It's hard to believe in just a few weeks, we will be gathering with friends and family for yearly holiday celebrations. Whether it's your turn to host Thanksgiving or an annual potluck, when you're opening your doors to loved ones this year, you might feel the pressure that comes with hosting.
From making a big dinner to putting together entertaining games and activities for the littlest members of the family, curating a shopping list for holiday celebrations might be overwhelming. That's why Shop TODAY editorial director Adrianna Brach stopped by TODAY to share essentials for making holiday gatherings less stressful.
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From dish serving warmers to what to wear, read on for all of the must-haves you need this holiday season.
Amazon holiday hosting essentials as seen on TODAY
Mueller Ultra-Stick 9-Speed Immersion
Brach says you'll no longer need a bulky blender to whip up your favorite fall foods. This bestselling and multifunctional immersion blender will add a fancy touch to Thanksgiving dinner. The blender comes with three different attachments which includes the blade blender, whisker and a frother, says the brand. So you can blend squash soups, pumpkin pie whipped cream and even a cafe-worthy pumpkin-spice latte.
Kitzini Macaron Silicone Baking Mats (Set of 2)
Whether you're working overtime for your kid's bake sales or it's your turn to holiday host, Brach says this reusable silicone mat makes baking 100 times easier and hassle-free. According to the brand, this nonstick mat comes in a pack of two, can withstand heat up to 480 degrees and is perfect for macarons, cookies and more. Plus Brach mentions you don't have to worry about a mess with oil and butter, she says the cookies will slide right off.
Elite Gourmet Triple Buffet Server Food Warmer (2.5-quart each)
If you need a solution to keep your side-dishes from going cold before the turkey is ready, Brach says this is the perfect option. Featuring three heat settings, this buffet warmer comes with three removable trays, and clear lids to keep meals at the optimal temperature. Or if you have guests bringing dishes, you can place theirs directly on the warmer instead.
Gloves In A Bottle Shielding Lotion
Excessive dishwashing and cleaning can wreak havoc on your hands and Brach says this is a beauty trick everyone needs to do on the morning of Thanksgiving. According to the brand, this lotion acts as a shield or "invisible gloves" that will protect your skin barrier from harsh soaps and cleaning products by locking in your skin's natural moisture.
Chartou Chunky Cable Sweater Sets
Since there's so much to do the morning of your hosting duties, Brach suggests wearing something that's both cozy and polished. She loves this sweater set that comes with a chunky cable knit turtle neck and matching skirt. Coming in nine different shades, she especially loves the elastic waist that anyone can appreciate on Thanksgiving day.
Tobatoba Wide Knot Headbands (Set of 6)
To add a simple elevated touch to your holiday look, Brach loves these velvet head bands that feature chic pearl accents. From neutral colors to animal prints, you get a total of six for the price of $10.
More Amazon holiday hosting essentials
Shop All Day contributor Makho Ndlovu previously stopped by TODAY to share some of her favorite holiday hosting essentials, from dutch ovens to friendly games.
Amazon Basics 18-Piece Kitchen Dinnerware Set
Skip the paper plates and upgrade your dinnerware with this 18-piece set. The white finish is timeless and will match any table setting for any upcoming holiday (plus, they'll all match). The set includes six dinner plates, dessert plates and salad plates that are all microwave, oven, freezer and dishwasher safe. Even if you're not hosting, it makes a great gift for a new homeowner or anyone that needs a kitchen refresh.
Berglander Flatware Stainless Steel 20-Piece Flatware Set
So, the dinnerware is in your cart — now you need silverware. This gorgeous set has over 2,200 verified five-star ratings and reviewers love it for how durable and expensive it looks. It includes four dinner forks, salad forks, dinner knives, tablespoons and teaspoons.
Capital City Mambo Sauce, Sweet Hot (Set of 2)
Ndlovu says she's had the sauce before and it's "delicious." Although it's infused with cayenne and habanero pepper, it's not too spicy — just sweet and tangy, she said. It can be used as a dipping sauce, marinade, glaze and so much more to bring just the right amount of heat to a dish.
