"I always feel like the time between Halloween and New Year’s absolutely flies by. I want to take it all in and savor the good moments with friends and family, the festive holiday activities, and the fun traditions—but it seems like I blink and the most wonderful time of the year is over. That’s why we’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 favorite winter candles, these holiday decor items will make your home feel like the North Pole.
If you are like us and love to count down the days until Saint Nick comes to town, you'll love this metal countdown calendar. The farmhouse vibes plus the cute font make this perfect to add to your mantle or side table.
Candles are an essential for the holiday season, and this set from Etsy will fill your home with festive scents all season long. With five wintery scents to choose from, this is a must have.
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 some fresh Christmas flowers on your table or countertop during the holiday season? Now that's an unmatched form of self love. We love this dried arrangement from Etsy for making our tabletops extra festive.
This Christmas candle smells like apple cider, cinnamon, and freshly cut pine, making for the perfect holiday scent. Plus, the amber jar makes it extra cute.
If you have some throw pillows that you love but want to spruce them up for the holiday season, this snowflake throw pillow cover is the perfect solution. These will make any space feel instantly 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 bright red cable knit one from Threshold is just as cute as it is cozy.
This specific candle is a holiday season classic. With hints of pine mixed in with the balsam & cedar scent, this will instantly fill your home with Christmas cheer.
How cute is this Scandinavian-inspired snowflake knit stocking from Hearth & Hand?! 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.
For one-and-done holiday decorating, grab this realistic-looking faux garland from Etsy. You can hang it over doorways, drape it on your mantle, or lay it down your dining table for an instant festive vibe.
We're obsessed with this needle pine wreath from Hearth & Hand, which features two cute bell ornaments in the middle for a rustic look. If you're looking for the perfect wreath this holiday season, let this be the one.
A great doormat is a holiday season essential, which is why we 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 friends' place) for the ideal movie-watching experience.
If you have trouble deciding which movie you want to watch to get you 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 Christmas movie viewing is complete without a warm cup of cider or hot chocolate. This cheeky mug from Target is perfect for pairing with your favorite films to romanticize a movie night.
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.
No holiday movie night would be complete without a cozy pair of slippers. These sherpa-lined booties from Bombas extend all the way up past your ankles to keep your feet extra warm all night long.
If you're not spending your December nights reading adorable, heartwarming Christmas romances, what are you doing? This book follows three friends (caught in a decade-long love triangle) through their relationship struggles, career changes, and, of course, festive Christmas parties.
This retro crewneck from Etsy 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.
What holiday season would be complete without some festive accessories? This red-and-green plaid scarf from Old Navy is the perfect accessory to pop on over a simple outfit to instantly add some holiday cheer.
In case you missed it, bows are THE hair accessory to wear this season. Clip in one of these embellished bows to add a classic holiday accent to any outfit.
'Tis the season to gather a group of friends and sip mulled wine while making a wreath together! This lovely DIY wreath set comes with all sorts of seasonal details to add to your final creation.
Gingerbread house-building is an essential festive season activity, whether you choose to build with family or friends. We love this gingerbread mansion from Target, which has a classic 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 (we 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.
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 oatmilk 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 collection from Bones Coffee Company, which features flavored beans inspired by sugar cookies, roasted chestnuts, and more.
No at-home latte is complete without some extra flavoring. This variety pack comes with three flavors, including Christmas cookie, peppermint bark, and salted caramel mocha.
Of course, no cheese board would be complete without a super-cute board. This wood and marble one from Carte & Barrel will last you for seasons to come.
If you're not making at least one elaborate charcuterie board this holiday season, you might need to sort out your priorities. We love this book as a source of inspo for holiday party-worthy boards and spreads.
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 bakeware set and get cooking!
With holiday parties and celebrations comes the opportunity 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.
We're obsessed with the subtle sparkle of this eyeshadow palette from Charlotte Tilbury, which will be perfect for crafting the ideal holiday party look.
In our opinion, Maison Margiela's 'By the Fireplace' is the quintessential holiday season scent—perfectly warm, musky, and nostalgic.
Chillier weather means dry lips, so we love the hydrating qualities of this hydrating lip gloss from Maybelline.
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.
We love a little extra glow and shimmer during the holiday season. This blush and highlight duo from Wander Beauty is easy to toss in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups.