Making a House a Home

When my husband & I were first married we lived in a tiny little house that we rented from my grandparents. Three small bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room and a kitchen. It was enough. And it was easy to clean 😉

It may not have looked like much, and it definitely wasn’t the home we were dreaming about, but it was ours, and we made it a home. Not by filling it with things – though we had more than enough hand-me-down furniture to fill all the rooms, but with company and laughter, good food and small comforts.

A fuzzy blanket and a beautiful candle can warm up any home, in my opinion. Add a cup of tea and a good book and I’m pretty sure I would feel at home almost anywhere, as long as my people are with me. Even now, having lived in our current home for 7 years, there are still scents that remind me of that first house and the home we were building together.

Maybe I inherited it honestly from my mom, who loves to do the same thing, but I think candles are one of the most wonderful gifts to give at the holidays. If you know someone well enough to know if they love food scented candles more than florals (raising my hand), or rich musky tones over fruity scents (again – me), it’s like moving into the inner circle of their friendship. And the same way old perfumes remind me of high school, the best candles carry with them the best parts of the memories I have about certain places.

• Our first home
• The beach condo we rented for several years
• A special spa trip
• Christmas morning with family

This year I’ve discovered the new Crafters & Co line, available at Hallmark. Here’s a little more about the line:

Introduced in 2015, the Crafters & Co. collection available exclusively at Hallmark Gold Crown® stores and online at Hallmark.com. Featuring teas, soaps, candles, confections and more, these products are made with the highest quality ingredients by companies who are passionate about how they do what they do. Their thoughtful processes, commitment to excellence, and pure love of making result in authentic goods that have stories worth telling.

Each item is so beautifully designed that it almost doesn’t need to be wrapped – and I’ve got my eye on quite a few pieces for stocking stuffers this year, like the cocoa tins, the peppermint bark, and the vanilla chai tea. But, because I love you and Hallmark is wonderful, they’re giving one of YOU a beautiful Eucalyptus Spa Candle and Ocean-scented liquid soap. 

The candle? It smells divine. And Madi said the soap smells like seashells, but I’m not sure I would take a 4 year old’s word for it 😉 I won’t judge if you win and keep them for yourself – there’s a good chance I’m not parting with my candle. But whether they stay in your home or are gifted to someone else, these items will make a beautiful, meaningful, gift that just might help turn a house into a home.

To enter, just follow the giveaway widget directions and a winner will be chosen on Friday – good luck!