Gingerbread House Cake

There are no words for how much I love these little Graham cracker gingerbread houses! This one sits upon a wedding cake I made a couple of years ago for a very adorable couple. These cracker houses make cute cake toppers. They can be used also as decorations or as gifts. Regular Graham crackers stuck together with a mixture of pasteurized egg whites, powdered sugar, and water and candy to decorate is all it takes to create them.

To make the "glue" frosting I use Wilton's Royal icing recipe which can be found here or at  wiltons.com

You can also substitute the meringue powder in that recipe with a product called 'just whites' or another called 'simply whites' or any other pasteurized egg whites. I also add just a little vanilla.

Not a cake decorator? Just top your cake with lots of fluffy white frosting so it looks like snow, add your gingerbread house and decorate with a candy. Very simple, very fun!

Giving at Christmas time

Giving at Christmas time is one of the best ways to show others love. Ultimately the money you give will be used and gone. The things you buy to give, worn out and thrown away. But what remains has value far greater than the money spent. You show someone that you care, you give love, you create memories that never leave. There are many ways to give at Christmas. For some giving is easy, they give from their abundance and do not miss what they have given away. For some giving needs to be planned but is not terribly hard to do. For some giving is difficult. The thought of 1 dollar going anywhere but where it is most suited is stressful. And some need all the help others can offer. If you are in this last category, receive with joy! We are taught it is good to give, but often never taught that we bless others by receiving with joy the gifts they give us. I believe most people touch on each category at least once in their lives.

There are many ways to give: 

Money usually is the simplest but, you can also give of your time, or by giving your possessions, or by giving your joy. 

Nursing homes are always welcoming of joyful people to read to or sing to their residents. Call ahead to find out the best times and any policies. 

You can give of your talents. If you sing, play an instrument, or have a similar talent, finding a holiday venue to share them brings holiday cheer. 

Volunteer in you community, church, or school. 

Often baking is useful for events, fundraisers, or just to cheer a neighbor.

Visiting people you love is an important way to give. We do not take the time in this busy world to visit like we should. 

Does your neighbor or a family member have a need? Sometimes just saying 'is there anything you need' can make a difference. 

Many schools and churches have giving trees. Giving trees are where those that have needs leave a paper ornament with details of their gift wishes and those who would like to give take the ornament and do their best to fulfill the needs. 

Food and toy drives this time of year are in full swing and that just takes cleaning out the pantry, decluttering, or picking up a thing or two when shopping. 

Getting rid of our clutter and donating it to charity is always a good thing, or you can offer it up free on Craigs list or local Facebook group. 

Do you know an elderly person who no longer drives? Driving them somewhere, or running an errand for them can be a huge help. 

And of course there is the person ringing that annoying bell outside of every store right now. My children love them for some reason. And when I see the joy in my children's eyes at the thought of giving, the handful of change in my pocket doesn't stand a chance.

Mulled Apple Cider {Recipe}

Mulled Apple Cider is a favorite family tradition. 

Around Thanksgiving and again at Christmas I make a large pot of this cider 

to simmer on the stove.

And homemade cider it makes such a wonderful presentation for holiday guests.

Mulled Cider Recipe: 
For every gallon of apple juice I add the following

• 1 lemon and/or orange sliced
• A handful or two of fresh cranberries (optional, and mostly for decoration)
• A shake or two of ground nutmeg and ground cloves 
• 3-5 cinnamon sticks (do not substitute for ground cinnamon as it clumps together when heated in water)
• 2 cored and halved apples (these also are for decoration, but my kids love eating them when the cider is gone)

After adding everything, heat the cider till warm, (carefully) adjust nutmeg and cloves to taste, turn pot to simmer and enjoy!

Peppermint Chocolate Gingerbread Men {Christmas Cookie Recipe}

Full of flavor, these designer looking cookies are actually quite simple to make! 

Gingerbread cookies are a tradition in my household. A tradition that began when my husband and I were so very young, just starting out in life. I was a new mom still in my 20's. We lived in a little apartment and I had just quit work to stay at home full time with my kiddos.

At that time my husband worked on commission and had a very bad month. We knew his check was never the same from month to month, and was usually not forgiving at Christmas, so we were prepared.

 But, that first December was even more difficult that we expected. And we knew there would be no money for gifts outside of our little family. Being one who liked to bake, I always had an ample supply of flour, brown sugar, and such on hand. So I rifled through my cabinets and found that I had enough to make several dozen gingerbread men!

My oldest son, who was all of 2, and I set about making gingerbread men. We had the best time. He giggled as he saw them take shape. He waited as for them to come out of the oven and cool. He ate ALL of the broken ones. We made faces, smiles, frowns, and crooked little mouths.

We had so much fun! It became a tradition. And after 11 years of tweaking, the recipe below is the recipe we now make each year at Christmas. And that little 2 year old, who is now nearly 14, still smiles as he cuts out gingerbread men!

These cookies are really simple, there are no special tools required. The snowflake was an added touch this year, I bought a shaker full of them, but we usually make these without snowflakes. Once you have made your gingerbread men you just dip them in Chocolate that has been heated with a little vegetable oil and then when they are completely cool use a tablespoon to drizzle a mix of powdered sugar water and peppermint extract. Peppermint extract is found right next to the vanilla extract in most stores.

