I always feel like the weeks between Halloween and New Year’s absolutely fly by. I want to take it all in and savor all the festive holiday activities, fun traditions, and moments with friends and family—but it seems like I blink and the most wonderful time of the year is over. Because as magical as this season is, it’s also extremely busy. Between decorating the house, attending holiday gatherings, and finding time to wrap all those gifts, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and unprepared. I inevitably find myself dashing out to the store several times throughout the season to grab something I need at the last minute for a holiday party, friend get-together, or date night. That’s why I’ve put together an exhaustive list of all the holiday essentials you could possibly need this year.
Armed with these holiday essentials, you can focus on making the most of the season and fully embracing all the festive moments it entails. Here are all the holiday essentials you need for your home, holiday activity lineup, kitchen, and makeup bag:
It doesn’t truly feel like the holiday season until your home is decorated to match your festive spirit. From chunky knit throws to cute little festive accents to our editors’ favorite winter candles, these holiday decor items will make your home feel like the North Pole.
These adorable icon juice glasses are so fun to collect throughout the seasons. For the holidays, grab one adorned with Christmas trees or reindeer to make holiday cocktails taste extra festive this season.
These Norfolk pine garlands sell out every year, and I totally get why. It’s one of the most realistic faux garlands I’ve found, with a lush color, soft feel, and wired backing that makes it easy to drape over a mantel, stair railing, or doorway.
Several of our editors claim this as their all-time favorite holiday candle, so you know it’s good. With notes of fir needles, cedarwood, and sandalwood, it’s the quintessential Christmas tree scent and worth every penny.
If you find that your apartment or home gets significantly chillier during the holiday season, it’s just an excuse to buy more throw blankets! This plaid one from Pottery Barn is just as cute as it is cozy.
I absolutely love the velvety texture of these ball ornaments from Studio McGee at Target. This set of neutral tones is perfect if you’re going for a cozy, elevated vibe for your Christmas tree this year.
Pop a few of these faux cedar stems into a vase to make any tabletop look extra festive. The soft, flexible branches will naturally drape over the sides of the vase for a super-realistic look.
Bows are an absolute must for holiday decorating, whether you add them to your tree, tie them around vases and candle holders, or use them for gift wrapping. This set of velvet ribbon rolls comes with several festive colors, so you’ll have plenty to go around.
This vintage-inspired holiday artwork comes printed on heavyweight, textured paper, so it looks like a true piece of art. Pop it into a thrifted frame to instantly add some holiday cheer to your walls.
This Christmas candle smells like apple cider, cinnamon, and freshly cut pine, making for the perfect holiday scent. Plus, the amber jar is easy to reuse when the candle has fully burned down.
These paper trees are perfect for setting on tables and countertops throughout your home during the holiday season. They have built-in magnets to keep them folded open (no glue or tape needed), so you can easily store them flat and use them again next year.
If you want to spruce up your sofa for the holiday season, this festive and cozy throw pillow makes the perfect addition.
My aunt gifted me with this candle, and it upon first light, my entire apartment smelled like pine needles. It’s truly incredibly fragrant, and the gold glass is gorgeous.
How cute is knit stocking from Crate & Barrel?! This is the perfect item to hang on your mantle this holiday season to make your space feel ready for the holidays.
A festive doormat is a holiday season essential, and this one from Etsy is perfectly on-theme. Layer another patterned accent rug underneath for an extra festive touch.
The best part about the holidays is all the fun activities you can do with family and friends. Put on your favorite festive PJs for a cozy movie night at home, curl up with a good book by a fireplace, have a wreath-making or gingerbread house-decorating contest with friends, or venture out on a walk to look at lights and sip mulled wine.
‘Tis the season to spend cozy nights at home practicing a new hobby. This watercolor workbook contains step-by-step instructions to teach you how to paint cozy Christmas designs like wreaths, stockings, reindeer, and more.
This fair isle sweater from Target is so cute for wearing to holiday parties, while watching a holiday movie, or to go ice skating. This is the kind of holiday essential that you’ll find yourself wearing season after season.
A pair of slippers is key to peak cozy vibes this season. These sherpa booties from Bombas will keep your feet extra warm, and the bow detail is just too cute to pass up.
What holiday season would be complete without some festive accessories? This brushed red scarf is the perfect accessory to pop on over your favorite coat to instantly add some warmth and holiday cheer.
If you have trouble deciding which movie you want to watch to get into the holiday spirit, never fear. This Christmas movie advent calendar takes the guesswork out of it by providing you with one movie to watch each night of December until Christmas.
Movie nights are about to get a lot better. Set up this mini portable projector in any room of your house (or bring it to a friend’s place) for the ideal movie-watching experience.
No holiday movie viewing is complete without a warm cup of cider or hot chocolate. This festive mug from Rifle Paper Co. is perfect for pairing with your favorite films to romanticize a movie night.
