24 DIY Christmas Craft Ideas on a Budget (for Kids and Adults!)
One of the best parts of the holiday season is spending quality time with friends and family. And crafting is a great way to get into the holiday season and enjoy each other’s company. These budget-friendly DIY Christmas craft ideas are perfect for an afternoon gathering or family night. 24 DIY Christmas Craft Ideas on a Budget (for Kids and Adults!) 1. Simple Winter Wreath Wreaths are such fun and rewarding crafts because you can display them in your home when you’re done making them. To make this wreath, you’ll only need a few inexpensive supplies, some of which you may already have at home: Yarn Wire wreath form Hot glue White spray paint (optional but recommended) Holiday sprays Ribbons Follow the steps in the tutorial to make this wreath and hang it proudly in your home. 2. Crochet Gingerbread Gnomes If you know how to crochet, these gingerbread gnomes are the perfect DIY craft to celebrate the season. You could even make a few to give away as gifts to friends and family. You’ll only need a few supplies, which you may already have in your crafting stash: Brown medium weight yarn White medium weight yarn Crochet hook (5 mm) Mini snowflake buttons 3. Stovetop Potpourri Are you looking for DIY Christmas craft ideas that you can give away as gifts? This stovetop potpourri is perfect. It has all of the classic holiday smells, and it’s so easy to put together. For the potpourri itself, you’ll need: Seasonal fruits, like pomegranates, oranges or lemons Herbs like rosemary, sage or thyme Allspice Whole cloves Cinnamon sticks Now, grab a cute mason jar and some card stock to make printable tags. Add all of your spices to the jar, and they’re ready to give away as gifts. Related: 23+ Mason Jar Gift Ideas for Christmas for Everyone On Your List 4. Pom Pom Gnomes These pom pom gnomes are so easy to make that even the kids can get involved. You’ll need just a few things for this frugal craft: Cardboard toilet paper rolls Yarn Pom pom maker Glue gun Wooden beads for noses You may already have most of these supplies at home if you’re a crafty person. 5. Macrame Christmas Tree Wall Hanging Want a craft that you can hang proudly on your wall? This macrame project is perfect. If you have older children, they can get in on the fun of making these, too. You only need a few things to make these wall hangings: Green and white macrame yarn (4 mm) Wool brush Comb Wooden ring Dowel rod Fairy lights (optional) Follow the steps in the tutorial to make your own wall decoration for Christmas. 6. Wood Christmas Trees If you’re crafty and want some woodworking DIY Christmas craft ideas, these trees are perfect. This is such an easy project that it’s perfect for beginners. These trees are three feet tall, so they’re perfect for decorating all around the house. For this project, you’ll need 2×4 lumber, a few 2.5-inch trim head screws, wood glue, wood putty and some stain or paint. Hopefully, you already have the tools you need for this job: a miter saw, orbital sander and drill. Just follow the steps in the tutorial to make your own wooden Christmas trees. 7. Pinecone Star Christmas Ornament This pinecone star ornament is adorable and the perfect craft for kids and adults. For this craft, you can use pinecones from your yard or purchase them from a craft store. The tricky part is removing the scales from the pinecone – be careful and help the little ones with this step. Follow the steps in the tutorial to create your own glittering pinecone ornaments that you can hang proudly from your tree. 8. Sock Gnomes How cute are these sock gnomes? They’re the perfect little Christmas craft for kids and adults, and they’re SO easy to make. Here’s what you’ll need: Foam cones Old socks Wood beads Glue gun Faux fur 9. DIY Sock Snowman This Christmas craft is adorable and so inexpensive to make. You’ll need a few socks – one solid white and one patterned. You’ll also need some: Polyfill Buttons Rubber bands Black brads Orange pipe cleaners Black ball sewing pins Pebbles If you can’t find any polyfill or it’s not in the budget, you can fill your sock snowmen with uncooked white rice. 10. DIY Toilet Paper Christmas Trees DIY Christmas craft ideas don’t get much more budget-friendly than this one. It’s hard to believe that these adorable Christmas trees are made from toilet paper rolls. You can probably use paper towel rolls if you don’t have any leftover toilet paper rolls. The only other supplies you’ll need are: Scissors Craft paint Pencil or marker to make the tree shapes 11. Flowerpot Gnome Ornaments These DIY gnome ornaments are so cute, and they’re the perfect craft for kids to make. All you need are a few inexpensive supplies, and you’re ready to start making your gnomes: 2.5” clay pots Ribbons Chunky yarn Jingle bells Wooden bead 12. Yarn Christmas Trees These yarn Christmas trees are super simple and modern, but they add some festive cheer to whatever room they’re in. If you want a really budget-friendly version of this craft, use leftover cardboard from around the house to make the tree base. You can also use foam cones to save yourself some time. Just wrap your yarn around the tree, and use a pretty gold metallic yarn to create the “lights” on the tree. Follow the steps in the tutorial to make these adorable little trees. 13. Wood Bead Snowmen Ornaments Here’s another fun and easy craft that you can use all season long – snowmen ornaments. This is a beginner-level craft that anyone can do, including the kids. Here’s what you’ll need for this simple but fun craft: Wood beads (3 for each ornament) Wood pull Baker’s twine Acrylic paint Scrap fabric Scissors Paintbrushes 14. Mini Hoop Wreath Wreaths really add to the Christmas spirit, and this hoop wreath is no exception. You’ll need a few items for this wreath that you might not have on hand already. Gold hoops, jute string, craft wire and vintage bells. Add some rosemary or find some greenery in your backyard. 15. Wooden Snowflakes DIY Christmas craft ideas are rarely as easy as these wooden snowflakes. You’ll need a handsaw or miter saw, but aside from this, 36” square dowels and superglue are the only other items that you’ll need. If you want, you can also spray paint the star a silver color, or any other color you may want. Related: 25 Amazing Neighbor Gift Ideas for Christmas 16. Mini Christmas Gnome Set Crocheting is such a great skill because you can use it for so many crafts. You’ll love this little gnome set, but you can make one – or a dozen if you like. A few essential items that you’ll need are: Crochet hook Fibrefill Stitch markers White faux fur (for the beard) Tapestry needle 17. Clothespin Sheep You’ll find this tutorial comes with a sheep body template that you’ll need to follow along with first. You’ll then need to gather some yarn, cardboard, black felt, tacky glue, wooden clothespins and acrylic paint. While you’ll need quite a few items to get started, you’ll find that the sheep is super-easy to make. 18. Christmas Mouse Anyone who likes to crochet will love this mouse. You’ll find the pattern is free – which is nice – but you’ll need quite a few other items: Yarn Crochet hook Fibrefill Plastic safety eyes Stitch markers Pink embroidery thread Pom pom maker (35mm) 19. Star Wreath If you have some popsicle sticks, a glue gun and some rosemary, you can easily make this craft. You can make a circular wreath out of the sticks if you don’t want to make a star. 20. Fishbowl Snowman Adorable! A fishbowl snowman is easy to make, but you’ll need to have a glue gun and a pair of scissors to get started. You’ll also need a few other items: 3 fishbowls of different sizes Fake snow Black craft foam Village pieces 21. Beaded Snowflakes Beaded snowflakes are so easy to make that kids of all ages can be involved in making them. You’ll need pipe cleaners, snowflake beads, pony beads and a rhinestone sticker for this project. Related: 20 Mason Jar Gift Ideas You Have to Try This Holiday 22. Pinecone Owl Go outside and find a pinecone. If you do, you’ll be able to make this owl in no time at all. A few items that you’ll need for this craft are: Felt (black, white and yellow) Googly eyes Cotton balls Tacky glue 23. Snowman Coasters Do you crochet? You can make these coasters that you can give away as gifts to friends and family and use year after year. You’ll need a 4mm crochet hook, orange felt, tapestry needle, scissors and weighted yarn. You can follow the tutorial and have your coasters in no time. 24. Mop Gnomes Create a mop gnome – seriously. Inexpensive and fun to make, you only need a string mop head, cone-shaped tinsel tree, rubber bands, hot glue gun and a few additional items to make these cute gnomes. If you’re a fan of gnomes, this is a fast decorative item that you can make this Christmas.
