Since tomorrow is Christmas Eve, this is really the final countdown. My Saturday post will be filled with all things NOT Christmas.
But since you may still be in the Christmas mood, I am sharing my low-key, calm, but meaningful Christmas holiday.
I hope it inspires you in some way too.
Last Minute Stocking Stuffer Ideas
If you still need a few stocking stuffers, and if you especially need ideas for a man in your life, here is what I did for a couple of the men I know š.
- Favorite TreatsĀ
Hubby loves Red Vines and I found this organic option at Sprouts so Iām hoping he likes them as much as the original.
A chocolate cocoa bomb and a sprinkle of individually wrapped chocolates will round out the treats.
- Self Care
The dry-skin struggle is real in the winter! And we havenāt even turned on our heat yet. For those with constant heat going, itās even worse.
I found a well-rated exfoliating heel mask that I hope heāll actually use.
- Gift Card
As a super special treat, both John and Ryan love Crumbl Cookies, so I stopped by the store and picked up a couple gift cards for just TWO cookies each.Ā Thatās it.Ā And I mean it.Ā Just TWO.
- Metal Ingot
When Barb and I visited Old Town Copper in Cottonwood, I got a really pretty copper ingot with an impression of the state of Arizona.Ā And Arizona is the Copper State.Ā Not really a valuable, but fun.
- Tool Gizmo
Probably wont get used, but I found a MacGyver type gizmo that both guys are getting.Ā The “pen” also serves as a stylus, a level, a ruler and a screwdriver.Ā Yes, please.Ā We all need this!
- Small Game
Date Night Ideas is card game for couples with date night challenges.Ā Hmm.Ā Not sure, this one might go in the trash, but I do like the idea.Ā Iāll report back on it.Ā HA!
Now for the crazy admission. We donāt have stockings to stuff. I know! Hub always puts mine in a very romantic plastic grocery bag. I usually put theirs in a Christmas gift bag but this year I found some fabric Amazon gift bags I had saved and that actually works perfectly.
Another year without missing stockings.
Create a Playlist
We went to a Christmas play with Barb and Stuart over the weekend and they had a Christmas station playing on their radio. That prompted me to ask her how long sheās been listening to Christmas music this year. Since before Thanksgiving, she answered!
Wow! I only started listening this weekend. I mean, I have many, many years of listening to the same songs so no sense in overdoing it, right?
And.Ā The songs I like are specifically by varied artists.Ā I created a short Spotify list to share and see if you agree with any of my choices.
Explore the Neighborhood
We took an evening and explored the light displays in our community and then stopped at Joyceās. She and her husband live in our neighborhood and host a giant minature (oxymoron?) train display and party most nights.
Neighbors who are friends and strangers alike gather and admire the train town. People bring food and drinks and enjoy an evening on the driveway.
Our weather has been so nice it was shirt-sleeve temperature, but the fires were burning anyway.
Other neighborhoods were festive and I love seeing the desert all foxed up for the holidays.
Enjoy Loved Ones
This past week I was so blessed to be able to spend time with all the besties I could cram in. It was truly wonderful. An afternoon with Evon, lunch with my January girls: Sara, Cindy and Evon, a play with Barb and Stu, lunch and the JW Marriott display with Denisse.
The Marriottās gingerbread display this year did not disappoint. Amazing.
And Denisse was a good sport in the snow, but I could not get her up that hill!
I hope to see a few more friends over this week and schedule a call with my sisters. My heart is full.
Read
While not exactly a cozy Christmas novel, I want to finish The Eight by Katherine Neville.
I have a few audio book recommendations but this post is getting long, so next time!
Wrap Up
Thank you for joining me for my last cozy Christmas post of 2025. I hope your season has been as blessed as mine.