On this weekend’s post, I am sharing some of the gems I found at our local West Elm, an easy granola to gift, pieces to wear for any holiday events, thoughts on gifts, wrap and more..
It’s the weekend post where Elizabeth, Juliet and I share what is happening and things we love…
Thanksgiving
Our Thanksgiving was fun and a bit crazy. The table came together nicely with my thrifted plates, napkins from my lovely UK pal Rosie, and scattered pumpkins and leaves! We had family here from Humboldt and my dad, and the boys home. Lots of fun!
On Friday we showed San Mateo to Max’s step mama Marguerite and her boyfriend Bill, as they had never been. We had a sunny lunch on the closed main street and explored the shops, the Japanese Garden, Draeger’s gourmet grocer, and ended with Antoine’s cookies!
When everyone left, I was a bit sad, but also overwhelmed with all that I need to do in a few short weeks.
Before you go all out this season..
Skip stuff and do less!
I’ve written this before and it bears repeating.
We (women especially), do too much an put the pressure on ourselves when we needn’t. We can make choices bring more joy if we choose to… I’m telling you, so many of my friends are feeling the pressure now and it makes me sad. They cannot even enjoy the season because they are so invested in making everything perfect for others. It’s too much.
It’s better to have a few holiday coffees out with pals close to you, than say yes to all the gatherings. It feeds the soul to make your family cookie recipes with a cup of tea and holiday music, and perhaps skip the fancy care packages that put you over the edge.
It’s better to write a few Christmas cards to far away relatives and old friends than a list of 200 with a ‘perfect’ family photo and a recap of your year. Skip the mall and trying to get everyone the ‘perfect’ gift and maybe take a drive to see the holiday lights with a hot cocoa.
Also…
We as a nation consume too much. It’s quite different in many parts of the world, where the holidays are about gathering with close friends and loved ones, and small traditions that have meaning. Watch Rick Steve’s European Christmas to get in the mood and see the small things that make Christmas so magical.
A few holiday tips..
- Make getting together the ‘gift’ with family and friends. See if you can avoid buying and spend money on a nice dinner, lunch or outing instead.
- If you must gift, buy one thing you really like in multiples to save time and make it the gift you give everyone. I like perishables like a food item, as it can be consumed and not come in on a cargo ship. One year I gave everyone a great seasonal book, last year it was my favorite mascara. Things people can use up are the best.
- Buy local. You would be surprised how many small shops have great affordable small gift ideas. Shopping small is not more expensive, in fact in my town, I have noticed it’s quite the opposite so get out there and avoid the mall.
- Your local grocery store is an unexpected place to get small gifts. Our Lunardi’s has bread made by local bakeries wrapped up, Italian panettones, boxed chocolates, wines, and I love the gourmet selection of teas from all over. I think a box of tea and a bread or pretty paper napkins is a great hostess, neighbor or friend gift idea.
- A plant that can be enjoyed is another thought. I love when you can find a pretty pot, and Whole Foods has darling mini trees with pinecones that look expensive for $3.99, and Trader Joes has good options too.
- Americans spend 12 billion on wrap a year, and throw away 2-3 billion pounds of wrapping paper! Try and buy wrap, ribbons, and decor that can be used all year i.e.- not themed items. All my wrap this year is floral, stars, or plain and in blues and greens. I can use that anytime and not have to store it. I also like kraft wrap and kraft bags that you can tie a pretty ribbon on and can be used again. Or find a paper you love and use it as your house wrap all the time, like a department store!
Decor Stuff
Do less. I have four big boxes of Christmas that are not being used this year. I bought a new runner for the table, but it’s beige and my napkins from West Elm are red with a hint of green blue. Choose things you won’t need to store and will get used more than once a year.
I also used less ornaments and just went simple. This is the first time I used a garland I had and wrapped it on my Malibu chandelier. The runner was on sale at our local Harvest Home store. The pots were found this week at Willow Glen Home and Garden and like I said the little trees with pinecones are $4 at Whole Foods!
In that mindset…
A food gift idea!
Do you need a good food gift to give that looks pretty, is easy and pretty healthy too? I first shared this family granola two years ago which we did for our sweet neighbors. Max now makes this once a month in a double batch and freezes half as he has it for his breakfast he has daily with yogurt.
We recently replaced the coconut oil with olive oil as he is watching his cholesterol. Olive oil has less saturated fat and we thought it tastes a bit toastier with it too, which we like.
This is how we wrapped them in 2021 -cellophane bags and with gingham. I like the addition of a green cutting from my yard. We include the ingredients on the card, as so many people have allergies. As you can see we are big nut fans. There are no dried fruits, but you could add whatever floats your boat.
Recipe here on my 2021 blog.
On My Radar – our new local West Elm
West Elm has some great little things for the holidays. We have a fairly new outpost of this home store (it’s a more affordable Pottery Barn- who owns it), in nearby Campbell. I have been meaning to stop in and finally did this week. Many cute things. I even met a sweet blog reader, Leah who kindly said hi!
I came home with a set of cute napkins as I needed something that would work for the holidays and all year.
I also bought this lit garland for above my fireplace.
A great item are these Herringbone Throws in four colors. They are so soft and make a beautiful gift…. now on sale for $39 -half off. Lovely on a sofa or at the foot of the bed!
I love this Thea pillow cover. It looks much more expensive than it is and their rug pillows are gorgeous in many tones.
Their holiday collection is expansive. If you need stockings these chunky knit ones are darling for $21. I also love these ceramic tree tealight holders and this boucle tree skirt which I would buy if I needed one.
Their Christmas Tree stoneware collection is quite nice too.
Festive Tops
I am crazy about this sequin cashmere sweater back in November at Anthropologie and see it is now on sale. It is a great piece for the closet if you don’t already have a fun top to wear through the holidays! I bought a small and I love it as a sweater it’s super comfy. Here’s a few ways to wear it -with black pull pants for an evening dinner, with jeans and boots for a daytime get together, and with over a slip dress or with a satiny skirt.
My black pants I just bought from Frank & Eileen.. I have on the pull on billion dollar pant top left, which is SO comfy. They also make a less skinny trouser you pull on I also love here.
Here is a few other tops, bottoms and items that I think are great party options….
Tree Decor
This past Tuesday I joined my blogging pals for a holiday decor post. As soon as our Thanksgiving guests left, we pulled out the tree and I bought a basic wreath at the garden center.
These are my past versions of my tree in 2022 and 2023. So far I am still liking this Home Depot tree. It’s easy and the lights are soft.
This year I used ribbons and bits of nature. All my ideas and links to my pals- all on this post...
Other good things….
Juliet had a great post – 37 Holiday Gift Ideas and she’s got many great ideas to help you out if you are stuck for gifts.
Elizabeth shared a post on making marbelized ornaments with a few simple items you can buy at the dollar store. Aren’t these gorgeous? Read her post here.
Homeworthy is celebrating the holidays with 25 days of Christmas and a holiday home to be inspired by each day. Cara Brown is a jewelry designer and her 300 year old stone home in New Jersey is a packed full of beauty. I love how she choose a persimmon color for her Christmas tree and wrap!
I will be back this week with a little gift post and then the last weekend blog on Friday for a few weeks.
Have a lovely weekend,
Kim
Please stop by Juliet and Elizabeth’s blogs for more weekend things…
Make Mine a Spritzer
Pinecones and Acorns
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Good morning Kim,
I LOVE your Thanksgiving table! Your thrifted plates look beautiful, as do your UK napkins, pumpkins and other natural elements.
Christmas seems to get bigger and bigger each year, especially if you are on social media. “The bigger more over the top” the better and EVERYTHING has to be new each year. Not for everyone, but for the big influencers. I so wish these influencers would use their platform to support reuse, repurpose and recycle why you already have in new ways.
And yet, I recently read that there is a movement for minimalism and under consumerism. In fact the recent analytics from the stores show that people are shopping and buying less.
To be honest, I have bought a lot less and for the last 5 years my husband and I do not exchange gifts. We don’t need anything and honestly would rather spend our money gifting one another adventures and making memories.
