letter from
THE EDITOR
For the Larson family, this is a year of firsts. Our baby Thea will celebrate her first Christmas with her big brother and big sister. We'll spend the first holiday season in our new home, hosting Santa down a brand new chimney. And here at Style Me Pretty, we're welcoming our first holiday inspired e-magazine. But this collection of inspiration is a little bit different, as we've enlisted the help of some of our most favorite bloggers, stylists, designers and photographers. From Waiting on Martha to the cute girls at 100 Layer Cake, the innovaters that are graciously sharing their ideas with us are people that we easily call friends, people that inspire us every day through creative blogs and outlets of their very own. And isn't that really what this crazy world of blogging is all about? Sharing ideas and inspiration among friends, in a community that feels both intimate and effortless. Bringing the work that we are doing within our homes into the lives of those who simply want to create. So for this holiday season, our wish is that blogging continues to be a community of creativity. Without ego or hubris. Simply a sharing of ideas from one set of hands to another. Celebrating those that have been around for decades and feasting on those that are still to come. An enormous thank you to all who helped pull this little bout of lovely together for us. May it serve as a foundation for an inspired and utterly lovely holiday season, shared by friends and family who come with a smile.
xoxo, Abby Larson
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CON T R IBUT OR PROFILES E M I LY A C L A R K
100 L AY E R CA K E
Emily Clark
Jillian Clark
Emily is a wife, a mom of five, and busy bee
100 Layer Cake inspires and facilitates
trying to decorate her home one crazy day
the most special events in life. Weddings,
at a time. Emily A Clark is where she shares
birthdays, anniversaries, engagements —all
simple design ideas, affordable projects and
the things that make your heart fill with love.
the occasional deep thought.
H E L LO NAT U R A L Stephanie Gerber Hello Natural is a destination for DIY beauty ideas, healthy recipes, green-cleaning tips and wellness advice. Stephanie is always trying out new recipes, DIY projects and natural products to share with her readers.
WA I T I NG O N M A RT H A Mandy Rye Waiting on Martha encompasses home décor, entertaining staples, baubles, paper goods, goods for the guys, gifts for fido, and anything and everything else in between to help create a beautiful everyday.
LARK AND LINEN Jacquelyn Clark Lark and Linen is on a mission to sprinkle a little bit of beautiful into your every day. Jacquelyn believes that good design is inspiring, uplifting, comforting and totally and completely unique to every individual.
THE IDEA ROOM
CLASSY CLUTTER Mallory and Savannah Classy Clutter was created as a way to document all things creative with an emphasis on home décor and furniture. Mallory and Savannah’s goal is to inspire just one person to be creative!
NILA HOLDEN Nila Holden Nila Holden creates decorative personalized cookies and cakes for gifts and special occasions. Her signature style evokes emotion through its use of romantic, whimsical floral designs to create the perfect gift.
L I SA VO R C E Lisa Vorce Lisa Vorce Event Design & Production is a distinct event planning studio that creates one-of-a-kind
celebratory
experiences
for discerning individuals and companies.
L A R I C K I EV E N T D E S I G N
Amy Huntley
Ricki Uster
Amy is a mother of five, who enjoys sharing
Ricki Uster is the owner and event
her love of all things creative in the hopes of inspiring other women and and their families.
designer of La Ricki Event Design where she shares things that inspire her. She truly enjoys planning and designing for those wanting fresh and unique occasions!
A L L T H I NG S T H R I F T Y
FLORAL DESIGN BY ERIN
Brooke Ulrich
Erin Neilson
All Things Thrifty is a fun collection of the
Erin Nielson, owner of Floral Design by
never-ending projects cluttering up your
Erin, loves using her creativity to make
garage. Brooke is a mom of four crazy kids
beautiful things and collaborting with brides
and her husband Dan can build anything she
to come up with their dream wedding.
dreams up!
SINCLAIR AND MOORE Steve and Jamie Moore Sinclair and Moore are a husband and wife event design and planning team. Lovers of dessert, beautiful things and adventures.
