiered stand in rustic galvanized metal provides an attractive, compact way to corral all the fixins! You can also use it as a coffee bar, a dessert tower, or even to hold your fruit on the daily.
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Want to extend a festive welcome to visitors and guests? This Kwanzaa banner can be hung inside or out, thanks to the durable polyester fabric that resists strong wind and rain. Reviewers rave over the quality, brightness of colors, and the big impact it has on their holiday decor!
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Our holiday meals usually involve a big, juicy turkey or roast which is delicious but very messy to cut for serving. We’d do a much better job with this meat cutting board that has a texturized center to stabilize the meat and deep grooves to collect juice so it doesn’t overflow. It’s made from 100% organic bamboo, which is eco-friendly and biodegradable unlike most plastic.
This Hand Mixer is a Best-Seller
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Yes, we registered for the big countertop mixer when we got married, and while we do use it a fair amount, sometimes a hand mixer does the job better. It lets me scrape the entire bottom of the mixing bowl for batters or whipped cream whereas the countertop mixer seems to leave a gap and I end up with an unmixed pile. This one’s got over 10,000 stellar reviews and comes in eight fashionable colors!
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The combinations of things you can serve in this cool, modern appetizer tray is basically endless. From veggies and dip to snacky foods like nuts and olives to condiments for a meal, this serving tray is going to get a lot of use at future parties and get togethers. I have a similar one that I like to pull out for snack dinner (i.e. sninner) when I don’t feel like cooking – I just fill it with little portions of nutritious bites and the kids go to town thinking it’s a special night!
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No cup of hot chocolate is complete without a pepperminty candy cane spoon to stir it up! These festive treats would also be amazing in a cup of tea to add some holiday flavor. They come in a set of six – better stock up so they can last all winter long.
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One of my favorite party foods is chip and dip since I don’t often indulge just on my own. This chip and dip set is a unique modern take on the traditional setup and looks so nice incorporated into your party spread. The small bowl will hold two cups of dip and the large one a full loaf of bread or bag of chips so you won’t constantly be refilling!
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When I was doing a lot of cooking and baking prep for the holidays, I noticed my measuring cups and spoons were in tough shape since I’d had them for over a decade. I landed on these pretty rose gold ones and have loved using them in everyday cooking! The walnut wooden handle feels like a luxe upgrade and they clean up like a dream.
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I like to “winterize” my couch to keep things cozy when the temperature drops, and this faux fur blanket does the job beautifully. It’s thick and well-made, perfect for cuddling up with a warm beverage and a good book or for sharing on family movie night. It’s got over 16,000 glowing reviews so you know it’s gonna be good!
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That pretty layer of powdered sugar that falls like soft snow on desserts and atop waffles makes whatever you’re serving feel much more special. Get the look easily with this handy sugar dusting wand! It’s a perfect miniature sifter to deposit just the right amount of sugar in an even layer for gorgeous presentation.
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We’ve had a bout of foodborne illness go through the house before, and I’d like never to repeat that incident. Especially when I’m cooking holiday dinner for a crowd! This meat thermometer gives you an exact temperature readout quickly and precisely so you know when the meat’s safely cooked. If you’re a candymaker it’s also great for that, too.
