Nine Favorite Things: Cozy Christmas Finds, Holiday Gifts, and Thanksgiving Tips

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Sometimes I find myself scrolling through old Favorites posts. I LOVE having so many years of memories documented in one place. It’s fun to see how these posts have evolved, but even more special to revisit different moments in my life and see how much things have changed.

In previous years, my November and December months have been SO full. Mostly with travel. I was all systems GO, and at the time, I didn’t even realize it. I was loving every minute, but now I look back and think, whoa, how did I do all of that?

This year, things look and feel so different. I’m in such a new season of life, and I’m really embracing it. I’m home, and for the first time in a long time, I have no travel planned for this month or next.

It feels nice. Different, but honestly, really nice. I’m happy to not be on tour or constantly moving from one hotel to the next. Happy to just be home, lean into my homebody ways, and enjoy a much slower pace.

I’m leaning into the holidays like never before, waiting for the snow to come, and soaking up all the magic of the season. Which you will definitely see and feel in today’s post!

I’ve been saving so many ideas for hostess gifts. I have two lists going for my mom and sister, and today I happily purchased a pre-Christmas Christmas gift that I am SO excited about. I can’t share the details just yet, but I promise I’ll spill the beans that first Sunday in December!

I’m sharing some fun gift ideas below, along with a few things I’m loving right now.

And this week, I’m going to start compiling my list of holiday movies to watch! I already have my mom helping too. She always finds the best new Christmas movies. If you have any favorites, please share!

I’m also hoping to share one or two extra recipes this week! With Thanksgiving right around the corner, I want to make sure you have plenty of time to plan your menus, shop for ingredients, and get organized before the big day!

One last thing. Thank you all so much for your kindness around my grandpa’s passing. He was a really special guy who touched so many lives in such a positive way. Your sweet messages have meant so much to me and my family. Thank you, thank you.

Now, enjoy a little retro-style Nine Favorite Things! I’m taking some inspiration from previous years, bringing back a few fun things, and sharing lots of holiday gifting ideas too!

Happy Sunday, everyone!

1. Things I’m Loving.

Wearing

I have SO many pieces bookmarked, you guys. If I shared them all, this section would be miles long! Personally, I LOVE this time of year for clothes. Usually, my style is more classic and not overly flashy, but this year’s holiday looks have me hooked. Bring on the glitz and glam!

First, the Loewe x Nightmare Before Christmas collaboration. The second I saw these pieces land on Net-a-Porter, all I could think was, “Oh my gosh, SO CUTE.”

Please just scroll the site. The cursor is a candy cane, and my heart grew three sizes. I know, different Christmas story, but STILL. I might have to grab the candle and Jack Christmas Ornament.

My mom would love this hooded scarf from Sézane. She’s all about being warm! Also, this High Neck Cardigan and festive red Wool Zip-Up Bomber. My mom is cute in everything, though.

For holiday parties, this bodysuit with a festive skirt or even simple black pants would be so cute.

For Asher, I love this Staud Leopard-Print Velvet Blazer. It’s included in the Saks sale, so I might grab it now for half the price! Also love this wool coat with detachable fur lining and the Coach Chelsea Suede Shoulder Bag. Coach’s comeback is SO FUN.

Now, the holiday sweaters! I think we all need one. My favorites are the Griswold Christmas Sweater (I really want these for my entire family), the Holly Jolly, Santa’s New Sleigh, McCallister, and this cute Candy Cane Fair Isle Cardigan.

My mom is now promptly scrolling through the entire Kiel James Patrick website. Between the two of us, we may have a problem!

Yep, this is mom (I edit posts). I just have to add a few more cute ones! This Holiday Truck set: sweater and jogger, would be so cute for Christmas morning. And this Snow Lodge cardigan is super cute too!

Okay, my splurges for the week.

I am obsessed with these Bottega Veneta Snuggle Padded Ankle Boots. Any boot with the word snuggle in it has to be a GOOD boot.

Also love these Kickstream Rain Boots. They’re an investment, but the drawstring top is perfect for keeping out rain and wet snow. The Varley Rosiere Pull On Boots are really cute too, and these Knit Boots are a great price on Shopbop.

