How is life going?

Are you getting ready for the holidays?

Is the house decorated for fall, and now you are planning out how you are decorating for Christmas? I have a whole post planned for us on trends for this Christmas and guess which direction I’m decorating in?

I have four words for you.

Ralph Lauren inspired Christmas.

Can you see it? Don’t you think it’s the perfect classic look for a house built in 1908? Plaid and velvet and nutcrackers and burnished brass and layers of evergreen.

Stay tuned.

In the meantime, let’s discuss this month’s edition of some of my favorite things.

These are all things I have bought and love, and make the holidays a little easier.

Here are 11 things I wish I had bought sooner, the holiday edition.

Reynolds Wrap Fun Foil Holiday Pattern box, labeled "Limited Edition," contains 25 square feet of aluminum foil with an easy open tab. The packaging is blue with white and yellow accents.

// holiday printed foil //

1. Holiday printed foil

I just found this and bought it.

You probably might know all about it, but it was too fun not to share.

It’s foil with printed holiday patterns on it. Isn’t this the cutest for holiday parties or gifts.

You can see the holiday printed foil here.

A bundt cake dusted with powdered sugar sits on a white pedestal cake stand, reminiscent of the easiest gingerbread house recipe. Greenery decorates the base of the stand, adding a festive touch to the presentation.

// this gingerbread house pan //

2. Gingerbread house pan

This was the hit of the holidays last year.

It’s so easy to make and I sprinkled powdered sugar on the top to resemble snow.

The pan is so well-made and sturdy and comes with a brush to clean out the tiny little corners of the pan.

You can see the gingerbread house pan.

You can see the gingerbread house village here.

Two green cylindrical plastic devices with a slit, one showing a small metal blade inside; the other side displays the embossed logo "LITTLE ELF." These are tools for cutting wrapping paper.

// elf wrap cutter //

3. Elf wrap cutter

I love to gift wrap.

There’s something so satisfying about all the bows and wrapping paper and tags and the entire wrapping situation.

And this tool makes it so easy to wrap. It slides up the wrapping paper and cuts the roll perfectly every time.

You can see the elf wrap cutter here.

A bundle of warm white LED string lights with green wiring is shown. A green control box labeled "LOENDE" lists lighting modes such as Combination, In wave, Sequential, and more.

// battery-operated string lights //

4. Battery-operated string lights

I shared these with you all last year, but these lights are such an amazing to so many Christmas decorating challenges.

I’ve added them to the garland on this staircase and mantels and wreaths.

They are battery-operated and have so many different settings and a timer, too. The batteries lasted all season last year.

You can see the lights here.

A large red storage bag with green handles and trim, partially unzipped to reveal artificial pine branches inside, likely for storing a Christmas tree.

// Christmas tree storage bag //

5. Christmas tree storage bag

These are one of my favorite Christmas organizing finds.

The bags are so affordable and they keep the tree stored tight against anything that might get into boxes in the attic.

It’s a great solution and works with our nine foot tree.

You can see the Christmas tree storage bag.

A lush arrangement of pine-like green branches displayed in a white vase with vertical black stripes, set against a plain white background.

// faux Norfolk pine branches //

6. Faux Norfolk pine branches

Realistic faux branches are so hard to find for Christmas.

These branches are extra “drapy” (is that even a word). They are smaller (almost like picks) but there are 12 of them so they are super flexible and easy to decorate with.

They are a great, affordable option for greenery for Christmas displays.

You can see the faux Norfolk pine branches.

A white remote-control electrical outlet with a matching remote. The outlet has a standard plug socket and a small indicator, while the remote features multiple gray buttons labeled with "ON" and "OFF.

// wireless remote control //

7. Wireless remote control

Did you know we usually have NINE full-size Christmas trees around here?

This makes it SO MUCH easier to turn the tree on and off with a click of a button.

Plug in the base and the remote works instantly.

You can see the wireless remote control here.

Two white candles shaped like Christmas trees are lit and placed side by side on a wooden surface, with a decorated tree and string lights in the background.

// these battery-operated Christmas tree candles //

8. Battery-operated Christmas tree candles

This was my top-seller of the Christmas season last year.

And with good reason.

These trees are battery-operated and come with a remote and a timer, too.

You can see the battery-operated Christmas tree candles here.

A set of nested house-shaped metal cookie cutters with a small decorated gingerbread house cookie placed inside the smallest cutter.

// gingerbread cookie cutter set //

9. This Gingerbread cookie cutter set

If you are a Christmas cookie baker or if you have a Christmas cookie swap in the future?

This adorable set is perfect. I buy the roll of gingerbread cookie dough and you can cut out the houses and decorate.

You can see the cookie-cutter set here.

An open cardboard box containing six cream-colored, flameless LED candles neatly arranged in a single row. The candles have a ribbed texture and are ready for use.

