8 Cozy Reads That Will Put You in the Holiday Spirit

1. Rehearsing for the Christmas season is a full-time job.

Once the holidays roll around, the Radio City Rockette shows might last 90 minutes, but prepping for the season is a full work week. "The rehearsal season itself is six weeks long, six hours a day, six days a week," Courtney says. "So it is a long process and I feel like the rehearsals itself are like a bonding experience for us."

2. The Radio City Rockettes get some serious bonding time.

"You spend a lot of time with the girls around you and within Radio City, our dressing rooms too," Courteney says of the Rockette rehearsal schedule. "I feel like that's the time when you really get to form those bonds with your sisters and really create magic that can be seen on stage too."

"Yeah, once we move into Radio City, this becomes your family, truly," Caitlin adds. "We spend every day, day in day out together, we spend the holidays together. So you naturally just become very close with everyone."

Each Rockette dresses up her getting-ready station.

"Everybody dresses up their station to make it feel very homey," Caitlin says. "I like lots of like decor and festive lights, candles, all that fun stuff."

The women love to have treats in their dressing rooms!

I'm literally snacking on a chocolate bar as I type this, and I'm not the only one who likes to have sweets on-hand! "I love Christmas cookies," Caitlin says. "We will do something with our dressing room and bring in treats every day. I feel like someone's bringing in something new."

The Radio City Rockettes perform up to 200 shows at Christmas.

"The Rockettes perform up to 200 shows in a season, and the way that each show feels so special and individual, it's just amazing how you never know who's out in the audience seeing the show for the first time," Courtney says. "And the way the ladies in the line put their best foot forward every single time is so inspiring and made me want to give even more."

"It just really amazes me how dedicated and how hard working all the Rockettes are," Caitlin agrees. "And I think we always knew that, but then once you're in it, you have a whole new level of respect for how hard all these women work."

And each Rockette can perform in up to 4 shows a day!

"I think sometimes people don't realize we can do up to four shows in the day, which is unreal and amazing," Caitlin says. "That might be a surprise to people when they're coming to a show. They might think we just have that one that day, but we actually might have two, three, or four in the day, which is pretty amazing."

But the Rockettes also find time to goof off.

The Rockettes might be known for their precision, but Courtney promises their smiles are real! "We are having so much fun," Courtney says. "It's really just an amazing feeling to be on stage and we find times to laugh and joke around, but really obviously give our all to our craft. And I think people don't realize like we are really having an amazing time on and off stage."

The Radio City Rockettes really support one another.

As you can imagine, a career as a Rockette comes with its challenges, but the ladies on the line always support each other. "I was really proud last year was our first season together and just to complete one full season is such an accomplishment," Courtney says. "I feel like we're ready to take it on again and know like we absolutely can do it. And with the support of everyone around us too, you know, you're going to get through the entire holiday season and you're gonna come out even stronger."

The Radio City Rockettes can work a bunch of jobs during the summer.

The Rockettes have a busy schedule during Christmas — but that doesn't mean they kick up their feet the rest of the year! "Every person on the line has a very diverse background and they go to different job opportunities throughout the year," Courtney says. "People are pulled in different directions when the holiday season is over. The Rockettes do work year-round [with] different opportunities."

"We're always looking to continue to dance and work on our precision," she continues. "The summer though, our favorite thing is to go to the beach. We're from New Jersey and the Jersey shore is like our home. So if we're not dancing, you can definitely find us relaxing on the sand."

The best thing about performing New York City can also be the most challenging.

You know how, when people talk about New York, they say, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere?" That's because it's hard to live here y'all!

"This is just the city that never sleeps," Caitlin says. "There are people everywhere. It's always alive. There's just something magical about New York and I love that. And I think that could come with the biggest challenge as well: the city that never sleeps. You feel like you're going, going, going at all times. But that's pretty exciting to do at our age, living out our dreams. I feel like that will never get old."

"I feel like we have no complaints here!" Courtney adds.

Even as a Radio City Rockette, the work is never done.

"I feel like there's always room for improvement," Courtney says. "Even today, as we're living at our dream, we're continuously working on our technique and our precision and going back to our foundation, I think the work is never done and you can continue to dream and accomplish some of those really major goals."

"Yeah, the work is never done is I think is kind of our motto," Caitlin adds. "Just keep, keep pushing, keep driving and just keep dreaming. And never give up."

The Rockettes are like one big family.

Just like so many of our favorite TV show and movie casts, the Rockettes love to bond! "The Rockettes truly feel like a sisterhood and we are so lucky that we are real sisters on the line together," Caitlin says, adding that to dance "with your sister is everything we always hoped for."

And those connections make a magical experience like New York at Christmas even more magical. "[To] be welcomed with open arms has been such a dream come true for us," Courtney says. "We just love the holiday season and to celebrate it at Radio City, I feel like I can't imagine anything better."

