20 Holiday Essentials to Get You to New Year's

sfnest Kind of silly but useful and adorable.

olldbobbi I love candles! They're cozy and romantic. Can anyone recommend a type or brand that is pleasantly fragranced but not overwhelming?

midmodfan This may not fit in, but our holiday musts are two tickets to Florida. ;-)

the_misfit Bobbi - the very best candle in the whole world is Village Candle's "Warm Apple Pie." They're outrageously expensive, and as a grand-master (mistress?) cheapskate, I bought one as a fundraiser for a local football team and REFUSED to replace it when I found out that the fundraiser price was not that far from the regular price. "There's nothing so special about this candle that it should cost that much money," I told myself (and this was true). "Any apple pie-scented candle will do (and, sadly, this was not). Recently, I saw one on sale in the grocery store - for a mere $12 (!!!). It was regularly $14, and it came with a free votive, so I bought it. It retains its scent forever; it will last a year even if burned regularly; and it smells as, I'm pretty sure, heaven does. (It does have a tendency to leave a soot-stain above it, however. Beware.)

I'm not sure this will be your favorite candle, because it sounds like you're looking for something mild. I find that the mild ones lose their scent altogether even after a few months in the package, and I tend to hang onto them for a while. But I would say that the Ikea candles have nice jars, come in a variety of mild, pleasant scents, and, while they burn down relatively fast, are so inexpensive that they probably still cost less per hour of burning.

And on the ideabook - this was fun! I already have my candles, and I try to keep a couple of "signature" wrapping papers (something fairly traditional-looking - which requires a lot of digging through bins these days!), but I need to buy a new mop, and pick up a stain-removing pen and some Nativity stamps! (I try to buy enough that I can use them all year, but too often I forget to get them before they're gone!)

olldbobbi the_misfit, thank you so much! I just got back from having a tooth pulled so anything outrageously expense will surely be tabled for a while. However, I will keep it in mind!

Anita Roll Murals I love the cheerful twine!

leeanmartyn So sweet. Loved the ideas.

madismom I always buy a few extra hostess gifts to have on hand for last-minute party invitations! My favorites are scented candles, a bottle of wine and boxed chocolates.

bherdrich Thought these were pretty lame ideas!

hometipster Neat stuff Vanessa. Oh dear here comes New Year once again... how the months fly by and once again I'll be faced with all the resolutions and ways to break them. :)

Evelyn Cucchiara Colored paper, cinnamon & champagne. I'll post why later - gotta go take some muffins out of the oven!

Always Nesting Love all the tips, especially the gift card essentials.

yirola Oddlbob, driftwood by CK are great candles, very soft & clean smell, they burn long hours and are a great find....that's if you can find them, they cost $30, but at tjmax they are $14

Gina Fitzsimmons ASID I think the best candles in the whole world are the Patchouli Candles from Details of Design in Annapolis, Md. They have them custom made. They smell just like the Patchouli candles that Faroy use to make before their factory burned down in Texas. I heard that the way that they became famous was that back in the 70's they had the only candle that would conceal the smell of pot. They are perfect for the holidays, they are the color of warm caramel. Check them out on their website detailsofdesign.biz. They have free shipping too!
GinaFitz

