Weekly Wednesday Wish List #282

Find fresh Thanksgiving and Christmas decorating ideas, cozy finds, recipes, and home tours in this week’s Weekly Wednesday Wish List.

Welcome to Weekly Wednesday Wishlist, friends! November is such a lovely month to be a homebody. There are Thanksgiving menus to plan, something delicious to bake, and a few Christmas ideas to tuck away for the weeks ahead. This week, we’re sharing simple ways to get a head start on the holidays, beautiful homes to visit, and pretty finds for your home and wardrobe. Pour yourself a cup of something warm and join us. There’s so much to enjoy as we make our homes ready for the people we love!

1. BEST OF THE BLOG: A little Christmas planning now makes such a difference when December arrives! 10 Things To Do For Christmas Now is filled with practical ideas for getting a head start, from Christmas cards and gift wrapping to holiday menus and gatherings. Let’s do a little each week so we have more time to enjoy this beautiful season!

2. AMAZON FINDS: See items for fall, Christmas, your home, and you from Amazon.

3. PRINTABLE THANKSGIVING HOSTING MAGAZINE: Make Thanksgiving easier with this Thanksgiving Magazine Guide packed with ideas for a memory-making holiday.

4. THIS AND THAT: Make your Thanksgiving rolls a little more special with THIS delicious cranberry orange honey butter. Get a head start on a beautiful holiday gathering with THESE easy ideas for setting a Thanksgiving buffet. And take a few quiet minutes to read THIS heartfelt reminder to count our blessings and keep a thankful heart during this busy season.

5. FABULOUS FINDS: Items to grace your home.

LOVE this velvet pillow cover in rich green for Christmas and beyond.
A little candlelight looks even prettier in this brass candlestick.
How sweet is this scalloped woven Christmas tree for a bookshelf or entry table?
This blue and white ginger jar lamp has such timeless appeal.

Gather your coffee table favorites on this pretty gold-rimmed scalloped tray.
Tuck this little marble Christmas tree into a holiday vignette. So pretty!
A favorite family photo deserves a beautiful classic brass frame.
These antique brass candleholders with velvet bows would be lovely on a Christmas mantel.

6. BEAUTIFUL HOME TOURS: Let’s begin in a gracious Virginia home filled with beautiful antiques and original architectural details. Then visit this cozy Maine home with collected treasures and timeless New England charm. For Christmas inspiration, tour Terri Matthews Woodall’s Georgia home, beautifully decorated with magnolia, garlands, and pinecones. And enjoy this Chicago-area home dressed for the holidays with classic tartans and a nostalgic nod to Home Alone.

7. FUN AND INTERESTING FACTS: Which Thanksgiving fruit can bounce when dropped on the kitchen counter?

8. CURATED CLOSET: Winter Favorites- classic clothes won’t go out of style.

This cotton-cashmere sweater is a lovely lightweight layer.
LOVE this classic cardigan over a crisp white shirt.
These pull-on pants pair easy stretch with a timeless straight leg.
A pretty paisley cashmere sweater brings a little pattern to everyday dressing.

This no-iron stretch shirt is a wardrobe workhorse.
How lovely is this velvet top for Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday gathering?
This beautiful wool coat with an attached scarf makes even a simple outfit feel special.
Finish the look with these classic loafers, designed with flexibility and arch support.

9. CULINARY CORNER: There’s nothing like a little baking to make a November kitchen feel cozy! This Pumpkin Spice Coffee Cake With Streusel Topping is moist, full of warm spices, and finished with a sweet crumble and pumpkin spice glaze. So delicious with an afternoon cup of coffee! And if you’re having company, put a pot of Mulled Cider on the stove. Apples, oranges, cranberries, and whole spices make it a lovely seasonal welcome.

10. THE LAST WORD: As you get your home ready for Thanksgiving, leave a little room for the things that can’t go on a list. A long conversation around the table, another cup of coffee, or a walk after dinner might become the sweetest part of the day. You’ll find thoughtful ways to make everyone feel welcome in The Thanksgiving Hosting Details We Often Forget. A little preparation now gives us more time to enjoy the people gathered in our homes.

ANSWER TO #7: A fresh cranberry! Little air pockets inside help these ruby-red berries bounce and float. Try it before making your cranberry sauce!

1. FAVORITE STYLING MOMENT: Thanksgiving is almost upon us, but the last few weeks have been consumed with my granddaughter’s wedding and I’m so behind. I need all the inspiration!

2. EASY DECORATING TIP OF THE WEEK: Add a touch of fall above eye level by tucking a few autumn stems or branches into an existing arrangement on top of a cabinet or hutch. Carrying seasonal color upward helps the whole room feel decorated rather than concentrating everything on tabletops. This works for Christmas decor, as well!

3. DID YOU KNOW: Did you know that the familiar cornucopia, or horn of plenty, dates all the way back to ancient Greek mythology? It became a symbol of abundance and nourishment long before it found its way onto our Thanksgiving tables.

4. FAVORITE FIND: If you host Thanksgiving or any other meal, I cannot tell you how invaluable these food warming mats are.

5. LOVELY LIVING AND BEYOND: As the holiday season approaches, make a point to notice the people who quietly make your life easier. A kind word to the grocery store cashier, a thank-you to your mail carrier, or a thoughtful note to a neighbor can brighten someone’s day more than you realize.

