December Delights: Your Guide to Festive Decor, Thoughtful Gifts, and Engaging Entertainment

Welcome to our monthly curation of “Good Things”—a carefully selected collection of wonderful experiences to see, unique items to buy, captivating books to read, and enthralling shows to watch. As December unfolds and the Northern Hemisphere embraces its shortest days, a beautiful transformation occurs: communities everywhere begin to sparkle with an abundance of lights, both indoors and out.

Please note: Some links in this article are affiliate links. Should you choose to click on them and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Your support helps maintain this blog.

There’s something truly magical about this time of year, isn’t there? The festive glow of countless lights offers a delightful spectacle to behold, serving as a gentle reminder of the enduring beauty in the world. They symbolize hope, assuring us that darkness is merely temporary and brighter, longer days are just around the corner. To enhance this cozy atmosphere, I find immense joy in lighting candles – both traditional wax candles and the convenient, timer-enabled ones that create a warm, inviting ambiance without constant attention. They instantly transform any space into a comforting haven, perfect for the winter season.

As the holiday season officially begins, my sincere wish for you is that it starts off beautifully. May you find ample opportunities to savor the “good things” that bring you joy, even amidst the inevitable hustle and bustle this month often brings. To help you navigate the season with grace and focus on what truly matters, remember our complimentary Holiday Season Planner, available in the VIP Library. It’s an invaluable tool for prioritizing and organizing your festive plans!

December’s Good Things: Festive Finds & Experiences

A Heartwarming Christmas Tree Farm Adventure for 2023

This year, our family embarked on a delightful new tradition: a group outing to a Christmas tree farm just outside of Salem (for our local readers, we highly recommend Skyline Christmas Tree Farm). This festive gathering, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving, proved to be an incredibly fun and memorable way to kick off the Christmas season.

Joined by several other families, our adventure began with the exciting hunt for the perfect Christmas tree. The crisp winter air, the unmistakable scent of fresh pine, and the joyful chatter of loved ones created an idyllic atmosphere. We warmed ourselves with steaming hot cider and cocoa by a massive fire pit, truly soaking in the holiday spirit. The charm extended to their adorable little Christmas shop, where we lingered, browsing unique festive treasures and soaking up the cheerful ambiance.

The merriment continued as we reconvened at my aunt and uncle’s home. A grand table awaited us, laden with a delicious lunch featuring comforting soup, fresh salad, crusty bread, and delightful desserts. It was a wonderful opportunity to share stories, laughter, and simply enjoy each other’s cherished company. This experience was so much more fulfilling than our usual solo trip to a tree farm; it left us wondering why we hadn’t embraced such a collective celebration before!

Following last year’s experience with a faux tree, we decided to return to tradition this year with a magnificent real noble fir. Interestingly, we found this beautiful real tree to be more economical than the options available at many local farms and stands, adding another layer of satisfaction to our festive day. Decorating this noble fir was an absolute joy; its soft, pliable needles made the process much easier compared to the stiff, almost prickly needles of our artificial tree (which actually required gloves for decoration!). Each movement released a lovely, authentic pine scent, truly bringing the essence of Christmas into our home and creating a truly immersive holiday experience.

For this year’s adornments, I introduced elegant mercury glass bulbs and delicate, long narrow ribbons, complementing our cherished collection of traditional ornaments that have graced our tree for years. You can always explore our past Christmas decor themes here for more inspiration. A little decorating tip: the charming bottle brush trees forming part of our dining table centerpiece, with the exception of one light green variety, were all delightful finds from the Dollar Tree! This thoughtful blend of new and old, combined with the joyful family gathering and the visit to the tree farm, truly made the acquisition of our Christmas tree one of the month’s definite “good things” and a highlight of our holiday preparations.

Discovering Bend Soap Company: Natural Goodness for Your Skin

I recently had the pleasure of discovering this fantastic, semi-local company, born from a family’s personal journey in Bend, Oregon. Their story is truly inspiring: they started crafting their own goat’s milk soap when one of their sons suffered from severe eczema. After exploring numerous remedies, they found that goat’s milk soap offered the most significant relief and benefits for his sensitive skin.