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts For Her

Bedsure Satin Pillowcase

This silky-soft pillowcase keeps her locks in-check, and will help smooth out those pesky flyaways she's always looking out for.

Dearfoams Fireside Sydney Shearling Fur Scuff Slipper

These plush slippers are like a cozier version of this season's "It" shoe (looking at you, UGG). When you give this last-minute Christmas gift to her, she'll appreciate how tuned-in you are to today's trends!

Blossom Rollerball Perfume Oil

When you're lost on the best scent for her, opt for this trio! These fragrance oils are infused with real flowers, so each application smells eau so fresh. She can keep these handy in her bathroom, in her purse, and even in the car.

Kitsch Satin Heatless Curling Set

These heat-free satin curlers leave her with some gorgeous waves and curls, without all the damage that traditional curling tools bring. They're suitable for all hair types and lengths, too.

COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence

This #1 best-selling serum has over 49,000 5-star reviews, and your giftee will definitely feel the same about this product when you give it to them for Christmas. This bottle makes an excellent stocking stuffer so that she can up her skincare game!

Telena Belt Bag

Did someone say dupe? This belt bag plays at one of this year's most popular accessories with the same level of quality, except at a fraction of the OG price.

Tatcha The Serum Stick

This serum stick was made for gals who are on-the-go. It can be used under makeup or alone as skincare to combat dryness and signs of aging. Get them ready to glow!

Soft Touch Foot Peel Mask

Foot masks are absolutely amazing, so this pack of two will make for a good stocking stuffer and last-minute Christmas gift for the gal who just wants to unwind!

Foreo Luna 3 Facial Cleansing Brush

This chargeable facial cleansing brush will make her skincare routine oh-so fancy! Thanks to its soft silicone material and powerful pulses, this device is capable of a super deep clean every time. She'll be on her way to youthful, rejuvenated skin in no time. It's also small, so it's easy to transport.

White Silicone & Gold Cooking Utensils Set

This kitchen pick is functional and aesthetically-pleasing, perfect for the gal that's got her home decor together. These sleek gold utensils are lightweight, but still sturdy enough to use every day.

The Silicone Kitchen Reusable Jumbo Silicone Baking Cups

These colorful, reusable baking cups will give their kitchen a sustainable flair. They arrive in a stylish cotton mesh bag, too, so they'll look stunning as a stocking stuffer for her.

Bloom Nutrition Super Greens Powder Smoothie & Juice Mix

Bloom's greens powder is effective in releasing our bloating, so if you've got a hottie with tummy issues to shop for, let your last-minute Christmas gift be this. It comes in a handful of other flavors, too!

Redken Bonding Hair Mask

Same thing goes for her hair – this thick, salon-tested repairing hair mask will combat the dryness that the holiday season typically brings!

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts For Him

ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner

If your guy can't get enough of his car, gift him a tool like this small vacuum to take care of it! This last-minute Christmas gift will arrive before the big day, and he'll be using it from there on out.

Tozo T10 Bluetooth 5.3 Wireless Earbuds

Does he hit the gym? Then these wireless earbuds are going to totally change his workout game. They're inconspicuous yet stylish in the ears, plus can play music for up to 10 hours on a single charge.

Hanes Men's Ecosmart Fleece Sweatshirt

It's cozy season, so why not help him settle in comfortably with this sturdy cotton pullover? Basic clothing is always your bet best for last-minute Christmas gifts, and this piece comes in tons of different colors to suit your man's style.

Echo Dot (5th Gen, 2022 Release)

The Echo Dot is the perfect companion for handling anything life throws at him. He can verbally command Alexa to ask for the weather, make to-do lists, shop for forgetting grocery items, and control his smart devices.

Flancci Over The Door Hat Rack Organizer

This space-saving door organizer is meant to serve his hat collection! It conveniently holds up to 18 caps, all while keeping them out of the way elsewhere. Our most favorite part is that the organizer is 100% adjustable, so it can fit a variety of different sized doors, if he decides he wants to relocate his hats.

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand

The tech-y dad or boyfriend who also has a knack for design will love this sleek stand. It'll look show-stopping on his nightstand, especially once he leaves his phone, earbuds, and watch to rest on it.

Renpho Active Massage Gun

This massage tool will impress and destress any guy with sore muscles or tense shoulders. It has a convenient charging port for power-ups, operates under 5 different speeds, and has numerous attachments to target specific problems throughout the body.

Modern Mixology Bartender Kit

For the guy that loves a good cocktail, this all-in-one bar kit will make the perfect last-minute Christmas gift. It'll help him whip up yummy drinks in no time! Plus, you'll probably get to be the #1 taste-tester. So, win-win.

