Hi Reader,

It’s officially the season of holiday parties, last-minute gift wrapping, and more cookies than anyone should probably eat (but who’s counting?). This week has been a whirlwind of festivities, nostalgia, and fun updates.

One of my favorite moments was baking my late Grandma’s Christmas cookies with my mom—a tradition we’ve cherished over the years. These cookies are a family classic and so good. I’ve even included a photo of the recipe in her handwriting below in case you’d like to try them. (My aunt made us these incredible recipe books with all of her favorite recipes.)

🎅 Christmas Party Fun​
Over the weekend, my husband and I attended a holiday party dressed as Clark and Ellen Griswold from Christmas Vacation! It was so much fun. I’ve included a couple of photos from the party below, along with another Clark and Ellen couple and Uncle Eddie! (We just recycled the clothes we used when we last dressed up for Halloween, lol.)

📢 Exciting News: I’m on Yahoo!​
I’m thrilled to share that my site is now publishing on Yahoo! If you’d like to keep up with my latest articles there, you can check out the feed here. These will be a little more "newsy" and current in nature vs "bloggy."

🎁 Last-Minute Gift Guides​
Still finishing your holiday shopping? I've got you covered! Whether you’re shopping for travelers, outdoorsy ladies, your furry friends, or decking your halls with the best decor, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite gift guides:

• ​25 Awesome Gifts for Outdoorsy Women in 2024​
• ​The Best Dog Christmas Gifts That You & Your Pup Will Love!​
• ​10 of the Best Gift Cards to Buy This Year, According to a New Report​
• ​Awesome Subscription Boxes: Perfect for Gifting or Treating Yourself!​
• ​18 Unique World Map Gift Ideas That Are Less Than $100​
• ​20 Amazing Gift Ideas for Travelers​
• ​15 Best Places to Buy Christmas Decorations Online​

🌴 Galapagos Adventure Reminder​
The deadline to sign up for my Galapagos trip is fast approaching! Don’t miss the chance to join me for this bucket-list adventure in May 2025. Click here to learn more and sign up. And if you prefer looking at spreadsheets, check out all the trip details in a spreadsheet here.

🤖 A Fun ChatGPT Prompt​
Looking for something fun to try? Ask ChatGPT to write a Pixar movie synopsis based on what it knows about you. I tried it, and the results were hilarious! See them here. Let me know what it comes up with for you.

All the best,

P.S. Thank you for being part of this amazing community. If you’re still considering the Galapagos trip, feel free to reply with any questions you have!

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