25 Festive Ways to Celebrate the Holidays: Cozy Films and Delicious Treats
The holiday season has officially commenced, offering plenty of festive inspiration for those seeking it!
Whether you’re creating an Extra Old Fashioned with Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves McConaughey’s tequila, dressing up your pet in glamorous holiday apparel as Sofía Vergara does, or infusing your home with seasonal aromas suggested by Molly Sims, now is the moment to create magical memories.
And that’s not all! Take inspiration from Kelly Ripa and Khloé Kardashian by utilizing personalized wrapping paper, treat yourself to a 21-inch tall handcrafted chocolate Santa from the favorite NYC sweet shop of Andy Cohen and Hugh Jackman, or curate the ultimate jolly playlist featuring tunes from Lady A or Lainey Wilson.
There’s even more! Continue on for 25 joyful and festive ways to celebrate the holidays:
1. Toast to Something New
Just in time for the season, Matthew and Camila McConaughey have unveiled a rare, limited-edition version of their signature organic tequila and are sharing their favorite mix! “Our Organic Extra Añejo is truly unique,” Camila explains to Us. “With smooth flavors of agave, oak, and a hint of chocolate, it has that warm Texas vibe that encourages you to relax, unwind, and enjoy the festivities.”
Extra Old Fashioned
INGREDIENTS
2 oz Pantalones Organic Extra Añejo Tequila
0.5 oz orange liqueur
3 dashes Angostura bitters
0.2 oz agave
Garnish: (orange peel and brandied cherry)
INSTRUCTIONS
In a mixing glass, combine Pantalones Organic Extra Añejo Tequila, orange liqueur, bitters, agave, and ice, then stir. Strain into an old-fashioned glass over fresh ice, and garnish with a brandied cherry and orange peel.
2. Include Fido in the Fun
Take a cue from Sofía Vergara, who always includes her pups in the holiday glam. Seen here with her Chihuahua, Amore, and her son Manolo’s rescue dog, Baguette, she shows that pets should shine too. So, break out those tiny sweaters, reindeer antlers, and elf costumes!
3. Celebrate with Scents!
Enrich your home with the aromas of the season thanks to these celebrity-endorsed candles. “Sniff Candles captures the holiday spirit perfectly,” Molly Sims shares with Us. “I am currently loving their Old Saint Wick candle with notes of Siberian pine, apple blossom, rosemary, jasmine, fir balsam, sandalwood, and cedarwood.”
4. Give What They Really Want
Dress it up! Skip the standard envelope and present a gift card for their favorite store in a cheerful faux leather holder, available from ModernCreativeButikk on Etsy.
Explore Global Traditions
5. Inspired by Japan, skip the cooking this Christmas — families there often opt for KFC buckets of delicious chicken.
6. In Germany, the tradition of the pickle ornament rewards the first person to spot it on the tree with an extra gift—a clever marketing stunt from 19th-century Woolworth’s.
Add New Music to Your Holiday Playlist
Our top suggestions:
7. “Wouldn’t Be Christmas,” by Lady A from their new album, On This Winter’s Night (Vol. 2)
8. “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm,” by Pentatonix, featuring posthumous vocals from Frank Sinatra
9. “Peace, Love, and Cowboys (Holiday Edition),” by Lainey Wilson
10. “Coming Home This Christmas,” by the Jonas Brothers, featuring Kenny G
11. Host a Cookie Party
Want to throw a holiday bash that even Martha Stewart would attend? “I’ve been hosting festive gatherings since around 1980 when I lived in Westport, Connecticut, writing my first book, Entertaining,” she shares, recalling her deep love for cookies. “Every year, my mother and I would make hundreds of cookies together.” Short on time? Cheat a little and snag these buttery slice-and-bake cookies from Jane’s Sweet Things. Don’t worry — we won’t spill your secret!
12. Stay Up All Night
Especially on December 20! Saturday Night Live has a long-standing tradition of holiday hilarity, featuring moments from Schweddy Balls to D**k in a Box and “The Hanukkah Song.” We’re excited to see what happens when Ariana Grande hosts for the third time alongside Cher as the musical guest for the first time in almost 40 years!
