I really enjoy pulling together my Currently Loving posts – little snapshots of the things bringing a smile to my face right now. This December’s edition isn’t a gift guide (though it might spark ideas if you’re still hunting for thoughtful presents). It’s simply a gathering of ten things brightening my days: objects, experiences, and small discoveries that feel like companions in this season. Some are practical, some indulgent, and others are just quirky delights that remind me to pause, savour, and enjoy the moment.
I guess that sharing what we love is a way of building community; an invitation to notice, to connect, and maybe to add your own favourites into the mix. So, here’s what’s keeping me company as 2025 draws to a close. I’d love to know what you’re currently loving too, so do share yours in the comments.
Currently Loving | December 2025
01 Adidas Gingham Jacket
This gingham jacket by adidas has become ‘my’ jacket this year. I bought it for late summer and early autumn, wanting something light but still with a bit of personality, and it’s turned out to be exactly that. Classic in design yet striking with its gingham pattern, and slightly oversized, it has that effortless look I always admire on other people but rarely feel I pull off myself. Every time I wear it, I get compliments – something that’s unusual for me, but also pretty nice.
Like the green nail polish a bit further down this list, this feels like a small signature, a way of saying ‘this is me’ without trying too hard. I’m currently loving how it’s become part of my everyday identity, the piece I reach for when I want to feel comfortable but still a little put together.
It’s almost certainly time to put this one away for winter now, but it’s still hanging by the front door, waiting for those rare warmer or less wet days. I know I’ll be glad to see it again in spring, ready to step back into regular rotation. For now, it’s a reminder of how the right piece of clothing can just work – easy, practical, and just a little bit striking.
02 Waterproof Bobble Hat
A waterproof bobble hat – what a good idea! This one from Sealskinz was a gift from a friend who thought it would be perfect for my upcoming winter adventure. I already know Sealskinz for their waterproof gloves (I own a pair) and socks (I should get a pair), but I’d never even considered that a beanie could be waterproof. It feels like absolute genius for winter.
The design is classic and cheerful, with that big blue bobble on top, but the practicality is what makes it shine. No more choosing between warm head (beanie) and dry head (baseball cap) when it’s wet; instead, this does both. I’ve made good use of it in Cumbria recently, and know it’ll be perfect when I head to the snow.
Sometimes the best gear is the one that solves a problem you didn’t even realise you had. I’m currently loving that such a simple accessory will make winter adventures more comfortable, and I just know it will earn its place in my kit over the coming months.
03 New Hydroflask
My new Hydroflask (also here on Amazon) feels like a reunion with an old friend. I’d had my bright pink one for years, you’ll have seen it in loads of photos I’m sure. It was originally a gift from Ordnance Survey, but after too many drops the seal finally gave up, and a leaking flask is no good for someone who needs tea at all times. After some brief research, I decided to stick with what I know and love, and bought the updated version of the same flask in a really lovely sage green (‘agave’).
The changes are subtle but welcome. The lid has been redesigned: still familiar to drink from, but now with a twist‑close instead of a flip, which feels sturdier and more durable. It’s also much easier to take apart for cleaning (and honestly, please do take your flask lids apart – otherwise, yuk!).
I did look at alternatives including Klean Kanteen, Yeti, and others, but the Hydroflask comes in lighter than those, and its size and shape just work better with my everyday bag and hiking packs. This one quietly supports my routines, whether I’m heading to the office, out on an adventure, even to Pilates (!), when I want tea within reach. I’m currently loving this repeat purchase, because it proves that sometimes the best choice is sticking with what already works beautifully, just in a refreshed form.
04 Peppermint Hot Chocolate
I’ve been waiting all year for this: Hotel Chocolat Peppermint White Hot Chocolate. It’s a seasonal favourite that only appears in the run‑up to Christmas, and every year I cross my fingers that they won’t forget it. Honestly, in my opinion it’s the best hot chocolate ever, like a hot candy cane in a mug, sweet and minty and indulgent in all the right ways.
This time, not only has it returned, but I even have a Velvetiser to make it in (featured in my last list). The ritual of making it has become part of the joy. Pouring, whizzing, waiting for that silky froth to appear – a small ceremony making winter evenings brighter. I grabbed a box as soon as it came out, and I’m already topping up my supply because I happen to think peppermint is not just for Christmas. There’s something about that flavour that feels fresh and comforting all year round.
