How to Wrap Gifts with Photos

January 5, 2026

Wrapping gifts is one of my favorite parts of the holidays. It is the moment when everything slows down just enough to be thoughtful, intentional, and a little creative. Christmas is my favorite holiday, and every year I find myself lingering over the wrapping, wanting it to feel just as meaningful as what is inside.

Using photographs in gift wrapping is one of the simplest ways to make a present feel personal and ~elevated~.

This way of wrapping does not require perfection or expensive supplies. It invites you to look through old photos, choose moments that matter, and let them set the tone. In this post, I am sharing how to wrap gifts with photos, along with inspiration, printing ideas, and simple ways to turn everyday presents into keepsakes your family will want to save!

10+ Christmas Light Pregnancy Announcements

November 16, 2024

Christmas lights have a way of making everything feel magical, don’t they? Whether it’s stringing them around the house, admiring the twinkle on a tree, or driving through light displays, they add a little extra sparkle to the season.

When I saw how people were using Christmas lights to announce their pregnancies, I thought it was such a creative way to tie holiday cheer into sharing such exciting news. If you’re planning your own holiday-themed reveal, here are 10+ Christmas light pregnancy announcement ideas that will brighten up your big moment!

10+ Christmas Tree Pregnancy Announcements

November 14, 2024

There’s something extra special about announcing a pregnancy during the holiday season. With all the twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and festive vibes, it’s the perfect backdrop for sharing big news. When I was pregnant with Baby E, I loved the idea of tying our announcement into the Christmas spirit—it just made the reveal feel even more magical. Even though we weren’t able to wait that long to share our big news, I still had a bunch of tree announcement pinned on Pinterest!

If you’re looking for a way to incorporate the warmth and wonder of the holidays, a Christmas tree pregnancy announcement could be just the thing. Here are some festive ideas to inspire you as you plan your own holiday-themed reveal!3

The Best Part of Having a Christmas Baby

May 20, 2024

The joy of welcoming a new life into the world is unparalleled, and when that little one is set to make their debut during the festive season, it’s an extra sprinkle of magic.

As a mom who has experienced the enchantment of a Thanksgiving baby, I understand the mix of excitement and apprehension that can come with having a holiday baby. In this blog post, we’ll explore why having a Christmas baby is a true blessing, dispelling any concerns expecting parents might have and offering delightful ways to make this holiday birth an extraordinary celebration for both baby and family.

So, let’s unwrap the wonderful world of Christmas babies and discover the joy they bring to the most magical time of the year.

10+ Christmas Process Art Projects for Toddlers

March 21, 2024

Ah, the holiday season is upon us once again, and what better way to celebrate than with some festive and creative activities for our little ones? In this blog post, we’re diving into the world of Christmas process art projects tailored specifically for toddlers.

From jolly reindeer to twinkling ornaments, we’ll explore a variety of hands-on art activities that will ignite your child’s imagination and spread holiday cheer throughout your home. So grab your paints, brushes, and plenty of glitter—it’s time to get crafty and make some merry memories with your little artists this Christmas!

December Toddler Birthday Party Themes

October 12, 2023

December, a month wrapped in the warmth of festive lights and the promise of delightful celebrations. As we step into this magical time, we’re excited to bring you a carefully crafted guide to December toddler birthday party themes. It’s more than just an event; it’s about weaving moments that sparkle in the heart of your little one.

In our exploration of enchanting themes, our focus is on understanding your desires, addressing the challenges that often come with planning celebrations, showcasing our expertise in curating magical experiences, and, above all, connecting with you—our valued audience.

The Weirdest Week of the Year

December 27, 2021

…it is, isn’t it?

The week between Christmas and New Year’s is weird.

Our decorations are still up and my pants still don’t fit.

Everyone is nervous about the virus, and rightfully so. It is burning through New York right now, and it seems everyone I know has it.

I have this fidgety energy around the New Year and all the things I want to accomplish.

Here’s Why Christmas Season is the Best

December 20, 2021

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and I will die on that hill with Andy Williams!

Christmas season is full of wonder, cookies, presents, and cheer. If I can get my shopping done early enough, Christmas season is pure JOY!

Here’s Why Christmas Season is the Best

December 6, 2021

“It’s the most wonderful time of the year” and I will die on that hill with Andy Williams!

