Now that Christmas has come and gone there is one last big holiday season event left, New Years Eve. And what could be a better time to gather all your friends together and celebrate a wedding than on this traditional night of partying? New Years Eve is a great date for a black tie, full of sparkle wedding event. Are you ready to count down for this wedding theme?

A solid palette of black and white with the accent of sparkles is the perfect NYE wedding color palette. As with any NYE party you can never have too many sparkles. Find linens that shimmer, use silver and gold rimmed plates and glasses, and add edible glitter to your desserts for the perfect sparkle. To top off all that shines have all your guests use sparklers when you leave the wedding or reception. 

When it comes to hosting a wedding on NYE you can’t go wrong with incorporating the traditional NYE party hats and noise makers. A great way to hand out these party favors is by using them as the escort cards. Tie a tag onto each noise maker for the guests to pick up when they arrive at the reception.

And you can’t forget about the midnight countdown. Instead of having a champagne toast during the wedding have servers pass around mini champagne bottles or glasses for all your guests to toast in the new year. Or if you are really good at planning combine both the wedding toasts with the countdown to the new year. An additional surprise for all your guests could also include a confetti or balloon drop to ring at midnight.

Let the countdown to 2013 begin! What do you think about this New Years Eve Wedding? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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Christmas is almost here! One tradition that my siblings and I take part in every year is decorating gingerbread houses and cookies that my grandmother bakes. We have been doing this since I can remember. Now that my sister is a teacher my grandmother even makes houses and cookies for all her students each year.

So you can take part in some gingerbread fun here is a great gingerbread cookie recipe from Martha Stewart. To make these cookies you will need:
        - 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus some extra for rolling
        - 2 teaspoons ground ginger
        - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
        - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
        - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
        - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
        - 1/4 teaspoon salt
        - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
        - 1/3 cup packed dark-brown sugar
        - 1/3 cup molasses
        - 1 large egg
        - decorating icing, sprinkles and other candy

Step 1: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, spices, baking soda, and salt; set aside. With an electric mixer, beat butter and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in molasses and egg. With mixer on low, add dry ingredients; mix just until a dough forms. Place dough on floured plastic wrap; pat into an 8-inch square. Wrap well; chill until firm, 1 to 2 hours.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Divide dough in half. Working with one half at a time (rewrap and refrigerate other half), place dough on floured parchment or waxed paper; roll out 1/8 inch thick, turning, lifting, and flouring dough (and rolling pin) as needed. Freeze dough (on paper) until firm,
about 20 minutes.

Step 3: Loosen dough from paper. Cut out shapes, and transfer to baking sheets. Decorate with sugar or sprinkles, as desired. **To keep your edges neat and tidy dip the cookie cutters into flour before cutting the cookies.

Step 4: Bake until firm and edges just begin to darken, 10 to 18 minutes, depending on size. Cool completely on baking sheets.

This is one tradition that I will always love during the holidays! Do you have a favorite holiday tradition that you take part in each year? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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I made both of these crafts for my office holiday party that is today. They are both budget friendly crafts and easy to customize based on the party’s color palette. Let me know if you try your hand at making either of these wine bottle crafts. I would love to see your end results! Do you have a favorite holiday craft you like to make? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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For those that love the holidays creating a red and green wedding is the perfect solution. It always amazes me how many Christmas themed wedding decorations and ideas that I find this time of the year. Some are so cute that I wished they could be used year-round. So get into the Christmas spirit with this Christmas inspired red and green wedding!

When it comes to the decorations just stick with the traditional Christmas garland, wreaths, red berries and holly. They can serve as great table runners, centerpieces, give the room a wonderful Christmas scent and after the wedding you can use them to decorate your home. This red and green tablescape is a perfect example.

I know that these are not red and green, but how adorable would it be to hang up bride and groom stockings, like these from Personal Creations, at the wedding reception? These could be on the back of their chairs, hanging at their table or at the gift table to collect any cards.

Ornaments are great to use in your wedding design. Use red and green ornaments for your place card and guest favor. On the attached tag put their table seat on one side and the date with a cute note on the other. Now all your guests will have an ornament to decorate their tree and remember your big day!

And of course you can’t forget the small details of the wedding. Sprinkle small red and green details throughout the wedding. Between the napkin holders, drink selection, desserts, flowers and the cake a little Christmas will go a long way. Candy canes, peppermints, berries, red roses and red and green ribbon can turn any traditional wedding item into a Christmas themed delight!

