December – Newsletter

Hints, tiny wins, and a complete step-by-step project to create a cozy hot drink station—supply list included

Hey friend—

Welcome to the very first paid HOMe newsletter. 🎉

This is where we slow things down, pick one tiny-but-mighty project, and walk it all the way from “ugh, that corner” to “look what I made!” ☕️

For December, we’re going cozy, welcoming, and fun:

Project of the Month:
A simple, beautiful Hot Cocoa + Tea Station that makes your kitchen feel like a little café.

You’ll get:

• Quick hints & tiny wins you can use anywhere
• A full supply list (so you know exactly what you need)
• Step-by-step instructions from blank counter to styled station
• A clear picture of what “done” looks like (plus a photo prompt you can use)

Ready?

Tiny Wins & Hints for December

Use these anywhere in your home this month, not just in the project space:

1. One-tray rule:
   If it doesn’t fit on the tray, it doesn’t live there. Trays create instant boundaries and stop spread.
2. Container first, then stuff:
   Choose the bin, basket, or jar first—then decide what earns a spot. It keeps the space from overfilling.
3. Visible = used. Hidden = forgotten.
   Put your most-used items in clear view and your “fun extras” just a little out of the way.
4. Think “experience,” not just storage.
   Ask: How do I want this to feel when I walk up to it? Cozy? Clean? Minimal? Let that guide your choices.
5. Timer magic:
   For any micro-project, set a 15–20 minute timer. Decide that when the timer ends, you either stop or only finish the step you’re on.

Project of the Month: Cozy Hot Cocoa + Tea Station

Project Snapshot

Goal: Create a small, organized hot drink station that makes evenings and mornings feel special, not chaotic.

Where:

• A corner of your kitchen counter
• A sideboard or buffet in the dining room
• A little cart if you have one

Time estimate:

• 45–60 minutes total (or two 25-minute sessions)

Vibe: Cozy, simple, welcoming. Think: “I can actually keep this up.”

Supply Checklist (Everything You’ll Need)

Use what you already have first. Then fill in gaps with simple, affordable pieces.

Surfaces & Bases

• 1 medium tray or wood/metal board (approx. 12″–18″ wide)
• Optional: small runner or placemat under the tray

Containers

• 2–4 jars or canisters with lids (for cocoa, tea, sugar, toppings)
• 1 small basket or shallow bin (for packets, syrups, or honey)
• 1 mug rack or space for 4–6 favorite mugs

Tools

• 1 small spoon rest or tiny dish
• 2–3 teaspoons for stirring
• Optional: small electric kettle or spot near your existing kettle/coffee maker

Ingredients & Goodies

• Hot cocoa mix or cocoa tin
• Assorted tea bags (or your favorite loose-leaf tea in a jar)
• Sugar, honey, or sweetener of choice
• Marshmallows, peppermint sticks, cinnamon sticks, or flavored syrups (choose 1–3 favorites)

Styling & Extras (Optional but fun)

• A tiny plant or sprig of greenery
• A postcard-sized “Cozy Drinks” label or simple handwritten tag
• 1–2 small seasonal decor pieces (tiny house, tree, candle—nothing too tall)

Step-by-Step: From Blank Counter to Finished Station

Step 1: Clear the Zone (10–15 minutes)

1. Pick your spot.
2. Remove everything that’s currently there.
3. Toss obvious trash and relocate anything that clearly belongs somewhere else.
4. Give the surface a good wipe so you’re starting fresh.

Tiny win: pause and enjoy how good the empty space looks. Your brain loves this.

Step 2: Gather & Edit (10–15 minutes)

1. Walk your kitchen and gather:
   • All hot cocoa mixes
   • Tea boxes or tins
   • Sweeteners
   • Mugs you actually love using
2. Put them all on a nearby table or counter.
3. Edit:
   • Toss anything expired or that no one drinks.
   • Limit mugs to a small, curated set (4–6 is perfect).
   • Choose just a few toppings/syrups you’ll actually use.

This is your “menu”. Too many choices = clutter.

Step 3: Contain & Assign Homes (10–15 minutes)

Now we give everything a place.

1. Put your tray or board on the clean surface.
2. Start with the tallest items in the back:
   • Cocoa tin
   • Tea jar
   • Sweetener jar
3. Add a basket or shallow bin for packets (tea bags, cocoa packets, sweetener).
4. Place your mugs:
   • On a little stand or rack or
   • In a neat row beside or just in front of the tray.
5. Add your stir spoons in a small cup or jar, plus a spoon rest.

Think: zones on the tray

• Left: bases (cocoa, tea)
• Center: sweeteners & toppings
• Right: mugs & spoons

Step 4: Style & Finish (10–15 minutes)

Here’s where it feels fun and fresh instead of random.

1. Add one small greenery element—a tiny plant, sprig of pine, or faux leaf.
2. Tuck in one or two simple seasonal decor pieces (not six 😉).
3. Make a tiny label or sign:
   • “Cozy Drink Station”
   • “Cocoa & Tea Bar”
   • Or just “Warm Up Here”
   You can handwrite it on a tag, use a spare place card, or print a simple label in your HOMe colors.
4. Step back and look:
   • Can you easily reach everything?
   • Does anything feel crowded?
   • Remove one thing if it feels too busy.

Rule of thumb: If your eye doesn’t know where to rest, remove one item.

What “Done” Looks Like

When you’re finished, your Cozy Drink Station should feel:

• Clear: No random junk, mail, or gadgets mixed in
• Simple: A small number of well-chosen items, not a whole pantry
• Inviting: You can walk up, make a drink, and put everything back in under 2 minutes

Image idea for your newsletter and blog:
A warmly lit kitchen corner with a wooden tray on the counter. On the tray: a jar of cocoa, a jar of tea bags, a small basket with marshmallows and peppermint sticks, a honey jar, and a couple of simple white mugs. A tiny plant and a handwritten tag that says “Cozy Drinks” sit to the side. The background is calm—no clutter, just a clean backsplash and maybe a kettle nearby.

You can:

• Take a real photo of your own finished station (best option!) or
• Recreate this look using a styled stock photo or AI-generated image based on that description.

Use this as the hero image at the top of the email and on your site so paid subscribers see the “after” right away.

Keep It Going: How to Maintain Your Station

• Do a 30-second reset each night:
  • Put packets back in the basket
  • Return spoons to their cup
  • Toss any trash
• Once a week:
  • Wipe the tray
  • Refill jars
  • Swap out a seasonal decor piece if you like

If it ever starts feeling cluttered, remove one item. Your station should never feel like another chore.

With you in the cozy tiny wins,
Deseret
Happy Organized Me

P.S. When you finish your hot cocoa station, snap a quick photo and reply to this email—I’d love to see your version. If you’re comfortable, I may ask to feature a few (with permission) in a future issue to inspire other HOMe friends.

If you’d like next, I can:

• Turn the Project of the Month section into a printable 1-page project guide, or
• Help you write a short teaser post for your free blog that points people toward this paid newsletter issue.

Start here: A Gentle Tune-Up for a Calmer Home

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