Happy New Years Eve to you all! This 2012 holiday season is just about to come to a close. I have had so much fun attending holiday parties, decorating for Christmas and celebrating with friends and family this holiday season. Check out some of my favorite moments from this past Christmas. 

My siblings and I went over to my grandparents house to decorate our yearly gingerbread houses. I think we might have gone a little overboard on the candy this year. But I did have a great final product!

Got all the family on my dad's side of the family together on Christmas Eve Eve to celebrate and exchange presents.

Here are my sister, brother and I after the Christmas Eve service at our church.

And come Christmas morning we had some delicious reindeer pancakes that my sister made for everyone before we dove into all the presents under the tree.

This was such a wonderful Christmas holiday and I can't believe it is over. There is still one more thing to celebrate this holiday season though! What are you doing tonight to ring in the New Year? I'm off to go get ready to countdown to 2013! 

Happy New Year!!

xoxo
Megan

p.s. ~ Have an idea you would like me to do a post about? Let me know! Share what event topic or party idea you would like to see me blog about in the comments section below. You never know what might show up in 2013!! 


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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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When it comes time to attend a holiday party it is always a nice gesture to bring along a gift for the hostess. This is a nice gesture that says “thank you for inviting me and for putting in all the hard work that it takes to plan a party.” Bringing a food or drink item is always a nice way to help contribute to the party. You can also make or pickup a nice gift that the hostess can use once the party is over. Here are ten of my favorite hostess gifts that you can give during this holiday season.

1. Bottle of Bubbly. You can’t go wrong with giving the gift of a bottle of delicious bubbly for the holiday hostess. They have so many adorable bags and bottle decorations that you can dress your bottle in too.

2. A Container of Holiday Sweets. If you are like my mom during the holidays you will have a variety of sweets sitting around the house. Fill a container of holiday goodies to give to your hostess.

3. A Holiday Scented Candle. Everyone loves the smell of the holidays. Gift some holiday scented candles like these from Bath & Body Works.

4. A Christmas Ornament. Find an ornament that you give to your hostess as a thank you. My favorites are from Crate & Barrel like these little chubby gnome ornaments.

5. Kitchen Gadget. Any party host will probably know their way around the kitchen pretty well. You can find tons of holiday kitchen gadgets like spatulas, measuring utensils, and bowls that make the perfect hostess thank-you gift like these holiday spatulas from Sur-la-Table.

6. Drink Mix. Create this DIY to give to the hostess so that they can make a delicious cup or hot chocolate or tea post party. You can even add a little bottle of your favorite mix-in to top off the drink.

7. Customized Coasters. From acrylic to paper coasters you can find some great options when it comes to gift giving. I am loving these monogrammed paper coasters from Alphabet Soup.

8. Cheese Platter. Any hostess will fully appreciate a cheese platter with cutting utensils. You can get a nice bamboo one like this from HomeGoods.

9. Bar Set. No party host can ever have too many bar trinkets. From wine toppers, to drink stirrers they will all be greatly appreciated. This bar set from Martha Stewart can be picked up at any Macy’s.

10. Spa Goodies. After all the stress that can come with planning an event a little spa themed thank-you is the perfect hostess gift. You can pick up a great spa set like this one from Target.

Only 2 weeks until Christmas! What is you favorite gift to give to the party hostess? Happy Holidays!

xoxo
Megan

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