Christmas season is full of wonder, cookies, presents, and cheer. If I can get my shopping done early enough, Christmas season is pure JOY!

I delight in baking cookies to Christmas music with my TV fireplace on in the background. My Christmas season begins in early November and I love every second of it.

Christmas season is the best, and here’s why!

Decorations

Who doesn’t love a simple color scheme and bright, shiny lights? The actual act of decorating is a fun way to bring in in the holiday season. I love adding to my “collection” each year and having specific decor for specific places. The next item I have on my list to get is lighted outdoor reindeer. We have a big yard and I’d love to look out my window and see a herd of reindeer lit up in the night!

Christmas Music

Who doesn’t love Christmas music? I start listening in late October/early November because who’s going to stop me? They key to Christmas music is having playlists that reflect the mood – somber Christmas, joyful Christmas, religious Christmas, background Christmas, rowdy Christmas, etc. Check out my post on Christmas Compilations to Listen to this Year for some inspiration!

Food

There’s not much to say here – holiday food is it’s own animal. Sugar, sugar, and more sugar is always on the menu. I love letting loose and going to town on candy canes, Christmas cookies, and pie!

Gift Giving

One positive to getting older is starting to enjoy gift giving! I love getting people exactly what they need or ask for, or finding something unexpected they didn’t even know they wanted.

Holiday Cheer

Something changes in people once the jingle bells start ringing and the lights go up. They just become nicer, myself included. Despite how stressful the Christmas season can be, it feels like people have a little more grace with each other, at least her on Long Island.

Presents

We never want to admit, but presents are one of the best parts of the holiday season! Now that I’m a stay at home mom, I really look forward to having some gifts for myself, since I don’t get to do as much shopping as I used to. Now that I’m an adult I’m perfectly content with socks, books, and a warm scarf!

Seeing Things Through My Child’s Eyes

Ah, I saved the best for last. I saw this cheesy quote on Instagram today, “As a grown-up I’ve learned that all the “Christmas magic” I felt as a kid was really a mom who loved me so damn much” and oof I felt that! Both of my parents worked so hard to make Christmas the most special day of the year. They were so cautious about keeping us grounded in reality and gratitude but on Christmas we were spoiled rotten (or at least it felt that way).

Now, as a parent, I love recreating those enchanted moments for my daughter. I want it to be the most relaxing, magical, exceptional day for her. I want her to compare everything in her life to the excitement of Christmas morning.

This will only be her second Christmas, but I can already sense her joy and excitement when she sees the lights and decorations. She remains very confused about trees coming indoors, though.

Seeing her light up over the simplest things is the greatest gift I could ever receive. Now, if only we could figure out how to get her to sing Jingle Bells…

Agree or disagree? What’s your favorite part of Christmas? Do you think it’s overrated or are you obsessed, like me? Let me know below!

Stocking Stuffers for Babies

December 2, 2021

Christmas is almost here! Maybe you’ve already started your shopping or maybe you’re already done!

If you’re like me, you always forget one crucial component of gift giving – stockings!

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We have needlepoint stockings from Land’s End and they are decorative and functional. I love that my family will have heirloom quality Christmas decorations for the rest of their lives. They each have their name embroidered into the stocking, too.

Growing up, our stockings were filled with “little” wrapped gifts that we would open around the Christmas breakfast table (waffles and bacon, always). I remember being unenthused as a small child, because after all it takes some growing up to realize that the best things really do come in the smallest packages!

How did stockings become a part of Christmas?

Well, it’s complicated. There are many stories floating around the internet. Here is the most common one, as explained on Bustle:

While there is no known written record of the Christmas stocking’s origins, in many folk tales, the stocking is linked to the idea of Saint Nicholas (or Santa Claus, as he is colloquially known) as a gift giver. The poem “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” published nearly 200 years ago in 1823, clearly describes the importance of stockings: “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,/In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
– see more on Bustle.com

Do I Need to Do Christmas Stockings?

Nope! You can always skip stockings for kids and they won’t know any different. Especially with little, little kids, these aren’t necessities. We plan on putting things we already need to buy for our baby wrapped in her stocking, like socks. There is no need to break the bank for babies who are going to be more excited for tissue paper.

However, if stockings are your jam and your looking for some inexpensive, useful gifts, look no further!

Check out these simple last-minute stocking stuffers sure to surprise your little one on Christmas morning.