I have not been to a West Elm in ages, the closest is over an hour away. I think I will have to take a look online!
Kim, your minimal decorations and the holiday tours of everyone else are a feast of inspiration! So many beautiful homes and ideas.
Thank you for sharing my marble ornaments. For anyone thinking of making them, they are SO EASY. You need 2 things, and that’s it.
Have a wonderful weekend friend.
P.S. YOU LOOK FABULOUS is sequins.
xo
Hi Kim, was in your sweet town for the first time this week for lunch. How adorable is Los Gatos! Thanks for the runner tip. I like the idea of a runner you can use all year round and can change up with different holiday decor over the years.
Good morning Kim,
I loved reading your post and so admire you reminding women to relax and enjoy the festive season. Such sage advice and perfectly timed :-))
I read all your posts but seldom comment…I have never made granola but have copied your recipe.
We try very hard to give gifts that are “greener” and many are very simple…beeswax candles, a tea towel and my go to spiced nut mix.
You set a lovely table and I particularly like the thrifted plates!!! Thrifting is such fun!!!!
Take care, and enjoy the holidays.
Leslie Lord
Hostess of The Humble Bungalow
Thank you for this post; I am a new subscriber and am enjoying the lovely pictures and fashions! I am in San Diego where putting on a coordinated outfit makes others ask if you are going somewhere special. Once in a large department store in San Francisco a shoe salesman joked that people here in SD only wear flip-flops..he was joking but that was nearly a truth! My Christmas decorating is very simple these days. My tiny tree is over 20 years old and some of the ornaments were made about 35 years ago by my daughter. We purchased clear glass balls and put glitter in them and then glued white and gold ribbons around them. I have gold and cream grape cluster ornaments and some unusual glittery faux pears and other fruit ornaments I haven’t seen since. Anyway, we are pacing ourselves as everyone works so fitting in holiday shopping and preparation is challenging. Again, thank you for the inspirations you bring and your use of vintage items. Donnie
Thank you for the encouraging words to find ways to really enjoy the season with family and friends by doing less, buying less and simply being together with easier gatherings. I especially liked your reminder to find ways to consume less which is what typically guides my purchasing these days. It has become quite easy to sail past the plastic these days in the stores. Enjoy your blog!
Kim, love this post, and a great reminder for us gals to slow down and enjoy the season. Your Thanksgiving table was gorgeous. I have my eye on the tablecloth, please share where I might purchase it. Happy Holidays!
Karen, Do you mean the Thanksgiving one- or the runner?
Just saw this Kim, I like them both but was referring to the tablecloth.
Karen, This is the exact one. It’s called Clemens by Ralph Lauren. I bought it originally at Homegoods. I see now people are selling it new on EBay and I found one here:
https://rstyle.me/+Y19T5HpBt2mFaASqJhEMbQ
I have to say, it’s very lightweight. I had to put another under it.
xo
Kim
Thank you Kim! I haven’t thought about checking Home Goods.
Yeah don’t pay over $30 for it. It is not the nicest one I’ve ever had. If you can get it at HG it’s worth it. xo
Kim! What a spectacular dispatch today … I’m 100% on board with your simpler, more meaningful holiday season. I no longer knock myself out, and if something doesn’t get done, it doesn’t get done. When I think back to the magical Christmas’ of my childhood – that I totally took for granted – I now wonder how much work behind the scenes my grandparents did to make everything perfect, and seem effortless for us. I do believe my grandmother in particular enjoyed it, but it must have been so much work. I love your festive, sparkly holiday top and the way you’ve paired it elegantly and casually. I went out shopping this week and loved seeing the beautiful holiday tables and displays in all the stores. So glad you had a nice Thanksgiving … beautiful table, by the way. And here we are heading into mid-December. Cheers to a more intentional holiday, less pressure, more enjoyment. xo
Wise words on doing less. It has taken me sooo long to put my foot down and decided about 3 or 4years ago to spend the day at the beach, I make delicious rolls, we take fruit and our Christmas isn’t Christmas without our Panettone. We catch up with family and friends when we can. Your thanksgiving table was beautifully set, I love the tablecloth and also love the pots on the table with the runner. And yes to buying less, my daughter and I love second hand stores, usually find items you can’t find anywhere else.