Last-Minute Christmas Gifts For Kids

Hasbro Gaming Connect 4

Connect 4 is a classic, so if they haven't been introduced yet, this is a genius gift idea.

Let Loose Moose Hover Soccer Ball

This "floating" ball will keep those kiddos occupied, indoors or out. It features a soft, durable outer shell that protects the toy itself and the surroundings it's bound to hit. The colorful LED lights inside keep things interesting, especially when the lights go out.

Marvel Legends Series Ultron, Comics Collectible 6-Inch Action Figures

Action figures are *not* out of style! Gift the Marvel lover this sturdy lil' dude for maximum happiness.​

Looikoos Kids' Walkie Talkies

We had walkie talkies as a kid, and they definitely elevated each and every play date. Now, they can communicate playfully among schoolmates, friends, and other family members.

Mini Magical Unicorn Terrarium Kit

For the one with their head in the clouds, this dreamy terrarium kit is gonna knock it out of the park for a last-minute Christmas gift. It's a perfect gift to spark creativity in the duller winter months!

Wearable Blanket Hoodie

The real gift will be watching your little one wobble adorably around the house in this darling oversized hoodie! It comes in an array of different colors and patterns to suit your kiddo.

Lite-Brite Classic

Another classic toy, the Lite Brite has been a monumental part of playtime for years and years. This is another great last-minute Christmas gift that doesn't cost a ton, and doesn't take up too much room at home.​

1. Full Coverage Foundation

There was a time where wearing full-coverage foundation was all the rage. From drugstore to high-end brands, it seems like they were consistently shoved in consumers’ faces to help us achieve a ‘full beat’ without sitting in a makeup artist’s chair. Also, those of us with dark spots or hyperpigmentation may have relied on them when we were in the thick of our skincare woes.

But these days, wearing too much foundation isn’t as popular as natural and skincare makeup are prioritized. If anything, more people are interested in wearing light-to-medium coverage foundation, skin tints, or tinted moisturizers.

2. Too Much Concealer

It wasn’t until I watched this video by makeup artist Katie Jane Hughes that I realized some of us have been too heavy-handed with our concealers. There’s no reason we should be slapping products under the thinnest parts of our face, but we didn’t know any better!

Now that you know you can still get the desired effect with a minimal amount of concealer, don’t revert back to painting your under eyes!

3. 'Baking' Your Setting Powder

Before you throw away your setting powders, step away from your makeup drawer and have a sit-down chat with me. There isn’t anything wrong with applying them to your face to help ‘set’ your foundation and concealer. However, spending over 10 minutes ‘baking’ your powder (AKA letting it sit untouched) doesn’t work for everyone.

It can lead to creased makeup which can derail your look, plus it’s a pain to correct when you’re halfway through your routine!

4. Overlining Lips

I love a good lip liner, especially if it mirrors my favorite ‘90s makeup look. But, there’s such a thing as overdoing it. The key to lining your lips is following the natural flow of them. Going out of your way to draw above and under your lips’ lines comes off as comical and exaggerated. If anything, use a lip plumping gloss to help your lips look fuller.

5. Overtweezing Your Eyebrows

I don’t even have the words for this outdated makeup look besides wanting to say “no” 20 times in a row. But, I’ll bite and say why this shouldn’t be on your 2025 beauty moodboard.

Some people naturally have thinner eyebrows which is A-okay! However, purposely tweezing your eyebrows to smithereens is cringey. If you truly want to wear this look, here’s what you can do instead of tweezing:

• Create a faux bleached look by applying a skin tone colored setting powder all over your brows.
• Once they’ve ‘disappeared,’ take an eyebrow pencil or eyeliner to draw a thin line over them.

I’m…wondering what the ramifications of telling you how to do this will be, but only use go for this look if it’s a part of a themed party…like Halloween.

6. Exaggerated Highlighter On Cheeks

The shimmery look is in since it’s winter, but please don’t make it look like you dipped your cheeks into a vat of glitter. You can lightly dust highlighter onto your cheeks for a more natural glow that flows with the rest of your look. Otherwise you’ll look like a walking disco ball which could be the opposite of what you were going for.

7. Heavy Contour Or Bronzer

I know the ‘sculpted’ look is popular, but too much contour or bronzer can overpower the rest of your makeup and face. While it’s not impossible to fix if you do it by mistake, using the wrong shade of contour or bronzer may still peep through no matter how much you try to buff it out.

When in doubt, be gentle with your contour or bronzer application!

8. Incredibly Matte Makeup

Matte makeup that didn’t budge was the ‘It Girl’ look for oily and combination skin girls! We thought it was the answer to our skin’s incessant need to hydrate our faces instead of actually using skincare products that focused on combatting that issue (psst…Vitamin C serums help!).

But now’s the time to break up with this look for good for one reason: dewy skin looks healthier.