Get Your Home Holiday-Ready in Nine Steps

The weather is cooling down and the mood is festive. That can only mean one thing, the holidays are here! Soon enough your schedule will be full of holiday parties and family trips, and decorating your home may fall off the to-do list. Luckily, Martha has you covered with these 9 easy steps.

Step 1: Make a Grand First Impression

Welcome family and friends into your home with a festive entryway. Don’t have time during the busy holiday season to string lights along the roofline? Instead, hang artificial garland and wreaths adorned with ornaments for decor that will last all season. And if the project just isn’t complete without a touch of DIY, brighten up your walkway with lanterns made from perforated copper metal sheets and LED wire lights. You can also repurpose outdoor planters by topping them with pre-lit garland and an ornament kissing ball.

Step 2: Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree

You’ll spend so much time coordinating wrapping paper to bows, make sure the tree they sit under is equally eye-catching! Mix a traditional palette of red, green, and metallics with a bold wintery blue for maximum impact. Varying the size the shape of the ornaments will add dimension and fill in any gaps between tree branches. And for the final touch, craft a strand of ribbon garland and wrap it around the tree. DIY tip: use ribbon that has a wire edge so the links hold their shape.

Personalize your Christmas tree with DIY marbled ornaments. It’s a fun and family-friendly project that requires only a few materials. Create a few extra to give as gifts to neighbors, coworkers, and party hostesses.

Step 3: Welcome Santa Down the Chimney

The stockings have been hung from the mantel with care, but have you jazzed up the rest of the space for Santa’s arrival? Spruce up a strand of artificial garland with colorful ornaments to outline the fireplace. Set aside a few ornaments and arrange them on an artificial wreath with cotton batting and battery operated lights for a family-friendly decoration.

Step 4: Good Food, Good Times

Everyone’s favorite place to congregate is the kitchen. Make sure you’re ready to feed hungry mouths by having cooking and baking essentials on hand. Enameled cast iron cookware not only adds a pop of color, it’s also durable and provides an even heating surface to lock in moisture and flavor. Plus, this cookware is versatile; you’ll be amazed what you can cook up in a casserole and fry pan!

When it comes to your secret recipes, Martha’s kitchen tools have been redesigned to make cooking safer and more efficient. Non-slip grips, flexible materials, and better balance make them smarter and more functional than your average spatula.

Is it finally time to retire those rusty cookie sheets and cutters? Shop for a new collection and get the icing and sprinkles ready!

Take the hassle out of grocery shopping and recipe planning with the all-new Martha’s Holiday Cookie Box from Martha & Marley Spoon. Similar to the meal kit delivery service’s weekly dinner recipes, this holiday version comes with pre-portioned ingredients and trusted recipes to make 11 dozens cookies from scratch. You’ll learn how to make Big Martha’s Noel Nut Balls (Martha’s mother’s recipe), Brown Butter Cardamom Cookies, Chewy Chocolate-Gingerbread Cookies, and Double-Chocolate Peppermint Brownies. The kit also comes with parchment bags and baker’s twine to package your goodies for the neighborhood cookie exchange or to give as delicious gifts.

Step 5: Dressed to Impress

Gather around a beautifully dressed table for delicious food and merry conversation. A pre-lit artificial garland can be used as festive table runner when paired with seasonal centerpieces and candles.

Let your guests know what’s on the menu with a bistro-style chalkboard display.

Once everyone is seated, lift your glasses for a toast to the season.

Adorning the table with small decorations like glittered stars and votive candle holders adds visual appeal without cluttering up the space.

Create tiered stands using ceramic plates and pillar candleholders to display sweet treats.

And this is a celebration after all, so top your pies and cakes with paper mache glitter stars for a candle-like visual. Your tablescape will keep guests coming back for seconds!

Step 6: A Toast to the Holidays

Cozy up to the fireplace with a wintery cocktail served in glimmering gold barware. A matching set of glasses, a pitcher, and various cocktail-making tools is both functional and stylish. Choosing items in a lively hue like gold, allows them to transition from holiday parties into the new year.

Stock your bar with an assortment of seasonal wines and cocktail ingredients. Create a casual atmosphere by letting guests serve themselves, or elevate the mood by playing bartender.

Step 7: Guest Room Refresh

Spending time with family and friends is what the holidays are really about. Make your guests feel welcome, and extra cozy, with a bedroom made up just for them. Flannel bedding in fun patterns and colors creates a winter-friendly retreat for cold nights. Stock up on pillows, sheets, and duvets to plan for those you knew were coming, and for those who RSVP at the last minute.

Step 8: Hang the Stockings, Hang the Towels

Continue prepping for guests by making sure the bathroom is ready for their arrival. Essentials to have include a toothbrush holder, hand soap, and plenty of towels. Provide them with a variety of hand and wash towels so they have everything they need during their stay. For a thoughtful touch, set out towels in darker shades so guests can remove makeup without unsightly stains.

Step 9: Keep the Festive Spirit Going

Thank your holiday guests with cute DIY party favors. Decorate mugs with peppermint designs and stuff them with a bag of coffee beans, hot chocolate mix, or other treats. Help out your friends, who are also behind on holiday prep, by layering dry ingredients for your favorite cookie recipe in mason jars.

Attach a decorative tissue paper Christmas tree to the lid for extra sweetness.

If you’re hosting a cookie exchange, let your guests take home their treats in stenciled tins that can be reused for other baked goods.