28 Wellness Gifts to Make the Holiday Season More Chill

it's been a long 2019, and we all deserve a little (or more realistically, a lot) of R&R. Between holiday parties, large family gatherings, and unpredictable travel delays, it can be hard to take time for some self-care. Luckily, there are plenty of products out there that can provide a little bit of calm during all of the season's madness. Here are 28 wellness gifts to help anyone relax their mind and body and truly make this the most wonderful time of the year.

Ryan Porter Candle ($29): Sometimes, a girl needs an honest reminder to just calm the F down. This floral scented candle can do just that.

Daily Harvest Gift Box ($75 for 9 items): These delicious meals in a cup are the easiest and fastest way to eat healthy. The gift box allows you to choose between a variety of soups, bowls, smoothies, lattes (including the new Chocolate + Peppermint CBD latte), and bites across a variety of dietary preferences (paleo, vegan, high protein, etc.)

Vitruvi Diffuser ($119): Breathe in the relaxing scent of essential oils with a sleek, ceramic diffuser. There are two different settings and an auto-turn off feature when water runs out.

Calm X Gravity: Original Blanket ($320): Sleep soundly through the night with a weighted blanket (comes in three different weights). The soft duvet cover is removable and washable, and the blanket comes with a one year subscription to the Calm App.

Amour Vert Sakura Pajama Pants ($78): No one will feel guilty about lounging around in cozy pajama pants all day when they know the pants are made with sustainably harvested beechwood fabric.

Purple

Purple Harmony Pillow ($159): For anyone who is like Goldilocks with pillows — this one is too soft, that one is too firm — have them try out one of the new Purple Harmony pillows. The pillows are made with the Purple Grid Hex to adapt to support the head and neck and optimize airflow.

Health Ade Kombucha ($48 for 12): An apple a day… give the gift of probiotic-packed beverage with the crisp flavor of organic apple juice.

Biossance The Rose Radiance Trio ($72): This triple threat set includes the hydration winter skin deserves: a brightening squalane + vitamin C rose mask, squalane + vitamin C rose oil, and squalane + rose lip balm. All Biossance products are also clean, cruelty-free, and vegan.

Lord Jones Holiday Hemp-Derived CBD Gum Drops ($50): if you know someone with a sweet tooth who enjoyed eating gum drops as a kid, they'll love these CBD versions as an adult. Each drop contains 20mg of hemp-derived CBD, and they come in two fruity holiday flavors: sugarplum and mango chili.

The Five-Minute Journal ($25): Even the busiest person has five minutes to jot down a few thoughts and thinks to be grateful for. It'll start and/or end any day on a happy note.

Go-To Transformazing Sheet Masks ($34 for 6): This Aussie clean skincare brand wants to make sure you have fun while looking good. The hydrating face masks have native botanical ingredients to help smooth and brighten up skin.

goop Beauty "The Martini" Emotional Detox Bath Soak ($35): Melt away stress with a luxurious bath soak that includes Epsom salts, Himalayan pink salt, chia seed oil, Valerian root, frankincense, and more. It's like a martini at the end of a long day, but without the subsequent hangover.

NAKEDCASHMERE Socks ($99): We all spend all day on our feet — treat them to something luxurious like a pair of cashmere socks.

Covry Blue Light Protection Glasses ($105): Look at screens all day? Give tired eyes a much-needed break with a pair of blue light protection glasses.

Bathing Culture Mind and Body Wash ($20): Refresh the body and mind with a soap made from organic ingredients such as organic coconut oil, organic olive oil, aloe, shea butter, and essential oils. It has the fresh scent of Northern California redwood forests and comes in a 100 percent recycled bottle.

Parachute Quilted Slippers ($39): Keep toes warm and snuggly in a pair of plush, quilted slippers. They'll make getting out of bed in the mornings a little less painful.

Kopari Aluminum-Free Deodorant ($14): Get on board the nature deodorant train with one that's made with organic coconut oil. It's aluminum-free, goes on clear, and will make underarms smell like a tropical vacation.

LARQ Bottle ($95): If your pal can't remember the last time they really washed out their water bottle, this smart bottle can fix that. It purifies water with the touch of a button and activates every two hours, using UV light to keep the inside of the bottle clean.