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A H O L I D AY T R A D I T I O N W I T H M O L LY S I M S : C H O C O L AT E S W E E T C A K E
Being from the south, my biggest holiday traditions are centered around the kitchen and baking with my family. The matriarch of baking was my Daddy’s Momma, named Bessie Sims. I called her “Grand” and she was incredibly grand and amazing! She would always make this Chocolate Sweet Cake for me any time I was visiting. Baking this last week brought happy memories and tears to my eyes. My entire kitchen smelled like heaven and reminded me of home. WHAT YO U' LL NEED
FOR THE CAKE
• 1 cup of vegetable oil
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ teaspoon salt • ½ cup buttermilk
FOR THE ICING
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 eggs (well beaten)
• 1 stick of butter
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 6 tablespoons of milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 stick of butter Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. In a medium saucepan combine 1 cup of boiling water with butter, oil and cocoa powder. Stir until completely combined than pour over flour and sugar in a mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Bake in a well-greased pan for 35-45 minutes. (13x9 or two pie plates will work as well) For icing: In a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa and milk. Bring to a boil then remove from heat. Add in powdered sugar and stir well. Pour over the cake and then sprinkle approximately 1 tablespoon of additional powdered sugar over the entire cake. 4
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CON T E N T S Holiday Decorating
8 | H O L I D AY E N T E R TA I N I N G 13 | C H R I S T M A S H O M E T O U R
DIY
18 | G I N G E R B R E A D H O U S E K I T S 22 | WAT E R C O L O R G I F T TA G S 26 | O R N A M E N T K I T S
Peppermint
70 | P E P P E R M I N T T R E AT S 72 | C H O C O L AT E C A N D Y C A N E P O P C O R N 73 | C H O C O L AT E P E P P E R M I N T B A R K M A R T I N I 74 | H O M E M A D E P E P P E R M I N T I C E C R E A M
Cakes & Cookies
78 | C H R I S T M A S C O O K I E S
30 | SUGAR COOKIE KIT
82 | R E D V E LV E T C A K E
3 4 | F E AT H E R T O P P E R
86 | D E C O R AT I N G C O O K I E S
3 6 | G O L D W R E AT H S
90 | M I N T C H O C O L AT E C O O K I E S
38 | CAKE BOXES
94 | H O T F U D G E S A U C E
40 | C H R I S T M A S T R E E B A S K E T 42 | S N O W W R A P P I N G 44 | A D V E N T C A L E N D A R 46 | M A S O N J A R S N O W G L O B E 48 | C O R N S TA R C H C L AY G I F T TA G S 50 | FLORAL ANTLERS
Gifting 98
| D I Y G I N G E R B R E A D P L AY D O U G H G I F T S
100 | D I Y J O U R N A L 102 | H O M E M A D E H O T C H O C O L AT E
Entertaining
5 4 | C H R I S T M A S W R A P P I N G PA R T Y 5 6 | C O O K I E D E C O R AT I N G PA R T Y 60 | H O L I D AY B U B B LY B A R 64 | K I D S ' B E M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S PA R T Y
COVER CREDITS P H O T O G R A P H Y B Y R U T H E I L E E N P H O T O G R A P H Y | S T Y L I N G B Y B Y E M I LY B . E V E N T D E S I G N
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PH OTO G RA PH Y BY E L I Z A B E T H M E SSI N A
HOME for THE HOLIDAYS HOLIDAY DECORATING
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Holiday Entertaining WITH LISA VORCE
PH OTO G RA PH Y BY E L I Z A B E T H M E SSI N A
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When celebrity event planner Lisa Vorce invites you to peek at her home, all decked out for the holidays no less, you know it’s going to be good. It's Christmas pretty of the loveliest variety, along with a few tidbits for creating the ultimate holiday experience.
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décor I chose. Less is more for me this year. The simple décor paired with fresh garland and florals, Christmas music in the background and mulling spices on the stove… It’s holiday perfection.
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I just wanted my home to be comfy and cozy this year. I’m proud of the simplicity of the
guests! From the moment they walk in the door — to their departure… keep spoiling them with your hospitality. Greet your guests with a festive sparkling beverage and send them off with a fun departure treat. Sending guests home with left-over desserts in cute packaging is an easy thing to do!
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My take on holiday entertaining is similar to how I run my events – take care of your
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WITH EMILY A. CLARK
I just love the way the house feels at Christmas—don’t you? But, there’s something about that feeling, the smells and twinkling lights, that just doensn't come across in photos. So, you’ll just have to do your best to pretend I’ve invited you over for cookies and hot chocolate, or whatever it is the perfect holiday hostess would make.
