Celebrating with Gingerbread

Today we’re going to sample a classic holiday treat: gingerbread!

Baked Goods:

Pumpkin gingerbread with orange glaze

Gingerbread cupcakes with cinnamon cream cheese frosting

Gingerbread waffles

Cider gingerbread bundt cake

Gingerbread pudding cake

Mini gingerbread whoopie pies with cream cheese filling

Gingerbread pancakes

Gingerbread poke cake

Banana gingerbread muffins

Gingerbread apple streusel coffee cake

Gingerbread 7 layer bars

Orange gingerbread muffins

Slow cooker apple gingerbread pudding cake

Gingerbread cheesecake

Gingerbread icebox cake

Guinness gingerbread

Old fashioned gingerbread

Gingerbread and lemon curd trifle with blackberry sauce

Cookies:

Gingerbread cookies

Chewy gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread hazelnut cookies

Gingerbread biscotti

Gingerbread man mug mates

Gingerbread snow globe cookies

Gluten free gingerbread cookies

Other Sweet Treats:

Gingerbread marshmallows

Gingerbread cocktail

Gingerbread martini

Gingerbread hot chocolate

What are your favorite gingerbread treats?

Stockings for Santa

As we get closer to the Christmas holiday I thought this week we’d take a look at some creative stocking ideas, just in case you need some creative projects, are looking for a distraction project, got a new fireplace this year or just love decorating with all things Christmas.  Some are one dimensional (not helpful for putting stuff in), and others have lots of room for gifts (and hopefully not coal).  I’ve also included a few project ideas on how to hang them just in case you didn’t get that fireplace this year, and some other stocking-inspired decor projects.

Hangers:

Stocking holder with glittering knobs

Simple wooden stocking holder with a place for a photo

Stockings:

Watercolor resist paper stockings

Snowman felt stocking

Superhero stockings

Burlap stockings

Hemstitch stockings

Knitted fisherman stockings

Fair Isle stockings

Bernat monogram stocking

Crochet reindeer stocking

The (knit) stocking story

Crochet holly stocking

Woven stocking

Quilted flannel stocking

Sugar plum crochet stocking

Crochet snowman stocking

Checkered stocking

Plaid stocking with shearling cuff

Wool woodlands stocking

Pom pom stocking

Pet stocking

Crazy quilted stocking

Quilted stocking

Potato print stocking

Christmas flower stocking

Felt stocking

Festive crochet stocking

Even more projects:

Holiday pillow with stocking design

Stocking terrarium

“Dear Santa” shadowbox with stocking

Mini stocking banner

What creative stockings are you hanging this year?

Celebrating with Candy Canes

Today to get our holiday season started, I thought we’d take a look at some crafts and treats inspired by or including candy canes.

Crafts:

Candy cane stripe wreath

Candy cane planter

Candy sleigh

Gingerbread cookie ski men

Candy cane Christmas mice

Candy cane reindeer

Candy cane jar

Puzzle piece candy cane

Crystal candy canes

Treats:

Candy cane spoons

Candy cane ball pop

Peppermint crunch bark

Pink peppermint stick ice cream

Peppermint stick cookies

Candy cane fudge

Candy cane lush

Peppermint bark hearts

Candy cane marshmallows

Chocolate and peppermint stars

Mini peppermint meringue cups with ganache

Peppermint yule log

Candy cane cookies

White chocolate peppermint drops

Candy cane dipped strawberries

Candy cane reindeer pops

Candied candy canes

Candy cane thumbprint cookies

How do you enjoy your candy canes?

Words of Holiday Cheer

With Christmas day less than 24 hours away, today I’m sharing some words of the season, and how you can show what’s inspiring you this season.

Joy:

Joy-ful lighted sign

Joy boxwood wreath

Perler bead ‘joy’ banner

Large ‘joy’ letters

Rustic ‘joy’ art made of rope

Jute wrapped ‘joy’ letters

Candy cane striped ‘joy’ letters

‘Joy’ with evergreen wreath sign

‘Joy to the world’ sign

Merry:

‘Merry’ pom-pom sign

‘Merry and Bright’ sign with painted lights

‘Merry Christmas’ pallet sign 

‘Merry little Christmas’ song sign with wreath

‘Merry’ letter sign with mini gold ornaments

‘Merry and bright’ Rudolph sign

Santa inspired:

‘Elf Squad’

‘North Pole’ arrow sign

‘Never too old’ sign

‘Santa’s workshop’ and more signs

Lighted ‘Ho Ho Ho’ sign

Reindeer names sign

Other ideas:

‘Let it snow’ fabric wreath with white (snow) sequins

‘Let it snow’ shadowbox

‘Noel’ pallet sign

‘Vintage Christmas’ pillow

Family holiday sign

‘Christmas tree farm’ sign

‘Sleigh rides’ sign

‘Christmas countdown’ lighted sign

‘Candy cane’ sign

‘O Holy night’ sign

‘Calm and bright’ sign with lights

Wooden ‘O Christmas Tree’ sign

What has been your word or words this Christmas?

A Tree Full of Treats and Treasures

As we get closer to the official celebration of Christmas, today I’ve got some fun DIY tree creations and a few tree treats too.

Amigurumi mini tree

Christmas tree terrarium

Wood disc tree

Weaving hoop tree

Gemstone Christmas tree gift bag

Christmas tree gift tag

Fabric tree pillow ornament

Hanging trees with stars

Felt kids playtime tree

Quilted tree pillow sleeve

Simple golden wood sparkle tree

Simple dyed green wood tree

Ribbon tree

Pinecone tree

Ribbon tree on a T-shirt

Washi tape tree on canvas

Yarn and felt tree skirt with trees

Beaded chenille (pipe cleaner) stem tree

Wood disc ornament

Tree place card

Felt tree bottle cover

Christmas tree napkin

PVC pipe tree

Treats:

Geometric tree candy

Decorated Christmas tree cookies

Star topped mini tree cakes

Decorated Christmas tree cutout cookies

Stained glass Christmas tree cookies

What trees are you decorating with this year?

Share a Little Christmas Card

Today I’ve got some very creative and cheer-inspiring DIY Christmas card ideas for you!

Classic winter cottage

Festive present carrying Llama

Kids “Ho Ho Ho” card

Traditional golden deer 

Christmas tree in a truck, no caption

Christmas tree in a truck, peace caption

Bead and paint tree

Slated paper tree 

Fringe tree

“Seasons Greetings” with tree

“Merry Christmas” with 3D ornaments

“Noel” with Christmas wreath

3-D pop-out folded Christmas tree

Paint chip Christmas trees

Reindeer pop-up

“Merry and Bright” with Rudolph and “Merry Christmas” gift tag

Embroidered, decorated tree

Cards decorated with with baker’s twine 

Pipe cleaner Christmas tree

Working snow globe

Fun accordion cards

Lots of ideas made with felt

Holly berry buttons

“Merry Little Christmas” with mouse and tree

Red mittens 

Christmas glitter stars

“Noel” snowflake wreath

Fingerprint Christmas lights

Button snowman

“Seasons Greetings” reindeer (can light up!)

Are you creating and sending cards this year?

Christmas Celebrating with Advent Calendars

Thinking of a fun way to count down til Christmas? Try making a homemade Advent calendar.

Wooden Advent tree calendar with boxes

Colorful paper pouch advent calendar

Christmas countdown tree

Fabric “envelope” Advent calendar

Tree Advent banner

Garland art calendar

Scratch-off snowflake calendar

Advent calendar in a jar

Balloon garland calendar

Take-out box calendar

Wooden house calendar

Wooden tree advent calendar with little metal buckets

Felt stocking garland calendar

Paper stocking garland calendar

Christmas light bulb garland calendar

Paper woodland houses calendar

Hanging paper houses calendar

Boxes on canvas calendar

Activity card calendar 

Star garland calendar

Upcycled toilet paper gift-filled Advent calendar

Punch box calendar

Tree-topped Advent calendar boxes

Message in a bottle calendar

Matchbook advent calendar

Ornament calendar

Advent calendar with little mailboxes

Geometric calendar

Envelopes in a box calendar

What are your Advent calendar ideas?

Decadent Christmas Cookie Decorations

Today as we’re getting ever closer to Christmas I thought we’d take a look at some fun ways to decorate whatever your favorite cookies are, whether they’re gingerbread, sugar or something else, and simple but fun ways to add a little something special to your Christmas cookie celebrations (and a couple other sweet treat ideas too).