Destin Golf & Beach - FL Vacation Home Rentals A "Holiday Must" we've grown acustom to is ... visiting the beach in Destin, FL right after Thanksgiving :) Yes, we save a week of vacation annually, reserved for this now family tradition. If we get on the road quickly, we've discovered Black Friday shopping for Xmas a real delight at the areas meca for steals and deals. Shoppers delights include; The Destin Commons, Grand Boulevard and Silver Sands Outlet Mall. Every year we stay at one of the properties found on www.ChristianCondos.net ! These folks serve as our conciergie making the trip ever so wonderful right down to the intricate details. You should call them, 1 850 385-0917 and start your own "Must Have - Holiday Vacation". Our 1st week in Dec. is spent away from the usual tasks of home and filled with resort destination holiday events - We prep our Christmas cards, do just a little holiday baking (and buy the rest from fun stores and festive bazzars all around town), enjoy the opulent decorations and programs of the tourist focused counties of South Walton and Okaloosa. Hubby golfs and fishes while I do what makes me happiest. Of course we marvel at God's greatness and the beauty of His creation as we take in the grandure of the vast sugar white sandy beach and the roaring of the gorgeous emerald green gulf waters. A week never seems long enough and we're always ready to return even before departing!!! Oh yeah, who said holiday food doesn't include seafood :>) Some of our favorite restaurants there are; The Backpoarch, Captain Daves, Pompano Joe's, Bubba Gumps' Dewey Destins and the list goes on. There's even a dinner cruise that incorporates sunset. So my tip is ... go to the beach - get the wrapping and other stuff done that the interuptions & distractions of everyday life at home keep you from thuroughly enjoying. After the rest and relaxation of a week surrounded by beauty return home and simply bask in the reason for the season! Click on the beach for a Christmas surprise.

rensmith My holiday must is a database of gifts with fields: ITEM, FOR, FROM, PRICE, METHOD OF PAYMENT, PAID, NOTES (with last year's gift imported). I can see everything at a glance and sort fields many different ways to get the info I need: "who do I still need to buy for?" "Have I spent about the same for each child?" etc.

dwass Something I love to have for all holidays and parties throughout the year is a case of plastic clamshell food boxes (much like what you see at a salad bar). This makes packaging leftovers or even holiday baked goods SO easy! No more losing Tupperware or ruining your friend's car interior when the gravy leaks through the plate or the loosely clung plastic wrap.

olldbobbi rensmith, you are seriously organized! A spreadsheet is also useful for arranging furniture in a room, providing you have exact dimensions and measurements.

rleome Interesting list, I'm kind of appalled that there's no real theme to it. I was hopeful for an 'eco' spin, amazed how much paper was recommended, and do you know what's in a Tide pen?!

spdvbm The plain brown paper wrapping with colorful ribbons is a great idea. I buy silk flower poinsettias after Christmas, when they are on sale, and use them the next year to hot glue to plain brown paper wraps.

rensmith That's just it, I am NOT organized and the spreadsheet takes away some of my Christmas anxiety. I also like going back through the years to compare gifts (I have a field to record what that person gave to us, also) I know Christmas is not about the gifts, but it helps me anyway.

DESIGNER POOLS & LANDSCAPING LLC Olldob try buttermints the type you can get at restaurants they are not overwhelming they are small and they are found at Wal-Mart

bfrykman Very cute ideabook! It makes me excited for the holidays.
@olldbob: I like 'plain' beeswax candles. They burn nicely (bright, slow, not drippy), they don't smell like chemicals, and I get to support a local farmer or crafter. :D

Michele Powell All these ideas . are great. The one thing I would add is TAPE; I always find myself running to the store last minute for tape.

patscats2 LOL Ibuprofen!!

mrsben Great ideas!

Particularly love 'the Tide pen'. Don't know about anyone else but it is part of the arsenal I carry in my purse as I don't even leave home without it. Ha!

j0dy Or two tickets to Thailand! I love not having to worry about Christmas :) I get to go and see my new Nephew again this year :) This was a fun post though and I'd use the ideas if I was going to be here. Thanks.

Pat Durant Ottawa Real Estate Nice ideas! White vinegar works like magic at neutralizing and removing red wine stains from carpet, etc. A must have!

pamzella Wine Away. Should be on hand if you are in charge of laundry, and if you are the host of any party involving anything red. Wine, tomato, pom seeds, any red juice.

olldbobbi rleome, I'll bite, what is in a Tide pen?

scoobstar Paper, string, a pen and tape? Come on. This is supposed to be an inspirational website.

renodog lunch bags with sand and tea lights for your walkway. or, Lowes has a creativity flyer with easy crafts to create for your gatherings.

mrsben @olldbob: A 'Tide Pen" is actually a fabric stain remover. Works just like magic! Even "The Great Houdini" himself would have been impressed by it. ºÜº

