On this weekend’s meander..men’s holiday gift ideas, some fresh ideas in Christmas stockings, my new faux tree, a wonderful local floral design studio and more..
Well it’s been a busy week and I kind of hit the ground running this month getting two trees up, which is not the norm for me, but I was in a holiday home tour this week (more below) so I was motivated..unlike my usual procrastinating self! I did manage to make a decision and buy a faux (not fake- per Juliet) Christmas tree.
I had been coming around to the idea as real trees have been getting pricier, less nice, and harder to come by..and I had mentioned before often become a stick in our dry climate here by Christmas..which is worrying. I ended up getting this flocked Fraser Fir tree ( I know also shocking I got white ) at Home Depot. I kind of fell in love with this one as soon as I walked in. It had soft dot lights and some brown and green bits which made it look more natural to me!
I haven’t decorated it.. but I’m trying some of what we have and not use ALL the ornaments and keep it to the ones I really love and the sentimental kid ones.. I also am adding branches and greens to give it a less uniform look..
It’s also my first year using a tree collar! Similar tree collar here and here and I recently saw this collar in woven black on someone’s tree and it looks great.
Let’s talk stockings..
How’s your stocking game? I always like to add one new one each year that catches my eye. We don’t do matched, rather coordinated. I like arty looking stockings (aka socks to my family), and everyone has something different.
Our mudroom right now with a few cute stockings and some greens.. I will add some to the fireplace area later this week.
I had to share a few stockings that I am loving.. these by Marimekko at West Elm are ADORABLE!
These faux fur stockings are on sale and can be personalized..and this linen white and gold bead stocking has a fun modern feel.
You can have a custom made Liberty fabric stocking if you order by December 4 on Etsy..(more prints available…and These stockings in mixed fabrics are also beautiful.
I love these mod Jonathan Adler stockings..
Then there are these sweet block printed stockings with bells..and this collection is good if you want neutrals..There are also William Morris stockings, and these in mud cloth on Etsy.
Beautiful Holiday Wrap
I recently came across this cute and whimsical shop RubyStripe, on Etsy making darling wrap and tags. This is a small, women owned business and their tags and wrap are next level pretty. The shop says ships from San Jose, so they came up as a local seller for me.. This is just a snippet of their holiday collection. They have so much more if you like handpainted and feminine.
Gifts for the Guys
I know a few people asked for suggestions for the guys, and since men make up most of my family..I have a few ideas for you.
These Ugg slip-ons are a great gift for anyone… and they have outside soles so they can wear them on a coffee run or something too. They come in black also.
This cozy sweater is great for a younger guys. I know my 24 year old son who likes fun sweaters would love it.
I bought all the men in our family these four way stretch 7 Diamond plaids last year. When I felt them at Nordstrom, I knew they’d love them. They are a bit more pricey, so I opted for one of these in place of a sweater. I even got my dad one. They are soft and super stretchy and very warm and come in many colors.. They are their favorite shirts and like outerwear they are so cozy.
I bought my college son this Rumpl Puffy blanket last year that comes with a cool stuff sack. It has extreme warmth and he takes it camping, to tailgates and always has it in his car. A fun idea for anyone who camps or loves the outside. Comes in nine different designs.
This half zip fleece in a fun patterns is also popular with young guys and this is a good price. Especially for the kid who always ‘loses’ his every year! Griffin, I’m talking about you..
This RVCA Crewneck , below in grey, has a classic fit and feels so soft inside and out. I bought one for my dad who likes old school sweatshirt style, but appreciates the warmth. I’m thinking of getting one for the Utah son too.
And this zip up fleece hoodie on right, has a cool pattern both my sons would love.
This sweater by Marine Layer is a bit pricier, but super nicely made and a classic for those ski guys or just like that retro style like my oldest does. This sweater is heavy cotton and so nicely made.
Two years ago I got Max this Ugg robe and he still loves it!
The other thing the boys always want is socks… like this 3 pack from UGG are so, so soft…and these Bombas sport socks hug your arches and you never want to wear any others for sports once you have a pair.
