24 Ways to Bring Holiday Cheer to Your Boring Cubicle

Anecdote Candles Cocktail Hour Candle

Happy hour starts with this delicious-smelling candle. It carries notes of sparkling champagne, lemon juice, cognac, juniper berries, and tarragon – which all sound like a great build for an actual glass. Cheers!

PolyScience Breville Gun Pro Smoke Infuser

This super cool gun adds a delicious smoky flavor to boozy drinks with minimal effort.

Angostura Aromatic Cocktail Bitters

Any cocktail lover will know exactly what to do with this.

Thoughtfully Cocktails Mix & Match Mini Cocktail Mixer Set

This sampler set is the easiest way for cocktail connoisseurs to try a whole bunch of flavors and create endless yummy drinks right at home!

Lina Wine Bottle Holder

Full of midcentury style, this wine bottle holder is super on-trend and will complement any oenophile's bar cart beautifully.

Cheers Stir Stick Set

Every good cocktail deserves a snazzy swizzle stick, and every bartender deserves a classy set. You can go with the default option (cheers!), or even request a custom design for a personalized look.

Edible Glitter

This edible glitter makes any cocktail look absolutely magical.

The Art of Mixology

This classic go-to source for mixology wisdom is both useful and pretty to display on the bookshelf.

YETI Rambler 20-Ounce Cocktail Shaker

This shaker features double-wall insulation to keep those cocktails nice and oh-so cold.

The Seedlip Trio

Seedlip's non-alcoholic spirits have earned widespread praise for their deliciousness and contribution to booze-free drink making.

Williams Sonoma Signature Muddler

A serious bartender needs a serious muddler. The tool turns fresh herbs and produce into cocktail magic.

Uncommon Goods On The Rocks Set

Once you’ve got everything to make the perfect whiskey cocktail, you’ll want these granite stones to keep your drink cold (without diluting it).

Mocktail Party

If your drink lover in interesting in trying their hand at mocktails, this book is the perfect (and prettiest!) resource for new recipes.

Urban Outfitters Marina Bar Cart

An aesthetic bar cart is where the magic begins. Upgrade their entire set-up with this sleek pick!

Ramona Coupe Glasses Set

These gorgeous glasses are great for holding cocktails, mocktails, wines, and even sparkling waters. They're a must-have for anyone with a penchant for serving classy bevvies!

The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails

This informative guide has everything a person would want to know about the art of making cocktails. Plus, it looks so good on a coffee table!

Williams Sonoma Signature Bar Spoon

Save your table flatware for ice cream and pudding — a real cocktail requires a stirrer spoon.

Urban Outfitters Cocktail Icons 2025 Calendar Tapestry

This artsy tapestry would look so chic hung next to their bar cart.

Blush Cocktail Shaker Set

This colorful set has everything they need to concoct the tastiest cocktails around!

The Drunken Botanist

This intriguing book goes back in time to shed light on the plants that make your favorite varieties of booze.

Our Place Party Coupes

Give their tablescape a little more pizazz with these funky glasses!

Uncommon Goods Flavored Simple Syrup Set

This set of four simple syrups includes creative flavors like Cherry Almond and Cucumber Habanero to jazz up your favorite liquors with sophisticated notes.

3-Tier Cocktail Seasoning Box

This 3-tier seasoning box keeps all of those cocktail-making essentials in one easy to access place.

Uncommon Goods Personalized Whiskey Barrel

Personalize spirits for your favorite whiskeylover in a special barrel with their initials or name emblazoned on the front!

Anthropologie Saluti Cocktail Napkins

These adorable reusable napkins will instantly cheer up happy hour!

Taylor Swift Chai Cookies

Taylor Swift adapted this cookie recipe from Joy the Baker and our editor Meredith Holser gave them a go in her kitchen. She was starstruck by how easy they were to make!

