10 Christmas Essentials for the Perfect Family Get-Together
The holiday season is here, and nothing warms the heart like a Christmas gathering with family. Whether you’re hosting a grand celebration or an intimate dinner, having the right essentials can make all the difference. Here are 10 must-haves to ensure your Christmas get-together is magical, memorable, and stress-free.
1. A Festive Table Setting: Transform your dining area into a winter wonderland with a beautiful Christmas-themed table setting. Include elegant placemats, coordinating napkins, and a striking centerpiece featuring candles, pinecones, and holly. This creates a cozy and inviting atmosphere for your meal. Sam’s Club has adorable holiday plates featuring winter scenery as well as a holiday truck plate that are the perfect addition to a table and make clean-up 10x easier.
2. A Holiday Playlist: Set the mood with a curated playlist of holiday classics. Include a mix of timeless hits like Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” and modern favorites like Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” All you need is the right music to keep everyone in the festive spirit. Check out our playlist here!
3. A Delicious Christmas Feast: No Christmas get-together is complete without a spread of delectable dishes. From a juicy roast turkey or ham to indulgent sides like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce, the feast is the centerpiece of the day. For dessert, serve classic treats like Christmas cookies and a yule log cake.
4. Cozy Christmas Blankets: Make your family feel at home by providing cozy blankets for relaxing after dinner. Choose ones in festive patterns, like this candy cane blanket at Kirklands, or colors to keep the holiday vibes going while everyone lounges by the fire or watches a Christmas movie.
5. Board Games and Activities: Keep the fun alive with engaging activities for all ages. Stock up on classic board games, trivia cards, or a Christmas-themed bingo set. These games encourage laughter, bonding, and a bit of friendly competition. If you’re a Yellowstone fan, be sure to check out the brand new Yellowstone edition of Monopoly.
6. Personalized Ornaments: Give your family a keepsake to remember the day with personalized ornaments. You can even set up an ornament-decorating station where everyone can create their own! It’s a wonderful way to add a sentimental touch to the celebration.
7. A Holly Dolly Christmas Surprise: Country icon Dolly Parton announced her new wine label earlier this year and we can’t get enough! She currently has a Chardonnay available as well as a Pinot Noir (only in Tennessee — for now!) The Chardonnay pairs perfectly with a classic Christmas turkey.
8. Christmas Scented Candles Engage the senses with candles that evoke the scents of Christmas, such as pine, cinnamon, or gingerbread. These aromas can instantly create a warm and welcoming ambiance.
9. A Hot Cocoa Station Delight guests of all ages with a hot cocoa bar. Provide toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and peppermint sticks. It’s a fun and interactive treat that everyone will love.
10. Family Photo Props Capture the memories with a festive photo booth setup. Include props like Santa hats, reindeer antlers, and signs with cheerful sayings. It’s a simple way to ensure everyone leaves with a snapshot of the joy shared during your gathering. Amazon has a plethora of options such as this one.
With these 10 essentials, your Christmas get-together will be an unforgettable celebration filled with laughter, love, and holiday cheer. So, gather your loved ones, deck the halls, and make this holiday season one to remember!