Lastly..This Hatch alarm clock/sound machine/reading light was a hit last year, so I am including it again. A great gift for anyone -and for those who want the phone out of the bedroom.
I just bought this for my sons.. Joshua Weisman’s, An Unapologetic Cookbook, is supposed to help you find your cooking intuition. The recipes were absolutely delicious looking dishes my guys would want to eat and could make.
I got these packing cubes for both the guys as they are traveling more now and a good price for a really useful gift! I bought these two options, but there are also black and other simpler designs available.
This UGG sweatshirt is nice and comes in four colors..
I will try to add to this list as we move through the season and update it if things run out..
A few other good things to share...
Blooms by Tara
My friend Tara is a talented local floral designer that does events and even subscriptions so you can always have beautiful flowers in house. I asked her If I could share on the weekend post as I often get inquiries about local flower designers. Tara is your go-to and she has a beautiful aesthetic!
Blooms by Tara is a bespoke floral design studio located in Los Gatos that specializes in floral design and styling for private events, birthdays, small businesses, retail, open houses, and also offer monthly subscription services. – A great idea for holidays! Follow Tara on Instagram to see her latest work. To inquire about services, contact her via Instagram direct message, or by phone 408-234-2173.
Holiday Home Tour 2022
I was lucky to be invited to join a Holiday Home Tour this week. There were five days of fantastic and creative holiday decor ideas and Juliet and I were part of Wednesday’s tour which was living rooms/ dens. If you missed it, I shared my little pink Christmas tree I have in my little office/den area!
Juliet shared her beautiful and cozy blue library and all her pretty and festive decor..I loved her mantel!
Links also to Cindy, Mary Ann and Annie’s homes along with all the talented ladies and their homes from all over the country is at the end of this post..
Juliet and I also did our first LIVE on Instagram. Though we were a little shaky in the technical parts at first, it was a lot of fun sort of like coffee hour-and great to chat with those who popped by and left comments! Hopefully this might be a regular thing, so if you aren’t following along on Instagram, please do. We love to interact with you all. You can watch our chat here!
DO you make a December bucket list? There are so many holiday activities. The best part of the holiday are the rituals I think! For us, it’s always baking cookies, going to San Francisco for lunch and shopping, and one night to drive by the lights of Willow Glen and a few others. I just alwasys hope to squeeze it all in..If you need ideas for fun things to do, Elizabeth had a great post this week chock full of ideas! I’m printing it out and trying to add a few more.
Tomorrow is another one of those special December things- our town of Los Gatos has it’s annual holiday parade. It’s the biggest holiday parade west of the Rockies! I’ll share and write more about it next week on a post with a few other on hometown holidays. Plus festive outfit ideas are coming on Tuesday for December’s Signature Style…
And that is my weekend meanderings for this week. Please stop over at Elizabeth and Juliet’s blogs to see what fun they are sharing..
MAKE MINE A SPRITZER
PINECONES AND ACORNS
Have a lovely weekend,
Kim
If you missed last weekend’s meander..I shared a recipe for persimmon bread, my Thanksgiving table, and a gift ideas for women.
If you’d like to get an email when I post, please subscribe to the blog here for a post in your inbox a few times a month and every Saturday for Weekend Meanderings.
Some links will generate a small commission here, which helps make this blog possible. Thanks so much for your support!
I love stockings too, Kim. I have a stocking story I will tell on the blog soon.
And what a cool tree – I cannot bring myself to get a faux one yet – but it’s coming.
And lastly, your Live talk with Juliet – wowsa. I’m impressed. Nice job girls!
Thanks so much Gray..We are learning as we go about Lives. I hope I can make this tree as cool as a real one! I am looking forward to your stocking story..I love them, and have a thing for pretty ones! x
Loved The live with Juliet! oh sorry I couldn’t finish it I had to dash away but you did very well for your first attempt I’m very impressed. Well it looks like you’re already for the holidays so this blogging thing works it makes you get it together!
I can’t buy clothes for my sons anymore because I just don’t have the taste that they have!
But I still try if there’s a tool or something else that is needed I usually go with that rather than the shoes or the clothing but they both just got slippers for their birthdays which are in the fall and those UGGs look very comfy!
I’m a little surprised you change out the stockings!!
I am so traditional with Christmas I still have my childhood stocking which will now go to my granddaughter it’s a big cat and a big white fluffy stocking!
Cheers to the season and to more lives with Juliet!
Xoxo
Elizabeth, You are right, it sure got my butt in gear, unlike normal. Maybe now I can enjoy some downtime in December..HA! Well I don’t change them out as much as add one new stocking here and there..But yes we don’t watch have our own. The cat does though! How lovely your granddaughter will have the kitty stocking. I love that. Did you mom get that? You have to send a photo. Thanks about the LIVE.. Maybe too long, but we are trying to figure it out. So glad you caught a snippet. xoxo
What a wonderful post (as always). You got me in the Christmas mood. We, too, have a fabulous Christmas parade here in Encinitas. The sparkle, energy and gleefulness of the holiday spirit is something to behold. Happy Holidays to you and your family, Kim.
Hi Pam! Yay I’m glad. How fun you guys have a parade down there too. I love the holidays too! Wishing you the same and enjoy. xo
Hi Kim,
When you first said you got a pink tree i was expecting something hot pink, don’t know why! I like yours so much, it’s very retro! Do you remember those metallic silver trees with the lights that rotated in front of them? They were awful and I felt sorry for the kids who grew up with them. But now, I don’t know, kinda cool in a way! This year I got a flocked faux tree and I’m sort of figuring out what to do with it. The lights are really bright but other than that it’s pretty great to be able to set it up in like ten minutes, with very little mess! I’m slowly adding decorations here and there to my house, scaling it way, way back this year.
I’ve been looking for new stockings, we’ve always used our childhood ones that my mom made for me and my girls, and I made my husbands. (i still have mine, felt with Santa in his sleigh). But I didn’t want to need to dig through all the Christmas decor from years past this year. So I’m on the hunt I need 6.. I don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars either. Maybe I’ll make some! Ha Ha. Anyway, thanks for the leads.
Your house is always so perfect in my eyes. You have great style!
Enjoy the parade, ours was this morning in the rain. Worth it to say hi to Santa!
Xo Heidi
Aw thanks Heidi. I know this pink is more me.. There are so many benefits to the faux tree right? putting it up when you want, taking it down later and not worrying about fires and bugs and needles..and lately for me allergies. I hear you about wanting to change it up sometimes and do something fresh nd that is okay.. just as others want to keep the old. That’s the fun of the season, we can make it ours and be creative. Youre so lucky to be talented and sew and be creative with stockings!
We had a big rainy parade too. xo
Hi Kim,
You have got so much done towards Christmas. It’s never enough because the list is always so long. The best part for me is scratching the completed list off in my mind.
Your tree is pretty, when you’re finished with “the magical Kim touch” it will be as spectacular
girly girl pink princess tree. Two trees, “you go girl.” So impressive.
I took time out to listen to what I call “Live Wired Staring Juliet and Kim.” You both are adorable. I can see why you’re friends. Maybe you are really sisters but with different parents?
Enjoy the weekend.
Hello Katherine! So glad you got to rewatch the live! That’s a cute name and we may need to use that! I love it. Aw thanks about my pink girl tree! Ha so funny Juliet and I are learning so many things in common it is crazy. Really nice to meet friends at this stage of life !
Aw you are so right about the Christmas lists. We have to make time for the fun parts.. Happy weekend! xo
Kim!
I don’t know how you do it! Wonderful post once again! I am on the home stretch of decorating and your enthusiasm was what I needed to get it done.
I used to have personalized stockings each one different but bought the PB big fluffy velvet ones and now just personalize them with an ornament or a monogram tag. I loved seeing all the options here.
Keep up the good work!
