This Countdown to the December Holidays Will Help You Stay On Top of Your To-Dos

december holidays

Staying organized during the holiday season is a super important part of remaining chill throughout. We're publishing this article on October 1, which means it's exactly two months until December, when the holidays officially go into full swing. This year, Hanukkah runs from November 28 to December 6, kicking off the December holiday rush — the Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year's Eve all follow at the end of the month. With that in mind, our goal is to help you get *everything* you need to do done by that early-December deadline. Here's how to proceed.

2 MONTHS OUT

During the first half of October, get these tasks accomplished. Prepping ahead will set you up for a fun, stress-free holiday season:

Start Shopping for Holiday Outfits

October is the perfect time to decide if you'll purchase a new outfit for any of your events this year. Stores will be full of early-winter and holiday inventory, so it's unlikely your size will be sold out.

Get a Planner or Calendar

Having a place to write down all of your important events (like the date of your virtual work holiday party, your bestie's Friendsgiving gathering, and the respective holiday dinners of you and your SOs families) will be a life-saver as your schedule gets more packed. You can also keep track of to-dos in your planner... consider printing out this list or copying it in STAT. Here are some of our favorites.

Decide on Holiday RSVPs

If you have a partner, are from a blended family, or have any other circumstances that require you to choose between or coordinate different holiday gatherings, now's the time to open the lines of communication. Politely explain to everyone involved that you would never *dream* of missing their dinner party if you'd agreed to come, so you really need to get the dates sorted out now.

Create a Wish List for Yourself

It's no longer considered cool to get or give gifts that will end up in a landfill because you didn't really want them. Compile a list of things you need or want and circulate it to those closest to you, so you can create minimal waste this holiday season.

Request Others' Wish Lists

In a similar vein, ask your friends and fam for their own wish lists so you can ensure you don't give them something they don't really want or need.

Take Holiday Photos

Sending holiday cards this year? Get your photos taken now so you can order your prints ASAP.

Order Holiday Cards

Once your photos are taken, order your cards so you can ensure they're safe and sound in your home office, ready for addressing pre-December.

6 WEEKS OUT

Six weeks from December 1 is October 20 (yep, right before Halloween). Around that date, start checking these items off your to-do list:

Start Addressing Holiday Cards

If you didn't order your holiday cards with the addresses pre-printed on the envelope, it's time to start addressing.

Planning a Get-Together? Invite Your Guests

If you yourself are planning to host any events this year, now is the time to invite your guests. Six weeks gives them enough time to get their own schedules figured out so they can give you a firm yes or no in regard to their attendance.

Decide Upon Your Menu

Continuing on from above, if you're hosting this year, plan your menu NOW. If you haven't hosted a holiday gathering before, you should know that a lot of stores and butchers require you to place a holiday order AHEAD of time — you may not just be able to walk up to a butcher on December 23 and purchase a ham. Check with your local suppliers now to make sure you'll have everything you need.

Order Any New Decorations

If you're in the mood to revamp your decor this holiday season, it's time to go shopping. Get all the trimmings you need to deck the halls in the coming weeks.

Start Shopping for Gifts

Since you already have your loved ones' wish lists, you should have no problem getting started tackling your shopping list. If you start buying those items now, you'll save yourself a lot of headache in December (not to mention, you'll space out your spending, which will be much easier on your wallet).

2 WEEKS OUT

Since Hanukkah starts on the 28th of November, we're going to use November 14 as the beginning of the two-week window BEFORE the holiday rush. Here's what to get done on or around that date:

Decorate (Optional)

There used to be some hesitation around decorating for the holidays before Thanksgiving, but we let all our reservations go out the window when we realized how much it reduces stress to get this done ahead of time. Besides, Thanksgiving is a holiday, too — you might as well have plenty of cheery decor for it. This tip is optional, though... if you prefer to wait until closer to December, we will have another spot on this list for your decorating needs.

Finish Shopping

Any straggling items on your crew's wish lists should be purchased now.

