Holiday Kitchen Essentials You’ll Actually Use for Baking & Hosting

The holiday season always seems to involve more time in the kitchen. Between baking cookies, making homemade treats, putting together appetizers, mixing festive drinks, and hosting family and friends, having the right kitchen tools can make everything feel a little easier.

I also love kitchen pieces that are practical but still pretty enough to leave out on the counter or bring straight to the table. A beautiful Dutch oven, a good set of serving platters, or festive glassware can be just as much a part of your holiday decor as the decorations themselves.

Whether you’re getting ready for Christmas baking, hosting a holiday dinner, or simply want to make your kitchen feel a little more festive this season, these are some of the best holiday kitchen essentials to have on hand.

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Holiday Baking Essentials

Holiday baking is one of my favorite parts of the season. Cookies, breads, homemade candy, and festive desserts are much easier when you have a few dependable baking tools ready to go.

1. Nordic Ware Half Sheet Pans

A good sheet pan is one of those kitchen basics you’ll use far beyond the holidays.

The Nordic Ware Naturals Half Sheet Pan set includes two commercial-quality aluminum pans that work for everything from Christmas cookies to roasting vegetables for holiday dinner.

The reinforced steel rim also helps prevent warping, which is especially helpful when you’re baking batch after batch of cookies.

They’re simple, durable, and something you’ll reach for all year.

Best for: cookies, roasted vegetables, appetizers and sheet-pan meals.

2. Checkered Chef Cooling Racks

Cooling racks are especially useful during holiday baking season when the kitchen seems to be covered in cookies.

These Checkered Chef stainless-steel cooling racks have a grid design that gives baked goods plenty of airflow while keeping smaller cookies from slipping through.

They can also be used inside sheet pans for roasting and cooking, making them more versatile than a basic cooling rack.

Best for: cookies, cakes, glazed treats and roasting.

3. Holiday Cookie Cutter Set

If you’re making Christmas sugar cookies or gingerbread cookies, a set of festive cutters instantly makes them feel more special.

This 18-piece holiday cookie cutter set gives you plenty of seasonal shapes to work with without having to purchase each cutter individually.

They’re also fun to use for sandwiches, pie crust decorations, brownies and other holiday treats.

Best for: Christmas cookies, gingerbread and holiday baking with kids.

4. Holiday Silicone Baking Molds

Silicone molds are one of the easiest ways to turn a very simple recipe into something seasonal.

These Christmas silicone molds can be used for chocolate, candy, cakes, gelatin and other homemade treats.

They’re especially useful when you want to create something festive without spending hours decorating.

Best for: chocolates, candy, mini cakes and homemade holiday gifts.

5. Pumpkin and Fall Silicone Molds

I also love having seasonal molds that can carry you from fall into Thanksgiving.

This four-piece pumpkin silicone mold set includes pumpkins, leaves and acorns that work beautifully for homemade chocolates, candy and dessert decorations.

They’re especially useful if you host Thanksgiving or like making edible gifts during fall.

Best for: Thanksgiving desserts, chocolate, candy and autumn entertaining.

6. Donut Pans

Homemade baked donuts are such a fun addition to a holiday brunch.

This set of two nonstick donut pans makes 12 full-size donuts at once, so you can bake enough for a group without making multiple batches.

Try using them for cinnamon sugar donuts, pumpkin donuts, apple cider donuts or chocolate donuts topped with festive sprinkles. But don’t stop there.

I love using donut pans as ice molds for holiday drinks, like these cranberry wreath ice molds!

Best for: Christmas morning, holiday brunch, homemade baked donuts, cocktails and mocktail ice.

7. Cookie Scoop Set

Cookie scoops make such a difference when you’re baking several batches of cookies.

This three-piece cookie scoop set includes one-, two- and three-tablespoon sizes, making it useful for cookies as well as muffins, cupcakes and even ice cream.

Using a scoop also helps cookies bake more evenly because they’re all roughly the same size.

Best for: cookies, muffins, cupcakes and portioning dough.

8. Gold Measuring Cups and Spoons

Kitchen tools don’t necessarily have to be hidden away.

This eight-piece gold measuring cup and spoon set has wood handles that give it a much prettier look than standard plastic measuring cups.

They’re functional for everyday cooking and baking but also look beautiful sitting next to ingredients when you’re photographing a recipe or setting up a holiday baking station. I use them in my videos and love them because they’re so pretty and also add to the holiday aesthetic.

Best for: holiday baking, photo-taking, and a pretty kitchen display.

9. Stainless-Steel Whisk Set

A few different whisk sizes are surprisingly useful during holiday cooking.

This three-piece stainless-steel whisk set includes 8-, 10- and 12-inch balloon whisks for everything from small batches of sauce to cake batter. I use them a lot when I’m making homemade simple syrups, like my pumpkin spice syrup recipe.

They’re an inexpensive kitchen basic that you’ll use constantly throughout the year.

Best for: batters, sauces, whipped cream, eggs and homemade syrups.