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Christmas Home Tour
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PH OTO G RA PH Y BY S M P LI V I N G
DIY HOLIDAY CRAFTING MADE SIMPLE
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Gingerbread House Kits WITH SMP LIVING
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For the mothers in your life who love to grace their tables with children's artwork and handmade loveliness... but who might not have the time to pull it off beautifully. With handmade gingerbread, a bit of royal icing and a few decorative candies, these gingerbread kits are what Christmas is all about. WH AT YO U 'LL NE E D : • Acrylic box • Plastic treat containers • Plastic squeeze bottle • Ribbon • Green tinsel • Gingerbread kit instructions & label • Merry Christmas template • Green striped washi tape • White paint pen • Christmas candy • Wilton gingerbread house cookie cutters • Gingerbread house pieces & frosting (recipe here) • Scissors • White cardstock
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Watercolor Gift Tags WITH SMP LIVING
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In lieu of the often silly gift tags we see in stores, try your hand at these chic watercolor tags that are an absolute breeze to make. Paired with simple, understated paper we're envisioning a glossy white or a simple kraft - these tags feel personal, elegant and utterly lovely. WH AT YO U 'L L NE E D : • Wrapping paper • Cardstock paper • Scissors • Hole punch • Watercolor gift tags • Ribbon • Double stick tape • White paint marker
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CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Ornament Kits WITH SMP LIVING
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In a world of teacher gifts and co-worker white elephant parties, these clever gift kits make the art of giving feel whimsical and spontaneous. Filled with clear glass ornaments and all of the décor fixin’s, these kits are anything but ordinary. WH AT YO U 'LL NE E D : • Large gift box • Wrapping paper • Double stick tape • Scissors • Faux snow • 1 large acrylic box • 2 medium acrylic boxes • 5 small acrylic boxes • 3 square acrylic boxes • 12 glass ornaments • Mini Elmer’s glue • Mini spray adhesive • Glass paint • Sequins • Ribbon • Glitter • Tinsel • Mini fake trees • Mini gold jingle bells • Full page label paper
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CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Sugar Cookie Kit WITH SMP LIVING
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We all know that the holidays just wouldn't be the holidays without a day of cookie decorating. Make it easy on the ones you love with this cute kit stocked full with everything you need to make perfectly lovely sugar cookie art.
WH AT YO U 'L L NE E D : • Glittery Christmas tree boxes • Ribbon • Cellophane bags • Mini acrylic containers • Sugar cookie labels • Sprinkles • Christmas cookie cutters • Sugar cookies & royal frosting • Scissors • Loose sequins • Disposable frosting bags • #3 frosting tip • White cardstock • Ornament kit labels
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Toppers FEATHER
WITH SMP LIVING
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For a boho meets glam approach to gift wrap, we lightly dusted these easy to cut feather gift tags with a bit of gold and the result was everything good in the world. Gracing a neutral hued paper, they sparkle. Gracing a more graphic print, they feel chic. Any way you use them, they are all together gorgeous. WH AT YO U 'LL NE E D : • Wrapping paper • Scissors • Double stick tape • Pencil • Embroidery thread or string • 8.5 x 11” cardstock in navy, turquoise, and white • Bone folder • Gold leaf • Gold leaf adhesive • Small paintbrush • Feather template • Ornament kit labels
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Who says wreaths need to be made of holiday greenery. Glam it up this season with an easy, all you need is a glue gun approach to wreath loveliness. These gold inspired wreathes instantly make your house feel modern and chic—but the best part is that you can tuck them away and they will look just as glam next year! WH AT YO U' LL NE E D : • Gold leaves • Gold metal hoops (we used a 10” and an 8” diameter ring) • Plum ribbon • 26 gauge gold wire • Scissors • Wire cutters
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Wreaths GOLD
WITH SMP LIVING
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Cake Boxes WITH SMP LIVING
They say that the smallest details make the longest lasting impressions. Send your guests home with a little something sweet, tucked neatly inside these adorably whimsical treat boxes - and they will most definitely be stopping by for more!