Pair any of them with these Cashmere-Lined Leather Gloves!

And finally, this Gucci Leather-Trimmed Shearling Shoulder Bag. BEAUTIFUL.

Okay, stopping here before this gets any longer. Too many cute holiday pieces this year!

Beauty

This Gingerbread Lip Sleeping Mask should go in everyone’s stocking this year. SO cute!

It’s holiday gift set season! I love gifting beauty sets because they include so many fun products someone might not splurge on for themselves. Plus, they’re cute!

I love this Agent Nateur The Holi (mane) Cocktail Kit. It includes the collagen I love and a fun shaker too! For anyone who loves their skincare routine, the Dr. Diamond’s Metacine Macro Dose 6-Piece Skincare Set is such a nice gift. Definitely a splurge, but a good value with all the products included.

For stocking stuffers, I love the Victoria Beckham Rouge Victoria Lip Set and the Nécessaire The Body Duo Mini Olibanum Set. Both are such fun little gifts!

I get the Slip Pure Silk Scrunchie Sets every season. They’re so cute and make the best stocking stuffers, hostess gifts, or even white elephant gifts. I don’t know a single girl who wouldn’t love these!

And here’s a list of even more beauty gift sets. So many good ones this year!

Home

If you’re already thinking about your Christmas tree, these Papier-Mâché Ball Ornaments are so vintage-inspired and fun. I love finding new ornaments each year to add to my ever-growing collection.

And if you’re in need of a new tree stand this season, here are some of the best. My dad, who puts up our family Christmas tree (or trees!) every single year, surely wouldn’t recommend this Skagerak by Fritz Hansen Stella Christmas Tree Base. But I think it’s so pretty! I might just need it for my (little) tree this season.

The Rifle Paper website has some of the cutest things. I’ve already ordered way too much!

It started with this tissue paper, and then things snowballed from there. I found the Tinsel Tree Holiday Card and Fa La La Christmas Holiday Card.

Then this adorable Playing Card Set. I can’t wait to give it to my sister when she gets home from school. She loves card games and always carries a deck of cards in her bag. Isn’t that smart? I love that she doesn’t rely on her phone for games and instead prefers a real deck of cards.

This holiday notepad will be perfect for planning menus and making grocery lists. And I got this Embroidered Journal for journaling, which I’m trying to do every night.

And this phone case in Beary Christmas. I know it’s A LOT, but for me, it’s perfect!
Mom addition…this Ski Chalet version would work beyond Christmas.

These Paper Cocktail Napkins are exactly the kind of napkins my Nonnie would have entertained with. And I ordered this Holiday Cookie Box for gifting cookies this season!

Burning

This pine candle is from Tatine, a brand I just discovered through Leanne Ford. I can’t wait for them to launch their holiday collection! Hoping it comes soon!

Stockings

I know I’ve already been talking about stocking stuffers, but I didn’t know where else to put this. So anyway, everyone is getting Compartés chocolate bars this year!

I want to pick out a different flavor for everyone in the family. They have SO many fun options that I think I can actually do it!

For my cousin Abby, definitely the Cookies and Cream Chocolate Bar. Maggie gets Strawberry Shortcake, and sweet little Freya gets Linzer Cookie. For my brother Brendan, the Eggnog Chocolate Bar. And for Oslo, my littlest brother, both the Cinnamon Toast Cereal Chocolate Bar and the Cinnamon Roll Chocolate Bar. He LOVES anything cinnamon, so these are perfect for him!

For Asher, I’m thinking Chocolate Brownies or German Chocolate Cake. My mom would love German Chocolate Cake too, but honestly, she’d love so many of these. Definitely the Tiramisu Chocolate Bar and the Hot Cocoa Marshmallow Chocolate Bar. Her favorite!

I’m also getting Asher the Luxury Milk Hot Cocoa Mix and my mom the Holiday Extra Dark Hot Cocoa Mix. Both are so fun for the holidays!

Hayley gets two: the Chocolate Brownies Chocolate Bar and the Beverly Hills Hotel Salted Caramel Chocolate Bar.

