It’s gift guide time! And we swear, we’ll keep this post kinda short, because we know you have a kajillion-bagillion-trillion other things to do, cookies to bake, things to shop, and keep your kids (READ : me) away from the cookie jar.

Let’s just start off right now with the fact that raisin cookies that look like chocolate chip cookies are the main reason we have trust issues. But we also just ate 15790 cookies and we were really into those, so take our words with a grain of salt.

We are counting down to the holidays a little early this year. We are just organized like that. Psssst. No we are not. What if a liars pants really caught on fire? Oh.no.

Where were we? Oh yeah.

We found 8 things to make the holidays feel more like …well.. like the holidays xo

It has been a tough year for our world, hasn’t it? It feels uncomfortable to head full tilt into the holiday season without acknowledging a different tone to the year. We also know that this world is a resilient place and are choosing to focus on the good and making this years holiday season special from HOME. In our jammies.

This year is about spending time together and appreciating even the smallest of details. We’ll be having quiet cozy nights in, baking together, playing board games curled up in blankets, lighting alllllll the candles and filling the room with sparkling vibes and holiday music.

It is going to be kind of ahhhhmazing to not rush into a mall and buy a whole bunch of ‘stuff’. We are being intentional and thoughtful about our gifts. Gifting our time, and choosing to be present is really the most precious thing. Presence over presents.

HERE’S WHAT REALLLLLY HAPPENS IN OUR HOLIDAY PLANNING.…

We are just gals, standing in front of a Christmas tree, asking it to be draped with cookies and a side of baileys spiked coffee.

It all started with a plan. Tristan and I kinda sorta plan our holiday faves like we normally do… by the seat of our pants.  Now, we know there’s no right answer for everyone, but this is how we do it.  We send about 5733797 photos and text messages to each other for inspiration.

S Q U I R R E L.

Erhhhmergerd, there are so many good things.

Problem is, I am an excellent procrastinator and Tristan is the best cheerleader kinda gal.

We order our Etsy faves, and photograph them. Most of our photos are blurry because one of us is either reaching for a cookie or eating one. 

Except this time. Because we are total weirdos, we thought it would be a good idea this week to rearrange our hoarding pile barn (which had nothing to do with our photoshoot in the cabin.)

Warned you. Squirrel.

Tristan hurt her back. She obvs thought she was a sumo wrestler whilst lifting a candle stick in the barn. Okay, it wasn’t a candle stick, but I wanted to use the word WHILST* at least once in my life. P dot S. * I said that with my best British accent.

And then.

While tidying up after our photoshoot, she, legit {accidentally} lit her hair on fire. She was holding a candle in one hand, and 12 things in another.

Flames.

In zeeee hair.

I usually reserve my stop drop and roll comments when I see a hawt fire fighter, but I may have made an exception for this one. 

When I walked in the room, the side of her hair looked like a cat choked up a hair ball. 

Tristan : “Mom, do I look classy and refined?”

Lynne :  “I’m not going to answer that”

All is well. We brushed her hair with 400 lbs of Moroccan oil and gave her a wee trim, and she is as right as rain.  Hence, there may be some spiked coffee sichuuuuations in our photos. 

Top 8 Etsy Holiday finds for the cozy home you’re craving.

We mixed and matched 8 Etsy holiday faves,  so you don’t have to. Or you can shop in a mall, ya weirdo. 

1.

I hate presents. Said no one ever. These small charming ceramic mugs are beautifully hand thrown and a perfect piece to add to your collection. We love to mix and match our coffee mugs in all different sizes, and all our mugs are simply white. You can have such a variety of mugs when you keep them in the same colour wheel. Or have lots of different colours, but we aren’t coming to your house.

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2.

We’re so obsessed with these ceramic candle sticks. We only have a few of these, but we’d like more. Hint hint….hint? We put our candle holders on the dining table as a combination with other candles, just to soften up the whole look. Honestly tho, they’re boom dig all on their own too. Strong and spicy fun. Like us.

3.

These just make scents. We love the moody vibe of amber.  Some candles are just too pretty to burn. Or are they? Light them up.  This candle has a beautifully gentle scent. And it’s not too scenty-scenty. Is that a word?

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4.

Outrageous relaxing starts here. One of our favourite nights of the holidays is Christmas Eve. We make homemade baileys, play the Elvis White Christmas album and often get bundled up and run out to the ice rink when there is snow. Some of us can skate. Some of us can’t. Not mentioning any names.

One thing is fooooshur…. we grew up collecting ornaments. We created this tradition where we gift each other a new ornament every year. We sign the year on the bottom to help us remember… for all the years to come. Our tree is now full of colour and memories. Best.Thing.Ever.

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5.

Holiday baking is looking wayyyyyy cute this year with all credit going to these new darling knit patterned rolling pins. They are a perfect gift for the baker in your life. We chose the mini set so we could get two different patterns.  Cookies and cozy knits ….ahhhhhh.

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6.

Light a candle. note to self: avoid lighting hair. Snuggle up in your fluffiest socks, thickest blankets and turn on your fave festive playlist.

This would make the perfect gift for the homebody in your life. It is one of theeeee most stylish candles we’ve seen. Note: It’s a fairly strong scent and we are usually not into too scenty-scenty when it comes to candles. We adore the look of the vessel tho!

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7.

Love a footed tray to display your sweet goodies or to make up a wee platter? We have been long time fans of Emma and Elsie from A Beautiful Mess! The boards are made from all natural hand cut wood, and you can get this tray in two sizes. Another treasured piece that we will be loving all year long. Re-imagine those big dinners and still make the smallest ones an experience to remember. xo

8.

The little things. We chose this beautifully petite cutting board for both practicality and beauty. We love to use our cutting boards as serving trays as well as a pretty display. There’s no such thing as having too many wooden cutting boards.

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Looking for something specific? Here are our all time fave gifts for an ultra cozy home, gifts for her, gifts for him and more! Here are alllllll our curated faves if you need some shopping inspo!

This post was in partnership with ETSY. Product was gifted and like super duper supercalifragilisticexpialidocious alllllways… all opinions, ramblings and shenanigans are totally our own. If you buy via our blog, we may get some holiday cookie money (but not enough for a pony or unicorn.)  Affiliate links are like getting a tip, without having to wear any revealing clothing….although, we have considered scandalous lipstick.

Would love to know what your favourite Holiday traditions are. What are you up to this year for the holidays? Jammies and cookies all day long? We would never do that. We would totally do that.

Follow us on Instagram @lynneknowlton here for more updates on upcoming giveaways!

GIVEAWAY CLOSED: Congratulations Karen Anderson !!