Five on Friday

Happy Friday!

If you read my newsletter, you know we’ve been down a car this week because Matt’s brakes decided to give out which has added a fun little layer of chaos to an already packed schedule. Every night has been a shuffle of basketball and tennis, Thomas had the cutest music performance at school, and I squeezed in the neighborhood holiday home tour, which is always so fun and inspiring to see how everyone decorates for Christmas.

Today I’m chaperoning Thomas’s 4th grade field trip, and tonight I cannot wait to do absolutely nothing except sit on the couch, relax, and work on my Christmas puzzle. This weekend we have several basketball games, a holiday party, and Caroline and I are planning to make 4 batches of Christmas Crack to deliver with our Christmas cards. It’s going to be a full one, but a fun and festive one.

In Case You Missed It

• On my latest Catch Up With Christina, I shared the podcast I binged so fast, festive things we’re baking this weekend, and why I cry all the time.
• A round-up of stocking stuffers for tweens! Order these NOW so they get here by Christmas – I promise they will provide SO much entertainment.
• Some really fun ideas for his and your stockings! The ice cream shovel was such a big hit last year.
• Our 6th annual Community Group Favorite Things Party was everything I hoped it would be and easily one of the highlights of the holiday season. Still not over the plant gift. I loved our party theme and my feather party outfit even though my house was covered in them by the end of the night.
• December 15th is the last day to place a Cozy Earth order for Christmas delivery. I got Matt this hoodie 40% off with my code CE-CAROLINACHARM.
• Everything I made this week for dinner!

Recipe Spotlight: Christmas Moscow Mules 

I cannot wait to make Christmas Mules this weekend while we bake all the Christmas things!

Top 5 Reader Favorites

YOUR favorite items from the week!

1. The dainty gold diamond layering necklace I gifted at my Favorite Things Party. Perfect for layering or wearing on its own, and such a pretty little sparkle for everyday.
2. The prettiest bamboo travel board my girlfriend brought to the party that our whole friend group is obsessed with.
3. If you need a cozy little holiday break activity, this Christmas puzzle is the one everyone is scooping up.
4. The acrylic LED dry erase board from the tween girls gift guide is such a cute way to make homework, to-do lists, reminders, and doodles way more fun.
5. The Hotel Lobby x Anthropologie candle collab! Mahjong and needlepoint girls, the Hotel Hobby collection is for you!

Holiday Gift Guides

Getting your holiday shopping done? I’ve got you covered with gift guides for everyone!

• STOCKING STUFFERS FOR TWEENS (NEW!!!)
• STOCKING STUFFERS FOR MEN + WOMEN (NEW!!!)
• TWEEN GIRL GIFTS
• TWEEN BOY GIFTS
• GIFTS FOR MEN 
• GIFTS FOR WOMEN + YOU!
• GIFTS FOR YOUR MOM + MOTHER-IN-LAW
• GIFTS FOR THE MAHJONG LOVER
• FAVORITE THINGS GIFT IDEAS
• GRANDPARENTS + PARENTS GIFTS
• LITTLE BOY GIFTS 
• LITTLE GIRL GIFTS 
• PRESCHOOLER GIFTS

On to the 5…

1. Christmas In New York City

New York City at Christmas is truly magical, and sharing it with my sister’s family made it even sweeter. They planned the entire trip for us (first time for our kids and Matt!), and I’m just really grateful for all the memories we packed into our weekend together.

You can find my trip recap video HERE!