Blake Lively's Sausage And Brie Puff Pastry

Lively recreates one of her favorite personal recipes using locally sourced meats and ingredients with Elletra's Goodness. (via Vogue)

Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Roast Chicken with Lemon Pepper Rub

If you're over turkey and turkey leftovers, this flavorful roast chicken from the Modern Family star will mix up your holiday meal with lemon-y deliciousness.

Bundle “Le Emilia” By Emilia Clarke

• 2 fl oz Pegasus Vodka
• 1/2 fl oz Eau D'or Liqueur
• 1/2 fl oz simple syrup
• 1 fl oz lime juice
• 5-6 fresh mint leaves

1. Shake and strain in a cocktail glass.
2. Add Eau D’Or foam.
3. Decorate with fresh mint leaves and lime zest.
4. Suggested glassware: Riedel Sour Glass

Joanna Gaines' Friendsgiving Casserole

This chicken casserole is the perfect one-pot meal to take to your holiday potluck or just whip up for a delicious winter meal for days. (from Magnolia)

Dolly Parton's Walnut Pie

• 1 fold-out pie crust (thawed)
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 3/4 cup of light corn syrup
• 1 1/2 cups of finely chopped walnuts
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp butter, melted
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• whipped cream

1. Preheat over to 400 degrees. Roll out the crust and line a 9-inch pie plate with it.
2. Beat eggs in a large bowl with hand mixer. Gradually add the sugar, corn syrup, vanilla, and salt. Continue mixing until combined. Add the melted butter and beat until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Pour the egg mixture into the pie shell. Add the walnuts, spreading them evenly within the mixture. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Reduce the heat to 300 degrees and bake 45 minutes more. Place a collar of foil around the edge of the crust after 30 minutes.
5. Serve with a Dolly-up of whipped cream.

Kristen Bell's Everything Cookies

For your next cookie party serve up the Bell's favorite Everything Cookie (oats, butterscotch and chocolate, oh my!). Get points for gluten-free too! (from Today)

Sarah Michelle Gellar's Gingerbread Cookies

The Buffy the Vampire Slayer alum makes this adorable Gingerbread family at home with her two little ones. (from Us)

Chrissy Teigen's Sweet Potato Streusel Pie

Buttery pecan topping? Yes, please! Thanks to Cravings by Chrissy Tiegen for the recipe.

Martha Stewart's Shortbread Cookie Wreaths

Slay your cookie party with these candied flowered cookies from the baking queen.

Kylie Jenner's Calabasas Combo

Ingredients:

• 2.0 oz 818 Tequila Blanco
• 1.0 oz Lime Juice
• 4.0 oz Grapefruit Juice
• 0.25 oz Agave Syrup
• 2.0 oz Kylie Jenner’s Grapefruit or Lime Sprinter Vodka Soda

Gwyneth Paltrow's Potato Apple Latkes with Smoked Salmon

We never met a fried potato we didn't like. This Hanukkah hit from GP makes a great holiday breakfast or side dish. (from Goop)

Cameron Diaz's Cambrusco Spritz

Here's my twist on the classic Shirley Temple that's become my favorite fall cocktail — the Avaline Cambrusco Spritz! It combines Avaline's fruity, fizzy Lambrusco with refreshing pomegranate-cranberry juice and lemon-lime sparkling water. It’s the perfect blend of tart, bubbly, and not-too-sweet, with a nostalgic touch from the maraschino cherries. Whether you’re hosting happy hour or planning a dinner party with fresh fall produce, this spritz will add a fun pop of color (and flavor) to your autumn gatherings. Cheers to making new memories! - Cameron

• In a tall glass, add ice
• 2 oz Avaline Lambrusco
• 2 oz 100% Pom-cran Juice

1. Fill to top with sparkling water
2. Add 1 squeeze of a lemon wedge
3. Add 1-3 maraschino cherries for garnish

Kylie Jenner's Famous Matzo Ball Soup

Warm up a winter holiday day with a bowl of matzo ball soup courtesy of the Kardashians star. She walks you through her recipe — the matzo balls can be made by following the instructions on the box.

