We’re officially into mid-November which can only mean one thing … THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE!!! Between creating gift guides and festivities lining up, it is definitely starting to feel real over here [minus the lack of winter weather in Florida, ha]. I’m keeping busy with lots of amazing holiday collaborations that I can’t wait to share with y’all but, in the meantime, I wanted to get this post to you ASAP.

Somewhere between the actual gifts and the parties and all the holiday things, items like wrapping paper, last-minute gifts, and boxes can fall off the list. Don’t you agree? As I was stocking up on my own goods that I use each season, I realized I’ve never actually shared these items with you. I’m a planner by nature and I actually have an entire part of a closet dedicated to these gifting essentials. And, let me tell ya, they really come in handy! Do yourself a favor and snag these necessities below NOW to take one thing off your holiday to-do list.

Wrapping Paper

This is a pretty obvious one but if you tend to wait until the last minute [or when the rows of holiday wrapping paper are ransacked], it’s smart to get on this early during the holidays. Personally, I’m drawn to the cute, festive and fun prints vs. something traditional. It gives the present personality and if you aren’t great at bows and all that, the present still looks cute. I like to buy a couple more rolls than I think I’ll need because of last-minute presents … and doesn’t it always go quicker than you think? Also, is it weird that I have a favorite brand I look to each year for wrapping items? No? Great. It’s sugar paper! Be sure to check it out.

Also, let’s quickly talk wrapping paper storage … if you’ve always struggled with keeping your leftover rolls neatly tucked away, I have a couple of solutions for you! Take a look at this and this as options!

Gift Boxes

Doesn’t it seem like most stores run out of boxes by the time you buy your presents? Same here. To make sure I had enough boxes during the holidays, I started buying gift boxes a few years back. Life-saver, friends! A lot of these options actually remove the need to wrap anything since they’re so cute, which is an easy way to save time [and paper!]. I also love that you can reuse boxes over a few years rather than wrapping paper. Snag these if wrapping isn’t your thing and you’re golden. Oh, and don’t forget tissue paper for the inside and gift bags [more here] if those work better for what you’re wrapping!!

Scissors

Not all scissors are created equally! It might seem like a silly thing to buy for the holidays, but we’ve all been stuck with a crappy pair while trying to wrap a stack of gifts. Stock up on these now and you’ll thank me later. There are so many cute pairs out there right now, as well! I personally think these are gorgeous. And, yes, I just said a pair of scissors were gorgeous, ha!

PRO TIP: A good pair of scissors are actually great if you like to cut your own jeans or hems [they make SUCH a difference!].

Tape

Tape is obviously another basic thing that comes in handy during the holidays. I actually have some of these acrylic tape dispensers in my house and they look really cute on a desk. I love that designers are kicking things up a notch and giving all of us frill-lovers some fun and festive tape options, if you want to take wrapping up a notch! I’m not sure John is going to love these options [ha!] but, I think, if you have kids, it’s definitely a fun little addition, especially if you’re keeping your wrapping paper very simple and / or a solid color.

Ribbon

Honestly, wrapping gifts reminds me of my Mom. She was so good at wrapping and she loved adorning both curly ribbon and bows to the tops of each gift. They always looked so pretty and cohesive! So, I absolutely love the ribbon side of wrapping gifts so I made sure to find some good options for y’all! Year after year, I find cuter and cuter ribbons to choose from. Whether you want something more traditional or more neutral, I have you covered with these picks. And how good is the velvet?!

Gift Tags

One more thing that you’ll be SO happy with having on hand during the holidays. Some boxes and bags come with tags but most don’t. And, there’s nothing worse than wrapping a gift and getting it all perfectly perfect and then not having a label. Or, worse, when you’re working on wrapping multiple gifts and you don’t have labels and then forget which gift is for who. I’m here to save the day with this reminder to go ahead and grab all of these things now so you don’t have a wrapping 9-1-1 emergency!

Bottles of Wine / Champagne

Obviously! I find a bottle of wine [or bubbly] to be the best on-the-go gift, especially for holiday gatherings. It’s versatile, not too personal, and let’s be real, most people love it. I know I always appreciate when people bring a contribution to my parties. These are some of my favorite wines that I think you and your friends and / or family would love! If you are heading to a residence of people who maybe don’t drink a lot, I’d say bring some chocolates!

I think buying a few bottles at the beginning of the season as a ‘gifting stash’ would be smart. You never know how many last minute invitations you’ll get or people you think of to gift a littl something to!

Wine Sleeves for Gifting

You could definitely wrap a bottle of booze in a cute ribbon from above but if you want to go one step further, wine sleeve it is. You can buy many of these bags in sets so you have more than enough to go around. Honestly, it’s much easier than trying to wrap the bottle and they’re so cute!

I’ve rounded up a few options that would be great to snag now just in case you need it at some point throughout the holiday season. One great feeling during this time of year is realizing you don’t have to run that pesky errand, ha!

Small Gifts to Have on Hand

If alcohol isn’t appropriate for the occasion or you want something more personal, I totally get it. From candles that smell like Christmas morning to hand lotion/soap, snag these gifts early so you’re not panicking last-minute and the holiday season goes off without a hitch!

Cards

I absolutely love taking a photo of the boys and I to use for the holiday card that goes out to my nearest and dearest. For that, I love using Minted, by the way! I’d start that process now, to be honest. Get it out of the way so there’s less stress later!

If you’re not someone who likes to do personal picture cards, these are a great option to send out or to give with gifts. These are perfect for handing out to people like your mailman, UPS driver, teachers, your co-workers, etc. as a little holiday cheer, too.

Was this post helpful for y’all? Do you have a holiday essential stash in your closet or is this new to you? I’m here to ensure you get through the holidays unscathed, ha! Happy [early] holidays, friends and have a great weekend! xo.