Katy Brennan Wants to Diversify Your Point of View

Katy Brennan Wants to Diversify Your Point of View

North Chicago teen Katy Brennan’s life changed at the age of 14 when she was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS for short), a group of genetic disorders that affects connective tissues, causing ailments like joint dislocations, scoliosis, heart problems, and early onset arthritis. After the now-16-year-old suffered two shoulder dislocations and stroke-like symptoms, Brennan’s doctors diagnosed her with EDS – which affects one out of every 5,000 people. Since her then, the high school junior has become an advocate for disability rights.

Brennan’s activism has taken shape mainly through writing about her experience with EDS. So far, she’s been published in The Mighty, Deaf Poets Society, and Al Jazeera. She also works as the poetry editor at Blanket Sea, an art and literary magazine featuring work created by people living with chronic illness, mental illness, and disability. Here, we chat with Brennan about what life with EDS is like and how she hopes to impact her generation.

B+C: Tell me a bit about how you and your doctors arrived at your EDS diagnosis.

Brennan: I was diagnosed at 14 after I had two shoulder surgeries due to dislocations. Then I had a knee dislocation, which is when my doctor said things looked very odd. It kind of spiraled from there. I ended up having stroke-like symptoms for a little while. Those turned out to be complex migraines called hemiplegic migraines, which cause tremors and right side weakness. Doctors are so unfamiliar with it that you have to get to a very extreme point symptom-wise for somebody to actually acknowledge that there might be an issue. Personally, I’ve been having symptoms since sixth or seventh grade. I had started looking into what it could be and had actually brought a description of EDS to my mom and said, “Do you think this is something I could have?”

B+C: What kind of role does the EDS play in your daily life?

Brennan: It definitely varies depending on the day. I have a handicap placard, which I don’t have to use most days, but some days I have to. The weather can really affect things. If it’s going to rain, I have a lot of joint pain. If it’s really hot, I’m more likely to pass out. Then some days all my joints may decide to dislocate and it’s just a bad day.

B+C: You’ve been really outspoken about your diagnosis through your writing and advocacy work. When did you realize this was something you wanted to be vocal about?

Brennan: When I was first diagnosed, I joined a few support groups on Facebook and I saw a few articles that people would write occasionally about their experiences, but so many people seemed too scared to address that EDS was an issue. Finally, I saw somebody write an article on this website called The Mighty. I saw that you can submit your own story, so I sent in an article. It got published and then I was hooked. I kept submitting as things would come up, like when I’d have a bad experience with a doctor or when people wouldn’t believe my EDS was real because it’s not something you can see.

B+C: How do you describe your main mission as a disability rights advocate?

Brennan: My main focus right now is looking at the intersection of the disability work and the gender equality work I do. I want to bring more attention to how all of this advocacy goes together, even if it might not appear like it does. I also want to continue raising youth voices because there’s never enough space for that.

B+C: What are some of the most impactful responses you’ve received from the writing?

Brennan: A mom once reached out to me and said that she had a 16-year-old daughter with the same conditions I have and she showed her my writing. She felt like her daughter had been plateauing and was accepting that she couldn’t really do anything about her illness and therefore she wouldn’t get anywhere in life. She showed her my writing to show that you still could get somewhere in life, you just have to redirect your career path. That exchange really impacted me. Later on, I was actually able to meet up with them, which was really great.

B+C: You started the viral hashtag #RedLipsWePreexist. Can you tell us about that?

Brennan: Last summer, we were having a big problem with the health care repeal and the government wanting to repeal the pre-existing illness clause in the Affordable Care Act. At the time, I was an ambassador at Sick Chicks, an organization for girls with chronic illnesses. Their thing is red lips. So we had a bunch of people post photos wearing red lipstick and their stories for why they need the ACA and why they need the pre-existing illness clause. Those stories were posted under that hashtag.

B+C: How do you balance all of the writing and advocacy you do with being a normal teen in high school?

Brennan: Because I love advocacy so much, it’s not hard to make the time for it. Even if I have to take a study hall instead of a class or something like that to get the schoolwork in, I don’t necessarily have a big problem with that because that’s what makes me happy.

B+C: What’s next for you after you graduate high school?

Brennan: I think the big goal would probably be to study political science journalism because it reaches into disability advocacy pretty frequently in terms of legislation.

B+C: What do you hope changes by the year 2030?

Brennan: I hope that by 2030 there is generally more space for youth in organizations. I appreciate that the ones I work with are willing to take the chance on someone like me to make a difference, even though I might be emailing people for them who are 20 years older than me. It’s definitely starting to happen. Just look at the March for Our Lives organizers! I’d like to see that kind of thing brought into focus even more.

Written by: Cortney Clift and Kat Armstrong

Design by: Yising Chou

“Future Women of America” is a multimedia project spotlighting 15 young women under 20 who are making bold moves. Click here to see all the trailblazing women and girls featured.

Before youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman recited her breathtaking poem, "The Hill We Climb," at the inauguration of President Joe Biden on January 20, 2021, Brit + Co featured her as part of our "Future Women of America," a multimedia project spotlighting 15 young women under 20 who were making bold moves. Click here to see all the trailblazing women and girls featured.

In November of 2017, Amanda Gorman went on MTV to deliver her “State of the Union" address. Standing at a podium in a sparkly, coral dress, Gorman leaned into the mic and began reciting her poem: “History doesn't wait / It doesn't reach out / Change only comes to those who speak out / So I did." Gorman wasn't addressing the nation as president (although she does plan to run in 2036), but rather as the nation's first-ever youth poet laureate. The title, awarded to Gorman in April 2017, wasa trailblazing role and one that Gorman seemed born to play.

