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Christmas Morning Brunch Bake and Cranberry Eggnog Muffin Tops

One of our family’s favorite holiday traditions is hosting a big brunch on Christmas morning. It’s the one of the few days when my mom allows others to help her in the kitchen. Preparing this holiday meal has always been a way we spend quality time together and when you’re surrounded by comfort food everyone seems to be in a great mood. The following recipes are ones that we’ve been making for years. And the best part is you can prepare it in advance, which means you won’t be slaving away in the kitchen while the rest of the family … Continue reading →

Hawaiian Style Christmas Cookies

A week ago today I was braving the crowds at the grocery store in order to get the ingredients I needed for our Thanksgiving feast. Today, I’ll be back at it again. This time to gather the ingredients for all the Christmas cookies I plan to bake in the weeks to come. Weeks… Who am I kidding? Our first round of Christmas parties starts on Saturday, December 1st. My friend and former colleague is hosting a Christmas party in her newly renovated home and I want to get a few batches of her favorite cookies done in time to take … Continue reading →

Cookie Exchange: Lebkuchen

Lebkuchen is a traditional German holiday cake. It’s kind of like soft ginger bread and ranges in taste from spicy (with ginger and cinnamon) to very sweet with honey. The history of Lebkuchen is pretty fascinating (at least to me), as its roots can be traced not only to Germany, but also to honey cake described in Ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Regardless, I thought I would share a Lebkuchen recipe directly from Germany for you to make this holiday season. This particular recipe is very dense and sticky but oh so yummy! Note: You need to start this recipe … Continue reading →

Host an Artwork Exchange

We’ve talked about hosting all kinds of exchanges from the cookie exchange (which doesn’t have to be just for Christmas) to the back to school clothing exchanges and swapping accessories and holiday decorations. Now, it’s time to talk about an artwork exchange. If you have recently moved or redecorated, it’s a great time to host an exchange. You can trade off some pieces that no longer make much of an impact and gain some items to add some sparkle to your new spaces. Pricey Pieces First, if you have valuable artwork, you do not want to trade it with the … Continue reading →

Host An Outgrown Swap

Have you ever heard of an outgrown swap? I host one once or twice a year and it has provided me with tons of items to clothe the kids. I got the idea to host a outgrown swap from a church sale. Every year, one of the local churches hosts a sale for the community. People come from all over to buy low cost baby and kid clothing. While it is a great success, I thought their might be an easier way to find some great baby and kid clothes without spending a lot of money. The first thing I … Continue reading →

My “Twelve Days of Christmas”

Since it is the holiday season I thought I’d write my own version of the popular song “12 Days of Christmas” that revolves around my kids. I’m sure as you read each line you will easily relate to the joyous and not so joyous things that my kids bring to the holidays. On the first day of Christmas my kids gave to me… A broken Christmas tree. – actually this didn’t happen this year. But two years ago my daughter pulled the tree down on herself and although she was fine the tree didn’t fare so well. On the second … Continue reading →

Host a Christmas Cookie Exchange!

Have you ever been invited to a Christmas cookie exchange? Some people just call it a cookie swap, but whatever you call it, it’s a cool concept. You meet with others and bring along your favorite cookie recipe, enough ingredients to make several batches, and any utensils and pans you need. Then, everyone bakes a set number of cookies and trades with each other. You’ll have a good time baking, chatting, and laughing together. When you leave, you’ll be armed with an assortment of wonderful homemade Christmas cookies. You not only have a nice variety without all the trouble, but … Continue reading →

The Family Celebrator

I’m a celebrator. I enjoy commemorating evenest the smallest of accomplishments and the most obscure occasions. I feel like everyone in the world should eat cake on 10/10/10 or get a bouquet of flowers for pulling off a successful all-nighter, whether it be finishing a term paper or surviving your kid’s bout with chicken pox. You don’t need a birthday or anniversary to have reason to celebrate in my book. But what happens if you are married to the CEO of the under-celebrators’ club, or worse, a non-celebrator. I exchanged wedding vows and procreated with the former, which kinda stinks … Continue reading →

Simple and Affordable Edible Holiday Gifts

I know. I know. It’s not even Thanksgiving yet, but I can’t help myself. When I noticed that my local market was having a sale on fresh cranberries I instantly thought of all of the homemade gifts I could make with them. I plan to stock up on the tart berries and make a few jars worth of Honey Cranberry Butter to give away as holiday gifts. For me holiday gift giving begins this month. After all, who goes to a person’s house on Thanksgiving without taking a hostess gift? The following recipes are some of my favorite edible gifts. … Continue reading →

Home Week in Review: December 10 – 16

This has been an interesting week in the Home Blog, covering a wide variety of topics related to home and family, going all the way back to the inception of the blogs here at Families.com one year ago this month. Between Dishing the Dirt and Happy Anniversary! we also covered everything from fences, and gardening, to snow removal. We talked about the holidays, entertaining, decorating, and wrapping gifts. From Silly String and Stains to Tub Rings and Other Things, we basically covered everything including the Kitchen Sink! Did you find any of these articles interesting or useful? Maybe you’ll like … Continue reading →