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Oh, hi, October! And hellooooo, Fall! In our house, this season is very exciting because it’s the start of all things fun. This also means that it’s the start of all things busy. Am I right?!
Personally, I try to prep for the upcoming holidays as much as possible now so that I have less to do later. At crunch time — you know, just before company is coming over — I don’t want to be worrying about things that could have been taken care of.
Lucky for me, this year we’re starting with a blank slate. When we moved into our forever home last year, it was a week before Christmas. I threw the tree up and that was that. So this year I’m excited to decorate on our (literally) blank walls.
Here’s how I’m prepping for the holidays now.
A blank slate doesn’t have to mean spending a ton of money. I’ve turned to Big Lots to get all of our holiday dining, decor, and baking goods without breaking the bank!
The Perfect Holiday Tablescape
I chose a neutral setting that allows me to easily use the same table settings for both Thanksgiving and Christmas (and every little party in between). The chargers, plates, and table runner were all super affordable and incredibly on-trend.
Food Prep Essentials
As I mentioned earlier, I try to make as much food ahead of time as possible. Big Lots has all of the items I need to make my favorite cookies, breads, and bars. They carry all of my favorite baking mixes and other staples like sugar, flour, and vanilla extract so I can make big batches and freeze them. Pro-tip: Wrap the loaves and cookies in plastic before putting them into freezer bags!
The day before hosting, I’ll take my baked goods out of the freezer and put them into these adorable takeaway containers for my guests. That way no one leaves empty-handed!
I can’t wait to host friends and family this Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Setting The Bar
There’s so much merriment surrounding the holidays that I want every person that steps into our home to be welcome to celebrate. Part of my hosting-prep includes setting the bar. I want all things cocktail-related to be ready for guests because no one wants to have to run out last minute for sugar or garnish!
Big Lots has everything I need to have a fantastic array of beverage and cocktail options — and the barware to serve them in!
Whatever you do, don’t wait! Get that holiday prepping done now so that you can enjoy these moments with your loved ones later.
Tell me — what is your best way to prepare for having company?
Now that the holidays are literally right around the corner, shopping at big lots makes everything so much easier because it’s a one stop shop for all your needs!!
Kileen
It’s definitely the time of year to start thinking about hosting guests! I love the idea of sending guests with baked goods in cute to go containers.
I love shopping deals to decorate for the holidays. I love the tablescape you put together.
we previously have not done a ton of hosting but I would love to! Love those wine glasses/flutes. I have never been to Big Lots – looks like they have a lot of great stuff!
Loved how you prepared everything. Being prepared and maybe sometimes overprepared is not a bad thing either!
I love Big Lots! I wish that we had more of them in our area because they always have the best deals!
I love the tablescape and the minibar. I haven’t been to big lots in a while, I must visit soon.
I just have one question? What time should I arrive to the holiday festivities? Lol. Seriously, wonderful tips and enjoy to the fullest. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I have bought so many things from big lots for party planning and the holidays. They have so many different items at affordable prices, which is great for sticking to a budget!
Well, it looks like you’re absolutely set up for the upcoming holidays! I hope you have a blast!
I guess we’re lucky and never have to host for the holidays, so very little prepping for us! Very thankful to have family members that do all the work.
Liked your preparation and the shopping you have done. We do shop in lots in India though we do not have Big Lots here in a similar scale. But we go for hypermarkets or supermarkets for the same. Encouraging post.
Such cute table prep! And I am seriously so excited for the holidays!!
You really great preparing everything! It’s simple but so amazing, and thank you for this wonderful idea!
Shopping well in advance makes everything a lot easier. I like preparing for festivities in good time. The only thing I hate about hosting parties is the work involved… man do I get tired, lol.
I’m so excited about the holidays this year! Really can’t wait to start prepping 🙂
If only you were as good as you, I would also like festive tables so appealing!
You have such great ideas..! Love this blog, I will be looking forward for more..! thanks for sharing..!
Wow, you’re such an excellent host that you make sure no one would leave empty-handed! Your guests must be really happy! ~ Ola @ WanderWithOla
Your preparedness reminds me of my late mother. Like you she loved to entertain and often fed large crowds of friends or relatives with takeaways to spare. I love your charger plates.
Thank you for these amazing tips. I’ll definetly will keep some of these in mind when preping for holidays x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
What pretty things! I am so excited to decorate for the holidays. I’ve always liked Big Lots.
You are the perfect host and I love to attend your party one of these days.
I don’t host enough to need to do all of this but your post had some great tips that I’ll need when I do have visitors at the end of this month.
These are some really great tips! I’ve never been too good at decorating things. Hope following your tips will make a difference for me this year! 🙂
WOW…
thank you so much for the great tips, I picked up this post before leaving on this weekend, while I am packing.
so yeah… Thanks.
Thanks for sharing this. I need to visit Big Lots now!!!
I do a ton of hosting guests this time of the year. I need to take a trip to Big Lots and pick up a few things to stock up and decorate my spare room better.
Parties with wine make me excited! Thanks for sharing!
Nice blog..! Thanks for sharing your ideas on how to prep for the holidays.. Holiday preps are sometimes so exhausting, this would be very helpful.
Big Lots has amazing deals on decortations and housewares. I like to go and see if I can find unique items.
This is awesome! I am so excited for the holidays but I do dread the preparations lol
I am looking forward to preparing for the holidays this year. I haven’t shopped at a Big Lots in many years. It would be fun to check it out!
Big lots? Just hearing about them for the first and with your honest review, I think they are worth a trial.
Big Lots is one my favorite stores to shop for decoration. It’s never too crowded and it has amazing prices. With all the upcoming holidays, I sure have some shopping to do. Thanks for sharing!
It just reminds me what I need to do for the holidays. I really need to do some more preparation for it. Get the food and prepare the menu. Actually in reverse order. Haha.
The time of holidays is the best. It is just so nice to see everyone preparing.
I just learned there’s a big lots near me! I heard there’s some great things. Thanks for sharing
Wow this sounds like it’s going to be a great spread
The holidays are always a stressful time for me, and you’ve given some useful tips to get through them! I’ll be putting these into practice 🙂
wow, this are all wonderul ideas. I’m so excited about Christmas and can’t wait to decorate for the holidays!
I can’t believe you got all this great stuff from Big Lots! My #1 tip for holiday prep is just that – PREP. Far in advance. So there is no last-minute scramble. I try NOT to shop in November, at all (all my Xmas presents are usually bought by then, except for a few targeted last-minute Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals – spacing my shopping throughout the year when I see deals is always best for saving time and $$$ for me. So in November we eat up stuff from the freezer, leaving room in early Dec to cook ahead/freeze for when we host all the grandparents + several aunts/uncles (!) over Xmas for 72 hours straight (!!!)
This looks so fabulous and festive. Just love how you have outlined your prep for the holidays here.
I am going to be hosting for Christmas this year. It is time to get serious about my decorating.
Way to get a jump start on the holidays! It’s hard to believe it’s right around the corner!
I will be hosting in my new home for the first time and will be using your tips for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Yes! You just said — things are starting to get really busy now.
Thank you for sharing these tips. We’ll definitely have a lot of company coming since it is our turn to host our annual family reunion. This is really helpful. Appreciate it.
I needed this reminder, its def time to start prepping!!
Big Lots sound amazing to shop and save money. I love deals when shopping.
I love some tips on decoration ideas. thank you