Urban Outfitters Huggable Llama Cooling + Heating Pad ($29):This adorable, fuzzy heating pad is almost as good as hugging a real llama.

Pop & Bottle Lattes ($57 for 12): Make that daily latte habit a healthy one. This variety pack has six different types of superfood almond lattes, all without added sugar, dairy, or preservatives.

Ban.do Getaway Eye Mask ($18): Help a friend find their happy place (AKA Dreamland) with a soft eye mask that can block out light and haters.

Hurom HP Slow Juicer ($299): Start out every morning with a glass of freshly made orange or green juice with a compact juicer. It has a slow squeeze technology to minimize damage to fruits and vegetables while maximizing yield.

Hyperice Hypersphere Mini ($99): A travel-size massage ball will help ensure that relief from sore muscles is always within arm's reach.

Scribd Subscription ($50 for 6 months): Help a friend get through the long list of books they've been meaning to read. Scribd has a huge library of books (and audiobook and magazines) and is compatible with iOS devices, Android devices, and Fire tablets.

Skinny Dipped Almonds ($25 for a pack of 5): Go on and let someone indulge in a little chocolate this holiday season. Skinny Dipped Almonds use real ingredients and no sugar alternatives or artificial flavors.

Casper The Glow Light ($129): Replace those harsh lamps in with the warm, self-dimming Glow light. It can be scheduled at various brightness levels to aid in waking up in the morning or winding down at night.

Ritual Essential for Women Vitamins ($30/month): These vitamins have nine essential nutrients (such as folate, iron, and omega-3) to support a woman's healthy lifestyle. And they're probably the prettiest looking pills in anyone's cabinet.

PhoneSoap Pro ($120): ​Phones go with you everywhere, which means they pick up dirt... everywhere. Give someone's phone and accessories a proper clean with this handy device, which can kill 99.99 percent of germs in just five minutes.

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

We get it — you've probably been eyeing the scissors all year, looking to refresh your gorgeous gray hair with a new hairstyle...and wondering if anyone will be able to tell if you cut a few inches off yourself. While we can't tell you that you should become an at-home stylist unless you're 100% confident of your skills, we can share some super cute haircut inspo with you! From cute bobs with bangs to a longer 'lob,' these gray bob hairstyles styles will be give you a "new look, new me" feel as you head into 2025!

Scroll down for all the best gray bob hairstyles to show to your stylist at your next salon appointment!

A Chic Gray Bob 

Ivan Samkov

Go for the classic style by asking for this exact cut at the salon. This shape makes everyone looks amazing and is probably one of the most versatile gray bobs that can inspire your next trip to the salon. To maintain it, you'll want to protect your hair with a scarf at night. During the day, make sure you use a heat protectant before curling it with one of your flat irons.

Getty Images

This blunt hairstyle looks SO good with glasses, too! Pair it with a statement lipstick, and you're really making some stylish moves!

A Gray Lob

Bobs can be as short or long as you want as evidenced by this longer 'lob.' This is for the person who doesn't want to have hair like Rapunzel, but still wants to maintain some of their length. If you ever want to go for a shorter look with this style, all you have to do is pin curl the ends of your hair.

MART PRODUCTION

I love how this cut cascades with naturally curly or wavy hair!

Anastasia Shuraeva

I mean, look how flattering this is!

Getty Images

Plus, this slightly shorter length can really add some body to the ends!

A Bob With Bangs

Getty Images

Listen, a bob and bangs are a match made in heaven. I don't make the rules — it just works beautifully! If you're looking to really frame your face, this is a really great option! And look at how it makes your gorgeous features stand out even more!

A Perfectly Curled Under Gray Bob 

Getty Images

Then again, you can keep it short and simple with this perfectly curled gray bob. Whether you consider yourself bold or not for rocking this style, it's one of those looks that'll stand out if you add a beautiful balayage to it.

Did we just give you an idea? We think so!

Getty Images

And with the round glasses to boot? Yeah, this woman screams, "I look good, and I cannot be stopped!"

Kampus Production

This look can also add a lot of softness to your aura, too. Really love how it hugs her face here!

