The Happy Hostess

So I just remembered that I have Anthropologie Christmas stuff from last year that I bought AFTER Christmas for a smokin' deal. I could barf I'm so excited! A hand embroidered beaded tree skirt-originally $200 that I swiped for $30, and a dozen eclectic ornaments ranging from vintage style icicles to woodsy animals made of straw :) I even picked up some miniature felt bright colored ornament balls for Wes' Christmas tree at Urban Outfitters.
I remember thinking to myself, "self, next year you will be so stoked off this!"

Now if I can just get my respectably-crazy at work on our future lives-of a husband to hop up in the attic for me to fetch it down. Trust me, I would do it myself if I knew he wouldn't be upset about it. He has a fear that I'll fall and hurt myself in the process. He seems to be forgetting that I spent the last 2 years of my life on the top step of a ladder leaning out while drilling, IN HEELS :/ Or maybe I failed to tell him all the things I did at work that put me in harms way on a daily basis? whoops :)

So all these thoughts have me thinking of Anthropologie and how much I miss it. Especially this time of year. If you have never experienced this store during the holidays I suggest you look up a location in your area, set aside a few hours, pick up a peppermint latte, and check it out. You won't be disappointed, promise! Maybe it's the different scented candles burning in all areas of the store (My personal holiday favorite, Hot Buttered Rum) OR the unique thoughtful and one-of-a-kind-esque gift ideas displayed oh so perfectly on every surface, OR the handmade, hand designed decor that employees spend 40plus hours a week working on? Whatever it is, you will leave inspired.

Here are a few fun things they've got going on this year....
Remember too that on top of a wonderful visual experience, anything you buy will be gift wrapped in the cutest little package ever. So when you factor in those two things, it's worth the extra few dollars you'll spend.
I've focused on items under $20 that would make perfect hostess gifts. Let me know what you think!




This, to me, is a great 'show up for a party' gift. It's something they can open and enjoy BEFORE the holidays, unique, and special. I'm all for wine, but really don't you want to bring something that says, 'i thought about this gift."
Not, 'I picked this gift up on the way over here'


Santa Lucia Snowflake Set, Anthropologie
$20


Here's the candle collection I was talking about. The tin gets re designed every year~and this years' is ADORABLE! All the smells are amazing, but like I said, Hot Buttered Rum has stolen my heart.

Sweater Weather Tin Candle, Anthropologie
$18

I remember making giant versions of these snowballs and chucking em at each other last year :) They were formed out of batting, spray glue, and fake snow. They looked so fun! People asked if they could buy them. Looks like Anthropologie took the hint and made some smaller versions for sale :) And ok, So maybe this wouldn't be a great choice for a the average hostess.Most might think, WTH? Snowballs? But I'm sure some of you have that special person in mind who'd totally appreciate such quirkiness. Like, me. Feel free to pick me up some :)


Snowball Fight, Anthropologie
$20

Anthropologie sells these classic novels: Alice in Wonderland, Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Whithering Heights, to name a few. And now, they added A Christmas Carole.
Even if you aren't a reader, what a cute accessory for the holidays. Who wouldn't want it? You could even start a little collection for someone.

A Christmas Carole, Anthropologie
$20

Decking the Halls

I'm currently sitting in my bedroom, A laundry Christmas Tree on top of my bed, listening to the 'Christmas genre' on Pandora (For those who like to mentally paint a picture while reading, Bing Crosby White Christmas playing.)
Usually, when I sit down to relax or write something I like the area I'm in CLEAN. Not clean in a dust free/spotless kinda way (I'm absolutely NOT OCD.) Just a clean to the eye sort of way. SO, this is out of the ordinary for me.
I'm just too excited about Christmas. This time of year I find myself looking for signs of Christmas. Street lights adorned with cheesy decor, My McDonalds coffee cup to change from tan and black to red with white snowflakes (unfortunately still just tan/black )
I've been this way since I can remember.
Before Tim and I got married my Dad warned him that I'd bug him to get down the Christmas Decor, and light up the house WELL before Dec 1st.
(Yes, Tim's already had me bugging him for 3 days now. lol. Poor guy)

I've noticed that my brain doesn't retain details of memories-like say, my sister Jenna's. I wish I was more like her. She can tell you what happened to her at age 8 down to who was there, what was said, etc. My brain DOES however remember vividly how I felt during a certain memory (and what I was wearing :)) Never do I remember a negative feeling during this time of year. Maybe that's why it is so special?
So in dedication to this time of year...here is a few fun decor items I've found.
Let me know if you like them. Remember less is more when decorating for Christmas. Meaning less surfaces should be decorated. Also meaning, don't waist your money on a snowman cover for your toilet seat lid :/
I'd focus on turning a few areas in your house into a winter wonderland, as opposed to just throwing them everywhere with no rhyme or reason. I mean, where's the Christmas spirit in that? Be thoughtful about what you want to do. It shows. You don't need to spend countless hours, but a little thought up front with a little love while putting something together will show and go much further! Trust me! And if you have kids, include them in some of it!
Another important thing for me is setting the mood. Who wants to put up Christmas decor with The Price Is Right on in the background? If it's hot outside, close the blinds, make hot chocolate and put on Pandora Christmas, and even a muted Christmas movie in the background. It's much more fun :)

I do realize I'm a cheeseball. Just so you know.


Ok, I'll start with my favorite find. $5 of each item sold goes to St. Jude. The gift that gives TWICE, You've gotta love the giving spirit in that! Plus it's not lame. I LOVE the modern simple design.
West Elm, Musical Objects
$24-

Might I also add that this would be a super cute hostess gift.









This is another 'Object accessory' it would be beautiful with the one above. I like that it fits the white/modern theme but is a different material. I'm imagining a collection of them on top of a mantle with snow, candles and a hint of greenery. Ahhhhh.




Not a fantastic picture so you will have to use your imagination. They are snowflake lights. These lit up on the mantle idea combo would be so stunning. Great, now I need a mantle :/
Ikea, Kalt Snowflake lights
$15




Please disregard the random styling in this photo :/
I like the idea of holiday artwork. This is so traditional in a very 'now' sort of way.

Etsy Santa Wall Decal
$12


Ikea tends to be a great place for ornaments (some anyway) and gift wrap. I LOVE white in a Christmas tree. Most people pick red and green. The WHOLE TREE IS GREEN PEOPLE! So I tend to stay away from anything green on a tree for lack of POP. I'm not too fond of the red/blue ornaments but lucky for me they sell the white only in sets of four. How pretty is the loop hole. I like that it isn't one of those cheap silver thingamigigers. They are also glass, which always looks nice lit up :)

Ikea, Novita
pack of 4 for $8






These are also super cute! LOVE LOVE the graphic patterns.
Ikea, Novita ornaments
Set of 4 for $4
At that price they'd be so cute tied to the top of your gifts.






So lets talk about gift wrapping. I'm a fan of thoughtful gift wrap. I think it makes the object inside feel genuine and more important, even if little money was spent. One of my favorite things to do is pick a new gift wrap theme each year. Two years ago I used brown craft paper with fun tie-on's and gift tags that were colorful. Last year I found giftwrpa that looked like vintage so the tie on was neutral and simple. Hmm, maybe THIS paper will be this years. It's hard to tell in the picture but it has personality, don't it?
I especially love the one with elf's on it :)
Ikea, Novita
$3 a roll


Just adorable to hold a gift or homemade cookies
(or store bought, if you aren't a baker like me)
Ikea
Set of 3, $8