Certain smells let you know it’s the festive season. Pine needles, warm spices, a hint of citrus; it’s the olfactory equivalent of putting on a favorite worn-in sweater. But achieving that perfect home fragrance without it smelling like you’ve been attacked by an air freshener can be a challenge. Simmering potpourri is a simple, natural …
Holiday Entertaining
Taking down holiday decorations often feels like the hangover after a really great party. The cookies are gone, the tree is dropping needles by the second, and you are left staring at a mountain of sparkly chaos. While putting everything up feels full of anticipation, taking it down usually just feels like a chore you’d …
You know that feeling when the holiday magic wears off, and all that’s left is the mountain of leftovers, broken resolutions, and the dreaded return to reality? Yeah, that’s the post-holiday slump. It’s that unfortunate time when your favorite Christmas playlist now seems to annoy you, and the idea of waking up early for work …
The 1990s were a decade defined by bold colors, dial-up internet, and an optimism that the future would be bright (despite the looming Y2K scare). As New Year’s Eve approaches, many hosts look backward rather than forward for inspiration. Throwing a retro bash allows you to relive the glory days of boy bands and baggy …
With 110 million people hitting the highway, the holidays can turn interstate travel into a parking lot experience. AAA projects 2.2 million more drivers this year compared to last, likely due to gas prices dropping below $3 per gallon in some areas. Avoiding gridlock requires strategic planning. Knowing exactly which dates offer the path of …
Getting through the holidays each year without completely losing your mind requires a strategy. Sometimes that strategy involves hiding in the pantry with a handful of chocolate chips, but other times, it involves actual planning. Building traditions creates a scaffolding for the season, something sturdy to hang memories on so they don’t just blow away …
You hold the box. It feels heavy. The wrapping paper glimmers under the lights. Inside sits a decorative plate featuring a painting of a sad clown. You do not collect plates. You actively dislike clowns. Yet, there it is. The giver stands nearby, beaming with pride, waiting for a reaction. A frozen smile appears on …
There’s no easy way to say this: some Christmas decorations are ready to retire. Every year, it seems a few holiday staples cling on for dear life even as they become more kitsch than classic. Tradition has its charm, but certain outdated pieces don’t exactly add to the ambiance and take up more attic space …
The holiday season often feels like a pressure cooker with a sprig of holly on top. You have your cousin who asks pointed questions about your life choices, an uncle who brings up politics at the dinner table, and the general chaos of coordinating a meal that satisfies everyone. The urge to pull a trusted …
The season of festive gatherings is upon us, bringing with it a special kind of social sport: holiday small talk. It’s that familiar dance of pleasantries exchanged over cheese platters and festive drinks. You might find yourself cornered by a distant relative or a friend-of-a-friend, cycling through the same old questions (or sweating about the …