Next week, I’ll be driving home to Delaware to spend the holiday with my family in the house where I grew up. This is one of my favorite times of the year. I look forward to walking in the front door only to be met by the smell of cinnamon and warm pumpkin pie, cookies ready to be made and the sound of best holiday album ever blaring from the kitchen.
This is the time when I swap my heels for flats and wrap up in a warm jacket to light the neighborhood luminaries. This has been a tradition for decades. I love throwing on comfy denim and cozy sweaters perfect for lounging in the living room to watch White Christmas with my dad. A lot of time spent in the kitchen baking cookies and my homemade mac and cheese. And there is always time for meeting up with old high school friends for dinner and drinks. There is definitely no place like home during the holidays.
So, how does one pack for all of these activities? I don’t like to lug a big bag around, so here are the few things I always include and how I mix and match them. I tend to stick to black or gray and add pops of color with my shoes and accessories. This makes it easy to pair limited items together to create multiple outfits.
Last Minute Present Shopping: 2 +3 + 6 + 7 +11
Lighting the Neighborhood Luminaires: 1 + 2 + 3+ 4 +5 + 7
Dinner With Old Friends: 3 + 7 + 9 + 11
Christmas Dinner: 9 +11
Baking Christmas Cookies: 2 + 6 + 5 +8
Unwrapping Presents With the Family: 2 +10
1. Eugenia Kim Herringbone Knit Snood (Barneys New York)
2. Elizabeth and James Heart Intarsia-Knit Sweater (Nordstrom – Montgomery Mall)
3. Bethesda Terrace Quilted Gloves (Kate Spade)
4. The Marrakesh Flare Jean (MiH Jeans)
5. Pirouette Black Snake Flat (London Sole)
6. Minnie Pant (J.Crew – Montgomery Mall)
7. Belted Pea Coat (Dorothy Perkins)
8. Betty Sweet Cupcakes Apron (Bed Bath and Beyond)
9. The Row Plocksie Dress (NET-A-PORTER)