December sparkles with joyful traditions as Christmas approaches. Kick off the month by choosing a fragrant evergreen and adorning it with twinkling lights, treasured ornaments, and a radiant star on top. Fill your home with the scent of freshly baked Christmas cookies, craft a few heartfelt cards or wreaths to share, then bundle up for a drive through neighborhoods shimmering with lights. Sip hot cocoa at a Christmas market or bazaar while shopping for gifts and Christmas treats. Wrap gifts while watching classic Christmas Movies by a crackling fire. Donate to those in need, embracing the season’s spirit because nothing captures the spirit of the season quite like generosity and joy.
December Bucket List
20 cozy, joyful ways to make the month sparkle:
1. Pick out and decorate a fragrant evergreen tree with twinkling lights, favorite ornaments, and a glowing star on top.
2. Decorate the mantel with DIY Garland, lights, and stockings.
3. Decorate around the house adding a few seasonal items. (See our Clutter Free Decorating Tips)
4. Decorate the outside with lights and Luminaries
5. Craft a homemade wreath (like our Wine Cork Wreath)
6. Make Homemade Cookies to decorate, (or make our Fave Chewy Peppermint Candy Cane Cookies.). Host a cookie-swap party with neighbors.
7. Host a cozy Hot Chocolate Bar night for friends or family.
8. Fill your home with the scent of the season: simmer oranges, cinnamon, and cloves on the stove with a homemade Simmer Pot. Tip: These make great gifts!
9. Write and mail Christmas cards to family and friends.
10 Drive (or stroll) through a neighborhood famous for its over-the-top light displays.
11. Visit a local Christmas Bazaar for Homemade crafts and treats
12. Pop popcorn and watch classic Christmas movies (National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Elf, Home Alone....)
13. Donate toys, coats, or food to a local charity or “giving tree.”
14. Read a Christmas story aloud each evening. (Night before Christmas, A Christmas Carol, etc
15. Have a festive “Christmas pajamas & pancakes” morning with the people you love. Take family photos in your festive pajamas.
16. Build a gingerbread house (store-bought kit counts—no judgment!). Or paint one of ours below!
17. Prepare a traditional Christmas Eve dinner.
18. Make and deliver treats to first responders
19. On Christmas Eve, track Santa online with the kids (or kids-at-heart) and leave out cookies & milk (or reindeer carrots!).
20. Christmas Day-Open gifts, share a holiday meal, and call distant loved ones.
Save this list, check it off—one magical December at a time!
GingerBread Everything!
Okay, confession time: I’ve totally fallen head-over-heels for gingerbread décor this year! It’s everywhere online, and I couldn’t resist jumping on the trend.
My latest obsession? These adorable DIY gingerbread houses made from Dollar Tree’s $1.50 mini Christmas village pieces. A quick coat of Rust-Oleum Satin Nutmeg spray paint completely transforms them into the sweetest little “gingerbread” cottages—you won’t believe the difference one can makes!
Use white paint pens to add cute icing-style outlines on doors, windows, roofs, and edges—suddenly they look like real gingerbread! I’ve tucked a few tiny bottle-brush trees around them so far (still playing with the rest).
The best part? They light up and glow so sweetly at night. Seriously addictive fun!
Next up: turning plain dollar store candlesticks into gingerbread beauties and painting wooden snowflakes to string across the mantel for that perfect cozy glow. I’ll share the full reveal next week—stay tuned!
Grab everything you need, other than the Dollar Tree Items, in one click. Check out the full supply list in our Amazon storefront via this link.
Pottery Barn Inspired Reindeer
We kicked off this super-easy makeover with two clear acrylic reindeer from Dollar Tree. After a quick wipe-down with rubbing alcohol, we gave them a flawless coat of Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch Ultra Cover Matte Black spray paint.
Once fully dry, we lightly brushed the antlers with Gold Leaf Rub ‘n Buff for that perfect touch of glamour.
The result? Two budget-friendly reindeer that now look like high-end boutique décor!
