Sweet Stocking Stuffer Ideas

As we finish up our holiday shopping, it's easy to forget the finishing touches. Whether it's ingredients for Christmas Day brunch, wrapping paper for gifts or even a last minute present or two. We find ourselves frantically braving the mall on Christmas Eve, battling lines, and clawing out eyes over that last sweater or overpaying for a measly feet few of wrapping paper just to get the job done.

One of the things I often overlook are the stockings. They looks so pretty and festive throughout the month of December. But it's not until the final hours that I look them over and realize, "Shoot! They need to be filled!"

Luckily, we don't have to overthink stockings. My mom was awesome at keeping them simple and useful. She'd usually fill the stockings with every day items: toothbrushes, packs of gum, deodorant. I loved receiving the little things that I needed on a daily basis!  But even better, my mom would always slip in a few sweet items, and that was always super welcome!

If you find yourself scrambling for stocking stuffers at the last minute, direct your sights to CVS, where you can find both the every day items (toothbrushes, deodorant, gum, hair ties, etc) AND sweet stuff from their Gold Emblem line!  So many of the Gold Emblem treats are perfectly sized for those oversized socks hanging on the mantle! There is something for all the different people in your life:

Flavor Fiend

If you have someone who loves bold flavors, check out Gold Emblem's Habanero Barbeque flavored almonds or the eye-opening Cappuccino Biscotti Bites. Sure to tantalize the palette!

Nutty

We've all got a few nutty people we love :)  CVS offers a variety of trail mixes chock-full of nuts, as well as nicely-portioned packages of nuts like Cashews. Great to throw in a bag on the way to work or pack in a lunch!

Chocolate Lover

Who doesn't love a little cocoa? The Gold Emblem Select line has some tasty treats for those with a sweet tooth, from the  Gourmet European Dark Chocolate Bar to the variety of filled Milk Chocolate Truffles. We'd all love to see a few of these items in our stocking!

Cookie Monster

Nom nom nom!  Pair these Sea Salt Caramel Shortbread cookies with tea, coffee or crumbled over some ice cream. YES!

Minty Fresh

And for those who like to keep it simple, Soft Peppermint Puffs are a general crowd pleaser. Throw them in your purse or keep them in your car for a hint of freshness wherever you go.





For more holiday ideas from CVS, check out my other posts:

5 Tips for Getting Your Home Ready for a Holiday Party

Easy Dessert Ideas: 3 Ways Truffles Add Holiday Flair

Disclosure: I’m proud to partner with CVS/pharmacy for the Gold Emblem and Total Home Prep for Holiday Entertaining campaign. I am being sponsored to help lead this campaign, but all opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.

5 Tips For Getting Your Home Ready for a Holiday Party

'Tis the season...to host parties!  It's one of my favorite things about the holidays. I love attending parties (who doesn't enjoy an excuse to put on a cute holiday outfit?!), but I take supreme joy in hosting parties. Planning the menu, adding holiday flair around the home, creating a music playlist and, above all, a solid reason to clean my house.

Some people need more motivation than others. Don't judge me.

For as amazingly fun it is to host a holiday gathering, it's equally as stressful. I love finding the recipes, but the pressure is on day-of to get everything whipped up in time. Planning an outdoor lighting scheme with Hubby is fun...until you find the lights don't reach as far as you need them to or one of the strands is burned out. And it's absolutely motivating to enjoy a clean and tidy home. But the sweat and tears it takes to get there can be daunting.

Luckily, CVS is a one-stop shop for getting your home ready for the next holiday party!  Here are a few tips to follow when prepping for the gathering:

Stock the Pantry

I don't know about you, but I always come to a party hungry. And while you may have a fantastic main course prepared, appetizers and snack foods cannot be overlooked. The CVS Gold Emblem food line has everything from mixed nuts and crackers to scoop up dip to cookies and truffles. Salty and sweet is the perfect mix for a festive fete!

Deck the Halls, Stock the Bathrooms

Sometimes the small things are the easiest to forget. And there is nothing more embarrassing than running out of toilet paper in the middle of the party. Make sure bathrooms are stocked with Total Home Toilet Paper and Skin Wipes!

Keep Serving Easy

Don't get caught up in making sure you have enough plates to go around. And being stuck at the sink cleaning is not a fun task to look forward to. Keep serving easy with the Total Home disposable products. They have a full line of plates, napkins, cups, and utensils that are durable and neutral (white goes with everything!), which makes serving a breeze.

Clean Up!

Parties are the best motivator to clean up. Even if you don't have time for a deep clean, Total Home cleaning products make a quick tidy of the house a cinch. I love how versatile the Multi-Surface Wipes are (they literally can clean all the surfaces in your home before the guests arrive)!

Light the Night

It's time to make Clark Griswold proud. Plan those elaborate lighting patterns. CVS Total Home extension cords will make sure to illuminate even the most intricate of designs, both inside and out.

Now who's ready to party?!

Get the scoop on the CVS Gold Emblem and Total Home lines at www.cvs.com.

What are YOUR Party Readiness Tips?

Disclosure: I’m proud to partner with CVS/pharmacy for the Gold Emblem and Total Home Prep for Holiday Entertaining campaign. I am being sponsored to help lead this campaign, but all opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers

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Easy Dessert Ideas: 3 Ways Truffles Add Holiday Flair

This week marks the official onset of The Holiday Season. 

Are you freaking out yet?

We're curating recipes, shopping for gifts and getting ready to for party upon party over the next 5 weeks. Most importantly, we need to get ready for the season of entertaining friends and family! From preparing the house to preparing food, there are many little things that often slip our mind to make it a perfect party. CVS is a one-stop holiday shop that will make your holiday entertaining fun AND fancy!

And you're in luck. I have some creative ideas for you on how to give your holiday entertaining a little boost!  One of the items I absolutely love from CVS is their Gold Emblem Truffles. I could eat them all day long. 

(Not that I have. Or anything.)

These little gems can be used in several surprising ways that will wow your guests at the next holiday gathering. Here are 3 ways to use CVS Gold Emblem Truffles at your holiday parties:

Chop and Bake

Unwrap 5-10 of your favorite Gold Emblem truffles and roughly chop them on a cutting board. Add them to cookie and brownie mixes for an extra sweet treat!

Grate and Garnish

Serving eggnog at your next party? Grate 1 truffle over a glass of eggnog before serving for a tasty garnish.  Gold Emblem truffles would also be amazing grated over hot chocolate topped with whipped cream!

Sweet Snacks

Sometimes you just need to keep it sweet...and simple! During the holiday season, place small glass bowls of your favorite Gold Emblem truffle flavors around your house. Be sure to pick key rooms where guests are most likely to visit: the living room, the family room, the dining room and the kitchen. Your guests will love having a sweet fix whenever they want it!







CVS has many more holiday-party worthy products. Peruse the other Gold Emblem items and stock up for your next holiday gathering!

Disclosure: I’m proud to partner with CVS/pharmacy for the Gold Emblem and Total Home Prep for Holiday Entertaining campaign. I am being sponsored to help lead this campaign, but all opinions expressed are my own, and all product claims or program details shared should be verified at CVS.com or with the appropriate manufacturers.