We were forced to simplify this year after learning my husband will have to undergo major surgery before Christmas. There will be no lights hung outside, no decorated tree inside, no boxes of decorations hauled down from the rafters. We made do with some items that I had in a hall closet and picked up a small, live Monterey pine with a couple of poinsettias. Every year we put a doll’s- house-sized wreath on our daughter’s 25-plus-yr-old CA Mission sculpture from 5th grade, which still sits on a shelf. I’m not feeling sorry for us, as it has been oddly liberating. I can’t claim that we are relaxed under the circumstances, but we’re focused on what is truly important, and the love and support received from family and good friends have been gifts unlike any other.
Wishing you all happiness and health this season.
Hi Kim,
You are so correct about people (especially women) trying to do it all at the holidays/Christmas. I’m learning to let things go a bit and just do what I enjoy. It’s easier now that our boys are grown. People buy so much at this time of year. It’s actually a bit sad to me to see the volume of things in stores. It’s nice to shop small, locally owned stores. Next year, more people will probably do that, as the tariffs will make the cheap overseas goods not so cheap.
I love your sequined top – it looks great dressed up and down. Quite the versatile piece!
West Elm is a place I have not been, and I think there is a West Elm Outlet right here in my town! I guess I’ll just have to go and check it out. 🙂
Janet
Hi Kim — I am definitely scaling things back this year since the kids won’t be home for Christmas. I say this after posting my living room decor on the blog today, ha! But this is my third year with the same tree decor, the pillow covers and throws are all things I had on hand. And I reused a lot of the greenery for the mantel decor too. Plus sticks that I foraged. That sequined sweater is smashing. Love all three ways you styled it! I have been wanting to watch Cara’s Homeworth tour. Maybe I will do that tomorrow! Happy holidays!
Molly, Your house always looks so pretty! Yay for adding sticks. I love the idea you are using what you have and changing it a bit.
The Homeworthy Tours are so good.
Hoping you have a great Christmas! x
Oh, Kim! I do love that Thanksgiving table esp. with the velvet bows! I did give over to consumption and got a couple rolls of velvet ribbon this year to jazz up some old Christmas decor we have. I have been loosely checking in with my favorite blogs, etc… this year. I saw you had so many fun local trips and time with friends/family. We were very much in the thick of just living everyday life with young kids! I previewed and am excited to watch the “European Christmas” special with my family. I think the economic landscape is about to change drastically in the next decade with far less consumption for all sorts of reasons. You do such a lovely job of showing how to reuse, recycle and source from nature. I always love those ideas and I think not makes your blog such a unique and beautiful standout. Oh- also! I ordered “Invasion of the Killer Underpants” as a Christmas present for my kids because I have read that there really is no ending biased media or things like election interference so the bigger goal would be to better teach critical thinking with the end result being citizens who force change through their own thoughtful contributions due to better education in that way. I am very curious where our world is headed and keeping hopes high. In the meantime- staying very focused on family while doing what I can for others as I know you do too! On the fashion front in 2024 I think bows are really for Gen Z, but I did give over to a couple “bow” items. Did very little shopping otherwise, but I like seeing your ideas! I hope you have a lovely Christmas and a very happy, healthy 2025!
Nicole, Thanks for taking the time out of your busy mom life to read the blog. Always so nice to get your messages!
Velvet ribbon is so gorgeous isn’t it? you just need a little to transform things! I hope you like the European Christmas. My family is a big fan. It just shows you it is really all about the rituals, not the shopping that makes the holidays. I totally agree I think we are going to be changing too and consume less. I know the younger generation is much more about less..
Yay for getting the book. I know all we have is critical thinking skills! If we can get the next generation that, it will help hugely because right now we are sadly lacking it. The bow items are lovely.
Take care of yourself Nicole, especially this time of year. Things get crazy.
Wishing you a happy Christmas and good 2025 too. xo