A Shorter Gray Bob With Side Bangs

Moe Magners

The best thing about shorter hairstyles are their ability to highlight someone's features. If you have an oval face with high cheekbones, this style will amplify them. Not only that, but you'll have fun parting your hair to create side bangs.

Tip: Use a small flat iron to create depth without over-curling your hair.

Moe Magners

Look at how this cut angles perfectly with her face! So sleek!

A Stacked Or Graduated Bob 

Antoni Shkraba

Another chic bob to wear is a stacked or graduated bob. Similar to the stylish woman in the picture, we imagine this hairstyle is for the woman who loves letting her personality shine through whatever she's wearing. We're jumping the gun, but this is one of those hairstyles you'll have fun planning outfits around.

Getty Images

I just love how this frames and elongates her face! The hairstyle makes her look refreshed and young, giving features like her eyes a chance to really shine!

A Gray Wavy Bob

Vlada Karpovich

This is the perfect length and shape to make your natural curls or waves shine. You won't even have to worry about curling your hair with this style because it doesn't require you to. If you're not sure what to use on your hair, we recommend using products from Sienna Naturals to help with the overall health of it.

Rene Terp

This hairstyle adds so much movement to your look!

Anastasia Shuraeva

You don't have to have such exaggerated waves, either. Some subtle waviness to your gray bob hairstyle is just enough to add that beautiful movement!

A Fully Curly Bob

Getty Images

Curly hair don't care? A gray bob hairstyle is PERFECT for you. This look says you're fun, fabulous, and ready to have a good time. Plus, it's yet another look that goes oh-so well with your statement glasses — the perfect chic look, if I do say so myself!

Follow us on Pinterest to find even more hair inspo!

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!

If your hair has been feeling more like straw than silk lately, it’s time to give it some TLC with a good deep conditioner. Deep conditioners work wonders at healing dry and damaged hair– the best ones are often formulated with ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, and keratin. Whether you’re battling winter dryness, heat damage, or just need a little extra moisture, these 8 deep conditioners will leave your locks soft, shiny, and oh-so manageable, no matter your hair type!

Scroll on to see the top-rated deep conditioners that'll instantly revive dry, damaged hair.

Amazon

Artnatural Argan Oil + Aloe Vera Deep Conditioner

This deep conditioner with a 4.7-star rating includes nourishing argan oil and aloe vera. It even comes with a silk bonnet to wear while the product works its magic overnight. The extra layer helps prevent frizz, split ends, and further hair damage. The best part is it's only $13 (was $18)!

Promising review: "Makes your hair soft, shiny and smells amazing! It’s moisturizing, does not weigh my hair down. Definitely improves my hair health, I have highlighted blond hair so I use the mask every two to 3 days to keep up the healthy hair look! You don’t need to use a lot - normal amount from mid strand to ends."

Amazon

Palmer's Coconut Oil Moisture Boost Deep Conditioner

The coconut oil in this 4.6-star deep conditioner's formula will totally transform dry locks. Its especially hydrating for curly hair of any curl type! The ingredients are fully plant-based, so you can trust they'll always be healthy for your hair.

Promising review: "I know that some ladies are very uptight about ingredients, etc for their hair. I can honestly say that this works so much better than any other deep conditioner that I have either made or bought. I don't get too caught up in the "expensive is better" or "cheap products are junk" debate. I use what works for my hair and this definitely does an excellent job of moisturizing my hair and making it shiny. It only leave it on for the length of my shower and wow!"

Amazon

Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Amazon shoppers have granted this heavenly-smelling deep conditioner 4.6 out of 5 stars for how effective it is. The $16 product works wonders at preventing hair thinning, shedding, and breakage. The mango butter acts as a nice emollient to lock in all the moisture.

Promising review: "It’s difficult to find a deep conditioner that actually brings moisture to my hair and revives it. I kinda followed the instructions on the label but I left it on longer than stated. It’s thick and I feel like that’s what my hair needed. I rinsed my hair, dried it with a towel mannn I didn’t have to do much untangling!! It left my hair soft and easy to comb through. I’m now looking to purchase some of the other products."