As a spoken word poet, she's used to taking center stage and using her work to speak out on topics like oppression, feminism, race, and marginalization. But in this new role, she made a point to take some time to sit back and listen to America's youth. During her year as youth poet laureate of the U.S., she went on a summer tour to visit libraries and schools across the country. She also focused on bringing poetry into places (like MTV) where it isn't typically seen.

Gorman has now passed the year-long tenure to another talented young poet, but her career has only just begun. A student at Harvard, Gorman still performs frequently across the country, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA (she has since graduated cum laude). Here we talk with Gorman about what it was like to be the first-ever youth poet laureate, what inspires her as a writer, and what happened when she finally met her hero, Lin-Manuel Miranda.

B+C: What was your greatest accomplishment of the last year?

Gorman: I got to meet Lin-Manuel Miranda last month, and I'm sorry, it doesn't get much better than that! I was asked if I wanted to perform a poem honoring him and also Dick Van Dyke — they were both receiving an award — and it was kind of like, “Duh," with a capital D-U-H, exclamation mark! I didn't bring world peace. I didn't find a cure for cancer. But I have to say, getting to meet Lin-freakin'-Manuel Miranda literally makes me feel like I have an armored shield on my chest. He is such an idol, especially with what he did with Hamilton, really revolutionizing the way in which stories can be told. That is always what I'm aspiring to with my own work as a poet.

B+C: Speaking of celebrity run-ins, back in 2016 you were invited to the White House to meet Michelle Obama. What was that like?

Gorman: When I got there, I was looking out and I saw the White House lawn. I remembered Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention speech, where she mentions looking out at that lawn and seeing her daughters play in the house that was built by slaves. I'm the descendant of slaves, particularly one further up the line whose name was Amanda as well, and I was just having a full-circle moment. Meeting with the first black First Lady as a descendant of slaves, being honored for writing when my ancestors would be prosecuted for doing the same thing, I was literally about to faint from just the majesty of it.

B+C: There's often this idea that poetry is archaic and boring. What do you think of the relationship between young people and poetry today?

Gorman: I think there's something in the way in which poetry is taught in the classroom that gives it a characteristic of being old and this kind of medieval form that only has one shape and one voice. Growing up, I wasn't always really deeply exposed to young writers, writers of color, or writers that were women. What's really exciting, especially now with technology and the digital age, is there's a lot of access and exposure that instantly happens when you have spoken word poets who can get millions of views online. You have poets posting their work on Instagram, and that becomes shareable and accessible. So poetry is no longer just siphoned to an exclusive realm, but it really can be by anyone, for anyone. It's really the art of the people, and I think younger generations are really the ones who are taking that, running with it, and doing really phenomenal things.


B+C: How do you think poetry and performing have affected your confidence and your self-esteem?

Gorman: You know, I think it's a dual relationship. My poetry is all the more self-assured and profound when it's coming from a place of security rather than a place of doubt. That's not to say that I don't question myself, but being a performance poet, being a spoken word poet is 80 percent about body language. It's about convincing people that my words deserve to be heard before they even hear my voice. If I'm going to pursue my art, if I'm going to continue doing that which I love, then I have to love myself. I have to be confident enough in myself that I can compel other people to love my work as well.

B+C: What do you do when the writer's block hits?

Gorman: My game plan changes depending on the situation, but what I've been doing recently is reading memoirs, letters, or essays by mostly women writers who struggled with the same thing. I read about how they knocked down those barriers. There's this one essay I've been reading and rereading. It's called “Thoughts on Writing: A Diary," by Susan Griffin, in the collection The Writer on Her Work. There's a line where she says, “This experience renders a precise meaning," and I just repeat that to myself. This experience of having writer's block, this experience of suffering, this experience of doubt, has a precise meaning through my writing. I might not see it yet, but over time and with work and with perseverance, that meaning will make itself clear to me.

B+C: What is the biggest struggle for you in your work?

Gorman: Being a full-time student [at Harvard]. I'll be traveling to Colorado, California, New York City… but I also have a paper due that's not going to write itself. I hope that challenge doesn't sound too self-centered, but I'm trying to be honest about it because I don't like to pretend I'm someone I'm not. What I can say is that I'm someone who's in love with poetry and sharing it with others, and I'm also someone who's in love with learning and being a student.


B+C: What's on the horizon for you?

Gorman: Finishing my last two years at Harvard and graduating. My life is a mosaic of many different things. I'm really taking the time to focus on my writing. I'm working on some book ideas, and I'm hoping that I can turn those out before I go back to school and have more essays due. That's definitely something that's on the horizon for me. Also, probably stalking Lin-Manuel Miranda.

B+C: What do you say to other young women who are your age or maybe your age when you started, who have big career dreams but aren't sure how to go about achieving them?

Gorman: I don't believe in an aspiring anything. I don't believe in an aspiring writer, an aspiring director… If you want to go do it, go out there and do it. If you want to lead your community, if you want to be a scientist, that's something you can desire to do, but it's also something that you can get started on right now. Don't hesitate, don't wait. Don't aspire. I'm trying to find something that rhymes with this to make it sound cooler. Oh, maybe like, “Don't aspire, achieve!"

Written by: Cortney Clift

Design by: Yising Chou

Photos courtesy of Anna Zhang and Amanda Gorman

This article has been updated from a 2018 post.