If this season makes you feel nostalgic about the holidays of your childhood, consider this your sign to invest in an adult version of matching Christmas pajamas.
There’s no better time of year than the holidays to pick up a new game. Mahjong is all the rage right now, and once you try it yourself, you’ll understand why.
2 colors available
In case you missed it, bows are THE hair accessory to wear this season. Clip in this velvet bow to add a classic holiday accent to any outfit.
If you’re not spending your December nights reading adorable, heartwarming Christmas romances, what are you doing? Try this one if you want a grumpy/sunshine, small-town romance that will make you swoon and feel all the warm and fuzzies.
If you’re interested in learning the art of embroidery, this kit includes everything you need (plus detailed instructions!) to create a cozy little holiday-themed project.
You know what they say: There’s no place like home for the holidays. You’ll want to live in this cozy mock neck sweatshirt while hanging at home with your family and longtime friends this season.
There is no season that inspires me to get to the kitchen more than the holiday season. Whether you’re stepping up your coffee game to make it Starbucks-level seasonal, making a festive charcuterie board for a gathering, baking some holiday treats, or even just popping popcorn for a viewing of The Holiday, these items will have your kitchen fully stocked.
If you prefer to take your coffee iced even on the coldest of cold days (I feel you), then this festive Christmas tree cup is for you.
No at-home latte is complete without some extra flavoring. This variety pack comes with five flavors, including chocolate milano, peppermint, toasted marshmallow, pistachio, and winter spice.
The holiday season means many nights spent curled up in front of a movie. Make the most of the experience with this silicone bowl that helps you make perfectly popped popcorn in the microwave.
Of course, no cheese board would be complete without a super-cute board. This Christmas tree marble one from Pottery Barn will last you for seasons to come.
To finish off your stunning holiday cheese board, you’ll need a set of cheese knives that are equally impressive. You’ll use these marble ones from Target far beyond the holiday season.
You know how you always say you’re going to bake cookies for your neighbors and never do? Well, ’tis the season to spread good cheer, so invest in this holiday cookie cutter set and get baking!
This holiday-patterned serving platter would be so perfect for plating up Christmas cookies or serving some light bites at gatherings this season.
Don’t want to wait in a long, out-the-door line for a La Colombe draft latte? Order a pack of their peppermint mocha lattes to keep in your fridge this holiday season.
Add some holiday cheer to your kitchen with this set of tonal stripe kitchen towels. They might just make cleaning up after dinner feel a little more jolly.
With holiday parties and celebrations come opportunities to experiment with fun and festive makeup looks. Everyone needs a go-to red lip (or a sparkly gloss) and an eyeshadow palette with some seasonal tones. While you’re at it, stock up on something to achieve that holiday glow and a signature warm scent.
There’s no way to make it through the holiday season without wearing a red lip at least once. This long-wear lipstick from Fenty Beauty is sure to last through all of your holiday parties.
5 colors available
Eyeshadow Palette: Nature I’m obsessed with the all the sparkle in this eyeshadow palette from Makeup by Mario. It’s perfect for crafting the ideal holiday party look.
In my opinion, Maison Margiela’s “By the Fireplace” is the quintessential holiday season scent—perfectly warm, musky, and nostalgic.
Hydration is essential in my makeup bag during the winter, and my ride-or-die product is this Josie Maran whipped argan oil body butter. The Vanilla Vibezzz scent is so sweet and cozy and perfect for the cold weather.
Chillier weather means dry lips, so I love the hydrating qualities of this lip gloss from Maybelline.
10+ colors available
With several festive, shimmery shades to choose from, this holiday nail polish set from Olive and June is perfect for DIYing your own holiday manicure this season.
If you’ve never tried the Laneige lip sleeping mask, consider this your sign because this little pot will get you through even the driest of cold days this winter. Plus, the vanilla scent smells heavenly.
I love a little extra glow and shimmer during the holiday season. This multi-stick from Ilia acts as a blush, highlighter, and lip tint all in one. It’s is easy to toss in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups.
10+ colors available
Unless you’re one of the lucky few with a beach vacation planned over the holidays, chances are your summer tan has long since faded. This liquid bronzer from Saie is the best product to add a subtle bronze to your holiday look.
6 colors available
If you’re going to spend the time getting glam for a holiday get-together, the last thing you want is for everything to fade before the champagne even pops. This Charlotte Tilbury setting spray keeps your makeup looking fresh and locked in place all night.
Jessica Friedhoff, Senior Lifestyle Editor
Jessica Friedhoff is the Senior Lifestyle Editor at The Everygirl, where she oversees the Home & Living category of the site. She writes and edits stories across a broad range of topics including decorating, food, entertaining, travel, and more. With a pulse on the latest trends, she uses her eye for detail and design to create timely, inspiring content for our readers.
Products included in graphics linked within article.
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