Start Wrapping

Giving gifts this year? Wrap them now so you will be able to relax and enjoy the holiday season come December.

Make a Holiday Party Shopping List

Though you should have already planned out your menu, now's the time to actually list out the food items on your holiday recipes for your pre-party shopping excursion. Other items to include? Napkins and plates (if needed), place cards, fresh florals, and centerpiece decor.

Send Holiday Cards

Take those cards over to the post office and get them in the mail, STAT!

LAST-MINUTE DETAILS

When December 1 (and the surrounding days) rolls around, make sure you have the last few items taken care of:

Decorate if You Haven't Already

If you held off until after Turkey Day to decorate your pad, now's the time to go all-in!

Finish All Holiday Shopping

Seriously — don't wait until the last minute.

Buy Your Party Supplies

Pick up any non-perishable items ahead of time. Then, a day or two before your holiday party, head to the grocery store to get everything you need to whip up a delicious spread.

Deep Clean Your House

Everyone wants their home to sparkle its brightest during the holiday season. Give it a good deep clean — from the floors to the kitchen — so you can bask in its beauty throughout December.

Buy Thank-You Cards

Stock up on thank-you notes so you can graciously thank anyone who gives you something special.

Are you feeling ready for the December holidays yet? Tweet us at @BritandCo and let us know!

Like it or not, ‘tis the season to start thinking about the holidays. ‘Tis a stressful season, too, but don’t let the hustle and bustle of it all get you down. Whether you’re already formulating family plans or researching the best gifts to give, the best way to lean into this time of year (and not resist the holiday cheer) is by decorating your place to be as merry and bright as possible.

I know what you may be thinking: it’s still quite early to kickstart the festive mindset. And trust me – I’ve always been anti-early holiday decorating, but Anthropologie’s most recent holiday collection has persuaded me otherwise. They’re selling tons of timeless pieces to help you get a jump on the season, and my favorite part is that many of them can be used year after year. Single-use decor is overrated – heirlooms are where it's at.

From cozy Christmas doormats to candle holders I’m actually excited to spend money on, I scrolled through all of Anthro’s offerings to find 11 festive faves that’ll also sway you to start setting up early this year.

The best Anthropologie holiday decor pieces for 2024:

Anthropologie

Confetti Glass Tree

I love anything with retro flair, and these confetti glass trees have definitely earned a spot on my mantle! I also really appreciate that they span beyond your classic red and green Christmas decorations, adding a subtle pop of color via pinks, blues, and yellows. They're shoppable in 3 colors so you can snag a perfectly complete set!

Anthropologie

Embroidered Stars Velvet Runner

For all the family dinners and parties to come this season, this cozy cotton-velvet table runner sets any food and drink spread up for success. You get a little bit of holiday charm from the embroidered gold starts without it being overly Christmas-y, so you could even use it in the dining room once the holidays have wrapped up.

Anthropologie

Poplar Tree Wall Hanging

This wall hanging is such a unique piece that you can customize based on each year's ornament collection. I definitely will be snagging this to curate my very own (and highly curated) ornament art installation. It's also a wonderful small space-friendly hack to hang up if you don't have space for a traditional tree!

Anthropologie

Lou Benesch x Anthropologie Stargazer Zodiac Ornament

Astrology fans, rise up! These eye-catching ornaments come in all 12 signs – which can be great for your own tree, or as a thoughtful personalized gift for any zodiac lover in your life. I just absolutely love the cozy touch of the velvet ribbon!

Anthropologie

Espresso Martini Cocktail Glass Ornament

Is the season ever merry and bright without an espresso martini? Year after year, this drink graces my family's bar around the holidays. This glass ornament is the perfect "spirited" touch for the season that doesn't require a huge monetary commitment, and with the right care, it can last you a lifetime.

Anthropologie

Chunky Knit Holiday Icon Stocking

You're never too old for stocking stuffers – I prefer mine packed with candy. The chunky wool knit of this adorable, bow-adorned stocking has a vintage feel that'll fit right in with any interior.

