The holidays have arrived, and you know what that means? It's officially time to nest. This is the season for curling up with a good book, hosting game nights that actually happen, binge-watching that series everyone's been talking about, and spending quality time with the people (and pets) who matter most.
Here's the thing: the best investment you can make this season isn't another gadget or gizmo. It's creating a home that feels good, a space where you actually want to spend time. Because improving your wellness starts with how you feel about what's around you and who's around you. Your bedroom, your living room, your whole home should be your sanctuary, especially during the season of togetherness.
So whether you're shopping for yourself (no judgment, self-gifting is self-care) or looking for the perfect present for someone who deserves a little comfort and style, I've curated my top picks to help you create that cozy, chic holiday vibe we're all craving.
Eastern Accents Maddox bedding featuring blush velvet, boucle shams, and coordinating pieces.
The Ultimate Luxury: Maddox Bedding Collection
If there's one gift that truly transforms a life, not just a bedroom, it's a luxurious bedding set. The Maddox Collection is the kind of investment piece that says, "You deserve to feel amazing every single day." And honestly? We all do.
Classy, feminine, and impossibly chic, Maddox takes center stage with its runway-inspired aesthetic. Think soft pink paired with muted blush velvet, unique abstract tape detailing, a richly textured faux fur throw, and boucle Euro shams. This collection is sophisticated, elegant, and designed for someone who appreciates a well-styled bed.
I've given luxury bedding sets to people in some of life's most pivotal moments and it's always the gift that makes them emotional. Here's why:
For someone grieving: One of my dearest friends lost her husband and couldn't bring herself to change her bedding for the longest time. When she finally did, she told me it was the best decision she ever made. Fresh, beautiful bedding gave her permission to start a new chapter to rest, to heal, to feel safe in her own sanctuary again.
For a new home: There's something about walking into a bedroom with hotel-worthy bedding that makes a house feel like home. Maddox creates that instant feeling of luxury and belonging.
For the newly retired or empty nester: This is your time. After years of taking care of everyone else, you deserve to wake up every morning in a space that feels like pure indulgence. Maddox is the perfect way to celebrate this new season of life, one that's all about you.
For yourself: Because self-gifting isn't selfish. It's self-care. And you spend a third of your life in bed - shouldn't it feel extraordinary?
What's Included
The Maddox Collection comes complete with everything you need to create a stunning, cohesive look:
- Duvet Cover
- Bed Skirt
- Euro Sham
- Bed Sham
- Bolster
Available in sizes Twin through Cal King.
Styling Tip: Layer the Maddox duvet with the included faux fur throw folded at the foot of the bed for added texture and warmth. Stack your Euro shams in back, standard shams in front, and finish with the bolster for that designer-styled look that feels effortless but intentional.
This isn't just bedding, it's a daily reminder that you're worth the investment. Whether you're gifting it to someone special or treating yourself, Maddox is the luxury that keeps on giving, night after beautiful night.
Louisa stonewashed coverlet and shams in multiple colors.
Wrap Yourself in Warmth: Louisa Stonewashed Coverlets & Cosmo Merino Wool Blankets
Let's start with the MVPs of cozy season—two layering essentials that'll transform your bed into the ultimate sanctuary.
A bestseller for 25 years straight, and trust me, there's a reason why. The Louisa Stonewashed Coverlets & Shams are made exclusively for TL at Home in Portugal, and they're hands down the most comfortable coverlet to sleep under.
Crafted from an 89% linen, 11% cotton blend and stonewashed to perfection, Louisa has that lived-in softness that only gets better with time. Available in 7 beautiful colorations, it's the kind of piece that works year-round but feels especially perfect during the holidays when you want your bed to look effortlessly styled and inviting.
Plus, it's easy to care for—just toss it in the wash and dryer at home. No dry cleaning, no fuss. The matching shams feature an envelope opening with a decorative button closure for that extra touch of polish.
Available in Twin (70x92), Queen (92x98), and King (112x98). Shams sold separately in Standard (21x26), King (21x36), Euro (26x26), and Dutch sizes.
Matouk Cosmo Blanket in 100% merino wool. Soft, temperature-regulating, reversible colors, and OEKO-TEX certified.
If you're looking for the ultimate in temperature-regulating comfort, meet the Cosmo Merino Wool Blanket. Made from 100% merino wool, known for its remarkably soft hand and natural ability to absorb moisture. This blanket works beautifully year-round.
Layer it under your duvet on cold winter nights for extra warmth, or use it under a lighter quilt or coverlet during spring and fall. The crisp mitered edges and reversible design (each color reverses to a lighter tone) make it stunning at the top of the bed during warmer months when you want that turned-down, hotel-luxe look.
Made in the USA from European fabric that's OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, so you know it's safe for you and the planet. Available in versatile colors that complement any bedroom palette.
Available in Full/Queen (100"W x 94"L) and King (116"W x 94"L). Dry clean only.
Decorating Tip: Layer your Louisa coverlet at the foot of your bed over your duvet for instant hotel vibes, or use it as your main layer for a lighter, more relaxed look. Add the Cosmo blanket folded at the end for texture and an extra layer of warmth within reach. Coordinate with matching Louisa shams propped against your pillows for that effortlessly styled sanctuary look.
Crafted in smooth cotton velvet with linen trim, Designers Guild’s Varese Velvet Pillows elevate any space with solids and bold duotone combinations.
