10 Must-Haves for Holiday Entertaining

For those who already have the basics covered, here are some unexpected necessities to get you through the holidays.
By MainStreet Team ,

What is it about holiday entertaining that can push even the most organized hosts to the brink of panic? Even if you've perfected your recipes, and put together a list of go-to topics that will steer even the most awkward dinner conversation back to neutral ground, somehow, at the very last minute, you're faced with setbacks that can make you wonder if you'll ever get through the night, much less the endless rounds of holiday merriment.  

For those of you who already have the basics covered, we'd like to offer some unexpected necessities to get you through the extremely challenging and extremely social months ahead.

Be a Cut Up

Food presentation is a huge part of the holiday experience. If carving a turkey or serving up a ham is a big part of your own celebration, consider investing in a carving set that you can use year after year.

The Victorinox Rosewood Carving Set makes for an excellent display when showing off the perfect holiday meal. This elegant carving board is generously sized and comes with an ergonomic fork and carving knife. The rubberwood cutting board has a juice groove to protect from stains and spills, so you need not worry about keeping this attractive set on the dining table during the meal.



Get the Victorinox Rosewood Carving Set on Amazon now


Clear the Air

While the smells of food cooking can be really enticing at the time, stale food odors lingering in the air can really ruin the holiday atmosphere. Opening the window can help air things out, but even the strongest breeze may be no match for Aunt Edna's garlic mashed potatoes or your Grandmother's signature bloomin' onion.

Luckily, you can transform the ambiance of any room with the serene air of the tropics using Malie Organics petroleum-free soy candles. Made from clean-burning waxes, these elegant candles burn from a 100% cotton wick for 60 hours. They look as nice as they smell so you can also use them to decorate your living room or guest rooms. Choose from six Malie signature scents.


Get Malie Organics petroleum-free soy candles on Amazon now


Unexpected Guest Rest

Whether or not you plan on having overnight guests, sometimes you'll end up with a house full of people and not enough beds. For those occasions, a kid-friendly sleeping bag provides extra bedding without taking up any more space in an already crowded house. It can easily be tucked away in a spare closet or stowed under your bed. Best yet, no linens to change or bedding to wash.

Want to be the most thoughtful host ever? Set out officially licensed Coleman youth sleeping bags for die-hard sports fans. Choose designs based on your family's favorite MLB or NFL team and have kids enjoy their holiday slumber party. Storage is a breeze as the sleeping bag can easily be rolled and stuffed into a small pouch.

Keep in mind that these sleeping bags are made for kids, so are definitely shorter than most. For grown-ups sleeping over, we'd suggest you have an air mattress on hand.  


Get the Coleman youth sleeping bag on Amazon now


Fixer Upper

It's almost inevitable that as soon as you start to relax and enjoy an evening at home with family and friends, something small goes wrong. Whether you need to hang an extra picture, fix a wobbly table leg or put together the extra storage unit, on days like that you're going to have to become your own household savior.

When company is coming and you have no time to waste, you need a tool that will get the job done... and fast. The Ryobi P1811 Compact Drill/Driver Kit is a no-nonsense rechargeable drill set that can be stowed easily and out of sight.

It might not be glamorous, but it's a good idea to have a backup tool handy for times when guests might be putting extra wear and tear on your household items.


Get the Ryobi P1811 Compact Drill/Driver Kit on Amazon now


Slow and Easy

One of the hardest things to do when hosting guests over the holidays is remembering to spend more time with guests than you're spending in the kitchen. Who wants to spend the holidays cooped up in the kitchen basting, braising and baking, when you could be enjoying some much needed eggnog and family time?

The trick is to find a way to bridge the (time) gap between creating a memorable meal and spending enough face time with guests. How? Finding the right kitchen tools is a good start. Products that cut down on cook or prep time or have set and forget options can really free up your valuable time.

To that end, have another look at the humble slow cooker. The newest versions are extremely easy to use and make meal prep almost effortless. Trying to cut down on rich desserts? Cube winter fruits including apples and pears, add the slightest amount of sugar and seasonings and create compotes or even fruit butters without much effort. Unlike the larger versions that have gained popularity over the past years, this Black and Decker 4 Quart Slow Cookerhas a smaller footprint than the rest, leaving you guilt free when you keep it on your counter all through the holidays.


