Sephora

greeneyedgirl107

It's finally here! BIC's annual holiday fun and year end countdown! So many of us would love to see the boards more active so please post away!

I'm working on this piecemeal so there will be some tweaks. Thank you for your patience!

12/1: What kinds of lip products are you reaching for this time of year?

12/2: Do you prefer modern or classic holiday music?

12/3: Which holiday movie/TV character needs their own spin-off or origins story?

12/4: How has your decorating style evolved? What's your favorite decor item?

12/5: Best way to faux fur?

12/6: What fall fashions are you reaching for? And what about pajamas?

12/7: Best winter comfort food or drink?

12/8: What creams and lotions are your go-tos?

12/9: Best outdoor activities?

12/10: What's your gifting style? What do you like to give/receive in grab bags? Any funny Secret Santa stories?

12/11: Favorite winter flora and fauna?

12/12: Post a holiday meme.

12/13: Best kind of stocking stuffers?

12/14: Ideal candles to light this time of year? Preferred seasonal scents in general?

12/15: Post your own prompt.

12/16: Favorite holiday sayings, quotes, etc.

12/17: Do you know any Grinches...or cousin Eddies?!

12/18: What beauty sales have you been enjoying? Are you wishing for any in particular?

12/19: Best (and worst) thing about snow?

12/20: What's a winter holiday that you've never celebrated but would like to?

12/21: Best and worst designs for Christmas cards?

12/22: Best items for a holiday feast? Which ones do you steer clear of?

12/23: Which holiday traditions do you embrace, and which ones make you cringe?

12/24: Charitable causes that are dear to you? Even small acts!

12/25: Best ways to keep warm figuratively and literally.

12/26: Who's ready to do some more shopping? Any returns in particular?

12/27: How to keep the spirit of the season going?

12/28: Best holiday snack food?

12/29: Finish this sentence: If I had more time this season, I would have liked to ______.

12/30: Most unique thing you experienced this season. (It can be super simple.)

12/31: Best thing to imbibe on for NYE?

1/1: Beauty resolutions?

Extra credit:

Holiday themed jewelry: festive or tacky?

Candy canes: yummy or no thanks?

Wrapping paper or gift bags?

Cookie exchanges: do people really do that?

Made for TV holiday movies: make it stop or the more the merrier?

Gaudy or minimalist decor?

Krampus or the Grinch?

Thoughts on holiday tropes?

What are you really into this year? It could be a tradition, decor theme, type of beauty product, a song, etc.

What kind of wrapping paper, bows and tags do you just adore?

Getting gift cards: yay or nay?

What do you think of all the merchandising tie-ins with the holidays?

Favorite sort of gift to get as a child?

Has the true meaning of the holidays gotten lost?

How do you celebrate with your pets?

danielledanielle

12/1: What kinds of lip products are you reaching for this time of year? I'm currently in a situationship with SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful 8HR Longwear Transferproof Lip Liner 15 Molasses + PAT McGRATH LABS Legendary Longwear Lip Pencil Structure (in their previous lives

12/2: Do you prefer modern or classic holiday music? I prefer a lot of Motown classics for Christmas music, or think like Eartha Kitt's Santa baby

12/3: Which holiday movie/TV character needs their own spin-off or origins story? 🤔 I really lined E.l.f. and I kind of respect Will Ferrell for not doing a sequel, but it would be that one

12/4: How has your decorating style evolved? What's your favorite decor item? It's de-evolved actually 🤣. I'll eventually get back into it, but I love my Dior star and a Hershey Christmas ornament I still have from childhood.

12/5: Best way to faux fur? Oh, the big pink one I have in my The Fit, The Fab and The Face: Outfit and Inspo Thread

12/6: What fall fashions are you reaching for? And what about pajamas? I'm dorky enough where I've gotten the fam but one, but two sets of Christmas pjs. Fall fashion, we're doing scarves and faux fur ATM

12/7: Best winter comfort food or drink? Current obsession is Trader Joe's Maple Espresso tea with their Maple Cold Foam

12/8: What creams and lotions are your go-tos? Hanni Salve, Buttah Shea Butter

12/9: Best outdoor activities? If it's not miserable, a walk will do or the occasional ice skating

12/10: What's your gifting style? What do you like to give/receive in grab bags? Any funny Secret Santa stories?