New year, new relationship status. The shift from 2024 into 2025 has already seen its fair share of heartfelt proposals — and its fair share of heartbreak. Believe it or not, we're only a couple of weeks into the new year and there are quite a few splits among our favorite celebrity couples. And some of them I simply cannot believe.

Here are 2025's biggest & craziest celebrity breakups...at least, so far.

Austin Butler & Kaia Gerber Break Up

Presley Ann/Getty Images for W Magazine

Kaia Gerber and Austin Butler might have called it quits (reportedly at the end of 2024), but thanks to a TMZ source, we know they're still on good terms. And that the relationship "simply ran its course."

Jessica Alba And Husband Cash Warren Split

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

It appears that Jessica Alba and Cash Warren are "moving forward" with a divorce following their 16-year marriage (and after showing up to events without their wedding rings), according to a TMZ source.

Jennifer Lopez And Ben Affleck Settle Their Divorce

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

This breakup isn't technically new information, but the fact Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck settled their divorce is. They'll both reportedly take what they earned during their marriage (and won't pay spousal support). Ben will also keep his stake in his production company with BFF Matt Damon, Artists Equity.

Naomi Osaka And Cordae Call It Quits

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

Naomi Osaka confirmed her split from Cordae in a recent Instagram story. “Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship,” she said (via E! News). “No bad blood at all, he's a great person and an awesome dad.”

Brandon Routh And Courtney Ford Announce Their Divorce

Amy Sussman/Getty Images for Entertainment Weekly

These DC Legends of Tomorrow stars announced their split with a joint Instagram post on January 10. "To everyone who has loved and supported us, we have some personal news to share," the post reads. "After 21 years together, and 17 years of marriage, we have decided to begin a new journey and enter this next chapter of life as friends and co-parents. We are now and forever rooting for each other as we move through this wild adventure called life. Our son is, and will always be, our highest priority."


Brit + Co's 'Grammable Holiday Cookie Guide

As long as Rudolph’s nose is red and wintry wonderlands are white, the holidays and cookies will go hand in hand (or, preferably, in both hands). We teamed up with cookie artists Ashley McNeal and Vickie Liu to help you create some of the prettiest cookies on the block! Get ready for serious inspiration, whether you're a total cookie newbie or a next-level baker.

Cookie Decorating Essentials

Cookie Decorating Essentials

Must-have tools and equipment

Half the battle of whipping up the perfect batch of cookies is having the right equipment. Here are all the essential tools you'll need in the kitchen to help master any recipe.

FOR MAKING DOUGH

Stand Mixer

FOR ROLLING OUT DOUGH

FOR BAKING COOKIES

Cookie Cutters

FOR DECORATING

Mixing Bowls

Piping Bags

FOR FINISHING TOUCHES

Succulent Cookies

Succulent Cookies

Homegrown… well, homemade!

Create a Christmas succulent garden on top of a round cookie for an on-trend treat. We used a peanut butter sugar cookie as the base and vanilla buttercream for the cactus effect, but you could always go with your fave flavors and apply the same decorating technique.

(Makes 24 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch peanut butter cookie dough
  • 1 batch buttercream frosting
  • gel food colors: green, black, brown, terracotta, lime green
  • pearl sprinkles: red, white, gold

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Roll out the cookie dough, cut it using a round cookie cutter, and bake until golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.

2. Dye the buttercream frosting. Divide frosting into five bowls and use the coloring to create varying shades of green plus terracotta. Bowl one: Dye with black and green food gels, beginning with just a drop until you create a dark green. Bowl two: Add drops of green and brown to achieve a less-dark green. Bowl three: Dye with black and green to form darkest color green. Bowl four: Dye with terracotta. Bowl five: Dye with lime green.

3. Transfer frosting into piping bags. Bowl one goes into a piping bag fitted with tip #243. Bowl two is fitted with tip #62, and Bowl three is fitted with tip #2. Bowl four and five go into the bag together (one on each side), fitted with tip #21.

4. Pipe on details with buttercream icing. Use tip fitted with #61 to pipe on a large succulent on the cookie. Pipe a cone-shaped base for the center, then pipe arch-shaped rows from top to bottom as you turn the cookie. Then use a medium rosette piping tip #243 to create smaller succulents. Pipe multi-color spikes for filler succulents with #21 piping tip. Lastly, apply small green pearls for final filler with #2 piping tip.

5. Sprinkle on those pearls. After icing each cookie, quickly sprinkle a few pearls. Allow to dry.


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Galaxy Snowflake Cookies

Galaxy Snowflake Cookies

Hello, cosmic creation

These starry night snowflake cookies look pretty stellar, don’t they? There are various icing techniques used in this intermediate recipe. You can make them simpler by skipping some of the decorative piping and focusing on the mirror glaze. The results will still be out of this world.

(Makes 24 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch peanut butter cookie dough
  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food colors: purple, blue, black
  • edible silver stars
  • edible gold luster dust (mixed with vodka to create a gold paint)
  • white pearl sprinkles
  • white sanding sugar

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Roll cookie dough out, cut it using a snowflake cookie cutter, and bake until golden brown. Allow cookies to cool completely before decorating.

2. Dye the royal frosting. Divide it into four bowls. Bowl one: Dye with enough purple food gel to create a vibrant color. Bowl two: Do the same with the blue drops. Bowl three: Dye with black, beginning with one drop and adding more as needed. Bowl four: Leave white.

3. Transfer frosting into piping bags. Fill the purple, blue, and half of the black royal icings into a bag fitted with tip #2. Put the remaining black icing from bowl three into a piping bag fitted with a #1 tip. White icing goes into a bag fitted with tip #1.

