Hi First name / friend– 

 

With a week left until Christmas, I find myself thinking back on Christmases past—years full of wonder, noise, matching pajamas, and little hands eager to help. This year, I pulled out some of my favorite photos from 1994 (you’ll see them above & below!). It’s amazing how a single picture can bring back the sweetness of seasons that pass far too quickly.

 

A dear friend, Cece, gave me a beautiful Christmas prayer when my children were young—one I still put up every December, even now that our kids are grown and have families of their own. There’s one line that always stops me and centers me:

 

 

Here is the full prayer that I love to display each Christmas:

 

 

May that be true for all of us this month.

 

And as we move through December, let’s look for small ways to show kindness and hospitality—a smile at the grocery store, a sincere compliment that comes to your mind that “belongs” to the person you are thinking of, making a batch of cookies for a neighbor or teacher, or simply slowing down long enough to see someone who needs encouragement. Small acts really do matter.

✨ A Special Day at The Cloister — My Favorite Book Signing Yet

I’m still smiling as I think back on my book signing at The Cloister at Sea Island over Thanksgiving weekend. It was truly one of the most meaningful Simple Hospitality moments I’ve experienced.

 

The Sea Island Shop team welcomed us so warmly. I loved finally meeting Dana and Liz in person after emailing back and forth—so wonderful to put names with faces.

 

A huge thank you as well to Leslie, Cassidy, and Kate, who were working in the shop during the signing. They were gracious, kind, and such a joy to spend some time with.

 

Scott and I had such a wonderful experience meeting so many lovely guests throughout the afternoon. The time went so quickly!  Several friends we knew stopped by, and we made new ones, too—Laurie, who won the book drawing and is now enjoying her copy of Simple Hospitality all the way out in Park City, Utah! It was fun to see her order come through our website for two more books. That’s the greatest compliment…when someone receives a book and then comes back to purchase additional copies for friends or family.

 

And, it meant so much that the signing was held in the first shop that ever carried my book. If you remember from a past newsletter, Sea Island placed my first order the very first week that Simple Hospitality launched. What a full-circle moment to return there for a signing at The Cloister—truly a dream come true. We celebrated afterward with a wonderful dinner at the Cloister’s Italian restaurant called “Tavola.” We are still soaking in the beauty of the day.

 

If you missed my Instagram reel, you can watch it here to see some pictures and videos from the day: 

 

And the blog post about how Simple Hospitality found its home at Sea Island is here: https://www.jenniferboydauthor.com/blog/simple-hospitality-at-the-cloister-at-sea-island

 

I’m delighted to share a new shop partner this month: Tethered Flower Shop.

 

It’s funny how connections happen—someone in North Carolina first mentioned her shop to us, and then someone local said the same thing, and before long we realized we had several mutual friends! We connected by email, and soon afterward, I had the joy of meeting the owner, Erin Kinnett, in person.

 

Her shop is stunning—thoughtful, warm, and beautifully curated. We shared our stories and our love for creating meaningful spaces and I’m thrilled that Simple Hospitality is now available to her customers.

 

If you’re local, please stop by their beautiful shop on Winter Park’s famous Park Avenue. It's certainly worth a visit!

✨ Messages of Kindness at 30,000 Feet

Travel gifted me two beautiful reminders this month that kindness doesn’t require much—just a moment of courage, awareness, or tenderness.
 

On a very early flight to Atlanta last weekend for our granddaughter’s 5th birthday, I sat beside a friendly woman named Esmie, who struck up the sweetest conversation with me. As the turbulence grew worse (and kept on!) she turned to me and quietly asked: “Can I hold your hand?”

 

So we held hands the rest of the flight.

 

 

Scott teased afterward asking her, “Was my wife bothering you?”
She smiled and said, “No — she saved me.”

A simple gesture, but such a precious reminder:
We never know what comfort our presence might offer someone.

 

 

On my flight home, a Delta flight attendant stopped beside me in the aisle before takeoff, leaned in, and said:

“You are so beautiful.”

 

After a long day and some delays, I can assure you: that was the last thing I felt. But her words stayed with me.

 

Before we landed, I had the chance to tell her the very same thing—that she was so beautiful, with her radiant smile and kind eyes. I told her that with every passenger she meets, she has the power to make someone’s day.
Her name was Kenya, and I won’t soon forget her kindness to me.

 

Each of these experiences echoed something I know but always need reminding of: It doesn’t take much to be kind. And kindness always multiplies.

✨ A Christmas Recipe From Home 

 

I’m excited to share one of our favorite Christmas morning traditions—straight from a beloved cookbook: Minnesota Mornings: Comfort & Cuisine, from the Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Guild.

 

This beautiful bread is:
✔️ Easy
✔️ Make-ahead
✔️ Festive and impressive
✔️ Guaranteed to make your home smell heavenly on Christmas morning

 

Here is the full recipe here on my blog:
https://www.jenniferboydauthor.com/blog/recipe-vanilla-almond-bread

 

This would also make a wonderful treat to bake and share with a neighbor or teacher this season!

 

✨ A Little Christmas Hospitality

 

If you’re looking for a meaningful, heartfelt gift for a neighbor, sister, hostess, teacher or friend this season, Simple Hospitality makes a lovely blessing to wrap and give.

 

You can order copies here:

 

Or, if you need it before Christmas, you can see which shops locally carry it here 

(scroll to the bottom to see the full list):

 

Feel free to reply if you’d like help placing a larger order for gifting!!

 

Thank you for being here, for reading along each month, and for sharing the beauty of kindness with those around you.

 

I’d LOVE to hear from you — reply and let me know: 

 

P.S. Did you know? All proceeds from my book, Simple Hospitality, go directly to support the new Orlando Health Children’s Pavilion—a place of hope, healing, and care for families in our community. Thank you for helping make a difference with every book you gift and share.

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If someone forwarded it to you—welcome! I'm so glad you're here. My name is Jennifer Boyd, and I recently published Simple Hospitality: An Invitation to Add Kindness to Your Everyday Life, a dream 25 years in the making. In both my book and newsletter, I share the heart behind hospitality—simple ways to bring kindness and connection into everyday life.

 

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