Every year, people search for gifts to add on their wishlist or what to give to a significant other. Even though everyone has different interests, some items always end up being the most popular. These gifts become popular because they are trending, convenient, or meaningful. In this article, you will find out some of the most common holiday gifts people buy today and why so many people like them. 

     One of the most popular categories of Christmas gifts is technology. Many adults and teens hope for Airpods, bluetooth speakers, or even the new iPhone 17! These items are convenient because they make life easier and enjoyable. Airpods allow people to listen to podcasts or music on the go whenever, and smartwatches and iPhones help track your fitness, messages, and schedules. Technology is always changing and improving, so these gifts stay popular each year.

     Another popular gift is clothing and accessories. People enjoy receiving warm hoodies, cozy pajamas, or hats during the cold winter season. Clothing is a necessity because we all need it, but can be personal and stylish. Many stores release special holiday designs that make clothing gifts feel even more special. Accessories like jewelry, bags, and scarves are common because they allow others to express their styles.

     Beauty and self-care products are another common but useful choice. Many people enjoy receiving skincare sets, perfumes, makeup sets, or hygiene products. These gifts help others feel relaxed and so they take care of themselves, which is essential during the stressful holiday season. Self-care gifts show empathy because they encourage the person to slow down and treat themselves.

     Gift cards are also some of the most popular Christmas gifts today. Even though they seem simple, they are extremely useful because the person can choose exactly what they wish to get. Some people prefer gift cards for clothing shopping, their favorite restaurants, or gaming platforms. Giving a gift card makes sure the person will get something that they truly enjoy.

     The most popular gifts are the ones that make people feel appreciated and happy. Whether it is technology, clothing, beauty products, or gift cards, each gift shows that you deeply care about someone. What matters is not the price or size of the present, but the thought behind it. Christmas gifts are a way to celebrate the season and show love to the people that matter the most in our lives. They also create memories that last beyond the holiday season. 

When someone opens a gift that was chosen for them, it makes them feel understood and valued. These moments bring connections and remind everyone that the holiday season is about being kind, showing generosity, and spending time with the people who make you feel special and meaningful. These small acts of giving help build stronger connections and make the holiday season brighter.

 Just a blink of an eye and it’s already a whole new season with tons of new looks and trends, and it looks like they put the best last this year. I’m talking about even more fur than last season and unique silhouettes that add contrast to everyday outfits.

     Let’s start with the silhouettes. Instead of boring (yet still cute) outfits this winter, we’re opting for over-the-top silhouettes that add a whole new dimension to our outfits. Expect large coats, varied proportions of clothing such as cropped pieces, and fun hats like berets, Breton caps, and those furry trapper hats. Speaking of some fur, we have way more this season. I’m talking about faux fur jackets that look like a blanket on you. Expect faux fur shoes, faux fur trimmed hoods, and even faux fur skirts this winter season.  

    Boring beige is out, and rich colors with fun fabrics are in this season. Plaid seems to be taking over this winter, as I’m seeing every celebrity walking down the street wearing some form of plaid; Specifically, Pink Pantheress, a British singer who went viral for her smart marketing. She incorporated plaid in every interview she was in, and even on some of the album covers for Fancy That. Now, all the girls seem to be walking down NYC wearing some form of plaid.

     Velvet is also a popular texture this season. The aim for the velvet look is chic and fun, while still giving that elegant look everyone thinks of. The looks we can expect are: draped, flowy dresses, elevated basics, and tactile flair. Also, rich colors like burgundy, navy blue, a deep forest green, and baby pink hues to add a little fun when it comes to outfits.

     When it comes to fashion, we can clearly see fashion trends rising and then dying. But they also get revamped and become a trend once again. We can see that this winter is for the Y2K era. Fabrics like cheetah and zebra print. Without being too much, the people are pulling it off and giving an edgy look, including the fabrics. 

     Layering has been more than a practical way to fight the cold; it’s a fashion moment. Layering used to be about keeping you warm; now it’s about elevating your outfits to the highest potential. This blending of warm and stylish lets people like us go wild and have fun creating outfits. Wool coats and puffers are a great way to boost an outfit. Mixing textures also adds a visually appealing look and makes a simple outfit stand out.

     Not just clothes can be layered, but also accessories. Like hats and sunglasses, jewelry and even scarves. Adding different textures of accessories and building on top of them, called a ¨stack, ¨ can bring life to an outfit and not look dull. And, forgot to mention, adds character to who you are, and can even be a conversation starter. Overall, winter has done it again with a successful season of fashion.

  Lace and Leather has done it again. Who knew soft romantic lace and powerful edgy leather would come back for this fall season? For the fall runways this year, the designers have constructed these gorgeous lacey long dresses and these big and bold leather pieces. 

     Lace this fall is becoming the star of the show! Lace is not only long, dreamy evening wear, but is also reinventing itself to become an everyday piece. Expect: lace-trimmed skirts and lace-detailed tops. 

     On the other hand, leather is changing its way through fashion and is becoming a rather versatile yet elevated fabric that adds contrast to outfits. For leather, expect: cropped jackets, leather bags, and even structured skirts. These two fabrics are the definition of ¨ Opposites Attract.¨ Wearing them both can create a more balanced look when creating outfits. In the end, lace and leather are what you think of when talking about fashion this fall. 

 Sequins are a staple for fun cocktail parties and even New Year’s Eve parties. However, one trend that seems to be gaining popularity is wearing sequins this fall. They are an everyday look now and can be paired with multiple accessories. 