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more of our holiday faves, from decor to gifting!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Emily in Paris season 4 was the buzziest season yet, and for good reason. Emily's in Rome, Camille was never pregnant, and Gabriel's hair went from très hot to tragique. In addition to the viral response to Gabriel's new hair, season 4 left me pretty sad because after four years of waiting for Emily and Gabriel to get together, they almost immediately break up — and actor Lucas Bravo is just as confused as we are.

Carole Bethuel/Netflix

“The ‘sexy chef’ was very much part of me in Season 1 and we grew apart season after season because of the choices he makes and because of the direction they make him take,” Lucas Bravo told IndieWire while promoting Mélanie Laurent’s Freedom. “As they made him kind of unaware of his surroundings, of the dynamic, always victimizing and always being completely lost in translation and oblivious to anything that is happening around him and being manipulated by everyone, it kind of became not fun for me to shoot or to see a character I love so much and brought me so much, being slowly turned into guacamole. I really grew apart from him.”

Honestly it makes me really sad that a character we all love so much is becoming unrecognizable. But at the same time, it makes me feel a little bit better, because we're not the only ones who feel like Gabriel has changed. And while Lucas has done what he can to bring those early-series aspects of Gabriel back, he says "there is only so much I can do in the limits of a script.”

Netflix

“I tried for seasons to bring nuances but we don’t have much liberty on set," he continues. “It makes me question if I want to be part of Season 5…because my contract ends at Season 4. I really want to see if Gabriel gets back to his fun, cheeky, playful, alive self. Because three seasons playing melancholic, sad, depressed, and lost is not fun anymore. It’s a comedy, everybody is having fun around me, everybody is jumping around, and I’m just slowly sinking into god knows what.”

Say what now?! If Lucas Bravo leaves Emily in Paris, I truly don't know what I'd do. Gabriel is my favorite character on the show! (Or at least, early Gabriel was.) Seeing him move from 30, flirty, and thriving to someone who's consistently in the middle of an existential crisis doesn't make sense within the world of the show. And even though Lucas thinks the show has a "lack of risk," he still loves everyone involved.

“I love the show. It started everything for me. I love the show and the people in it," he says. "With saying that, I feel like I am not being nice or grateful, but when you love something you want it to be…you want the best version of it. I’m not going to lie, I’ve been frustrated with the direction by character is taking. But we’ll see where it goes. The show is not over.”

Just like the show's iconic costumes are all about expression and fun, here's hoping Emily in Paris is able to bring some life back into our favorite chef. Because if not, it sounds like we could be nearing the end of the show's most popular would-they-won't-they relationship. Fix this Netflix, I beg you!

What do you think of Lucas Bravo's dilemma? Do you miss season 1 Gabriel? Let us know in the comments and check out the latest Emily in Paris season 5 news.

Brie Larson takes wellness very seriously. And considering she's saved the universe as Captain Marvel and fought alongside King Kong in Kong: Skull Island, prioritizing her health only makes sense. I got up close and personal with the Oscar-winning actress at Thorne's Mocktail Club in New York City on October 8, where she told me that in the pursuit of wellness, she's "always" seeking to feel "happy and safe in my body."

  • Brie Larson tells Brit + Co that movement, breathing techniques, and temperature changes help her feel "happy and safe in my body."
  • When it comes to her work, she says she chooses stories with messages she'll "be able to live with for the rest of my life."
  • She also reveals the best piece of advice she's received, and says keeping it in mind "makes things easier."

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

But even Larson has days she feels off, saying she knows that feeling "very well," and whether it's seasonal blues or mental health days, she knows routine is where she thrives — and seasonal affective disorder lamps. "Light is a big game changer for me because I grew up in California," she says.

To engage her other senses, she relies on movement, breathing techniques, and temperature changes to keep in touch with her body. "A hot bath, a cold shower, both — anything that sort of wakes your brain up and kind of jolts it," she says. "I have a pretty demanding schedule and I truly don't have room to not feel like I'm present in my life. And so you come up with ways to figure out how to do that."