A white plastic pen with a ridged grip and a clear suction cup attached near its top is placed on a light grey surface. The pen cap is removed and sits balanced on the pen. The scene is well-lit, showcasing the details of the pen.

A two-story house is decorated for Halloween with pumpkins, gourds, and lanterns lining the front steps and porch. The door features an autumn wreath, and the house number "Seven Hundred One" is displayed above the entrance. It's evening, with lights illuminating the house.

// dusk-to-dawn window candles //

10. Stick-on dusk-to-dawn window candles

Nothing says holiday like a little sparkle at the window.

These candles are dusk-to-dawn, so they come on when it gets dark and turn off in the morning. I have had the kind that plugs in before, but I had to unplug them every night and it was so hard.

These candles are so much easier to use and they were perfect in our windows last holiday season.

You can see the candles here.

 

A red and green storage case holds multiple rolls of Christmas wrapping paper and has clear pockets in the lid containing gift bags, ribbons, and bows. The case is open and organized.

// Christmas Gift Wrap Organizer //

11. This Christmas Gift Wrap Organizer

I have my gift wrap organizer all ready to go.

It comes with a large central area for the gift wrap and plastic pockets for bags and tags.

The organizer zips up and easily slides under a bed or on a shelf in a closet.

You can see the gift wrap organizer here.

A smiling woman holds a wrapped gift with "ho ho ho" printed on the paper, showcasing her creativity in DIY Christmas gift wrap. In the background, a Christmas tree is beautifully decorated with twinkling lights.

I just checked and Christmas is two months and two days away.

Can you even believe it?

I hope this was fun and you found a few things to help you get ready.

Shopping is always so much better with friends. 🙂

disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Posted On: October 23, 2025

Written By: KariAnne Wood

Comments

  1. Image for Corine Corine

    I had no idea about that foil! Good idea. Did you know that the box you’re holding in the last picture says “hohoho” but looks like “enjoy” upside down? That made me smile. Thanks for all the great tips.

    Reply
  5. Image for Rizae Rizae

    Nope.... to early to think Christmas! I made a promise to myself years ago, no thinking, buying or decorating until after Halloween! As it is the retail industry has bypassed Thanksgiving entirely and go from Halloween to Christmas in one jump!!! I will take each holiday as it comes. Big Hugs P.S. I love the idea of brass and deep green!

    Reply
  6. Image for Maureen Maureen

    How ever did you know, Karianne??? How could you know that I'm over here, planning my Christmas decor?? It's my very fave time to decorate and I start November 1, because one month of all the fabulousness is just never enough for me! I LOVE Christmas trees more than anything...any time of year...inside, outside (bathroom...shhh...don't tell anyone😉) Thank you for sharing...never too early❤️

    Reply
  7. Image for Renee Renee

    I was in Michael’s craft shop this week and the store was playing Christmas music….i love Christmas but for me, no decorating until Dec 1st!!!

    Reply
  8. Image for Jo Jo

    Every time I read your email, I find something that I must have! You have a great eye! Thank you for all the ideas & pics!!

    Reply
  9. Image for Sheilah Perry-Rosales Sheilah Perry-Rosales

    Lol Christmas? I haven't even put anything out for fall yet and we just had our first freeze.Just not in the holidays mood this year.

    Reply
  10. Image for Dory Messenger Dory Messenger

    I bought the foil 🙂 The gingerbread pans make me a little misty-eyed...my mom's birthday was December 21st, she loved gingerbread, and I always made it for her as her birthday cake. I had some old pans from my grandmother that I used for houses and trees. My mom has been gone for 15 years, but I held onto the pans and tradition. Sadly, they were in our Sanibel FL house which was completely destroyed several years ago by Hurricane Ian. Life flows on though, and I still bake the cookies we baked together from our family recipes, picturing my great grandmother sitting at the kitchen table chopping the pecans for one kind. Great finds today to try to keep the busy holiday period organized and on track!

    Reply
  11. Image for Marti Marti

    Can’t wait to see how you pull off RL w your blue/white living room, white furniture, etc! Seriously cannot wait!!

    Reply
  14. Image for Stacey Stacey

    KariAnne, I'm wondering if this problem is just something with my computer but for awhile now when I look at your blog, it's a little distorted. The photos are long and narrow making the pictures look off. Is it just me?

    Reply
  16. Image for JC JC

    A Ralph Lauren plaid classic Christmas is perfect for your home! Looking forward to seeing it! Im planning a "Nostalgic Christmas" digging out all the classic ornaments all the way back from our first Christmas and throughout the decades. Planning my Christmas decor and tree going up in 3 weeks as our second grandbabe is arriving around Christmas!! I have most my shopping completed. We gotta be super organized and plan as to be ready for his big arrival!

    Reply
  17. Image for Martha Martha

    KariAnne, you never disappoint! So many awesome things!! I can't wait to make the gingerbread house(s) with my grandkids!

    Reply

Comments are closed.