While I don’t personally contend with eczema, I am a passionate advocate for all-natural products and deeply appreciate soaps that boast exquisite scents derived from wholesome ingredients. During my initial order, I couldn’t resist selecting their captivating Winterwoods scent – it’s absolutely divine! These artisanal soaps are perfect for personal indulgence and make thoughtful additions to holiday stockings. I also treated myself to a luxurious set of their lip butter, which has quickly become a daily essential for nourishing my lips during the drier winter months.

The holiday lip butter trio is a particular favorite, featuring enchanting flavors like Peppermint, Holly Berry (a delightful blend of cranberry, grapefruit, and vanilla), and Mint Mocha. Each lip butter is meticulously crafted with deeply hydrating butters and nourishing oils, infused with honey and pure essential oils for flavor and additional benefits. What I especially love about Bend Soap Company is their transparency; all ingredients are clearly listed on their website, ensuring you know exactly what wholesome goodness you’re putting on your skin.

I’m genuinely thrilled to have stumbled upon this company. It’s rewarding to support a family-owned business while simultaneously enjoying premium quality soaps and lip balms that are wonderfully beneficial for my skin. Beyond soaps and lip care, they also offer a selection of lotions, milk baths, and other natural skincare essentials, all crafted with the same commitment to natural ingredients. If you’re looking to upgrade your skincare routine with wholesome, effective products, or seeking unique, handcrafted gifts, I highly encourage you to explore their range. As a special treat, CLICK HERE to receive $10 off your order of $45 or more! It’s a fantastic opportunity to experience their natural goodness.

Thoughtful and Frugal: The Charm of Gifts in Jars

For countless holiday seasons and as delightful hostess gestures, I’ve consistently relied on the simple yet profound charm of gifts in jars. These versatile presents can be as straightforward as filling an attractive jar with homemade granola or festive candy, or they can involve artfully layering ingredients to create a convenient mix, such as our popular cranberry pecan muffin mix. The beauty of these gifts lies in their homemade touch and customizable nature.

I find these jar gifts to be an especially brilliant choice during the bustling holiday period. This is a time when our kitchens are often overflowing with freshly baked cookies, special breads, and a plethora of homemade treats. By offering a mix or ingredients in a jar, you’re providing a gift that can be enjoyed well after the immediate holiday feast has subsided. It’s a wonderful way to extend the spirit of giving and enjoyment into the slower, post-holiday weeks, ensuring your thoughtful gesture isn’t competing with an abundance of other seasonal delights. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, allowing the recipient to savor the joy of baking or cooking at their leisure.

Furthermore, the practicality of jar gifts shines through when you opt for savory options. Imagine gifting the comfort of a ready-to-assemble meal like red beans and rice or an effortlessly delicious rosemary focaccia mix. These culinary gifts are always enthusiastically received, offering the precious present of a home-cooked meal without the immediate preparation hassle for the recipient. They demonstrate genuine care and foresight, making them truly special and deeply appreciated, especially during busy times.

Looking for inspiration? You can explore all the delightful jar gifts I’ve shared so far on the blog. Be sure to keep an eye out this month, as I plan to publish even more creative and heartwarming ideas to inspire your holiday gifting and make your presents truly memorable!

Captivating Reads: My November Book Discoveries

November was a month of diverse literary explorations, bringing a mix of heartwarming narratives, intriguing mysteries, and profound reflections. Here’s a closer look at what landed on my reading list:

