11 Family Holiday Traditions That Don’t Revolve Around Food

Alli Hoff Kosik
Dec 03, 2018

So much of the holiday season is tied to delicious food. Thanksgiving is more or less all about a traditional feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. The December holidays are rife with their own food rituals, from decorative cookies to potato latkes. And while every family’s holiday meals might be a little different, we all share a sentimental commitment to the tasty treats that let us know that the most wonderful time of the year has officially arrived.

It’s important to indulge in these special dishes, but there can be more to the season than just sitting around a table eating. Here are a few ideas to shake up your holiday family rituals.

1. Revisit old memories. Pull out the photo albums and home movies and cozy up with some blankets and loved ones to review them. Keep the hot chocolate — or hot toddies — flowing right along with the nostalgia.

2. Give back. Find a local animal shelter or soup kitchen that’s seeking volunteers this holiday season, then bring your fam together to be of service there. People in your community need more TLC than ever at this time of year. Coming together with your nearest and dearest to provide it will be meaningful to others and will help you build new, positive memories together.

3. Do a 5K. Lace up your sneakers and team up with your family to walk or run a 5K to benefit a cause you care about. It’s a healthy way to help raise awareness and funds… and after a little exercise, you’ll be that much more excited to tuck into that yummy holiday meal later on.

4. Make homemade decorations. Just because you already have holiday decorations in place doesn’t mean it’s too late to make more. You can also work together to stock up on decor for next year. Make this an annual part of your holiday routine, and you’ll never be short on cheer for your home.

5. Create a family bucket list. If the holiday season is the only time over the course of the year that you really get to spend quality time with your loved ones, you should make the most of it with meaningful conversation and planning for the future. Put pen to paper on some of the things you’d like to achieve together in the months ahead. Do you want to commit to seeing each other more often before the next holiday season? Are there awesome vacations you’d like to take together? Do you want to take a cooking class? Put it on the list!

6. Have a dance party. Crank those tunes — seasonal or not — and get funky with your dance moves. Who can you be totally silly with if not your family?

7. Take a local walking tour. You’ve probably come together as a family for years in the same place without ever really knowing much about where you are. Use your BFF Google to learn more about some of the landmarks and history of the area, then encourage everyone to check it out on foot. You may have to bundle up, but you can pick up hot drinks en route.

8. Share compliments. Go around the room and challenge each person to give a compliment to every other person. It’s a great way to express your love and gratitude in an intentional way.

9. Have an all-night movie marathon. Tell everyone to pack pajamas and a favorite DVD, then organize a pseudo slumber party for your loved ones. Build a blanket fort in the room with the biggest TV and settle in for the night. Let the youngest person in the family choose their movie first, then go in age order from there.

10. Start a family book club. Choose a book — or five — that everyone is on board to read before the next holiday gathering. A book club will help you stay engaged with each other even when you’re not together and will make for some really interesting conversation at the next celebration.

11. Help the host. If your whole family is gathered for the holidays, chances are that one or two family members have opened their home and maybe even subjected it to a mess for the sake of togetherness. As a group, commit to asking what chores might be most helpful for them, then work together to make them happen. Scrubbing the kitchen or cleaning the gutter is a lot faster and easier when done together. Plus, you’ll probably ensure an invitation back for next year.

Learn how to Light It Up with our tips and DIYs that create new spins on old traditions. We keep the best but tweak the rest so you can have a memorable experience that’s uniquely you.

What’s your favorite food-free holiday family tradition? Tweet us @BritandCo!

(Photo via Getty)

Dying Easter Eggs? This Slow Cooker Hack Will Keep Your Kitchen Totally Clean.

We're all about colorful Easter egg dye come spring, but if we're honest, we're not always thrilled with the cleanup. Whether you're dyeing with or without a kit, there are tons of bowls, spoons, and paper towels to scrub once your finished. And don't even get us started on what happens if you spill the dye!

