HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH TEAM MADEWELL

The upcoming holiday season got us thinking about heading home. You know that feeling when you’re back in your old stomping grounds and you pass that one iconic landmark that says you’ve arrived? It’s nostalgic and comforting and exciting all at once—and we wanted to capture it. Read on to see how Team Madewell answers the question: How do you know when you’re home?

“The landmark that does it for me is the bridge that connects New Hampshire and Maine—more specifically, the state line Vacationland sign. After driving five hours from New York, seeing it puts a smile on my face, knowing I’m back in my home state—and that I only have 40 more minutes left to drive!” —Nicole, allocation aficionado

“For me I get that warm feeling when I pull up the driveway and see these little nuggets looking for me. They never ever miss my arrival and they’re always as happy to see me as I am to see them. When I see their sweet faces in the window—I know I'm home!” —Garrett, store team guru

“I grew up in Shelton, Connecticut, which is home to two amazing things: my dad, who makes the world’s best hamburger, and the Wiffle Ball factory (as in, the only place in the world where wiffle balls are made). The factory is right off the exit to my dad’s place, so I pass it whenever I’m visiting. It’s squat, rectangular and would be the epitome of ‘nondescript’ were it not for a giant wiffle ball smack in the center of its façade. It’s how I know I’m almost home (and soooo close to one of those burgers).” —Jayna, editorial expert

“My dad bought this Airstream Bambi on eBay years ago and has been slowly restoring it ever since. I know I’m home when I step into the backyard and see my dad polishing or fixing something, my mom reading the paper and Bambi parked right behind them.” —Hannah, creative connoisseur

“Every time I tell somebody outside of Michigan that I grew up going to the beach, they look at me skeptically. Holland surrounds an inland lake that feeds into Lake Michigan where we have beautiful sandy beaches, gigantic dunes and a sweet lighthouse dubbed ‘Big Red.’ It’s immediately recognizable whether I spot it on my way to the beach in summer or see it while walking along the shore on a blustery winter day. It reminds me of how unique my hometown is.” —Kelci, social media maven

Thanks, team. Heading home soon too? Come find everything you’ll wanna pack in your suitcase.

Illustrations by Hannah Burch