In some ways, this hot chocolate has turned into a seasonal marker for me: the moment it is available, I know the festive season has begun. And while I’ll happily stockpile enough to carry me into 2026, for now I’m just enjoying the fact that my all‑time favourite is back, warming my hands and lifting my spirits one mug at a time. Just me?!
05 Oven Dish (not) just for Crumble
I’ve always been rather partial to an apple crumble, especially at this time of year, and in the past, you’d often find me making a huge one that would last my husband and me several days. But now that I’m on my own, the ovenware I have is simply too big, and I stopped making my favourite dessert.
For my birthday, at my request, my parents bought me a cute oven dish – the Denby Halo Rectangular, 18cm by 13.5cm and a little under 5cm deep. It’s actually smaller than the ‘small’ one listed on the Denby website, which makes it perfect for me. Big enough for two generous portions (because no one wants a piddly portion of crumble), but not so big that it feels wasteful.
I guess this one is a reminder that favourite foods don’t have to be abandoned when circumstances change; they just need a little adaptation. I’m currently loving the way this dish has brought crumble back into my life, turning a comfort shared into a comfort reclaimed. And honestly, there’s something rather nice about knowing the second portion will be waiting for me tomorrow.
06 Lavalier Mic for my iPhone
One of the simplest but most effective tools I’ve added to my camera kit this year is this little lavalier mic for my phone. I chose a budget‑friendly option from Amazon that was recommended by a friend; nothing fancy, but it’s made a world of difference to my vlogging experiment. I was just dipping my toes back into video-making as a way to weave some intentional creativity into my quirky stays. But after a couple of vlogs, I knew I had to do something about the sound quality, and this mic was my answer to that.
There’s no complicated set‑up: I plug the receiver into my phone, switch on the mic, and I’m ready to go. It works seamlessly with the phone camera, so I don’t have to juggle separate audio files that make editing more difficult. I can now talk normally, even in busy or noisy places, and still be heard clearly. That ease has kept the experiment fun rather than frustrating, and it’s something I’m currently loving because it means I’m creating something I’m happier to share. This mic has earned its place on my list, proof that sometimes the simplest tools can be the most useful.
I should admit that at the time of writing, I have a new camera on the way, which may mean I don’t use my phone for video much in 2026. And while that might seem wasteful, it was getting this cheap mic that helped me realise I want to make more videos next year. I guess we’ll see that together!
PS Subscribe to my YouTube channel… please?!
07 Peak Design Mobile Tripod
The Peak Design mobile tripod (also here on Amazon) is one of those small pieces of kit that ends up being far more useful than you expect. I bought it with travel in mind, imagining my phone propped neatly beside my bed wherever that may be, just as I’d have it at home – but it’s quickly become part of my everyday carry. Whether I’m working in the office, sitting on a train, or simply wanting to use my phone without holding it, this has proved itself versatile. Portrait or landscape, it just works, and it feels reassuringly solid in that way Peak Design always manages: well made, well thought through, even elegant.
I should say I’m already a Peak Design girl; their case, charging stand and motorcycle mount are already part of my chosen set up. That seamless connection makes the tripod even more satisfying – the whole system has been designed to work together. They’ve got me, and I can’t see myself straying anytime soon.
I picked up the mobile Creator Kit as well, thinking the two together would give me options for filming myself, and they really have. Said Creator Kit now lives on my little gorilla pod, making filming angles easy to adjust, while the tripod has become my go‑to for pretty much everything else. I’m currently loving both, but it’s the tripod that wins out, as it’s the one I seem to carry and use everywhere.
08 Self by Next Pyjamas
A requested birthday gift, these simple Self by Next pyjamas have become one of those quiet luxuries that make winter evenings feel a little softer. The 100% cotton set strikes a lovely balance between practical comfort and indulgent detail.
The long trousers are good and wide with a comfortable elasticated waste plus two all-important pockets. But it’s the tee that makes the set stand out: much thicker than a standard t‑shirt, almost edging towards sweatshirt territory, but without the bulk of long sleeves. It’s the kind of fabric and cut that feels instantly cosy, wrapping you in warmth without overheating.