10. Harvest Bounty Loaf Pan

A decorative loaf pan makes even a simple quick bread feel special enough to serve during the holidays.

The Harvest Bounty Loaf Pan has an intricate seasonal design that gives breads and cakes a beautiful finish without additional decorating. And the best part? It’s actually incredibly easy to use! Just use a baking spray or grease generously and the bread will come out without much effort.

It’s especially pretty for holiday favorites like pumpkin bread, cranberry orange bread, gingerbread or another holiday loaf.

Best for: pumpkin bread, gingerbread and holiday food gifts!

Holiday Cooking and Kitchen Prep Essentials

Once the baking is underway, there are a few other kitchen pieces that make holiday cooking and prep much easier.

11. Martha Stewart 7-Quart Dutch Oven

A large Dutch oven is one of the most versatile pieces you can have in your kitchen during the holidays. And you don ‘t have to spend hundreds of dollars for an efficient one (although I do love my Le Creuset dutch oven that I keep on the stove year round).

The Martha Stewart Gatwick 7-Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven comes in a linen-white finish with gold detailing that is pretty enough to bring straight to the table.

Use it for soups, braised meats, sauces, bread, side dishes and one-pot meals.

The seven-quart size is also helpful when you’re cooking for a group but I personally love my 5.5 quart dutch for my family of four.

Best for: soups, braising, bread and holiday dinners.

12. Crock-Pot 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is invaluable when you’re hosting because it frees up precious oven and stovetop space. And if you get a beautiful one, you don’t have to feel icky about having it showing on your kitchen counter.

This 7-quart Crock-Pot Design Series Slow Cooker is large enough for party-size recipes and has a pretty desert sage finish.

I’m partial to this white slow cooker because it looks elegant and is light-weight! Plus, it actually works very well and has allowed me to make a great-tasting stew and slow-cooker hot chocolate for a holiday party!

Use it for appetizers, soups, side dishes, mulled cider or a big batch of slow-cooker hot chocolate.

It’s also an easy way to keep food warm while guests help themselves throughout the evening.

Best for: parties, hot chocolate, appetizers and make-ahead holiday meals.

13. Glass Saucepan

A small glass saucepan is especially useful for holiday recipes that don’t require a large pot.

This 1.5-liter heat-resistant glass saucepan is a pretty option for warming milk, melting ingredients or making homemade coffee syrups and sauces.

Because the pan is clear, you can also see exactly what’s happening while your ingredients cook.

Best for: homemade syrups, sauces, milk and small-batch recipes.

14. Gold Fine-Mesh Strainer Set

Fine-mesh strainers are useful for much more than draining pasta.

This three-piece gold stainless-steel strainer set includes three different sizes for straining homemade syrups, dusting desserts with powdered sugar, rinsing ingredients and removing solids from sauces.

The gold finish also makes them a little prettier than standard kitchen strainers.

Best for: syrups, cocktails, baking and kitchen prep.

Coffee Bar and Homemade Syrup Essentials

Holiday coffee drinks are one of the easiest ways to make an ordinary morning feel seasonal.

If you make homemade pumpkin spice syrup, brown sugar cinnamon syrup, vanilla syrup or other coffee-shop-inspired drinks at home, these small tools are especially handy.

15. Glass Coffee Syrup Dispenser

A simple syrup tastes even better when your coffee bar looks good too.

This glass coffee syrup dispenser holds about seven ounces and has a metal pour spout that makes it easy to add homemade syrup to coffee and lattes.

Fill it with pumpkin spice syrup, brown sugar cinnamon syrup, vanilla syrup or even maple syrup.

Best for: homemade coffee syrups and holiday coffee bars.

16. Espresso Measuring Cups

These six-ounce espresso measuring cups come in a set of two and have pretty wood handles.

They’re useful for measuring espresso, pouring milk, serving small amounts of syrup and preparing homemade lattes.

The clear glass also makes them especially nice if you enjoy creating coffee drinks at home.

Best for: espresso, homemade lattes and measuring syrups.

Holiday Serving Essentials

Pretty serving pieces are some of the most useful holiday purchases because they instantly make even simple foods look more special.

A store-bought appetizer or basic batch of cookies can suddenly feel party-ready just by placing it on a beautiful board or platter.

17. Cake Stand With Dome

This HOMESPHERE acacia wood cake stand is particularly useful because it can be used in several different ways.

Use it as a traditional cake stand with the clear dome, then flip or repurpose the wooden base for cheeses, crackers, fruit and other appetizers.

It gives you the look of several different serving pieces without needing to store several different products. Or get a more traditional cake stand like this one, that’s all clear.

Best for: cakes, cookies, pastries and charcuterie.

18. Ceramic Casserole Dish Set

Holiday side dishes look so much better when they can go directly from the oven to the table.

This MALACASA ceramic casserole dish set includes three different sizes with handles and a neutral khaki-white finish.

Use them for casseroles, baked pasta, vegetables, breakfast bakes and holiday desserts.

Best for: casseroles, baked pasta, side dishes and holiday brunch.