Cookies:

Christmas tree forest

Penguin slice and bake cookies

Apple pie thumbprints

Gingerbread reindeer

White chocolate confetti cookies

Cake mix holiday cookies

Dipped shortbread cookies

Sugar cookie ornaments

Christmas meringues

Santa and tree cookies

Gingerbread people in gingerbread hot chocolate tubs

Holiday biscotti

Gingerbread man mug mates

Hanging stockings

Reindeer milk-n-cookies

Santa hat milk-n-cookies

Gingerbread milk-n-cookies

Almond and lemon biscotti dipped in white chocolate

Blue and white snowflakes

Heart shaped reindeer sugar cookies

Package cookies

Candy cane sugar cookies

Santa cutouts

Triangle Santa cookies

Bell shaped Mrs. Claus skirt

Round reindeer cookies

Bell shaped reindeer

Candy cane snowmen

Green and white icing wreath

Simple wreath with candy pieces and icing bow

3D gingerbread trees

Coffee cup cookie

Christmas cookie dunkers

Emjoi thumbprints

Black and white reindeer cookies

Snow globe cookies

Stick people gingerbread cookies

Snowflake cookies

3-D striped tree cookies

Shiny mitten cookies

Christmas star cookies

Christmas reindeer cookies

Holly leaf and cardinal cookie

“Merry” cookie

“Cheer” cookie

Red door inn gingerbread cookie

Gabled gingerbread cookie

Cape cod gingerbread cookie

Toy shop soldier cookie

Strand of Christmas lights sugar cookie

Trimmed Christmas tree cookie

Wreath Christmas cookie

Sweet Treats:

Dipped blondie sticks

Peppermint marshmallow snowmen

Reindeer brownies

Brownie trees

Gingerbread man cupcakes

Cherry mitten hand pies

What are your favorite decoration ideas?

Appetizers for Entertaining

Today I thought we’d take a look at some tasty treats and dips to get your next holiday gathering started.

Dip:

New Orleans barbecue shrimp dip

Creamy shrimp scampi dip

Swiss and bacon dip

Christmas queso

Creamy peppadew dip

Warm fennel and Parmesan dip

Herbed goat cheese spread

Edamame lemongrass hummus

Small bites:

Steak au poivre potatoes

Spinach and goat cheese tartlets

Swedish meatballs

BLT salad bites

Gougeres with Gruyère mornay and beer mustard

Chorizo bites with smoked paprika and piquillo pepper aioli

Shrimp and avocado salad on endive leaves

Bacon wrapped ginger shrimp

Ham and Gruyère thumbprints

Twice baked potatoes

Dirty deviled eggs

Smoked salmon zucchini bites

Gorgonzola thyme stuffed olives

Dilled onion cheese balls

Blue cheese and pine nut puffs

Mini party quiches

Cranberry sauced meatballs

Made for a crowd:

Butternut squash spinach tart

Sausage Parmesan palmiers

Asparagus and jack cheese frittata

Pizza wreath

Savory Christmas cheese bread

Gorgonzola flatbread with prosciutto and dates

Mini bagel pizzas

What are you planning for appetizers this Christmas season?

Celebrating with Christmas Cookies

Today we’re taking a look at a variety of Christmas cookies, including some alternatives if you’ve got allergies or diets and some regional favorites.

Traditional/Regional:

Buccellati cookies

Danish sugar pretzels

Basler Brunsli

Stollen bites

Rugelach pinwheels

Glazed bizcochito stars

Speculaas cookies

Lebkuchen cookies

Chrusciki leaves

Kourambiedex Greek cookies

Sweet Treats:

Cherry vanilla cream cheese spritz cookies

Chocolate crinkles

Eggnog cookies

Fruitcake drops

Hot cocoa cookies

Peppermint sticks

Shortbread cookies

Gingersnap cookies

Cranberry almond shortbreads

Browned butter pecan sandies

Chocolate hazelnut and caramel thumbprints

Mint chocolate trees

Star mint meringues

Classic Christmas sandies

Candy stripe cookie sticks

Cinnamon swirl cookies

Chewy coconut chocolate pinwheels

Pignoli cookies

Alternative/Healthy cookies:

Keto almond shortbreads

Gluten free hazenut vanilla shortbread

Gluten free jam macaroons

Flourless double chocolate pecan cookies

Gluten free cranberry white chocolate pecan cookies

Vegan Russian tea cakes

Vegan Pfeffernusse cookies

Paleo hot chocolate cookies with vanilla bean frosting

Paleo, vegan chocolate coconut truffles

Paleo reindeer bombs

Sugar free paleo pecan snowball cookies

What cookies are you baking this Christmas?