Handpicked Favorites

A few of my favorite home decor and DIY items for the month of December, plus recommendations from blogger friends.

Christmas time is here! Are you enjoying the lights and the music? Yes, it can be a busy time, but it’s so wonderful to soak in all the special moments of the season. I’m still decorating spaces here, while I pick up gifts when I can. If you’re needing ideas, today’s Handpicked Favorites from my friends and I might help!

Handpicked Favorites

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• This pair of brass LED table lamps can be used anywhere you don’t have easy access to a plug. They turn on with a touch of your finger and can be dimmed by holding the button. I love their classic look, and have been enjoying them on our Christmas mantel. Great gift idea, or to give yourself! Find them HERE.
• If you or a loved one enjoys history and nostalgia, you’ll love paging through these charming Christmas coffee table books. There are a few different versions, depending on what decades you enjoy the most. My parents loved reminiscing as they paged through these. Find a couple different versions HERE.
• I hadn’t purchased new pillow covers for Christmas in quite a few years. This year I was focusing on red and ordered these adorable red and white stripe ones. They have rick rack trim and wooden buttons; so cute! You can find them HERE. If you’re a poinsettia lover, you’ll appreciate these needlepoint pillow covers for the season, too; so classic, and a great value! Find them HERE.
• Tis’ the season of light, and I like to have all different kinds of lighting filling every nook and cranny to celebrate. Last year I bought adorable battery powered wax pincone candles and loved tucking them here and there. (Find them HERE) This year I got these little trees that are slightly bigger. They are so fun to tuck in cabinet displays for Christmas. Great gift, or for yourself. (Find them HERE)
• When I’m out and about running errands, I don’t like to wear a big coat, because I get too hot in the store. A long vest is just perfect. It can keep my bum warm when I get in the car, but I don’t get too hot when I’m inside. I looked at several different styles and am really liking the cute details on the one I ordered. You can find it HERE.
• I’ve got a wonderful stack of vintage Christmas linens and I love their happy patterns. Last year I totally forgot to get them out. This year I want to use them, but am trying to come up with ideas so I can enjoy them. I’m going to whip up some cute kitchen cafe curtains, so I can pull them out each year. You can find similar versions HERE.

Favorites From My Friends

Cindy, Reinvented Delaware

• I’m hooked on double-sided velvet ribbon for my Christmas decorating and gift wrapping. So far I have 1″ Navy Blue, Antique Gold, and Ivory/Camel. I also have 1/2″ in Antique Gold and Light Blue. I’m seriously hooked on these gorgeous ribbons!
• Cleaning has been on my mind as I get ready for the holidays. The White Green Cloths are amazing. No need for detergents or cleaning solutions. My glass windows, kitchen counters, oven and stove top, fridge and sink have never been so clean! The are pricey at about $4 each but worth every penny!
• The O Cedar Easy Wring and Spin Mop has been around awhile and I finally got one! Woohoo! I used it last night on my kitchen floors and I am sold! My hands never touched the water and that’s a win in my book!
• Now if I could just drop the hint to a certain someone that I would love to have a Dyson Cordless Vac, well then my life would be just about perfect! Just kidding. But I do want the vac!

Anna, Sky Lark House

If you are like me, there are always those few last minute gifts you need for friends, neighbors, coworkers and siblings. Here are some of my favorite reasonably priced gifts to give people.

• Kate Spade always has a great selection of stylish yet affordable earrings. My favorite are these star earrings which are offered in multiple colors. They can be worn all year long.
• These bracelets by Bauble Bar are charming and can be personalized to the individual you are gifting them to. There are so many styles and options to choose from. At the moment, they are a fabulous price at $10 each but the sale won’t last long. I like to buy them in sets of three.
• Do you have a friend who loves to bake? If so this white marble rolling pin is an affordable and tasteful gift that will be appreciated.
• Similarly, this Le Creuset stoneware batter bowl , complete with handle and pour spout, is a classic design and always useful for cooking. I like to use it to make pancakes and pour the batter directly into the pan.
• I fell in love with this ceramic Christmas tree nightlight! It’s so cheerful with the multicolored lights and has an “on-off” switch. This would make a darling last minute gift for many people.
• This customized Christmas ornament can be created from the photo of any pet. I love this idea for someone who is difficult to shop for.

Diane, South House Designs

We don’t exchange traditional gifts. So I look forward to stuffing the stockings — my kids are young adults, but these are great for teens too. And very conscious of stuffing on a budget!

• Top on my list are these car condiment holders for quick meals on the go. No need to go sauceless with this new find. They hold every shape of condiment and attach to the car air vents or this kind for the windows.
• Do your “kids” all have a patronus? You know, the mythical creature from Harry Potter that protects them and often shares the same personality. Everyone will be receiving a set of these hysterical “patronus sox”. There are 28 styles to choose individually. This set of six is the most budget-friendly.
• Every morning, the frustration of wet sleeves makes me think I need a set of those old sweat wrist bands from the 80’s. Guess what! They’re back, now known as Spa Wristbands. They come in a ton of colors and at $2 per pair, everyone will be get a pair! Afterall, the fellas wash their faces too!!
• A couple of standard items, like this lip balm that includes 30SPF. Vicks shower bombs that will be great as we move into cold and flu season (instead of last year’s aromatherapy bombs), and then some exotic jerky options instead of the more typical chocolates.

Lynn, Living Large In A Small House

I really like to shop at Target. Having always been a Joanna Gaines fan, it’s a plus that you can get some reasonable priced home items that have her stamp of approval. It’s also a plus that you can get many of the things you need in one spot.

All of these items are from Target and each one is something that I would love to get as a gift. Bonus: They are all $20 or less.

• While I’m not a baker, I aspire to be one. Having fun equipment like a rolling pin with a tree imprint and cookie stamps would make baking around the holidays really fun.
• A new set of kitchen towels would make my heart go pitter patter! This is something I don’t really buy and I’m in desperate need of something not stained.
• I’m always losing one of my gloves so a new set of gloves each winter season would be a very special gift for me.
• I love a great home decor book. “The Art of Home” by Shea McGee, the Interior Designer who created Studio McGee would be a book I would love to have in my collection.

December Decor and DIY Inspiration to Enjoy

“Old World Style Christmas Decor (with a retro junky twist)”

“21 Upcycled and Repurposed Vintage Junk Decor Ideas for Christmas”

“10 Creative Ways to Decorate a Vintage Sled”

“Favorite Vintage Christmas Decor Finds”

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