Martha's Countdown to the Holidays

Martha's holiday décor collections are sure to add a festive touch to your entire home, from the mantel to dining table. Faux greenery and coordinated trimmings create an elevated look and become collector's items for your family to enjoy year after year. But don't forget to have a little fun. There are plenty of holiday decorating crafts that your kids will enjoy making and that you'll love having as precious keepsakes.

Break out the craft paint, stencils, and Cricut machine and turn ordinary items into unique decorations for your home. Choose projects that require minimal materials, dry time, and space so you don't become overwhelmed. Interested in hosting a neighborhood gathering around the holidays? Reinvent the traditional group event by hosting a DIY "crafternoon."

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Cricut Explore Air 2 Bundle, $279.99, michaels.com.

Be prepared for impromptu party invites, school functions, and office get-togethers by always having cookie dough on hand. Properly stored dough can last up to three months, and freezing the dough won't alter the baking instructions by much.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Bakeware, prices vary, macys.com.

Start the party prep early for those last-minute cookie swaps and out-of-town friend visits. Shop your holiday serveware and festive holiday mugs to mix your hot chocolate in. Then get cozy by the fire with plush throws and extra pillows.

Start your holiday shopping early to beat the crowds and choose from the best selection. If you're planning to shop online, keep in mind shipping schedules. Section your list by recipient, connection (family, neighbor, coworker), or interest (foodie, decorator, organizer) to make shopping more efficient. Also think about gifts that are easy to give to multiple people, like notebooks for coworkers, and wine or a gift basket for party hostesses.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Wine Co. Giftable Wine Packs, Prices Vary, marthastewartwine.com.

Choose recipes that are easy to make and allow you to separate yourself from the kitchen to mingle with guests. Martha's library of cookbooks and mobile app are great sources for menu planning inspiration.

Order these big-ticket items now, which can be conveniently handled online, and rest assured the main attractions of your holiday feast are taken care. Consider ordering additional ingredients to have on-hand for unexpected holiday guests and last-minute dinner parties. Plus, a festive gift basket or a bottle of wine are easy gifts for the holiday host.

Non-stick cookware and durable cooking tools allow you to spend time enjoying the day, instead of toiling over a hot stove and sink full of dishes. Martha's collection of enameled cast iron cookware is perfect for one-pot recipes that help reduce clean up time. 

Defrost your pre-made cookie dough and heat up the oven! Turn Sunday afternoon into a family bake-off sweetened with fun cookie cutters, decorating kits, dyed icing, and flavored sprinkles. Have the kids decorate cookies for their school parties, while you perfect your signature confection for the neighborhood cookie exchange. Store treats in festive cookie jars or tins that double as countertop decoration.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Bakeware, prices vary, macys.com.

Keep your guests cozy with layered bedding, plush robes, and festive decorative pillows. Throws laid at the end of the bed can be brought into the living room for a movie night by the fire. Bath towels in different colors or patterns help guests remember which one is theirs, and quick-dry fabric keeps them fresh.

Gifts with a DIY touch are great for neighbors, coworkers, and party hostesses. You can keep the cost low by purchasing multiple of the same item, like coffee mugs and tote bags. Monogram the recipients' initials, use their favorite color paints, or decorate with embellishments tailored to their personal styles. If you're not feeling crafty and willing to splurge a little more, a nice gift basket catered to the host's favorite snacks is the perfect holiday gift.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Craft Paints & Stencils, prices vary, michaels.com.

Prep your bar so it's ready to use when guests arrive. Stock it with alcoholic and kid-friendly drink options, a variety of glasses and mugs, and proper barware. Coordinated bar tools and accessories let you stir and pour with ease, plus it creates a polished look.

Get a head start to avoid a gift-wrapping marathon come Christmas Eve night. Add a touch of DIY to your gifts with Martha's holiday projects for wrap, boxes, and card holders. Or skip the wrapping entirely and opt for a no-wrapping-needed gift!

Pull out napkins, table runners, and other linens and scan them for rips, stains, and other wear. If you find you're in need of new linens, Martha's Winter Scroll Table Linen Collection consists of a festive tone-on-tone scroll motif on both the tablecloth and coordinating napkins.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Winter Scroll Table Linen Collection, macys.com.

One task you can complete before Christmas guests arrive is setting the table with linens, dinnerware, and tabletop trimmings. Beautiful dishes and serving platters printed with seasonal motifs can double as decorations. We also recommend taking inventory of serveware and utensils to make sure you don't run short right before the big feast.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Baroque Dinnerware, prices vary, macys.com.

Whether you still need a stocking stuffer or a small gift to supplement a larger one, Martha's collections are sure to round out your holiday shopping.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Bakeware, macys.com.

Stock up on last minute food prep needs. From cookie jars for cookie swaps to barware for entertaining, you can grab all you need from Macy's.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection, macys.com.

Besides the usual housekeeping chores like vacuuming and dusting, cozy up your home with decorative pillows and throws. Your guests will appreciate the home-away-from-home feel and you'll enjoy the additions long into the cold winter months.

Pop the bubbly, pass the appetizers, and say cheers to a new year! Make sure your cocktail shaker and bar tools are clean and polished after Christmas celebrations. Stock the bar with ease by ordering curated wine packs and individual bottles online. Martha's collection of cookbooks will help you build a menu of delicious finger foods that can be enjoyed all night long.

Make it an organized new year by switching out your 2019 calendars, storing dated paperwork, updating your go-to notebook, and tidying your desktop. Martha's collection of organization solutions are coordinated to work as a system, so you can outfit your entire workspace with beautifully designed and functional products.

Shop Now: Martha Stewart Office Supplies, prices vary, staples.com.

Ready or not, it's time for New Year's resolutions. If yours is to cook more often at home, try new recipes, or eat healthier, Martha & Marley Spoon meal kits can help. You'll receive fresh pre-portioned ingredients and step-by-step recipe cards at your doorstep each week.

Shop Now: Martha & Marley Spoon Meal Kits, starting at $48 per week, marleyspoon.com.