4. Line and fill each cookie. Use the black icing bag and outline each snowflake to create a dam for flooding with icing (AKA filling the entire cookie with icing). Flood with the purple, blue, and black mixture. Drizzle in a little white. Use a toothpick or chopstick to lightly swirl the frosting to the outside edges.

5. Add galactic touches. Sprinkle on stars, and splatter on the edible gold luster dust with the paint brush. Let royal icing dry until hardened.

6. Pipe on the snowflake. Pipe on a snowflake design on the tops of each cookie using the white icing. Add a pearl sprinkle to the center. Coat with sanding sugar and shake off excess. Allow to dry.


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Candy Cane Sloth Cookies

Candy Cane Sloth Cookies

Slow things down

We're always rush-rush-rushing during the holidays, so why not take after the sloth and slow things down. Bake cookies and meticulously ice them, sloth-like, so every detail is perfectly placed. We created our own custom cookie cutter! Download our cookie cutter printable, take it to your local baking supply shop, and have them 3D print the cutter for you. Or, in a pinch, print the doc, cut out the shape, and use it to trace around the dough.

(Makes 24 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch peanut butter cookie dough
  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food colors: brown, black, red, pink, green
  • edible black pen

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Roll out the dough out, cut it using a candy cane sloth cookie cutter, and bake until golden brown. Allow the cookies to cool completely before decorating.

2. Dye the royal frosting. Divide it into six bowls. Bowl one: Adding one drop at a time, create a light brown color with brown food gel. Bowl two: Dye black, using one drop and adding more as needed. Bowl three: Dye red, using those drops a few at a time. Bowl four: Do the same with the pink gel. Bowl five: Leave white. Bowl 6: Dye green using those drops, a few at a time.

3. Transfer frosting into piping bags. The green icing goes into a piping bag fitted with a #1 tip. The remaining icings go in separate piping bags fitted with tip #2.

4. Sketch on your design. Use the edible black pen to draw out your design.

5. Pipe on the icing. Line the candy cane with white and red. Flood the candy cane with white and red icing, and allow for dry time. Line the scarf with green icing, the Santa hat with red and white icing, and the sloth body with brown. Flood the scarf and hat with green, red and white icing. Repeat for the sloth body and add the eye detail with light and dark brown. Allow dry time.

6. Add final details. Draw on a mouth and nose with the edible marker. Add eyes and toenails with black icing in piping tip. Line the scarf and hat. Add face details by dotting eyes with white, and adding pink cheeks with #2 piping tips.


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Grinch Linzer Cookies

Grinch Linzer Cookies

Hearts that are two sizes too small

Linzers get a Grinch make-over for this beginner decorative cookie recipe. Start with animal cracker cookie dough, dye it Grinch green, and cut out tiny hearts in the center of each cookie. Then, sandwich the cookies in-between bright red raspberry rosé jam. You can’t help but get in the spirit of Christmas after one bite of these cookies.

(Makes 12 cookies)

Ingredients:

Equipment:

  • ruffle-edged round cookie cutter
  • mini heart cookie cutter

Directions:

1. Make the jam and Santa hats the day before decorating. Allow jam to cool completely and chocolate hats to firm up (pop them in the fridge or freezer to speed up time).

2. Bake the cookies. Using a stand or hand mixer, dye the cookie dough Grinch green with green food gel (use 2 drops or more as needed.). Roll out the dough, cut it with ruffle-edge round cookie cutter, and bake it according to directions.

3. Cut out the hearts. Once out of the oven, on half of the cookies, cut out a small heart in the center of the cookies using the mini heart cookie cutter. Allow the cookies to cool completely.

4. Assemble the sandwiches. Spread a dollop of jam on each solid cookie. Carefully sandwich with the heart cut-out cookie. Use a little bit of leftover melted compound chocolate to glue the hats (directions below) to the top side of each cookie.

GET THE CHOCOLATE SANTA HAT RECIPE










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Blue Ombré Pinwheel Cookies

Blue Ombré Pinwheel Cookies

Hypnotically colorful

Although these look complicated, the recipe and technique is quite simple. The trickiest part is all the refrigeration needed. In total, these cookies will take about seven to eight hours to complete, so plan to divide the labor into two days. The best part, of course, is rolling the dough in the sprinkles of your choice. Just be sure they won't melt! We found sanding sugar and jimmies work best.

(Makes 12 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch animal cracker cookie dough
  • blue food gel
  • sprinkles: dark and light blue jimmies, white and silver sanding sugars

Directions:





































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Rudolph Corgi

Rudolph Corgi

Fluff-tastic

Surely nothing is cuter than a corgi tush, so of course, we had to create our own custom cookie cutter. Just like with the sloth, download our cookie cutter printable, and either have the custom cutter made or print and cut it out.

(Makes 24 cookies)

Ingredients:

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Roll it out, cut it using the corgi cookie cutter, and bake according to directions. Allow the cookies to cool completely before icing.

2. Dye the royal frosting. Divide it into six bowls. Bowl one: Dye light tan with food gel, beginning with just a drop until you achieve the desired shade. Bowl two: Dye red, using those drops a few at a time. Bowl three: Dye black, starting with just one drop at a time. Bowl four: Repeat with the pink dye. Bowl five: Leave white. Bowl six: Dye brown, using a few drops at a time.

3. Transfer frosting into piping bags. The brown icing goes into a piping bag fitted with a #7 tip. The remaining icings go in separate piping bags fitted with #2 tips.

4. Pipe on details with royal icing. Line the rump and feet using skin tone, and line the tail and fur with the same icing. Allow to dry completely.