If you want to dye eggs this year but are feeling hesitant about everything it entails, don't worry because this hack from Reynoldsis here to save the day. We like to hard boil our eggs before dyeing, but blown eggs work just as well. Then just grab your slow cooker and get dyeing!

An Easy + Clean Egg Dye Hack

Image via Reynolds Kitchens

First, make some DIY slow cooker dividers with cardboard wrapped in aluminum foil.

Once your slow cooker is divided into four sections, line each section with saran wrap, plastic bags, or slow cooker liners. This will let you use more than one color, but still gives you enough space to dye multiple eggs at once!

Next, fill each section with water. Make sure that, while you want to fill them enough for multiple eggs to be submerged, you don't fill them too high. You don't want the water to overflow — that's definitely not mess-free!

Image via Reynolds Kitchens

Add your Easter egg dye to each section. Pink, purple, and blue are classic shades!

Image via Reynolds Kitchens

Gather your hard boiled or blown eggs to add to the water. You can use strips of tape or string to make all kinds of striped and dotted designs. Then all you have to do is just drop them in the water and wait! This is the perfect opportunity to make a colorful Easter cocktail ;).

The longer the eggs sit in the dye, the darker the color will turn out. So if you prefer pastel eggs, only leave them in for a few minutes.

Image via Reynolds Kitchens

When you remove your eggs from the dye, let them dry on a cookie rack before you remove the tape and the string. Display them on a pretty plate along with your Easter desserts, or as a centerpiece!

Image via Reynolds Kitchens

Voilà! A rainbow of colorful eggs, all boasting different designs. And the best part is, all you have to do to clean up is throw away the liners and the cardboard, then put your slow cooker back in your cabinet. We'll definitely be doing this from here on out.

How To Dye Easter Eggs: More Colored Egg Dye Ideas For Display

Marbled Nail Polish Eggs

If you're not too keen on buying food coloring that you'll only use every once in awhile, just use your nail polish! Instead of adding dye to the sections, pour in your polish. You can use a toothpick to swirl everything around and achieve that marbled look. Have some nail polish remover nearby because your fingers will get messy.

Mosaic Easter Eggs

This hack is a great option for using up hard boiled eggs because you have to peel one to make it! (AKA, you'll have a snack to accompany your DIY). After you peel an egg that you've already dyed, use a hot glue gun to attach the broken shell pieces to a second, plain egg. Easy-peasy.

Sharpie Tie Dye Eggs

This Easter egg design only takes ten minutes, which makes it perfect for busy evenings or for kids who can't sit still for too long. Fill your slow cooker sections with nail polish remover instead of water, then color your eggs with as many Sharpie colors as you want. Dunk them into the nail polish remover (or smear with a wet Q-tip) to give them that tie-dye look.

Housefront Easter Eggs

Paint your favorite TV characters' apartment building or your childhood home onto eggs for a fun and nostalgic DIY. Once you've drawn your design, you'll want to tape up the rest of the egg to make sure the dye stays where you want it. Paint the house with the egg dye, or submerge the whole egg in a slow cooker section. Set to dry.

Enjoyed learnign how to dye Easter eggs? Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our email newsletter for more Easter egg dye hacks!

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15 Stunning Zillow Houses For Sale That Only Chuck And Blair Could Afford

I love looking at Zillow listings as much as the best of us, but absolutely nobody loves daydreaming about all the outrageously beautiful (and costly) houses for sale more than my mother-in-law. She finds the most gorgeous gems across the country, saving them all for when she inevitably wins the lottery (if anyone would, it's her TBH) and can take her pick of the housing litter. Instead of gatekeeping these jaw-dropping homes, I had her send them my way so I can share them with you! So without further ado, here are 15 of most insanely stunning — and insanely expensive — Zillow houses for sale right now.

Beach Houses

Image via Zillow

East Hampton Beach Cottage

Cost: $44,500,000

The Hamptons are known for their clean, chic shingle architectural style, and this "cottage" is no exception to that. And while I absolutely adore the inside of this home, it's the grounds that really get me at the end of the day. Think about all the beautiful backyard dinner parties you could throw!

