After taking a few days off to enjoy the holiday I’m doing something new, today through Friday I’ll be sharing my favorite art and design posts from 2016. It’s been amazing to look back at all of the talent we’ve covered over the past twelve months! I’m pumped to get started with 2017 next week as well because we have some fresh columns that I hope you’re going to love as much as I do!
Like I’ve mentioned, I’m way behind on just about everything this holiday. Between election madness, the state of the world, and 2016 as a whole I’m just not really feeling the holiday spirit quite like I normally do. I have yet to wrap any gifts other than the ones that have been sent off to faraway friends, zero cookies have been baked, and I still have no clue what to get my 92-year-old Grandma. If you’ve run out of some wrapping supplies or you just like free stuff, download these 24 holiday printables and remember that the season is all about love and togetherness, and it’s the thought that always counts most.
My Grandma’s nut roll, egg custard pie, Hershey Kiss cookies. All of these foods and more remind me of the holidays, including candy bark. What I love about this incredibly easy treat is that it can include everything but the kitchen sink or actually be borderline healthy for you depending on what you add. I’ve rounded up a selection of both, check ’em all out below!
Click on each image to go to the recipe. All photos copyright of their respective sites unless otherwise noted.
If the day’s high of 19-degrees is any sign of the winter that’s to come, I’d better stock up on sweaters ASAP. My favorites are the big, chunky knit styles but it’s a good idea to a have a few more formfitting pieces in the mix as well. If you’re already in the middle of this polar vortex with me, take a peek at these twenty sweaters that will hopefully hold you over until… April? More than half are on sale for up to 40% off! (Just click on each image.)
This time of year one tends to start thinking of what they could’ve done better, where they could’ve done more. The good news is that it’s never too late to challenge yourself to up the ante, and that means choosing fantastic gifts to give this holiday that do double-duty. Ones that give back and mean a little something extra to the giver, the receiver, and the company you’re buying from.
Thrive Market Membership. Great deals on organic and non-GMO foods, and for each year-long membership sold Thrive donates a membership to a low-income family.
The Bee Cause Project Honey. For every online purchase of BeeCause Honey, 100% of the proceeds will be donated to one of the school hive projects sponsored by The Bee Cause.
The Basket Room. This purchase directly supports the weavers to increase their livelihoods and become less dependent on self-sufficiency farming. Each basket comes with a thank you card from the cooperative who made your basket.
Enrou. Meaning en route – or on the way – to a better world. All of their home goods and gifts are selected for their beauty, quality, and ability to provide opportunity to artisans from around the world.
The Little Market. An online fair trade shop working through cooperatives and social enterprises, The Little Market’s artisan partners improve the quality of life in their communities in a number of ways, including literacy workshops, business training, and health programs.
31 Bits. This jewelry shop creates dignified work opportunities for artisans worldwide while providing customers with a place to purchase fairly made products. Fair pay, sustainable wages, safe working conditions, and a family-like atmosphere make all the difference.
The Giving Keys. It started with a hotel room key worn as a necklace and continues by helping those who have been affected by homelessness.
Causebox. A quarterly subscription box that features brands and items dedicated to doing good all over the world. Many featured brands donate a portion of proceeds to charities and/or may employ local artisans, use ethically-sourced goods, and more.
PupJoy. For your pups, PupJoy donates $2 from every box to BISSELL Pet Foundation, which assists animal welfare organizations providing resources to reduce the number of animals in shelters and rescues through pet adoption, spay/neuter programs, microchipping, and foster care. They also support small business manufacturers when sourcing their products, and all of their treats are made in the U.S.
Obakki. This shop creates classic and refined styles for the modern woman while The Obakki Foundation, Obakki’s philanthropic counterpart, focuses on providing clean water and education in Africa. Obakki absorbs all administrative fees for the charity, allowing 100% of the Obakki Foundation’s public donations to go directly to its charitable initiatives.
Especially Puglia. Adopt a hundreds-years-old Puglian olive tree for one year and support the farmers and producers who keep traditional harvest and production methods alive. Comes with a 3-liter can of extra-virgin olive oil plus a ceramic cruet to serve it from, an adoption certificate, and three additional bottles of oil, one every three months.
Vinfluence Wine Subscription. Choose 3 or 6 months, each box contains three wines from a boutique winery and for every bottle they ship $1 is donated to City Harvest, Sustainable Harvest International, or Fiver Children’s Foundation.
Other ideas:
Newspaper or magazine subscriptions – support free press!
Passes to local museums/attractions – keep it local!
Donations to food pantries or a homeless shelter
I miss doing big Christmas dinners, but brunches have their own kind of charm. There’s definite appeal in being able to do so much prep work the day before, and it’s nice being able to put out an equally sweet and savory spread that caters to everyone’s tastes. I chose recipes that are easy to grab and eat while you’re catching up around the tree to pair with a selection of cocktails and traditional non-alcoholic options. As far as decorations go, this year I’ve really been drawn to fresh greenery, golds, and glass – you’ll see all three below in decor as well as on the table. (If you’d like even more inspiration check out prior Christmases 2013, 2014, and 2015!)
Christmas pajamas were never a thing in my family growing up, I choose to blame it on being an only child, like so many other things. (Joking. Mostly.) A few years ago I started adding pajamas to the wish list my mom inevitably asks for each November, and now I’m happy to report it IS officially a thing.
This holiday we’ve teamed up with surface pattern designer Vivian Kvitka, aka the Good Viv, to bring you a gorgeously illustrated printable! Vivian created art full of wintery holiday windows, constellations, and stars that was turned into gift wrap and tags for you to print and cover your gifts with. The mustard and indigo lend themselves to all December holidays, whichever you celebrate, and can be used all winter long. The download includes colored as well as black and white versions of the gift tags, letter-sized sheets, and 11 x 17″ sheets. Enjoy!
