Your Elegant Holiday Playbook: What to Do, What to Gift, and How to Glow 2025

The holidays are here. Cozy mornings, long to-do lists, and a little bit of chaos all rolled together. Some days feel magical, others a little messy, but that’s part of the charm.

I wanted to put together a calm, elegant guide filled with simple ideas for slowing down, gifting beautifully, and keeping your glow through it all.

🕯️ What to Do When Life Feels a Little Full

This season tends to take off fast. Between get-togethers, errands, and trying to make time for the people you love, it’s easy to forget to breathe.

Here’s what helps me stay grounded:

1. Take ten minutes for yourself.
Light a candle, pour a cup of coffee, or step outside with your pup. Go for a walk in nature. A quiet moment can do more than you think.

2. Keep your routine easy.
A tinted moisturizer, cream blush, and soft gloss can pull you together in minutes. You’ll feel fresh without feeling overdone.

3. Let it be enough.
Perfect isn’t the goal. Feeling good is. The holidays aren’t about doing it all. They’re about feeling connected and present in the middle of it.

Now that you’ve found a little calm, let’s get into the fun part. Gifts that feel thoughtful and beautiful.

🎁 Heather’s Holiday Gift Picks: Tested, Sniffed, and Totally Loved

I’ve been scouting the shelves at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus sniffing, swatching, and trying all the pretty things this season. The stores are buzzing with beautiful options and after testing what felt like everything, these are the ones I can’t stop thinking about.

☁️ 1. A Soft, Creamy Snow Scent

I tested dozens of holiday fragrances and kept coming back to this one. It’s light, cozy, and smells like soft winter air – the kind that makes you want to stay home in your robe a little longer.
You can grab the gift set here, and the best part is the pieces are perfect for splitting up into smaller stocking gifts.

🌸 2. The Cold-Flush Cheek Look

Chic, fresh, and perfect for winter. I’ve been obsessed with this little bronze-and-blush trio. Happy is my favorite shade and it’s stunning on every skin tone. Vibrant looks great on medium skin (especially olive) but honestly I feel like everyone can wear it. It gives that natural, just-back-from-the-cold glow I love. You can find it here.

🌿 3. The Rosemary Mint Reset

For a gift that feels like a spa day, this three-piece rosemary mint body set is so refreshing. I love the way it smells crisp but still cozy. It’s one of those easy, elegant gifts that works for everyone.

🕯️ 4. Cozy Finds That Caught My Eye

Beyond the beauty aisles, I spotted a few chic extras that would make lovely gifts – think a beautiful candle sets that everyone would love to get like this holiday set I absolutely loved! You can break up or give as a set. Think of other thinks like natural fibers, a soft knit wrap, or a small linen pouch. Pair any of these with a lip gloss or travel mist and you’ve got a simple, thoughtful set I would love to receive!

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🌿 When You Need a Little Reset

Between the shopping, wrapping, and rushing from one thing to the next, sometimes you just need a moment to feel like yourself again.

That’s where The Glow & Go comes in. It’s a natural, glowy 30 minute (ok Im lying its probably 45 min after we catch up) makeup pick-me-up for when you need a breather and a little sparkle in your step. Come in, have a chat, and leave with that light, fresh, radiant look that gets you out the door fast and feeling good again.

And if you can’t make it into the studio, here are a few of my favorite quick tips to help you keep that glow through the holidays:

1. Want a wing in a flash?
Skip the liner and grab your mascara. Curl your lashes and load up the outer corners with a few extra coats, keeping the middle and inner lashes with only a light application. It gives the illusion of a soft wing and instantly lifts your eyes.

2. Add a little shimmer.
Dab a tiny bit of highlighter or body shimmer across your collarbones and shoulders. I’ve been loving the one from Sunday Riley lately and use it on so many of my clients for that lit-from-within holiday glow.

Book your Glow & Go session →

✨ A Little Closing Note

The holidays move fast, but they’re full of small, beautiful moments if you slow down long enough to notice them. Light the candle, sip your coffee, and take that breath. You’re doing great, and you’re glowing, truly.