6. READER QUESTION OF THE WEEK: “My Christmas decorations have grown over the years, and now everything feels a little overwhelming. How do I decide what to use??” See #10 for the answer!

7. WEEKLY AWESOME FINDS:

This hand-painted chinoiserie ornament is absolutely beautiful and would make a lovely keepsake or thoughtful Christmas gift.
I love the nostalgic look of this vintage-inspired glass tree, whether it’s displayed alone or tucked into a collection on the mantel.
This blue and white chinoiserie nutcracker combines two of my favorite things: classic Christmas tradition and timeless chinoiserie.
These charming hand-painted nutcracker shakers would add such a delightful touch to a holiday table.

I can picture these handsome gold nutcracker bookends dressing up a bookshelf, console, or mantel throughout the Christmas season.
The rich texture of this quilted velvet tree skirt gives a Christmas tree a beautifully finished and traditional look.
This lovely scalloped chinoiserie tray would be perfect for holding drinks, displaying pretty accessories, or creating a blue and white holiday vignette.
These classic ginger-jar salt and pepper shakers are pretty enough to leave on the table long after the holidays are over.

8. WEARABLE STYLE:

This cashmere cardigan is such a pretty layering piece, and the classic shape will work with everything from jeans to dress pants.
I love the polished simplicity of this button-front sweater dress, especially paired with boots and a favorite necklace.
The delicate lace and bow details make this satin blouse a beautiful choice for Thanksgiving dinner or an upcoming holiday gathering.
A timeless cable-knit cardigan is always a wardrobe favorite, and I especially love the traditional navy.

This shirt dress is festive without being overly dressy and would look so good with tall boots.
This elegant ruffled midi dress has just enough special detail for holiday parties while still feeling refined and sophisticated.
A classic penny loafer is one of those shoes I reach for again and again because it instantly makes an outfit look more polished.

9. HOME HACK: Keep taper candles straight with a little aluminum foil. If your taper candles wobble in their holders, wrap a small strip of aluminum foil around the bottom of each candle before inserting it. It helps create a snug fit so your holiday table looks polished and the candles stand securely.

10. ANSWER TO READER QUESTION (#5): Start by choosing the decorations you truly love and that have special meaning to you. Instead of trying to display everything, focus on a few favorite collections and give them places where they can really shine. Just because you own a decoration doesn’t mean you have to use it every year. Sometimes a little editing makes your Christmas decor feel more special.

1. DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS: Decorating for the holidays isn’t just about what you see, it’s about what you smell too. From fresh greenery to simmer pots and cozy candles, here are simple ways to make your home smell like Christmas to fill every room with nostalgic scents we love this time of year.

2. COZY TIP OF THE WEEK: Are you feeling overwhelmed at the thought of decorating a space in your home for the holidays? (Trust me, I know how you feel!) Try removing everything, giving the area a good cleaning, and letting it sit empty for a day or two. Sometimes stepping away and coming back with fresh eyes is all you need to find inspiration and make decorating feel fun again.

3. AMAZON FINDS: Shop cozy finds I’m loving on Amazon.

4. LITTLE THINGS I’M LOVING:

This gingerbread house wax melt warmer is SO COZY!
These sugared berry Christmas trees are even better in person.
If your goal is to create a Ralph Lauren Christmas, check out this dinnerware set.
I love juniper for the holidays, this faux juniper berry garland is beautiful.

A few things I used to decorate our Christmas tree…

These sugared fruit ornaments.
This gorgeous beaded star tree topper.
These charming brass clip-on tree candles.
This chunky knit tree skirt.

5. FROM MY KITCHEN TO YOURS – THANKSGIVING RECIPE: This Thanksgiving sangria is a festive drink to serve alongside your holiday meal. It’s full of delicious fall flavors, easy to make ahead of time, and perfect for sipping while spending time with family and friends.

6. UPDATING MY WARDROBE:

Grabbed this beauty advent calendar for me…because why not!
I love finding a pair of jeans I like in long lengths. BOUGHT.
The plaid pattern on this parka is fabulous. The color too.
Cozy cable zip sweater. I grabbed it in red.

Bought this button-up fair isle cardigan in green.
Look at the gorgeous floral pattern on this fleece pullover!
I don’t know why but I think this sweater is so cute.
Yes, you can elevate a sweatshirt…just give it puff sleeves.

7. MAKE THIS WITH ME: I’ve put together a collection of free Christmas printables that you can download, print, and pop into frames you already have for an instant holiday refresh. It’s such a simple way to make your home feel festive without spending a dime.

8. OVER ON THE ‘GRAM: My 12 DIYs of Christmas series concluded with DIY #12. (But don’t worry, more to come!)

9. WEEKLY MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE: “May your walls know joy; may every room hold laughter and every window open to great possibility.” ~Maryanne Radmacher-Hershey

10. BEHIND THE SCENES: Every year I forget just how much work decorating for Christmas actually is. I’m still plugging away at it, but I’m happy to report that our Christmas tree is officially done. I lost track of how long it took me to decorate, but I think it was somewhere around 12 hours…yikes! Thankfully, I was able to take a little break from all the decorating over the weekend and head into Boston to see the Broadway musical Wicked. It was amazing, and such a fun way to spend the day with people I love!