5. Ice the body and ears. Flood the top part of the rump with light brown, and the bottom part with white. Add a small dollop of pink on each ear, and lightly spread with an offset spatula. Allow to dry.

6. Create the face. Line the head and ears with skin tone. Line the center of the face with white. Flood the cheeks with light brown and the center of the face with white, and allow for dry time.

7. Add the finishing details. Add antlers with brown icing. Allow to dry. Use an edible marker for the mouth. Add eyes with black and nose with red. Re-line the rump with skin tone.


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Millennial Pink Ornament Cookies

Millennial Pink Ornament Cookies

Sweet, simple, and of-the-moment

Just because you're new to the baking game, doesn't mean you can't wow in the cookie swap. Cut out these simple ornament shapes, and replace those standard reds and greens with of-the-moment millennial pink icing and decoration.

(Makes ~40 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch sugar cookie dough
  • white compound chocolate or candy melts
  • pink and white hard candy or candy canes (crushed)
  • pink oil-based food coloring

Equipment:

  • ornament cookie cutters
  • pink or white ribbons/string

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Roll out the cookie dough, cut it using an ornament cutters. Cut a hole in the top of the ornament with a straw before baking to put the ribbon through. Chill, then bake according to directions. Cool the cookies for 30 minutes minimum.

2. Melt the chocolate according to package directions. Divide into three bowls. Set aside one bowl. In a second bowl, add 1-2 drops of pink dye and stir to form a light shade of pink. In another bowl, add 3-5 drops of dye and stir for a darker shade of pink.

3. Dip the cookies into various shades of melted chocolate. You can dip multiple layers to create an ombre effect. Sprinkle with crushed candy. Allow to dry completely.

4. Attach ribbons/string to cookies. Hang them up to show off your work!


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Reindeer Jolly Rancher Cookies

Reindeer Jolly Rancher Cookies

Brighten up your cookie tray with these little Rudolphs.

Ready to step it up a bit? Grab a standard gingerbread-man cutter, and invert these guys to create reindeer — voila! Rudolph’s red nose gets a sleek upgrade thanks to melted candies.

(Makes ~40 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch sugar cookie dough
  • hard red candy like Jolly Ranchers (crushed)
  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food colors: brown, black

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Roll the cookie dough out and cut it using gingerbread-man cutter. Cut round hole in head of the cut-out men to make space for the red nose. Transfer to baking sheets, and chill in freezer for 15 minutes. Bake for approximately 10 minutes.

2. Remove from oven and fill nose holes with crushed hard candy. Bake for an extra few minutes (until candy has melted). Cool cookies for 30 minutes minimum.

3. Dye the royal icing. Divide it into three bowls. Bowl one: Dye light brown with brown food gel. Bowl two: Dye darker brown with brown food gel. Bowl three: Dye black with black food gel.

4. Pipe on details with royal frosting. Outline the reindeer's face with light brown royal icing. Fill in, then use a toothpick to swirl the icing to fill in any gaps. This also helps it dry in an even layer. Allow to dry completely.

5. Use dark brown to pipe on the antlers and ear detailing and black to dot on the eyes. Allow to dry completely.


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Holiday Llama Sugar Cookies

Holiday Llama Sugar Cookies

Fa-la-la-la llamas

Now things get a bit more challenging and a lot more adorable. Decked out in scarves, hats, and holiday decor, these almost too-cute-to-eat cookies will have you singing fa-la-la-la-llama.

(Makes ~25 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch orange-spiced Christmas cookie dough
  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food colors: pink, green, red, black, blue, yellow
  • Christmas-themed candies: Red Hots and holly

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake cookies. Roll out cookie dough, and cut it using llama cutter. For some of the cookies, cut out hats with a small triangle cookie cutter to give your llamas a tiny holiday hat. Chill and bake according to instructions. Cool for 30 minutes minimum.

2. Dye the royal icing. Divide it into seven bowls. For bowl 1: leave white. Remaining bowls, dye light pink, green, red, black, blue, and yellow with gel food colors.

3. Transfer icing into piping bags. Fit each icing into a separate piping bag, fitted with a #2 Wilton icing tip.

4. Pipe on details. Outline the llama's body with light pink royal icing. Fill in, then use a toothpick to swirl the icing to fill in any gaps. This also helps it dry on in an even layer. Dry for 30 minutes.

5. With the same technique, use the white icing to ice on the second layer (the face and feet of the llama). Dry for 30 minutes.

6. Ice the third layers (green scarf, red Santa's hat, black strings of the lights). Dry for 30 minutes.

7. Ice on final details (face with black icing, lights with different colors, white fluff of Santa's hat, etc.). Add any candies. Allow to dry completely.


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Snuggly and Pugly Gingerbread Sweaters

Snuggly and Pugly Gingerbread Sweaters

Warms you up on a cold day

Kick your sweater cookies up a notch by sketching out adorable furry fondant friends, and attach them to the front of your sweater creations.

(Makes ~24 cookies)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food colors: orange, brown, black, red, green
  • 1 batch gingerbread cookie dough
  • fondant (white, dyed red and green, rolled and cut out into sweater shapes)

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Make royal icing, dye it, and transfer into piping bags: Divide icing into six bowls. Bowl one, leave white. Remaining bowls, dye orange, brown, black, red, and green. Transfer each into separate piping bags fitted with a #1 tip.

2. Pipe on the royal icing transfers. On a parchment sheet, pipe on the transfers like the pug with Santa hat on parchment paper. Allow to set overnight, then carefully peel off once totally try. Set aside.