Mary-Ellen, I’m getting to it little by little. Thanks I know seeing others on this home tour motivated me as did your talented daughter too! Thank you for reminding me you can personalize a stocking with a cute tag or ornament! Love that idea.
Thanks for the kind note. xo
I’m way behind! Having been out of the country over Thanksgiving, it’s a bit harder to gear up for Christmas. I love your little girlie pink tree. It’s not for me but I think it’s so fun that you have it in your own personal space in the house of men. I wonder if Blooms by Tara did the flowers for my daughter’s wedding at Testarossa? I asked my daughter in a text but haven’t had a reply yet. Whoever did them, it was wonderful, using mostly peonies. Our family members all have stockings needlepointed by me. Now that I have made one for my last grandchild, I can stop! I do appreciate that my 2 grown kids have fond feelings about their stockings and consider them heirlooms.
Thanks for grounding me in Saturday with your musings. I always enjoy a leisurely read of them each week and appreciate the thought you put into your topics. We are having rain – maybe you are too!
Wren, so nice to hear from you.. You have been in far-flung corners and it looked amazing. Tara is a newer floral design person, so I’m not sure..how wonderful you finished you needlepoint stockings. They all are so lucky! They are heirlooms and I wish I was so talented.
Aw thank so much for popping by and yes enjoying the rain too. Hugs!
Kim! I love your tree! And, yes, faux … please. It’s giving me flocked envy. I may have that same tree skirt … or basket or whatever we call it. I’m going to decorate tonight. Anyhoo, it was so fun to do the tour with you. I adore your pink tree and love that you’ll have two full size trees this year. Goals. And, talk about fun … our Live. Scary yes, but we did it and I’m excited for a repeat performance this week. Love all your wrapping papers … the one with the cakes on it is just too good. My mom loved the wrap more than the gifts and somehow I’ve taken over where she left off. I also appreciate the guy gift ideas. Uggs are always appreciated and sock. I really like those plaid shirts and may surprise Jim with one … we don’ always give each other gifts but he’s lacking in the plaid shirt department and needs to adopt this rugged look when he’s out there cleaning our gutters. I think you gave me Tara’s name when I needed to send a flowers to friends in Los Gatos last year … she did an amazing arrangement and I’ll definitely follow her. Hope you’re enjoying this cozy, rainy weekend … perfect for tree decorating and admiring our work. xo
I never thought I’d get a flocked one! Then I though it could be cute with the house..Isn’t that wrapping paper awesome? So beautiful! I have to order some.. and tags. My grandma would wrap box tops and we would reuse the boxes over and over.. Of course you have to store them. We saw some boxes over and over again over the years, but it was green! Jim would be cute in plaid. This shirt is like I big hug and I do not lie about it.
Tara is newer to the floral business, but is absolutely the best person to call. So glad we did our live- like a big coffee chat! xo
I have been too low energy to do my usual week long Christmas set up this year, but your adorable pink tree has got me exploring a skinny teal tinsel tree option at BBB. With teal ornaments and clear lights. If I go ahead , I’ll send you a photo.
Hi Sheila-Merle! I hope you can find a teal tree! That would be awesome please send a picture if you can! xx
Kim! I love your trees! And how fun to have coordinating stockings, but not matching! Much more interesting!!
Your live with Juliet was so fun! I just happened to not miss it!! Like going out for coffee with you girls! Very fun!
Xx
Thanks so much Annie.. Fun you have to join our live sometime. Yes it’s supposed to be a a coffee chat! xo
Your stockings are so cute. I think your tree looks really funky. We have never had a live tree. You couldn’t get them here but these days you can find anything. However, I am not sure how people keep them alive. So our two trees are faux 🙂 Looking forward to your Signature Style post.
Thanks Lorna! I never thought about getting a tree on an island, but that makes sense. I guess I just take it for granted we have forests nearby. have fun decorating! I am wondering if you have your trees up yet there in Malta. xo
Great post Kim!!! I was just saying we need two more stockings…so thanks for this
Merry Christmas!
Thanks Mary Ann. xo