One thing is for certain this year: our celebrations and holiday look quite a bit different. I’m hopeful though that this slower season will still elicit tons of joy, new traditions, and the making of memories we’ll have for years to come. As we kick off the holidays, I’m taking a more purposeful approach to how I entertain, cook, gift and celebrate – with a huge focus on shopping small and local. Which is why I’m super excited to announce a big project I’ve been working on – a #shopsmall virtual holiday pop-up with my friends at UpNext. I’ve partnered with UpNext and eight of my favorite small batch brands to create a holiday gift guide that features curated and limited-edition products for gifting and entertaining. I’m sharing a little bit more about each brand in today’s post, there’s a little something for everyone in this small batch collection!
Feather + Finn. I am unable to contain my excitement over this candle collaboration with Feather + Finn! We partnered on three holiday scents that were inspired by recipes in my cookbook, bringing together the holiday senses. Each candle pairs with a holiday: Harvest has cinnamon, apple, rosemary, vanilla, and sage that work for Thanksgiving time; By the Fire was designed to be enjoyed during the holiday with notes of cypress, clove, spruce, cedar, and smoke; Winter Mimosa has mandarin, champagne, sandalwood, and vanilla scents that are meant to be enjoyed at the turn of the new year. They come in the most beautiful packaging, are hand-poured in MA and are made with 100% USA grown soy wax + are free from phthalates, carcinogen, + other toxins.
Weather + Story. I’m a sucker for anything monogramed, and I am just giddy with the customization possibilities on these hand-crafted leather pieces by Weather + Story. The founder Lainey Wright has designed these pieces with traditional leatherworking methods, yet has given them such a modern, fresh twist. We partnered on two napkin ring designs – one braided leather, and one a hand-stamped leather cuff – and a set of customizable leather coasters. The best part of these pieces is that they can be mixed and matched together, and incorporated with different linens to work year-round. Personalize them with monograms or festive phrases to make them a truly thoughtful and one-of-a-kind gift.
Meema. When I talk about being more purposeful with my holiday purchases this year, Meema is the perfect example. The brand has sustainability at its core – reusing fibers that jeans manufacturers and yarn mills discard as waste to create the durable yarns they use in their aprons, tablecloths, napkins and dishtowels. It’s sustainability that looks good too! Given my line of work, I’m a bit of a table linen connoisseur, and these pieces are beautiful, functional, heirloom quality pieces. 
Mary Bret. This local, Boston-based, jewelry designer and I were a match made in heaven! We share a love for festive tassels and punchy colors, and had so much fun collaborating on two limited-edition colorways of their Pippa Earring. They’re untraditional holiday pairings, but give a pop of color to my classic style. A cozy navy sweater and some brightly colored baubles is my go-to look for every celebration from Thanksgiving to New Years. One of my favorite details is the gold post, that keeps the lightweight earrings extra secure on my ears when I’m wrangling a toddler and holiday prep. 
ChappyWrap. I never thought I would be a fan girl of a blanket company, but when it comes to ChappyWrap’s fleece blankets that’s exactly what I am! I’ve given them as gifts countless times and adore that they’re so cozy, come in the best patterns, and are machine washable (making it my go-to option for backyard picnics, beach pizza nights, and toddler fort-making). The curated blankets in the gift guide collection all have a warm hygge feel to them that make them perfect for holiday movie snuggles!
MULXIPLY. Can we all agree that the theme of this holiday season is all about comfort? Spending more time at home, I’m investing on cozy Christmas jammies over dress clothes, and slippers over high heels. Mulxiply’s small batch, hand crafted pom pom slippers fit the bill for my at home holiday wear needs – I’ll be festive and cozy at the same time!
Atlantic Soap Company. In an effort to be more eco-friendly, we’ve swapped single-use plastic soap containers for bar soap at our house and Atlantic Soap Company has been my go-to source for beautiful, seasonal hand soaps. We partnered on some festive, limited-edition holiday soaps including Evergreen, a fragrant pine scent, Winter Warmer, with notes of sandalwood, leather, bergamot and musk, and my favorite – Cranberry Spice, made using real cranberries! I love that they’re produced locally, right on Cape Cod, and made using natural ingredients and seawater.
East Avenue Press. A beautiful gift deserves a beautiful wrap, and East Avenue Press’ holiday collection is full of the most delicate, modern, clean designs. I am mixing in their hand lettered Happy Holidays wrapping paper in with brightly colored velvet ribbons, and adorning gifts with their letterpress cards and gift tags. Their holiday art prints are also a really festive way to dress up a mantle or bar cart, and come in tons of options with memorable movie quotes and seasonal sayings.
See the full gift guide, and tons of exclusive discounts at poppingupnext.com
Love this Kate!
Thank you!!