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Best Christmas Cheesecake Ideas to WOW Your Guests
What’s the best part of the holiday season? The food! And cheesecake tops the list for the best holiday treats. If you’re hosting a party or guests this year, these Christmas cheesecake ideas are sure to WOW them. 18 Best Christmas Cheesecake Ideas to WOW Your Guests 1. No-Bake Gingerbread Cheesecake Here’s a cheesecake recipe that’s all fun and no fuss. It’s oh-so-easy to make, and you can decorate it with adorable gingerbread cookies, frosted cranberries and rosemary sprigs to make it more festive. But the best part of this recipe is that there’s no baking involved. And it’s gingerbread – need we say more? You’ll need just a few things to make this recipe: gingerbread cookie crumbs, gingerbread spice, cream cheese, vanilla extract and the usual baking ingredients. 2. Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake This cranberry white chocolate cheesecake is gorgeous and delicious. The candied cranberries take some extra time and effort but are SO worth it. And the cranberry jam layer adds so much flavor to this dessert. Along with the usual ingredients for cheesecake filling and crust, you’ll need some fresh cranberries, white chocolate bars, vanilla extract and vanilla beans. 3. Eggnog Cheesecake Looking for Christmas cheesecake ideas with unique flavors? You’ll love this eggnog cheesecake. It looks so festive, topped with fresh rosemary sprigs and pomegranate seeds. But this recipe is surprisingly easy and tastes divine. You’ll need the usual cheesecake ingredients, along with eggnog, rum (optional) and holiday spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Don’t forget the rosemary and pomegranate seeds to make this cheesecake look as gorgeous as it tastes. Related: Easy Christmas Treats – 25+ Recipes to Wow Your Guests 4. Holiday Spice Cheesecake If you’re a fan of warm winter spices, then you’ll love this cheesecake recipe. Its rich, warm color makes it the perfect blank canvas for festive decorations. If you’re not feeling creative, a few cinnamon sticks will make this cake look table-ready. This simple recipe calls for all of your favorite holiday spices: cinnamon nutmeg vanilla all spice We recommend going the extra mile to make your own cinnamon whipped cream. 5. Sweetened Cranberry Cheesecake This beautiful cranberry cheesecake uses sweetened condensed milk for a rich, sweet flavor that balances out the tartness of the cranberries. Did we mention that there’s also a tangy cranberry sauce that’s marbled into the cheesecake filling? The recipe is simple but delicious. The cheesecake filling calls for unflavored gelatin, sweetened condensed milk, cream cheese, lemon juice and water. Your guests will be impressed by the gorgeous colors of this cake. And you can top it with whipped cream, candied cranberries and rosemary sprigs. 6. Creamy Gingerbread Cheesecake Who doesn’t love a good gingerbread cheesecake? This recipe is perfect for Christmas dessert. Top it with little gingerbread cookies, whipped cream and salted caramel sauce to take this recipe over the top. You’ll need all the classic holiday spices for the cheesecake filling, including: cinnamon nutmeg vanilla ground ginger cloves And for the crust, you’ll need gingersnap crumbs. 7. The Best Holiday Cheesecake This Christmas cheesecake is SO festive that you’ll have a hard time cutting into it. And if the presentation doesn’t WOW your guests, then the flavor will. The mint Oreo cookie crust is perfect for the holidays. For the filling, you’ll also need some peppermint extract and vanilla. Don’t forget the whipped cream, sprinkles and holiday candies to decorate the cake. Related: 23+ Mason Jar Gift Ideas for Christmas for Everyone On Your List 8. White Chocolate Cranberry Cheesecake Looking for more Christmas cheesecake ideas with cranberry and white chocolate? Here’s another recipe to try that will wow your guests. This cheesecake is topped with candied cranberries and whipped cream. The cheesecake filling has a layer of cranberry puree that pairs so well with the white chocolate. 9. Christmas Tree Cheesecake If you’re a fan of Little Debbie’s Christmas Tree Cakes, then this recipe is perfect for you. It starts with a homemade graham cracker crust and a simple cheesecake filling. But what makes this cake special is the layers of Christmas Tree Cakes. Once your crust is ready, pour half the cheesecake batter on top of it, then add a layer of cakes, and pour the rest of the batter on top. Finish the cake with a homemade white chocolate ganache (white chocolate and heavy whipping cream), green sprinkles and a red decorating gel. 10. White Christmas Cheesecake Here’s a cheesecake that will knock the socks off of your guests – especially if they love sweets. This cake is topped with a candied crumble of puffed rice cereal, Turkish delight chocolate bars, pistachios, M&Ms and mini marshmallows. Did we mention that this is also a no-bake cheesecake? The crumbled topping is a bit of work, but it’s worth every second. 11. Red Velvet White Chocolate Cheesecake We love Christmas cheesecake ideas like this one that combines traditional cake with cheesecake. Instead of a graham cracker crust base, this cake uses layers of homemade red velvet cake for the base and an additional layer in between the cheesecake filling. The red and white colors make this cake look so festive. And the best part is that this is a no-bake cheesecake. You’ll need to bake the red velvet cake but not the cheesecake itself. If you need to save time, you can use boxed red velvet cake mix. We love the candied cranberries, white truffles and star anise toppings. 12. Hot Chocolate Cheesecake A hot chocolate cheesecake? We’ve never seen such an interesting variation of cheesecake like this before with hot chocolate filling, biscuit base, whipped cream and micro mini marshmallows. You’ll also need cream cheese or mascarpone cheese for the tasty filling. One thing to note is that you’ll need to let this cheesecake set overnight – it’s worth the wait. This chocolate cheesecake will leave you and your guests satisfied after eating it up. 13. Gingerbread Mascarpone Cream Cheesecake We just had to add this interesting recipe into the mix because it’s technically a gingerbread cake, but it has an abundance of cream cheese frosting that makes it taste very close to cheesecake. If you have picky eaters, you’ll love this recipe – which looks like a work of art. Multiple layers of deliciousness with cranberry jam between them and the drizzled “snow” on top looks so enticing. If you want to “wow” your guests, this is a cake that will help. You’ll need some interesting ingredients, such as cranberries, mascarpone cheese, fresh rosemary and buttermilk. What’s even better is that you’ll spend under two hours prepping this cake and just 20-something minutes baking it. 14. Sprinkle-galore Christmas Cheesecake Christmas cheesecake ideas made from cookies? What a treat. You’ll love the sprinkles and Oreos, but you’ll want the golden variety. The recipe helps you recreate a New York-style cheesecake this holiday season, which means you’ll enjoy a very rich taste and dense base. You’ll only need 15 minutes to make this cheesecake, and the kids will love helping you decorate. A few essentials that you’ll need are a 9” springfoam pan and a food processor. 15. No-bake Reindeer Christmas Cheesecake One look at this cake and the reindeer design, and you’ll want to make it ASAP. You’ll make the base of the cake with Oreos, Biscoff and/or Gingernuts. You can be as creative as you wish with the base, and the filling is made with: Double cream Icing sugar Vanilla extract Lemon juice Cream cheese But you’ll want to make this cake one or two days before eating to allow it to settle and taste its best. 16. Christmas Candy Cheesecake Do you love things like sprinkles, mints and M&Ms during the holidays? Add them all on to this delightful cheesecake and make your tastebuds happy. We do want to mention that the total time to cook this cake is 10 hours with prep, so it’s not a fast, last-minute dessert. You’ll need to chill the cake overnight. But if you have the time, this is an Instagram-worthy dessert that everyone is sure to love. 17. White Chocolate Peppermint Cheesecake White chocolate and peppermint? Sign us up. We would use peppermint candy puffs, which we absolutely love, or bits of candy cane to go on top of the icing. You’ll need the usual suspects for this recipe: Sugar Powdered sugar Vanilla Butter Cream cheese Sour cream Whipping cream But the one ingredient that really stood out to us was the cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookies. You can opt for different cookies if you like, but Oreos seemed like a great option. Related: 25+ Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies to DIY This Year 18. Gingerbread Crust Cheesecake Don’t you just love the gingerbread Christmas tree on top of this cake? What an adorable idea. You’ll need to set aside around two hours to bake this cake, which requires quite a bit of spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and all spice. You’ll need some butter (salted and unsalted), sour cream, full-fat cream cheese, and a handful of other ingredients. If you don’t have one already, you’ll also need a food processor to make quick work of the ingredient mixing. Trust us, your home will be filled with the scent of gingerbread.
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15+ Outdoor Christmas Decoration Ideas That Are Full of Style
Looking for fun and festive outdoor Christmas decoration ideas that are full of style? We’ve rounded up 15+ amazing decor ideas that will transform your outdoor space into a magical holiday wonderland. 15+ Outdoor Christmas Decoration Ideas That Are Full of Style 1. A Cozy Outdoor Lounge Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas---littlehouseonchestnut Facebook Pinterest Cozy Outdoor Christmas Lounge, photo credit: @littlehouseonchestnut Imagine cozying up on this outdoor lounge with a hot cup of cocoa, a warm blanket and an open fire. Kara Bowman (@littlehouseonchestnut) created this amazing outdoor space for her family to enjoy this holiday season. While you may not be able to buy the snow (technically), you can recreate this idea at home. Start by decorating outdoor trees with Christmas lights. If you have outdoor furniture, add some cozy blankets and a few pillows. Don’t forget the sleigh and the garland with lights. 2. A Hallmark Movie Front Porch Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas---homebyheidi Facebook Pinterest A Hallmark Movie Front Porch, photo credit: @homebyheidi Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas---homebyheidi-2 Facebook Pinterest A Hallmark Movie Front Porch, photo credit: @homebyheidi How gorgeous is @homebyheidi’s front porch? The garland around the doors, the wreaths and fresh snow make it feel like a scene out of a Hallmark Christmas movie. You can create a similar look on your porch. Fill galvanized buckets with fresh greenery and birch sticks. Fill red outdoor lanterns with decorative red ornaments. Hang garland around your front door. Don’t forget to add bells to your wreaths and to string up some lights. Related: 15+ Insanely Beautiful Macrame Christmas Tree Tutorials to Try This Year 3. A Merry Mantel Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas---corbelcottageandcottonandcrete Facebook Pinterest Christmas merry mantel, photo credit: @corbelcottage & @cottonandcrete Technically, this is an indoor space, but how gorgeous is this mantle? This is easily something you can recreate on your front porch, too. Hang fresh garland around your doors (make sure it’s full!) and start adding little rustic farmhouse accessories, like wooden crates and Christmas trees. Stick with neutral colors, and don’t forget to wrap lights around your garland to make your front porch magical. 