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WH AT YO U' L L NE E D : • Treat boxes
• Hot glue gun & glue sticks
• Take out boxes
• Bone folder
• Pie slice box template
• Full page label paper
• Scissors
• Free treat labels
• 8.5 x 11” cardstock
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Basket CHRISTMAS TREE
WITH SMP LIVING
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This year, we wanted to treat our tree with something a little more refined, a little tidier than the standard Chistmas tree skirt. We gussied up an inexpensive basket with a bit of paint and a few sequins and popped our tree inside, set gently on top of a few boxes. The result feels tailored and elegant and a look we just might repeat again and again.
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CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
WH AT YO U' L L NE E D : • Christmas tree
• Scissors
• Basket large enough for your tree base
• Hot glue gun
• 2 yards gold stretch sequin trim
• Glue sticks
• Copper spray paint
• Packing tape
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Snow Wrapping WITH SMP LIVING
Wrapping gift after gift can get a little boring. But when you throw a bit of fake snow into the mix, ummm, totally NOT boring! Fancy up your package with a bit of holiday snow and you will most definitely be gifted with a few smiles and probably a laugh or two in return. WH AT YO U 'LL NE E D : • Scissors • Double stick tape • Spray adhesive • Faux snow • Patterned gift wrap • White ribbon • Large cardboard box
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Advent Calendar WITH SMP LIVING
PH OTO GRA PH Y BY J E NNY M O LO NE Y PHOTOG R A P HY
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Although December is already well on its way, pick up the days with a pretty, utterly simple Advent calendar that will have your littlest loves squealing with joy. WH AT YO U 'LL N E E D : • White matte spray paint • Gold paint marker • Small jingle bells • Gold foil ribbon • Gold string • Gold washi tape • Wax paper • Gold glitter • Glue • Scissors • 5 square jewelry boxes • 5 rectangle jewelry boxes • 1 large square jewelry box • 5 round paper boxes • 3 hexagon papier-mâché boxes • 3 oval paper mache boxes • 3 large round paper mache boxes • White crinkle paper shred • Candy
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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MASON JAR
Snow Globe WITH CLASSY CLUTTER
Mason Jar crafts are always fun. Not only are they super simple to craft and inexpensive but they're a project your kids can get involved with as well! And they get holiday bonus points for being the perfect gift for teachers. WH AT YO U' LL N E E D : • Mason jar • Fake snow • Figurines that will fit inside the jar • Small white balls • Fishing line • Needle • Tape • Gold spray paint
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CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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D I Y C O R N S TA R C H C L AY
Gift Tags
WITH THE CRAFTY KITTY FOR HELLO NATURAL
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Cornstarch clay shapes are fun and easy for kids to make. With a few baking ingredients and a little decoration, you can create beautifully simple clay gift tags that will add a little something special to your holiday packages. WH AT YOU ' L L N E E D : • Cookie cutters • Letter stamps • Twine/cord/glue • Baking tray • Toothpick or chopstick • Marker pen • Brown parcel paper for wrapping packages
CLICK FOR INSTRUCTIONS
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Get ready to deck your walls this season. Combining rustic beauty and the prettiest white blooms, this Floral Antler DIY will make the perfect focal point at your next holiday soiree. WH AT YO U' LL N E E D :
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• Antlers
• Clippers
• Floral wire
• Greenery like eucalyptus, ruscus and viburnum berries
• Floral tape
• Florals such as spray roses, lisianthus and garden roses
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DIY
Floral Antlers WITH THE PHOTO FETE FLO RA LS BY FLO RA L D E S I G N BY E R I N PH OTO G RA PH Y BY LO B L E E PH OTOG R A P HY
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PH OTO G RA PH Y BY E RI N H E A RTS C OU RT
ENTERTAINING 4 HOLIDAY PARTY THEME IDEAS TO KEEP THE SMILES FLOWING
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Wrapping Party CHRISTMAS
WITH LA RICKI EVENT DESIGN FLO RA LS BY H O OT& H O L LE R
INVITATIO NS A ND H A ND LE T T E RI NG BY PAG E & M ASON PH OTO G RA PH Y BY T H E B I RD I E G I RL C OM PA N Y
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the spirit of the season. They sipped the crisp apple bourbon cocktail in vintage coupe glasses to add elegance. Hoot&Holler added amazing beauty with their gorgeous arrangements set in metallic vases that added to the holiday feel. Antique trays fitted with rustic wood held the cocktails and our pretty wrapping ephemera. As friends enjoyed their sips and sweets they created simple, elegant gift wrapping. We wrapped with glitter washi tape making simple designs, chalk pen hand-lettering on kraft wrapping paper. And for the final finishing touches we mixed in hand-lettered gift tags in white and blush paper, mini ornament baubles to add a little glimmer and white felt bows.
