3 Holiday Habits I'm Taking With Me into 2015

It's always hard to say goodbye- to people and places loved, to leisure time away from the office, to a season that was suddenly over when it feels like it only just began- and even to a calendar year that may have presented some personal challenges. Admittingly as I type this post, we still have the bulbs and ornaments hung on the tree and the lights still strewn about the eaves. This year, it all came and went so fast and I have had a hard time parting with the pleasures of the holiday season.

So just as I always try to plan another vacation when one is ending, I decided to follow suit and pick out a couple of holiday habits worth hanging on to in the coming year. 

I've never really been a napper. I'm not a late sleeper and taking a break in the busiest part of the day always felt like a waste. Leisure time really brings about some new perspective and I found that a short break to watch a favorite movie on the couch by the fire didn't necessarily slow me down after all. It felt good to let my mind wander a bit with the scroll of channels on the remote and my feet up on the ottoman. With all the focus on clean eating and exercise in the New Year, it's a little curious that one of my resolutions is to sleep and lounge. But part of being healthy is also learning to respond to queues from your tired body and taking time to rest and recharge. It will not happen everyday, but instead of running on empty each weekend and dreading the workweek to come, I am looking forward catching up on some Netflix under a warm blanket in 2015.

I've talked about my renewed interest in fresh house floral recently here on the blog and plans to re-incorporate this habit into my weekly routine. Over the holiday, I again spent some time at the flower mart and played with colorful arrangements set against dark wood or clothed backdrops. It was fun to hone my skills and challenge myself a bit to create something modern and fresh for our holiday tables. There was a time when I'd shop every Saturday for flowers to display around the house and I'm not sure why I ever stopped. It may have been time or money but in 2015, I decided to make room in both my budget and routine for flowers once again.

I spent the better part of the last 8 weeks huddled over my kitchen counter and I have the dishpan hands to prove it. Among my voyage back to seemingly self discovery during the holidays came a renewed interest in cooking and baking (but definitely not dishwashing). We are a two-person household with different tastes and dinner interests and quite often we "make food" -not a formal meal. It's just been easier on our budget (and my nerves) to approach dinner this way. Eating out is always the easiest solution. But I had a bit of an a-ha moment over the holiday that helped me find my way back to something I love. It may not always translate into a "meal", but I decided to challenge myself to experiment with creating something in the kitchen a couple of times each week - be it a loaf of bread, a much loved family recipe or even a cocktail. 

As such, the coming year will likely feature more posts on food and flower arrangements here on the blog, in addition to dishing daily on design. I've already got a few projects in the early planning stages so stay tuned for continued work here on Holtwood House as well. 

A Look Back at a Handmade Holiday

Two weeks away. I hadn't planned it, but I think my soul needed it. Though those initial days away were consumed with a flurry of final holiday preparations, much of the rest was spent sampling new recipes, visiting with friends and family and conspiring for the year to come. I have plans friends, big plans and I'm really excited to put those plans into action. 

But before we get too far down the path of resolution, change and renewal, I wanted to share a quick look back at some of the things that kept me so busy at the end of 2012. 

I had envisioned a truly handmade holiday and boy was it ever. 

Tassel How-To // Honestly WTF

How to // Honestly WTF

How to // Just a Girl and Her Little Dog

Inspiration // Love Maegan

Previously shared "gilded beasts" // Inspired by Heodeza

Holiday Crush

It's those last few days before Christmas and I'm sitting on a house full of gifts yet to be wrapped. Crafting gifts for one and all takes precious time and I've spent nearly every evening over the last several weeks engulfed in handmade projects for the big day. I've asked myself dozens of times in as many days why I do this every year. The house is a mess. I'm a mess and I haven't eaten anything beyond Campbell's in as long as I can remember. 

Despite it all, I'm in love with this all too short season. Every last stressful bit of it. 

If all finally goes as planned, I'll be caught up by Sunday and finally staring at a vacuumed house with presents around the tree. 

How 'bout you? Are you all bought and wrapped with a cup of egg nog by the fire? 

Where My Head is At These Days

Though the dwindling light outside tells me that the days are getting shorter, in reality it feels just the opposite. Busy workload and house commitments, combined with the hustle and bustle of the shopping, crafting, wrapping, visiting, baking season has me a bit on overload as I head into the weekend. Not to glorify "busy", but honest to goodness it's been some late nights and a lot of coffee around here lately and I'm really hoping to kick up my feet and just stare at the lights on our beautiful tree this weekend.

Here's a reminder to take time out friends. It all goes by so fast. The January issue of Martha is already sitting on my coffee table...

// image via

Gift Certificate Options You Might Not Have Considered

I'm a big fan of gift certificates. True a tangible gift, thoughtfully selected and wrapped is ideal this holiday season. But I hold gift certificates responsible for some of my greatest experiences and in-a-pinch lifesavers.

