5 Holiday Hosting Essentials

November is here which means the Holiday season is almost upon us! Now, I know what you might be thinking. To be clear, I am not one of those crazy people that puts up Christmas decorations in October. I do love a good festive display, but overall keep it simple. Aside from some little decorative touches, the other thing this time of year brings: house guests.

Whether you're hosting out of towners, or just dinner guests, there are a few essentials that will help you be the hostess with the mostess this year:

Bar Cart

Make spirits bright - with some spirits! There is nothing better than perfectly displaying all your libations on a stylish cart. Stock some essentials and cute glasses, then add a few seasonal touches for added oomph! Your guests will be dazzled that you went the extra mile for the holiday get-together.

Cozy Blankets

As someone who is perpetually chilled, I am always so grateful when friends or family keep extra blankets in their guest bedrooms during my visit. Be sure to keep an extra throw at the foot of the bed or rolled up in a stylish basket for an added touch.

Fresh Towels

Another essential linen: towels. Be sure that you have plenty of clean ones for your visitors. Even if you don't have anyone staying overnight, make sure that your most commonly used bathroom has some crisp towels on display. I personally absolutely love Turkish towels because they are lightweight, dry out easily, and are stylish to boot.

Carafe & Glasses

This is often overlooked, but so wonderful for guests. If you have a guest bedroom or area, keep a carafe and glasses nearby so they can have water without needing to sneak around your house or apartment in the middle of the night. I learned this tip after staying with a dear friend in Kansas City and will never be the same. Even if you don't have over-nighters, it's great to keep these on hand for holiday dinners as well.

Festive Accents

Okay okay, I can't help myself. Of COURSE you have to have some decorations around to make your house look and feel on point for the season! Even if you are like me and don't like to go overboard, it's nice to have some little accents around your house for you and your guests to get in the spirit.

There you have it - all the essentials to get you ready for the upcoming holiday season! Looking to snag any of these items for your home? Here are all the goodies in the shop right now:



Click the product name to shop: 1. Handcrafted Ceramic Stoneware Set || 2. Ceramic Handcrafted Cottage Village || 3. Black and White Ceramic Pitcher || 4. Driftwood Tree Accents || 5. Moroccan Pom Pom Blanket in Gray || 6. Andrew Bar Cart || 7. Turkish Towel in Gray || 8. Turkish Towel in Soft Blue || 9. Turkish Towel in Black || 10. Lucite Bar Cart || Or click to shop the category: Shop all bar carts || Shop all throw blankets || Shop all Turkish towels || Shop all kitchen || Shop all holiday accents ||

What are some of your favorite hosting items to keep on hand? Let me know in the comments!

• Rachel Cafferty of Quarter-Life Living

Cover Image Credit: Undecorated Home