And the recipe above is printable!
To print: click on the recipe, click again to make sure it if fully expanded. Select 'file' and 'print' from your browsers window. (If you are using google chrome you may need to right click and open the recipe in a new window, click again to expand it, and then select the wrench from the top of the page to find the print button). If you have any trouble try saving the recipe to your desktop by right clicking on it and saving it and then printing from there.


I shared this recipe before, but as I am making these today though I would post them for anyone else looking for a fun holiday treat. :)

Christmas Quote Quiz!

Can you name the author for each quote about Christmas? (Answers follow, below.)

There's nothing sadder in this world than to wake Christmas morning and not be a child.

This is the message of Christmas: we are never alone.

I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year.

At Christmas, all roads lead to home.

The perfect Christmas tree? All Christmas trees are perfect!

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don't clean it up too quickly.

At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year.

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.

Answers

Erma Bombeck

Taylor Caldwell

Charles Dickens (from A Christmas Carol)

Marjorie Holmes

Charles N. Barnard

Hamilton Wright Mabie

Norman Vincent Peale

Andy Rooney

Thomas Tusser

Larry Wilde

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

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Free Printable "Dear Santa" Letter

Each year the second week of November is Santa letter writing week!
This year I have made up a fun free printable Santa letter printable.

This is a great opportunity to teach children about letter writing, to ask Santa questions, to share about life, and of course (as Santa is always interested) to ask for gifts!

To print this letter: click on it to expand it (click again to make sure it is fully expanded) and then select file and print or right click on it and select printing options from the menu. If you have any trouble right click save the letter to your paint on your computer and printing from there.

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Free Printable Christmas Banner

A pretty 'Christmas' banner for the home. I made this banner, sometimes called a bunting, from a very old version of Hark! I hear the angels sing! and added cranberry colored letters. 

To Print:

Click on each of the banner flags below to enlarge them, click again to make sure they are fully expanded. Then select file and print from your browsers window, or right click on each and select the printing options. If you have any trouble, try saving each to your computer and resizing in word or printing trough paint. (Personal use only, and it is always ok to share these on blogs, please credit with a link.)

Assembly instructions: Print each photo above on card stock, or on plain paper and back with card stock. Cut each out, I like to use scrap booking scissors to create a frilly edge. Punch holes in the top corners and attach each to the next with ribbon.

(do not use the printer friendly button below for this post, see printing instructions at top of post.)

Cute Christmas Owl Free Printable Stationary and Gift Tags

Eight adorable free printables! Stationary and gift tags for Christmas.

To Print:

(Do NOT use the printer friendly button below.) Click on each of the printables above click again to expand them, then select file and print from your browsers window. (If you are using google chrome you may need to open these in a new window, save to your desktop and print from there). If you have any trouble try options in the right click of your mouse or save these and print from your desktop. 

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Free Printable Christmas Cards - Cute Owl Cards

Three Free Printable Christmas cards!

To Print:

 (Do not use the printer friendly button!) Click on each card to expand it, click again to make sure it is fully expanded. Next, select file and print from your browsers menu, or right click on the card and select from the options that pop up in the menu. If you have any trouble save the file to your computer, and print as you would print a photo or print it through your paint program. (Personal use only.)

Sugared Orange Slices {Recipe}

Candied Fruits have long been a Christmas Tradition around the world.

This year I set out to figure out how to make Sugared Orange Slices.

And it was no small task!

If these are cooked too long they burn, and if they do not get dry enough they are too acidic to eat, but when you get them just right, they are truly a Christmas delight.

First prep the oven. Place your top rack on the second slot from the top. (i.e.., the slot between the top and middle ones). And preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

Slice 2-3 oranges so you have about 9 rounds from a softball size orange.

Lay them in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in oven.

Sugared Orange Slice Recipe:

Baking time 2.5 hours

(Note it is important to follow this recipe exactly)

After the oven is preheated and rack moved to the slot just under the top slot:

1. Bake at 275 (F) for 45 minutes. (I set a timer to make sure I did not over cook them).
2. After 45 minutes turn orange slices over and return to oven for another 45 minutes.
If your orange slices start to brown in either of these first two steps turn your heat down 25 degrees, use a higher rack in the oven and reduce cooking time in the next steps.
3. Remove oranges from oven, let cool to the touch, and then coat them on both sides with sugar and return to pan.
4.Bake for an additional 30 minutes.
5.Remove from oven allow to cool to touch. Coat both sides again with sugar and place them back in the pan. Set any that have started to brown and have skins that have dried completely on a separate plate. Most should still be orange and not yet browned.
6. Return pan to oven and cook for an additional 20-30 minutes.
7. Remove from oven when they are browned and the sugar is slightly 'bubbly'. They are done when the skins are dry, making a cracking sound when you break them, and are dry in the middle.
8. Let cool to the touch, then coat them again with sugar and leave them on a separate plate to cool completely.

