I’ve already had so many requests for my annual holiday gift guides, and I’m excited to start rolling them out today. I’m doing it just a little differently this year, bringing you a few different guides at once. Otherwise, it starts to feel a little overwhelming for me. Today I’ve got several guides to help you get ready for the holidays as we fast approach Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year.
How to Shop Here: To shop the items I feature, just click on the words in the captions of photos, the highlighted words in my text or the images in the shopping widgets I sometimes include. When you shop through my links I potentially earn a commission on your purchases, but at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for supporting my work here by shopping my links. Items that have been gifted to me by the associated brand are indicated with “c/o”.
Too many years I was caught unprepared for the holidays, so I’ve learned my lesson. I try to make sure I’ve got my shelves stocked with the supplies I’ll need for hostess gifts, thank you notes, gift wrapping, entertaining in my home and even simple gift giving before Thanksgiving. This year I’m inviting you to get ready for the holidays with me.
Hostess Gift Guide
Hostess gifts can be very small to significant, depending on the situation. If you’re invited to a Christmas coffee, a fragrant candle is certainly a lovely and sufficient gift for the woman who hosted you. But if you’re spending several days in someone’s home you may want to take along something more substantial.
I’ve gathered several gifts that I think are perfect for the hostess with the mostest. I’ve given throws similar to this fisherman knit blanket. But this Half Baked Apple Cider Smash Candle is what I’m giving to several friends this holiday season. My daughter has been burning one in her home while I’ve visiting and it is a mild, homey and delicious scent. I’ve collected more options for you to consider for hostess gifts below.
Home Prep for the Holidays
This is also the time to make preparations for your own entertaining and for personal or family celebrations. I always like to use an advent devotional guide to prepare my heart like this one or this one that I’ve done in the past. But this year I’m going through this little advent Bible study. The purchase of the study book includes access to the online videos that accompany the study. Order now so you’re ready to start right after Thanksgiving.
It’s also time to order essentials like wrapping paper, ribbons, stockings for everyone in the family and a gingerbread house kit and/or jigsaw puzzle.
Gift Wrap & Stationery
Speaking of gift wrap, I’ve rounded up more options as well as greeting cards, thank you notes, personal stationery and gift tags for you to consider here.
Personally, I’m placing my order for Christmas stationery here this week.
Holiday Decorations for the Home
Like me, you may have been decorating your home for Christmas for decades by now. And maybe you feel like you have everything you need. At this point I have no desire to add more junk to my decorations. But I do find that adding one or two nice new decorations to the mix each year keeps things feeling fresh and enjoyable.
Or maybe you’re helping a young couple or single person in your family to begin their own holiday celebrations. A gift of one or two Christmas decorations could feel meaningful and memorable to them.
This year we are collecting all of my Holiday Gift Guides in my LTK Shop. That’s always the best place for you to find anything I’ve shown or worn here at DressedforMyDay.com, my YouTube channel, Instagram, Facebook or uniquely in my LTK Shop. In the LTK App in my Shop, you’ll find a Gift Guides🎄🎁collection. I already have gift guides for men and women, as well as special interests. Happy shopping!
Don’t Miss a Post:
If you like what you’re seeing here at Dressed for My Day, I invite you to subscribe to my email list. You can receive an email each time I post (about 6 times weekly) or just on Saturdays. You choose! But you’ll also receive the password to open up all the subscriber freebies I offer. You can subscribe HERE.
Blessed for My Day
From my brief search, it appears to me that the first time the Bible actually mentions the word “savior” is in 2 Samuel 22:3, which reminds us that God is our “rock, in whom {we} take refuge, {our} shield and the horn of our salvation, {our} stronghold and {our} refuge; {our} savior…” The first time a key word or concept is mentioned in Scripture can shed a bright light on the importance of it. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, but penned by David when he was spared the wrath of King Saul by a protective God, these words and the subsequent ones tell us that God alone can save us.
Dear friend, we do not need to look for a savior. We have one. Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, Emmanuel, God with us, came to earth to save us from our sin, but also from the penalty of that sin. One day He will redeem this world and rule it. And we have the opportunity to reign with Him. Meanwhile, He offers us His love and protection and guidance. You have a savior; look for no other.
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior ~ 2 Samuel 22:3
I always get ready early too. I’m
almost done with my shopping and I have my gift wrap and just bought two new neutral ornaments for my tree. A few years ago I updated my decor and tree as I’d had my decor for many many years. I kept many memorable things, but got rid of some too. I’ve been most excited about my Willow Tree nativity set I got 3 yrs. ago. I bought one for my daughter years before and decided to gift myself one. I see you added the initial cheese board from crate n barrel on your list. Two weekends ago my husband and I went there and I bought my two daughters and daughter in law one with their initial and added the gold cheese knife set. I know they will love them. I’ve bought them items before from there with the marble look and they are quality. I love that store. Great list. Enjoy getting ready. It’s upon us.
Thank you, Kay, for your suggestions. So many terrific gift ideas! I have ordered the Prepare Him Room devotional. Actually, I’ve ordered 2 – 1 for me and 1 as a gift. My church is providing a virtual Prepare Him Room opportunity, so I am 1 of many hosting this in our home. I will have a “drawing” at the event and gift one of the devotionals to one of the ladies in my group.