Entertaining friends and loved ones during the holidays offers an opportunity to slow down from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and make lasting memories. The key is getting ahead of hosting duties so you can be present with family and friends. Make this season’s holiday hosting effortless and enjoyable with these tips: 1. Stick with a simple menu. There’s no need to create an elaborate menu with complex dishes that take hours to prepare. Instead, build your menu around easy crowd-pleasers. Save the experimenting with new recipes and ingredients for another time when you’re less likely to…

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As the holiday season twinkles around the corner, it’s time to transform the simple act of gift-giving into a festive celebration of joy. Gift wrapping is your magical gateway to spreading holiday cheer, and in this blog post, we’ll unwrap the secrets to creating presents that twinkle and sparkle as brightly as the season itself. Deck the Halls with Wrapping Paper: The first step to crafting the perfect holiday package is choosing the right wrapping paper. Dive into the sea of patterns – from classic snowflakes to playful reindeer – and let the festive spirit guide your selection. Opt for…

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For some families, a Christmas card photo is the only family picture they take every year. Getting the picture perfect holiday cards can be a chore. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure you get a great photo for your holiday cards. Select a Good Quality Photo The point of sending a family photo in your holiday card is so your friends and relatives can see you and your family. If you use a tiny, blurry, grainy, or poor quality photo, no one will see you clearly. Make sure to take and select a high quality photo for your…

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Gingerbread houses are a fun, time-honored tradition for many families. The joy of gathering around and helping to decorate and build this sweet holiday decoration is a happy memory for many. If you’d like to break away from using store bought kits and want to put your own spin on your gingerbread house, here are some gingerbread house decorating ideas to get you started. Make it Monochromatic Using one color scheme can really make your project pop. Buy different types of candies in shades of the same color and let the texture of the candies be your focal point. Pastel…

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Apple orchards, apple picking and apple desserts all scream fall. Glowing with bright yellows and reds, apples are juicy and more than ready to be used in your favorite fall recipes. If you’re looking for something sweet and full of texture that can turn your taste buds upside down, look no further. (Culinary.net) This scrumptious Spiced Apple Crumble is not only a family favorite but a holiday must-have. It’s the perfect dish to pack up and deliver to your next gathering of loved ones. Kids and adults love the deliciously sweet apple chunks filling the bottom of the pan along…

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Now that the holiday season is fast approaching, you probably want to trim the tree and start decorating the house. Thanks to the thrifty nature of second-hand items, you can decorate and get ready for Christmas without breaking the bank. Here are some easy ways to save at your local thrift shop. Christmas Trees Have you went shopping for an artificial Christmas tree yet? A quality tree costs a couple hundred dollars at least. If you want a bigger and better tree, it will set you back about $400-$500. However, you can get a tree at a thrift store for…

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While often regarded as the most wonderful time of year, the holiday season is also an expensive spot on the calendar. Even as many families feel the squeeze of inflation and rising costs, there is hope for your budget when it comes to gatherings, gifts, food and beyond.(Family Features) Stick to a budget Beyond gifts and stocking stuffers, holiday costs can add up quickly once you factor in travel, decor, pet care, special events and more. Create an all-encompassing budget for the season then break it into segments for each type of expense, including hidden expenses like wrapping paper or…

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If spending hours scouring store shelves or browsing countless websites for the perfect gift for everyone on your list seems like a daunting task, opt for a more personalized approach: a handmade gift. (Family Features) DIY mason jar gifts can be easy and affordable solutions when gift lists are running long but time is running short. Plus, crafting something for loved ones this holiday season can show them just how much you care. From canning and crafting to storage, drinkware and even gardening, Ball Honeybee Keepsake Jars can be used in a myriad of ways, including creating simple yet endearing…

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It’s time for cocoa, carols, and winter crafting! What better way to get into that festive feeling than to break out the hot glue sticks and colorful felt. Get those creative, wintry juices flowing like eggnog in your favorite Christmas mug, it’s time make some holiday wreaths! When most people think of a wreath, they visualize green fir branches in a circle, with a festive red ribbon and jingle bells. While this “traditional” kind of Christmas wreath is a lovely idea, there are so many options to consider. Below are some DIY winter wreath projects that will add holiday flair…

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One of the best loved and most sought after treats are cookies. While boxed and bagged cookies are delightful and really take virtually no work other than opening the box or bag, there is nothing like a homemade cookie. Below are some of the most scrumptious and easy cookies recipes. Get out your baking sheets, mixers, and parchment paper. It’s time to bake cookies! Chocolate Chip Chunk Cookies Serving Size: 18-24 cookies What You’ll Need: • Mixer • Parchment Paper • Unsalted Butter, room temperature- 1/2 cup • Sugar- 2 tablespoons • Sugar in the Raw- 2 tablespoons • Light…

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