12/11: Favorite winter flora and fauna? Already answered below 👇🏽

12/12: Post a holiday meme.

I'm not sure if that's how you spell "yamaka" but otherwise it's fitting

12/13: Best kind of stocking stuffers? Last year (or two years ago) I split up the Nars mini lip glosses with myself (of course) and two of my buds, it was nice, we all had a mini of what we liked.

12/14: Ideal candles to light this time of year? Preferred seasonal scents in general? I'm always for MM by the Fireplace or Nette Sunday Chess, but I would love to get my hands on MM winter stroll if it's still available

caitbird

@danielledanielle I love The Hanukkah Song! 🤣

caitbird · Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer 1.7/50

@greeneyedgirl107 yay, thank you for making this thread! I always look forward to it every year! 🎄

I have some catching up to do, oops...

12/1: What kinds of lip products are you reaching for this time of year? Mostly lip balms lately - tinted for daytime, non-tinted for nighttime. My lips always get so dry this time of year, so I am constantly reapplying. Today's lip balm is Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm Treatment for Hydration + Nourishing Shine Iced Coffee - sheer cocoa (the mini from last year's holiday set)

12/2: Do you prefer modern or classic holiday music? Both! I love all kinds of holiday music, and I am always looking for new-to-me holiday music to add to my playlist every year. My "Christmas favorites" Spotify playlist is currently sitting at 200 songs - everything from medieval French Christmas music by the Boston Camerata, to The Nutcracker Suite by Tchaikovsky, to A Charlie Brown Christmas by Vince Guaraldi Trio, to classics by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, to selections from all 6 of Kate Rusby's Christmas albums...

12/3: Which holiday movie/TV character needs their own spin-off or origins story? hmm, I've never thought about this before, but I think I'm going to second @CorgiMommy suggestion: Max the dog from How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

12/4: How has your decorating style evolved? What's your favorite decor item? I don't really know how my decorating style has evolved...maybe, I would say that I'm less precious about having everything "just so" these days, and am better at just appreciating things the way they are, imperfections and all. A lot of my family's Christmas ornaments are ones we made when my brother and I were kids, so I love the memories attached to those. Some of my favorites of those are very simple, such as ornaments made of pinecones dabbed with white paint to look like snow.

12/5: Best way to faux fur? blankets! I love blankets, and faux fur blankets are so cozy!

12/6: What fall fashions are you reaching for? And what about pajamas? sweaters of all kinds are a must this time of year, as are hand warmers/fingerless gloves (I have poor circulation, so my hands get super cold). I love my green and pink plaid Victoria's Secret pajamas.

12/7: Best winter comfort food or drink? Soups, stews and chilis are always favorites this time of year. For drinks, tea is a must, or the occasional hot chocolate.

12/8: What creams and lotions are your go-tos? lately, I have been appreciating Farmacy Honey Halo Ultra-Hydrating Ceramide Moisturizer 1.7/50 since my skin barrier is a bit compromised at the moment, and this is very soothing

12/9: Best outdoor activities? going for a nice walk with the dog and appreciating the sights of nature in winter! ❄️🐕

12/10: What's your gifting style? What do you like to give/receive in grab bags? Any funny Secret Santa stories? I like to give gifts that are specific to the recipient - so for example, my mom likes to cook, so this year I am giving her a cookbook holder/stand and a new cookbook to go with it. Things that I would give/like to receive in grab bags could include hand cream, hand sanitizer, lip balm, tea, hot cocoa, socks, pens, etc. I've never done a Secret Santa.

12/11: Favorite winter flora and fauna? One of my favorite signs of winter are the dark-eyed juncos - they spend their breeding season north of where I live, but migrate "south" (for them) to here for the winter. When I see them, I know the cold weather has really arrived.

photo by Scott Martin via allaboutbirds (dot) org

12/12: Post a holiday meme.