Image via Zillow

Destin Beach House Destination

Cost: $4,100,000​

Who needs a time share in Destin when you could own all this?! This airy, beautiful house takes coastal home style to the next level. I love the sandy, earthy tones paired with the light blues and open space. And for less than 10% of the Bridgehampton beauty above, this is basically a steal, right? 😉​

Image via Zillow

Marvelous Marco Island Getaway

Cost: $5,450,000

I vacation on Marco every year with my in-laws, but I can PROMISE you our one-bedroom timeshare (that I love) isn't anywhere near this stunning super home. Swipe through photos to see how gorgeously staged this multi-million dollar home is — I promise it won't disappoint!

Image via Zillow

Laguna Beach Beauty

Cost: $21,500,000

Obviously Laguna Beach is known for so much more than the hit MTV show, but I can't untangle the two. So in my mind, this is the home Lauren Conrad's parents worked on in Season 1 Episode 1 — a $20+ million dollar stunner that I would later stare at on Zillow. It's not true, but wouldn't it be fun?

Image via Zillow

California Dream House

Cost: $55,000,000

Not only is this a dream house because of how it looks, but also because I could only afford this in my literal wildest dreams. Unless someone decides to discover me on the New York streets for the funny, talented gal my parents think I am, this is strictly a mood board manifestation moment. (But, what if?!)

Image via Zillow

At Home In The Hamptons

Cost: $79,995,000

Oh, how I could wax poetic about this $80 million Bridgehampton beauty. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? Ya know...the one I would love to have in this very house? Just lounging, living luxuriously? That imaginary inheritance I daydream about could reaaaaaally come in handy right about now.

Image via Zillow

Fantastic Florida Beach Cottage

Cost: $9,950,000

In case you can't tell, none of these homes are "cottages" outside of their aesthetic. While this six bedroom, four bathroom may look humbler than the rest, the cost should indicate what we're working with here. Each room is so perfectly curated, and to have all this right in the heart of Naples is absolutely everything. I could see myself sitting by that fire for SURE.

Condos & Townhouses

Image via Zillow

Gorgeous Georgetown Condo

Cost: $5,495,000

DC is more than just Capitol Hill, and this Georgetown Condo proves it! The natural light, the natural wood accents, and the big, airy rooms make this home a welcomed reprieve in on of the busier U.S. cities. And while you're getting a lot in a small package (three bedrooms for $5+ million...😭), you're really paying for the neighborhood. Georgetown really is full of beautiful townhouses, great restaurants and bars, and overall good vibes.

Image via Zillow

Upper East Side Excellence

Cost: $65,000,000

Hello, Upper East Siders...Zillow Girl here! All jokes aside, this $65 million townhouse is giving all the old money luxe that Chuck Bass and Blair Waldorf would settle into quite nicely. The molding, the wraparound staircases, and the sheer size alone are something else, but the biggest surprise here? TEN BATHROOMS. TEN!!!!!!

Image via Zillow

Totally Airy Brooklyn Townhouse

Cost: $6,950,000

Good new, girls! This totally killer townhouse had a $300,000 price cut last month, bringing it to...just under $7 million! While I try to fix my eye twitch after writing that, scroll through to see the gorgeousness that is this literal mid-century modern four-story home. It's like a little (big) oasis in the middle of the big city!

Image via Zillow

Beautiful Turn-Of-The-Century Brooklyn Townhouse

Cost: $6,995,000

I've said it once and I'll say it again: Carroll Gardens in my dream neighborhood. It's got all the Brooklyn charm with its brilliant brownstones, lively dining scene, and tree-lined streets. Plus, it's so incredibly close to Prospect Park for all your summer strolls with the kids or the dogs or yourself or whomever! And while I could go on and on about the location, the townhouse itself is kitschy with it's mix of classic and modern details.

