Our Holiday Bucket List + Gift Ideas from Kirkland’s

December is here so it has me in the best mood! I love the holiday season and all the extra family time we get celebrating together. The holiday season can be a super busy one too, so we like to sit down at the beginning of December and plan out our Holiday Bucket List. This list is full of our can’t miss favorite traditions and activities so we get them all in. We make sure each of our people get to add at least one item to the list so it is fun for everyone. I’m always looking for fun new ways to spend this special season so I thought I’d share some of our favorites with you, along with some fun ways you could gift these experiences to anyone on your list with our friends at Kirkland’s.

..COOKIE DECORATING..

Year after year, this is one thing that ALWAYS makes our list! We love being in the kitchen together, and the holidays make it even more exciting. The littles love decorating sugar cookies, and if I’m being honest…my whole kitchen. But seeing how proud they are with their creations makes it so worth it!

This year I found the cutest cookie decorating supplies at Kirkland’s that scream festive. From cookie cutters, serving platters, plates to deliver to friends, and even sets for Santa + his reindeer they have thought of everything! I think it would make the cutest set up for hosting your own cookie party with neighbor friends. Some of my favorite gifts you could give for a cookie decorating party or  your favorite baker are :

:: This CUTE matching bowl + whisk! I think it would be so cute with some sprinkles and cookie cutters for a neighbor gift!

:: These matching little measuring bowls would be so cute for your favorite baker or for a bridal shower gift! Love that they are simple and match any style.

:: This Christmas Cookie jar stuffed full of your favorite homemade cookies!

.. DECORATING THE TREE ..

As simple as it is, the little people always have a countdown going for this tradition, because it officially means the holidays have begun! We love to turn the fun Christmas songs up loud, and dance around while we decorate! They were extra excited this year because they get to decorate their own tree in the basement! Kirkland’s has some really cute AND affordable options I loved for my little peoples tree this year. I think it would be so fun to gift cute ornaments to neighbor friends or newlyweds celebrating their first Christmas. Some of my favorites are :

:: Love this fun striped tree skirt! They have so many cute options!

:: They have so many felt garlands I love like this one. Such an easy way to decorate for kids and not worry about breaking ornaments.

:: The babies are obsessed with these and the fact that they light up. They may never stay on the tree, but they were a steal!

.. CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT ..

This one is one of my personal favorites. I love snuggling up as a family in our matching Christmas jammies and watching Polar Express with mugs of hot chocolate. It is so cozy and simple but always a favorite. I think giving the gift of just slowing down and enjoying the time with your people is such a good one! Some fun ideas could be:

:: Getting a cozy blanket, your favorite Christmas movie, and some yummy treats  together for a little gift basket.

:: Gifting all the necessities for a diy hot chocolate bar. These Santa + Snowman mugs would be so dang cute with hot chocolate, candy canes, and some marshmallows!

.. CHRISTMAS LIGHT DRIVE ..

Second maybe to just the cookie decorating is this Christmas Light Drive. Maybe it is because it involves matching jammies again?! I can’t get enough. We all hop in the van, and drive around our neighborhood looking for the best lights we can find. I’ve even heard of friends putting a fun spin on it and giving a prize or trophy to the house they pick as the best.

.. 12 BOOKS OF CHRISTMAS ..

We have done this tradition for the longest, so it is one of my very favorites! At the beginning of the month I wrap up 12 Christmas Books. Every night counting down to Christmas Eve, my people get to choose a book to open and snuggle up to read together. It has been a great tradition to help us take the time to slow down.

These are a few of our family holiday favorites and I love the idea of gifting them to our favorites this year. I’d love to hear yours so we can add some new traditions this year!

in partnership with Kirkland’s

photos : aubrey taiese