That includes everything from drinking plenty of water and prioritizing sleep to packing foam rollers and bands in her carry on. "It looks like a clown bag!" she says. "I always do [those exercises] every morning because even if I don't want to do it, which I always don't want to do it, I feel a lot better after I do it."

Thorne

Admittedly, that's exactly how I feel some days about making breakfast — but a powerhouse like Larson knows how important fueling our bodies is. "Pretty consistently I'm having an egg, like a breakfast sandwich, egg on toast first thing in the morning," she says. "I can't think beyond that for breakfast because I wake up so early. It's like there's no creativity happening in the morning. I'm sorry. No."

And while her mornings are all about wellness, her evenings are all about getting cozy, and she tells me her dream night in includes playing a new video game, wearing Gelato Pique sweatpants, and ordering Thai food. But when she's in the kitchen? "I've been making pasta and sausage quite a bit and I make tacos quite a bit. I mean, I kind of just do like protein and veggies and a little bit of a carb," she says.

Walt Disney Studios / Marvel Studios

Cozy nights in wouldn't be the same without a movie, and there's a very good chance you've seen Larson on your screen recently, whether you're rewatching Captain Marvel, 13 Going on 30, or Lessons in Chemistry. But how does the actress consistently choose such beautiful, inspiring pieces to work on? She equates the feeling to having a crush.

"When I feel like [a story] hits something that lives so truthfully in me that I just want to know if it's true to other people," she says. "I just know that we all have more that's the same than different...Film and television, it lives in a way that is beyond me physically. So I'm here talking to you, but anybody can be watching whatever they want. And so I try my best to think through what the pieces are saying so that they go out in the world and I don't get to be at the end of it and explain it or tell people what to feel or what to take from it. It lives a life outside of me. So I try and make sure that it has a complete message in it that I feel like I'll be able to live with for the rest of my life."

Apple TV+

Just like Carol Danvers and Elizabeth Zott empower so many viewers, Brie Larson says she feels empowered by her own Hollywood heroes. "Earlier in my career, like when I was trying to visualize what kind of career I wanted, it was Toni Colette and she's still a hero of mine, but she was truly the one that I was like, 'I want to disappear into characters the way she does.'"

"There's so many incredible [actors]," she continues. "Some of them are people that are more my age and some are older than me. But that's the fun part of my job is that there's so many good people and so many things that are getting made. And so it just feels like we're constantly kind of maneuvering, and when they take on certain roles and represent certain things, it frees up for other people to do other things. And so we kind of all work as a unit."

One movie on the horizon that I'm excited for is Mattel's new American Girl movie. Like many 80s and 90s kids, Brie Larson loved American Girl dolls — and borrowed her stage name from pioneer Kirsten Larson! And just like the rest of us AG kids, she tells me she can't wait for the movie. "I've also seen that there's going to be adult Halloween costumes, which I'm also very excited about," she says. Will she be grabbing a Kirsten one for herself? "I just might!"

Q+A With Brie Larson

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

What's the first thing you did after you won your Oscar?

I probably drank champagne...I drank champagne and I put sneakers on, and then I went to the airport.

What's the best piece of advice you've received?

"When I think I know, I miss so much." We all get stuck in these things — I think an easy one to think about is like, you're in a fight with your sibling or your partner, and you are just so right in how angry you are. And then maybe the next day you wake up and you're like, "Maybe there was another side to that." And so we miss things when we're in a space where we believe that we know. Having an openness to what something can be or that things can be different than what you think makes things easier.

Thorne

What's on your holiday bucket list?

I love the holidays. Because I'm in California, I really am looking forward to this year having a chilly winter. I love a cold winter, cozy winter. I love Christmas markets, so I'll definitely hit things like that. All the little holiday markets pop up around, yeah, it's just like a rare time when everybody is resting at the same time.

