Last year at this time, Asheville was raw—still reeling from the shock of Hurricane Helene.
This year, I’m grateful to say things feel vastly improved.
Not exactly “all better” (for many, they’re still not), but that heavy cloud that hung over everything has finally started to lift. Homes are being repaired, businesses are reopening, and the places that were underwater are being rebuilt with resilience and heart.
This past weekend, I hosted my first Holiday Open House in three years. I skipped 2023 because of my car accident, and 2024 because, well…a hurricane will rearrange your plans and your priorities.
So, it felt downright wonderful to open my doors again—to welcome friends and colleagues for joyful conversation, festive treats, and, yes, plenty of holiday gift-buying!
If you’re not done with your holiday shopping (don’t worry, I’m absolutely not either), here are some of my favorite recommendations this year…
Jewelry
Bejeweled – New Bedford, MA
A darling, sparkling boutique tucked into historic New Bedford, the whaling town of Herman Melville and Moby Dick. I visit every time I’m in the area, and without fail, my boyfriend insists on treating me to some exquisite treasure (I do not resist). Their pieces are unique, affordable, and people always ask me “Where did you get THAT?”
Laughter Jewelry – Asheville, NC
I stumbled upon this fine jewelry shop because it conveniently sits beside one of my favorite resale stores. (Sell clothes = make money + buy jewelry. Easy peasy. LOL) Now is a great time to trade in your gold and silver and they did a gorgeous job resetting a ring for me into a necklace. Love their customer service. Five stars.
Sacred Celebrations – Online
Handmade, intentional gemstone jewelry for the soul-full shopper. I was recently a vendor at the Power of Women networking event in Asheville where one woman bought six bracelets in under five minutes. When she finished, she declared: “THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME SO MUCH TIME! I hate to shop! This was SO EASY!”
If I can help you choose meaningful gifts for your people, I’d love to! Browse here.
Books
I’ve read a lot this year. Some books for pleasure, many for research for my book on adoption reunion. Here are my top picks:
The Frozen River – Ariel Lawhon
A riveting historical mystery set in 1790s Maine. Dead man in a river, heroic midwife with a very busy life…I inhaled this in three days flat. Over 94,000 (that is NOT a typo!) online reviews agree: it’s that good.
Awake – Jen Hatmaker
I’ve followed Jen for a while now and saw her speak back when I lived in Houston. Her new book is part memoir, part empowerment manifesto, delivered with her signature mix of hilarity, heartbreak, and hard-won wisdom about her life imploding when she lost her marriage. You will laugh. You will cry. You will be inspired.
Sacred Celebrations – Yours Truly
Recently, a new professional editorial review came in (not yet published – I’ll share it as soon as I’m able) and this part made me ugly cry in the best way:
“Barbour’s writing carries an honesty that caught me off guard…Her style is comforting. It’s like listening to a friend who has lived a lot and is willing to tell the truth about how messy life can be.”
If you’d like a signed copy, I’d be delighted to send you one. Order it here.
The Adoption Paradox – Jean Widner
Adoption Paradox is a must read for ALL people with a loved one touched by adoption—which I daresay is EVERYONE. If adoption is not in your immediate family, you are likely to have a neighbor, friend, colleague or other person in your life who is an adoption constellation member. Jean beautifully exposes the both/and of adoption—yes, there are some good things that come from it, but the reality is that it’s a system built on grief and loss and it’s time for change.
Random Food + Fun
Silloway’s Maple – Randolph, VT
Pure Vermont maple magic. The owners are friends of my boyfriend—salt-of-the-earth farmers making liquid gold. Their maple sugar shaker is addictive, the maple cream is heavenly, and the candies are tiny sweet bites of nostalgia. Perfect gifts for shipping…or hoarding.
Trader Joe’s Cocoa Truffles – Your Local Store
Only available this time of year. RUN to your nearest TJ’s. These are perfect hostess gifts, exchange gifts, and “oops I ate the whole box” gifts. Their downside: they disappear quickly—sometimes because other people ate them, sometimes because… well… you (er, *I*) did.
WTFNotebooks – Online
Their tagline says it all: Say goodbye to boring notebooks. Sassy and sometimes irreverent, they are perfect for writers, students, list-lovers, and anyone who appreciates journals with attitude.
Happy Holiday Season to you! I hope this guide brings you inspiration—and maybe a shortcut or two—during this busy season. After years of recovery, rebuilding, and recalibration, it feels good to celebrate again. So, here’s to meaningful gifts, joyful connections, and finding just the right thing for the people you love (including yourself!).