4. A Winter Wonderland Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas---balsamhill Facebook Pinterest Outdoor Christmas decoration ideas, photo credit: @balsamhill @balsamhill shares some awe-inspiring ideas for outdoor Christmas decor, but this one takes the cake. Everything from the potted trees to the glittering snowman and light trees makes this outdoor space a true winter wonderland. Of course, no Christmas porch is complete without garland and a wreath on the door. 5. Mistletoe and Holly Entrance Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas---loveandlilac Facebook Pinterest Mistletoe and holly entrance, photo credit: @loveandlilac We love simple but beautiful outdoor Christmas decoration ideas, and this idea from @loveandlilac is perfect. The holly makes the garland more festive, and we love the subtle holiday elements in the wreath (the pinecones, the yellow bird, and the ribbon). Above the door hangs an adorable lantern that gives this entrance an old-world vibe. 6. A Festive Outdoor Seating Area Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas--pamelacarlisledesign Facebook Pinterest A festive Christmas outdoor seating area, photo credit: @pamelacarlisledesign We adore this festive outdoor seating area designed by @pamelacarlisledesign. The potted trees and pre-lit garland around the brick archway invite you to step up onto the porch and sit on the bench for a while. The garland and wreaths on the doors are lit up so beautifully and make the space feel so cozy. 7. A Winter Dream Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas-kristin_adelaide Facebook Pinterest Outdoor Christmas winter dream, photo credit: @kristin_adelaide Outdoor Christmas decoration ideas don’t have to be obvious. @kristin_adelaide created a gorgeous outdoor holiday space with neutral colors. Nature, snow and thoughtfully placed fairy lights make this space feel like a holiday dream. It’s the little things, like the snow-covered stone bench, candle lanterns and lights on the trees, that make this space so special. Related: 23+ Mason Jar Gift Ideas for Christmas for Everyone On Your List 8. Cheery Christmas Entryway Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas-carole_home_solutions Facebook Pinterest Cheery Christmas entryway, photo credit: @carole_home_solutions Here’s an entryway that’s so bright and festive! Place a decorative mat like this one in front of your doorway to wish anyone who drops by a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We love the presents and little decorative trees that help make the space even merrier. You could also hang a pre-lit garland above the doorway to really make the entryway bright if you have windows around your door. 9. A Statement Entrance Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas-katiejacobsnashville Facebook Pinterest Outdoor Christmas decoration ideas, photo credit: @katiejacobsnashville How gorgeous does this porch look? The grand columns wrapped in garland make a statement, and the potted pre-lit trees are stunning. We love the wreaths hung on the doors and all of the windows of the house. Did you spot the lights on the bushes, too? The warm glow of the hanging lanterns makes this home look so inviting without being too over the top. 10. Nordic Outdoor Party Table Outdoor-Christmas-Decoration-Ideas-hestershandmadehome Facebook Pinterest Nordic outdoor party table, photo credit: @hestershandmadehome If you’re hosting a holiday party and need outdoor Christmas decoration ideas, take inspiration from @hestershandmadehome. How beautiful is this table setup? We love the ornament hanger – which is so easy to DIY. You can hang any ornaments you want, but try sticking to one aesthetic or theme. Layer your seats with cozy blankets, light some candles and set the table with pretty dishware to make your gathering memorable. 11. Christmas Covered Porch Covered porches are picturesque, right? They look so inviting, and this covered porch looks like it was transported from a Hallmark movie because it’s just that perfect. You may have a few of these decor items in your home already, but you’ll need to put it all together. Notice how there’s garland with white lights across all of the porch railings? You’ll find plenty of solar light options that eliminate the need to plug the garland into an outlet. But then, you’ll find that along the whole top of the patio, there is garland hanging down to frame the space. Red bows are strategically placed on all of the banisters to add a pop of color to an otherwise very earthy space. Add some hanging lights under the porch covering and a Christmas tree in the corner, and it’s a perfectly decorated space. 12. A Very Merry Patio Imagine walking onto your patio with a lovely outdoor bench and iconic red and white pillows. You have two wreaths on the windows behind you and multiple outdoor Christmas trees lit up with white lights. And to finish it off, you have a few candle-lit floor lanterns that add to the overall ambiance of the space. If you have a covered porch, this is the perfect opportunity to sit outside with a cup of hot chocolate and appreciate the Christmas season. 13. Garland Entryway Whew. There is so much going on in this idea, but if you take it slow, you can recreate it. First, not every home is going to have fantastic columns that the garland can hang from, but if you do, it really adds to the look. Add a wreath or two to the door and small, mini pine trees. Complete the look with: Candle lanterns Outdoor reindeer statues Finding these exact reindeer will be difficult – I tried looking – but there are so many great options available. Related: 25+ Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies to DIY This Year 14. Old Christmas Cart What an adorable decoration idea. If you have an old wooden wagon or cart (Amazon has one if you don’t), all you need to do is add some festive Christmas flowers or plants. A few items that you can add are: Red berry stems Garland Flowerpots Pinecones 15. Garland Sprawling Down Handrails If you have a beautiful stairway leading into your home, it’s the perfect excuse to place garland everywhere. You can use prelit garland if you want to add a pop of color or ambiance to your space, or you can opt for regular garland. I really appreciate how the homeowner put “JOY” in the windows as you walk up the steps, which is so welcoming. Place some candles on the steps going up for the perfect curb appeal. LED candles are optimal because you won’t need to be concerned about fires or the wind blowing the flame out. 16. Country Living’s Festive Front Door Your door is the entryway to your home. If you want to take the Country Living approach, you can handcraft your own wreath that will stun your visitors. You can purchase a wreath to get started, such as this one from Amazon. Next, take your wreath to the next step with: Pinecones Berries Cinnamon sticks Dried orange slices Anything you like Wreaths are one of the outdoor Christmas decoration ideas because they’re so welcoming and inviting. 17. Lantern and Tree Bliss Walking up your steps should be an exciting experience, but let’s face it, most of the time, it’s less than appealing. You’ll appreciate this look with floor lanterns spread on the base and first step. Lighted cone-shaped trees are on each side of the steps going up. You can make this idea your own by mixing up your color options, but white lights seem to be the go-to choice for many high-end, decorated homes. 18. Lighted Archway If you have a gate going to your home or garden, it’s the perfect area to add an archway. You can purchase archways or make your own. But the archway is just a small piece of the puzzle. You need to: Add branches around the archway Add string lights to the archway Adding in the earth elements, such as the branches, will really make this entryway stand out from the rest of the homes in the neighborhood. 19. Minimalistic Entryway What a beautiful home, right? You’ll find plenty of options to decorate a walkway like this, but it’s really simple to recreate with a long, pre-lit garland sprawling on the top. Small, lighted trees and floor lanterns complete the rest of the look. With the windows in the back reflecting the light, this look seems more complicated than it really is.
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Easy Christmas Treats – 25+ Recipes to Wow Your Guests
The holidays are all about spending time with family – and enjoying tasty treats. Whether you’re having a party or looking for something fun to do with the family, you’ll love these easy Christmas treats. 25+ Recipes for Cute & Easy Christmas Treats 1. Gingerbread Fudge This gingerbread fudge recipe is so simple and delicious. It has all of your favorite festive spices, like ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg. You’ll also need: Condensed milk Molasses Nonpareils White chocolate chips 2. Vanilla Peppermint Hot Cocoa Sticks These hot cocoa sticks are the perfect treat for Christmas movie-watching night. You’ll need a few supplies to make them, but It’s a really simple process. Here’s what you’ll need: Shot glass mold Melting vanilla chocolate Melting milk chocolate Crushed peppermint Popsicle sticks 3. Homemade Christmas Tree Cakes These homemade Christmas tree cakes are so good – and so easy to make. You’ll have a hard time not finishing the whole batch in one sitting. You’ll need all the usual baking supplies, along with marshmallow crème, white almond bark and sanding sugar decorations. These little cakes taste just like the ones you buy in the store, but they’re even better because they’re homemade. 4. Christmas Popcorn Balls When it comes to easy Christmas treats, it doesn’t get much easier than this recipe. These Christmas popcorn balls are addicting, and they’re great for handing out as treats to friends and family around the holidays. You’ll need just a few things Popped popcorn Mini marshmallows White chocolate chips Peppermint extract Crushed peppermint candies Popsicle sticks or thick paper straws 5. Brownie Christmas Trees Brownies are always a welcome treat, and these ones are so festive. Use boxed brownie mix to save time and cut them into triangles. To decorate these treats, you’ll need sprinkles, Red Hots, candy canes and green frosting to make the tree shape. 6. Oreo Penguins These Oreo penguin treats are so easy to make because you don’t even need to bake anything. Just dip Oreos in chocolate, and decorate them with: White chocolate wafers Candy eyes Mini and regular M&Ms Air Heads sour candy 7. Snowman Donut Pops How cute are these snowman donut pops? They’re so easy to put together and make the perfect treat for gifts. You’ll need: Powdered sugar donuts Fruit By the Foot Skittles White chocolate melting chips Orange starburst Lollipop sticks Black icing 8. Christmas Cookie Tree Christmas-Cookie-Tree---glassnbutter Facebook Pinterest Christmas cookie tree, Photo credit: @glassnbutter You can’t go wrong with this gorgeous Christmas cookie tree! This cookie tree may not look like it would be on a list of easy Christmas treats, but it’s a lot easier than you think to make this treat. Here is another amazing Christmas cookie tree made by @cocoaandcrumbs we love: coockie-Christmas-tree---cocoaandcrumbs_ Facebook Pinterest Cookie Christmas tree, photo credit: @cocoaandcrumbs You’ll need star cookie cutters of different sizes, white frosting (or any other color you like) and sprinkles. Follow a recipe to bake your cookies and the tutorial to assemble your tree and impress your guests. Another cute version of the Christmas cookie tree we like: Christmas cookie tree Facebook Pinterest Christmas cookie tree, Source: Depositphotos 9. Strawberry Santas Christmas-strawberry-santas Facebook Pinterest Christmas strawberry Santas Here’s a tasty treat that’s easy to make and a healthier alternative to cookies and cakes. You’ll need some strawberries, mini chocolate chips, cream cheese, honey and vanilla extract. Just slice off the top of the berry, make your “frosting,” and use a piping bag to finish your Santas. Use the mini chocolate chips as Santa’s eyes. Related: 22 Delicious Christmas Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 10. Grinch Oreo Truffles Oreo truffles are the best holiday treat, and they’re really easy to make. These truffles are Grinch-themed, which makes them perfect for Christmas. Here’s what you’ll need: Oreos Whipped cream cheese spread Vanilla almond bark Green food coloring Heart sprinkles 11. Rice Krispy Christmas Puddings These treats are unique and easy to make. You’ll need just a few basic supplies for these: Milk chocolate Rice Krispies cereal Mini marshmallows White chocolate Sugar decorations 12. Hot Cocoa Cookies These hot cocoa cookies are so cute and tasty. They’re the perfect treat for movie night or a cookie exchange. You’ll need the usual baking supplies, along with marshmallows and sprinkles. 