What are you watching, reading and listening to right now?

Okay. I am reading a book called Patricia Wants To Cuddle. I am watching Love is Blind season 7 because I am not silly. And listening to Chappell Roan, obviously.

Read Hilarie Burton Just Spilled Some Serious One Tree Hill Teafor more fun celeb insights!

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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie created reality TV gold when The Simple Life debuted in 2003. Their antics were outlandish, but we couldn't help repeating their iconic phrases like "That's hot" or "Sanasa" during random moments in our own lives.

It's no secret the two didn't really act that way, but their 'characters' left a huge mark on a generation of millennials. "I knew what I was doing but the whole world didn’t, so it was kind of frustrating to me to be perceived in that way because it’s not who I am at all," Paris told People.

Even though she may have felt judged, it seems that Paris Hilton realizes how many people actually loved The Simple Life because she and Nicole Richie are teaming up to film a reunion special that'll debut on Peacock as we speak! Here's everything we know so far!

When did speculations about 'The Simple Life' reboot begin?

NBCUniversal Media

Peacock first shared a video clip on Instagram that hinted something special involving Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie is coming in May. A nostalgic TV set with a black and white screen can be seen while our favorite duo's voices can be hearing saying, "Sanasa, Sanasa."

Peacock captioned the post, "New Era. Same Besties. Coming soon to Peacock," and fans could barely contain their excitement. Even celebs like Naomi Campbell and Katy Perry commented on these hot vibes.

Bravo

Then Paris Hilton took to her own Instagram to share more about what fans could expect. She said, "As some of you may know, we are doing a reunion special to celebrate 20 years of our show The Simple Life and it's been so much fun."

Actress Selma Blair shared how much she's looking forward to this by commenting that she's "living for this."

So are we!

What was 'The Simple Life' about?

The Simple Life/20th Century Fox

The Simple Life showed Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie as they basically traded their wealthy lifestyles for 'everyday' living. Cameras followed them from fast food jobs to dealing with getting out of sticky situations they'd supposedly never experienced. Needless to say, it was hilarious, iconic, and instant reality TV gold.

How long was 'The Simple Life' on air?

Peter Kramer/Getty Images

The Simple Life was on air from 2003 to 2007 with five successful seasons. It seemed like it wasn't going to be hit at first, but it defied expectations. By how much you ask?

According to reporting from The Cut, somewhere around 13 million viewers tuned in to watch Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie's oddball take on daily life. That's a pretty huge deal if you ask us!

When will 'Paris & Nicole: The Encore' debut?

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

Paris & Nicole: The Encore will premiere on Peacock December 12! The two were previously seen at a Sonic drive-thru yesterday so it can be assumed filming is underway (via People)!

Sporting partial Sonic uniforms, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie added accent pieces that match their signature flairs. Paris wore a pair of reflective sunglasses, silver sequin heels, and added a pink flip phone to front of her blue apron. Nicole wore gold hoops and a pair of slingback pumps alongside her hotdog mascot costume. That's hot (dog).

How does Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie feel about reuniting for a reunion special?

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Paris Hilton has expressed how much she loves to be sharing the screen with Nicole Richie again. "I'm so excited to be doing this with Nicole on Peacock. Nicole has been my best friend since we're 2 years old, every memory that I have is with her," (via E! News).

Nicole also posted a few throwback moments from The Simple Life on her Instagram, but the most notable one is the video mashup of them singing "Sanasa, Sanasa" over and over. "20 years ago, not only did we become television stars… we became song writers. Happy Anniversary Sill @parishilton#TheSimpleLife#sannnasaaaaa" she wrote in the caption.

What have Paris and Nicole said about their reunion special?

Peacock

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie sat down with W Magazine to let the world know the Paris & Nicole: The Encore show is on its way! Not only that, but fans can expect to see an Opera version of the show they fell in love with two decades ago. Paris said, "The idea of the opera was unexpected" while Nicole chimed in with, "What people need, even though they don't know it yet, is for 'Sanasa' to be an opera.'"