Mountain And Lake Houses

Image via Zillow

Charming Wyoming Ranch House

Cost: $8,199,000

It feels a little silly to call a nearly $10 million home "charming," but here we are. This modern ranch-style mountain house looks unassuming from the outside. And the four-bedroom inside is really nice, too, don't get me wrong. But what really makes this worth it, if I had to guess? The freaking VIEW. Can you imagine sipping your coffee and staring off into that horizon every morning? Yes, please. I would like one of these.

Image via Zillow

Cozy North Carolina Castle

​Cost: $7,500,000

Ah yes, nothing cozier than a literal castle-sized house in Appalachia. In all seriousness, the dark wood accents give you that almost cabin-esque feel that the mountain range so obviously calls for. With 10 bedrooms, this is the perfect retreat for your family get-togethers! You can enjoy each other's company across the estate, or you could...find a little hiding spot and nobody would know the wiser. 😉​

Image via Zillow

Sante Fe Getaway

Cost: $3,375,000

The most affordable of the bunch, this single-story Sante Fe residence is a dream-come-true! You've got lake views, trails, and even a golf course if that's your thing! My personal favorite part of this lovely little home, however, is the wine cellar. Can you imagine being like, "Yeah, just go grab a bottle from the wine cellar"?! Like I said, dream-come-freaking-true!

Image via Zillow

Lovely Michigan Lake House

Cost: $3,649,000

The windows alone are enough to make this house the dreamiest escape, let alone the private and super exclusive access to Lake Michigan. This home may only have three bedrooms and four bathrooms, but each room feels intentional, spacious, and utterly luxurious. I'd definitely dip my toes in that water!

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Header image via Zillow

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The Best Easter Candy For Filling Everyone's Baskets

In addition to the colorful shoes, delicious recipes, and family time that come with Easter, we always look forward to the Easter candy! Come springtime, our favorite candy staples get a pastel upgrade with new wrappers, fun additions, and lots of limited-edition bunny and carrot motifs. Throughout the years, we've always enjoyed snacking on nostalgic Easter candy, and many of them are still around today. Keep reading to see if your favorite made the list!

Kit Kat Easter Miniatures

We already love Kit Kats as-is, but something about the mini bite size and pastel wrappers make us want to grab a whole handful! Snack on this Easter candy during the fam's annual egg hunt, or save a few for a midnight snack.

Williams-Sonoma Easter Jelly Beans

Whether you get your jelly beans at Williams-Sonoma or anywhere else, their springtime colors and flavors are arguably their most beloved. This bag makes for a fruity and colorful treat. Our love for these citrusy flavors has only grown with time!

Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs

The orange and brown Reese's wrappers are definitely iconic, but there is something extra springlike about rainbow tie dye ones! Pass the bowl of Easter candy full of this pick, please.

Cadbury Milk Chocolate Crème Eggs

Cadbury crème eggs are an Easter candy staple as far as we're concerned. They're so tasty and ooey-gooey, we wouldn't blame you if you finished the whole bowl by yourself.

Chocolove Easter Truffle Assortment

This gourmet box o' chocolates is the perfect Easter basket filler. With a mix of 10 sweet truffles from the likes of Coconut Ganache in White Chocolate and Lychee, Apricot & Passion Fruit Gelees in Ruby Chocolate (and more), this pick kicks the Easter candy game up a notch when it comes to quality and unique flavors! Of course, it's still chocolate, so we love it all the same.

Easter M&M's

This jumbo bag of pastel M&M's is the perfect thing to keep the living room candy dish stocked, or to just stash in your room. Both sound like good ideas to us!

Tony's Chocolonely Easter Egg Carton

This chocolatey Easter candy comes complete with eggs and a carton to hold 'em! In addition to your standard milk chocolate eggs, this medley also includes dark chocolate, caramel, hazelnut, almond, and sea salt. Yum!

Hershey's Polka Dot Cookies 'n Creme Eggs

Little bits of colorful cookie turn these chocolate eggs into an extra-festive treat that the Easter bunny himself would approve of! There's a good crunch and some creaminess, so each bite is balanced and super satisfying.