Amazon

SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque

SheaMoisture is one of my favorite hair care brands because every one of their products I've tried actually do what they say they do. This 4.6-star hair mask is no exception – it truly does provide "intensive" hair repair and hydration. The formula with manuka honey and mafura oil is friendly on over-processed, damaged, or color-treated hair and helps you build stronger, healthier, and frizz-free strands.

Promising review: "i have naturally wavy/curly hair but i damaged it so bad with bleach that they kind of went away. i did a lot of hair masks, gave it a lot of time to breathe, etc etc etc and this is the only thing to come close to restoring my natural curl pattern. it smells amazing, helps with frizziness, and definitely helps my hair feel healthier, moisturized, and as shiny as it can be. i also notice that it's better than a lot of other products when it comes to maintaining hair color. my dyed hair doesn't bleed or become discolored with this product. love the ingredients too!! phenomenal brand and product overall."

Amazon

Unove Deep Damage Hair Treatment Mask

This 4.6-star pick comes complete with highly-concentrated proteins that seep deep into your locks for noticeable shine and hydration. What sets it apart the most is it's fast-acting, so you don't necessarily need to let it sit on your head for a long time – just a quick application in the shower will do! It also smells ahh-mazing with notes of citrus and flowers.

Promising review: "This is my favorite treatment I’ve ever used. My hair is thick and dry, but this product makes it feel soft and manageable. It seems to reduce damage as well; every time I go to the salon, my stylist comments on how strong and healthy my hair looks. The scent is just right—not too strong, which I appreciate."

Amazon

Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner

Mielle makes my absolute favorite conditioner (read about it here!), so this 4.5-star deep conditioner is definitely next-up on my self-care "buy" list. The blend of natural oils and fatty acids help reduce breakage and smooth ends, frizz, and flyaways – all without weighing down your hair. It's safe for all hair types, too, so you could easily share the love with your roomie or S.O.

Promising review: "This is my favorite deep conditioner. I sometimes use this as a cowash instead of after shampooing. Smells great and leaves my hair feeling soft and looks shiny. I have natural curly hair with blonde highlights. I wish there was a bigger tub. I go through this fast."

Amazon

Arvazallia Hydrating Argan Oil Hair Mask + Deep Conditioner

This $13 deep conditioner leaves your locks with such a luxurious feel, thanks to the strengthening and hydrating argan oil. The shine it gives is also impeccable! Shoppers have given it 4.5 out of 5 stars for its rich texture, effectiveness, and its ability to deliver "salon-quality" results.

Promising review: "My hair is three feet long. I use this generously around every couple weeks after I shampoo. I get as much water out of my hair, I slather on about half the tub (again, my hair is very long). I leave it in while I shave and soap up and rinse. Then I rinse it out. One side bonus is that it makes the skin on my body so soft. The smell is beautiful and I get comments about the nice smell. The end result is that my hair flows from the top to bottom. The areas that tend to look a little dry (bottom) look just as shiny and moisturized as the rest of my hair. I will use this the rest of my life and recommend it to everyone."

Amazon

OUAI Thick Hair Mask

If you want your locks to look and feel expensive, this 4.5-star OUAI hair mask is the way to go. Just one use will leave your hair feeling smoother, softer, and stronger. The formula includes ilipe and shea butters to condition, almond, olive, and macadamia oils to soften and smooth, and hydrolyzed keratin to prevent breakage.

Promising review: "I have oily scalp and dry ends. My end are so dry that they soak up water and takes hours to air dry. I used this today for the first time and my hair air dried 50% faster than normal. My hair feels soft, but not oily. This is my new favorite hair product!"

Subscribe to our newsletter to discover more amazing beauty products!

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

Christmas cookie decorating is holiday tradition for us here at B+C, so we were so stoked to find this recipe for paleo cookies that adds a healthy twist to this classic holiday dessert. These sweet treats will shine among the rest of your Christmastime tablescape, and they are super easy to make. Plus, they'll pair well with just about any Christmas dessert. Just combine your paleo-friendly ingredients to prep the dough, let it sit overnight, then bake for ten minutes! The best part about this recipe is of course, all of the fun holiday-time shapes you can cut. Consider this recipe your go-to for healthy cookies, though, since you can make them year-round in any shape you like. Let's get to decorating!

