Does everyone already have their porch decorated for Christmas?
If not, I’ve got a few simple ideas for you. My decorations are super easy to recreate and look very festive. I didn’t buy a Christmas door mat yet so if you already have one of those you’re a step ahead of me, but I wanted to go ahead and do this post in case anyone was needing some inspiration.
I always see a ton of posts on Instagram of porches that are decked out with a ton of stuff but I prefer just a few items for a seasonal look. After all, my porch isn’t that big. I also have noticed a ton of posts where every single decoration is neutral or flocked. Our tree in our house is pretty neutral so I wanted some color on the porch. I love all the red. So Christmas-y. Now, I just need some carolers to stop by and sing about figgy pudding.
Hello folks! Today I am letting you know exactly what I want for Christmas – or someone who likes to decorate in the farmhouse/ industrial/ cottage style. Here are my favorite things that would make a lovely gift for someone. So let’s get into my Holiday Gift Guide for the Decor Lover in your life!
- Tiered Stand – My first find is from Wayfair. I am seeing these 3 tiered wood trays all over the place! I’ve seen them in bathrooms to hold hand soap and I’ve seen them on kitchen islands and I desperately need one in my life. I would use it in the kitchen and put my holiday knick-knacks on it or maybe a cute Christmas mug. The possibilities are endless.
- Personalized Lanterns – Check out these beautiful personalized lanterns! I just love this idea. Especially for someone who just got married. Such a thoughtful and unique gift.
Glenfinnan Church, Glenfinnan, Scotland
Over the course of the last few years, I’ve been able to put together a list of some travel essentials that I can’t go without. These items have all played a role in my previous travels, both domestic and international. Any traveler you know will appreciate a gift from this list!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
- Backpack– (Eagle Creek 45L/S) – This is the bag that I recommend. It’s got enough room for more than a week’s worth of clothes, it’s durable and has a “No Matter What Lifetime Warranty”. Best yet, it only weighs 1.8Lbs when empty and folds up into itself for storage inside of another bag if needed. I’ve used this bag on every trip that I’ve gone on for the last 3 years.
- Anti-theft Purse– (Travelon Anti-Theft Signature Slim Day Bag) – I bought this one from ebags and it has been great! I like that it just looks like a small cross body bag. It’s lightweight and can easily fit in my luggage or duffel bag if I need to store it. Since it’s an anti-theft bag, it has reinforced straps, and is made from an RFID blocking material that is slash-proof. Small enough to stay out of the way, but large enough to fit my credit cards, cash, makeup, and even my iPad Mini.
We haven’t been to Chicago at Christmas time in couple of years, but we have our favorite places to visit when we go. I love Chicago at Christmas time. It is magical. All the stores are decorated, and they actually have winter weather. If you like the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, then this list is for you. We live in Oklahoma and we get ice storms sometimes and maybe a little snow, but it doesn’t stay very cold for very long. If you like the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, then this list is for you.
Here are our favorite things to do in the windy city when its chilly out! If you’re planning a trip during the holidays, then you need to check these places out.
Aldi is my go to grocery store, but my favorite time to go is during the holidays because they have so many wonderful items that normally are not available. I cannot live without these! The list below shows off my top 5 must-have holiday treats from Aldi.
Hey everyone, it’s Evan! Payton told asked me to write this post about gifts that guys would enjoy to get for Christmas. Everything listed below is at or under $50 so it should give you a decent range of choices for any budget. Here is my list of the top 6 men’s stocking-stuffer gift guide ($50 and under).
Isla just had her first birthday in October and let me tell you, our house is jam-packed at the moment because she got a rocking horse, a cozy coupe car, and a bunch of smaller toys. What I’m planning on doing in the weeks leading up to Christmas is a little toy clear out with the intention to donate some of her stuff that she doesn’t use anymore or has outgrown. We are doing a few smaller gifts for Isla and some stocking-stuffers this year. She has so much stuff that i’m kind of dreading go through it all.
She will be 14 months old by the time Christmas rolls around so it will be much more fun than last year. She kind of knows what is going on this year. Well, she knows that she likes to open presents. I can’t wait to be Santa, you guys. I might even dress up but I will most definitely eat the peanut butter cookies that I make for him.
These are the items I have purchased for her for this year: I’ve also posted the links to each to make it even more helpful. I’m not including shoes or clothes in this list because I feel like that should be a separate post. This list is for toys only.
Update: I did a post on what books I got Isla for Christmas and you can find that list here.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
1-My First Stacking Cups:
My girl loves to stack things. Need I say more? These are such a simple and great gift. They are compact when stacked and travel well in the diaper bag or my purse.
2-Endangered Species by Sud Bath Crayons:
Isla loves to play in the bath and the only thing I’m worried about with these is her trying to eat them but I never leave her in the bath so it shouldn’t be a problem. I plan to use these to write letters and shapes and let her draw some in the bathtub. These are made of soap so don’t just leave them in the water – they will eventually dissolve. The manufacturer of these crayons donates a portion of the profits to wildlife conservation as well.
The countdown to Christmas is on and Trader Joe’s Holiday products have hit the shelves! These are a handful of my go-to items that I can’t leave the store without picking up.
- Advent Calendar – These are so great! They’re only 99 cents and they had several prints to choose from.
- Jingle Jangle – This is a mix of chocolate goodies that is great to keep in your pantry for when you have guests. I can’t live without chocolate pretzels during the holidays! So. Good.
- Gingerbread House Kit – Who has time to go to the store and find all the ingredients for a gingerbread house? Not this Mama. This kit includes everything you’ll need to make an amazing and customizable house! The best part- It was only $7.99!
- Hot Cocoa O’s-Who doesn’t want to start their day off with a bowl of hot chocolate flavored cereal? Haha. Seriously though, So good. Its like a more sophisticated Count Chocula.
- Hot Chocolate Spoons – These are 99 cents and come with marshmallows. Just add them to a mug of hot milk and you’re in business! I will have these in my Christmas eve box to enjoy with the family while we watch a Christmas movie.
Just so you know, I’m snacking on some jingle jangle mix while I type this.