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Our inspiration was bringing girlfriends together to enjoy each other's company and
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Cookie Decorating Party
WITH JILLIAN OF 100 LAYER CAKELET P HOTO GR APH Y BY SC OT T C LA RK PH OTO
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party. With Christmas music on constant rotation, we dreamed up a modern, boy-approved holiday cookie decorating party.
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For my son's third birthday, we decided to go all out and craft a holiday themed
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H O L I D AY
Bubbly Bar WITH 100 LAYER CAKE FLOW ER S BY B ROWN PA PE R D E S I G N DESSERTS BY S PRO U T E D K I TC H E N PH OTO GR APH Y BY E RI N H E A RTS C O U RT
We put together this gorgy shoot with the help of Erin Hearts Court, Brown Paper Design, and Sara Forte of Sprouted Kitchen. Dream team! It’s impossible to resist the romance of champagne and sweets, so we dressed up that time-tested party theme with our Holiday Bubbly Bar. This is actually a pretty manageable party theme. Grab a few (or 10) bottles of champagne and gather a handful of complementary syrups and liquors for mixing. Then add a few yummy garnishes and you’ve got a sparkly party on your hands. Tal from the Pharmacie (our favorite cocktail guru) suggests soaking a sugar cube in bitters in the glass, then topping with bubbly. Or just add a splash of fruit-based liquor to your champagne for a DIY Royale.
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CHEERS!
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KIDS' BE MERRY
Christmas Party WITH UNDERCOVER HOSTESS PH OTO G RA PH Y BY D OTS O N ST UD I OS
Every year during the holidays, I host a gingerbread house decorating party for my three year old daughter and her friends. This inspired the Mini Holiday Kits at Undercover Hostess. I fell in love with the adorable reindeer cups, and decided to design the Kit and party with those in mind. With the playful dancing Santa straws and the colorful pinwheel decorations, it is hard not to be jolly about this party!
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I am currently obsessing over glitter. This festive party has just the right amount.
Glitter accentuates the trim on the pinwheel decorations, and sparkles bright on the “Be Merry” banner and silver sequin table runner. It reminds me of the snow and beautiful holiday lights that are synonymous with this season. The rest of the party was styled with decorations from my house. This included the nutcrackers, the vases filled with silver bells, and the woolly rug that my daughter called “snow”. For the food, I wanted to keep it simple and kid-friendly, so I constructed a “snowball tree” from powdered donuts, popcorn for a warm snack, and milk (because what else would Santa serve at the North Pole?). For a special holiday sweet, I had a “north pole cupcake” created. It is a vanilla cupcake topped with a gingerbread cookie, and a paper straw is used for the North Pole. Displayed in one of our red polka dot cupcake wrappers, it looks like a treat you would find in Mrs. Claus' Kitchen. I adore this party for the youthful and playful holiday spirit it brings out in all of us. My daughter loved all the reindeer and Santa characters, and thoroughly enjoyed devouring that cupcake! I want to be able to bring that same smile to all children’s faces. This Be Merry Mini Holiday Kit is available through our website. Undercover Hostess has done the work designing and crafting the party, you can relax with eggnog and take the credit.
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PH OTO G RA PH Y BY JA M I E H O PPE R PH OTOG R A P HY
PEPPERMINT
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Peppermint Treats WITH WAITING ON MARTHA
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CLICK FOR RECIPE
PEPPERMINT CHOCOL ATE CUPCAKES By adding a simple and oh so delicious Hershey Candy Cane Kiss, a little peppermint extract and crushed candy cane, I’ve taken the best chocolate and buttercream frosted cupcake to a whole other festive level. WHAT YO U' LL NEED: • 3 cups sugar • 3 cups all-purpose flour • 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder • 1 tablespoon baking soda • 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder • 1 ½ teaspoons salt • 1 ½ cups buttermilk, room temperature
• ¾ cup vegetable oil • 3 large eggs • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract • 1 bag of Hershey Candy Cane Kisses • CK Products Chocolate Buttercream Frosting • Crushed candy cane pieces
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CLICK FOR RECIPE
CHOCOL ATE CANDY CANE POPCORN PH OTO G RA PH Y BY RU ST I C WH I T E PH OTOG R A P HY That’s right, festive popped corn topped with melted milk and white chocolate sprinkled with crushed candy cane. Seriously, this is amazing. Amazing. And crazy easy! I promise you’ll be eating this long past December. WH AT YO U' LL N E E D : • ¾ cup popcorn seeds • Vegetable oil • 1 cup Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips • 1 cup Ghirardelli white chocolate chips • Crushed peppermint candy cane
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CLICK FOR RECIPE
CHOCOL ATE PEPPERMINT BARK MARTINI PH OTO GR A PH Y BY JA M I E H O PPE R PH OTOG R A P HY Because you'll need something to wash down all of that peppermint popcorn!