Ingredients for Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

For the cookies:

  • 1/2 cup grass-fed salted butter, softened
  • 6 tablespoons raw honey
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 cups almond flour
  • 1/2 cup coconut flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the frosting:

  • 6 tablespoons coconut butter or coconut manna
  • 1/4 cup cacao butter
  • 1-2 tablespoons honey
  • Plant-based food coloring
  • Vegetable-dyed sprinkles, for topping*
* Look for vegetable and fruit-dyed food coloring and sprinkles in natural grocery stores or online, and avoid artificial colors to keep these cookies Paleo friendly!

How to Make Paleo Christmas Cookies

Brit + Co

  1. Add the softened butter and honey to a large mixing bowl. Cream the mixture together using a handheld mixer until it is smooth. Add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract and whisk until they are well combined. Pour in the almond flour, coconut flour, and baking soda, and continue mixing until the batter has come together smoothly.
  2. Separate the dough into two, and place each one on top of a piece of plastic wrap. Roll each dough into a ball, then flatten to a thick disk, cover completely with the plastic wrap, and place in the refrigerator to firm up for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Remove one of the dough discs from the refrigerator, unwrap the plastic and place the dough on top of a piece of parchment paper, then top it with another piece of parchment paper. Use a roller to flatten out the dough to about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch thick. Work quickly with your favorite Christmas cookie cutters, and use a thin spatula to lift the cut cookies onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  4. Bake the cookies in the oven for 10 minutes. Let them cool for a few minutes, then place on a wire rack for further cooling. Gather the leftover scraps back into a ball in the plastic wrap or parchment paper and place it back in the refrigerator, while working with the other piece of dough. Do this in batches to keep the dough from getting too warm and so you don’t overcrowd the baking sheet.
  5. While the batches of cookies are baking, use a small saucepan to lightly melt the coconut butter and cacao butter together over low heat on the stovetop. Remove the pan from the heat when the ingredients have just melted together. Stir in the desired amount of honey, then set aside to cool and thicken up slightly. If you are using food coloring, add in the desired amount into the frosting mixture (1-2 teaspoons of green or red should do the trick). If you plan on only using white frosting, only use a small amount of honey, as it can make the frosting an off-white or light brown color.
  6. After the cookies have completely cooled, decorate them with the frosting and sprinkles as desired. If you don’t have any professional piping tools, an easy fix is to place the frosting in a plastic sandwich bag and remove all the air when sealing the top. Cut a tiny tip off one corner of the plastic bag, then gently squeeze and pipe over the cookies. Use one plastic bag or piping bag for each color of frosting. Top with corresponding sprinkles and enjoy!

Is your mouth watering yet? Check out our newsletter for more delicious holiday recipe ideas!

Recipe development and photography by Sarah Anderson.

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

Buñuelos

These tender miniature fritters from Mexico are a mix between a donut and cookie. Whatever you want to call them, they’re delicious. (via Cilantro Parsley)

Chef Lindsey Farr

Apricot Kolachys

The Hungarians definitely know what’s up when tart apricot jam gets wrapped in a blanket of flaky pastry. They’re a bright spot on a cold Christmas day. (via Chef Lindsey Farr)

Life, Love and Sugar

Cutout Sugar Cookies

In the United States, a plate of these festively decorated sugar cookies is just what Santa ordered. (via Life, Love and Sugar)

Saveur

Polvorones

You’ll find these simple pecan shortbread cookies all over Mexico around this time of year. The coating of powdered sugar and canela, a type of Mexican cinnamon, really bring the flavor to the next level. (via Saveur)

A Healthy Life for Me

Pignoli

These Italian Christmas cookies are made of a chewy almond base and topped with pine nuts. (via A Healthy Life for Me)

Fancy Peasant

Kourabiedes

These Greek Christmas cookies feature a buttery biscuit topped with mass amounts of powdered sugar. (via Fancy Peasant)

Does your family have a traditional cookie recipe for the holidays? Tag us @BritandBo in your Instagram photos and let us know!

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

Lead image via Pretty. Simple. Sweet.