Hershey's Easter Kisses Milk Chocolate with Vanilla Frosting Crème

Add a little something extra to your regular Hershey's Kiss experience with these vanilla frosting-filled bites. These would also make excellent Easter cookie toppers!

Sour Patch Kids Bunnies

Swap your usual Sour Patch Kids for these cute bunny shapes instead. You'll get the same burst of flavor, just cuter shapes! The kids will also adore them and get a kick out of their sour, then sweet quality.

Skittles Original Easter Jellybeans

Skittles and jelly beans never disappoint, and when you put them together, you just get double the fruity goodness. This is such a cute Easter candy to have since it's shaped like eggs!

Lindt Easter Mini Carrot

We love that this box is filled with individually-wrapped chocolate candies you can share with the whole fam! Plus, the carrot packaging is just too cute!

SmartSweets Berry Bunnies Easter Candy

Indulge in your fave Easter gummies with these adorable SmartSweets gummy bunnies, which only have 3 grams of sugar in the entire bag! They have a delightfully juicy berry taste for fun snacking. Berry not your thing? They also have some egg-shaped Easter gummies with a tropical twist.

Peeps Easter Milk Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Delights Chicks

These are the Peeps you know and love, just dipped in chocolate. Yes, please. Snack on a few as-is, or use this pack to make our stellar Peeps S'mores!

Compartés Chocolate Dipped Easter Bunny Peeps

Alternatively, if you prefer, you can find bunny-shaped Peeps dipped in chocolate, too! These quintessential marshmallow Easter treats are smothered in milk and dark chocolates to switch things up.

Endangered Species Chocolate Hello Spring Mix

These adorable butterfly, tulip, and bee-shaped chocolates make the ultimate semi-sweet snack when it comes to Easter candy, They recall the spring season in the tastiest way ever!

Lindt Easter Milk Chocolate Gold Bunny

You can't forget the chocolate bunny at Easter! As kids, we were always excited that Easter was an excuse to eat more chocolate than normal, bunny ears and all. If the bunny is hollow, the better.

Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bunnies

If you prefer to eat your chocolate bunny in smaller portions, these miniature bunnies from Hershey's are just as tasty!

Tag us with your favorite Easter candy on Instagram and subscribe to our email newsletter for more Easter content!

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This post has been updated.

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Shonda Rhimes Is Still Sad This “Princess Diaries 2” Scene Got Cut

Sequels that are just as good, if not better, than the original movie are one in a million, but if you ask me, Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement definitely tops the list. Anne Hathaway brings a whole new spunk and adultified sass to the freshly 21-year-old Mia Thermopolis, and Julie Andrews shines as Queen Clarisse! (Both on the karaoke stage and off ;)). Not to mention the movie also gave us the blueprint for contemporary enemies to lovers: Nicholas and Mia!

While Bridgerton producer Shonda Rhimes wasn't involved with the first movie, she was the writer for the second — and TBH, that's definitely a reason it's so good!

Image via Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

"I thought [Princess Diaries 2] would be a really fun thing to do and it turned out to be great," she tells Variety. "I always think it's funny now because I'm working with Julie Andrews now on Bridgerton, but I also spent time writing her as a queen in that movie, and so it was kind of great to get to work with her both times. It's also sort of come full circle in a weird way."

Shonda Rhimes goes on to explain one cut scene she remembers really fondly — and how Andrews' expert performance made it even more heartbreaking to cut. "That was pretty much one of my favorite scenes," she says. "It was this moment where Julie Andrews [has] had her heart broken, and some staff comes in and they start to ask her a question and she screams, 'Do I never get a moment to myself?!' and it was such an amazing moment the way she played it, and the elegance with which she did it. It's really about the pain of being a queen."

"She did it so well," Rhimes continues. "But in general, honestly, she's the nicest person you will ever meet and she was so nice to me, I was nervous to meet her, I was shaking, [but she's] so lovely."

After Julie Andrews sent the sweetest graduation gift to a fan, I'm not surprised to hear how incredible she is. I still have my fingers crossed that we'll see Julie Andrews in The Princess Diaries 3 — and that Shonda Rhimes will return as screenwriter.

What's your favorite scene from the Princess Diaries movies? The mattress surfing scene in Princess Diaries 2 is definitely one of the best movie moments of all time. If you're feeling nostalgic, check out 6 Nostalgic Movies That Feel Like Summer Vacation!

Lead image via Walt Disney Pictures/Buena Vista

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The 5 Most Comfortable Walking Sandals For Summer, Ranked

‘Tis the season to finally ditch our boots for something on the lighter side: sandals! Sandals season is the best season because it means putting the final touches on our outfits isn’t a total pain (ahem, looking at you, shoelaces and straps).

Warmer weather undoubtedly means more outside time, but we don’t necessarily want to be trodding around in heavy, sweaty walking shoes. That’s where walking sandals come in!

Sandalsneed to be comfy if we’re gonna be walking around in them. Our criteria for the perfect pair of walking sandals includes being able to withstand hours (and miles) of wear without any rubbing, sliding, or blistering. Of course, they need to be cute, too. Style is very hard to sacrifice when it comes to walking sandals, so we definitely prefer ours to be compatible with a variety of different outfits – from casual to more dressed-up.

The B+C team has tried and tested so many types of walking sandals over the years, and these 5 pairs came out on top for their ability to check the boxes for comfort, practicality, and style! Scroll on for thorough reviews of our go-to walking sandals.

Teva Women's Midform Universal Sandals

Comfort: 5/5

For B+C Head of Content, Ali, the Tevas Midform walking sandals are peak comfort. They boast a super soft foam footbed that has heel cupping and elevation around the arches for additional support.

“I’ve worn my Tevas to the ground,” she says. “The inch height boost is appreciated as someone who’s 5-feet 2-inches and they’re incredibly sturdy and cushiony.”

Practicality: 5/5

Ali can walk miles on miles in these easy walking sandals.

“They’ve become my quintessential everyday casual shoe for running L.A. errands like walking my dog, heading to the farmer’s market, and grabbing coffee.”

Although they’re super dependable, Ali feels like the several years of “constant use” from her Teva Midform walking sandals have lost some of their arch support.

Style: 5/5

The Teva Midform sandals are pretty no-frills, but they’re still stylish for today’s age. The 1 ¼-inch height falls somewhere in between flats and platforms, making a fairly casual statement. The thick, adjustable velcro straps that wrap around the toes and low ankle are secure and match with pretty much anything.

They also come in a variety of colorways to suit your own personal style, though the all-black pick is likely the most versatile of them all.

One of the best parts about these walking sandals is their approachable pricing. This black pair is just $65.

Chacos Z Sandals

Comfort: 4/5

The classic Chacos Z Sandals – once you actually break them in – are extremely comfortable, since the footbed tends to meld against the shape of your foot.

To B+C Creative Assistant, Meredith (that’s me!), the break-in period is crucial for Chacos, but it’s not a real pain. Once she wore hers just two times, they softened up and fit smoothly.

Practicality: 4/5

Meredith thinks these Chaco walking sandals are practical for a number of reasons: they work on dry land and in the water, they’re durable to stand up to off-road terrain, and they don’t slip a single bit.

“They work so well as water shoes,” Meredith says. “I’ll wear them on long lake days and I don’t ever have to take them off, even when I’m out of the water.”

The Chacos Z Sandals flaunt a thick, durable rubber sole with their signature ChacoGrip™ layer on the bottom that has a “good amount” of tread, according to Meredith.

The adjustable straps that swarm the big toe, top of the foot, and ankle are amazing at keeping her feet in place with every step.

“I definitely recommend getting your Chacos fitted by an expert and/or tinkering around with the perfect fit yourself,” she says. “It can be hard to find it, but once you have it, you won’t have to worry about adjusting the straps again.”

Although they can withstand weathering pretty well, they’re not all that great for all-day wear. Meredith has gauged over time (she’s had her Chacos for 6 years) that they’re “walkable for a day, but I wouldn’t hike in them.”