Meghan Markle's The TIG Cozy Cocktail

The duchess calls this warm and cinnamon-y bourbon-based drink "the very best apres ski drink I can think of." Cue the roasting fire. (from The Mail)

Jamie Chung's The Moet 75

A twist on one of our faves, the French 75, this official Golden Globes cocktail created by the The Misfits star has a kick of tequila. (from Haute Living)

Kourtney Kardashian's Pomegranate Champagne Punch

So easy and so tasty! Give this festive Champagne-based cocktail a swig to ring in the new year in style. (from In Style)

Carly Pearce's Pumpkin Pie

The country music singer, based in Nashville, shared her mom's pumpkin pie recipe with us and we are all over it.

Dough:

• 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Filling:

• 2 cups of unsweetened pure pumpkin puree
• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/4 cups half-and-half
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/3 teaspoon of ground cloves (we like to add an extra pinch!)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

1. For the dough, mix together flour, sugar and salt evenly in a bowl
2. Lightly beat in butter and egg
3. Cover the dough in plastic and let chill in refrigerator for 2 hours
4. Once chilled, sprinkle flour on a flat surface and roll out dough, then roll dough onto pie pan. Leave about half an inch extra around the edge and fold underneath the edge of the crust.
5. Pinch edges of pie with your fingers, then freeze the shell for 30 minutes.
6. Add parchment paper over the pie shell and fill with pie weights (this can be dried beans or even sugar)
7. To prep the dough for the filling, bake on a baking sheet for 30 minutes on 375 degrees, or until pie shell is golden brown
8. Take the crust out of the oven and remove the weights, then let the crust cool.
9. Set oven temp to 350 degrees
10. For the filling, mix the pumpkin puree, evaporated milk, half-and-half, light brown sugar and spices and eggs into a bowl. Whisk until smooth.
11. Pour mix into pie crust, bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes.
12. Remove from oven, let pie cool for 30 minutes

Amy Grant's Fudge Sauce

The 6-time Grammy Award winner shared with us her mom Gloria's recipe for fudge sauce. Dip cookies, add to ice cream or drizzle on pie:

• 4-5 unsweetened chocolate squares
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 stick butter

In a double-boiler, melt Chocolate Squares and Sweetened Condensed Milk, then fill empty can with water. Add water, a little at a time, to the melted chocolate mixture. Allow it to cook down, and add more water and repeat. After about 20 minutes, remove from heat, add butter and beat until shiny.

1. Actually Use Your Planner In 2025

We're not buying pretty planners just so they can collect dust on our desks or coffee tables anymore. Corry Frazier and Melissa Pepin want you to get serious because they feel "it starts with planning." They don't mean the kind you eventually flake on either.

"Effective planning is key to maintaining balance and reducing burnout. Whether you're mapping out tasks, meetings, or events, dedicated time for preparation ensures focus and reduces stress," they say. In other words, "the more intentional you are in planning, the more productive you'll be," according to them.

Ever since I've been blocking out my tasks by hour in planner, I've been able to get more done without feeling overwhelmed by splitting my time between writing and being in mommy mode. Frazier and Pepin suggest that you "set weekly planning sessions" that consist of "30-60 minutes each weekend to map out your upcoming week."

This eventually "reduces decision fatigue, fosters a sense of control, and helps you start Monday with clarity and purpose," they add. Yes, this is a sign that you'll be breaking up with the dreaded 'Sunday scaries' if you follow their advice. "You'll feel proactive and grounded rather than reacting to the week as it unfolds," they agree.

2. Embrace A "Fake Commute" When Working From Home

One of Kayla Baum's tips is to switch up your routine if you're a remote worker. Rolling out of the bed at the last minute before logging on for work sounds appealing until you realize you're uninspired by your days. But, what is a "fake commute?"

"It mimics the structure of a traditional commute to establish a boundary between work and personal life. This could mean taking a walk around the block, doing a 10-minute guided meditation, or even just changing clothes at the end of the day," Baum mentions.