Here are a few chic (and clutter-free) ways to style them:
- On the fireplace mantel: flanked by candles and a simple garland for instant drama.
- On an entryway console: greeted guests with a sophisticated, modern holiday vibe.
- On the bar cart or buffet: paired with metallic cocktail picks and a few pine sprigs for effortless elegance.
All supplies are linked in our Amazon storefront. Which spot are you voting for—mantel, entryway, or bar? Let us know!
The holiday season sparkles with joy, but who needs the post-party clutter to dim the glow? If you're juggling extra guests, whirlwind schedules, and endless kitchen chaos, fussy decorations are a recipe for stress—not festivity. Enter our More than 10 clutter-free holiday decorating tips: simple, smart swaps using everyday multi-purpose gems like string lights, throw blankets, and DIY accents.
Don't miss Cyber Monday!!
Get ready for my Cyber Monday obsessions—these are my favorite Amazon deals that’ll trigger your fastest “add to cart” ever! Click now and treat yourself before they’re gone! 🎅 You will not be disappointed in these nor their prices! Yes, I'm guilty of grabbing some already!
Let's Continue being Crafty!
Pop into the festive season with our unique and vintage-inspired Glass Ball Popcorn Christmas Ornaments! Popcorn isn’t just for movie nights, it’s also the star of our vintage-inspired Christmas Ornament using a clear ornament with popped popcorn inside.
Looking for perfect cork crafts or wine cork ideas for a DIY Christmas project? We’ve crafted this beautiful DIY Christmas wine cork wreath with recycled wine corks. And you too can turn your saved wine corks into a festive Christmas wreath with these simple steps on how to make a cork wreath.
Illuminate your holiday gatherings with this enchanting DIY Mason Jar Oil Lamp. It’s a simple yet stunning project that transforms everyday pint jars into rustic, aromatic lanterns. Bursting with natural festive flair—think pinecones, dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and fresh cranberries suspended in light olive oil—this no-fuss creation delivers a warm, flickering glow and subtle spiced scent without the hassle of wiring or tools.
Snack Time
Get ready for the perfect blend of tart and sweet—these Fresh Cranberry Muffins with Pecan Streusel from are bursting with juicy fresh cranberries (a true superfood!), topped with a buttery, crunchy walnut streusel that takes them over the top. Easy to whip up and packed with holiday vibes, they’re ideal for Christmas breakfast, cozy winter mornings with coffee, or anytime you need a wholesome treat!
Craving the ultimate holiday snack that’s sweet, spicy, and totally addictive? These Sweet and Spicy Pecans (or walnuts!) are your new go-to—”crack nuts” with the perfect kick of cayenne, cozy cinnamon, and sugary crunch. Whip them up in no time for gifting, parties, or cozy movie nights—they’ll fill your house with that irresistible Christmas aroma!
Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies live up to their name: everything but the kitchen sink, baked into one outrageously good cookie! Loaded with toffee bits, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, crunchy pretzels, and festive M&Ms, they’re the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and pure holiday cheer.
Looking for a fun, addictive holiday snack that’s equal parts sweet and salty? This Christmas Chex Mix (aka Reindeer Chow ) is the perfect festive treat! Coated in creamy white chocolate and loaded with Chex cereal, Cheerios, pretzels, nuts, and red-and-green M&M’s, it’s a delightful twist on puppy chow—great for movie nights, gift bags, or leaving out for Santa’s hardworking reindeer. Quick to make and impossible to stop eating!
Craving the ultimate gift for chocolate lovers this holiday season? This Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie in a Jar Recipe is a gorgeous, layered mason jar masterpiece. It bakes up into the fudgiest, most decadent cookies ever—packed with semi-sweet chips, white chocolate chips, and a rich cocoa layer!
Here’s to a December filled with twinkling lights, warm cookies, and the joy of making things with your own hands. Check off that bucket list one cozy moment at a time, craft a little, snack a lot, and let the season wrap you up like the softest blanket. Wishing you the merriest, craftiest, most delicious holiday yet! 🎄✨
See you in the glow,
Evelyn