The two besties came up with the idea via a series of texts that started off as ideas between them. Nicole said everything "came up organically" for the two and we can only imagine the memories this brought up for them. OG influencer Paris even talked about how The Simple Life was an "important show in pop culture history" and we couldn't agree more!

Nicole truly wants people to enjoy themselves while watching Paris & Nicole: The Encore and "find the same joy" she had while filming it. According to Paris, she feels what they have is "magic" because "there's just so much history behind it."

It's not every day that you can get to have fun with your best friend while coming up with long-lasting memories that contribute to pop culture, but Paris and Nicole have always danced to the beat of their own drums. Now we'll get to see them in action again!

Watch The Trailer For 'Paris & Nicole: The Encore'

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This post has been updated.

Friendsgiving season is coming folks! And if you have one on the books, but have no idea what to cook, we have you covered. From deliciously cheesy veggies to a healthy take on everyone's favorite spuds, we're rounding-up easy recipes to make that won't weigh heavy on your pocketbook. Take a look through to see the yummy ensembles you should be whipping up!

Brit + Co

Drop Biscuits

Because everyone needs a carb to soup all those juicy drippings on your plate. This 'The Final Table' winning recipe does the job.

Brit + Co

Smashed Brussel Sprouts

Not crazy about veggies? These greens will change your mind. Topped with cheese, chives, and a nice crisp topping, they're extra yummy (and keto-friendly!)

Brit + Co

Cacio e Pepe Chickpeas

Sure this one is a bit non-traditional, but your vegetarian friends will love it. Plus they make the perfect topping to nearly any dish (who needs croutons when you have these anyways?!).

Brit + Co

Roasted Broccoli

Puts some greens on your plate with this holy-grail recipe. Trust us: It's sooo easy!

Brit + Co

Instant Pot Butternut Squash Polenta

Dust off the ole' Instant Pot will this delectable fall polenta. Filled with butternut squash and lots of parmesan you (and your besties!) will quickly fall in *love*.

Brit + Co

Roasted Sweet Potato

Just when you thought you knew how to roast sweet potatoes, this recipe came along. And boy are we taking notes!

Brit + Co

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine

Be the friend that brings the booze. This autumn-themed mulled wine drink will warm everyone's spirits.

Brit + Co

Fall Quinoa Salad

If you're designated salad duty, take a twist on it by packing it full-on quinia, pomegranate, and a tangy dressing. Yum!

Brit + Co

Cheesy Pasta Bake

When the temperatures drop, your friends will be extra thankful for this soul-warming, cheesy pasta.

Brit + Co

Spinach + Mushroom Gnocchi Casserole

No time? No worries! This freezer-friendly pasta bake complete with pillowy gnocchi, creamy mushrooms and spinach is super easy to create ahead of time, without taking away from any day-of deliciousness.

Brit + Co

Cheddar, Jalapeno, and Chive Biscuits

Upgrade your biscuits with "addicting" flavors of cheddar, chives, and jalapeños. Pro tip: Double the batch to ensure you have more than one for everyone!

Brit + Co

Keto Cheese Ball

Your hostess will thank you extra for showing up with an app to tide guests over until the main meal is served. Packed with yummy baked potato fixings, it's got an extra "kick" to make it comparable to store bought options. Plus it's keto-friendly... you can't go wrong with that!

Brit + Co

Cheesy Keto Asparagus

Keep the keto ideas coming, am I right?! Make this popular Pinterest vegetable dish loaded with garlic and extra cheese. Yes please!

Brit + Co

Yogurt Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Pack a 'lil extra protein into your mashed spuds (with the bonus of making them extra creamy!). Who knew yogurt would soon become your go-to secret ingredient?

Brit + Co

Pumpkin Spice Toffee

And let's not forget about the sweets! Make a batch of this pumpkin spice-flavored treat as a great take-home option for overstuffed guests! (Just be sure to save some extra for yourself!)

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This post has been updated.