It feels like my feed was filled with two options this holiday season—a Ralph Lauren Christmas or a Little Women Christmas. It’s not a surprise that I’d fall into the later category. These trends point to the ever growing wealth disparity in our country. The people that can afford Ralph Lauren or the people getting crafty with things they already have.
Ralph Lauren Christmas is a brand, consuming and creating a certain type of content to be perceived by others. Little Women Winter feels more like a lifestyle, and yet, it’s a trend too. Where our lives are dictated by what the algorithm feeds us. Perhaps we’re being too hard on ourselves. It’s in our nature to want to know what others are doing.
I like the anti-consumerist mindset floating around this year and embracing a frugal way of celebrating a time of year notorious for overspending. Making consumable gifts and decor like dried oranges helps us slow down and enjoy what can be such a busy month. Tradition over commercialism can ground us in what matters.
There’s a special nostalgia to digging out the Christmas box from the depths of the closet and putting out the same decorations. The joy in going through all the ornaments one-by-one to exclaim “I forgot about this one” or “I love this one” as we hang them on the tree. I look forward to our charcuterie board New Year’s Eve tradition.
I try to make something new each year—whether it’s a craft or recipe. Two years ago I made our embroidered stocking tags and last year I was firmly in my sourdough era. This year I made embroidered ornaments with leftover felt from the stocking tags.
I also made paper chains this year from my great grandmother’s vintage wrapping paper sets.
Little Women Winter is a New England cottagecore aesthetic that romanticizes a simpler time. I recently watched the 1994 film version of Little Women and couldn’t stop thinking about the soft parts of winter. The sisters in their homemade knits, clinging tightly to each other as they walk arm and arm down snow dusted paths. Because it really is a winter film despite it taking place throughout the year. The joy of giving, not just gifts but your time and skills and sharing it with family, friends, and neighbors is what Christmastime should be about.
I made quite a few gifts this year including a quilted toiletry bag, a jar cover and sourdough starter with a copy of my sourdough zine, quilted coasters, quilted double oven mitts, clay plant markets, magnetic pin dishes, and a lino cut print with ‘his and hers’ mocha pots. It was fun to craft and try new things and, of course, make a couple of things for myself in the process.
In a way, Little Women Christmas is helping me define my personal home style. One that is handmade, layered, and feminine with folk art and heirloom pieces. I allow myself to buy one new Christmas decoration each year and I opted for an advent wreath ring for the kitchen table which felt very on trend yet timeless. A purchase that will remind me of this year when I unearth it from the box next November.
With the traditional Christmastime season over now that it’s a week into January, I hope you created some cherished memories this holiday season. I plan to cherish this winter like the sisters in Little Women by appreciating life’s simple pleasures, adapting to early nights, and looking forward to warmer weather while not wishing it away too soon.
Happy New Year-
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