White Sweater (similar) and love this ruffled one too! // Red Lace Skirt (similar) // Leopard Bow Heels (similar) // Purse

Since when did we all blink and it suddenly became holiday szn?! My immediate reaction should probably be a “YAY!” –  but instead it’s more of a panicky “OH SHIT!”

I’m notoriously behind on holiday shopping (you know, the person who runs to the mall and hour or two before the family holiday get together? That’s me…), and I’ve never really been big into decorating or getting into the Christmas spirit. But last year after a holiday season with a serious lack of celebration and decorating, I vowed to change my Scrooge-like ways and get with it this holiday. Granted, this year’s a little harder than most without any big family get togethers or ice skaing/Chriskindle-market-ing, but I’m still going to try my darnedest to attempt to get Christmas-y. Or at least get my Christmas presents squared away a few days earlier this year…whoops!

Here’s a few things on the docket for me that are affordable/make me feel less like a Scrooge this time of year:

• Decorate a Wreath: Did you know Christmas trees are ridiculously expensive?! It’s been years since I bought one, and while shopping at Lowes the other day, I walked through the Christmas trees outside and was kinda mortified at how much even a teeny tiny one cost. So this year, I decided that decorating a wreath was much more affordable (and up my alley in terms of creative abilities – ha!).
• Decorate (and Socially Distance Deliver) Holiday Cookies: I mean, cookies are always a good idea, but these days when we’re all struggling being inside, it’s also nice to deliver some holiday cheer in the form of cookies too. I’m planning to make some of my mom’s famous biscotti (lol to these photos, but I promise it’s delicious) and some other treats to friends around Chicago – especially those I know who are essential workers working their butt off right now!
• Light a Cozy Holiday Candle: I’m definitely a candle hoarder, but there’s no little thing that makes me happier over the holidays than lighting a Christmas tree scented candle (I love the Frasier Fir Pine Needle one from Foxtrot if you happen to live in Chicago!). My friend May over at Nutrition Happens also put together a guide of 32 small candle companies if you’re looking for more gifting ideas too!
• Have Your Own Holiday Movie Marathon: Look, we’ve got nothing else to do these days – so we might as well hunker down and watch cheesy Hallmark movies with hot chocolate or hot toddys. I’ll probably be double fisting with both making my poor boyfriend watch cheesy movies that I’m hoping he secretly loves… Will report back on my favorites!
• Buy Gifts from Local Shops: I pulled together a big Shop Local gift guide, but now more than ever, it’s really important to shop small. Not only does every shop owner depend on the holidays as their biggest time of the year, but with less people shopping IRL, it’s important to help them out. I’m hoping to spend about 50% of my budget for holiday gifts with small, local businesses to give them some much needed love this holiday season!

Also, I literally took these photos last year and never shared them – so, that’s in a nutshell how this year is going for me. Better late than never, right? My hairs a little longer, but basically other than that I’m the same little human being 🙂