Holidays Made Easy

There’s a lot of holiday gear out there.  I mean, a LOT.  It’s hard to know what to buy and what will make your life easier, instead of more cluttered.  I’ve sorted through the masses and in the blog post brought you my favorite items.  These things will make the holidays a little more fun, brighter and a little less stressful. It’s all about family and friends…..everything else is holiday gravy!

Read on for gear to make the holidays a little more fun, brighter and a little less stressful. Click To Tweet

Please note I received samples of some of these items in order to write these reviews.  My opinions are my own and were not influenced in any way.

Christmas lights have gone high tech.  App Lights, sold at Home Depot, are lights that you can control from your smart phone.  I love the C-Bulb set.  The large bulbs have a traditional look, however, they are unique, fun and you can create any effect you want!  These are good indoors or outside and looks great on everything from the mantel to the front porch.  You can control these lights from up to 50 feet away and there are 140 effects to choose from.  They are LED so you’ll save electricity and they will last for up to 20,000 of use time.  I love that I can change my holiday decor easily with these for whatever mood I’m in!

You need gift tags….so why not make them adorable and hilarious?  KnockKnock has knocked it out of the park with their Holiday Ho Ho Ho Gift Tags.  Twenty tags are packaged in a compact notepad style container.  Attach these to a package with tape or through the prepunched hole with a ribbon.  There are four each of five designs.  My favorite tag?  “For My Favorite Fruitcake”.  Get them here.

For all of those notes you’re going to leave your loved ones and yourself during the holidays, bring a little whimsy to it with Knock Knock’s Be Merry Sticky Notes.  They are adorable AND functional.  Oh and consumable!  They also make great stocking stuffers.  You won’t find sticky notes any cuter than this!

Whether it’s carrying presents, holiday baked goods or decorations, Thirty-One’s Large Utility Tote is the perfect carry all for the holidays.  It’s durable and easy to carry.  I love the wide open top so you can easily put items in and out, even if their fragile. It holds a LOT and it’s STURDY so you don’t have to worry about it tipping over.  This is the perfect carry all to bring gifts to family member’s houses or to gather up the wrapping paper on Christmas morning.  The print is perfect for all winter long!

Instead of using disposable gift bags, this year use Thirty-One’s Whimsical Pouches.  Each set comes with a large and a small bag and they are decorated with a fun holiday print.  The bags close with a drawstring.  These are perfect for gift giving and it makes your present just a little more special, plus environmentally friendly!  Oh and they are just $5 for a set of two!

This holiday season when you’re bringing a bottle of wine, ramp up your hostess giving game with the Wine Tote by BuiltNY.  This neoprene tote is perfect to dress up a bottle of wine.  The recipient can use it over and over again to keep wine bottles safe and cool.  It even stores flat when it’s not in use.  This comes in lots of patterns too, so stock up for all your holiday gift giving needs!

All of those beautiful holiday cards you receive should be displayed.  Instead of just putting them in a pile, use Three by Three’s Chained Up to create a holiday display that’s customized and a conversation piece.  The chain (available in gold and silver) can be hung just about anywhere.  I love the idea of putting it on top of entryways or on the side of doors.  The magnets than attach all of those beautiful holiday greetings that are arriving in the mail every day.  It’s a great way to enjoy cards, especially photo greetings!

I’ never without a tube of Chap-Stick. I seriously have one in every pocket, on my desk, in my bag, and everywhere in between.  I am thrilled to share with you that they have two seasonal flavors this year; Pumpkin Pie and Candy Cane.   They are perfect to bring a little celebration to every day and keep your lips soft and smooth.  Yes, these are amazing little ways to treat yourself, but they also make great stocking stuffers, gifts for teachers, friends and kids.  Check out their seasonal flavors here.

“The ChapStick® product and information have been provided by Pfizer Consumer Healthcare.”

BONUS TIP

Setting an amazing ambiance doesn’t have to be difficult.  And Coffee has launched a series of coffees to be enjoyed with their CD by Marcus.  The CD is meant to transport you to your favorite coffee house and the blends are amazing.  So, make it simple this holiday season; put the CD on in the background, brew a pot of coffee and let the guests enjoy!