My darling ,

How are you as we step into December?

For me, this month always arrives like a beautifully wrapped whirlwind — full schedules, full supermarkets, full inboxes… but also full of tiny sparks of magic, if I slow down enough to notice them.

This year, instead of chasing the big festive moments, I’m treating December like a treasure hunt for small, daily delights. Gentle, comforting, uncomplicated pleasures that make an ordinary weekday feel a little bit enchanted.

Here’s what my December is looking like…

🎁 December Mornings: My Advent Rituals

For a few years, I’ve been buying myself advent calendars as a little birthday tradition. On November 21st, I walk into the center of Antwerp and choose the ones that will bring me joy every morning in December. It feels wonderfully childish and wonderfully indulgent at the same time.

Every day, before opening my laptop, I make tea and open a tiny door.

It takes maybe 90 seconds… but it’s become a favorite moment of the day.

My soft, gentle “good morning” to myself.

This year I’ll be opening:

• Oil & Vinegar Culinary Calendar — hoping it inspires me to eat more salads and actually enjoy the process.
• Pierre Marcolini’s Art Deco Christmas — a daily praline I will not be sharing, thank you very much.

🍿 Evenings: Cheesy, Soft Christmas Movies

I adore the comfort of these predictable Christmas movies — the cute small towns, the twinkly lights, the couples who fall in love in exactly 94 minutes.

I tried to make one of those “24 Christmas movies” lists… and immediately got bored. So now I’m trusting the Netflix Christmas category and simply picking whatever feels right each night.

Realistically, I’ll fall asleep halfway through and finish it in installments.

Honestly? Even better. More cozy moments for me.

🛒 Supermarket Adventures

One of my silliest — but happiest — December rituals is wandering through the supermarket hunting for festive specialties. Not for big dinners. Just for us, on random weekdays, to make an ordinary evening feel a bit sparkly.

From the Delhaize Feestgids, I already have my eye on:

• Savory macarons with truffle, goat cheese, salmon… Will they be good? I have no idea. Will I buy them? Absolutely.
• Stuffed turkey with chestnuts and pistachio, to serve with cranberry croquettes and brussels sprouts. Bonus: excellent leftovers for the next day’s lunch.
• Premium gourmet/steengrill selections with raclette cheese. Add a salad and call it a December alternative to Taco Tuesday.

It’s ridiculous how happy these tiny seasonal treats make me.

🎄 Setting Up the Tree (With Help)

Confession: I don’t enjoy putting up the Christmas tree.

My Austrian mother-in-law is a Christmas goddess, and I decided early on not to even try to compete. We spend the holidays at her place anyway.

So, for our mini artificial tree at home, I bring out the heavy artillery:

• A strong cocktail (this mandarine margarita has my full attention)
• A cliché Christmas playlist like this one (the more obvious, the better)

It’s the only way I can make myself do it — but it does work.

🕯️ Scented Joyful Details

These tiny sensory treats elevate my everyday routine:

• A big Zara Home Gingerbread candle like this one to keep me company while I work.
• A seasonal poinsettia (red or white — I’ll see what calls me at IKEA).
• A festive shower ritual with one of Yves Rocher’s seasonal editions: Mandarine & Pine Needles or Karité & Bergamote. I’ll decide once I smell them in the store.

It’s incredible how much these tiny details shift my mood.

And no, these unsolicited recommendations are not sponsored.

✨ Evening Strolls + Christmas Audiobooks

To get my 10k steps in (and to close my laptop properly), I’ve stocked some seasonal audiobooks on Spotify:

• Christmas with the Queen — “The Crown meets When Harry Met Sally.”
• All Together for Christmas — classic family-gathering chaos.
• 100 Amazing Facts About Christmas — simple, light, charming.

And honestly? Evening walks in December are magical.

I hate how early it gets dark… but the lightning makes every street feel festive and cinematic.

☀️ Winter Solstice Ritual

The shortest day of the year is coming — Sunday, December 21st — and I’ve cleared the whole day just for myself.

I’ll be journaling, reflecting on the big Nariva lessons of 2025, and dreaming up new intentions for 2026.

If you want to create your own ritual, I loved this both witchy and practical article, that ends with a beautiful line: “Happy solstice. May the light return.”

And I felt that.

My darling, whatever your December looks like, I hope you find tiny delights scattered everywhere — or create them on purpose, even when you’re tired.

The year is almost over. Rest is coming. You’re almost there.

Sending you warmth and so much love this December.

Love,

Caro 🌟