December Recap (Decorating, Shopping and More!)

Happy weekend and welcome to the Saturday Spotlight!  This week, I’m sharing a December recap of things that didn’t make the blog during the month.  From Christmas decorating ideas to travel, shopping and more, I hope to inspire you with my look back at the month of December!

*For your convenience, please note that this post contains affiliate links.  If you make a purchase after clicking my links below, I will receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).

December Recap – Christmas:

Decorations in the foyer…

Early in December, I shared my Christmas Home Tour but I hadn’t hung my stair garland yet.  So, here’s another view of the space with some tweaks since then.  As you can see, my garland is looking a bit sparse these days.  It’s one of those things that isn’t obvious in person but then you take a picture and you’re like – ugh, that doesn’t look good!  Next year, I plan to either replace it or fill it in with more greenery.  When Christmas rolls around, I’ll have to look at this picture to remind myself!

*If you’re also thinking ahead to next year, be sure to read, – 5 Things You Can Do Now to Make Next Christmas Easier.

A gift exchange party score!…

In December, I attended one of those gift exchange parties where you can steal and swap gifts.  Somehow I ended up keeping the gift I picked…these awesome coupe glasses!  They’re from Terrain (and sold out at the moment)…but they also have more pretty glassware!

An almost white Christmas…

Right before Christmas, we had some beautiful snow.  Even though most of it melted by Christmas Day, it was still so festive for the holiday season!

Our Christmas season trip to New York City…

A couple weeks before Christmas, my friends and I attended our annual Broadway show.  Usually, we go in the spring or fall but December was the only month that worked for all of us.  This year, we saw, Death Becomes Her, the Tony Award winning musical.  It was hilarious and so entertaining!  Afterwards we had dinner at Quality Bistro which was such a great find!  If you’re heading to New York I’d definitely recommend both the show and the restaurant!

December Recap – Caribbean Travel:

In December, our family spent a week on the island of Grand Cayman…

Last year, we did the same thing and realized it’s a great time to go!  (Unfortunately, it looks like it won’t work with our schedule next near.)  Because we visited the week before Christmas, the island wasn’t crowded and we were able to get reservations in all of our favorite restaurants…and the weather was perfect.  Of course, getting ready for Christmas was a bit hectic when we got back…but it was totally worth it!

When we travel to Grand Cayman, we always rent a condo right on Seven Mile Beach.  Besides having 3 bedrooms and plenty of living spaces, we are just steps away from the beach.  As you can see, the beach is perfection!  Even though you don’t have all the amenities of a big hotel when renting a condo, you pretty much have the beach to yourself.  No waking up early to save lounge chairs!

December Recap – Recent Reads:

In December I read two books…

For my first December book, I read Last Twilight in Paris, which is a World War II historical fiction novel.  The story is told from two different timelines and characters.  Helaine, a Jewish woman is trapped in a Parisian store by the Nazis during the 1940s.  Louise is a 1950s British housewife who investigates a necklace that she recognizes from her time working for the Red Cross.  Both women have a connection to the necklace and their journeys uncover secrets with some interesting twists and turns.  Overall, I thought it was an engaging story with some parts that were a bit far fetched.  Though, I did enjoy it and I thought the author did a great job developing the characters.  I also learned a few things from that time in history.  Definitely, worth reading!

Since, I spent part of December on the beach, I had to read something beach worthy!  Just for the Summer ended up being the perfect book for that!  In the story, a man and a traveling nurse decide to have a summer fling to break their bad luck dating history.  As expected, they end up developing feelings for each other.  I thought the characters were adorable, I loved the humor and I blew through the book in only a few days.  Although the story also dealt with past traumas and some mental illness, it was still uplifting and so entertaining.  Definitely, add this one to your beach bag!  (Also, this book was voted one of the best books of 2024 on Amazon.)

December Recap – A Tropical Drink Recipe:

A classic cocktail from a new favorite Grand Cayman restaurant…

After hearing so much about Tillies in Grand Cayman, we gave it a try for lunch one day.  Besides being gorgeous, the food was amazing!  While dining, I tried their Tillies Punch which was so good too!  In my attempt to find the recipe, I entered the ingredients from their menu and came up with an AI version.  So, the AI recipe is listed below.  Once I try making it at home, I’ll let you know if it comes close!

Tillies Inspired Rum Punch Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
• 2 oz Pineapple Juice
• 1 oz Passion Fruit Syrup or juice
• 1/4 oz Maraschino Liqueur
• 2 oz Caymanian Rum (or a blend of light and dark rum)
• 1-2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Garnish:  Mint Sprigs and Pineapple Wedge
• Ice

Instructions:

• Combine ingredients in cocktail shaker.
• Shake with ice in shaker.
• Garnish and serve!  Cheers!

Shopping Finds to Wrap Up December:

As we transition from December to January, here are some finds…

For those of you who haven’t packed away your holiday decor, I recently bought this wreath storage and it’s big enough to hold several wreaths...love it!

While you plan for next December, stock up now on entertaining essentials, like these wine glasses.  (So classic – and on sale now!)

If you plan to cook some new comfort food recipes in 2026, this dutch oven could get you motivated!  (It comes in several colors AND it’s on sale now too!)

For more December inspiration, here are some ideas from around the internet:

Decorating, DIY projects etc…

• As you transition from Christmas to winter decor, here are some pretty ideas!
• For a wintery DIY project, learn to make a crackle glass vase!
• If you’re in the mood for cozy winter comfort food, this beef stew looks delicious!

More decorating ideas to take you from December to January…

• For after-Christmas decorating tips, read – Decorating After Christmas.
• To decorate a table for the winter months, read – Simple & Cozy Winter Tablescape.
• In case you missed it, here is my November Recap.
• And for last year’s December/January ideas, read – Goodbye December, Hello January.

What does your December recap look like?

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