November marks the beginning on the holiday season for many as work parties, gatherings with friends, and local holiday markets will kick off this month! While you may not feel prepared to utter the “C” word just yet, retailers and media will soon begin to bombard you with ol’Kris Kringle and his jolly crew of elves and reindeer. But fear not, because there are a few things to have on hand during the holiday season to help you get through the long haul of house guests, shopping trips, and parties.

1. Bites and bevys

We’ve all had that unannounced drop in from Aunt Cindy who won’t make it to Christmas dinner, but just had to stop by with gifts for the kids. And we’ve all felt guilty when we opened the fridge to find less than a 1/4 bottle of white wine, and nothing but leftover takeout to offer her. This year, be prepared by keeping a few bottles of wine, beer, and some non-alcoholic options on hand, but away from your personal stash.

Keep a well stocked pantry with things like nuts, artisan crackers and biscuits, along with some fancy cheeses or spreads in the fridge. Jars of olives and pickled veggies are also great to have on hand on hand during the holiday season, and all these pieces come together on a quick charcuterie board that looks like you had it planned all along!

Things to have on hand during the holiday season – Be prepared with a cozy space for overnight guests.

2. A cozy space

Did you forget how much Aunt Cindy loves her Pino? With the holidays comes over consumption, and it’s your job as host to ensure guests don’t get behind the wheel intoxicated. This means providing them with a cozy spot to sleep it off! If you’ve already got a guest bedroom, then it’s simply a matter of making sure you’ve got clean bedding ready to go at all times. If not, then you’ll need to be prepared with a plan to setup a temporary guest space. Some items to have on hand in this case would include an inflatable mattress and pump, spare pillows and bedding, and extra toiletries like a toothbrush. If you’ve got a futon or pullout sofa, consider getting a memory foam topper to make it more comfortable, which can easily be rolled up and stored when not in use.

Read: Preparing Your Home for Holiday Parties

3. Gifts of course!

The absolute worst feeling when someone stops by with a gift, is when you’ve got nothing to give in return. But a little forethought here can set you up as the kind and giving person you obviously are! A few great gifts to have on hand during the holiday season include scented candles; handmade soaps; fancy hot cocoa or coffee and tea sampler sets; assorted chocolates and truffles; herb and spice sets; picture frames; luxury hand creams; throw blankets; sparkling wine and spirits like Baileys or Kahlua. Keep a few of these easy and flexible gifts wrapped and ready to go at all times and you’ll be prepared for any unexpected gift givers!

Read: Tips For Staying Organized Over The Holidays

Must Haves to Keep On Hand in Your Bag This Season

1. Emergency TLC

Aunt Cindy isn’t the only one who overindulges during the holidays, we’re all guilty of enjoying a little too much of something at times. Be prepared for moments of “one too many” with a few self care items to have on hand during the holidays. What you carry will depend on your personal vices, but generally speaking an antacid or indigestion soother like Tums or Pepto; Tylenol or Advil for pain relief; toilet deodorizers like Poo-Pourri if you like to be discrete; cash for a taxi if driving isn’t an option.

2. Extra charge

The last thing anyone needs during the holidays is to get caught out in the cold with a dead phone. A smart thing to have on hand during the holiday season is a fully changed portable power bank. This way if you spend the night somewhere without your phone charger, or burn out your battery playing Heads Up until 2am, you’ll have enough of a battery boost to get you back home again.

3. Energy boost

Have you ever shown up to a dinner party only to find out that dinner is actually just appetizers and cocktails? If you held off of eating a proper meal beforehand expecting a feast, but instead get handed a pig in a blanket, you’ll need something a little more filling especially if you’ll be drinking. Just in case, keep a few protein or meal replacement bars on hand to give you a boost of energy in these situations. These can also be lifesavers during shopping marathons!

4. Gifts!

You never know who you’re going to bump into at the mall or your neighbours annual mixer. Keeping a stash of gift cards in your bag can turn you into a rock star gift giver, and can also be nice to have as you go about your daily routine. Maybe the staff at your regular lunch spot is super friendly and always remembers how you take your coffee. A $10-20 LCBO, Tim Hortons, or gas card is always a welcome gesture that will brighten anyone’s day, and is easy to have on hand during the holiday season. Extras left on Christmas morning can be tucked into cards and stockings!

Being a little more prepared with these handy items to have on hand during the holiday season will let you enjoy the shopping trips, drop ins, and mixers, knowing you’re ready for anything!