13. Gnome Cookies These gnome cookies are the cutest, and they’re super easy to make. Use store-bought sugar cookie dough to save time. Just add buttercream frosting to make the gnome’s beard and strawberries for the gnome hat. Use M&Ms for their noses, and you have the most adorable Christmas treats. 14. Reindeer Pretzels These easy Christmas treats are super simple but so tasty. All you need are pretzel sticks, melting chocolate, candy eyes and Red Hots for the noses. 15. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Reindeer These reindeer are adorable, and it couldn’t be easier to make these treats. All you’ll need are some fresh strawberries, melting chocolate, candy eyes, pretzels and red M&Ms. 16. Reindeer Rice Krispy Treats These reindeer Rice Krispy Treats are easy to put together and super-cute. Cut your Rice Krispy Treats into triangles and decorate them with: Chocolate-covered pretzels for antlers Candy eyes M&Ms Christmas sprinkles 17. White Chocolate Oreo Christmas Balls Christmas balls never looked this good before. You’ll want to dip the Oreos in white chocolate. Add a white Reeses mini on top of the Oreo to act as the hook attachment on a real ornament. You can then add chocolate for string lights and put M&M minis on the chocolate to look like multi-colored light bulbs. If you want to add a pop of color to these treats instead of an all-white ball, you can add food coloring to the white chocolate when it’s melted. 18. Christmas Tree Candy Tower No baking. No fuss. You can easily make this Christmas tree tower with just a few candies, including Hershey kisses, Reese’s minis and a candy of your choosing on the bottom. Of course, green-colored kisses and minis are the best option. You’ll see from the Pin that the tree is made from fully wrapped candies. Related: 25+ Decorated Christmas Sugar Cookies to DIY This Year 19. Oreo Reindeer Cookies https://www.pinterest.com/pin/139119075979814725/ No bake Oreo reindeer cookies are a sweet treat that the whole family will love. Dip the Oreos in chocolate and let them harden. Place pretzels as the horns, M&Ms as the nose and eyes. You’ll love these bite-sized treats because they’re delicious. You can also find some Oreos that are covered in chocolate if you want to skip the melting part. However, it’s going to be much harder to place the nose and eyes when the chocolate is hardened already. Here is another cute version of reindeer treats you can try – these are made with mini chocolate cupcakes: Christmas reindeer treats Facebook Pinterest Christmas reindeer treats 20. Reindeer Marshmallow Pops Marshmallows, chocolate, pretzels and some M&Ms are all that you need for this easy treat. If you want to make the stick edible, you can also use some candy canes. The idea for this treat is rather simple: Insert the candy cane or stick into the marshmallow Dip the marshmallow in melted chocolate Put the M&M in the middle as a nose Break apart the pretzel and make reindeer horns from them 21. Candy Cane Cookies Candy cane cookies are very easy Christmas treats. You’ll find that the recipe is relatively easy and will require eggs, food coloring, peppermint extract, powdered sugar, salt, vanilla extract, butter and milk. If you’re running short on time, these are a fast treat to bake that everyone will appreciate. 22. Elf Hat Treats Elf hat treats are not something I would ever have thought of on my own, but they’re adorable and very easy to make. You’ll use bugles as the hat, dip the larger side in white chocolate, add some Christmas sprinkles and an M&M in the middle. The longest part of this recipe is melting the chocolate, which is super-fast. 23. Grinch Heart Rice Krispies Grinch Rice Krispy Treats are such an amazing idea. You’ll need a heart cookie cutter, green food coloring, Rice Krispies cereal, marshmallows and butter. Add a red heart candy in the middle to show the Grinches small heart – hopefully getting a bit larger. You’ll simply make a large rice Krispies sheet and use the heart cut out on it to make these in bulk. 24. Mini S’mores Pies Do you have five minutes? If so, you can make these mini S’mores pies. You’ll need pre-made graham cracker crusts, and if you make your own, it will take much longer. Add in chocolate bars and mini marshmallows. And you’ll just need to heat these up in the oven or microwave to melt the mixture before eating with a spoon. Related: 23+ Mason Jar Gift Ideas for Christmas for Everyone On Your List 25. Snowman Cupcakes Snowman-Cupcakes Facebook Pinterest Snowman cupcakes First, you’ll make some cupcakes using eggs, flour, butter, sugar, oil, milk, vanilla, baking powder and cocoa powder. Add large marshmallows on top of the cupcake, and some black frosting for the eyes and smile. An orange nose can be made with orange frosting or candy buttons. 26. Cookie with Hot Chocolate Cup on Top How creative are these cookies? First, you’ll need to make sugar cookies or buy some batter for a shortcut. Then, grab some puffed marshmallows, mini marshmallows, candy cane and fudge. Place the large marshmallow on top of the cookie Add the candy cane as the mug handle Cover the top with fudge to look like chocolate Add small marshmallows to look like marshmallows are in hot chocolate
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25+ Of The Best Christmas Cookies for Your Holiday Baking
The Most Amazing Christmas Cookies Are you looking for the best Christmas cookies to bake this year? We’ve gathered 25 of the best recipes we could find. Whether you’re doing a cookie exchange, hosting a party or giving gifts to friends and neighbors, these cookie recipes won’t disappoint. 26 of the Best Christmas Cookies for Your Holiday Baking 1. Christmas Linzer Cookies These Christmas Linzer cookies have all of your favorite holiday spices with a sweet raspberry jam filling. The cookie dough features finely ground almonds and hazelnuts for a rich flavor. You’ll find it hard just to eat one – or three. Be sure to follow all of the tips in this recipe to make the best Linzer cookies. These aren’t your usual holiday treats. 2. Soft Gingerbread Cookies You can’t have a Christmas cookie list without mentioning gingerbread. But this recipe stands out because it makes soft and chewy cookies that are every bit as delicious as their crunchy counterparts. The best part of making gingerbread cookies is decorating, so make sure that you have plenty of white icing (and gumdrop buttons!) to bring these little guys to life. 3. Pecan Snowball Cookies If you’re looking for quick and tasty treats, pecan snowballs are one of the best Christmas cookies to make. You only need a handful of ingredients to make them, and they just melt in your mouth. You may know these cookies as Mexican wedding cookies or Russian tea cakes. Whatever you call them – you’ll love them. Use high-quality pecans for the best results. 4. Christmas Sugar Cookies Best Christmas Cookies for Your Holiday Baking - the.cookiee.co Facebook Pinterest Best Christmas sugar cookies, Photo credit: @the.cookiee.co These inspiring cookies embody all the things we adore about Christmas! With an elegant touch and loads of style, they’ve secured a top spot on our favorites list this year. Add a festive touch to your table design and impress your guests with delightful Christmas sugar cookies featuring your favorite designs! 5. Italian Ricotta Cookies Italian-Ricotta-Cookies-recipe Facebook Pinterest Italian ricotta cookies for Christmas, Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic Ricotta cookies are a popular treat in Italy during the holiday season. They’re soft, decadent and delicious. With a little icing and some sprinkles, they quickly become everyone’s favorite treat. The best part is that the glaze is so easy to make at home and uses ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. almond-ricotta-cookies-recipe ideas Facebook Pinterest Italian ricotta cookies, Photo credit: An Edible Mosaic Related: 22 Delicious Christmas Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 6. Hot Cocoa Cookies The best Christmas cookies are ones that bring us comfort and joy, and these hot cocoa cookies tick all of the boxes. They’re warm, gooey and have all of the flavors of a hot cup of cocoa. Use marshmallow bits if you can find them (you can get them on Amazon!). They’re just the right size for these cookies. 7. Classic Sugar Cookies The best Christmas cookies are the classics. Soft and chewy sugar cookies are always a crowd pleaser, and they can be decorated with frosting and sprinkles to make them even more festive. This recipe doesn’t require any chilling between mixing and baking, so they can go straight from the bowl to the oven. 8. Eggnog Cookies Turn a classic holiday drink into a tasty treat. These eggnog cookies are soft, delicious and a break from the usual Christmas cookie. These are the perfect treats for cookie exchanges or giving as gifts to neighbors and friends. They transport well, and they smell like Christmas in a box. Related: 15 Last-Minute DIY Christmas Gift Ideas Everyone Will Love 9. Christmas Tree Cookie Stacks Here’s a Christmas cookie that will impress everyone. These Christmas tree cookie stacks feature creamy green frosting sandwiched between three cookies. Top with a star and some holiday-colored pearl sprinkles These cookies are a bit more complicated (each tree requires three different sized cookies), but they can be a fun project for the family or a great treat to serve at a holiday party. 10. Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies These gingerbread thumbprint cookies are perfect for the holidays. You’ll love the white chocolate and spiced molasses filling. The extra frosting on the top takes these cookies over the top. They’re perfect for gift-giving, cookie exchanges or just to enjoy with your family. 11. Loaded Baileys Fudge Mint Cookies These cookies really are loaded. Along with the mint chocolate chips, regular chocolate chips, pieces of Andes mint chips, these cookies have a Bailey’s chocolate ganache filling. They’re ooey, gooey and irresistible. If you’re looking for an unusual Christmas cookie to try, this one is it. 12. Grinch Cookies These Grinch cookies are so cute, and they’re tasty, too. They use a cake mix, which makes them extra soft and easy to make. Roll your dough in powdered sugar, bake, add a heart sprinkle and enjoy. Try using cinnamon heart sprinkles for an extra burst of unexpected flavor. 13. Cranberry Sandwich Cookies These cranberry sandwich cookies take extra time to prepare, but they’re worth the effort. The cranberry filling uses fresh cranberries cooked long and slow with spices and apple cider. Your house will smell divine while making this cranberry filling, and you will savor each bite of these delicate, flavorful cookies. 14. Candy Cane Cookies How cute are these candy cane cookies? They taste just as sweet as they look. The recipe calls for mint extract, but you can easily use vanilla or almond if you prefer. The fun part is rolling the dough into ropes and twisting them together. It’s an excellent project for the kids if they’re old enough to help with baking. And the candy cane shape is the perfect companion for your morning coffee or tea. 15. German Chocolate Cookies The best Christmas cookies aren’t always the most obvious. These tasty treats have all of the trappings of a classic German chocolate cake, but in portable cookie form. Chewy chocolate cookies are topped with a creamy coconut, caramel and pecan mix. Add some more chocolate frosting on top, and you have the perfect recipe for an unforgettable cookie. 16. Raspberry Almond Shortbread Cookies These raspberry almond shortbread cookies are subtly sweet with a bright red jam that adds a pop of festive color. Use quality, seedless raspberry jam for these cookies and watch them disappear right before your eyes. Related: 21 Mason Jar Gift Ideas for Christmas for Everyone On Your List 17. Pistachio Rose Cookies These pistachio rose cookies are gorgeous and so different from the usual Christmas cookie. Rose petals add a rich red color and subtle floral flavor. Pistachio nuts add green color, flavor and crunch. You’re sure to wow your guests with these cookies and their unique flavor. You can find culinary grade rose flower water and rose petals on Amazon if you can’t find them in your local shops. 