On this Cyber Monday, let's think outside the “gift” box!! Our social media scrolls have melded into a big shopping mall, so this year I am coming out with an ANTI-gift guide where we focus on slowing down, creative moments, and connecting with our loved ones. Don’t get me wrong: gift giving gestures are here to stay, but this year we’ve struggled with everything from lives lost to livelihoods disappearing and I personally have gift guide fatigue.
Per my usual back to basics approach, let’s use this time of year to focus on one of the most valuable gifts we can offer ourselves and others — TIME. We can still connect and invest in our relationships despite our physical distance. So, if you are pandemic fatigued, running out of ideas to make the holidays connected, or at a creative loss — THIS GUIDE IS FOR YOU!
Slow Down Together
For a family with littles
Create your own holiday countdown calendar! My girlfriends Elsie and Emma of A Beautiful Mess have created a DIY Houseplant Calendar that will breathe fresh life into your space while testing your green thumb.
Another effective teaching tool for kiddos to start incorporating acts of kindness and charity is to decorate a cardboard box as a family and fill it daily with items needed for local charities. Deliver it together to your local Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Cradles To Crayons, or No Kid Hungry.
Snuggle up buttercup
Let’s make this a holiday Hallmark binge-a-thon with my go-to Netflix suggestions! If you are looking for a light-hearted, feel good moment paired with festive jammies, I suggest Operation Christmas Drop. If you are in the mood for a velvety chess marvel with thoughtful cinematography, The Queen’s Gambit is a must. Noteworthy additions are: Unorthodox, Emily In Paris, YellowStone (on Peacock), My Octopus Teacher, and The Way I See It.
Not looking to binge watch? Pick up a good book and create a book club with family and friends! Settle in with this year’s best reads, curated by Oprah and her team or NPR’s Book Concierge.
All of the above pairs well with my favorite Paso Robles Cabs: Austin Hope or DAOU.
From the creative to the collaborative
Host a holiday Zoom party that’s sure to get everyone into the spirit with these interactive team building tips from Paperless Post!! (They have everything from virtual puzzles to interactive workshops and more!)
Picking up the pieces #2020
Do you want to elevate your puzzle game? Level it up by making puzzles dual purpose for slowing down and creating an artful moment. I have been selecting beautiful new puzzles that can also be framed as art!!! This brand is great to get started HERE!
Stillness Speaks
The New Southern Style topped off the gift guides this year thanks to YOU. Get your signed and personalized copy here just in time for the holiday rush. For those who have their copies, I suggest bringing pages 95 and 96 to life which will be the gift that keeps on giving for you. In order for us to effectively connect with others, we have to connect to ourselves first. #StillnessSpeaks #TubTime
Rev up Creative Moments
cooking comforts
I have been playing in the kitchen and satisfying all of my comfort food cravings. From homemade popovers to the best mac and cheese recipe. I turn up my playlist and challenge myself to try one new recipe each week. Creativity happens when we are making other plans and this includes cooking, sweet friends.
For the Nashville community, CRC Nashville is offering Gingerbread House Kits for a good cause. Orders need to be placed by December 3rd for December 4th pick up. Decorating gingerbread houses can be the new virtual happy hour to spice things up.
express yourself
Pick up a paint brush and try your hand at watercolor. Right now we have the time to explore our inner artist, and when you lean into your light it connects you to your meaning and purpose. My dear friend Sarah Simon of The Mint Gardener is a fantastic resource with her book Modern Watercolor Botanicals. Also, refer to page 315 in The New Southern Style — “Childlike Is The New Grown-Up” — for a reminder of why it’s not only encouraged, but necessary for adults to play, too!
The Author Inside You
I believe we all have at least one book within us. Have you thought about yours? Being courageous means picking up the pen and reflecting how personal stories and experiences have an ability to be a resource for others. I see the inner author in you and now it is your turn to see this within yourself. “Morning pages” is a great exercise to get the creative juices flowing at the start of your day.
Picture this
The best camera we have is the one in your hand and ‘tis the season to capture our holiday moments and mantels!!! Make it playful — a photojournalistic style is where we focus on capturing emotion over perfection. Head to my AR Prescriptive Presets where I am helping you regain the creative confidence to help you be your own visual storyteller.
For the holidays, I am offering signed and personalized copies of THE NEW SOUTHERN STYLE that may be purchased through our local Nashville book store, Parnassus Books. They ship nationally and this is the perfect gift that will reconnect you to your creative power and cultivate the strength of community. This is a gift that keeps giving.
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Alyssa’s debut Coffee Table book, The New Southern, Out now via Abrams!
