It's Time! Your Practical November & December Christmas Bucket List is Here.
November is officially here, and you know what that means: it's time to stop scrolling through holiday dreams and start planning those cozy, festive weekends. You're looking for practical, easy-to-do Christmas bucket list ideas that will actually happen between now and New Year's, and I'm here to deliver.
Forget Lapland trips (unless you're secretly a millionaire). Let's focus on the things to do in November and December that make the season magical without requiring a plane ticket or a huge budget.
We all have them: that favorite bath towel, the trusty hand towel by the sink, or the pile of beach towels that have seen countless summers. They seem to last forever, faithfully absorbing water day in and day out. But here's a truth few people consider: towels expire. Yes, your seemingly immortal towel has a lifespan, and continuing to use it past its prime isn't just a matter of aesthetics; it's a matter of hygiene, absorbency, and even efficiency.
If you follow my Instagram, you might’ve seen the post where I shared my excitement about finally getting my copy of Hope in Action. But as always, I like to save my full reflections for the blog — and this book deserves it.
I still remember when the videos of Sanna Marin dancing broke out online. Headlines everywhere called her “the partying prime minister.” Politicians accused her of being unprofessional; others questioned her ability to lead. Watching that unfold felt cruel — a young woman leader being punished for simply being human. That noise made me curious about the person behind the headlines. So when I learned that Marin had written a memoir, I knew I had to read it.
The book, just over 250 pages, opens with her own words: “Hope is not naïve. It is a choice, and it requires action.” That line set the tone for everything that followed. Marin takes us through her early years growing up in a working-class Finnish family, raised by two women who struggled to make ends meet, yet instilled in her a fierce sense of fairness. By page 42, she writes about being the first in her family to attend university — and the quiet pressure that came with carrying other people’s hopes.
The most challenging section for me came midway through, when she describes those long nights during the first COVID-19 lockdowns. On page 118, she recalls sitting alone in her office at 2 a.m., drafting emergency decrees and wondering if the decisions she was making would cost lives. “Leadership,” she writes, “isn’t about certainty; it’s about carrying uncertainty with grace.” That line stayed with me. It reminded me that true courage often feels like doubt, not confidence.
I'm just so tired. If I told you I wasn't completely broken by the neighbors upstairs, I’d be lying. I’ve finally realized it’s practically impossible to live in the same building as people who simply don't care. When your neighbor is this careless, you're forced to participate in their suffering—and it’s soul-crushing.
I remember living in a different flat downtown, and the neighbor there would neglect their dogs completely. The poor animals would poop inside for days, and the stench was unbelievable. The only safe space was inside my apartment, door shut, with a rug jammed against the bottom to block that sickening smell from crawling in. That was the only way I could keep the stink out.
They are killing Christians in Nigeria, and the Nigerian leaders are trying to deny the truth, despite the overwhelming evidence and their obvious complicity.
Right now, Christians are being targeted by radical Muslims and are being systematically killed.
We mourn the lost, but the killing continues. Gunmen enter churches, slaughtering worshippers. They invade Christian communities, commit unspeakable acts against women, and kill people with absolute impunity. And still, no arrests. We hear of cases where citizens manage to catch an attacker, only for the police to allegedly let them go.
If there is one undeniable truth, it is this: the Nigerian police force is one of the biggest issues we face. How can we call ourselves a country when the very government uses its police to oppress and intimidate the people? Police officers have become thugs for politicians. Our court system is hopelessly corrupt.
Our government and top officials are heavily populated by those who seem to believe in this act of killing people who do not share their religion. They are actively trying to silence Nigerians and deceive the world, claiming these are mere "terrorist attacks" or "farmer-herder clashes," rather than the truth: a direct, orchestrated attack on Christianity itself.
