The holidays are such a fun time for entertaining friends and family. Whether it’s a large dinner or just some guests over for holiday drinks and hors d’oeuvres, it’s the best time of year to host a gathering. It’s also a time when small thoughtful gifts are appreciated. To celebrate, the Bronxmama team recently hosted a fun holiday meeting where we went over entertaining must haves and stocking stuffer gift ideas- so that we could share with all of you!

Entertaining

Real Simple Magazine

Before we even set a date for our holiday gathering, we turned to Real Simple Magazine for anything and everything to make life easier. From recipes to organizing and cleaning- to decor ideas. This magazine and website is a lifesaver and also makes a great subscription gift for someone. www.realsimple.com

Pull-Up Christmas Tree from Improvements

Of course, the main focus of holiday decor is often the tree. We were so excited to show off this Pull-Up Christmas tree from Improvements. This amazing tree comes fully decorated-including lights and ornaments- and can be assembled in five minutes. Simply pull the collapsible Christmas tree up around the pole, fasten to the tip of the pole, and plug in the attached cord. To store, simply unfasten the tip of the pole and collapse- and place in optional storage bag. www.improvementscatalog.com

Great News! Bronxmama readers can save 10% on the Pull-Up Christmas Tree using promo code BRONXMAMA.

Malleolus Wine from Emilio Moro

For the wine, we went with a bottle of Malleolus from Emilio Moro. This 2011 vintage Malleolus was pleasing to all of our guest- a great balance for those who prefer different reds. www.emiliomoro.com

Peapod Online Grocery Shopping

To make life simple, we used Peapod to order all of our food two days before. No running around necessary, everything arrived at our door the night before the party and we only needed to focus on the decor. We opted for a simple spread with festive snowflake crackers from Ritz, some cheese and salami, and a yummy Prosciutto Panino Roll. Later in the evening we made some grilled chicken with asparagus and parsley potatoes. Delish!  www.peapod.com

Bivi Sicilian Vodka

For our guests who wanted a little something more than a glass of vino, we had a holiday cocktail on hand. Using Bivi Vodka, we created a festive cranberry vodka with real cranberries and a mint for garnish. Everyone loved it and it was super simple to make. This Sicilian vodka is represented by none other than Chazz Palminteri (A Bronx Tale!), making this the perfect vodka for Bronx holiday fun. www.iconicbrandsusa.com

Walkers Shortbread Cookies

What holiday gathering is complete without some holiday cookies? While homemade cookies are always the best- these classic Walkers Shortbread cookies are a classic- and have a holiday version which is perfect. For a kids party these would be fun to decorate with icing too! www.walkersshortbread.com

Ninja Coffee Bar

To go along with the cookies of course, is a nice warm cup of coffee! The Ninja Coffee Bar is the perfect fit for holiday entertaining. With settings for a cup, travel mug, half carafe and carafe size, it works for both daily morning coffee breaks and when company is over. Unlike other machines that take pods, the Ninja Coffee Bar still has the classic brew basket- so it is the best of both worlds in the coffee world. There are also settings for Classic Brew, Rich Brew, Over Ice Brew, and Specialty Brew- so it’s seriously the closest you’ll have to having a coffee house on your small NYC apartment. We can’t get enough of this and we know it makes an excellent gift for coffee lovers also. www.ninjakitchen.com

Stocking Stuffers

Vitabath Body Wash and Lotions

You can never go wrong with a good bath set for a stocking stuffer- everyone wants to be clean and smell amazing. We’ve recommended Vitabath for several holiday round ups now, and this year is no different. Not only do the body washes and lotions smell amazing all day long, the products are all sulfate and paraben free- making this the perfect gift for anyone. There are also some great holiday scents like Spice is Nice and Sweet Pink Peppermint. While there are some stores in the NYC area who carry these great products- ordering online is always an option and there are always some great specials to look out for. www.myvitabath.com

Art Therapy Subscription

If you didn’t already know that adult coloring books are all the rage- now you do! It’s been found that coloring reduces stress and anxiety- so it’s no wonder plenty of moms are grabbing their colored pencils and creating masterpieces. We’re loving this Art Therapy subscription collection- where you receive new magazines and other goodies. This makes a great gift idea and one you can participate in together. us.arttherapycollection.com

Smokey Eye Shadow Palette from MUA at CVS

For the makeup lovers, CVS/pharmacy’s exclusive premium-quality cosmetics brand, Makeup Academy has a great collection of makeup in their premium collection makeup brand. We are lovin’ these eyeshadow palettes, which come in some great colors and sleek packaging. We shared the Smokey Eye palette with the Bronxmama team- perfect for upcoming holiday parties and events. www.cvs.com

Unicorn Headbands from Brooklyn Owl

For a fun stocking stuffer idea for kids, we are loving these unicorn horns from Brooklyn Owl. We already love the fun cat ear headbands that have been around- but we think these are a super fun headband kids will love to be playful and have fun with. There are also smaller unicorn and monster horns, as well as cat ears, fun clips, and more. www.brooklynowl.com

Bolden Shea Oil

With winter comes dry skin- so when thinking of some great beauty products for stocking stuffers, oils can be a great addition. These Bolden Shea Oils are a great idea- which can be used on face, body, and hair. www.boldenusa.com

Cherokee Accessories from Target

Another great stocking stuffer for kids are fun accessories from Cherokee. Since their clothing and accessories are at such a great price point, you can pick up a few cute items and you’ve got a full stocking. We are loving the adorable hats and ear warmers we picked up on our last trip to Target, and of course Cherokee carries a great selection of tights also. www.target.com

No Nonsense Leggings, Tights, and Boot Socks

If you’re like we were, when you think of No Nonsense you immediately think of just hosiery and tights. But after taking a look at their latest look book, we realized they also have leggings, boot socks, and more! We love the idea of filling a stocking with a few legging styles- denim leggings, cotton leggins, and a cute pair of boot socks.

We had such a great time getting together with the team and thinking of some great entertaining must haves and stocking stuffer ideas that are also affordable! Stay tuned for gift ideas for the whole family!

-Team Bronxmama

We received samples to facilitate this guide- all opinions expressed are our own.