• The Wishing Game, Meg Shaffer: Recommended as a delightful, feel-good read, this book delivered pure comfort. It tells the story of a beloved children’s author who hosts a contest, drawing in participants like a woman feeling stuck in life. A true “happily ever after” read, perfect for a cozy escape.
• The Cheat Sheet, Sarah Adams: An utterly charming, albeit somewhat unbelievable, romance. Long-time best friends Bree and Nathan, a famous football player, discover their true feelings while faking a romance for the press. It’s full of fun moments and delivers a requisite happy ending. (Note: this one was a bit more “open door” than I prefer, so I did skim some parts.)
• The Measure, Niki Erlick: Narrated by the excellent Julia Whelan, this sci-fi/fantasy was widely discussed last year. It presents a fascinating premise: everyone over 22 receives a box containing a rope indicating their lifespan. The novel brilliantly explores societal reactions, including the marginalization of “short strings” and the rise of support movements. Following several characters, it delves into the deeply personal and profound implications of knowing one’s fate. The twist at the end was unexpected and left me with much to ponder.
• Light Pirate, Lily Brooks-Dalton: While it garnered attention on Instagram, I found this climate-apocalypse story quite harrowing and ultimately not as enjoyable as I’d hoped. Following the protagonist from birth to old age in a world constantly losing ground, it presented a pervasive sense of sadness rather than hope or light. My experience with it seems to be in the minority.
• Romantic Comedy, Curtis Sittenfield: I loved the unique, behind-the-scenes setting of a late-night comedy sketch show, with its detailed look at writing and performing. The slow-burn romance was well-crafted. However, I was reminded of a previous attempt to read this author, whose casual approach to sex and explicit scenes doesn’t align with my preferences, so I’ll be skipping her works in the future.
• Double Cross, The True Story of the D-Day Spies, Ben Macintyre: My husband Brian and I listened to this, and it’s an absolutely incredible “truth is stranger than fiction” account. It will undoubtedly make my year-end best-of list! The revelations about these real-life “James Bond” spies – romancing, lavish spending, and even getting funds from the Germans they were double-crossing – were mind-boggling. It sparks the imagination about potential inspirations for Ian Fleming himself. Truly amazing history.
• A Time for Confidence: Trusting God in a Post-Christian Society, Stephen J. Nichols: Published in 2017, this book feels incredibly relevant today. Nichols encourages unwavering trust in God’s promises amidst societal shifts. It’s a deeply encouraging and empowering read, providing a much-needed reminder to find confidence in faith during uncertain times.
• House of Thieves, Charles Belfoure: I truly disliked this book. Despite an interesting late 1800s New York setting, the premise of a well-off family (including children) finding joy in robbing and even killing felt deeply disturbing and lacked any redeeming qualities. There were no likable characters, and I regret not reading reviews before picking it up, as my negative view is widely shared.

Must-Watch Entertainment: Movies & TV Series

When the days grow short and the air turns chilly, there’s nothing quite like settling in with a captivating movie or a compelling TV series. Here are some of my recent favorites that made the viewing list:

• The Holdovers (in theaters, available on Prime, Apple+): This film is a truly exceptional throwback, a heartfelt movie that resonates with genuine characters, authentic dialogue, and believable situations. It’s a brilliant comedy-drama that masterfully illustrates the profound transformations that can emerge from understanding, acceptance, and genuine human connection. With its endearing charm and deep emotional core, “The Holdovers” has swiftly become a new, instant Christmas classic in my book, perfect for holiday viewing.
• Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (Hunger Games prequel, in theaters): As a long-time fan of the Hunger Games books and movies, I initially wasn’t particularly drawn to this prequel novel when it was released. However, the film adaptation completely won me over! It tells a powerful and compelling story, skillfully revealing the complex motivations behind the lead character, Coriolanus Snow, who ultimately evolves into the tyrannical President Snow we know. The movie employs a film-noir-esque approach, ensuring that while you understand his descent, you never condone his actions. It’s a fascinating portrayal of how a series of poor choices can lead someone down an irreversible path, culminating in his full embrace of his dark destiny.

Beyond the big screen, our television viewing was equally engaging:

• We thoroughly enjoyed the third season of Only Murders In The Building on Hulu. This season proved to be even better than Season 2, with Meryl Streep delivering an absolutely superb performance that truly elevated the show and its delightful mystery-comedy blend.
• We also discovered the documentary series, Welcome to Wrexham, also on Hulu. This series chronicles the journey of the Welsh soccer team purchased by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. I honestly wasn’t expecting it to be as good and as genuinely heartfelt as it turned out to be. The story of the small Welsh town and its passionate community is incredibly sweet and inspiring, making it a surprisingly touching and uplifting watch.

And that wraps up another delightful edition of our “Good Things List”!

I hope this curated selection has offered you some festive inspiration for your December. If you’re keen to explore more of my personal recommendations and discoveries, you can always delve into all the previous “Good Things Lists” right here. Your insights are incredibly valuable to me – I’d absolutely love to hear your thoughts! Have you tried any of these recommendations, or do you have any wonderful “good things” you’d recommend to others? Please share your experiences and suggestions in the comments section below!

Affiliate Disclosure: Please be aware that this article contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission from the sale. Rest assured, this commission comes at no additional cost to you, and it helps support the content I create. For a comprehensive understanding of my full disclaimer and advertising disclosure policy, please click here.