Based on her experience, she's found that "it works because it provides a psychological buffer, helping to separate work and home life." She feels it's "crucial for positive mental health and boosting productivity at work (and at home)."

You can also create a separate work space that's not in your bedroom to get work done! That's helped me tremendously so I'm not sleeping and working in the same area.

3. Focus On High-Impact Tasks

Similar to planning your work days as best as you can, Frazier and Pepin want you to "prioritize the tasks that align with your goals." To minimize distractions, they want you to ask yourself:

• What is the most effective use of my time right now?

4. Stop Making Daily Decisions Hard

Tasks like your morning routine or figuring out what you'll eat don't have to take up a chunk of your time anymore. "Use productivity hacks, such as pre-planning meals or laying out weekly outfits," suggest Frazier and Pepin. They feel that "small routines like this eliminate unnecessary choices" to "make mornings smoother."

According to them, it's "especially helpful for families juggling multiple schedules." I couldn't agree more because I've spent so many frazzled mornings trying to make decisions about what myself and my toddler would wear or eat instead of planning them. With the help of my fiancé, we've cut so much time in half by being prepared ahead of time instead of 'winging it' before work.

5. Understand What Your Boundaries Are And Set Them

Worried that you'll be considered 'mean' if you tell your manager or coworkers what your boundaries are at work? Depending on your environment, it's 100% understandable. However, you're human and there's no reason you should be over-performing to your detriment. Frazier and Pepin say, "Set boundaries and communicate clearly. Adopt Brené Brown's mantra: 'To be clear is to be kind.'"

They encourage you to not only "be upfront about your schedule to manage others' expectations," but it's also so you can "avoid over-commitment." Say it with me: I will not make false promises just to appease others. Why?

Frazier and Pepin say, "Don't be afraid to say no to side projects or anything that doesn't align with your goals."

6. Ignore Emails Sent After Your Work Hours

I've been guilty of sending an email after work to acknowledge that I saw something, but I never expect other people to feel obligated to respond until the next business day. On the flip side, I've felt pressured to answer something that feels timely and I've gone to sleep thinking about the sender's potential follow-up email.

"Just because a coworker chooses to work late at night doesn't mean you must answer. One helpful trick is to include your working days and hours in your signature, explaining that responses may be delayed outside of those times," Frazier and Pepin say. They even have a prompt you can use if you're not sure what to type:

• "My working hours are [Your Working Hours, e.g., 9 AM - 4 PM ET]. Please note that these may differ from your local time zone. I appreciate your understanding and will respond to emails during my working hours."

I can't wait to start utilizing this...for research purposes only 👀.

7. Please, log off from work when it's time.

Unless you're scheduled to work late, take the time to log off from work and not think about it until the next day. Baum says, "Commit to fully logging off once the workday ends—no 'quick email replies' or sneaking in work over the weekend." I'm eyeing you Ms. "I just need to send a quick email" while you're on vacation or spending time with your significant other.

Baum says creating this separation works because "fully disconnecting allows your mind to reset and recharge" which ends up "making you more efficient, creative, and focused during actual work hours." According to her, you'll eventually "improve personal well-being" and "enhance long-term work performance."

As soon as my work day is over, I make a beeline for the shower so I can decompress. After that, I take my time with my skincare routine and keep my phone out of reach so I'm not tempted to look at anything work-related. I'm not always successful, but I've noticed a difference in my mood since making this shift.

8. Speak Up When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

And if you're 100% drained because you've been trying to tackle work tasks during and after hours, Frazier and Pepin want you to speak up. "If you're feeling overwhelmed with your workload, approach your manager with honesty and a focus on solutions," they suggest. Here's another prompt of theirs you can use:

• "I've been noticing that my workload has extended beyond regular hours, and maintaining balance is becoming challenging. Could we discuss prioritizing tasks or adjusting expectations to ensure I can deliver quality work without compromising my well-being?"