13. Queue Up Holiday Comfort TV
Cuddle up and enjoy a laugh marathon as TBS airs holiday episodes of popular sitcoms, including Friends, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, and others on Sunday, December 21.
14. Go for a Festive Drive!
From the spectacular displays in Brooklyn’s Dyker Heights to the cheerful “Christmas Card Lane” in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego, neighborhoods across the country are lit up for the season. So get in the car, turn up the holiday music, and take a twinkly tour that will leave everyone feeling joyful and bright!
15. Be a Wrapping Star
Transform every gift into a showstopper! Skip the usual snowflakes and go big with personalized paper from Gift Wrap My Face, where you can feature your loved one’s face. Celebrities like Kelly Ripa and Khloé Kardashian are getting in on the excitement, proving that when it comes to gift-giving, presentation matters. There’s still time: they print and ship within two days.
16. Indulge in Santa’s Sweetest Treat!
Manhattan’s oldest chocolate shop is dishing out significant holiday cheer. This magnificent 21-inch-tall Santa is handcrafted from eight pounds of chocolate. Treat yourself (and at least a few others, since it serves 60!) to this festive figure, which is available for nationwide shipping. Celebrities like Cardi B, Andy Cohen, and Hugh Jackman can’t resist this sweet treat.
17. Enjoy Latke Love
Seth Rogen may pass on Christmas, but he never skips Hanukkah — along with the delicious latkes that accompany it. “Every Jew on earth is eating Chinese food [on December 25], so it’s tough to find,” he’s joked. However, when Hanukkah arrives, potato pancakes steal the spotlight for him and his wife, Lauren Miller Rogen. “An elevated latke,” Seth shares with Us. “I enjoy a good sour cream and applesauce combo [on top],” Lauren adds. “Also, I adore smoked salmon, crème fraîche, and caviar.”
18. Plan a Festive Trip
NYC is enchanting during the holidays, so it’s no wonder that Chrissy Teigen, John Legend, and their children will be celebrating there, and that Kathy Hilton mentioned to Us she plans to take her grandchildren to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. However, if you can’t travel to the Big Apple, there are many festive towns across the country — consider Leavenworth, Washington; Macon, Georgia; Woodstock, Vermont; and Sun Valley, Idaho, among many others.
19. Add a Tartan Touch
Nothing embodies holiday spirit quite like a splash of plaid! This year, stars like Rachel Zegler are showcasing the trend with cozy throw blankets, stockings, statement skirts, and festive pajamas. It’s a splendid way to introduce a festive pop of color and charm to your decor and wardrobe.
Channel a Hallmark Star’s Watchlist
Besides Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas holiday rom-coms, Lacey Chabert recommends the following comedic classics:
20. ELF
“I love it. It’s hilarious. I know so many lines by heart at this point.”
21. CHRISTMAS VACATION
“Growing up, that was a key part of our family’s holiday tradition every year.”
22. CHRISTMAS WITH THE KRANKS
“You can watch these comedies repeatedly, and they never grow old.”
23. Get Creative with Food
Talented culinary content creators share their festive charcuterie boards with Us. For detailed instructions, check out @ainttooproudtomeg for the “chartcut-tree” and @absolutrecipes for the nutcracker.
24. Emulate Tom Cruise
Want to spread joy like a Hollywood icon? Take a hint from Tom Cruise. Jimmy Fallon and Glen Powell have been fortunate recipients of Cruz’s signature coconut cake. The best part? You don’t need an A-list resume to enjoy it. You can send your loved ones the same luxurious dessert from L.A.’s Doan’s Bakery that the Mission: Impossible star gives to his celebrity friends.
25. Party Like the Queen of Christmas
It’s time… to visit Mariah Carey’s Holiday Bar! With locations in NYC, L.A., Miami, and Las Vegas, the pop-up features festive photo opportunities and delicious cocktails.
