Holiday party essentials: stock up so you aren’t caught without!

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The holiday season is in full swing! With Thanksgiving behind us and the winter holidays moving toward us oh so quickly, it’s time to get the house prepared! From holiday parties, to overnight guests, to simply staying on top of those basic items in your house, now is the time to stock up your bathroom essentials so you aren’t caught without during this busy holiday season.

Let’s face it: the holidays are busy and stressful enough as it is without having to worry about some of the little things. I know it has happened to me: I am so focused on my list of items for my shopping cart for the party itself, and by accident I leave out a vital item that is necessary in my house….like toilet paper. With the comings and goings of so many more people in your house during the holiday season, running out of toilet paper and other essentials is a nightmare! Thankfully, stocking up is oh so easy to do thanks to Costco.

Justin and I have been members at our local Costco for a little while now, and we absolutely love making trips to build up our supplies for all parts of our house. From toilet paper, to paper towels, cleaning products, and more: we love knowing we can store everything up in our house and we won’t have to constantly visit other places to replenish. When I’m putting together a menu for a holiday party, I love that I can find great items at Costco in perfect party size portions as well. I can even pick up produce!

Before the party starts, it’s time to prep the house. I don’t know about you, but it always surprises me at how much clutter I can build up in my house in such a short amount of time.

My pre-party prep list usually goes as follows:

• Put on a favorite music playlist: holiday tunes, or something you can dance to as you get everything ready. It just makes the experience fun!
• Start with de-cluttering. You want to work with a blank canvas, so get the odds and ends organized and put away!
• Clean surfaces and floors. Vacuum, mop, disinfect, and prepare that “canvas” for decor.
• Decorate!

Let’s start with the bathroom. Yes, you might just think to clean it and have it be in a “normal” state, but it’s the holidays! Why can’t your bathroom be dressed up too? Personally, I like to keep a cohesive decor throughout my house by putting small elements in the bathroom that tie in to the decor in the main part of the house. I am all for simple and easy decor, and at the holidays I attempt to include fresh pine in as many places as I can! To create some party ambiance in the bathroom, simply fill a hurricane vase 2/3 with water, add a few fresh cranberries, and a floating candle.

In a mason jar, add a small amount of water, and then add a few fresh cut sprigs of pine branches. Voila! Easy, elegant, and fun! If you’re wondering where to obtain fresh pine branches, all you have to do is visit your local Christmas tree vendor and ask if it is ok to take some of the clippings. They usually have a dumpster filled with them as they trim/wrap up trees, and they will most likely let you take them for free. Score!

Anyway, this simple touch to the bathroom counter adds a bit of holiday flair, and it ties in nicely to the table decor in the main room of the party! Aside from the decor, there is another essential element for my bathroom during the holiday season. Bathroom necessities, of course!

I don’t know about you, but when you are a guest at someone’s party and you realize the bathroom is out of toilet paper, you need a feminine product, or some other item…it is SO embarrassing to walk over to the host and ask for something. The worst!!! Yes, you might have the items on hand under a counter or in a drawer, but guests really shouldn’t have to snoop around to locate something. Make it simple with a beautiful basket in the bathroom filled with Procter & Gamble items they may need!

I place a festive metallic basket next to the toilet filled with a few rolls of Charmin toilet paper, a mason jar filled with Tampax Pearl tampons, a can of Febreze Air Effects to mask any bathroom odors, and a few other items that guests may look for. Other options could include toothbrushes, mouthwash, stain remover pen/sheets, and hair spray. When it is all packed together in a beautiful basket it doesn’t detract from the holiday ambiance you’re setting, and it makes everything easily accessible! I even add an additional mason jar filled with pine branches for an added touch of holiday fun: you can’t get enough pine scent, in my opinion! And of course, you can pick up those Procter & Gamble essentials at Costco – you’ll have enough stock of toilet paper, feminine products, and air fresheners to take you through the entire holiday season!

Now that the bathroom essentials are stocked, it’s time to move to the main party area. As I previously mentioned, setting up a cohesive decor in my house is always what I strive for. So, my main party table transforms with the help of a few simple elements. I took more of the pine branches, clipped them, and arranged them down the center of my table like a runner. I filled three more vases with water, cranberries, and floating candles, and set them in the center of my table. I happened to have some simple gold and silver ornaments in my holiday decor stash, so I sprinkled them throughout the pine branches for a bit of sparkle. Done! Simple, but a beautiful statement.

Then, it’s time to add another essential: food! I’m all about finger food and small plates at my get-togethers, so having an assortment of cheese, crackers, dips, chips, and nuts is always found on my table. Not to mention a few trays of holiday cookies or sweet treats. And maybe a fun beverage or two!

So, the house is ready: it’s time to get hosting! I’m thankful to be prepared for the coming weeks! Which essentials from Costco do you like to stock up on for the season?