18. Red Velvet White Chocolate Chip Cookies Who doesn’t love red velvet cake? This recipe transforms this beloved treat into a cookie topped with decadent white chocolate chips. The great thing about these cookies is that they’re so simple to make, but they taste every bit as good as some of the more complicated cookie recipes. They’re a crowd-pleaser, too, so they’ll be a hit at cookie exchanges and parties. 19. Pfeffernusse Cookies These traditional German spiced cookies are dusted in powdered sugar and are the perfect treat for Christmas. Pfeffernusse cookies are soft and spicy, with flavors of anise, cardamom, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, ginger and pepper. The molasses base makes these cookies even more delicious. 20. Almond Marzipan Crescents These almond marzipan crescent cookies are delicious, and they are surprisingly easy to make. The almonds and marzipan add so much flavor, and a light chocolate coating on the ends of the cookies add just a little extra sweetness. 21. Walnut Cinnamon Winter Cookies These walnut winter cookies have a similar texture to pecan snowballs or German pfeffernusse cookies. They’re soft, spiced cookies with a powdered sugar coating. But instead of almonds or pecans, these cookies have walnuts. This recipe makes buttery soft cookies that melt in your mouth. Each batch makes 20-24 cookies – which won’t last very long. 22. Danish Butter Cookies Butter cookies are so underrated. They’re soft and chewy on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside. Dipped in chocolate and topped with festive sprinkles, these cookies are perfect for the holidays – especially if you’re not a fan of spicy cookies. For a really impressive presentation, use a piping bag with a large piping tip to shape your cookies. 23. Poppy Seed and Marzipan Cookies This traditional German Christmas cookie recipe is so tasty. Poppyseed and marzipan complement the plum jam so well. These sandwich cookies are so delicious. They won’t last long at any party or family gathering. Related: 20 Mason Jar Gift Ideas You Have to Try This Holiday 24. Swedish Heirloom Cookies These Swedish heirloom cookies have a powdered sugar coating, rich walnut filling and a buttery texture. They’re easy to make, so they’re great for serving at parties or to give in cookie exchanges. 25. Candy Cane Flavored Cookies If you’re a fan of peppermint, you’ll love these candy cane cookies. They’re rich and buttery with little bits of peppermint crunch for a burst of flavor. The red color adds a festive touch to these bite-sized cookies. 26. Chocolate Chip Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies This recipe puts a holiday twist on the classic shortbread cookie. Maraschino cherries add a burst of festive color and chocolate chips add a hint of sweetness. The dough is easy to make, and there’s no chilling time between mixing and baking. Final Thoughts No matter your taste, you’re sure to find a Christmas cookie you love on this list. From traditional to decadent, there’s something for everyone and every holiday gathering.
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22 Delicious Christmas Food Ideas for Your Party This Year
Christmas Food Ideas Are you planning a holiday party this year? Food is one of the best parts of the holiday season, and we have 22 delicious Christmas food ideas to make your party unforgettable. From appetizers to main dishes and desserts, we have recipe ideas for everyone. Christmas Appetizers 1. Christmas Charcuterie Board Christmas-Charcuterie-Board---boardsbycourtney-2 Facebook Pinterest Christmas Charcuterie board, photo credit: @boardsbycourtney Who doesn’t love a good charcuterie board? Here is an amazing board made by @boardsbycourtney we really like. It’s the perfect Christmas appetizer because you can add a little something for everyone. You can add whatever you want to your board, but here are some ideas: An assortment of cheeses Fruit (apples are a good seasonal choice) Something sweet Deli meats To make your board more festive, add gingerbread cookies, sprigs of rosemary and cranberry dip. Christmas-Charcuterie-Board---boardsbycourtney-2 Facebook Pinterest Christmas Charcuterie board, photo credit: @boardsbycourtney 2. Fried Raviolis Fried raviolis are always a crowd pleaser, and these ones are made in an air fryer for a healthy twist. This vegetarian-friendly appetizer takes just a few minutes to prepare and only requires a few ingredients. Whip up a quick marinara sauce to serve with these, and you’re ready to go. Related: 15 Last-Minute DIY Christmas Gift Ideas Everyone Will Love 3. Bacon Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese If you’re looking for easy Christmas food ideas that are absolutely delicious, these bacon wrapped dates should be on your list. It’s the perfect mix of salty, sweet and savory. To make these bite-sized appetizers, just fill Medjool dates with your favorite goat cheese and wrap them in bacon. Secure with a toothpick and drizzle some honey on top before popping in the oven for about 20 minutes. It’s a quick, easy and delicious appetizer your guests will love. 4. Cranberry Feta Pinwheels Here’s an appetizer that’s easy to make, festive and delicious. Cranberries and green onions add holiday colors to your table and pair well with the cream cheese filling. These pinwheels come together so quickly and easily, and you can make them ahead of time to save you time and stress on the day of your party. 5. Mini Cheese Ball Bites Ditch the classic cheese ball and give your guests something more finger-food-friendly. These mini cheese ball bites are easy to grab and eat. They pair well with most other appetizers, too. What you’ll love most about these little bites is that they’re so easy to make. That means you can spend more time chatting with guests and less time in the kitchen. 6. Spiced Pear and Pomegranate Crostini Here’s something different for your Christmas apps – spiced pear and pomegranate crostini. Top slices of baguette with pear, pomegranate arils, cinnamon cream cheese and spiced syrup for an irresistible appetizer your guests are sure to rave about. 7. Cranberry BBQ Meatballs These cranberry BBQ meatballs are a little sweet and a little spicy – a perfect combination for your Christmas party. You can make this appetizer in a slow cooker or on the stovetop. If you want to save time, you can make these ahead of time. They’ll keep in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Christmas Mains / Side Dishes 8. Brown Sugar Glazed Ham Ham is a great main dish to serve at your Christmas party because it can easily feed a crowd. And this brown sugar glazed ham has just the right amount of sweetness. The sauce is easy to make and will caramelize as you cook your ham for a crispy, sweet crust. Start cooking this ham just before your guests arrive, and it will be ready to serve after everyone has settled in and made themselves at home. Related: 21 Mason Jar Gift Ideas for Christmas for Everyone On Your List 9. Bacon Green Bean Bundles Bacon-Green-Bean-Bundles---numstheword Facebook Pinterest Bacon green bean bundles, photo credit: @numstheword Green beans are the perfect Christmas side dish, and this recipe adds some salty goodness with bacon wraps. These bundles are baked in the oven, so you won’t have to babysit a pan in the kitchen while your guests are in the living room. Use fresh green beans for this recipe. If you have vegetarian guests, you can wrap your green beans veggie bacon strips or even tempeh to give it a smoky flavor. Check out the full recipe here. 10. Baked Ziti By the time Christmas parties start rolling around, people are usually sick of the usual turkey, ham and roast dishes. Why not serve something a little different as your main dish? This layered baked ziti recipe can easily serve a crowd and is the ultimate comfort food. Go the extra mile and make your own sauce ahead of time. It’s worth the effort. Marcella Hazan’s famous tomato sauce uses just four ingredients and is as easy as it gets. 11. Amish Potato Rolls No Christmas food ideas list is complete without at least one dinner rolls recipe. And these potato rolls are divine. They take a little effort, but they’re worth every second. You can make them the day before and warm them before serving your main dish. Using potato flakes will save time and make it much easier to get the right consistency for your dough. 12. Balsamic Herbed Pork Roast Pork roast is a great main dish for a Christmas party, and this recipe incorporates a cranberry relish glaze with balsamic vinegar and fresh herbs. While this recipe has a fancy name, it’s not as complicated to make as it sounds. Cranberry sauce, balsamic vinegar and Granny Smith apples give this roast a sweet and sour flavor. Some fresh thyme, sage, rosemary and cranberries add a punch of flavor and color to your roast. You can feed a small crowd with this recipe, making it perfect for smaller dinner parties. 13. Stuffed Shells If you need pasta Christmas food ideas, these stuffed shells are a great choice. They’re easy to make and can feed a big crowd. Like ziti, stuffed shells are a great option if you’re having vegetarian guests (use vegan ricotta if you have vegan guests). You can prepare these ahead of time and reheat them when your guests arrive to save time in the kitchen. 14. Roasted Leg of Lamb For a more elegant main dish, try leg of lamb. This roasted leg of lamb recipe is easy to follow and uses fresh herbs. If you’ve been intimidated by lamb recipes in the past, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find this recipe fool-proof and fuss-free. 15. Maple Roasted Turkey Thighs Turkey thighs are a great option if you’re feeding a smaller crowd. This maple roasted thighs recipe is easy to prepare and delicious. Some fresh herbs, maple syrup, butter and mustard give these turkey thighs a burst of flavor. Christmas Desserts 16. Mint Chocolate Torte This mint chocolate torte is perfect for the holidays. It features layers of creamy chocolate sandwiched between spongey layers of cake. Top with chunks of Andes mint candies or fresh mint chocolate chips for a festive presentation. 17. Old Fashioned Rice Pudding If you’re looking for classic Christmas food ideas, add rice pudding to your list. This delicious, creamy dessert is satisfying and easy to make in big batches. It uses just a few ingredients and is sure to be loved by all of your guests. Make sure that you use long-grain rice for this recipe. You can use sweetened condensed milk if you want a richer and sweeter taste. 18. Cherry Poke Cake Cakes are the perfect party dessert because they can feed a crowd, and everyone can grab their own slice to go. Poke cakes are really fun to make, and this cherry variation is so festive. White cake mix will save you time. Don’t skimp on the fresh cherries for the topping and use a high-quality cherry pie filling (or make your own!). 19. Christmas Spice Cake with Eggnog Buttercream Here’s a dessert that will impress your guests and be the star of your table. This cake has all of your favorite holiday spices and a delicious eggnog buttercream frosting. It’s basically the holidays in a cake. Top with fresh cinnamon sticks and dust with cinnamon. 20. Eggnog Pudding You can’t talk about Christmas food ideas without mentioning at least one eggnog recipe. This homemade eggnog pudding is delightfully rich and can easily be scaled to feed a crowd. Don’t be intimidated by homemade pudding – it’s easier than you think. You can serve your pudding in single-serving size cups topped with whipped cream and dusted with cinnamon. 21. Cranberry White Chocolate Mini Cheesecakes These mini cheesecakes are adorable, especially when served in mini mason jars. They’re bite-sized, so everyone can grab their own jar and enjoy. Top with fresh frosted cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for a pretty presentation. Save the mini mason jars to make them again next year and make it a holiday party tradition. 22. Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars These sugar cookie bars transform the classic Christmas cookie recipe into bite-sized bars with thick layers of tasty frosting. This is a dessert recipe that’s easy to make for a crowd and so festive. Top your bars with red and green sprinkles for a pretty presentation. Final Thoughts These 22 Christmas food ideas are sure to be a hit at your holiday party. If you’re feeding a big crowd, pick multiple recipes from each category to give everyone a variety of foods to choose from.
