Happy Friday, everyone! While I’m still recovering from a low-key Christmas with my family that involved a lot of carbs and even more sweets, and finishing up some last minute planning for next week’s New Years festivities, I wanted to take a little time to talk about a couple of my most beloved gifts and purchases from this past December in what will be my last “Favorite Things” roundup of 2025! I can’t believe this year is nearly over!
While many of the gifts I’ve received over the past couple of days will likely be included in the next compilation I have planned for January (my loved ones have excellent taste, after all!) this month’s edition is short, sweet but still festive nonetheless.
And as always, I’ll share the things I could snap photos of first before I launch into any miscellaneous odds and ends I’ve been enjoying.
Let’s get right into it!
Earlier this month, when complimenting a co-worker on an elaborate holiday manicure she’d been sporting at the office while simultaneously wishing I could find a nail technician in my area who was just as skilled, she let me in on a secret – she was wearing press-on nails – and had used them for years. I was stunned, only for her to further explain that press-on nails had come a long way since I’d last tried them out in what feels like a lifetime ago. The quality has significantly improved and they not only apply so much easier but last so much longer, too!
She pointed me in the direction of a couple of brands she swears by, and I scooped up some designs via KISS USA at my local CVS – including the peppermint printed ones shown – and they’ve been going strong for nearly two weeks now!
I’ve been loving how durable and comfortable these nails are, and I’ve gotten so many compliments on the design by so many different people while out running errands, attending parties, etc. The kits come with everything you need for a mess-free application and pain-free removal, so I’m looking forward to changing my look up to the constellation ones I also purchased for New Year’s Eve!
I still haven’t jumped onto the Stanley phenomenon, but I’ll also never say no to having a cute and good-quality thermos or tumbler within reach. So when my mom gifted me this candy cane-printed, 30-ounce and insulated tumbler earlier this month so I could take my home-brewed coffee and lattes on the road with me while out running errands this season, I was thrilled.
I want to say she bought this while at Kohl’s – although I’m not 100% sure – but I do know she didn’t pay nearly as much as Stanleys go for. I love how hot (or cold!) it keeps my drinks for hours and how it easily fits into my cupholder when I’m on the go. The print around it is just a festive bonus!
Finally, so many of the ornaments on my tree have been gifted to me by friends and family over the years, and it’s always a treat to unpack them and find a home for them when it comes time to decorate each and every year. My friends know that I’m a big fan of the realistic-looking food/dessert ornaments, and that I also love sushi, and a couple of them scooped up these very detailed and textured ornaments for me earlier this month.
These are currently balancing on the higher branches on my tree since they’ve got some weight to them – and they’re a much-welcomed addition to my collection!
And with the photogenic favorites in the books for this installment, there’s one other thing that made the list this month!
– MUSIC/MOVIES/TELEVISION –
‘It’s a Wonderful Life: Rifftrax Edition’ – I adore ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (the full-length version, of course. Not the abridged/shortened monstrosity that airs from time to time around the holidays) and I try to watch it every Christmas Day. This year, however, I managed to catch a screening of the Rifftrax-dubbed version through their app while working from home earlier in the month and was laughing so hard at the commentary that I had to revisit it more than once.
While nothing will ever come close to the original – the dubbed version is a gem all in itself!
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And there we have it – the last “Favorite Things” of 2025! What a year of great finds, buys, and gifts. Truly!
Next week, I’m going to be winding down the year with a look at some of my favorite photos & memories from this past year, as well as sharing my annual comprehensive review of all the headlines, major moments, pop culture phenomenons, etc., before I take a teeny, tiny little break for New Years Eve/Day.
Until then – enjoy the post-Christmas weekend, everyone!
xo
Coffee & Chiffon 