A few ideas for the homebodies in your life who enjoy nothing more than an evening spent at home surrounded by creature comforts…

1 – Mongolian faux fur pillow / vintage kilim pillow cover – Pillows = cozy. Mix tactile textures with playful patterns for maximum effect.

2 – Smell My Nuts mason jar candle – A candle with a scents of humor. (Sorry, had to.)

3 – plaid flannel sheets – Because cold sheets are the worst.

4 – square photo holder – Display photos of favorite people, furry friends and dreamy places.

5 – wood & white ceramic planter – Just add a succulent and call it a day.

6 – vegetable-dyed Baluch rug – Happy feet, happy home.

7 – peshtemal towel – We made the switch from terrycloth to peshtemal two years ago and haven’t looked back. They have so many uses!

8 – teardrop lamp – You’re going to need some mood lighting.

9 – macrame wall hanging – Walls need love too.

Keep it cozy, folks.

Pssst…If you haven’t had a chance to check out the #HolidayHostess sale over on Joss & Main, there are some larger pieces to cozy up your home, too.

image: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking

Want in on a little secret? I decorated for Christmas before Halloween this year. Cue the record scratch.

For two days in October I pretended it was December. Well, sort of. We normally do a live garland on the mantel and a live tree but those were nowhere to be found pre-Halloween. Mr. Fig was a somewhat believable stand-in. I rummaged through red and green totes in the attic. I saved empty boxes and wrapped fake presents pressies. (My apologies for misspelling the Aussie short form in my previous post. Google can’t be trusted.) I crafted paper dot garlands from glitter paper, a circle punch, hot glue and jute string. I found the cutest little cardboard Christmas tree at JoAnn’s. I rigged two of these paper star lights and one of these in the front window along with a few cheap & easy embroidery hoops turned 90º. Hint: Use fishing line. It’s strong and nearly invisible.

I was simultaneously working on the kids’ Halloween costumes. My kids were baffled by my Christmas in October antics.

So why all the fuss? In short, Joss & Main asked me to be a part of their holiday campaign and I said yes. Deadlines were involved.

The long answer? I’m only one of four bloggers participating in the #HolidayHostess campaign now through the end of the year. Each week a different blogger will be featured and you can shop their look via a flash sale. You also get an inside scoop on each blogger’s holiday traditions. Today is the first day of the campaign and I happen to be this week’s hostess. If you’re interested, you can check out the sale here and read about my holiday traditions here. There are some great pieces up for grabs. Act soon! The sale ends 12/9/14.

In other news, we’re sticking with tradition and buying a live tree again this year. But I’m nervous! How does one go about keeping cute kitties out of Christmas trees?! You all were so helpful when we adopted Cheetah a few months ago. I’d love to hear your tips for surviving the holidays with a tree and kitty intact.

images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking