Brit + Bow & Drape = Our Tacky Holiday Sweater Brit Kit!

Nov 15, 2014

Now that Tacky Sweater parties have become a staple of the holidays, we’re sure you’ve got a few lined up this season (and you best not show up in a sleek sweater dress). So, what better way to make your grand entrance than in a tacky sweater you’ve designed yourself?! And better yet, why not get yerself a kit with all the fixins’, straight from our brand new Brit Kit Collabs collection?

What are Brit Kit Collabs? Glad you asked! We teamed up with eight of our favorite makers, bloggers and designers to create a brand new set of nine exclusive Brit Kits, just in time for the holidays. Head to the shop to check ’em all out, and follow along to learn how to create your own tacky holiday sweater. You can get everything you need to create this project in our Tacky Holiday Sweater Kit for just $30 in the B+C Shop!

Learn more about Aubrie Pagano of Bow & Drape by checking out her maker profile right here. Now, let the tacky holiday party begin!

Materials + Tools:
– Bow and Drape pullover sweatshirt

– Beacon Fabri-Tac glue

– sequined ornament patches

– gold tinsel yarn

Additional Tools (not included):
– scissors

Instructions:

1. Plan out your design with yarn and ornament patches.

2. Glue down yarn and patches.

3. Trim off excess yarn and glue the ends down.

4. Let dry overnight.

5. Wear out to all your holiday parties!

6. Hand wash between uses.

Let’s get tacky!

First things first, play around with tinsel arrangements on your sweatshirt. We tried out all sorts of tree shapes, loops and curls. Lay out out your patches as well to get an idea of how the finished sweater will look.

We went with this big wrap-around collar design as an ode to ’80s winter closets everywhere! Your quirky aunties would be so proud.

Once you’ve decided on a design, it’s time to get gluing. We used Beacon Fabri-Tac glue to anchor down our design AND get it through regular washes safely. Remember to remove the internal foil seal and snip off the end of the applicator tip with scissors before you get going. To speed up the process, you can dot on multiple spots of glue at once and then press the tinsel yarn down in place to secure. Hold for a few seconds before moving on to the next row of tinsel.

For this particular design, we wanted the tinsel to end cleanly at the seam. To do this simply snip off the excess yarn and glue the end right into the seam line.

Now for the sequined ornaments! These take a generous amount of Fabri-Tac to secure, so make sure all the edges and center get a nice dose of glue before sticking them down and holding in place.

Let the glue completely dry overnight before wearing out, and admire your festive DIY work!

Lazy girls and glam girls agree, going out in a comfy sweater is the business. AND going out in one you made yourself is even better! #notsolazygirl.

Make sure to grab a kit in the Brit+Co Shop for $30, available in small, medium or large!

What other tacky DIY’s are you making this holiday season? Tell us about them in the comments below.

12 Super Simple DIYs That Organize Your Jewelry Stat

Organized chaos just isn’t going to cut it, boo. It’s not too late to hold a belated spring cleaning party — anything to free up some precious dresser space, amirite? When it comes to stylish ways to organize your jewelry, there’s a million and one ways to add your own personal touch. Before you run out to your nearest Anthropologie to invest in ALL the pretty things (guilty as charged), take a gander at these 12 trendy DIYs that will make you want to put all your baubles on display. From playful trinket dishes to minimalist earring stands and whimsical wall hooks galore, it’s all here.

Hallmark’s First-Ever Dating Show Is Coming So Soon

"What would you do if your entire family, and your hometown, set you up to find love?" That's the question Ashley Williams poses in the first Small Town Setup trailer, coming to Hallmark+ in 2025. And if anyone has the answer, I have no doubt it's Hallmark — if anyone knows about warm, cozy, and sappy romance it's them! Even if you're not a huge reality dating show fan (or if you couldn't stop watching Reese Witherspoon's Love in Fairhope) this is one January TV show you won't want to miss.

Here's everything we know about Hallmark's dating show Small Town Setup, hosted by Ashley Williams.

'Small Town Setup' puts you right in a Hallmark movie.

All six episodes of Small Town Setup premieres on Hallmark+ on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and is hosted by Ashley Williams, who you'll recognize from movies like Falling Together and Two Tickets to Paradise as well as How I Met Your Mother.

Just like your favorite Hallmark movies are all about finding love, Small Town Setup focuses on singles coupling up. The show will follow a single who "has made it in the big city, but has yet to find love." And their concerned parents (definitely a Hallmark trope and an IRL trope...) get the whole neighborhood involved in finding three potential matches.

"When the singleton arrives home for a visit, they are presented with dating options curated by their hometown. After three dates, will they find love in their hometown? Or head back to the big city? All is revealed at a big town hall event, full of heart, warmth, and a few laughs along the way."

