FAVORITE HOSTESS GIFTS

This year, I’m making homemade mulling spices/stovetop potpourri as the hostess gift I’ll be giving out. There is nothing better than a house that smells of mulling spices at the holidays + the homemade aspect adds extra warmth and love to the gift.

Directions to make your own mulling spices/stovetop potpourri:

1/2 cup cranberries, 1 small orange, 1 spring of rosemary or pine, 1 tablespoon of cloves, 1 tablespoon allspice berries, 1-2 star anise, and a couple cinnamon sticks.

Be sure to tie on a little tag with directions to slice the orange, drop the ingredients in a pan, add water to cover, and simmer on low to make the whole house welcoming and fragrant.

Gift in glass jars or mason jars.

BEST STOCKING STUFFERS

Anything that adds a little extra beauty or an extra dose of fun! The 2024 Halcyon Days annual holiday box is marvelous, These cocktail napkins are a bundle of fun, this Christmas bunny is a holiday classic, this liquid lip is my favorite, these candies bonbon ornaments are delightful, and a Houses and Parties gift card can’t be beat.

GIFT IDEAS FOR CHILDREN

I love to gift my boys things they will immediately engage and play with (like Legos) but, as the gift giver, I find the most joy and meaning in gifting them special items they can have forever or will enjoy all throughout their childhood. The personalized stools by Palaka are the perfect gift that fits this bill! My oldest son has a little antique pine stepping stool by his bed that he uses to climb into bed. However, I know he’d love a personalized one with his name on it and a motif he adored!

GIFTS FOR PETS

It doesn’t get any cuter than this personalized dog treats jar!

GIFTS FOR YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER

My husband needs a new card case so I’ve had my eye out. I think the bespoke card cases from Anya Hindmarch are fantastic! To have a child’s handwriting embossed on it – this would warm my husband’s heart every time he reached for it in his back pocket.

My other top recommendation is pickle ball paddles from Short Court. They make an excellent gift that will get you outside and moving with your significant other. I just love the whole brand!

GIFTS FOR TEACHERS AND NEIGHBORS

A sensational teacher or neighbor gift if these paperwhite bulbs. They are the best and always bring a smile.

WHAT IS AT THE TOP OF YOUR PERSONAL WISHLIST?

I love a Christmas pajamas moment. Christmas pajamas are sweet, special, and sentimental to me. This year, at the top of my list is some cozy mornings and evenings at home with my boys by our tree reading books, playing games, telling stories, and drinking hot cocoa. Those simple times at home are what make the holidays so rich! To bring this back to my wishlist, I’d love to be wearing this holiday gingham nightgown with my boys wearing this coordinating gingham pajamas set (if you have daughters, this coordinating girls nightgown is darling).

I’ve also been coveting a porcelain flower from Vieuxtemps Porcalin for my dining room.

The Olympia Le-Tan Twelve Days of Christmas book clutch is really calling my name!

Last Christmas, I thought long and hard about getting a Loren Hope crystal Christmas tree and I didn’t do it. Fast forward a year, and I’m still thinking about these vintage-inspired beauties. She has three gorgeous ones to choose from: one, two, three. I’ve also been searching the internet for antique Czechoslovakian jeweled Christmas trees!

Finally, I’d really love and cherish a set of holiday China. The problem is that I can’t settle on a pattern. I’ve been thinking about this for years though so it is time to decide and starting slowly gifting it to myself, ha! A traditional holiday pattern, a modern take on holiday china, or something fanciful that isn’t overtly holiday like Ginori’s Oriente Italiano tableware… oh, what’s a girl to choose?