It finally feels like Christmas—the tree is up, the air is crisp (for Texas that is), and there’s a quiet kind of magic in the little moments. I’ve been soaking up the cozy vibes and making our home feel warm and inviting, savoring the beauty of this season. Here are a few of my favorite ways to bring that festive feeling to life.
Here are some of my christmas favorites
Christmas Essential Oils
Plant Therapy (10% off your first order with code DRCOURTNEY) has the best seasonal essential oils and I’ve been diffusing the DIY fall blends non-stop. Now, I am getting ready for the holidays and getting my DIY blends just right for you!
Here are my fav DIY holiday blends:
Holiday Hearth
4 drops sandalwood
2 drops cinnamon
1 drop patchouli
Citrus Frost
4 drops fir
2 drops cinnamon
1 drop grapefruit
1 drop wintergreen
Candlelight Calm
2 drops orange
2 drops lavender
3 drops frankincense
Christmas Decor
I love putting together my own front door decorations — it’s my way of welcoming the season with a touch of charm that feels so personal. For this year’s Christmas decor, I’m excited to share some of my favorite finds, from cozy pillows and built-in decor to a few thoughtful pieces that bring that special holiday magic home. These touches make every corner feel a little warmer, a little more inviting, just like
Front Door Swag
Faux Cypress Door Swag 27”
Ginger Velvet 1” Ribbon
Hanging Iron Bells
Golden Metal Bells Door Hanger
Wreaths
Faux Cypress Wreath 36”
Christmas Tree
Skei Wood Natural Christmas Tree Collar 24″
Woven Christmas Tree Collar 27″
Fireplace Mantle
Faux Cypress Real Touch Christmas Garland 6′
Alfie Hanging Bells
Ivory Cozy Knit Christmas Stocking
5′ Decorative Brass Bell Christmas Garland Antique Finish
Ranch Hand Premium Firewood — I have premium oak firewood delivered to my door every month during the winter! Local delivery is free and I know the owner personally as they’ve been a vendor at the OWH markets in the past.
Built-ins
Theo Bells
Antique Brass Bells (Set of 3)
Woven Rattan Sleigh
Medium Rattan Basket Weave Christmas Tree
Small Rattan Basket Weave Christmas Tree
Large Rattan Basket Weave Christmas Tree
11″x13.86″ Christmas Tree Framed Wall Art
Willow Tree Nativity Set
Pillows and blankets for my couch
18″x18″ Christmas Plaid Woven Square Throw Pillow
Woven Holiday Floral Square Throw Pillow
Christmas Plaid Woven Throw Blanket
Pillows for Rosie’s play couch
Shiraleah Pink and Red “Merry” Christmas Pillow
The Halsey Homestead 18″ Antique Quilt Tree Pillow — They restock every Sunday at 7PM and I had to set alarms to get these pillows but omg they’re so cute
The Halsey Homestead Gingerbread Man Pillow
Other goodies I love
Golden Metal Bells Door Hanger
Red Berry Holiday Artificial Arrangement
Faux Cedar and Snowberry Christmas Arrangement
16″ Faux Spruce Christmas Arrangement
24″ Faux Cedar Branch Christmas Arrangement
Storage
Christmas Wreath Storage Bag
Christmas Tree Storage Bag
Christmas Pajamas
We have a lot from Hanna Andersson! Their Black Friday sale is usually 50% off and I buy Christmas pajamas in next year’s sizes so the pajamas Rosie is wearing this season were bought last year. Also, my favorite high waisted organic cotton underwear for Rosie.
Cozy Recipes + Baking
Superfood Hot Chocolate by Just Ingredients — We love to make hot chocolate bombs as little gifts for friends and neighbors around the holidays. They usually have a powdered instant hot chocolate inside and this is the perfect healthier option for that!
Asher’s 5 Minute Vanilla Bean Hot Cocoa from Half Baked Harvest — This is my go-to stovetop homemade hot chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate chips plus some dark chocolate, yes please!
Homemade Marshmallows from Fallon Danae — My favorite but I am known for over whipping it so I haven’t quite mastered it yet. This recipe is available in her Meal Plans. She has a bone broth hot chocolate recipe that’s awesome
100% cotton handmade custom bowl covers by Joy In Quilting — I have these in Christmas patterns for holiday baking!
100% cotton handmade custom jar covers by Joy In Quilting — I have this in a Christmas pattern for my sourdough starter
Christmas Mitten Wooden Cookie Mold — I bought this off Etsy, but they’ve moved to their own website in the UK so I’m not sure what pricing and shipping will look like with that, but I got this last year for making fluffy gingerbread cookies and it’s the most adorable thing ever
Gingerbread Man Cookie Cutter — You have to use this special gingerbread cookie recipe so they’re fluffy
Little Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter — I mean r u kiddin’ me!
Activities
Whimsical Dough — Their holiday/winter shop is open! I have their Christmas trinkets, winter trinkets, winter trees playdough roller, reindeer tray, gingerbread trinkets, Christmas tree tray, Christmas play dough stamp set, Christmas play dough roller, and be merry play dough stamp set.
Dough Parlour — They just launched their Christmas collection! I prefer their playdoughs and the scents are to die for and we just rehydrate with water when they dry out.
Books
December Children’s Books — This month we will be reading about the Christmas story, finding your purpose and cozy winters for Christmas. My lists are a combination of the 1000 Hours Outside and Brighter Day Press book lists.
Advent
Winter Ballerina Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar — We used this one with Rosie last year!
Meri Meri x Ladurée Charm Bracelet Advent Calendar — Going to do this one this year.
Gift Wrapping
Muslin Baby Blankets — I am known for gifting presents in reusable “wrapping paper” and these baby blankets are some of my favorite to use. I’ve been using them since 2019! I also use cotton bags I’ve saved from sheets I’ve ordered through the years and ribbons from any packaging throughout the year. T-shirts can work for smaller presents!
Local DFW Christmas Events
Mainstay Farm Park — For the past 2 years, we have visited Mainstay Farm Park in Cleburne, TX with our best friends. The 70-acre farm is named Mainstay based on 1 Corinthians 15:58 and I love that it’s outdoors with an emphasis on climbing and play! There’s rides and activities but we usually hang and play outside all day.
Nutcracker Short and Suite — Last year, my best friend and I took our daughters to this family-friendly one-hour version of the holiday classic ballet from Avant Chamber Ballet and it was perfect for our 3 year olds! Available Dec 1 in Southlake and Dec 8 in Dallas for 2024!