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23+ Healthy New Year’s Eve Appetizers to Start the Year Right
The holidays are all about eating whatever we want, right? You’ve spent the last month indulging in sweets and all the comfort foods you love. NYE is the perfect excuse to change things around. To help you start the year right, I have 23+ healthy New Years Eve appetizers that are bursting with flavor. 23+ Healthy New Year’s Eve Appetizers to Start the Year Right 1. Sweet Potato Feta Bites Ditch the bread, and create your own “crostini” with crispy sweet potato slices. Top with homemade or healthy hummus, diced tomatoes, feta cheese and fresh basil. Fast, healthy and delicious! I recommend using garlic or red pepper hummus for extra flavor. 2. Baked Artichoke Hearts Artichokes always seem to make their way into appetizer recipes. But let’s make this delicious ingredient healthier by just baking it with spices and a little bit of breadcrumbs and cheese. Super easy to make. Full of flavor and 100% guilt-free. 3. Spinach Balls These spinach balls are delicious! The Parmesan and mozzarella cheese pair perfectly with the spinach and spices. The breadcrumbs help keep these bite-sized delights in form. You can serve these with any type of dipping sauce you want: marinara sauce, tzatziki sauce, honey mustard or even ranch dressing. 4. Grilled Peach and Ricotta Crostini Savory and sweet. This is one of the top healthy New Years Eve appetizers because the combination of flavors is unmatched. You’ll need fresh, ripe peaches for this dish. If you can’t get your hands on any at this time of year, you can use high-quality preserved peaches instead. Top each crostini with ricotta cheese, a slice of peach and balsamic glaze. Related: 21+ Delicious New Year’s Eve Finger Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 5. Baked Zucchini Garlic Bites These zucchini garlic bites are delectable. Fresh lemon, herbs and garlic add so much flavor. You’ll make a tasty homemade dipping sauce for these, but you can also use ranch dressing, marinara sauce or whatever dip you prefer. This recipe bakes the bites, but you can also use an air fryer if you prefer. 6. Elegant Veggie Tray Look how gorgeous and colorful this veggie tray is! It’s proof that you can serve something that’s just as healthy as it is beautiful. Ingredients like watermelon radishes, red and yellow carrots, purple cauliflower and orange cauliflower add new flavors to this tray while adding bursts of color. Serve with ranch dressing, dill and hummus to give everyone plenty of options. 7. Crispy Brussels Sprouts with Dijon Aioli It doesn’t get much healthier than Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. This recipe roasts this veggie until it’s crispy and delicious (about 18-20 minutes). Serve with a delicious Dijon aioli made with mayo, olive oil, mustard and spices. 8. Keto Cucumber Caprese Appetizers These cucumber bites are so elegant and delicious. Top cucumber slices with fresh mozzarella slices, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and a drop of balsamic vinegar. So simple but irresistible and a healthy choice to serve at your NYE gathering. 9. Avocado Cucumber Shrimp Appetizers A healthy app choice that’s a little more satiating and fun to make. Perfectly cooked shrimp pairs with delicious avocado with this appetizer. You’ll layer these ingredients on top of cucumber slices for a healthy treat that your tastebuds will love. I recommend making these just before you’re rushing out the door or your guests arrive, so the avocado holds its gorgeous green color. 10. Pear Blue Cheese Honey Crostini with Walnuts Who says healthy appetizers have to be boring? I love this recipe because the presentation is beautiful and the flavors are amazing. Blue cheese and pears are a match made in heaven and the crusty ciabatta is just the icing on the cake. Top with walnuts and a spoonful of honey for an unforgettable healthy app anyone and everyone will love. 11. Melon Prosciutto Skewers These skewers are the perfect addition to your NYE gathering and a healthy app that doesn’t skimp on flavor. You’ll need a melon baller to scoop out the melon pieces, fresh basil, mozzarella balls, prosciutto and balsamic glaze. Add your ingredients to skewers (these ones are festive) and serve! Easy. 12. Zucchini Rollups Stuffed with Lemon-Basil Ricotta and Tomatoes These are some of the most elegant, healthy New Years Eve appetizers on this list. Zucchini slices topped with lemon-basil ricotta and rolled up to make the perfect bite-sized treat. Top with a fresh basil leaf and a tasty slow-roasted tomato. What I really love about this recipe is that it’s so easy to make. The zucchini slices only need to cook for just a few minutes before they’re ready for rolling. Related: The 25+ Best New Year’s Eve Appetizers for a Potluck Party 13. Asparagus Puff Pastry Bundles This classic appetizer is healthier than most options out there. Each little puff pastry bundle is stuffed with fresh asparagus tips, melted Gruyere cheese and slices of prosciutto. Bake for just 10-15 minutes, and you’re ready to serve. You can even make these ahead of time to make NYE less stressful. 14. Stuffed Dates with Cream Cheese, Pistachios, and Honey Sweet and healthy? Count me in. These dates are stuffed with cream cheese and pistachio and topped with honey. It’s as easy as filling the dates with cream cheese, chopping pistachio and pressing them into the cheese and arranging them on a platter. If you want to add to the taste, drizzle your honey on top and add a pinch of flaky salt. 15. Crab and Cream Cheese Stuffed Snow Peas Stuffing snow peas with crab and cream cheese is not something I would have ever thought to do on my own. But the author of this recipe knocked it out of the park with this recipe because it’s simple to put together and tastes fantastic. You’ll slice open the snow peas very carefully – be mindful of your fingers – after blanching the peas. Add your cream cheese, crab meat, parsley, garlic, salt and pepper into a bowl and mix before stuffing the peas. Allow to cool for an hour and serve. 16. Roasted Olive and Feta Stuffed Mushroom Caps Cheese and olives stuffed into mushrooms and baked to perfection is the best way to describe this appetizer. You’ll need baby portabella mushrooms, green olives, garlic cloves, thyme, rosemary, olive oil, red pepper flakes, feta cheese, roasted red pepper and flat-leaf parsley for this recipe. And once assembled, you’ll line a baking sheet with some parchment pepper and bake for about 40 minutes. 17. Veggie Pizza Party Appetizer I didn’t think pizza would make it on this year’s list of healthy New Years Eve appetizers, but with a veggie pizza, it did. Of course, you won’t enjoy a traditional dough and will use crescent rolls instead. Swap the mozzarella cheese for cream cheese and sour cream, and then add your fresh dill and chives, salt and pepper and veggies. Sometimes, you need to compromise with your appetizers, and this is a good compromise if you’re craving pizza. 18. Beet and Goat Cheese Napoleons You must be a fan of beets or don’t try this recipe. Why? Because you’ll have what looks like a layered cake with layers of alternating beet slices and goat cheese. The author adds a nice twist with hazelnut oil and chopped hazelnuts that add to the flavor of each bite. 19. Crostini Appetizer with Goat Cheese and Pomegranate How elegant do these crostini look? Something about the goat cheese and pomegranate really give this such a nice presentation and taste. And it’s so simple to make: Bake the crostini slices with some olive oil on top for about 8 minutes Add your minced garlic and saute in a pan with rosemary Combine the cream cheese and goat cheese together Add your garlic and rosemary to the mix Spread on the crostini Top with pomegranate arils and rosemary leaves And don’t forget to drizzle a dab of honey on top. 20. Spring Garden Bites Healthy New Years Eve appetizers like these are perfect for a light treat that’s filled with flavor but still good for you. Produce will include carrots, dill, radishes and snap peas. Whipped cream cheese will sit between the produce and will have celery salt, pepper, garlic and onion powder mixed in. 21. Apricot Ricotta Honey Basil Bites Apricots are your “sandwich” here and will be filled with ricotta cheese, fresh basil and sea salt. You’ll drizzle some honey and balsamic glaze on top. The author calls for Delallo glaze, but you can swap it out for your preferred balsamic glaze. 22. Blackberry Cucumber Caprese Skewers Bamboo skewers are all you need to make these delightful, fresh skewers. You’ll add your fresh mozzarella balls first, followed by basil, blackberries and cucumbers. Drizzle some balsamic glaze on top for added flavor. Related: 17+ Classic New Year’s Eve Desserts That Never Go Out of Style 23. Olives and Cheese What’s not to love with olives and cheese? Pull out your holiday platter and add your marinated olives onto the platter, along with your cheeses. The recipe calls for a package of sharp white cheddar cheese and some cream cheese. If you like, add toasted slices of a fresh French baguette.
