A Few of My Favorite Christmas Things- Plus a Workout!

Merry Christmas Eve! And for some, merry it's so close to Christmas you can almost feel it!! So sorry for a lack of post yesterday, this was meant to be for the day before Christmas, but all well. Christmas day there will not be a post, but we will start back up on Friday! And next week, there will be lots of life hacks to make the New Year happier, healthier, more organized, and an all around kickin year. Of course, there will be plenty of pics on Instagram in the next day or two as well!

For now though, let's savor this Christmas goodness and talk about a few of our favorite things over the holidays. Lately, I have been overcome with feelings about how blessed we are. I can truly say that life is incredible right now, and that is something to be oh-so thankful for! My favorite thing over the holidays is spending time with friends and family and all the kindness we get to spread around. This year, it feels like everyone has gotten nicer for Christmas instead of more rushed, stressed, and just plain mean. The general goodwill towards our fellow inhabitants of this earth is definitely my favorite this time of year.

Of course, kindness is a bit trickier to take pictures of, so let's look at some favorite things around our place instead, shall we! Also, sorry for the lack of super wonderful make you cry at the beauty pictures, these were taken by me with my iPhone. I am not the photographer in the family.

1. Brown Paper Packages Tied up with String

Yes, this is the reason for the post's title. The hubs had a great idea to go super traditional with our wrapping this year and I am OBSESSED. When you put all the packages together it looks like Pottery Barn and Crate and Barrel did all our wrapping for us. This paper is also the least I have ever spent on wrapping and the bows are hands down the easiest as well. No wonder Pottery Barn and the like use this as the wrapping of choice, it is wonderful!

We have also added white paper to the mix (swoon), but those will be in pictures later.

2. Cats That Love Trees

Our cats love to sleep under the tree, play around it, smell it (side note: Chuu smelt like a Christmas tree the other day, it may have been the happiest day of my life), and just look at it. The do not, however, enjoy climbing it. That is something I will never stop being happy about.

3. Christmas orchids

These orchids bloom every Christmas and every Christmas it makes my heart happy. This year, we have seven whole buds on the orchid and six of them have bloomed! Chances are pretty high that it will stay like this until my birthday. Just another one of my favorite bits, orchids that seem to have found the fountain of youth!

4. This Funny Stick Village

My Grandma got the whole village thing for us from Crate and Barrel and I am loving them. The fox is especially cute and greets everyone who comes into our house. Too bad I did not get a pic of him. Next time.

5. Live Sprigs

So, this is not the greatest picture ever, but the candle holder is brass, the ornaments are white and silver, and the tree sprigs are green. We also have automatic tea lights mixed in that give the prettiest glow ever to the centerpiece! The color combo, spell of fresh evergreen, the chic but natural look make this a favorite for me. Tree sprigs are also free and can be picked up at any Christmas tree lot. When you cut the stems, it smells like Christmas, winter, and everything happy in the world. Then, put them around your home and spin around in joy just like Maria does on that hill.

6. This Workout

This barre workout has to be on the list because it is just great over Christmas. We are busy and workouts can fall on the back burner list, but this workout can be done anywhere at anytime! It is wonderful and I am loving it this season.

Merry Christmas and I hope your days are sunny and bright and your Christmas is just splendid!

Love,

Jenni

5 Subscription Boxes to Show Dad You Care

Super important update: If you did not know it, Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Yes, that is why your Hulu ads have been taken over by cologne commercials and why you got those great deals at Macy's last week. Now, what will your uber-loved, trendy pa be getting this year? These delivery boxes are great services and a wonderful way to show Dad you care. Delivery boxes run the gambit of interests from underwear of the month clubs (not on the list for Dads) to snack services, to cigars and meals. There is, pretty much, a delivery box for any monthly commodity your heart desires.

Here are a few of my favorites just for that special Dad in your life. Because, those guys who told us bedtime stories, played tag in the backyard, and helped form us into the people we are today deserve something special on the day all about them. 

Trunk Club

Trunk Club is for the stylish and distinctive Father who enjoys looking dapper any day of the week. This service uses your personal stylist to pick and send you clothing once a month, or, when you want it. Once a member, you will be asked a series of questions about your style and size. Then, sit back and wait for your goods. The Trunk Club will send you a box of clothes your stylist believes you will like. If you like it, keep it, if not, send it back. Just know, Trunk Club is a bit higher end and most items are priced $100+. 

Since this service is a bit higher end, Dad will also have 24/7 stylist help at his beck and call. The stylist selected will be available via e-mail or phone for all your super-trendy Dad's outfit needs. 

Handy Box

This has "Dad" written all over it. Handy Box is a monthly box subscription with all the things those handy Dads will love. Every 1, 3, or 6 months, your Dad will receive a box with tools and gadgets galore. Each Handy Box comes with 4-6 tools and gadgets to help Dads complete DIY projects from here to forever. The best part about these is that boxes cost about $24.95 but items inside would retail for about $40!

Craft Beer Club

Your hipster Dad is sure to love the merging of these two trends- a box of the month centered around craft beer, his head just might explode. This monthly craft beer box will send your Dad craft beers from around the country from traditional and independent breweries alike. The first box will also have three extra special gifts just for that extra special guy. 

Each box costs $39 for twelve beers per box, or $74.11 for 24. This service can also be cancelled at any time. The first box will also have three extra special gifts just for that extra special guy. The Craft Beer Club also give special gifts to those subscribes for two shipments, three months, or a year. 

Man Crates

Ok, this is not a monthly subscription box, but it is a box that needs some serious hype. Man Crates are literally crates of goods sent to your Dad. Each crate comes with a crow bar used to open it and what is inside is, almost, completely up to you. Man Crate even has survival crates for the new Dad in your life. That's right, new Dad's can get camo diaper bag, baby guide, pacifier, and energy supplements to last them about an hour. 

Crates range in price and interests. No matter if your Dad is a survivalist, gamer, athlete, golfer, beer drinker, or food lover, Man Crates has something for him that will sing beautiful melodies of money saving to your wallet. 

Dollar Shave Club

Dollar Shave Club is one of the pioneers of subscription boxes. For $1-$9 a month, your Dad will never have a dull razor again. This shave club will send your Dad a new razor every month. Once the new one comes, the old one is tossed and razor burns are gone. Because, we may see our Dad's as the toughest guys out there, but every face need some pampering and a new razor at some point. 

Even better, every month you will get a new razor and between 4-5 new cartridges every month. Scorsees! 

Full disclosure, I just started the hubs on Dollar Shave Club for his B-day. Therefore, all links to Dollar Shave Club in this post are my personal referral links. If you sign up, I get $5 extra in my shaving account. The great news is that this offer is available for everyone once they get started!