What are you up to today, besides shopping all of the amazing Black Friday deals? (I’ve been updating that post all week — wheeee! — I think I’ve completed all of my holiday shopping thanks to the many impressive promotions that started early this year! So fun this go around — there was something sporting and spiriting about the online shopping experience given the bleak circumstances of 2020.)
Today, in between online shopping sessions, I’m excited to work on our Rockefeller Center puzzle, make an inaugural batch of holiday cookies with mini, and finally pull out our boxes of ornaments and Christmas decorations, all while wearing my favorite house slippers, jeans, and my new oversized cardigan. (Also chic: these loafer/slippers with this leather-trim poncho situation…or anything at all with this drool-worthy Gucci cardigan — SWOOOOOON — look for less with this).
A few of my favorite holiday buys this season (have mentioned many of these in previous posts):
MINI BOXWOOD WREATHS FOR WINDOWS (STRUNG UP WITH GROSGRAIN)
STOCKING HOLDERS (I BOUGHT A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT STYLE, BUT WITH SIMILAR REINDEER) FOR OUR STOCKINGS
WHITE DECORATIVE HOUSES (I BOUGHT A SIMILAR SET THAT IS NOW SOLD OUT FROM TARGET)
We have an advent calendar and a nativity set from years past, but I had to mention that this wood set from Target is absolutely adorable. I just ordered one for each of my godchildren!
I am also thrilled we’ve officially entered the phase of the year where Christmas music and movies are openly permissible. A few of my favorite holiday albums: Kacey Musgraves’ twang-y, kitschy “A Very Kacey Christmas” album; Vince Guaraldi Trio’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas”; Elvis Presley’s “Christmas Album”; the 49-track “Soul Christmas” album featuring various artists; and of course Mariah Carey’s “Christmas” album.
A few of my favorite holiday movies, and I am certain I’ll rope Mr. Magpie into watching one or two this weekend…
“THE HOLIDAY”
“ELF”
“ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS”
“HOME ALONE”
“A CHRISTMAS STORY”
“WHITE CHRISTMAS”
“IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE”
“THE FAMILY STONE”
“LOVE ACTUALLY”
“CHRISTMAS VACATION”
A few other movies that aren’t explicitly Christmas but that have prominent Christmas scenes that I will also be re-visiting this season: “Meet Me in St. Louis” (in it, Judy Garland sings the now-classic “Have Yourself a Merry Christmas”), “Harry Potter,” “You’ve Got Mail,” “When Harry Met Sally” (also a great NYE moment), “While You Were Sleeping,” and “Die Hard” (had never seen this before this quarantine, and I went into it thinking “why do people make such a big deal of Bruce Willis?”…now I get it).
P.S. Looking for Christmas gift ideas? Here are some starting points: gifts for men; gifts for women; small business gift ideas; gourmet gift ideas; gifts for babies; gifts for toddlers; gifts for older children.
I have updated these to include a few items I bought for loved ones this year:
NEW BALANCE HEAT LOFT RUNNING PULLOVER FOR MEN (25% OFF!)
LAKE PAJAMAS (ON SALE!)
PLAYSKOOL TRANSFORMERS FOR LITTLE BOYS
YOUNG, WILD, AND FRIEDMAN SENSORY KITS
KIWI CO STEM ACTIVITY SUBSCRIPTION KITS
P.P.S. The silhouette of Christmas, two years ago, after I’d just fallen and injured myself. Yikes!
P.P.P.S. A tough Christmas.
Hi friend — I am reading back through your posts since Thanksgiving since I fear I’ll never be able to comment on all the ones I’ve missed over the past month-plus! I wanted to thank you for the mention of “Soul Christmas” — the only Christmas album you mentioned with which I was unfamiliar, and which I am now listening to as I type … I love it. Thank you for this rec!
Anyway, it’s really, really nice to have some time to follow along again. I’ve missed you and the Magpie community! Hope you are well and are enjoying the season. 🙂
xx
Welcome back!! We missed you! xx
Hi Jen!
Do you have a frosting recipe you like with your cookies?
Xoxo
Hi!! I like Ina Garten’s vanilla buttercream, but will admit that sometimes, I just buy some Duncan Hines creamy/homestyle and call it a day! (Shhh, don’t tell!) xx
xx