(Copyright A Holiday Haven 2010, although you are welcome to share this recipe in its entirety, to include photos, provided a clear link and credit is provided back to this site.)

Rose gift toppers from ribbon

Adding beauty to Christmas gifts simply.

I started with an old piece of wrinkled scrap ribbon.

Twisted an end and rolled it up to form the center of the rose.

Continued to twist the ribbon and wrap it around the center adding just a small spots of hot glue to the sides here and there. 

Tucked the end under the rose. Added a bit of hot glue the underside of the rose to secure it.  

These can be made from almost any kind of ribbon, sheers or solids, wired or non-wired, thin or wide. Ribbon with edging is nice as it defines the petals. 

These pretty little rose ribbons would work for weddings, and any other beautiful gift giving occasion.

Hot glue directly to gift. You can add additional ribbon, leaves, or small ornaments.

Easy Gifts in a Jar (Really)

I love Gifts in a Jar!

I hate that often

they are complicated, time consuming and expensive to put together.

So this year I've come up with some ideas for gifts in a jar that are simple, inexpensive, and fun!

Blessings in a jar- fill a jar with slips of paper containing inspirational words, quotes, bible verses, or anything that will brighten someones day.

Hot cocoa- fill with hot cocoa and marshmallows

Cookie recipe - fill jar with all of the dry ingredients from your favorite cookie recipe and attach a label with the wet ingredients needed to complete the recipe and cooking directions.

Rice mix- fill the jar with rice and spices. Attach cooking directions on a label to outside of the jar.

Pasta mix- same as above; Pasta and spices with directions on how to cook them.

Sugar face scrub- White sugar with herbs makes a wonderful facial scrub. Label the outside of the jar as face scrub with directions on how much to use.

Cake Mix - From a box with dried fruit, nuts, cinnamon, or your favorite addition to make it special. Or cake mix from scratch. Attach a recipe card to the outside of the jar.

Pancake mix - From a box or from scratch. You may want a larger canning jar for the mix and also to include a smaller jar full of syrup.

Potato mix - Instant potatoes with chives, rosemary, and other savory spices mixed in.

Oatmeal - Plain oatmeal with brown sugar and cinnamon or your favorite additions and directions on how to cook it.

Muffins - Muffin mix from scratch or a box. Anything from corn muffins to (dried) blueberry muffins.

Trail mix -m&m's and peanuts for kids or white chocolate covered anything and nuts for adults.

Beads in a Jar - This can be simple for kids or more elaborate for an adult who loves crafts.

Scrapbooking jar - Decluttering your scrapbooking supplies, buttons, small ribbon, stamps anything you do not think you will find a use for and give to a fellow scrapbooker or cardmaker.

Gardening jar - fill a jar with inexpensive seed packets. Tie a decorative or small gardening tool to the outside of the jar.

Once you have your jar filled top with the metal top or saran wrap, decorative cloth and the metal ring. And then decorate with any combination of ribbon, twine, rope, raffia, candy canes, a label, directions on how to use, small wooden spoons, and/or Christmas ornaments.

How to Tie a Christmas Tree to Your Car

If you are cutting your own tree either from a tree farm or with a permit from the national forest service and transporting it home on your car here are a few tips on getting your tree home safely. First of all my disclaimer: I am no expert, just a mom who has successfully done this a few times before. So please take every precaution, I make no guarantees, and you do this at your own risk. Now with that said, some things you will want to take with you are gloves, a jacket that can get dirty, a tape measure, a blanket or plastic, 1/4 inch or smaller rope or twine, extra rope or twine, a red "flag" and a saw. We have used both a chain saw and a regular wood hand saw and prefer the hand saw as most Christmas trees do not have that big of a trunk and my children love the thrill of cutting it themselves. When you find the perfect tree measure the height, width, and trunk diameter to make it will fit in the spaces you have for it. Most car roofs will handle a 6 foot or smaller tree with no problem. If you  are going for a larger tree you may need a larger vehicle. When you are ready to transport first check if the tree will fit in the backseat or trunk as these are the easiest ways to transport it. You will want to wrap it in plastic or a blanket to protect the interior of your car. If you need to tie it to the roof of your car first you will want to place a blanket or plastic on your car to protect the paint. Lay the tree on you car with the trunk (or stump end) pointed toward the font of the vehicle and the top (or tip) of the tree pointed back toward the back windshield. Then if you have a roof rack wrap rope around the the tree and through the rack several times till tight. If you do not have a roof rack open all of the doors and wrap the rope around the trunk of the tree and feed the rope through the inside of the car to the other side back over the top of the tree and through the car again several times and tie it tightly. You will want to do this at the base and near the top of the tree. Make sure the rope you use for this is no more than 1/4inch think, not nylon, and will not stretch. Twine is an excellent choice. Once you have tied the tree test that the doors will close and lock securely. There should be no slack in the rope and test that the tree will not move. Pull on the rope an tree and double check. Attach a red flag to your tree so it is visible to other drivers and drive slowly with caution. In addition you can tie the tree to your antenna base, loop rope around the trunk of the tree and then through your open car trunk and shut the trunk and use bungee cords for extra protection. Happy tree hunting!