The holidays can be stressful, but this is actually one of my favourite times of the year. It's the perfect excuse to indulge in extremes: non-stop party time and plain ol' hibernating. The key is to be prepared, and embrace whatever it is that you're doing without the last-minute hustle that inevitably leaves us anxious and frazzled. The good news: Janette and I have done most of the legwork for you with our 5-point holiday hit-list; all that's left is to actually get out there!

Faux Fur is a huge trend for the season and H&M was loaded with options. We picked out an over-the-top fuzzy coat, but an easy stole adds enough interest to a coat or sweater to make a statement at your next holiday party.

Lace is so feminine and pretty that I think it is a beautiful option for both day and evening. Pair with edgy accessories and unexpected pieces to avoid veering into girlish territory, and be sure to keep it tailored and classic – a pencil skirt will go much further than a pouffy number.

Unless you work in a very conservative office or industry, nails are such a fun way to indulge in colours that you may never even consider wearing in an outfit; it's no wonder that nail art is one of the hottest 'accessories' of the season.

Another way to indulge with unexpected colour and prints is with shoes. If you love yellow but it washes you out, seek out a pair of lemon hued heels – shoes don't discriminate against size or complexion, they're so nice that way :)

Finally, if you're looking for a little hostess or partying gift, we love the little gourmet treats we found at HomeSense that come in packages so beautiful that you really don't have to wrap. It's worth stocking up on few now so that you have simple gifts at the ready, even for impromptu or unexpected plans. Hope these tips help you with your party wear and gift giving – happy holidays!!