WH AT YO U' LL N E E D : • 1 oz. Godiva chocolate liqueur • ½ oz. peppermint Schnapps • ½ oz. vodka • Chocolate syrup • Crushed peppermint candy cane
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Homemade Peppermint Ice Cream WITH CLASSY CLUTTER
With the holidays right around the corner this is the perfect thing to bring to a party. My aunt Debbie would always bring homemade peppermint ice cream to family parties and it was always my favorite thing. Recently, I got my very own ice cream machine and I knew that my very first ice cream flavor would be peppermint. WH AT YO U' LL N E E D : • 3 eggs • 3 cups of sugar • 1 can of evaporated milk • 1 ½ cups whole milk • 1 pint whipping cream, whipped • 1 ½ tsp. vanilla • 2 packages of peppermints
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PH OTO G RA PH Y BY M AT T H E W LA ND ST U D I OS
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Christmas Cookies WITH NILA HOLDEN
STYLED BY LO UISE B E U K E S ST Y LI NG P HOTO GR APH Y BY C LA I RE G RA H A M
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What could be better than the prettiest holiday cookies set against a winter wonderland? These beauties from Nila Holden's Holiday collection were made festive with a mixture of faux snow, fairy lights, and the softest hues. It's edible decorating at its best.
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WH AT YO U' LL N E E D :
FO R D E C OR AT I N G :
• 3⁄₁₀ cups salted butter, cold from the
• 10 pieces hard candy – pink or red
fridge
• ²⁄₅ cups of white fondant/sugarpaste
• 1½ cups plain flour
• Baker's twine
• 1 tsp baking powder
• Round cookie cutters
• ²⁄₅ cups granulated sugar
• Mini cookie cutters like stars, Christmas trees • Edible glue
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Red Velvet Cake WITH SINCLAIR & MOORE
PH OTO G RA PH Y BY M AT T H E W LA ND ST U D I OS
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While this recipe was originally crafted for Valentine's Day by the gorgeous couple behind Sinclaire and Moore, we thought it was the perfect holiday accessory with its pop of red and general merriment of the whipped frosting. Plus, isn't it fair to say that red velvet cake is ideal for any day of the year?
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TIPS FO R A FLAWLE S S CA K E : • Sift all of the dry ingredients together for the lightest, fluffiest cake ever. • Don't skip the coffee. It goes a long way towards the depth of flavor. • Wear an apron or shirt that you don't mind getting dirty. The red in the food coloring can easily stain clothing! • To fill and stack a cake, use the following method: Pipe a ring of icing around the perimeter edge of the cake. This ring will act as a dam so the filling will not squish out over the side. Fill the middle of the tier with with icing, and use an angled spatula to smooth and level, leaving the original outer ring in place. Repeat this process until your cake is fully stacked. • Use an angled spatula to evenly spread the icing and make large peaks or swirls for the finishing touch.
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Decorating Cookies WITH SINCLAIR & MOORE
PH OTO G RA PH Y BY M AT T H E W LA ND ST U D I OS
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” “
I started my first few cookies with the intention of delicately icing them around the edges with some dots mixed in. Simple. Let’s just say my cookies ended up fully frosted and covered in sprinkles. It takes a steady and stable hand that I’m not used to. It makes me feel like a kindergartner, awkwardly practicing letters when my hand can’t quite do what my brain is telling it to do. Although after some practice, I have gotten a little better and have some pointers to share for making a successful batch of decorated Christmas cookies.