12/13: Best kind of stocking stuffers? It depends on the recipient and what they like, but chocolates, lip balm or hand cream, socks, little stationery items (pens, stickers, washi tape, etc.) are all pretty safe bets usually (and things I always enjoy receiving myself)

12/14: Ideal candles to light this time of year? Preferred seasonal scents in general? I am currently enjoying the Nest Holiday candle, which is one of my favorite holiday candles. Voluspa Noble Fir Garland is another nice winter scent. For this time of year, I like any scents with pine, juniper berries, cloves, cinnamon, cocoa, coffee, and more.

CorgiMommy

12/14: Ideal candles to light this time of year? Preferred seasonal scents in general? I don't burn candles do to the risks. I do use the flameless candles instead. I love pine scent this time of year.

WinglessOne

12/4: How has your decorating style evolved? What's your favorite decor item? I used to put up a midsize tree (4-5’ tall) and decorate it, but I stopped doing that years ago. The only thing I do now is add one new ornament/decorative item to my wreath each year. (It’s an ongoing thing with the same wreath.) I didn’t do it last year though.

12/5: Best way to faux fur? Hmm, not something I normally think much about unless something I want (coat, hat, boots, etc.) happens to have a faux fur trim. I don’t actively seek out faux fur stuff unless I need it for a craft or art project.

12/6: What fall fashions are you reaching for? And what about pajamas? Oh, we’re beyond fall in my corner of the world: our first serious cold snap of the season (teens to single digits) started this weekend. Whether fall or winter, I’m unlikely to follow any fashion trend unless I can’t buy anything outside that trend. (Glaring at you, high rise jeans/pants. What happened to true midrise pants, or even low rise pants? Some of us need them because we’re short and/or short-waisted, dang it. High rise anything is almost a onesie on me. 🤦‍♀️)

Pajamas: when lounging around home, I don’t usually wear pjs. I just throw on a zip-up robe or a pair of sweat pants + t-shirt. No special holiday pjs for me. When sleeping, I like to wear as little (or no) clothing as possible, especially now that perimenopause is kicking my butt. I did recently find the perfect-for-me lightweight, wool, loose-fit shirts: I can comfortably sleep in them without overheating. And I almost always wear wool socks to bed because my feet get too chilly.

12/9: Best outdoor activities? Walking around town during gentle snowfall, preferably with a cup of hot coffee. And stargazing, when it’s not insta-freeze temps outside and I can avoid light pollution (no full moon, fewer city lights). If I was still a kid, I’d say building snow forts.

12/10: What's your gifting style? What do you like to give/receive in grab bags? Any funny Secret Santa stories? Not sure I have a specific gifting style… I just try to gift things recipients will enjoy, so I tailor gifts to individual recipients. I do have a funny Secret Santa story but it’s probably NSFBIC so I shouldn’t tell it here. 😅

12/11: Favorite winter flora and fauna? All the small birds who choose to stick out a Great Lakes winter (instead of migrating to warmer climates). Also, snowy owls who visit my city in winter. Seeing them in person is always special.

12/12: Post a holiday meme.

12/13: Best kind of stocking stuffers? Depends on whose stocking it is. Candy (including sugar-free) is appreciated by most folks, so it’s a good stuffing base. I’d add other things based on the recipient’s likes: lip balms, hand creams, bag charms, warm socks, gift cards for coffee shops/bakeries/etc., packs of tea, hair accessories, small toys/plushies/figurines, etc.

One year, I helped a friend stuff her teen stepson’s stocking; they’d been a family for just a few months and she was still getting to know him, since he mostly lived with his mom at the time. He was an avid runner, so I suggested adding a few pairs of good quality shoelaces (that’d actually stay tied without quickly fraying/breaking) long enough for the way he liked to lace his running shoes, plus some of his preferred running socks. Another friend’s daughter had recently earned her pointe shoes, so her stocking included things she’d use to customize them and attach her ribbons.

Answering tomorrow’s question now:

12/14: Ideal candles to light this time of year? Preferred seasonal scents in general? I don’t normally pick candle scents based on season; I love cedar, pine, pomander, and smoky candles year round, not just in December. It’s still hard to find candles that smell smoky enough for me. I wish Le Labo would create a Patchouli 24 candle.

Titian06

12/13: Best kind of stocking stuffers? Those fun little things you find and think "that would be perfect for..." but don't have a reason to buy.