Capital City Mild Mambo Sauce, Mild (Set of 2)
The mild sauce has a tomato base and a hint of sweetness to it. You can put it on everything from fish to rice bowls.
Capital City Mambo Sauce, Mild and Sweet Hot
If you want to try both sauces, you can grab them in a duo!
Brentwood Appliances Electric Stainless Steel S’Mores Maker
Forget the fire pit — you can make s'mores and stay warm indoors, at your kitchen table. It plugs right into an outlet and features convenient trays to hold all the fixings, like graham crackers and marshmallows. Not only can little kids make a fun treat over the holidays, but they can also use it as a fun activity on the weekends or for slumber parties.
Sharper Image Electric S'Mores Maker
Sharper Image's electric s'mores maker is another option to consider for the holidays. It boasts the same useful compartments and also comes with four stainless steel s'mores sticks.
Nostalgia Indoor Electric Stainless Steel S'Mores Maker
This s'mores maker, which was featured in today's segment, is the bestselling electric fondue pot on Amazon. It's out of stock right now, but you can shop the option above.
IHomeCooker 4-Piece Silicone Christmas Baking Mold Set
Holiday baking can be time-consuming for the perfectionist. This silicone mold set makes it easy to create professional-looking desserts in a breeze, thanks to fun shapes such as snowflakes and gingerbread men. They're easy to clean (you can toss them right in the dishwasher) and can also be used for soaps, chocolates, ice and more.
Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera
With all of the food, games and fun, you'll want to make sure someone is capturing it all. This instant camera makes it easy to let guests take pictures together (and then they have a favor to take home with them, too.) You don't need any ink cartridges or film, since the photos will print right on the photo paper in less than a minute.
More Amazon holiday hosting essentials
Elite Gourmet Platinum 7.5-Quart Triple Buffet Server
Once you've done all the cooking, kick your feet up and let everyone serve themselves. It can keep up to three side dishes warm and ready to serve at once.
Prodyne Appetizers On Ice with Lids
Whether you're putting shrimp cocktails out as an appetizer or serving up fruit salad with dessert, these innovative serving trays will keep everything at an optimal temperature.
The Coloring Table Holiday Design Rectangle Tablecloth
Keep little ones entertained at the kids table with this fun activity (that will also protect your tabletops). The holiday design features snowflakes, gingerbread people, trees, snowmen and more that they can color in while they wait to eat.
TableTopics Family Conversation Pack
Conversations at family gatherings can sometimes feel like a full blown "Saturday Night Live" skit. With this pack of conversation starters, you can (hopefully) avoid any holiday mishaps and learn more about the people around you.
Exploding Kittens Card Game
A fun card game is another way to get the whole family involved and engaged with one another over the holidays. Exploding Kittens is a bestseller with over 41,000 verified five-star reviews from shoppers, so it's bound to be a hit at your family function.
Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Electric Hand Mixer
The baking molds are just part of the final piece of the puzzle when it comes to holiday baking. If you don't already have one in your kitchen, an electric hand mixer can help you save time (and energy) with plenty of recipes.
Amazon Basics Glass Locking Lids Food Containers (Set of 20)
Once you've enjoyed big meals, it's time to stow them all away to enjoy as leftovers. This set of 20 includes glass containers that come in all different shapes and sizes.
Cheat Sheets Pro Set Sheet Pan Dividers
If you're short on time, sheet pan dividers are a smart way to cook multiple side dishes at once. These dividers can also be used for meal prep and baking.
Lodge Enameled Cast Iron 1.5-Quart Dutch Oven
Dutch ovens soared in popularity last year as making bread became a popular quarantine hobby, but they're useful for more than just baking. They prove useful for stews, rice dishes and make roasting chicken and searing large pieces of meat a breeze.
