Between releasing her fifth studio album, "Patterns," scoring a Grammy nom and kicking off filming for her first season as a coach on "The Voice," singer-songwriter Kelsea Ballerini admits that she had a "crazy year."
That's why she and her boyfriend, actor Chase Stokes, took time to embrace the slower side of the holiday season this past year.
"We both value family time so much and we both have family spread out everywhere, so I think just finding the moments to cook a meal together, have people to Nashville or go to Charleston as a group and having time with the dogs is the most important thing right now," Ballerini tells Shop TODAY.
Ballerini recently shared that her dog, Dibs, was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. She tells us that he and Stokes' dog, Milo, "have really become brothers," so the couple's "biggest goal" this season "is just to really be home, as a team, and have as much family time and dog time as we can.”
Overall, she shares that this time of the year has always held a special place in her heart.
"I love Christmas," Ballerini says. "I grew up where my parents made Christmas feel really magical, so it always holds a lot of weight to me to get to this time of the year and just be around people you love, take the exhale and shower people with love and gifts."
We got the chance to sit down with the singer while she was hosting Amazon’s Holiday Soirée in New York City, where she spoke with us about some of her essentials and go-to gifting picks from last year. Keep scrolling to see some of her top items or head to her Amazon page to discover all of her holiday must-haves.
Shopping Diaries: Kelsea Ballerini
Xizyo Case for iPhone 15
Ballerini calls this phone case an "easy, cute stocking stuffer for your girlfriends."
It comes in multiple size options to fit a range of iPhone models.
"The Complete Guide to Astrology," by Louise Edington
“This thing happened when I turned 30, and I think it was a product of my life really changing in the last couple of years before that, but I had heard that this change happens — especially with women when you enter your 30s — where you shed this skin of seeking approval from everyone else and you kind of find it within yourself a little bit more,” Ballerini says.
Part of that involved “taking accountability of my life and my choices, and also looking at my life, taking inventory and then sorting through it.” And it also included opening herself up to “these avenues to understand myself better,” she says, including some more “woo woo” areas, like astrology. "I am certainly a double Virgo, Cancer moon, that is exactly who I am."
CoverGirl Lash Blast Supercloud Mascara
Ballerini counts both this Covergirl mascara and Pantene's Miracle Rescue Deep Conditioner among her beauty "staples." (She is partnered with both brands.) The mascara is said to be air-whipped, so it's lightweight but still provides an all-day lifting effect, the brand says.
Baimei IcyMe Jade Roller & Gua Sha
“I’ve really gotten into gua sha and jade rollers and facial tools,” Ballerini says. “I travel so much and I’m always feeling like I’m puffy or dehydrated, so those have been a big thing for me.”
Chomps Grass-Fed Beef Jerky Snack Sticks
While Ballerini considers these perfectly snackable jerky sticks among her everyday essentials, they could also make a great addition to any stocking.
"Chomps might be a weird one for people ... but it's really not! My mom, at least, growing up, would always put certain treats in my stocking, whether it be little Hershey’s Kisses or whatever, so I’m used to having some kind of little snack in my stocking. And I think that’s a great one, it’s healthy, it’s really good protein."
Amazon Essentials Women’s Crop Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
Amazon Essentials Women’s Relaxed Jogger
When thinking of looking “cute and put-together” while staying cozy, this sweatsuit from her list is a perfect way to do that. Both items feature a relaxed fit and ultra-cozy fleece material, so you’ll want to wear them all season long.
Intelligent Change The Five Minute Journal
Ballerini says that she gifted this journal to her dad a couple of years ago after receiving it as a gift herself and loving it. "I feel like it’s offering someone the gift of presence. For me, it helped me take account of my life in each day, because everything moves so quickly the older we get. My dad really loved it, so I feel like that’s a good gift for anyone on your list."
"Patterns" by Kelsea Ballerini Vinyl
"I love gifting people music during the holidays. Not my own, but other records. Imagine if I just gift everyone my own record — I would never do that, I promise! But I think I think the gift of music is a really easy gift to give someone."
For everyone else though, her latest record would make the perfect gift for everyone on your list, from 30-somethings to music lovers.
Wros Human Dog Bed
Ballerini says her “ideal cozy day” involves working out — “I’m back in my Pilates routine” — as well as cooking and, of course, “being home, hanging with the dogs.”
And this product is the perfect way for any dog lover to feel ultra-cozy while cuddled up with their furry friend.
Ugg Women’s Classic Ultra Mini Platform Boot
Ballerini is just as excited about Uggs' comeback as the rest of us, and this is her go-to style. "I love fashion and I love getting dressed up and feeling cute and put-together, even when I’m having an off day. I feel like that’s the priority for me now, if I’m not on stage in the big old heels and the glitter, I just want to be comfortable but still kind of look put-together and [the Uggs] are a staple now."