My top 10 highlights:

1. Ice skating at Rockefeller Center under the gorgeous Christmas tree (my favorite part of the trip!)
2. Exploring Central Park (we also brunched at Sarabeth’s and had a lunch at the iconic Tavern on the Green)
3. Seeing the Rockettes. I cried, it was truly magical. And then we had the craziest milkshakes at Bill’s Burger Bar (next door to Radio City)
4. Navigating the city via subway was a fun adventure
5. Walking 5th Ave to see the dreamy holiday windows
6. Shopping in SoHo followed by dinner at Eataly (my fave meal of the trip)
7. Visiting Summit One for insane views of the City and playing in the balloon room
8. Taking the ferry to the Statue of Liberty (this was SO fun and cool)
9. Seeing Aladdin on Broadway
10. Experiencing Times Square…fun, but overwhelming with 4 kids

2. Our Christmas Wrapping Paper Tradition

One of my favorite holiday traditions: I wrap each person’s gifts in their own paper – Santa has one too. No tags needed (which was great for when the kids were little and present opening was fun and chaotic). The kids still love running straight to their piles on Christmas morning. This little tradition is not only practical, but it makes the tree look extra pretty (and magical) too!

Target is already shoving Christmas to the back corner of the store (WHY?!), so if you want the good paper, grab it now!

Here’s what’s ready in my pick-up order:

• Santa’s gifts are getting wrapped in this cute paper
• Thomas is getting this fun Gingerbread man wrapping paper (only $4)
• Caroline is getting this super cute Gingerbread House + Christmas Tree paper for Caroline (also $4)
• And Matt will be wrapping my gifts in this gorgeous Holiday Icon paper. I love it so much.
• (I have plenty of leftover rolls from last year in a fun print, so Matt doesn’t need new paper)!

3. Easy Holiday Cocktail Pitcher

For my Favorite Things party, I turned an empty LALO tequila bottle into the cutest little holiday cocktail jar, and I’m obsessed with how it turned out. I popped the bottle in the oven for 10 minutes at 350, peeled off the label, used a little Goo Gone to remove the residue, and added a mini bow and tassel. These mini tassels instantly make any bottle of wine or booze of wine or booze feel festive, which makes them perfect for gifting or for elevating your bar. Instant holiday magic.

4. The Secret Challenge Dinner Party Game

We played a Secret Challenge Game at Thanksgiving dinner this year, and it was hilarious. Each guest gets a secret challenge tucked inside their place card, and the goal is to complete it before dinner ends without getting caught. If someone thinks they’ve figured out your challenge, they can call you out. If they’re right, you’re out. If they’re wrong, they’re out. Last person standing wins. I’m still giggling over my challenge, which involved secretly stealing bites of food off my mother-in-law’s plate. Sharing a peek at our cards below in case you want to steal this idea for your next holiday dinner. It is truly so fun.

Watch or save the game reel HERE!

5. Old Money Laundry Detergent

This Old Money Snif laundry detergent is the bougie scent I cannot quit. It makes every load of laundry smell like a luxury hotel with notes of cardamom, vanilla, sandalwood, musk, and more. And I’ve been holding out on sharing until it finally came back in stock!

December Promo Codes

• ShopMy: The affiliate platform I love for linking products. If you’re a creator looking for an affiliate platform, I have a referral link that can help get you in the program!
• Earlybird Gummies: They’re a great replacement for a glass of wine, and my go-to for winding down, sleeping well, and waking up feeling rested and energized the next morning. Use code CHRISTINA20 for 20% off.
• Greenlight Card: The debit card we use for Caroline! If you’re interested in getting a Greenlight Card for your tween or teen, I’ve got a referral link that earns you $30.
• Nuuly: Get $30 off your first month’s subscription. Love using this subscription for vacation and holiday party outfits I wouldn’t normally splurge on.
• Skin Pharm: My go-to for skin treatments, but my absolute favorite? The Moxi laser. I just finished a series and WOW—it’s completely transformed my skin. My complexion is brighter, smoother, and more even, and I’ve been getting so many compliments! If you’ve been thinking about a treatment to refresh your skin, this one is so worth it. Use code CHRISTINA-322793 at checkout to get $50 off your first visit!
• Middle & Main Mahjong: Use code CAROLINACHARM10 for 10% off anything at Middle & Main Mahjong—I’m obsessed with my sunshine tiles!
• Cozy Earth: Use code CE-CAROLINACHARM at checkout for 40% off!