We were chatting with some friends recently about what we are thankful for, both this month and every day of the year. While we’re all thankful for good heath, friends and family, we are also thankful for things that make our lives easier, especially during the dash through the holiday season. So we got to thinking: What are some of our favorite things that can take some of the stress out of the most wonderful (and busiest) time of the year? We’ve put together a collection of helpful FINDS that can make gift giving, decorating and entertaining a bit easier this November. Enjoy!

BOOKS & SUCH

Book of gratitude

A lovely little book that celebrates the spirit of Thanksgiving all year long, Happily Grateful is full of expressions of gratitude (and is handy for those who need inspiration for thank-you notes. Just sayin’). Find it for $9.95 at The Booksellers at Laurelwood.

Inspirational planner

We are thankful in so many ways that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is part of the Memphis community! Get a jump on 2017, or your holiday gift list, with the 2017 St. Jude planner, $30, available at the St. Jude gift shop or online. The planner includes artwork inspired by St. Jude patients and quotes from its founder, the inspirational Danny Thomas.

HOME

Ceramic Vases

We are thankful that a quick change can easily bring fall colors and new textures to our home for holiday entertaining! Cream and orange ceramic vases, $19.99 each from Stash Home, are just the ticket to celebrate the warm hues of fall.

Thanksgiving table accessories

We’re thankful for beautiful trimmings for our Thanksgiving table. From Babcock Gifts: Etta B Pottery turkey, $128; Roseanne Beck Collection cocktail napkins and Caspari cocktail napkins, $5.25 per pack, and gold-edged stemware, $275 and $640 each.

Silverplate punch bowl

We are thankful for the gleam that silver serving pieces bring to the holiday season. We love it, whether sterling or silver-plate, and this huge punch bowl, about 18 inches in diameter, can either be a vessel for a fab holiday punch or a gorgeous floral container. Find it for $250 from Sheffield Antiques Mall.

Cozy comforts

We’re thankful – no, beyond thankful! – that the weather has FINALLY cooled down. So now we can get cozy with these accessories from The Stovall Collection: Barefoot Dreams blanket, $165; disposable thankful cups, eight for $8; pillow, $62; and holiday cheer box of teas, $47.

Mistletoe candle

Love is all around, according to one of our fave holiday movies, Love Actually. So we’re grateful that the scent of holiday love stories, also known as mistletoe, can be all around our home, thanks to a hand-crafted holiday candle, $24, from Falling into Place. Paging Mr. Right!

Collegiate yard art

We are thankful for all those college students coming home for the holidays, and what better way to show school spirit than with a cute piece of yard art? From Millstone Market, this University of Memphis tiger, $24, is just one of the regional colleges available to decorate your yard or buy as a gift.

Ready-to-go floral garden

We are SO thankful for anyone who can arrange flowers. Some of us (cough! Yours truly …), are still learning this skill. A pretty basket filled with fall color from Stringer’s Poplar Pointe Garden Center, $39.99, is an easy way to bring a seasonal touch to the porch or patio.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Fall lip colors

We’re grateful that as the weather turns cooler, we have gorgeous new lip colors to hydrate our lips with a beautiful matte finish! From Heather Boutique, (L-R) Lip Stay Perfection, Desire, Natural, Buff and Bombshell, $29 each.

Blue Q bags

We’re suckers for a sturdy bag, whether to use for cosmetics, loose change or packing all those cords and accessories when traveling. So we’re thankful there is always a fun selection of colorful and quirky Blue Q bags, $3.99 to $6.99, at Sprouts. (Hint: Grab a stack of the card-sized cases for cute gift card holders for the teenagers!)

FOODS & MORE

Tea selection

We’re thankful for places that you can pick up a quick (and already festive!) gift for a friend or hostess, like this selection of teas by My Cup of Tea, the social enterprise that offers vocational training to women in the Orange Mound community. Best of all, you’re supporting a great organization! From The Curb Market, $10.

Rosemary crackers & crisps

Since we’re more than just a little Italian, we’re always thankful for the fresh pasta, sauces, cheeses and more from Lucchesi’s Ravioli & Pasta Company. Little did we know they’re making their own Parmesan rosemary snack crisps, $4.99 / bag and rosemary crackers, $4.99/container, for easy entertaining!

Blackberry Farm brews

Tennessee is home to the beautiful Blackberry Farm, and we sure are grateful for such a beautiful resort in the Smokies. A trio of Tennessee-crafted brews from the Blackberry Farms Brewery: Brett Saison, Blackberry Rye and Tennessee Cream Ale, $8.49 each, at Buster’s Liquors and Wines.

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