CorgiMommy

12/13: Best kind of stocking stuffers? I recently saw a cute LED compact mirror and brought a bunch. They come in lots of colors. Other ideas makeup, fun socks, mini hand cream, mugs, and sweets.

Titian06

12/1: What kinds of lip products are you reaching for this time of year?

- #Nécessaire The Lip Balm

- #Laniege Lip Mask Matcha

12/2: Do you prefer modern or classic holiday music? Rock 'n' roll all the way! 🎶🎸🎤

12/3: Which holiday movie/TV character needs their own spin-off or origins story? --

12/4: How has your decorating style evolved? What's your favorite decor item? I don't decorate.

12/5: Best way to faux fur? Who needs faux fur when I have all-natural cat hair all over everything?! 🤣

12/6: What fall fashions are you reaching for? And what about pajamas? I don't follow fashions. It's cardigans for me. I've been wearing Land's End nightgowns for years.

12/7: Best winter comfort food or drink? Food: lentils; drink: hot chocolate.

12/8: What creams and lotions are your go-tos?

- SEPHORA COLLECTION All Day Body Hydrator with Shea Butter 13.5 oz / 400 mL

- Tatcha The Water Cream Oil-Free Pore Minimizing Refillable Moisturizer 2.5 oz / 75 mL

12/9: Best outdoor activities? Shivering? 🥶

12/10: What's your gifting style? What do you like to give/receive in grab bags? Any funny Secret Santa stories? The best Secret Santa gift I ever received was my cat Arley.

12/11: Favorite winter flora and fauna? I love white poinsettias! I used to buy them every year from a work colleague's daughter who sold them for school fund raising. I really miss that.

12/12: Post a holiday meme.

Extra credit:

Holiday themed jewelry: festive or tacky? Festive.

Candy canes: yummy or no thanks? Most are yum.

Wrapping paper or gift bags? I crochet gift bags.

Cookie exchanges: do people really do that? We had one yesterday at work. It was great! 🍪

Made for TV holiday movies: make it stop or the more the merrier? I don't watch the, so it doesn't matter.

Gaudy or minimalist decor? Minimalist.

Krampus or the Grinch? Grinch. Who's Krampus?

Thoughts on holiday tropes? I don't know what this means?

What are you really into this year? It could be a tradition, decor theme, type of beauty product, a song, etc. Looking forward to my time off.

What kind of wrapping paper, bows and tags do you just adore? Something that looks like the giver put thought into it.

Getting gift cards: yay or nay? Yay.

What do you think of all the merchandising tie-ins with the holidays? Nay.

Favorite sort of gift to get as a child? Record albums.

Has the true meaning of the holidays gotten lost? Probably not since it started out as a pagan holiday and was commandeered by the Christians to fit their purposes.

How do you celebrate with your pets? Treats and toys.

caitbird

the struggle is real 🤣

Titian06

I can so relate, @caitbird ! 🤣

CorgiMommy

Your answer to winter activities is hilarious @Titian06

CorgiMommy

Extra credit:

Holiday themed jewelry: festive or tacky? I think it is adorable

Candy canes: yummy or no thanks? Totally yummy except maybe the pickle flavored ones

Wrapping paper or gift bags? Wrapping paper, gift bags are not my style

Cookie exchanges: do people really do that? I havent done one in years

Made for TV holiday movies: make it stop or the more the merrier? They are a great way to kill a few hours wrapping gifts

Gaudy or minimalist decor? Minimalist decor but that is my style year round

Krampus or the Grinch? The Grinch is the man!!

Thoughts on holiday tropes? Not something that crosses my mind

What are you really into this year? It could be a tradition, decor theme, type of beauty product, a song, etc. Mannhiem Steamroller and wishing for snow (it is too warm here)

What kind of wrapping paper, bows and tags do you just adore? Loving plaid wrapping paper and anything Grinch themed

Getting gift cards: yay or nay? No

What do you think of all the merchandising tie-ins with the holidays? kind of sad

Favorite sort of gift to get as a child? Legos

Has the true meaning of the holidays gotten lost? Only if you let it

How do you celebrate with your pets? the holidays wouldnt be the holidays without them! The fun revolves around them as it does the rest of the year.

