As I have been shopping for new holiday decor this year, I noticed myself avoiding the bins in the basement. I was not ready to unpack the old ornaments or the pieces that carried so many memories. Last year I could not face the tree we used for years, and this year I felt the same way about most of our decorations. I needed a fresh start. Something simple. Something that did not carry the weight of all the Decembers before this one.
So, I began choosing new decor slowly. Soft lights. Neutral greenery. A few gentle touches that felt manageable. As I added things to my cart and pictured what the house would look like, I felt calm for the first time in a while.
Then I searched for stockings.
And that calm shifted.
I stood there scrolling through pages of holiday stockings, thinking about which ones would match the new pieces I chose. I pictured them hanging on the mantel, and without even meaning to, I counted.
One for me.
One for Luca.
And that was it.
Only two.
It was such a simple moment, but it hit harder than anything else I had bought for the house. Seeing the number change made the reality of this season feel sharp again. Stockings were always something Danny loved putting up. He always said the best gifts come in small packages.
Realizing I only needed two this year held a different kind of quiet. Not the overwhelming kind that knocks the breath out of you, but the kind that settles in slowly and reminds you that life is not the same as it was. It was a moment I had not prepared for, even though I thought I had prepared for everything.
So, I chose two stockings that felt peaceful. Soft, neutral, and simple. I wanted them to feel gentle, not painful. And once I accepted that, I decided to fill them with things that bring real comfort, not just filler items. Little gifts that make mornings softer. Small favorites that feel thoughtful. Things that make the season feel warm again in a quiet way.
If you are putting together stockings this year, whether your home feels full or whether you are adjusting to a new kind of holiday, here are a few favorites that always make people smile.
Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask in Berry
A soft, hydrating favorite that feels special without being overly fancy.
Shop: https://amzn.to/3XnqHlv
Olaplex Hair Oil
Light, smoothing, and beautifully scented. A small luxury that fits perfectly in a stocking.
Shop: https://amzn.to/4paWz9f
Ice Roller for Face Refreshing and De Puffing
A morning and nighttime favorite that feels soothing.
Shop: https://amzn.to/48Joozm
Charlotte Tilbury Beauty Light Wand Liquid Highlighter Makeup
A beauty favorite of mine.
Shop: https://amzn.to/3Y5faax
Oura Ring 4
A simple, comfortable ring that tracks sleep, stress, and daily wellness without feeling overwhelming.
Shop: https://amzn.to/3M9CdP1
Stanley Straw Topper Set
Fun, practical, and an easy stocking win.
Shop: https://amzn.to/4pA7IA4
Therabody TheraFace Depuffing Wand
A soothing depuffing wand that lifts, cools, and refreshes the face in seconds.
Shop: https://amzn.to/4rtmsT5
This year has reminded me that healing does not come all at once. Sometimes it comes in small decisions. Sometimes it comes in choosing new decor. Sometimes it comes in accepting that only two stockings hang on the mantel now and letting that truth be gentle instead of overwhelming.
If this season feels different for you too, I hope you give yourself permission to create the holidays in whatever way feels safe for your heart. You do not owe the past a perfect recreation. You only owe yourself something that feels honest and comforting.
If you want to see all of my stocking stuffer picks this year, I gathered them here:
Shop My Stocking Stuffer Favorites
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/AF1ERYXQCRX6?ref_=wl_share&tag=haven34co0f-20
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Sending you warmth and softness for this season.