3. Bake the cookies. Roll out cookie dough, and cut it using sweater cookie cutters. Bake according to instructions. Cool for 30 minutes minimum.

4. Decorate the fondant base layer. Pipe on sweater decoration with white royal icing. Dry for 1-2 hours. "Glue" on pre-made royal icing transfers with royal icing. Add any final touches and allow to dry completely.

5. Attach the fondant layers to the cookies. Outline each cookie with white royal icing, and carefully attach fondant base layer. Allow to dry completely before serving.


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Palm Springs Gingerbread House

Palm Springs Gingerbread House

Spice up your cookie display

Sure, anyone can make the standard gingerbread house, but if you're looking for a real challenge, you'll love our Palm Springs variety. Mid-century design enthusiasts — and edible house aficionados — will salivate at this reimagined version of the classic gingerbread construction.

(Makes 1 gingerbread house)

Ingredients:

  • pre-baked sugar cookies: cacti, pool, plus crushed cookies (for sand)
  • 1 batch gingerbread cookie dough
  • fondant: dyed in light pink, light grey, and dark grey
  • gel food colors: pink, black, green, blue
  • clear piping gel
  • royal icing
  • compound white chocolate or white candy melt
  • pastel Jordan almonds
  • green sprinkles (for grass) — enough to fill base
  • white chocolate blocks (steps)
  • small chocolate pebbles (if possible) — can be replaced with crushed chocolate cookies for dirt
  • green taffy candy (palm tree leaves)
  • long rolled wafer biscuit (palm tree)

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Make the cactus and pool decorations. Roll out the dough, cut it in various shapes, and bake. Decorate with fondant and piping gel dyed blue with gel food coloring. Crush some baked cookies for sand.

2. Bake the gingerbread. Refrigerate the dough for 1-2 hours. Preheat the oven, and roll out the dough. Cut out the cookies according to templated shapes and bake. Cool the cookies for at least 30 minutes.

3. Construct the gingerbread house. Place a large white foam board on a flat surface and construct the house on top of it, using royal icing as the mortar between the cookie pieces. Decorate house with fondant/royal icing.

4. Finish with surrounding decorations. Glue on the pool, fondant driveway, cookie palm trees, sprinkle grass with royal icing. Allow it to dry completely.


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Pastel Chocolate Tree Cookies

Pastel Chocolate Tree Cookies

So simple and lovely

When it comes to giving your tree-shaped Christmas cookies some added personality, you won't want to rely on the typical red and green icing. Instead, give your trees a chocolatey base and some pastel shades on top.

(Makes 12-24 tree cookies, depending on size)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch chocolate cookie dough
  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food colors: blue, pink
  • pearl sprinkles
  • white sanding sugar

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Roll out the cookie dough, cut out using tree cutters, chill, and bake according to instructions. Cool the cookies for 30 minutes minimum.

2. Dye the royal frosting. Divide it into three bowls. Bowl one: Dye Tiffany blue with blue food gel. Bowl two: Dye light pink. Bowl three: Leave white.

3. Transfer into piping bags. Each color goes into a piping bag fitted with a #2 tip.

4. Line and fill the cookie. Pipe a border of royal icing on each tree using pink or blue royal icing. Fill in (AKA flood) with more frosting, then use a toothpick to swirl the icing to fill in any gaps. This also helps it dry on in an even layer. Allow to dry completely.

5. Add final touches. Pipe on white royal icing details and sprinkle on sanding sugar and position pearl sprinkles. Allow to dry completely.


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Peppermint Penguin Sandwich Cookies

Peppermint Penguin Sandwich Cookies

Almost too adorable to eat

If you've got an Oreo lover on your list of loved ones to treat, these adorable peppermint-filled penguins are perfect. Our DIY version pairs just as flawlessly with a glass of milk as the classic store-bought cookie.

(Makes ~6 cookie sandwiches)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch chocolate cookie dough
  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food colors: orange, black, red
  • peppermint candy, red Skittles, mini marshmallows, mini red heart sprinkles
  • fondant: white, red
  • water

Filling:

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 3 tablespoons of milk
  • 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract
  • red gel food coloring (optional)

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies. Refrigerate dough for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Preheat oven, then roll out dough. Cut it with round cookie cutters, and freeze/chill for 15 minutes. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Cool the cookies for 30 minutes minimum. Allow to cool completely.

2. Make the filling. Beat butter until light and creamy. Slowly beat in 1 cup powdered sugar, followed by 1 tablespoon milk. Alternate until all is added. Beat in peppermint extract. Lastly, stir in red gel food coloring until swirls are formed (don’t beat in).

3. Assemble the sandwiches. Add small dab of filling to cookies and sandwich them together.

4. Dye the royal frosting and transfer it into piping bags. Divide it into four bowls. Leave one bowl filled with white icing. Dye the remaining icing in each bowl orange, black, red with gel food colors. Transfer each into a separate piping bag fitted with a #1 tip.

5. Decorate. Glue on white fondant belly to top of sandwich cookie with royal icing. Pipe on details of penguin's face, bow tie, etc. Make hats out of peppermint candy with a mini marshmallow glued on top using royal icing. Allow to dry completely.


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Hot Cocoa Cookie Cup Cookies

Hot Cocoa Cookie Cup Cookies

Cocoa and cookie in one

From hot chocolate to peppermint schnapps, the holiday season is filled with festive beverages. Add your favorite to these edible jiggers that have a chocolate coating to prevent them from getting too soggy before you can say, “Bottoms up!”

