The Enthusiast Weekly — November 21, 2025
I just finished putting up our Christmas tree. It’s a little early this year, but the next few weekends are pretty busy, so this felt like the perfect time to get it done and make sure we get the maximum time out of it. A few years ago we started buying ornaments from places we visited or to represent things that are important to us. This year it felt especially nice, as I realised I’ll be able to tell the stories behind each one to Sophia as she grows up.
There was a time when we tried to make the tree match a very specific aesthetic or colour scheme — something we thought would look “best.” But since we embraced the fun and chaos of it, it’s meant so much more to us as a family. I really recommend this approach.
I’m also excited to add ornaments over the years that represent things meaningful to Sophia. This year we added a Mickey Mouse ornament in honour of one of her favourite stuffed toys.
A few years ago I invested in Hue Christmas tree lights. I previously used regular lights on a smart switch, but I was intrigued by what these offered — the same flexibility as a Hue bulb: brightness, colour, scenes, and more. They have some lovely multicoloured and twinkly lighting options that Adina really enjoys. I think they might even be on sale right now for Black Friday.
On a totally separate note, we’re currently hiring at Cross Forward for a graphic designer to help with Widgetsmith. This person will work on widget layouts, wallpapers, themes, and more. It’s an incredible opportunity to have your work seen by a massive audience and to help millions of people personalise their iPhones. Please take a look if you’re interested in joining the team!
Before I go, let me recommend the latest episode of Mac Power Users. David and Stephen did a great job with their annual Gift Guide, and there are so many fantastic ideas that could be perfect stocking stuffers.
See you next week!