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17+ Classic New Year’s Eve Desserts That Never Go Out of Style
Hosting an NYE party this year? Need ideas for the perfect desserts to share with loved ones? You’re in luck! I have 17+ New Years Eve desserts that will never go out of style and always impress guests. 17+ Classic New Year’s Eve Desserts That Never Go Out of Style 1. Amaretto Truffles Amaretto is a classic NYE liqueur, so these truffles are a fitting choice for celebration. This decadent dessert features rich dark chocolate, almond extract, cocoa powder and amaretto liqueur mixed with some heavy cream. Mix it all together, and roll each truffle into your favorite topping: sprinkles, cocoa powder – whatever you like. 2. Creamy Eggnog Creme Brulee Creme brulee is a classic decadent dessert and it’s perfect for New Year’s Eve. This recipe adds eggnog into the mix for a festive twist. You’ll need a kitchen torch and some ramekins to make these, but they are so worth it! I recommend this dessert for small gatherings unless you have lots of helping hands to get these out to guests fast. 3. Chocolate Pots De Creme A classic dessert that’s always a crowd-pleaser. Who doesn’t love chocolate? This dessert is a little simpler than creme brulee, but has a similar texture and style. It’s baked in small ramekins that are just the right size for a single serving. I love to top this dish with fresh raspberries or strawberries, but you can use whatever topping you like. 4. Peppermint Mousse Tart Peppermint and chocolate are the perfect pair, especially during the holidays. For this recipe, you’ll create an irresistible chocolate graham cracker crust and a divine peppermint mousse. The whole dessert is wrapped in a dark chocolate glaze that is heavenly. This dessert is a labor of love, but I promise you – it will be an unforgettable dish. You’ll need a tart shell for this recipe. I like to top it with crushed peppermint and rosemary sprigs. 5. Cinnamon Panna Cotta Panna cotta is one of the most classic and beloved New Years Eve desserts. But I love this recipe because it’s vegan, so I know that all of my guests can enjoy it. P.S. No one will know it’s vegan unless you tell them! You will need a few ingredients you may not have, like agave syrup and agar powder. I like to use pudding silicone molds to form these into fun shapes. 6. English Trifle Trifle is a classic English dessert, and this recipe puts a holiday spin on it. Layers of moist vanilla cake, vanilla pudding, fresh fruit, strawberry Jell-O and frosting come together to create an explosion of flavor in your mouth. This recipe uses boxed cake mix, pudding and Jell-O, but you can easily use your favorite homemade recipes if you like. 7. Tipsy Laird – A Scottish Sherry Trifle Sherry trifle has historically been served on special occasions, which makes it fitting for this list of New Years Eve desserts. This recipe calls for whisky and sherry, so save this one for the adults. You’ll layer sponge fingers and digestive biscuits between jam, fresh berries and custard. Serve in dessert jars topped with fresh berries and almonds. 8. Charlotte Russe Cake A traditional European recipe bursting with flavor. Ladyfingers serve as the “crust” for this cake, which is filled with a delicious homemade custard. Top with sliced strawberries and serve chilled. While this cake is simple enough to make, you’ll need to plan ahead. It’s best to refrigerate it overnight. If you’re not a fan of strawberries, you can use any other fruit you like. Related: 21+ Delicious New Year’s Eve Finger Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 9. Sparkling Mini Parfaits How gorgeous are these parfaits? They’re so easy to make and a traditional choice for New Year’s Eve. This recipe uses store-bought pound cake, so it’s a great choice if you’re pressed for time. I love the layers of lemon curd, vanilla pudding and chocolate fudge. Add silver edible decorations and a sparkler for good measure. 10. Black Forest Cake Wreath Transform a classic black forest cake recipe into a festive New Year’s Eve dessert. The best part about this recipe is that it uses pre-made chocolate sponge rolls, so you can spend less time fretting over the cake and more time turning it into a gorgeous wreath. The frosting is simple enough to make with just three ingredients: sugar, cream and double cream. Top with delicious pitted cherries, cherry syrup and shaved chocolate. I love using this specialty chocolate shaver (great for truffles, too) to save time. 11. Ball Drop Cookie Pops These cookie pops look like sparkling balloons – perfect for the occasion! Mix crushed vanilla sandwich cookies with cream cheese, roll into balls and freeze. Insert lollipop sticks and dip each pop into sprinkles for a festive, glittering dessert everyone will love. If you’re not a fan of vanilla cookies, you can use chocolate or even Oreos. I love using iridescent glitter, but feel free to try gold or even red. Related: 17+ Best New Year’s Eve Drink Ideas for Every Guest Type on Your List 12. Mini Strawberry Champagne Cheesecakes Cheesecakes are perfect for New Years Eve desserts, but they’re often a little too much. But if you’re craving one, there’s a happy medium with these mini cheesecakes that look more like cupcakes to me. Prep time is about 20 minutes, but you will cook these mini cheesecakes for just over an hour before they’re ready. You’ll need quite a few ingredients for this recipe, which include a wafer crust and a cheesecake filling. For the crust, you’ll need: Vanilla wafer cookies Sugar Butter For the filling, you’ll need a cup of champagne, cornstarch, cream cheese, sugar, flour, sour cream, vanilla extract, eggs and strawberries. Even the whipped cream is made from scratch and uses a strawberry puree to add to the flavor. You will need a cupcake pan for this recipe because each little cheesecake will be, essentially, a cupcake. 13. Tiramisu Cake Balls Cake balls are always a tasty treat, and these are no exception. Imagine bite-sized tiramisu and you have these cake balls. You’ll need two packages of lady fingers – like these – along with the following ingredients: Milk chocolate chips Black coffee Brown sugar Mascarpone Kahlua Powdered sugar Vanilla bean paste Vanilla candiquick Cocoa powder If you have a food processor, this is an easy dessert to make, and the cake balls taste great. 14. New Year’s Eve Profiterole Tower I know what you’re thinking: this is over the top. And it is. But look at how amazing this looks and the quality of the presentation. If you need a focal point in any room, this tower is it. Chocolate drips down into the ganache for a sinful treat. You’ll start by learning how to make the choux pastry before making your way to the ganache. 15. Tiramisu Roulade The Happy Foodie offers a recipe for one of the most mouthwatering desserts on the list – a divine tiramisu. Coffee lovers will appreciate the coffee-soaked sponge fingers and the mascarpone filling. You’ll need quite a few ingredients: instant coffee, Madeira, brown sugar, double cream, mascarpone, vanilla bean paste, sponge fingers, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, bitter chocolate and icing sugar. 16. Vanilla Creme Brulee New Years Eve desserts that take just a handful of ingredients are my favorite because I’m not left with random ingredients that I don’t know what to do with. For this recipe, you’ll need: Cream Vanilla Eggs Salt Sugar But unlike many creme brulee recipes, this one does not call for a small propane torch. Related: The 25+ Best New Year’s Eve Appetizers for a Potluck Party 17. Baked Alaska How gorgeous is this baked Alaska? You’ll need to grab your apron and set aside a little over an hour to prepare this dessert. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining an 8” round cake pan with parchment paper. Next, you’ll make the batter, which is easiest with an electric mixer. And Martha Stewart does a great job of walking you through each of the eight steps to make your baked Alaska. All it takes is ten ingredients to make this dessert. 18. Blue Christmas Truffles Four ingredients are all you need to make these delectable cream puffs. First up, you’ll need white chocolate chips – two cups of them – followed by half a cup of heavy cream and blue curacao. And for the fairytale coating on the outside, you’ll need sanding sugar. Prep time is just ten minutes, but you will need to leave these truffles in the refrigerator to allow them to set for about an hour. 19. Eggnog Cream Puffs Eggnog leftovers don’t need to go to waste. I know when I buy eggnog, there is always some that we don’t drink because it’s simply too rich to drink it all. But these cream puffs help us waste less because we turn all of those leftovers into cream puffs. You’ll use eggnog, whole milk, sugar, cornstarch, egg yolks, butter, vanilla extract, nutmeg and salt for the pastry cream. And the shell and whipped cream are even homemade, so this dessert is a real treat. For this recipe, you’ll need quite a bit of equipment, such as piping bags and a stand mixer.
