Enjoy this time with family & friends. Merry Christmas!
Tag: Christmas
25 Party Appetizers You Can Make In 20 Minutes
Tis the season to either host or attend holiday parties! The tough part is finding the right recipes to share with your loved ones. There are so many traditional items we tend to expect on our gathering table, but what if we strayed a bit from the norm? What if we decide to try something new to mix it up? With time slipping away, I have found a treasure trove of simple and quick recipes you can add to your table or bring with you as you join your loved ones.
I give all the credit to BuzzFeed for this amazing list. They included 25 recipes you can make in about 20 minutes, often in less time. Let me share a few of my favorites with you.
A unique take on a nut based dip, this red pepper, walnut & tahini dip is mouthwatering! The consistency is hearty and is best (in my opinion) on a heavier chip, pita crisps or toast points.
Another interesting combo is the edamame & avocado dip. Both have great flavor and they blend well. The consistency is much more dense and would best be served with thicker corn chips, pita crisps or toast points much like the tahini.
Now if you seek a sweet option but dont want to succumb to all things pumpkin spice, try the pineapple black bean guacamole. I know you are thinking that is an odd combo…and it is but I have to tell you, its making my mouth water just thinking of scooping some up! Its so good you can put a dollop on your plate as garnish for your meal.
Lastly, a dessert style dip that grabs an honorable mention. Its not from the BuzzFeed list…its actually from The Cookie Rookie and its divine! A skinny caramel apple dip that allows you to indulge without so much guilt! It does pack a few calories so dont dive into a bowl of your own, but you can certainly enjoy a helping with some freshly sliced tart apples. *Drool*
Whether you are hosting or traveling, I hope you all enjoy the holidays at a gathering table filled with love, laughter and delicious food!
Holiday Printables
Not sure how everyone else feels about printables but they are my latest obsession. I worked in the printing industry for over 10 years so fonts are a beautiful thing in my world. The options are endless and knowing some have taken such care as to create printable items for all to use is just plain awesome.
These handwriting fonts from The Shabby Creek Cottage are a great addition to my font family.
This Elf On A Shelf thing is beyond huge. I mean I cant cruise through social media without seeing a new post about elf shenanigans. Its cute and adds a new level of playfulness to the holiday season. The printable notes from Frugal Coupon Living are all about that frisky elf.
If you are following the Homemade Holidays movement, you can use these great labels for your gifts. I found these gems at EverythingEtsy and absolutely love them. Made with love indeed!
A great site that has both decor and gift options for their Christmas printables is The Chronicles of Home. With festive framed pieces, holiday themed cards, gift tags and other stunning decor options, I had to download them all.
Hope you enjoy printables as much as I do. If you have some absolute must have’s, please share!
Homemade Holidays – The Gift of Upcycling
In keeping with my intention (yes, intention) to give homemade gifts this Christmas, I am always on the lookout for clever and crafty ways to make meaningful and fun pieces to share with my loved ones. I have pinned and shared so many ideas and I have collected info from some of my friends that I want to try.
The other day I came across a great post with new ideas that I had never considered. It was a link from Good Housekeeping that showed up on my facebook feed so naturally I clicked through. The very first idea was how to upcycle a knife block for a kid’s art station. SOLD! What a great tip! Not only is it functional, but it’s fun & funky at the same time.
I mean how flippin’ cute is that!?
We all recycle our cans right? What about upcycling them into something beautiful like this?
Agreed that it would take a lot more effort but the end result is stunning! If you feel like you can take your craftiness to the next level, how about starting with an old vacuum hose? Imagine transforming it into this gorgeous piece of holiday decor.
It may be beyond (waaayyy beyond) my craft skill level at this point, but its certainly a goal. Seriously…I am going to check out more of these upcycle ideas. A broom into a functional decor piece? Im intrigued…
DIY – Homemade Holiday Gifts
With the holidays here, we have just a few weeks left to shop & the thought of gift giving is center stage. This year, I am going to try the DIY route and do homemade gifts. Call me crazy but I think getting crafty is the way to go. Yes, the supplies would of course be purchased but the assembly is gonna be all me. I hope.
Ive taken some inspiration from fellow bloggers and of course, some of my favorite online shops like Hobby Lobby and Kirkland’s to make some of the gifts I think my family will love.
For example, this etched glass is at the top of my list. It wont say Merry Christmas, probably more along the lines of an initial or a universal sentiment so it doesnt get packed away as a seasonal item.
These jars, although decked out for the holidays, can be filled with anything and the letters can be swapped out.
For the one that needs a little pampering, nothing like bath products to make you feel like splurging. If the bottles look like a familiar shape, you are a coffee drinker like me!
I pinned lots of ideas to my board and have a list to try out. Wish me luck!
Giving Back – Feeling Thankful
With the evolution of social media and specifically, sites like Pinterest and Facebook, we have an infinite amount of information that we share with one another. Lots of tips are related to life hacks but have you ever stopped to think about those who are more concerned with shelter and their next meal instead of how to use a binder clip to prop up a keyboard?
There are lots of ways to give back and I hope you find these helpful. If you have tips not listed, please share in the comments so all can benefit. Feel free to reblog and post all over social media. If anything should go viral, random acts of kindness should be at the top of the list.
#BlessingBags – Take a gallon sized ziploc bag and fill with travel sized hygiene items. Anything from toothbrushes & toothpaste to deodorant & feminine products. Some additional items that we take for granted like mints, gum and hand cream should also be included.
#PursePurge – Take your old purses and fill them with things women use regularly. Take a look inside your own bag and think of what you would like if someone blessed you with one. Items like those above can be included but keep in mind, these bags will be for women.
#SweaterSwap – Clean out those closets and grab all the old sweaters you can find. Kid sizes too. Many who sleep outdoors layer their limited clothes so the more pieces you find, the better.
#PrepaidCards – Whether you grab a prepaid Visa or a calling card, both are valuable beyond measure. Imagine having to decide between using your change to eat or call a loved one. You never know when a phone call could change a life.
The possibilities are endless. Take the initiative and host a blanket drive at your office or in your local community. Ask all the men in your life to donate their old wallets with a single dollar inside. Collect solar blankets and travel sized emergency kits too.
So…what are some of your tips and ways to give back?
#FollowFriday
Its Halloween Eve and with that comes the start of the HOLIDAY SEASON! Yes, its time to unpack the platters for Thanksgiving and the stockings for Christmas. Am I the only one who is wondering where the heck this year went?! Its all happening so fast…I cant help but feel a little frazzled. There is so much to do. Thankfully, we all have so many ideas to share and tips to help get through these next two months. With that, I would like to make the next 8 Fridays all about learning and sharing with one another. Whether you have decorating tips, great recipes or some life hacks that will make this time of year just a little easier, I wanna know all about them! So if you see me cruising through your pages and posts, know that you have inspired me.
Its #FollowFriday…enjoy!
Cappuccino Connected 