(Makes ~6 cookie shots)

Ingredients:

  • 1 batch chocolate cookie dough
  • compound chocolate: milk and white
  • shortening or coconut oil (to thin the chocolate if necessary)
  • candy canes (for the handles)
  • sprinkles in Christmas colors
  • 1 batch royal icing
  • gel food color: black
  • white sanding sugar
  • pretzels
  • red M&Ms
  • whipped cream, marshmallows, and cocoa dusting (for garnishing)

Equipment:

Directions:

1. Bake the cookies.Roll out the cookie dough, and cut it into shapes similar to a shot glass. Prep the cookie shot mold with non-stick cooking spray, and press dough into molds. Cut off any excess. Preheat oven. Chill dough in molds for 15 minutes. Bake for 15-18 minutes. Cool completely for 30 minutes minimum before you unmold them from the shot glass mold.

2. Melt chocolate. Thin out with shortening or coconut oil, if necessary. Coat the inside of cookie cup by swirling melted chocolate inside, and leave to set. Glue on candy cane handle with white chocolate. Dip cups in white or milk chocolate followed by a plate of sprinkles to create a sprinkle rim.

3. Add extra decoration. Pipe on holiday designs with royal icing and white sanding sugar, or transform your cup into Rudolph faces using candy and royal icing "glue."

4. Fill with desired drink and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, and cocoa dusting.


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Disney Holiday Cookies

Disney Holiday Cookies

These are pure magic.

Every Disney fan at your cookie party is going to to go nuts for these beauties. We teamed up with Disney Freeform and cookie artist Aime Pope to craft six magically frosted goodies from across the Disney and Freeform holiday lineup. Check them out!

Disney Holiday Castle Cookie

Every Disneyland fan will love this cookie version of their favorite theme park's central landmark.

Mickey Clause Cookie

You really can't have a proper Disney cookie display without the Mouse himself. Watch our tutorial on how to create this classic version of Mickey Claus.

Buddy the Elf Cookie

We all know the main food groups are candy,candy canes, candy corns, and syrup. But did you know the fifth is holiday cookies? They are when they're Elf cookies!

Olaf the Snowman Cookie

Do you want to build a snowman...cookie? This Frozen buddy will definitely bring huge smiles to even the the smallest faces.

The Grinch Who Stole This Cookie

If your fam's favorite holiday character is actually more green than red and has a heart two sizes too small, this cookie is a perfect pick for your next gathering.

More Holiday Cookie Inspo

More Holiday Cookie Inspo

Winter themes for your cookie platter

You know you want even *more* ideas for amazing holiday cookies. Well, we've got 'em! We teamed up with cookie artist Aime Pope to create four more adorable winter-themed treats that are simple and stunning.

Jolly Ol' Santa Cookie

Nothing goes better with milk than this Santa cookie. Leaving this one out for Kris Kringle should definitely get you some extra goodies in your stocking.

Bright Little Snowflakes

Inject some technicolor into your cookie game with these gorgeous colorful snowflakes, laced with delicate white royal icing.

Chillin' With the Snowmen

Take a basic snowman cookie to the next level by adding earmuffs, mittens, scarves, and even sunglasses. These frosty friends are too cool and too cute to eat.

Share your cookie creations with us @BritandCo!

This article has been updated from a previous post.

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

It’s no secret that Amazon is packed with some real wacky and wild products. From aesthetically-pleasing sprayable hand sanitizers to “game changing” coffee-powered under eye creams, I scoured the retailer’s (virtual) shelves for these 15 best self-care finds to make your 2025 way easier – and filled with plenty of ‘you’ time.

You’ll find some pretty weird (but amazing) skincare products and bedtime essentials in this list, too, so get ready to put on the best, most relaxing self-care sessions ever in the new year!

Scroll through for 15 of the best “weird but amazing” self-care products that’ll totally transform your 2025!

Amazon

Kiehl's Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask

This face mask made with avocado delivers results that are just as fun and satisfying as applying it is. It promises "soft and hydrated skin in just 15 minutes."

Amazon

Lifelines Flameless Candle / Essential Oil Diffuser

Essential oil lovers will love this flameless diffuser since it's compatible with any kind of essential oil. There's no flame, smoke, or spilled wax to clean up after use, plus it's gonna look beautiful on any bookshelf or bedside table.

Amazon

Touchland Glow Mist Revitalizing Hand Sanitizer Spray

This hand sanitizer has got to be one of the weirdest (but most amazing) formats for a beauty product I've ever seen. One tiny container delivers 500 sprays full of rose petals, blackcurrant buds, and rosewater to replenish your skin's moisture, all while fighting common germs and smelling delish.

Amazon

Starument Portable Hand Vacuum Cleaner

This "ultra-powerful" cordless vacuum easily sucks up dirt, dust, and other particles off of any surface. It's insanely compact and portable, perfect for cleaning up smaller spaces like your car or work cubicle!

Amazon

Nodpod Gentle Pressure Sleep Mask

Good sleep is the first step to true self-care. This weighted sleep mask provides even pressure and blocks out 100% of light to really help you wind down. You can even pop it in the freezer before use to help tackle pesky mid-day headaches!

Amazon

Alleyoop Tip Off Liquid-Filled Makeup Removing Swabs

These makeup remover-filled cotton swabs are great to keep in your purse for those random makeup mishaps or smudges. The formula is effective but equally calm, so it won't irritate your sensitive eye area or other parts of your skin.

Amazon

COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence

Made with snail mucin (yes, real snail mucin), this skincare essence has a surprising cult following for its ability to repair dry skin and provide long-lasting hydration. It's a must-have addition to level up your 2025 skincare routine!

Amazon

Good Weird Cold Brew Undereye Cream

Wake up! This under eye cream is powered by caffeine to help de-puff the under eye area, essentially working like an "espresso shot for your face," per the brand. Its unique formula smooths, blurs, diminishes fine lines, brightens skin, and promotes collagen production all at once.

Amazon

Feierdun Adjustable Dumbbells

If you're strapped for space when it comes to at-home workouts, these weird but amazing dumbbells provide the perfect solution, so you don't have to keep multiple sets lying around. They range from 2 to 10 pounds, and are adjustable in 2-pound increments to suit your personal goals.

Amazon

Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel

Exfoliation is key in retaining healthy, glowing skin! Keep this shower towel on-hand to lather up and clean your skin, all while scrubbing away dirt, oil, and dead skin cells.

Amazon

Viozon Tablet Stand Pillow

Resting can be just as productive as working out, journaling, or locking in on your self-care routine are. When it's time to wind down and let your body and mind catch up, this tablet or phone stand pillow comes in super handy with a hands-free design. Simply grab some snacks and post up with this pillow to veg out and watch your fave TV shows or YouTube vids!

Amazon

Aquaphor Healing Balm Stick

Aquaphor... in stick form? I'll take 10 of them, thank you! This is the only formula to truly nourish and heal my dry lips, skin, and cuticles, especially in the winter. The stick format looks so much more convenient than their traditional squeezable tube.

Amazon

Bee's Wrap Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps

These food wraps made from beeswax will help you eliminate (or simply just diminish) your use of single-use plastics in the kitchen. Made entirely of organic materials, you won't be crossing paths with any microplastics or toxic chemicals any time soon. When the wraps no longer retain their shape, they can be easily composted or used as a fire starter!

Amazon

Monstake Automatic Soap Dispenser

This automatic soap dispenser just seems like such a fun purchase, plus it'll upgrade any bathroom or kitchen sink setup. It's compatible with any foaming hand soap, dish soap, or body wash for a luxe feel.

Amazon

LED Light Therapy Face Mask

We adore red light therapy tools over here. This face mask makes reaping the benefits super easy, since you can rock it hands-free. It even has four different modes to target specific skincare concerns like dullness, redness, and acne.

Subscribe to our newsletter to shop more unique self-care finds!

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

Viewers who were ready to watch Meghan Markle's new Netflix showWith Love, Meghan January 15 will have to wait just a little bit longer. Meghan decided to delay the show in the midst of the L.A. wildfire crisis, focusing on being more of a good samaritan and placing her focus on the cataphoric fires that have demolished parts of L.A. Here's what to know about the delayed release of With Love, Meghan — plus, Meghan's efforts to provide L.A. wildfire relief!

Scroll to find out everything you need to know about Meghan Markle's With Love, Meghan release date!

When is the new premiere date of 'With Love, Meghan?'

According to Netflix, With Love, Meghan will now premiere March 4.

What has Meghan Markle said about delaying her show?

We're sure Meghan Markle was excited to share her love for cooking and living in California, but the Duchess is more concerned about the tragedy occurring in L.A. She said, "I’m thankful to my partners at Netflix for supporting me in delaying the launch, as we focus on the needs of those impacted by the wildfires in my home state of California," via Netflix.

What have critics said about 'With Love, Meghan?'

Meghan's decision and comment about it come on the heels of some people expressing their dislike for the show. Just last week, Meghan McCain shared her own thoughts about With Love, Meghan.

In a rather length X post, she started by saying, "I was originally a Meghan Markle supporter, I thought she was cool, stylish and refreshing." Her tone quickly changed because she believes Markle not only "disrespected the royal family," but McCain also believes Markle "wants to be American again instead of British aristocracy."

She called the trailer for With Love, Meghan "highly curated, produced, and out of touch" because of the "2 terror attacks in 2 days, major wars raging" and the fact people are facing high grocery prices. As if that weren't enough, McCain decided to throw in, "This is why the world doesn’t like you, nothing else. Just completely and utterly tone deaf to the moment" which feels more based on an emotional opinion than fact.

While this criticism came before the terrible L.A. fires struck, it's in line with a lot of criticism Meghan's faced since. However, PEOPLEspoke with an "industry insider" about why they feel Meghan Markle truly decided to delay With Love, Meghan. "Delaying the release of With Love, Meghan was likely an easy decision for her. I don’t think she could imagine putting out a show centered on joy and hosting when so many people in her home state no longer have homes to host people in," the source said.

They also touched on the continued criticism the Duchess is once again facing for her decision not to premiere her show right now. "I think it’s sad that critics are saying she’s only doing this to avoid the fires overshadowing her show. We’re all human, and we’re dealing with a catastrophe."

How have Meghan Markle and Prince Harry been helping those affected by the L.A. fires? 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are doing their best to help those who have been displaced by the L.A. fires. They've since made their California home a safe haven for those who have been displaced and have been actively assisting in other ways.

For one, they showed up at the World Central Kitchen in Pasadena, California to "help distribute food and supplies to victims of the Eaton fire" last Friday, January 10 (via PEOPLE). At the time, Mayor Victor Gordo said the couple cared about being "as helpful as they can be" and that "they took the time to meet the people that are affected."

They've also listed resources for those who are inspired to help victims as well on their official Sussex site.

We commend Meghan Markle for doing everything she can to assist with L.A. wildfire relief, and TBH we think that's what others should be focused on instead of critiquing her every move.

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