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1 0 T I PS FO R PE RFE C T HOL I DAY C OOK I E S • Make your dough the day before if you can. Both gingerbread and sugar cookie dough should chill for at least 4 hours, but it is best if the dough can rest overnight. • If you are making the classic gingerbread dough, purchase 2 bottles of molasses. • Divide your dough into small disks and wrap with plastic wrap. Smaller disks will make rolling out the cookies more manageable. • Only remove one cookie dough disk at a time from the fridge so that the rest can stay chilled. • If you don’t have a granite or marble countertop, try rolling out the cookies on a table covered in a vinyl cloth. The cloth will catch some of the flour so that it doesn't all end up on your dough. • As you roll, carefully lift your dough and sprinkle flour underneath. You don’t want too much flour because it will make your cookies dry, just enough so it won’t stick to the surface. • Roll out your dough so that it’s 1/4 of an inch thick. If the dough is much thicker, the cookies will lose their shape in the oven when they bake. • Small cookies are easy to transfer from the counter to the cookie sheet, but larger ones can be a challenge. Using a large spatula covered in flour is the best technique that we have found. Also, work quickly before your dough warms up. The colder the dough, the easier it is for the cookies to be transferred to the baking sheet. • Larger cookies, like our snowflakes, need to be fairly firm or they’ll crack when you try to decorate them. • Let your cookies cool for about 10 minutes before attempting to transfer them from the baking sheet to the wire cooling racks.
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Mint Chocolate Cookies WITH ONE BRASS FOX
A lightly minted palate cleanser is the perfect ending to any holiday meal. These festive bites are an ideal balance of sweetness without tasting overly rich. Whether for a cookie swap or family gathering, a plateful of thin mints is sure to delight.
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Hot Fudge Sauce WITH TASTES BETTER FROM SCRATCH FOR ALL THINGS THRIFTY
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When Lauren from Tastes Better from Scratch sent this recipe for hot fudge over to All Things Thrifty, even the most disciplined health nut dropped everything they were doing to steal a peek. Made with two types of chocolate, a splash of cream and a few other special somethings, this family recipe will have you all licking your bowls clean. Package it up with a pretty ribbon and gift it to the ones you love the most.
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PH OTO G RA PH Y BY RU T H E I LE E N PH OTOG R A P HY
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Playdough Gifts DIY GINGERBREAD
WITH THE IDEA ROOM
Holiday Entertaining WITH LISA VORCE
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Play Dough has always been one of my kids' favorite activities. We have an awesome homemade playdough recipe that we like to experiment with and make different scents. And, this time I thought it would be fun to try and make a Gingerbread scented variety. How fun would it be to give someone a jar of “Homemade Playdough” that he or she can make with their own family? I simply filled the jar with all the dry ingredients (leaving out the water and the oil). Then, I printed out fun labels and attached them to the jar—plus a little gingerbread cookie cutter to go along with the gift.
WH AT YO U 'LL N E E D : • 1 Recipe for gingerbread playdough (recipe here) • 1 large mason jar • 1 cute cookie cutter • Twine • Playdough labels (printable here)
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Journal DIY
WITH OH SO PRETTY FOR LARK & LINEN When Oh So Pretty stopped by Lark & Linen for a little guest post, it seems that DIY magic happened. These faux leather bound journals are simple, beautiful and nothing if not entirely thoughtful. Plus you only need 5 materials, so this is something that every novice crafter can tackle with love. WH AT YO U' LL N E E D : • Faux leather (½ a yard is plenty) • Suede lace cord (1—1½ yard) • Paper (standard letter/card stock) • Needle and thread
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Hot Chocolate Gifts HOMEMADE
WITH CAFE JOHNSONIA FOR HELLO NATURAL
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Is there a person in the world who doesn't
WH AT YO U ' L L N E E D :
love hot chocolate during the holiday
• 1 recipe for hot cocoa (recipe here)
season? Probably not. Which is exactly
• 2 plastic ornaments with flat
why we love these little hot cocoa kits
bottoms hammer
that Stephanie Gerber over at Hello
• Nail
Natural crafted. Complete with DIY
• Favorite spices
flavor sifters for that something special.
• Sealable jar
Perfect for teachers, mailmen or anyone
• Small gift tag
else who deserves a bit of love, these
• Mini marshmallows
gems are an easy, inexpensive gift go-to.
• Ribbon • Basket
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H APPY H OL I DAYS FRO M T H E ST Y LE M E P R E T T Y T E A M