I've been known to hoard gift cards received at Christmas or on my birthday all year long. They've come in handy when I've needed that special dress for a night out and we've frequently used them for un-budgeted dinner dates. I've pulled cards from my stash to help ease entertaining expenses (half the expense of entertaining is all the new stuff you buy and collect, am I right?) and I've used them to explore new activities, places and foods.

If you're still on the fence about what to get that special someone or struggling to find something you feel would be practical, why not consider one of the following gift options. 

Adrenaline Junkie // There are many companies in your area that promote deals on high stakes adventures that your closeted adrenaline junkie relative might never purchase for themselves.  You know the one... your uncle who has told you for years that they would love to paraglide off the cliffs in Malibu or base jump off the Perrine bridge in Twin Falls, Idaho.  Why not help him scratch it off his bucket list?

The Culturist // Not sure what to get your hard to buy for boss who seemingly has it all? What about your sister who never has a night out but has always wanted to see a ballet or go to the opera- just once.   You don't have to commit to a specific date or event right now. Performing Arts Centers offer gift certificates that can be used anytime, so the recipient can choose when to use them based on what they want to see and their schedule. 

The Resolutionist // Like clockwork, every New Years Day your husband says he's going to get out and do more in the coming year. Be his cheerleader and line up some activities that will push him out of his comfort zone. Surfing lessons will help him brush up on skills he hasn't used since youth. Go-kart racing, beer tastings, paintball games, a round of golf- even a hot shave will help him look back on 2013 as the year he finally did it.

Clean House // This is one they'll stash away for that one hectic week when they feel completely overwhelmed and unproductive. One free house cleaning is the perfect gift for your party planning friend who undoubtedly spends a week cleaning up before (or after) their annual soiree. New moms will appreciate the opportunity to kick their feet up before or after the baby arrives as well.

Mobile Detail // This is another one where the gift will come to them. Why not help a pal out and extend a free car detail to them right on their own driveway. The beauty of a mobile detailer is that they can tackle all the family cars in one visit, save the gift recipient multiple trips to the local car wash and deliver a thorough cleaning they'd be unlikely to get at a commercial establishment.

Other practical services that would make good gifts: a free pool cleaning (then plan to use their pool all summer long!), a free mow and blow (hire your own gardner for the day to help a busy friend out) or even a one-time mobile grooming appointment (you're really giving peace of mind to know Fido is right outside).

Sometimes the best gifts are truly practical, especially to those who are on a budget. Did you know you do not have to commit to a particular store in the mall when buying a gift card? Local shopping malls offer generic cards that allow recipients to choose where they want to shop. These can come in handy for a multitude of needs and just might end up saving the day during that unexpected trip during the coming year. Other practical gift cards to consider: BevMo (they'll appreciate being able to select that bottle of wine they've always wanted to try), Gas Card (perfect for the student or employee with a long commute), MetroCard (load them up and they'll be thanking you many rides later).

Security

We planned ahead and hired security to guard the gifts around the tree this year. 

When I spotted those gold patterned beasts that Heodeza made earlier this year, I knew that somehow I had to work them into our holiday decor. What a better place to parade this intimidating bunch than around the base of our tree? 

Interested in making your own? I have a little tip to share. With all the painted plastic figurines floating around the interwebs these days, I had been pricing these out pretty extensively of late. Cost per animal was easily coming in around $6-10, which was turning what would otherwise be a fun DIY on the fly into an expensive endeavor. I nearly gave up on this project when I happened to stumble upon some rather large sized animals in the dollar bins at my local Target.  To my surprise, I scored these 6" figures for just $3 a piece!

Eye Spy a Party

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Whether you go conservative with just a little shimmer at the inside corner or layer your lids in bold metallic powder, I say there is no better occasion than a holiday party to sparkle up those peepers.

Sephora Collection Glitter Eyeliner and Mascara  |  Shu Uemura Lashes |  Dolce & Gabbana Intense Liquid Eyeliner  | Make Up For Ever Aquarelle Eyeliner |  Dior Grand Bal Eye Lashes |  

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette | Bobbi Brown Pearl Eye Trio

Holiday Gifting // Package Creatively

Half the fun in giving a gift is imagining the look on the recipients face when you finally place it in their hands, is it not?  I have this in mind each time I wrap a gift, but at no time more than during the holidays. There is a spirit of child-like wonder in the air that makes giving and receiving so much fun. I like to parlay that spirit into themed or unexpected packaging that is often part of the gift itself. 

Today, I'm sharing some creative ways to package your holiday gifts that will no doubt make a big impression, even before the true gift is revealed.

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