Get the Black and Decker 4 Quart Slow Cooker on Amazon now


Wake Up and Smell the Coffee

Around holiday time, it's always nice to offer guests a little something extra. Even if you're exhausted after the rest of your duties as host and caterer, there's still a way to do something small, yet, thoughtful, which will make guests feel extra special without sacrificing too much of your time and energy.

If you're looking for inspiration, try to mimic the coziness of a Bed & Breakfast by setting up snack stations throughout the house. Or you can leave a small dorm-sized refrigerator filled with cold drinks and fruit in the den. This will keep your guests hydrated, satisfied, and best of all, keep them in the common areas and out of the kitchen.

Or why not try to bring home the coffee house experience? With the new Ninja Coffee Bar, you or your guests can brew a cup of Joe or cappuccino better than the most seasoned barista, create a wide array of hot or cold drink options that'll satisfy even the most sophisticated java aficionado. It's a nice way to jazz up the breakfast experience for your guests, or simply ensure that there's a fresh pot of coffee around all day.


Get the Ninja Coffee Bar on Amazon now


Be Cheesy

If there's one thing we know about holiday entertaining, it's that timelines are meant to be broken, and planned meal times are suggestions at best. If the meal is taking longer to prepare than usual, you can keep the hordes of hungry guests at bay by placing fruit and cheese platters at key points throughout the house for your company to nosh on throughout the day.

If you don't have time to head to the market for fresh fruit, stock up on dried fruit, deli meats and some of your favorite cheeses. Serve all three on a small Farberware cutting board and voila, the perfect midday snack.

And if you're feeling extremely fancy, set up mini boards on the nightstand in guests' rooms. Leave a small handwritten note welcoming them to your home along with a list of information about everything from the local TV stations. You can also use this opportunity to include a few gentle reminders not to use up all the hot water during their morning showers. Just be careful, with service that good, your guests may never leave!

Get Farberware cutting boards on Amazon now



Let's Dish

One of the worst things about holiday entertaining is the seemingly never-ending stack of dishes that you're left with at the end of the night. Dish duty on top of cooking a holiday feast? No thanks.

For the more casual meals (think kiddie table), consider disposable plates and dishes.

Earth's Natural Alternative Wheat Straw Fiber plates are made from sugar cane and are tree- free, so you don't have to feel guilty about using them. Plus, they're safe to use in the microwave.

If you're concerned that your plates lack a certain holiday pizazz, consider setting up cups of Sharpie markers on the table. Or glean inspiration from books like The Sharpie Art Workshop or Draw 500 Things from Nature which offer cute ideas on how to decorate even the most ordinary household items- including humble tableware.


Get Earth's Natural Alternative Wheat Straw Fiber plates on Amazon now

Hey Cookie

Let's face it, no holiday meal is complete without something to satisfy your sweet tooth, but after hours of slaving over a hot stove, do you really want to construct the perfect dessert from scratch?

You don't have to! If turkey is your thing, focus on that, or choose the elements worth the extra work and feel free to cheat a bit on the rest.

It's fine to buy a cookie mix and take the guesswork out of measuring. If you want to add your own signature touch, you can personalize by decorating with festive holiday designs. The Chef'n Christmas Cookie Cutter and Stamp Set, for example, is a really easy way to create professional looking cookie designs that guests will gush over for years to come.

Get the Chef'n Christmas Cookie Cutter and Stamp Set on Amazon now


Open Sesame

Remember that time last new years when you insisted your friends haven't lived until they tried Cakebread Chardonnay, then you accidentally broke the cork off in your last bottle?

This year, save yourself the embarrassment. If you're planning on serving adult beverages, make sure to have an easy to use corkscrew on hand. This Rabbit Automatic Electric Corkscrewis practically dummy proof and looks attractive enough to leave on the table.

While you're at it, mix things up with unexpected wine glasses or wine charms. Tervis goblets combine the wine glass aesthetic with the practicality of a tumbler.


Get the Rabbit Automatic Electric Corkscrew on Amazon now

- Written By Rachel C. Weingarten

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