Add a Pop of Holiday Joy: Designers Guild Velvet Pillows
Nothing says "holiday ready" like swapping in a few festive pillows. The Designers Guild Varese Velvet Pillows are luxurious 100% cotton velvet perfection—17-inch squares that come in a rainbow of rich, jewel-toned colors. Some even feature contrasting backs, so you get two looks in one.
From solid grey and emerald green to duotone combos like rose/natural and blue/green, these pillows are the quickest way to transform your space from everyday to extra. Plus, they're finished with a natural linen trim that adds just the right amount of sophistication.
Decorating Tip: Use the Rule of 3 for styling your sofa or bed. Mix a solid velvet pillow with two duotone options in complementary colors. Pro tip: Play with different textures, pair velvet with linen or a chunky knit for visual interest that feels intentional, not overdone.
Hearth Vase Set of 3 by Uttermost. Matte black glass vases in three sizes for modern, sculptural décor.
Make a Statement: Uttermost Hearth Vases
Every well-styled space needs a focal point, and the Hearth Vases (Set of 3) are it. Crafted from matte black glass, this trio of vases brings rustic modern vibes to your mantel, dining table, or console. They come in three different shapes and sizes (5"H, 8"H, and 9"H), so you can group them together for maximum impact or scatter them throughout your space.
Fill them with fresh evergreen branches, winter whites, or even simple bare twigs for a minimalist moment. They're the kind of iconic element that works year-round but feels especially magical during the holidays.
Decorating Tip: Create a mantel moment by placing all three vases together, staggered by height. Add fresh greenery like cedar or eucalyptus, then flank with candles in varying heights. Balance is key, keep it asymmetrical but intentional.
Winter Candle by White Stone Collection. Hand-poured soy candle with cypress, cedar, and amber notes. Available in two sizes and made with clean, high-quality ingredients.
Set the Mood: White Stone Collection Winter Candle
You can't have cozy without the right scent. The White Stone Collection Winter Candle is a clean-burning soy masterpiece that smells like a walk through a winter forest—cypress, cinnamon, lemon peel, moss, evergreen, cedar, pine, fir, and just a hint of amber warmth.
Part of the Seasonal Mountain Collection, this candle comes in two sizes (8oz and 14oz) and is packaged in classic white glass with a beautiful wood lid. It's the kind of candle that looks as good as it smells—minimalist, sophisticated, and perfectly at home on your nightstand, mantel, or bathroom counter.
White Stone Collection is a family-owned and operated candle company based in San Diego, CA, and they're serious about clean ingredients. Each candle is hand-poured in small batches using US-grown soy wax, premium fragrances, essential oils, and natural lead-free cotton wicks. No phthalates, no parabens, no petroleum, no additives, no dyes—just pure, clean-burning goodness that elevates your ambiance and nurtures your wellbeing.
Decorating Tip: Don't forget your guest room and bathrooms. A beautiful candle in these spaces is such a thoughtful touch that elevates the whole experience. It tells your guests (or yourself) that every room in your home deserves to feel special. Place a Winter Candle on the bathroom counter or guest nightstand, and light it before guests arrive or during your own evening routine. Scent is huge for creating a sanctuary. It signals to your brain that it's time to relax and transforms even the smallest spaces into mini retreats.
Source: acouplecooks.com
Homemade spiked hot chocolate
Cheers to Tradition: Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipe
The holidays are made for moments curling up with something warm in your hands, feeling the chill melt away, and savoring the simple pleasure of comfort. This year, skip the store-bought mix and whip up this indulgent Spiked Hot Chocolate from A Couple Cooks that'll warm you from the inside out.
The Recipe: Start with rich, velvety hot chocolate made from real cocoa powder, 2% milk (or oat milk for a dairy-free option), sugar, and melted chocolate chips. Add a hint of vanilla extract and cinnamon for depth. Then comes the fun part: spike it with your choice of aged rum (their favorite!), bourbon, peppermint schnapps, Baileys Irish Cream, or Kahlua. Top with whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa powder, and maybe even a cinnamon stick for flair.
Sonja Overhiser, recipe developer at A Couple Cooks, tested multiple liquors to find the perfect pairings and aged rum won for its warming vanilla and oak notes, with bourbon coming in as a close second for that cozy whiskey finish.
Serve it up during game night, after a cold evening walk, or as a nightcap while you're curled up under your Kashmina blanket. It's tradition with a grown-up twist.
Entertaining Tip: Set up a DIY hot chocolate bar with mix-ins like marshmallows, crushed peppermint, caramel drizzle, and a selection of spirits. Let guests customize their own cozy drinks, it's festive, interactive, and way more fun than just handing someone a mug.
Investing in Comfort is Investing in Yourself
The holidays are about connection—to the people we love, to the traditions that ground us, and to the spaces where it all happens. When your home feels good, you feel good. And that's the real gift.
So whether you're wrapping yourself in a plush cotton blanket, lighting a candle that smells like winter magic, or styling your space with velvet pillows and matte black vases, remember: creating a sanctuary isn't frivolous. It's essential.
Your bedroom, your living room, your whole home, they should reflect who you are and make you feel safe, cozy, and ready to take on whatever comes next. Because at the end of the day (or the holiday season), the best place to be is right here, at home, surrounded by warmth, beauty, and the people who matter most.