What do you think about this red and green Christmas theme? Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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Just one week left until Christmas is here! You can never start preparing for the holidays too early in my mind. For me and my family Christmas always includes lots of family events including Christmas Eve dinner at my parent’s house and Christmas day dinner at my grandparents. Preparing for these events in between all the other Christmas events going on over the next week just doesn’t leave you much time. So to help make sure you don’t forget anything for your Christmas dinner here is my list of Christmas Dinner essentials.

1. Christmas China. You can’t have a true Christmas dinner without your Christmas dishes. My favorites are these from Spode. They are just so festive!

2. Christmas Glasses. You need something to hold all of that holiday cheer! From wine glasses to water glasses you can never have too many available during the holidays. I am loving these 12 Days of Christmas wine glasses from Overstock.com. You won’t even need to use glass charms!

3. Christmas Linens. What would a Christmas dinner table be without holiday linens. Find festive Christmas napkins, placemats, and table cloths to deck out the table setting. This is an adorable one from Pottery Barn Kids that would be perfect at any Christmas table.

4. Christmas Utensil Holders. For me utensil holders are just a fun excuse to craft during the holidays. Try making these adorable holders from Stamp with Heather for this year’s holiday table. 

5. Christmas Poppers. My family can’t pass up on the use of poppers during the holidays. We always enjoy the funny hats, little toys and jokes that came in these festive poppers.

6. Christmas Centerpiece. At our house we usually display the gingerbread houses that we decorate during the holidays. This is also a great time to get a little crafty for your Christmas dinner. This one was at the UVA Holiday open house I went to.

7. Christmas Music. While your guests are arriving and snacking on appetizers before dinner it is also very festive to have some holiday music playing in the background. Here is a holiday playlist that will have everyone singing along!

8. Christmas Cocktails. When it comes to the holidays the traditional eggnog is the first thing that comes to my mind. After that you can get everyone’s favorite wine, beer or other tasty beverage. There are always some fun season beverages in the stores that make for a fun treat for a holiday get together. Better Homes and Gardens has a great recipe for making a cup of traditional eggnog.

9. Christmas Cookies. What would a Christmas meal be without some Christmas cookies. Homemade or store bought always make for a fun snack after Christmas dinner. Don’t forget to save some for Santa too! Try making these peanut butter reindeer cookies this year!

10. Christmas Dinner. When it comes to Christmas dinner there is no right or wrong menu. Every culture and family has a different traditional Christmas meal. All I know is that just like Thanksgiving there is always a lot of food no matter what you decide to make.

What are some of your family’s traditions when it comes to the Christmas dinner? Christmas is getting closer so start your planning now! Happy Holidays!!

xoxo
Megan

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I love making holiday themed treats this time of year! Last year I was looking for some new treats to make and came across these peanut butter reindeer cookies. I love peanut butter cookies and could not wait to give this recipe a try. Lets just say these cookies did not last too long last year!

To make these holiday cookies you will need:

• 3/4 cup peanut butter
  
• 1 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  
• 1/2 cup shortening
  
• 3 tablespoons milk
  
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
  
• 1 egg
  
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
  
• Chocolate-covered mini pretzels
  
• Mini brown M&Ms
  
• Regular-sized red M&Ms
  

Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F.

Step 2: Combine brown sugar, peanut butter, shortening, milk, and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed until well blended. Add egg; beat until blended.

Step 3: In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Add this to creamed mixture at low speed. Mix just until blended.

Step 4: Form dough into 1-inch balls. To make reindeer-shaped cookies, pinch the bottom of the ball slightly to form a point, then gently flatten with your hand. Space cookies about 2 inches apart on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, until set or just beginning to brown. 

Step 5: Remove from oven and immediately (and gently) press two mini pretzels into the tops of the cookies for the reindeer's antlers. Press two mini M&Ms in for the eyes and one M&M for the nose.

Step 6: Allow the cookies to cool for 2 minutes on the baking sheet and then transfer to a wire rack or paper towel to cool completely. 

I had some fun with these cookies and made my reindeer have many different colored noses. What is your favorite holiday treat that you like to make? Happy Holidays!

xoxo
Megan

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Once all your guests have arrived you can swap away! Distribute your boxes to each guest so that they can start filling them up with delicious treats. Have cupcake liners and parchment paper out to help with the cookie packaging.

You now have a delicious box of cookies to enjoy during the holidays! What is your favorite type of cookie to make for a cookie swap? Happy Holidays!

xoxo
Megan

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Just 12 days till Christmas! Which day is your favorite? Happy Holidays!

xoxo
Megan

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