A Letter from Chiara: Why I Love This Season
My dears,
I have to confess something: I love this season more than almost anything. It brings me so much joy, and so many memories, that I simply cannot wait for it to begin — which is why, every year, I start decorating the office the day after Halloween.
Poor Dan and Elizabeth. The moment the pumpkins are gone, I have them racing around the office putting up trees — at least fifty of them, in every size you can imagine. People think fifty sounds like a lot, but our office is around thirteen thousand square feet, so honestly, fifty trees is barely enough! There are nutcrackers in every corner, Santa and Mrs. Claus watching over everything, and by mid-November the whole place glitters. It makes me happy just to walk in.
There is one tradition that means the most to me, though, and I have kept it since my children were so small they could barely hold a crayon. Every year, starting in October, I write them and my husband a letter — as Mrs. Claus. In it I gather up the big things our family achieved that year, and all the funny little moments that happened between us (there are always so many). Then I tell them, in the most ridiculous way I can, what I managed to accomplish myself, and what I am hoping for in the year ahead. And at the end, because I cannot help myself, I slip in a few gift ideas — just to inspire everyone.
When the children were tiny, they would draw their own letters back and tape them to the window, so that Santa would have time to stop by and see them on his way. I still think about those drawings on the glass every single year.
In November, I travel to Italy — to see my mother, my in-laws, and our atelier, where the boots are made. Everyone who knows me knows I love to shop, and of course I shop for the holidays while I am there. But here is the embarrassing truth: by the time I am home and Christmas actually arrives, I have completely forgotten what I bought — so I shop all over again. I have become so good at hiding gifts that I lose track of where I hid them. My family laughs at me endlessly for it… though I notice they never complain about receiving double.
That is the heart of this season for me: a little chaos, a lot of love, and the joy of giving something that means something.
So, in the spirit of my Mrs. Claus letters, here are a few gift ideas to inspire you this year — the ones I keep coming back to:
- For the person who deserves something they will keep forever, a pair of our handmade boots — start with an easy favourite like the Hidden Lake in black python.
- For the one who has everything, a one-of-a-kind piece that no one else in the world can have.
- For when you are not sure of the size (or you are me, and you have simply forgotten), a gift card — the gift they get to choose themselves.
- And for the most personal gift of all, a bespoke commission made just for them — begin now, and it arrives like a second gift in the new year.
I’ve gathered all of my favourites in one place in our Holiday Gift Guide, if you’d like somewhere to start.
However you celebrate, and whoever you celebrate with, I hope your season is full of warmth, a little happy chaos, and people you love.
With love,
Chiara
Founder, Rockies Rebels — designed in Montana, handmade in Italy