I know a lot of people love Christmas—that is lovely—but you see that overly crowded decor. Ahhh, I take a deep breath on that. I can not relate. I like simple Christmas decors, but when it’s too much, it just becomes a bit off to me. But if you like simple decor, here are ideas for inexpensive Christmas decor that will completely elevate your home's look.
| Tool/Item | Purpose | Why it’s Essential |
| Clear/White LED Fairy Lights | Indoor/Outdoor Twinkle | Affordable, low-energy, and the ultimate Christmas decor multi-tasker. Look for battery-operated strings for placement flexibility. |
| Green Floral Wire/Twine | Securing Greenery | Use this instead of bulky zip ties for a clean, natural finish on garlands and wreaths. |
| Over-the-Door Wreath Hanger | Damage-Free Door Decor | Avoids drilling/tape and allows you to perfectly position a wreath or garland. |
| Pinecones & Foraged Greens | Natural, Free Accents | The cheapest Christmas decor there is! Pinecones, holly, and evergreen sprigs add instant texture and scent. |
| Ribbon (Burlap or Velvet) | Adding Color/Texture | A single, high-quality ribbon (red velvet, burlap, or black/white plaid) goes further than 5 different types of cheap ornaments. |
| Mason Jars / Glass Vases | Luminaries & Centerpieces | Repurpose items you already own to create beautiful, simple light features. |
The Stolen Life of Elizabeth Ochanya Ogbanje: When Family Becomes the Killer.
I am upset, yes. Angry, yes. Unhappy, YES. And the reason is simple: Ochanya's life was stolen for selfish reasons.
I couldn't sleep. At first, I refused to read the story; I didn’t want anything to disturb my peace. But when I heard the full, sickening details from my friend, my heart just sank.
So, Ochanya was a little girl who couldn't continue schooling in her community because the schools were on strike—the teachers weren't being paid. Her mother, desperate for her to get an education, sent her to her aunt’s house to stay and continue her schooling. The little girl was staying there and going to school. Her mum wanted to give this child an education at all costs for a better future, I guess, but things did not go as planned.
The auntie's son raped her. Ochanya reported the issue to the aunt, and the aunt simply scolded her son and that was it. Just scolded him. The son kept on raping this child. One day, his sister walked in on him and reported it to her father. The father, instead of reporting to the authorities—which his wife hadn't done either—started to rape the girl himself. Then, the father and son went on to rape her together.
Father and son, simultaneously, for FIVE YEARS.
...Got it? Good. Because today, I want to transport you, even just for a few moments, to a stunning place I recently visited: the breathtaking Falls of Clyde. And let me tell you, it was every bit as magical as it sounds, even with a crisp nip in the air.
You know how much I love finding those serene spots, those places where nature just takes over and reminds you to breathe? The Falls of Clyde was a decision we made without thinking much after seeing the photos on Google.
What really got me was the lingering autumn color. Did you read my review about this book always home, always homesick , I took the photos there. You might imagine all the vibrant hues fading, right? But here, many of the trees still clung to their brilliant yellow leaves. It was like walking through a golden tunnel, which created this incredible contrast with the powerful, rushing water.
We met other folks bundled up, cameras in hand, all just soaking it in.
You can hear the roar of the water long before you see it, and then, as you turn to bend, there it is. Four magnificent waterfalls cascade through the Clyde Gorge.
This time of year, nothing screams "I'm organized!" quite like having your Advent calendar locked down. What started as chalk marks on a wall has become the ultimate holiday ritual and in 2024, they're bigger, better, and selling out earlier than ever.
The history of this delightful tradition and why you need to snag the best Advent calendars right now.
From Chalk Lines to Luxury: The Advent Calendar History
The tradition of Advent, the four weeks leading up to Christmas, is ancient, but the calendar itself is a relatively modern German invention.
The Origin Story (19th Century): The earliest version of the Advent calendar emerged in the mid-19th century in Germany, where families would use chalk to mark 24 days on a door or light one of 24 candles.
The First Printed Calendar: The calendar as we know it was popularized by Gerhard Lang in the early 1900s. Inspired by his mother, who made him a calendar with 24 tiny cookies or sweets, Lang created the first commercially printed version with little doors that opened to reveal a picture or Bible verse.
The Chocolate Revolution: While the original calendars just contained pictures, the sweet stuff started appearing in the 1950s. By the 1990s, the cheap chocolate version became the standard globally.
Today? It's evolved into a luxurious, high-value, and deeply personal gift. The modern calendar is less about counting to Christmas and more about enjoying 24 days of curated surprises.