This blog post is a paid partnership with Big Lots for the Ho Ho Whoa Campaign. All thoughts, pictures, and opinions are my own.
Can you believe it? The holiday season is upon us. This means there will be plenty of impromptu get togethers and out-of-town house guests. While I am not the cook of the family, I like to think I make up for it by being the hostess. Now, don’t get me wrong – our house is now filled with three babies who have completely taken over, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t going welcome anyone and everyone into our home. They might just have to sleep on an air mattress, couch or in the crib with a babe. 😉
In order to make our house feel welcoming, I’ve decided to put together welcome baskets + update a few things to help them stay comfortable. I’ve filled the baskets with items you typically forget while traveling (hello, the holidays can be overwhelming and chaotic), as well as a few things to help them relax, feel welcomed and get through the holidays.
Since it is the holidays (and shopping is at an all time high), I knew I needed to pick up items that were going be budget friendly. Going along side of that, I needed somewhere that had everything under one roof. Who has enough time to drive all over picking up things from multiple stores? Not me! This is where Big Lots comes in. They have everything you need, from housewares to snacks to general household supplies. Plus, they offer affordable solutions for every season and category!
Tip: Before you shop, sign up for their Big Rewards program. You earn $5 reward every 3 purchase, find out when VIP shopping days are and more! Plus, you get a $5 off $15 coupon when you sign up! Cha Ching – saving money already!
When you walk into Big Lots, the first thing you need to do is pick out your basket. That way, as you shop, you can make sure everything fits! They have a wide variety, ranging in price. The size that I chose ranged in price from $9-$15.
Don’t forget to pick out one that you can use after your guests leave!
After I found the perfect basket, I started my hunt for items to fill it with. Big Lots has a HUGE variety of items that meet that demand. I was impressed to see brands such as Dr.Teal’s, Burt’s Bees and Dearfoams. Not only were they affordable, they were brands I trusted.
Picked up a pack of these for myself, too! 
How cute are these leopard slippers! We have hardwood floors, so this will be great for guests! 
Had to pick up these leopard socks for $5!
I suggest making a list before you go. Think about the items you typically forget when traveling, things that you wish you had in a room to make you feel more “at-home” and think about the guests who will be staying with you and what they like.
Items I searched for:
Snacks
Drinks
Deodorant
Hair-Ties
Make-Up Wipes
Face Mask
Lint Roller (we have cats)
Tissues
Loofa
A Snuggly Blanket
Candle
Miniature Signs
Pillows
+ Anything that caught my eye +
Lucky for me, Big Lots had all of the items I was looking for and more! I didn’t have to go to a single other store. Plus, I spent under $45.
I still can’t believe I found all of these great brands at such affordable prices.
Tip: Buy extra Ghiradelli chocolate. You won’t be able to resist it once you get it in your house!
While I was shopping for items to fill the basket, I ended up picking up a few extra things.. I noticed how affordable the bed-in-a-bags were and t thought, “What a great way to freshen up our room (or the air mattress) for our guests!” For $30, I was able to pick up an 8-piece comforter set! It included a queen comforter, shams, sheets and a decorative pillow. The perfect all-in-one set!! Right now, they’re on sale for $22.99! Pair that with your $5 off coupon and you’ve got yourself a steal!
Seeing that I was well under my budget, I went ahead and picked up new pillows, too. The two-pack was $20, making them $10 per pillow. Seeing that it is a cooling pillow and Serta brand, I thought that was a great deal. Plus, we needed new pillows for our room. Dual purpose purchase!
Now all that’s left to do is start the countdown for our guests to arrive. I just can’t wait for the holidays! Our girls were in the NICU the entire month of December, so this year is very special. I can’t wait to see everyone here together, under one roof – happy, healthy and feeling extra welcomed!
P.S. – Can I believe I got this all for UNDER $100?