    Sequins are bringing a whole era back. The 90´s! With colorful eyeshadow, big voluminous curls, and don’t forget show-stopping sparkling outfits. Prepare to see sequin skirts with chunky knit sweaters, a sequin two-piece, and even sequin accessories.

     Sequins used to be a symbol of royalty; even King Tut wore them. But the evolution of sequins changed. They went from gold-plated disks in 1922 to multiple different materials made for their durability in the 20th century. Like gelatin and acetate. Now, they have become plastic, sparkly disks that add uniqueness to outfits. Overall, sequins will shine this fall. Let’s just say, sequins are not only for parties!

  Every time the new season rolls around, new trends start to pop up. From maxi skirts to turtle necks. But the one thing that always stays when it’s fall, is fur! 

    Fur has always been around, even for the caveman. But now, it’s a fashion statement. This fall, not only is fur coming back, it’s coming back stronger and bolder than ever. People around the world are wearing these big faux fur coats. 

     Quite frankly, they’re killing it. From animal print to basic, but chic colored coats. Speaking of animals, animals are a big part of the fur industry. When fur first started, they used real animal fur. And throughout many centuries, the people and their idea of fur advanced. Now, faux furs are made of synthetic fibers such as acrylic and polyester. They’re becoming cruelty-free while also giving the customers the satisfaction of ´real´ fur. If models like Alex Consani and Amelia Gray Hamlin can rock fur coats, you can too!

     At the intersection of Market, Bush and Battery streets in San Francisco stands Douglas Tilden’s “Mechanics Monument,” a bronze statue composed of five young men climbing and hanging from a large machine. In the “Pageant of the Masters,” five young actors covered head to toe in bronze makeup create a near-perfect duplicate of the monument using a replica of the complex machinery. 

     Secured to the art piece using buckles and straps, the actors are given the difficult task of staying still on a rotating platform as a live orchestra plays a 90-second melodic symphony. An audience of over 2,500 watches from an amphitheater. This process, repeated 40 times with different artworks, composes the Laguna Beach Festival of the Arts’ annual “Pageant of the Masters.”

     Held every night from July 5th to August 29th, the “Pageant of the Masters” is an art show where paintings, statues and other forms of artwork are replicated onstage.

     The first – and most difficult – step in bringing the pageant to life is selecting which art pieces to portray. For months, pageant director Diane Challis Davy sorts through hundreds of volunteer submissions of artwork to find 40 perfect pieces. This process happens in November of the previous year, around eight months before the pageant takes to the stage.

     Not only do the pieces chosen have to fit into the frame and stages of the theatre of the “Pageant of the Masters,” but they must also adhere to the theme of the show. This year, Davy chose a “Gold Coast” theme, telling the story of a young girl navigating various California landmarks throughout the show. As a Laguna Beach native who first attended the pageant as a young girl, Davy felt proud of the theme and its exploration of California’s diverse history and landscape.

     After the artworks are chosen, production begins. Typically, a scene takes around 6-8 weeks to finalize, involving an intensive process of tech drawings, set construction, casting, costume and make-up design, background design and finally lighting design.

     When faced with the task of recreating 40 artworks in just two hours, communication is key to make production run as smoothly as possible. 

     “Most of the communication occurs during our ‘fittings’ for costume and set pieces, [where] volunteer cast members have to try on the costumes and be secured in the set,” Davy states. “There are tricks of the trade and decisions are made on the spot.” The morning after a rehearsal, all of the staff members meet to discuss possible edits, referring to a collection of pictures of each scene from the previous night.

     Community members are encouraged to apply as actors in the production, while becoming a make-up artist is a volunteer position that requires no qualifications and is open to anyone wishing to participate. Make-up director Michelle Pohl conducts a training camp for volunteers in the weeks prior to the pageant. 

     Depending on the skill level of a volunteer and how much make-up and detail is required, a look for the pageant can take as little as ten minutes or as much as an hour to execute. “We mostly use traditional stage makeup, but applied in a thicker, more painterly fashion,” Pohl said. 

     The make-up team uses a variety of brushes and sponges to create the textures of various art styles. To recreate Millard Sheets’ glass mosaic “Pleasures Along the Beach” for this year’s show, Pohl and her team used small brushes to mimic the highlights and shadows of the piece’s blocky, reflective style.

     Most of the costumes used in the pageant are made using 100% unbleached cotton and decorated with textile paint by costume painter Kim Knowlton and the scenic artists. The team also assembles details such as buttons, bows and pockets and manipulates the fabric and design of the costumes to create shadows and movement. 

     “The costume work I do for the pageant is more about construction than design,” said costume director Reagan Foy. “It’s taking a piece of fabric and sculpting, manipulating it on a three dimensional person and making it as flat as possible.”

     The first act of this year’s pageant featured many unique works, such as the theatre and pool of Hearst Castle, adorned with gold pillars and statues of roman gods, an Indian chess set made from ivory and a gallery view of Edgar Degas’ “Dancers in Pink,” “Little Dancer Aged Fourteen” and “Dancers in the Wings” in the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. 

     The second act focused on Orange County, highlighting local pieces such as Bill Limebrook’s bronze statues of Joyce Hoffman and Phil Edwards, entitled “Surfing Great.” Additionally, the act had highlighted local spots in the area through Bradford J. Salamon’s oil paintings “Monday at the Crab Cooker,” “Seal Beach Nighthawks” and “The Marine Room.” The show ended with a recreation of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” a tradition of the Pageants since 1936.