My dad is a simple guy, so the Peanut Butter Cup Milk Chocolate Bar for him, plus the Bourbon Pecan Pie Chocolate Bar. I think he’ll love both!

But actually, I think everyone needs a Peanut Butter Cup bar in addition to their own flavor. Because who doesn’t love peanut butter and chocolate?

This is fun! I love little gifts like these that feel personal but are still so simple!

Travel

Dreaming of a winter escape to the French Alps! Hôtel Saint Roch in Courchevel is opening December 18th, and it looks absolutely magical.

Think warm wood, soft velvet, cozy rugs, beautiful artwork, and the most inviting spaces to escape the cold after a day in the snow. The interiors have this gorgeous, collected-over-time feel, almost like a private mountain home rather than a hotel.

Everything about it feels so cozy and special. Adding this one to my travel wish list!

2. Easy Holiday Appetizers.

Crispy Prosciutto and Cheese Sliders

Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Parmesan Wine Cream Sauce

Baked Gruyère in Pastry with Rosemary and Garlic

Whipped Goat Cheese with Warm Candied Bacon and Dates

Cranberry Brie Pull Apart Bread

Pastry Wrapped Cranberry Baked Brie

Whipped Feta with Garlic Herb Roasted Olives

Pull-Apart Garlic Butter Bread Wreath

5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Cinnamon Puff Pastry Swirls | halfbakedharvest.com #brie #cranberries #thanksgiving #christmas

5 Ingredient Cranberry Brie Puff Pastry Swirls

Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates with Rosemary Honey

3. Hostess Gift Ideas.

4. Thanksgiving Questions.

Can you create a schedule to begin prep 3-5 days ahead of Thanksgiving?

Yes! It’s all included in my Thanksgiving menu this year! I’ve put together everything you need to create your best Thanksgiving yet!

Thanksgiving 2026 Menu + Guide

My biggest tip? Make as much as you can ahead of time! You don’t need to cook everything on Thanksgiving Day. I promise, a little planning makes the holiday SO much easier!

Whether you’re eating at 3 pm, 5 pm, or 7 pm, simply work backward from your dinner time.

Here’s how I like to plan everything out, with even more helpful tips inside the full menu!

Help with the overwhelm of prepping the house and food for guests

If you know you’re entertaining, I’d start prepping as soon as you can! If you have guests staying overnight, get their rooms ready ahead of time. Think about the little things that will make them feel welcome. Fresh sheets, clean towels, and nice soap in the bathroom. Make the room feel like home with a festive holiday candle and maybe some fresh flowers too!

It’s these little gestures that make guests feel so welcome, especially during the holidays. Nothing needs to be fancy, just a few simple touches to make everyone feel at home!

Food-wise, stock up on your go-to pantry staples and plan a menu for the days you’ll be entertaining. Prep as many recipes ahead of time as possible!

If you’re hosting a big dinner, set the table the night before or even two nights before. I always assign serving dishes to each recipe so I’m not scrambling to find them at the last minute. I also love creating an oven schedule so I know exactly when each dish needs to go in and come out.

The more you can plan and prep ahead, the less stressful entertaining will be. And most importantly, you’ll have more time to actually enjoy your guests, which is what the holidays are all about!

5. My First Copy of HBH At Home!

I got my very first copy of HBH At Home this week! Getting that first copy of a new cookbook is always so special. Opening the pages and seeing everything come together all at once is just the best feeling ever.

Yes, I have so many doubts, and I’d be lying if I said I LOVED every single detail. Of course, I’m going to pick things apart. I always do! But still, I feel this huge sense of happiness, excitement, and pride seeing the finished book in my hands.

This is a GOOD book, and I really think it’s pretty fitting for this time in my life. I’m craving being home more than ever this season, and that’s exactly what this cookbook is all about. Making home the place you want to be, cooking good food, and enjoying the people around you.

I can’t wait to share it with you guys soon! And then cook from it together all winter, into spring and summer, and right through the holidays next year. There are so many recipes I’m excited for you all to make!

We’re also planning the late February/March book tour, and I am SO EXCITED! More details coming your way soon. I can’t wait to see so many of you in person!