Happy December, dear readers – Christmas is almost here, but there’s still time for last minute buys to make the holiday extra wonderful!
This post is a compilation of your favorite items from my posts, and things I’ve ordered or got in my cart, that will help make our Christmas tables, meal prep, and time with our friends and family even better!
A lot of these last minute buys are actually on sale right now, and as of Thursday Dec 9, 2022, Amazon is saying they’ll arrive before Christmas. (If it’s after that date, check anyway – you never know, and Amazon can be amazingly fast!) Just click on the product pictures to go to the shopping pages.
Let’s jump right in!
Last minute buys for table setting elegance
Silver chargers
These lovely silver chargers are perfect last minute buys for your holiday dinner tables. Along with the copper below, these are one of the items most-purchased by Mantel and Table readers. I know you guys love them as much as I do.
They’re lightweight, sturdy, and inexpensive! Plus, beautiful!
If you want to see them in action, here’s one post they’re in. A WARM ELEGANT RED ROSE TABLESCAPE
Cut crystal glasses
These are also right up there in the M&T readers’ favorites. And they’re my favorites too. I actually broke one the other night, after 20+ years of everyday use. They’re super strong and heavy. And of course, beautifully sparkly on the table!
They’re perfect for highballs, and I use them for water almost every night. They’re great for flowers too!
You can find them in this post A RIDICULOUSLY EASY AND BEAUTIFUL TABLESCAPE
Mercury glass candle holders
Another reader favorite, this piller candle holder trio is just lovely! The tallest is about 12″. They’re deceptively lightweight and gorgeously sparkly. They’re beautiful on the table, and also great for vignettes anywhere in the house.
Here they are on the mantel in this post FINALLY! MY BEAUTIFUL NEW MANTEL AND A HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!
Crystal napkin rings
You already know I’m all about the sparkle, right? I know you M&T readers are too, because sparkly napkin rings are some of your most-purchased items from my posts.
I have these gorgeous crystal napkin rings in my cart, and can’t wait to get them in time for Christmas dinner. This picture doesn’t do them justice – they’re just stunning!
Last minute buys for making your own custom place settings
Oh boy! These last minute buys are going to make you so happy! If you missed this post, DO YOU WANT A FABULOUS SOLUTION TO TWO CLASSIC TABLE SETTING PROBLEMS?! run – don’t walk – and see how you can have an endless variety of different looks with just one set of plates, tissue paper, and the fabulous Tack-It-Over-and-Over!!
If you couldn’t tell from all the exclamation points, I’m SO excited about this super easy DIY! It’s just like decoupage, except less messy, plus after dinner, the tissue washes right off! No need to store an extra set of dishes, and the pattern options are virtually limitless!
There’s a video in the post above that will walk you right through it.
Last minute buys – Copper
After silver and sparkle, M&T readers love copper! Me too!!
After I posted about these darling dutch ovens, you all bought them in record numbers!
UPDATE – unfortunately, it looks like these are out of stock at all the places I looked! If you click on the picture below and go to the shopping site, you could check stores in your area and/or get on the notification list for when they’re back in stock.
Here’s the post where these beauties were featured IS THERE ANYTHING BETTER THAN EATING OUTSIDE AT A BEAUTIFUL FALL TABLE?
Then we have these gorgeous copper chargers and flatware. They’re in the photo above, and also in the one below. They’re so super versatile – I’ve used them over and over, and I always get compliments!
See the copper here: HERE’S A SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL AND BRIGHT COPPER TABLESCAPE FOR FALL
Kitchen
I only have one kitchen recommendation, but it’s fabulous! You know how at the holidays when you’re chopping a screaming ton of onions? Your chopping hand is sore and your eyes are running? Well THIS last minute buy is totally the answer!
My SIL had this when we visited for Thanksgiving, and I’m in love! You put this gadget over the onions on your cutting board, push down briskly several times, and you’ve got fabulously chopped onions – just the right size – and no tears! Absolutely amazing!
Plus it has a bottom to it. In case you don’t have a cutting board, you can just put your onion right in there, close it up, and chop away! No fumes, no mess. I couldn’t get over it, so SIL ordered me one right then and there, and it arrived the very next day! I brought it home with me and I’ve already used it a ton, because it chops other things too! My new very favorite kitchen utensil! And dishwasher safe.
Last minute buys – Christmas games!
Swappy White Elephant Exchange Game
UPDATAE – this little guy is apparently sold out everywhere! I did find one on eBay, but there are other types of white elephant games on Amazon, which this picture link will now take you to. Or you could make up your own if you’re so inclined. I’ll keep checking and let you know if he comes back in stock – we could always save him for next year!
This is in my cart too and I can’t wait! We usually do a game at Christmas, and this is such a darling take on the white elephant gift exchange. You all sit in a circle with wrapped white elephant gifts in the center. You can provide them all, or have your guests each bring one – whatever works for your group.
The first person takes the cuddly white elephant and pulls a card out. Then just follow the directions as you pass the elephant around the circle. You might get to steal a present, laugh like Santa in order to keep the present you already have, sing a carol, or do any number of silly holiday-based things.
I’m really looking forward to playing this game with my family this year! Be sure to watch the video on the shopping page.
Beat That! Game
It’s also good to get up and move around after a big holiday meal, or in preparation to the annual holiday movie, or just to squeeze in between Christmas activities. Beat That! is also in my cart. The games are so fun and get you all up and going. Be sure to watch the video on the shopping page for this one too! It made me want to play with plastic cups and go bounce a little ball right this minute.
It’s games like this that your family will remember forever!
Holiday Storage
When it’s time to put Christmas away, it’s great to have somewhere specific – and safe – to put all your ornaments. If you don’t have a system yet, or you need to update yours, take a look at the two last minute buys below.
Of all the storage ideas I recommended last year, these were your favorites. More readers bought these two than any others.
The thing I like most about them is that the trays have sides. That makes it so much easier to lift out the separate sections without your ornaments falling out if you need to get to the bottom ones first.
Here’s the post I did about storing your Christmas ornaments. I update it each year as I find new things. It’s time to update again 10 EASY CREATIVE TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT STORAGE
And that’s it for our last minute buys for Christmas! Let me know if you have questions about any of these, or any comments on any of them – I always love to hear what you think.
Those miniature dutch oven copper pots…be still my heart! I am SUCH a #tablewarewhore LOL. Also, those ornament storage bags are genius! Great post full of inspiring ideas, Barbara!
Hi Janet! I know – aren’t those little pots fabulous?! So glad you liked the post – so many fun things to do and get at Christmas! 😊 Thanks so much for stopping by and hope you’re having a great season!
These are all amazing ideas, Barbara! I have these mercury glass candle holders on my wish list!
Oooh – you’re going to love them! 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by Marieza, and Happy Holidays!
Great post Barbara with many things to tempt, for sure! I remember your table with those dutch ovens and how cute they were – its probably a good thing that they are out of stock lol since I have absolutely no where to store them. And I remember those beautiful plates you made – definitely pinned that! You’re new mantel looks gorgeous by the way and I love the crystal napkin rings – they don’t take up much room, right? Thank you for sharing all your wonderful ideas and wishing you the merriest holiday season my friend!!
Ha – no the napkins rings hardly take up any space at all! 🤣 So sweet of you to stop by Kim! I hope the season is treating you well too! Take care till next time!