WinglessOne

Let’s see how many I can answer right now…

12/1: What kinds of lip products are you reaching for this time of year? Mostly the same kinds I reach for all year. I use Aquaphor Ointment as my year-round lip balm, so my lips are moisturized and protected no matter what else I put on ‘em.

12/2: Do you prefer modern or classic holiday music? For me, “classic holiday music” is certain works by Tchaikovsky, Bach, Saint-Saëns, Bartok, etc., because I grew up taking classical piano lessons. The Nutcracker Suite will always be my primary holiday music staple. I think the only modern Christmas songs I really like are “This Christmas” by Donny Hathaway, the entire A Charlie Brown Christmas soundtrack by Vince Guaraldi, and “Purple Snowflakes” by Marvin Gaye—partly because I also love Mavin’s “Pretty Little Baby.” (Those 2 songs sound like 2 sides of the same story.) And if those aren’t modern enough, well… um… I haven’t lost Whamageddon yet this year. 😅 I dunno, not much post-60s/70s music comes to mind when I try to think of modern holiday music (for the month of December, anyway).

12/7: Best winter comfort food or drink? Mulled wine and Jeni’s Boozy Eggnog ice cream, with a side of frosted sugar cookies.

12/8: What creams and lotions are your go-tos? Lately it’s Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream on my whole body. After showering, I like to use a hydrating/moisturizing toner on my body skin and an oil blend on my hands & nails, and then top everything with moisturizer.

A few extra credit answers:

Holiday themed jewelry: festive or tacky? Eh, wear what you want.
Candy canes: yummy or no thanks? ❤️ And they come in flavors besides peppermint these days. Jolly Rancher candy canes are awesome!
Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like to wrap gifts in fabric + ribbons.
Cookie exchanges: do people really do that? We used to do it at work, and a few of my friends and I did it sometimes.
Krampus or the Grinch? Eh, depends on my mood.
Getting gift cards: yay or nay? I’ll never turn my nose up at gift cards or think less of someone for gifting me one.
What do you think of all the merchandising tie-ins with the holidays? My answer will probably be long, so this is me dropping a pin to expand on later.
Has the true meaning of the holidays gotten lost? Depends on what the true meaning is for you. Example: many people who celebrate Christmas aren’t Christian; we believe in other religions or no religion. What some of us celebrate this month is compassion, connection (friends, family, etc.), and general gratitude.
How do you celebrate with your pets? When I had a pet (my cat), I used to occasionally give her special treats in December. It became part of her routine: when December rolled around, she began to expect her little treat dish of lactose-free cow milk and cooked shrimp.

CorgiMommy

12/1: What kinds of lip products are you reaching for this time of year? Ones with lots of moisture

12/2: Do you prefer modern or classic holiday music? generally modern. This year i am loving Mannheim Steamroller

12/3: Which holiday movie/TV character needs their own spin-off or origins story? Max the dog from the Grinch. How did such a sweet and loyal dog end up with the Grinch

12/4: How has your decorating style evolved? What's your favorite decor item? i rarely add to anything to my holiday decor. I only add new ornaments to my tree.

12/5: Best way to faux fur? i love a faux fur collar

12/6: What fall fashions are you reaching for? And what about pajamas? it has been so warm were i live that i really haven't worn any of my sweaters. I do love a plaid flannel pj's.

12/7: Best winter comfort food or drink? Macaroni and cheese never fails or a bowl of soup, and to drink a steaming pot of tea!

12/8: What creams and lotions are your go-tos? I do love the Josie Maran Pink Algae Pro-Retinol Body Butter for Anti-Aging and KP 6 oz / 177 mL I purchased last month.

12/9: Best outdoor activities? cross country skiing, snowshoe, night walk to see all the Christmas lights and sampling the goodies at a Christmas market!

12/10: What's your gifting style? What do you like to give/receive in grab bags? Any funny Secret Santa stories? i like to get things related to someone's hobbies or something they mentioned months ago. I also know if they have a dog a gift for them is always appreciated,

12/11: Favorite winter flora and fauna? Easy for me I love Moose! It is amazing to watch them walk through deep snow or licking the salt off a car.

danielledanielle

I have some catching up to do , but I can answer for 12/11... White poinsettias. At my last last last job, I used to get one and have it in my office @greeneyedgirl107