Home Essentials for the Holiday and Everyday
Despite the weather behaving like summer this fall, the holiday season is still fast approaching!
In preparation for this, I have come up with some essential items to have on hand, so your home looks polished and ready for the busy times ahead. Some of these you may already have and if you are like me, you are already going through cabinets and closets to find them!
Candles. We all know how a scent can spark a memory or set a mood.
Nothing is nicer than a spicy candle or gently perfumed one to get one in the mood. My current favourite is Diptyque Feu de Bois. This smoky scent fills the air and always makes me think of a wood burning fireplace but better. Using multiples throughout the house really sets the scent.
Large Glass Cylinder Vases
These are essential to have on hand and have so many uses. Use singly or in multiples of threes for visual effect. I use them to hold ornamental balls, floating candles, candies and of course, flowers or branches.
Image Source (below): Ikea
Trays and Platters; the ultimate hosting must have.
Trays and platters-since entertaining is at an all time high during the holiday season, I love having different trays and platters on hand. These really assist the busy cook in plating appetizers. I use trays on coffee tables to hold multiples candles, books, vases. Consider acrylic or different metals like brass or antique silver.
Image Source (left): West Elm, Acrylic Trays
Image Source (below): West Elm, Archer Barware
Wreaths. Any and every size.
Having different sized wreaths may seem extravagant but whether these are fresh or faux, the genius thing is you can mix them together. I have created walls of different wreaths on a fireplace wall, propped them as a natural backdrop on console tables, hung them from mirrors or simply used them as a centrepiece on a dining table.
Lighting. I am talking about battery operated string lights.
These have an instant "holiday" vibe. You can swirl them around vases of greens or flowers. I like to tuck them in natural or artificial garlands and have even used them in those glass cylinder vases I also mentioned you may want on hand.
Consider wrapping them around a chandelier. Instant festive feel!
Faux Greenery
There are so many good faux greens on the market that I always use them alone or mix them with real berries and branches.
No one will ever know and no messy clean-ups.