Style: 4/5

The Chacos Z sandals are ideal for someone who has more of a granola girl style. They flaunt more technical details (like the chunky sole and noticeable tread), so they’re obviously not as fashion-forward as the Doc Martens or Tevas of the world.

Still, these walking sandals come in a ton of different colors, plus you don’t have to snag the Z-style. Chacos sells a variety of shoe silhouettes with the same comfort levels!

Chaco sandals can be an investment (ranging from $75-$110), but they last a long time. Meredith hasn’t noticed any huge signs of wear over the six years she’s worn them!

OluKai ‘Aka Sandals

Comfort: 5/5

These walking sandals from OluKai changed everything Meredith thought she knew about flip flops. And well, they’re not even quite flip flops, either. They’re like flip flops, but elevated, really.

The ‘Aka silhouette boasts a carefully-crafted footbed that feels as durable as the Chacos sandals, which says a lot for such a lightweight shoe. On top of that, they have a very soft footbed that Meredith is obsessed with since it provides more support than your average slip-on sandal.

Practicality: 4/5

“For a pool day, these are absolutely practical,” Meredith says.

These walking sandals are crafted from a water-resistant material that doesn’t soak up water, but rather, repels it.

This aspect makes them an easy go-to for summer days spent outside.

As far as the actual walking, there’s not rubbing or chafing to be found. The easygoing straps keep the feet in place but don’t feel utterly tight or uncomfortable.

Style: 5/5

The style of these walking sandals is minimal, but adorable. They flaunt some super thin straps (still durable) that knot at the top. Plus, they are shoppable in a handful of other vibrant colors for only $70.

Birkenstock Arizona Sandals

Comfort: 3/5

Ahh, Birks. They’re so classic! Like Chacos, Meredith really had to break in her pair of Birkenstock Arizona sandals for literal weeks before they started to feel just right.

“The cork footbed is supposed to adapt to your step over time, though it takes a while,” according to Meredith.

On the other hand, the wide buckled straps are quite welcoming and have never rubbed her feet the wrong way. They cover a good amount of the foot, so you’re not left with skin sticking out or being pinched weirdly.

Practicality: 3/5

These walking sandals aren’t quite made to go the distance, according to Meredith.

“I'd rather have these on for a quick errand, rather than wandering around for hours at the farmer’s market,” she says. “Maybe I just haven’t broken them in enough yet, though.”

Their flat sole doesn’t have much tread, making it a challenge to navigate any surface that’s not an inside floor or pavement.

Style: 4/5

These Birkenstock walking sandals are the ultimate casual, cool girl shoe. They match with shorts, skirts, pants, and everything in between. They’ve come to have such a classic, unmistakable look, so the brand recognition also boosts their chicness.

These sandals come in a handful of different colors for $110.

Doc Marten Blaire Slide Sandals

Comfort: 3/5

Meredith has been rocking with these Doc Marten sandals since last summer, and she ranks their comfort a total of 3 out of 5. The straps are the main factor that takes away from their overall comfort, since they often rub and give her blisters in very specific places.

Each of the three straps is adjustable, and though she’s toyed with different levels of tightness, they just don’t fit Meredith’s feet right.

The cushy footbed gains a few points back for these walking sandals. Meredith does appreciate the platformed shape for short periods of wear, like getting groceries or stopping by the craft store.

Practicality: 2/5

Since their comfort level is close to intolerable for long periods of wear, Meredith can’t really endorse these walking sandals’ practicality.

“They’re super cute, but I just can’t have them on all day,” she says. “I wish they fit me better than they do.”

Style: 5/5

While the comfort and practicality categories are severely lacking, the cuteness factor of the Doc Marten Blaire Slide Sandals is undeniable.

As a Doc Marten boot enthusiast, Meredith was drawn to them for their easy-to-pair color palette and signature Doc Marten details, like the black leather and yellow stitching.

The Doc Marten Blaire Slide Sandals go for $100.

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