Since we moved from Michigan to Florida over a year ago, we've been trying to make December feel like the holidays we grew up with. Item number one on the list? Decking the halls like Michaels and Pottery Barn had a tinsel throwdown at our place. I can't resist a little sparkle and glitz—our house is usually one of the first on the block to light up. This year, though, I held back a bit. We started decorating the weekend after Thanksgiving, and when I went out of town for the first 12 days of December, I couldn't keep adding more and more decorations day by day.
Number two on the list? Hosting a constant party. Let me share a few of our favorite holiday highlights with you.
First up, our new family tradition: the Kissing Ball. One of our Advent Calendar activities was to hang mistletoe and get a kiss. While I was away, I tasked Chris with finding the perfect mistletoe. Instead, he brought home a full-blown kissing ball, and it's been a huge hit. Not just with the kids, either—Chris and I are just as fond of it, especially when the kids come up with excuses to get us under it!
Another highlight? Our favorite mail: Christmas cards. Every day, we're receiving something special in the mailbox, and they all go up on a ribbon in the window alongside our hand-painted Christmas art, another Advent activity. The ribbon was already there, and as we remove one activity each day, we use the leftover space to hang the cards.
Speaking of traditions, our little ones have fallen head-over-heels for our new friend, Candy Cane the Elf. Yes, I know the market is saturated with Elf on the Shelf ideas, but our kids adore him. They named him themselves—after rejecting every suggestion Aliyah made, Brayden finally settled on "Candy Cane." Watching them wake up to find him in different spots around the house has been priceless. Sometimes he hides in the nativity, other times he's gobbling up candy or sipping syrup through a straw in the pantry. If you're looking for ideas for your own elf, there are plenty of resources online.
One non-holiday-related favorite is Kid Snippets. We watched their videos near our Christmas tree and laughed so hard. It's become a fun way to unwind during the busy season.
For wrapping gifts, my go-to is butcher block paper. It’s simple, rustic, and looks great. I’ll share more details and better photos later, but for now, trust me—it’s a winner.
I’ve been quieter on Instagram lately, but being back home and embracing the holiday spirit has me feeling inspired again. Find me there if you'd like to connect!
So, what’s your favorite thing this week?
If you're still searching for gift ideas, check out our Kid's Gift Guide here!
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