20. Drip Coffee Maker

You’ll most likely have guests asking for coffee at the end of the night, especially when you bring out the dessert platter! Having a ten-cup drip coffee maker is the easiest option.

I love my Cafe Coffee Maker because it’s beautiful and goes with my kitchen, so I’m able to leave it on the counter as a focal point.

21. Serving Platters

Another option for larger gatherings is this three-piece Vancasso ceramic platter set.

The generous oval shapes are ideal when you’re serving larger portions, including turkey, ham, vegetables or an assortment of appetizers.

Having several sizes also makes it easy to create a coordinated buffet or tablescape.

Best for: Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner and family-style serving.

22. Three-Tier Dessert Stand

When table space is limited, going vertical is one of the easiest solutions.

This three-tier white dessert stand lets you display cupcakes, cookies, pastries and appetizers without taking up nearly as much table space as several individual platters.

It also creates instant height on a dessert table, which makes the entire setup look more styled. I love having a few three-tiered stands to use them throughout the year, like this Halloween-themed one below. It makes such a difference in presentation!

Best for: dessert tables, cookies, cupcakes and appetizers.

23. Marble and Acacia Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is one of my favorite entertaining pieces because it makes hosting feel easy.

This CharQ marble and acacia wood board set combines two materials for an elevated look and comes with accessories for serving cheeses and other snacks.

Arrange cheese, crackers, fruit, nuts, chocolates and cured meats for a simple appetizer guests can enjoy as soon as they arrive.

Wooden serving boards can be used in so many ways around the holidays. Just look at the Halloween dessert board I made with a simple round board!

Best for: cheese boards, appetizers and holiday parties.

Holiday Drink and Cocktail Essentials

A small holiday drink station is one of the easiest ways to make a party feel festive.

You don’t have to make complicated cocktails, either. Sparkling cider, punch and simple mocktails feel special when they’re served in beautiful glassware.

25. Gold-Rimmed Coupe or Margarita Glasses

Coupe glasses instantly make holiday drinks feel more festive.

This set of four ribbed coupe glasses has gold rims and a vintage-inspired shape that works for espresso martinis, champagne, cocktails and mocktails. I’m partial to margaritas, so I love this set, too.

They’re beautiful enough to become part of your table or bar-cart decor even before you pour the drinks.

Best for: champagne, espresso martinis, cocktails and mocktails.

26. Gold Bartender Kit

If you’re making cocktails for guests, having all of your tools together makes the process much easier.

This 23-piece gold bartender kit includes a shaker, mixing spoon, muddler and other bar essentials stored in a bamboo stand.

It would also make a great holiday gift for someone who loves hosting.

Best for: home bars, cocktails and entertaining.

27. Wooden Cocktail Rimmer Set

This three-piece wooden cocktail rimmer set gives you individual compartments for salt, sugar and other garnishes.

Try filling them with homemade cinnamon sugar, crushed candy cane, coarse sugar or traditional cocktail salt depending on what you’re serving.

They’re especially fun for creating a holiday drink station where guests can customize their own drinks.

Best for: margaritas, mocktails and holiday cocktail stations.

28. Large Glass Pitcher

A large pitcher is another entertaining staple you’ll use constantly.

This 68-ounce glass pitcher works for water, iced tea, juice, lemonade, sangria, punch and other holiday drinks.

The simple clear-glass design allows colorful drinks and garnishes to become part of the presentation.

For Christmas, try filling it with a cranberry punch garnished with fresh cranberries, orange slices and rosemary.

Best for: punch, cider, mocktails and infused water.

Holiday Table Essential

29. Christmas Plaid Cloth Napkins

Finally, don’t overlook the little details that make the table feel finished.

This set of 12 cotton plaid cloth napkins adds an instant holiday touch without requiring an entirely new set of Christmas dishes.

Pair them with white plates and simple glassware for an easy holiday table that still feels festive.

Because they come in a set of 12, they’re also practical if you’re hosting a larger group.

Best for: Christmas dinner, holiday brunch and seasonal tablescapes.

Putting Together Your Holiday Kitchen

You definitely don’t need every item on this list to host a beautiful holiday gathering.

Start with the pieces you’ll use most often.

If you love baking, invest in dependable sheet pans, cooling racks and cookie scoops. If entertaining is more your thing, a few neutral serving platters, a charcuterie board and pretty glassware will go a long way.

And if your holiday season usually involves feeding a crowd, larger pieces like a Dutch oven and slow cooker can make hosting considerably easier.

I especially like choosing kitchen pieces that aren’t limited to Christmas. Neutral white serving platters, wood boards, glass pitchers and quality bakeware can be styled differently throughout the year while still feeling perfect for the holidays.

A few festive details—plaid napkins, Christmas cookie cutters or seasonal molds—are all you need to bring in the holiday feeling.

Whether you’re planning Christmas dinner, putting together a holiday brunch, baking cookies with family or hosting friends for drinks, having a few beautiful and practical kitchen essentials ready makes the season that much easier—and a lot more fun.