Okay, getting the entire town involved in my love life sounds crazy, but the whole community coming together for a town hall event sounds exactly like the kind of sweet and sappy event my life needs. (Listen!! Dating as a 20-something in the city is harder than I expected...)

Throughout the trailer we see our singles looking for love around their hometown, going on small town dates, and finding connection in the most unexpected places. Yeah...I'll be tuning in — especially since Small Town Setup is totally giving Gilmore Girls.

Check out the 11 New January 2025 Movies Viewers Will Adore — and you'll want to add to your calendar ASAP!

pop culture entertainment hallmark tv

Keep It Cheesy This Mother’s Day With This Easy DIY

It’s that time of year again, y’all. I’m talking about the few weeks before Mother’s Day, when you’re completely consumed by the anxiety of searching for the *perfect* present for mom. Whether you’re figuring out how to top last year’s gift, or you haven’t quite nailed the art of gift-giving in your 20 some-odd years, this cheese board is the perfect, cheesy present for your favorite lady in your life. We’ll show you an awesome trick to transfer any design onto your board, so pick up a Wood Burning Cutting Board Kit from Target.com and print out a few of our free printable designs!

We’ve created 4 fun, cheesy designs that you can print at home!

Materials:

Wood Burning Cutting Board Kit
tape
spoon
cotton balls
nail polish remover
cheese pun printables

Gather your materials and let’s get cheesy!

Use an ink jet printer to print out one of our designs. It’s important to use an ink jet printer so that your design will transfer properly. Center your printable on top of the cheese board and tape it down to keep it in place.

Pour the nail polish remover onto a cotton ball and generously apply it onto the printable. You should see the design appear right side up through the soaked paper. Use the back of the spoon and rub the design firmly a few times. Re-soak the paper as it dries out and continue rubbing until you’ve reached the end of the design.

The transfer will be pretty faint but will serve as a guide for your burning tool.

Carefully trace the transferred pattern with your wood burning tool. We used a chisel tip because of its versatility. Remember, your burn marks will look better if you trace at a slow and consistent pace.

Switch the tips as needed. Make sure to unplug the burning tool and allow it to cool completely before switching bits.

Build your cheeseboard according to your mom’s favorite fruits and cheeses!

This is one cheesy Mother’s Day Gift she won’t mind receiving.

Will you be picking up any Brit + Co Kits during your next Target run? Let us know on Twitter at @britandco AND share your fave items using the hashtag #BritxTarget across your social media channels!

DIY Production + Styling: Marianne Koo

Photography: Chris Andre

diy target target kits brit kits

12 "Outdated" Travel Destinations To Avoid In 2025 (Thanks, Overtourism!)

Tourism can be a blessing for the economy of many cities around the world, but it often comes at a price. Destinations like Venice and Bali are iconic for a reason — they’re unique, breathtaking places that lure travelers from around the globe. But when a travel destination becomes too popular, it risks losing its charm and overcrowding can strain infrastructure, inflate costs for locals, and disrupt the peace and quiet of small, serene towns.

Here are 12 destinations that have struggled with overtourism. The good news? Many are implementing smart strategies to balance tourism with sustainability. Planning to visit? Consider booking during the off-season for a more authentic and enjoyable experience or try these hidden gems.

Pixabay

Venice, Italy

Cruise ships and swarms of tourists have overwhelmed this picturesque city, leading to overcrowded canals, damaged infrastructure, and skyrocketing prices. The local population is dwindling as Venetians leave due to the city’s unsustainable tourism boom. Last spring, in an effort to manage the influx, the city put into effect an entry fee for day-trippers and has limited cruise ships docking its shores.

Oleksandr P

Bali, Indonesia

Once an idyllic paradise, Bali now suffers from traffic congestion, environmental degradation, and overcrowded beaches. The island’s resources are strained under the weight of mass tourism, but there are efforts underway to promote sustainability like putting a moratorium on new hotels.

Willian Justen de Vasconcellos

Machu Picchu, Peru

Overtourism has led to erosion and damage to this ancient Incan citadel. A quota system and mandatory guides are helping preserve this popular South American destination.

Darren Lawrence

Tulum, Mexico

Once a tranquil paradise known for its pristine beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and eco-chic vibe, Tulum has become a cautionary tale of overtourism. The surge in popularity, fueled by Instagram-worthy scenery, has brought overcrowding, environmental strain, and rising costs. The Guardianreported that locals are being pushed out by developers and despite the thinking that tourism helps local communities, poverty nearly doubled between 2015 and 2020. Local ecosystems, including fragile mangroves and coral reefs, are threatened by unchecked construction and pollution too. The local ruins have implemented stricter rules like no food or drink to limit trash and environmental impact from tourists.