Oops, just noticed you do know what it is (senior's moment) but was asking 'what's in it'? Sorry, I dunno but I still think they are great even though there are some who apparently don't agree.

pamzella I can't recommend using a Tide pen on clothing you are wearing because it smells like barf, and people around you will notice.

mrsben @pamzella: Really? That is a very interesting observation. Maybe you should write the Tide people since most Manufactures appreciate feedback on their products and maybe they are not aware of it.

crypticartist COOKIES! Made a month before Xmas and frozen--can include small chocolate dipped candy canes (fun activity a week pre - 25th) and Glassine bags. (Is that how you spell it?). Make excellent gifts for teacher/ neighbor/ surprise guests/ expected guests...a few cookies and a candy cane or two in a small bag with a bow. If you don't bake then just do the "canes": melt chocolate on low heat and dip one end. It's a simple 'thinking of you' touch.

olldbobbi crypticartist, how about white chocolate/dried cranberry bark? Melt white chocolate, add dried cranberries, spread out on parchment paper, cooled and broken into pieces :)

crypticartist ABSOLUTELY--AND PEANUT/CASHEW BRITTLE WORKS TOO...but if you are scared of the kitchen--those candy canes are pretty cute. I love to cook so I go "kinda nutty" at Christmas--because I can!!

gschneider For olldbob (& others) - so many candle responses, but I'll still post mine. First, know that I'm not into anything heavily scented, or anything that smells like it's trying too hard at any one scent / scent combo (ex. - Yankee Candles or Bath & Body Works fragrances). That said, I usually use a candle combo - I use the unscented ivory candles around the house, in a variety of sizes, from Hobby Lobby for the glow factor. And remember, you never want to use scented candles around your food. For the scent factor, I've found 2 candles for fall & winter that add just enough scent of the season for us; both are from VOTIVO (you may have to order online) & burn a crazy amount of hours! Seriously, even the bottom of the box says they burn 50-60 hours & they come in a plain clear glass holder so they aren't melting all over the place. Moroccan Fig allures with the scent of fall - fallen leaves in the woods, a little bit of that scent of a distant fire wafting by & an oh, so subtle fruity & earthy spice on the back end (very subtle). The other is Forgotten Sage, which sets the tone for holidays with it's subtle layers of sage & cedar - once again, in a subtle way - like when you want to get get close to someone who is wearing a subtly appealing fragrance. For gatherings, I usually burn one of each, @ somewhat of a distance from each other & away from being right in the midst of where people will generally gather the most. That way the scents contribute without being overwhelming. And I usually try to burn one in a lantern just outside our front entry as a special welcoming touch. NOTE: when these candles are blown out, they still emit a very subtle fragrance in the room they're placed in - nice bonus.

mrskk If you google it, you find that Tide Pen ingredients are peroxide (non-chlorine bleach), surfactant and perfume.

Read more: How Does Tide To Go Work? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4579466_tide-work.html#ixzz2C7pEODAI

Sierra Jones Give me a break Rleome...the title didn't read "20 ECO Holiday ideas"! I don't know about your kids, but mine enjoy ripping and tearing off wrapping paper Christmas morning....and last time I checked paper can be recycled...Some people will complain about anything.

Bonnie Here's my two cents... I really dislike scented candles as i think they never smell too great and would rather have a natural scent like real evergreens, a bowl of oranges or cider. Try some mulled cider with cinnamon sticks to fill your home with a warm delicious smell. Mulled cider is a nice treat for guests or for yourself after a day of shopping! Also, nice to keep on hand is some homemade candy attractively boxed or packaged to give as unexpected gifts for the people in your life. i also find it really helpful to make sure I am stocked up on the basics like tape, wrapping paper, ribbon and I like the string idea too. Also, make sure that you are all set for general household items so that when you a cooking for the holiday you don't realize you are out of saran wrap, aluminum foil, napkins, paper towels, tissue, and batteries (especially if you have kids) etc, A couple of my other favorites include glitter, glue and gold and/ or silver spray paint for creating arrangements or decorations on the fly!