A few top items on my Holiday Hosting List

(Photos clockwise from: Neiman Marcus, Williams Sonoma Home, Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma)

Can you believe that we’re a week from Thanksgiving? I’m the first to say that I don’t like skipping holidays – and the first to admit that I’ve already dug around my holiday boxes “accidentally” while looking for that glass turkey.

I thought it might be time for a holiday roundup, especially since Williams Sonoma is having their 20% off holiday sale and they’re already sold out of the blue and white ginger jar ornaments I’ve been eyeing. Here are a few items on my holiday hosting list:

Christmas plates

There are so many gorgeous china sets out there to add a little festive cheer your holiday table. The dinner plate above is a part of Bernardaud’s Grenadiers collection. This is yet another reason to stock up on a basic white dinner set (check out my earlier Save vs. Splurge post for tips).

Our bone china set is rimmed in gold and our white is a standard everyday white. This way, we can buy up a new set starting with salad plates and mix and match from there until we ultimately complete it. I’d definitely take one of your plates with you shopping if you’re unsure of how the new set might match with your current one.

I love reds and golds for the holidays. Juliska’s Country Estate in red (I’m collecting this in Flint brown used in this post) is such a fun set with country homes, Santas, and reindeer. I also like this updated spin on the classic Spode Christmas, rimmed in an ornate gold. Vietri’s hand-painted fir trees in their Lastra collection have an understated, cozy feel to them.

Candles for the windows

We always had candlesticks in the windows growing up. There’s something classic about having a candle in every window. It makes for a soft, warm welcome. They have gotten much more advanced since we had them in our home in South Carolina. I purchased this set a few days ago (also under $50). They’re flameless, remote-controlled, and have a timer.

Blue and white ornaments

I love the idea of a blue and white themed tree and am currently on the lookout for some fabulous and fun ornaments. This set of six ornaments above is a great deal from Williams Sonoma (also 20% off now). Etsy has lots of hand-painted blue and white ornaments in ginger jars and pagodas, like this vase and this ginger jar. These Delft tea cups and saucers are also so fun if you decide to go for a different blue and white theme.

Le Creuset

There is little better than heavy cast-iron, enamel cookware for all the recipes that colder weather brings. We use little else for roasting, stews, and chili in the fall and winter than our Le Creuset. We also opted for red since it’s a bit more seasonal. Williams Sonoma (again) has some great Le Creuset bakeware sets like this one pictured above. You can also go to your nearest Le Creuset outlet and score these heavy sets for a fraction of the price.

Cozy, chunky throws

Cozying up to a roaring fire is the first thing that comes to mind when I think of this time of the year. While we don’t have a fireplace in our townhouse (I know, you guys, next house!), I still love any excuse to wrap up in a furry throw blanket. West Elm has a great ombre faux fur throw at a terrific price. I haven’t felt it in person, but it’s almost half off.

This red Crate & Barrel throw pictured above is perfect if you’re more of a chunky knit throw person. It also comes in ivory. UGG makes one, too, that’s over on Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

All the plaid

Whether you’re a navy and green fan or more of a red and ivory, there’s a plaid out there for you, and it is always in for the holidays. I love this throw from One Kings Lane pictured above and this Pottery Barn plaid napkin set is a great buy in either of the colors. I have a pair of plaid pillows from Home Goods that I’m just waiting to pull out (similar ones here – note that this is just the pillow cover without an insert). These buffalo plaid tumblers are also too fun.

How are y’all prepping for the holidays? Any items I’ve left off that you’re currently pining over?