I’ve worn them on chilly nights when I want to feel cocooned but not restricted, and they’ve become my go‑to for winding down in the evenings when I know I don’t have to go out again. In fact, I love them so much I’ve asked for another pair for Christmas.
09 Green Nails!
Let me start this one by saying I am far too clumsy to have nice or long nails. There’s no point spending money on manicures when I’d rather not worry about chipping them. That means my nails have been ignored. Until now, it seems.
I’m not sure why I started painting them, maybe noticing other people’s hands or maybe because a friend told me she was intentionally frittering by painting hers. She explained that doing so forces her to sit down and relax, because she can’t do anything else until they are dry. I loved that idea, so I gave it a go.
I’m terrible at it, and my nails are hardly well cared for, but I like it. That same friend sent me a bottle of the Rimmel Grassy Fields (here on Amazon) nail polish, and somewhere in those brushstrokes I seem to have found ‘my look’. Well, a look, at least. A few minutes of focus, a pop of colour, and suddenly I feel a little more put together than I might otherwise.
I’m not permanently green‑nailed, but every now and again I reach for that bottle and enjoy the transformation. It’s a small act of self‑care, a pause in the day, and something I’m currently loving because it reminds me that even the tiniest rituals can shift how we feel about ourselves. Just don’t look too closely.
10 Small Fitness Gains
Getting stronger or fitter isn’t something you can wrap up in paper and ribbon (or take a photo of…), but giving it a go feels like a gift I’m giving myself this season. With my eye firmly on an upcoming adventure, I’ve been going to the gym in order to give my body a slightly better chance of keeping up with what I’m hoping I can manage.
I’m not a stranger to the gym, but this latest attempt has introduced me to group training classes, a lively mix of strength and cardio that I’ve been slotting in alongside Pilates and my own workouts. There’s something motivating about moving in sync with others, sharing the effort, and feeling that collective push.
Okay, so progress isn’t happening as quickly as I’d like. I know I over-imagined the progress I could make in three months. But I can feel improvements: muscles waking up, stamina stretching further, a quiet confidence building.
It’s not glamorous, and it’s a bit vague, but it’s something I’m currently loving because it reminds me that growth doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful. Each session is a small step towards a fitter me, and I know I’m stronger than I was before. And that, surely, will do.
Some Honourable Mentions
Not pictured, but worth a mention before I sign this one off are a few extras that have been brightening my days. My Spotify subscription continues to be a constant companion (get four months free, I think…), especially for musical original cast recordings and film soundtracks – perfect background for writing, cooking, or simply lifting my mood.
Audible also deserves a nod; I buy my credits in bulk rather than monthly, which works out cheaper per credit and means I always have a fresh audiobook ready to go. My latest listen, Chasing Fog by Laura Pashby (on Audible and at Amazon), definitely deserves a mention; it’s lyrical, atmospheric, and exactly the kind of book that makes me glad I have this way of ‘reading’ available.
On YouTube, I’ve been enjoying musical theatre vlogs from Alicia Belgarde and Hannah Lowther, both full of energy and behind‑the‑scenes glimpses that make me smile (and I’d love to know who else you think I should be watching). And finally, COOK meals have been a quiet lifesaver: helping me eat well even on the days when deciding what’s for dinner feels impossible (get 15% off here).
These might not be the headline favourites, but I’m currently loving the way they make life feel a little easier, a little richer, and a lot more fun.
Your Currently Loving
And that’s my round‑up of ten (plus) things I’m currently loving at the moment. It’s not a shopping list, nor a guide to what you should have, but rather a glimpse into the joys and discoveries that are shaping my days at the moment. I hope this collection sparks a bit of inspiration – whether it nudges you towards a new habit, a practical piece of kit, or simply encourages a moment of reflection on what’s brightening your own days. I’d love to know what you’re currently loving too, so please do share. After all, joy multiplies when it’s passed along.
Read all my Currently Loving posts.
Disclosure: This is not an advertorial or sponsored post. It is, quite literally, a list of some of the things I’m currently loving. None of these items were from brands or PR agencies.
There are affiliate links on this page, the funds from which help me go on the mini adventures that make life interesting. If you buy something using one of these links, I receive a very small commission. This does not cost you anything more than it would otherwise. Thank you for supporting my future adventures