Jimmy Teoh

Santorini, Greece

Instagram fame has turned this once-serene island into a tourist hotspot. Narrow streets are perpetually clogged, and locals are struggling with soaring costs of living due to tourism demand. The government has since capped the number of daily cruise ship visitors to keep overtourism at bay.

Chait Goli

Cinque Terre, Italy

Known for its colorful cliffside villages and breathtaking coastal views, these once-quiet fishing towns now see millions of visitors annually, way more than they can handle. To combat issues like congestion and cruise ships, local authorities have introduced visitor caps and encourage sustainable travel to protect Cinque Terre’s charm.

Rudy Kirchner

Reykjavík, Iceland

Is there anyone not going to Iceland these days? A small country with breathtaking landscapes, Iceland has been overwhelmed by tourists flocking to Instagram-famous sites like the Blue Lagoon and Diamond Beach. It's best to travel during the off season (November to April) and travel to lesser known spots like the Sturlungalaug hot spring.

youseflns

Maya Bay, Thailand (Phi Phi Islands)

This iconic beach, popularized by the DiCaprio film The Beach, suffered ecological devastation from hordes of visitors and anchored boats. Coral reefs were destroyed, and the beach was closed for years to allow recovery. It has since reopened after a huge revitalization project, but they have introduced visitor caps.

Pixabay

Kyoto, Japan

Traditionally quiet streets of this ancient capital city now teem with tourists during peak season. An increase in litter from tourists has required the city to install more trash bins to handle the crowds, and peaceful geishas are often chased down for photos. To mitigate the problem, Kyoto is considering running special buses to popular sites to reduce overcrowding, and temples and shrines are encouraging visitors to come early in the morning.

Prabin Sunar

Mount Everest, Nepal

The ultimate challenge for adventurers, Mount Everest has experienced overcrowding on the slopes and at base camps, leading to dangerous conditions, with litter and human waste piling up on the mountain. Permits are now harder to get, and stricter regulations for climbers are being enforced.

Mateusz Popek

Dubrovnik, Croatia

The Game of Thrones effect brought an influx of fans to this medieval city. Overcrowded streets and cruise ship arrivals have made it difficult to appreciate its beauty. The local government is taking steps to limit daily visitors and impose stricter cruise ship regulations.

Helena I

Lisbon, Portugal

Short-term rentals dominate the housing market now, thanks to affordable flights and the digital nomad craze. This has led to skyrocketing rents and displaced locals. Historic neighborhoods are inundated with tourists, making them less charming too. Everything from public transport to waste management struggles to keep pace with the influx. I went in December and it still felt a bit like Disneyland. Douro Valley and Madeira might be more favorable destinations any time of year.

Cure your wanderlust in 2025! Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more travel ideas!

travel destinations overtourism travel 2025 where to travel european travel asian travel japan bali venice travel

13 Yummy Christmas Cookies From Around The World

Heaping plates of Christmas cookies are synonymous with the holidays. It seems that nearly every country around the globe has their own variation on the holiday classic. In fact, some of these regions have been making their version of Christmas cookies for literal hundreds of years.

If you’re looking for a way to reconnect with your heritage, or maybe just want a little baking inspiration, check out our picks for the yummiest Christmas cookies from around the world.

The Noshery

Mantecaditos con Guayaba

These may look like ordinary thumbprint cookies, but these almond shortbreads from Puerto Rico are filled with a special guava marmalade. (via The Noshery)

Broma Bakery

Meringues

French meringues are a classic crumbly egg white cookie with a chewy interior. These get an extra European twist with the addition of Nutella. (via Broma Bakery)

Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

Alfajores

Deeply flavored dulce de leche, a caramel made from whole milk commonly found in Spain and many Latin American countries, is the key ingredient in these super pretty sandwiched Christmas cookies. (via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.)

Fancy Peasant

Melomakarona

These Christmas cookies that hail from Greece get their sweetness from a generous soaking of fresh honey! (via Fancy Peasant)

Very Eatalian

Baci di Dama

The name of this Italian treat translates to “lady’s kisses” — how adorable is that? These bite-sized cuties are made with ground hazelnuts and filled with a dollop of dark chocolate. (via Very Eatalian)

Cooking Classy

Linzer Cookies

These Austrian Christmas cookies are typically made with raspberry jam, but feel free to get crazy with a filling of your choice. Plus, the gorgeous windowpane look will make them a prize takeaway at your next cookie exchange. (via Cooking Classy)

Olivia’s Cuisine

Basler Brunsli

If you’re hanging out in Switzerland around Christmas time, you’ll definitely see these chocolate treats around. They’re often described as Swiss brownies due to their deliciously chewy texture. Perfect with a cup of eggnog or coffee! (via Olivia’s Cuisine)

Cilantro Parsley

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Meredith Holser.

Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.

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