Last Minute Shopping and Sunday Morning Coffee

Here we are, December 14th, the day after our party, and the moment every year when I suddenly realize Christmas is really around the corner. It’s time for last-minute shopping.

I may not be quite as prepared as I hoped. Even with lists, spreadsheets, Amazon carts, and the best intentions, there always seems to be a handful of gifts that slip through the cracks… or a few people I decide at the very last minute that I want to treat. So today feels like the classic mix of “oh no, I’m behind!” and “okay, let’s do this!”

Season 5 Volume 48

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Last-Minute Shopping on December 14th

The good news? This is truly the best time to finish up any last-minute shopping. Retailers are offering great deals, shipping is still on track (though barely!), and stores are fully stocked with holiday goodies.

I spent this morning reviewing my master gift list, checking off what’s already handled, and circling the names of the few people I still need gifts for. That’s always where I start … taking inventory.

It instantly cuts the stress in half.

Next up: quick-decision gift categories. Cozy throws, candles, kitchen items, games, books, and self-care sets are all easy gifts that feel personal without requiring a ton of time. Amazon is still the MVP of last-minute shopping, and thank goodness for Prime delivery!

I pulled together a few curated lists so all the well-priced, thoughtful, fast-shipping gifts are in one place — no scrolling for hours, no guessing what’s good.

And truly, last-minute doesn’t have to feel frantic. A pretty ribbon, a small ornament tied on top, or a handwritten tag can make even a simple gift feel special. We’re in the home stretch now, and I always remind myself that gifts don’t need to be perfect… they just need to be thoughtful.

Here’s to finishing strong and staying merry while we do it. 🎄✨

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The Day After: I Survived… and My Heart Is So Full

There’s a special kind of quiet that settles over the house the morning after our annual Christmas party … the twinkle lights are still glowing, the last few serving trays are drying by the sink, and the scent of rosemary, sugar, and champagne lingers in the air.

And as I sit here with my coffee, feet up for the first time in days, all I can think is… I survived! Not just survived, I thrived. The party was magical, the house looked gorgeous, the food was incredible, and most importantly, our home was filled with laughter, hugs, and the people we love most.

Every year, hosting this party is the ultimate labor of love. For weeks, I plan, prep, bake, chop, marinate, assemble, garnish, and organize (with the help of my trusty color-coded spreadsheet and best girlfriends!).

It is a marathon of cooking, seventeen hors d’oeuvres, seven desserts, and a packed full house of 200 guests. And somehow, every year, it all comes together. Last night, as the doorbell rang again and again and the house filled with familiar voices, I felt that familiar wave of joy: this is why I do it.

The trees sparkled, the candles flickered, and every corner of our home felt soft, cozy, and festive. I heard so many sweet comments about the décor … the trees, the garlands, the soft greens and whites from my Cozy Christmas theme, and it made every hour of prep feel worth it.

The kitchen was bustling, the drinks were flowing, and every platter came back empty (which is truly the best compliment a cook can receive!).

But beyond the food, the decorations, and the months of planning, what stays with me most is the feeling in the room. This party is my holiday gift to our friends — the people who have walked with us, cheered with us, supported us, and loved us through every season of life. Hosting them, feeding them, welcoming them into our home… it is my favorite tradition.

My heart honestly feels like it could burst watching everyone gather, reconnect, tell stories, and create their own little holiday memories under our roof.

As I looked around last night at the conversations happening in every room, the groups gathered around the trees, the friends laughing in the kitchen, the kids sneaking extra desserts, I realized once again why this party means so much to me.

It’s not just a party, it’s a celebration of friendship, gratitude, and joy. It’s the one night each year when our home becomes a place where everyone we love comes together.

So today, even though I’m a little tired, and my feet definitely need a rest, my heart is full. Full of gratitude, full of love, full of relief, and full of that wonderful glow that comes from opening your home and sharing your heart.

Another year, another beautiful memory. And I wouldn’t trade a single minute of it.

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My Biggest Challenge This Week

Wrapping Gifts

So now comes my most significant challenge of the week: wrapping all the gifts. Every year, I swear I’ll start early, and every year, without fail, I end up staring at a mountain of bags, boxes, ribbons, tags, and rolls of paper, wondering how on earth it multiplied overnight.

Wrapping is one of those tasks I adore once I get going, but getting organized enough to begin? That’s the part that gets me.

So today is all about pulling everything together and creating a system. First step: gather all the supplies in one place — scissors, tape, tags, ribbon, tissue, boxes, and every roll of wrapping paper hiding in random corners of the house.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped mid-wrap to hunt for tape! Then I sort the gifts by person or family, which instantly makes the whole process feel less chaotic.

You might want to set up a big table (or take over the kitchen island!) so I have plenty of room. (I also like to wrap up in my craft room, but there is always the decision of whether I want to carry all of the gifts up to the third floor!)

A little Christmas playlist, a mug of tea or cocoa, and suddenly the task feels cozy instead of overwhelming. Once I’m organized, I actually love the creativity of it … tying ribbons, adding ornaments, using the gift tags I made.

This week’s challenge?
Turning the wrapping chaos into a peaceful, pretty production line… and enjoying it along the way.

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• Finish shopping.
• Wrap all of my gifts.

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And what a week it was!

• 
  My Next Big Project: The Craft Room Organization and Remodel
  The craft room has always been one of my favorite spaces in our home, but lately it has been quietly telling me that it needs attention. It’s time for a major Craft Room Organization. Over time, projects piled up, supplies multiplied,…
• 
  Ten Things To Do This Year to Make Yourself, Your Home, and Your Family Happier
  The New Year always arrives quietly in our home. I have learned over the years that this week is not about jumping into big resolutions or completely reinventing life overnight. Instead, it is about small, intentional choices that gently shape the…
• 
  An Exciting New Year at My 100 Year Old Home and Sunday Morning Coffee
  There is something truly special about the beginning of a new year. The calendar feels fresh, the house is still cozy from the holidays, and there is a sense of possibility in the air. At My 100 Year Old Home, a…
• 
  Twelve Kitchen Items You Really Need to Throw Away
  January is the month we all like to organize. So, let’s talk about the things you forget to organize and toss, like these twelve kitchen items you need to throw away. But never do. Why? Because, like me, you are too…
• 
  The Five Minute Winter Wreath DIY
  I love making wreaths, and I’m pleased with how this five-minute winter wreath turned out. I look forward to sharing how easy it is to make. This is an easy wreath that looks amazing. I made this winter wreath, and there…
• 
  A New Year and What Matters Most
  There’s something so peaceful about the quiet of January 1st and a new year. The decorations are still twinkling, the house feels calm, and there’s a gentle pause in the air, that moment between what was and what’s to come.

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• Christmas Shopping on a Budget
• Our Christmas Party Menu and Recipes
• A Fun Christmas Morning Tradition
• DIY Metallic Glass Christmas Ornaments
• Table Top Felt Trees – A Handmade Christmas
• Berry Christmas Jam

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