"I always feel like the time between Halloween and New Year’s absolutely flies 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. 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 gathering, or date night. That’s why I’ve put together an exhaustive list of all of the holiday essentials you could possibly need this year.
With these essentials, you can focus on enjoying those festive moments and making the most of the holiday season instead of scrambling to come up with a last-minute date night idea for you and your partner or running out in the cold to get your peppermint creamer for your morning coffee. 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 bottlebrush trees to our editors’ favorite winter candles, these holiday decor items will make your home feel like the North Pole.
Candles are an essential for the holiday season, and this one from Anthro will fill your home with festive scents all season long. If you love the Capri Blue Volcano Candle, this fir and firewood scent from the brand is a must-have for the holidays.
If you are like me and love to count down the days until Christmas, you’ll love this countdown calendar. Place it on your desk or entry table for a cute reminder of how much time you have left for shopping and wrapping.
No holiday season would be complete without a Christmas tree! This adorable one from Target looks super natural and is small enough to fit in even the tiniest of apartments.
Fresh flowers are a year-round form of self care, but having a festive arrangement on your table or countertop during the holiday season? Now that’s an unmatched form of self love. I love this preserved bundle from Target to make any tabletop look extra festive.
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.
If you want to spruce up your sofa for the holiday season, these holiday throw pillow covers are the perfect solution. This set will instantly make your living room feel more festive.
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, sherpa-backed one from Pottery Barn is just as cute as it is cozy.
This candle is a holiday season classic. With hints of pine mixed in with the balsam and cedar scent, it will instantly fill your home with Christmas cheer.
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.
If you don’t have space for a full-on tree this year, don’t sweat it. These mini bottlebrush trees are perfect for setting on tables and countertops throughout your home during the holiday season.
5 colors available
I love the classic look of this mixed pine wreath from Target, which features red berries for a naturally festive look. If you’re looking for the perfect wreath this season, let this be the one.
A festive doormat is a holiday season essential, which is why I love this one from Etsy that says what we’re all thinking. Make your doorway extra festive this year with this cute yet functional piece.
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.
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 personalized mug from Anthropologie is perfect for pairing with your favorite films to romanticize a movie night.
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.
No holiday movie night would be complete without a cozy pair of slippers. These fleece ones from Target will keep your feet extra warm, and the bow detail is just too cute to pass up.
2 colors available
If the holiday season makes you feel nostalgic about the Christmases of your childhood, consider this your sign to invest in an adult version of holiday pajamas.
2 colors available
If you’re not spending your December nights reading adorable, heartwarming Christmas romances, what are you doing? Try this one if you want an enemies-to-lovers romance that will make you swoon and feel all the warm and fuzzies.
This bow 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.
10+ colors available
What holiday season would be complete without some festive accessories? This red stripe scarf from J.Crew is the perfect accessory to pop on over a simple outfit to instantly add some holiday cheer.
3 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.
3 colors available
‘Tis the season to gather a group of friends and sip mulled wine while painting a holiday print! This lovely DIY paint kit comes with everything you’ll need for your masterpiece.
3 colors available
Gingerbread house-building is an essential festive season activity, whether you choose to build with family or friends or make one solo. I love this gingerbread cabin from Target, which has a cozy look.
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.
The holiday season means many nights spent curled up in front of a movie. Make the most of the experience with this microwavable popcorn bowl from W&P Design.
2 colors available
For our Keurig-loving gals out there, there’s nothing quite like a festive drink made at home during the holiday season. Starbucks has all the essential holiday flavors covered, so treat yourself to this variety K-Cup pack.
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.
If you’re more of a do-it-yourself coffee maker, you’ll love this holiday bundle from Chamberlain Coffee, which features flavored beans and hot chocolate with oatmilk.
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.
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 cheeseboard, you’ll need a set of cheese knives that are equally impressive as your serving board. 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!
You’ll need the right tools for all those cookies you plan to make. These holiday spatulas will make all your festive baking that much merrier.
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
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
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 eggnog scent is just the thing to get in the holiday spirit.
6 colors available
I love a little extra glow and shimmer during the holiday season. This blush from Ilia acts as a blush, highlighter, and lip tint. It’s is easy to toss in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups.
10+ colors available
Dry, cracked hands are one of the worst parts of cold weather, but thankfully, they’ve been a thing of the past since I started using this L’Occitane hand cream. It feels so luxurious and is a great product for romanticizing your daily routine during the holidays.
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 fad before the champagne even pops. This Charlotte Tilbury setting spray keeps your makeup looking fresh and locked in place all night.
Jessica Welsh, Commerce Editor for The Everymom
As Commerce Editor, Jessica oversees and edits all shopping content on The Everymom—including everything from mom fashion to product reviews. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, gift guides, and more. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, and Kohl’s, and was previously a regular contributor to The Everygirl.
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.