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The 25+ Best New Year’s Eve Appetizers for a Potluck Party
Potlucks are my favorite type of party because there’s always something new and interesting to try. This NYE, if you’re invited to a potluck, don’t stress. I have 25+ amazing New Years Eve appetizers for a potluck party that everyone will adore. The 25+ Best New Year’s Eve Appetizers for a Potluck Party 1. Jalapeno Popper Hash Brown Cups Add a little spice to the party with these savory jalapeno popper hash brown cups. These crispy bites are stuffed with bacon, cheddar cheese, jalapenos and spices. I recommend using frozen hash browns for this recipe to save time, but you can always make your own if you have the time. You’ll need a muffin pan for this recipe. I suggest using a silicone pan because you never have to worry about your hash brown cups sticking. 2. Cranberry Bacon Jam Crostini Homemade cranberry bacon jam and gooey Gruyere cheese atop crusty crostini. What more could you ask for? This appetizer will impress everyone, and they’ll devour them in minutes. The jam is made with bacon fat as the base, and you’ll add a pinch of brown sugar, sherry vinegar and fresh herbs to the mix. It’s an explosion of flavor! 3. Chicken Artichoke Bites Flaky phyllo cups stuffed with a savory chicken and artichoke filling. Add bacon and cheese to the filling, and you have an irresistible appetizer for your potluck. Just fill, bake, serve and enjoy! 4. Cranberry, Brie and Prosciutto Crostini Looking for elegant New Years Eve appetizers for a potluck party? These crostini are perfect! Top crusty bread with slices of Brie cheese, prosciutto and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Add chopped walnuts, a drizzle of balsamic glaze and a sprig of mint or arugula. 5. Mini Reuben Bites All of the delicious flavors of a Reuben sandwich in bite-sized form – perfect for a potluck party. The best part? They take minutes to assemble and look so elegant if you spend a little time on the presentation. Top cocktail rye bread with Swiss cheese spread, quality stone ground mustard, corned beef and a dollop of sauerkraut. 6. Cheddar Bacon Garlic Crostini I love crostini (can you tell?), and this variation is so perfect for a potluck because it’s a little bit different than the usual options. You’ll top slices of crusty bread with a cheesy spread mixed with bacon, green onions and spices. You can serve these pre-spread, or you can serve the topping in a bowl and let everyone build their own crostini. 7. Maple Caramel Bacon Crack Bites These bites really are addicting! Flaky phyllo cups stuffed with a savory-sweet filling of bacon, brown sugar and maple syrup. Super simple but bursting with flavor. Just bake for 10-15 minutes, and you’re ready to serve. 8. Sheet Pan Smoked Sausage Cranberry Bites We love bringing these sausage bites to potluck parties because they’re always a hit, and the combination of flavors is unbeatable. They couldn’t be simpler to make, either. Top roasted smoked sausage slices with a slice of cheddar cheese, a drop of cranberry sauce and a parsley leaf. Add this stylish toothpick to hold it all together. Related: 21+ Delicious New Year’s Eve Finger Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 9. Smoky Pimento Cheese Balls Forget the usual cheese ball appetizers. Shake things up with these smoky pimento cheese balls. Blend grated sharp cheddar cheese, crushed cheddar cheese crackers, pimentos and spices in a food processor. Roll each ball into a bowl of crushed crackers, top with a green olive and hold it all together with a toothpick. 10. Spinach Puffs An easy appetizer that doesn’t skimp on flavor. Crispy puff pastries stuffed with cheesy spinach filling that takes just a few minutes to make. Use a muffin pan to make these puffs bite-sized and easy to transport to your potluck. 11. Baked Brie and Bread Wreath Here’s an appetizer that’s so festive and fun to bring to a potluck. It’s a labor of love, but worth every minute. You’ll make the pillowy-soft bread yourself, along with the Brie dip. The pull-apart herbed bread and tasty cheesy dip will be the talk of the party. 12. Pretty Prosciutto Rose Appetizers These are beautiful New Years Eve appetizers for a potluck party. And they only require four ingredients – rice crackers, fresh dill, whipped cream cheese and prosciutto. Roll the prosciutto slices to make pretty roses, and use a piping bag to make your cream cheese look extra-fancy. 13. Jalapeno Popper Crescent Rolls These crescent rolls look gorgeous on a serving platter, but they won’t last long because they are divine. Buttery crescent rolls stuffed with cheese, jalapeno and bacon – need I say more? They’re ready in just 15 minutes, so even if you’re in a rush, you can still bring something tasty to the party. 14. Baked Mashed Potatoes Bites Crispy potatoes really do make the best appetizers for NYE. But instead of using tator tots, this recipe bakes a savory mashed potato mix until it’s perfectly crispy. Fresh parsley, Parmesan cheese, prosciutto and spices add so much flavor to these potato bites. They’re baked in a muffin tin to make them the perfect size for snacking. 15. Carmelized Onion Tartlets These tartlets are savory, flakey and sure to be the favorite appetizer at the potluck. Stuff phyllo cups with Brie cheese and top with caramelized onions and fresh thyme. You can make these ahead of time, so you’re not rushing the day of the party. Related: 17+ Best New Year’s Eve Drink Ideas for Every Guest Type on Your List 16. Mac and Cheese Cups Everyone will love these mac and cheese cups – especially the kids. And you’ll be amazed by how easy they are to make. You’ll make your own cheese sauce for this. Panko breadcrumbs and fresh grated Parmesan cheese make these little cups crispy and flavorful. You’ll bake these bites in a muffin tin to make them just the right size. 17. Cream Cheese Chicken Crescent Rolls These crescent rolls are one of my favorite New Years Eve appetizers for a potluck party. Why? Because they’re more substantial than some other bite-sized apps. Crescent rolls are stuffed with a filling of cheesy chicken, peppers, onions and ranch dressing. 18. Boursin Deviled Eggs Deviled eggs are a classic appetizer for a potluck, and these ones are gorgeous. The filling features delicious Boursin cheese mixed with mayo and brown sugar. Top with mustard caviar, a sprig of parsley and a fresh pansy. 19. Brie Phyllo Cups with Blackberry and Thyme Brie phyllo cups with blackberry, thyme, fresh preserves and honey are overflowing with flavor. You’ll place the phyllo cups on a baking sheet, fill with jam, Brie and a few other ingredients and bake for 6 to 8 minutes until the Brie melts. Add your blackberries, thyme and drizzle with honey. 20. Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms Mushrooms. Goat cheese. What’s not to like? You’ll remove the stems of your cremini mushrooms, and then fill with a mixture of goat cheese, shredded fontina cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped thyme, fresh sage, chopped chives and salt and pepper. It’s as easy as removing the stems, filling with herbed goat cheese and baking in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes. 21. Goat Cheese and Roasted Fig Tartlet Simple and elegant, these goat cheese tartlets are a delight for the tastebuds. You’ll roast the figs to make them sweeter and juicer. Phyllo cups, goat cheese, whipping cream, honey, chopped chives and lemon zest are also required. It’s as easy as preheating your oven, lining the sheet pan with parchment paper and roasting the figs before drizzling honey on top. 22. Luxury Caviar Canape Vol au Vents Puff pastry, egg, caviar, creme fraiche filling and chives add a lovely flavor to this dish. Pair with cold vodka or aged champagne. While this dish is fancy, you will only need cookie cutters, piping bag and a lined oven tray. 23. Mini Lasagna Appetizer New Years Eve appetizers for a potluck party that include a mini lasagna? I’m in. You’ll make the filling out of whole milk ricotta, lemon zest, eggs, thyme and a handful of spices. In a large bowl, you’ll mix all of the filling ingredients, cook the noodles, add the sauce and cheese and bake for up to 20 minutes. 24. Peking Duck Bites I’ve never had Peking duck before, but there’s a first time for everything, right? Each bite is filled with flavor, and since the recipe calls for just mini muffin tins, a large saute pan and some tongs, you likely have all of the equipment you need to make these. But you will need some interesting ingredients, such as duck breasts and Chinese five spice powder (Amazon has this one). 25. Herby Olive Goat Cheese Tartlets Tartlets are cute, tasty and easy to assemble. Savory and satisfying, you’ll make the shells from egg yolk, heavy cream, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, sea salt, ground pepper and butter. For the filling, you’ll make a goat cheese filling out of: Goat cheese Heavy cream Lemon zest Chopped parsley Chives Sea salt Ground pepper And you’ll top everything off with a marinated olive topping. Related: 25+ Delicious New Year’s Eve Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 26. Antipasto Terrine with Provolone, Pesto and Tomato Layers of delectable pesto, tomato capsicum and cream cheese go extremely well together. And these are almost like small delightful “cakes” that you put on crackers and eat. You’ll need a loaf tin for this recipe, along with quite a few ingredients. 27. Purple Potato Bites I had to make sure this recipe was real the first time I came across it because – just look at it – they’re purple potato bites. But they are real and use purple potatoes, creme fraiche, chopped chives, dill, horseradish, salt and pepper and black caviar. Cooking is as easy as boiling a pot of water, letting the potatoes cook until tender and mixing the creme fraiche with other ingredients.
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17+ Best New Year’s Eve Drink Ideas for Every Guest Type on Your List
Food gets all of the attention at New Year’s Eve parties, but the drinks you serve can really take your event to the next level. Not sure what to serve? I’ve got you covered. I’m sharing my 17+ top New Year’s Eve drinks that will please every type of guest on your list. 17+ Best New Year’s Eve Drink Ideas for Every Guest Type on Your List 1. Jack Frost Mimosa You can never go wrong with a good mimosa. This recipe combines Blue Curacao with champagne (or sparkling wine) and lemonade. I prefer sparkling wine because it adds a hint of sweetness to this drink. Don’t forget to rim glasses with honey and coconut flakes for a tropical, festive drink that’s perfect for NYE. I recommend serving these in champagne flutes. If you want to ditch the alcohol, you can use a Blue Curacao syrup instead. 2. Vanilla-Pear Holiday Punch Sweet, spiced and everything nice, this punch is the perfect addition to your NYE party – and the perfect excuse to break out your punch bowl set. Combine pear juice with tequila, cinnamon, lemon juice, honey simple syrup and vanilla extract. Want to make this drink family-friendly? Ditch the tequila. You can use lemonade instead of lemon juice if you want an alcohol-free version that’s on the sweeter side. Garnish with fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig. Related: 21+ Delicious New Year’s Eve Finger Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 3. White Cranberry Mimosa A festive and simple cocktail that everyone will love. You need just three ingredients for this recipe: white cranberry juice, champagne and triple sec. To make your drinks extra-festive, rim each glass with maple syrup and cinnamon sugar. These festive champagne flutes would be perfect for this drink. Don’t forget to add fresh cranberries and a sprig of rosemary for garnish. I like to make candied cranberries for this drink. Not sure how to make these? Here’s a great tutorial: 4. Pomegranate Rum Punch One of my favorite New Year’s Eve drinks to serve because it’s so simple and quick to make. This punch combines champagne, rum, pomegranate juice, ginger beer, orange juice, cinnamon sticks, cranberries and other tasty ingredients. Fresh herbs, citrus and cranberries take the presentation over the top. Make sure that you serve this in a clear punch bowl, so everyone can see it. 5. Glitter Champagne Jello Shots These shots are every bit as gorgeous as they are tasty. Along with vodka, you’ll need a good champagne or sparkling wine, edible glitter, sugar, gelatin and fresh lemon juice. If you want a lower ABV option, try using lemonade instead of vodka. For a completely alcohol-free version, use sparkling cider or lemonade. Jello shots can be addicting, so make sure that everyone drinks responsibly when making these. It’s easy to go overboard because they’re so sweet and go down easy. 6. Sparkling Champagne Margaritas One of the simplest New Year’s Eve drinks on this list. Combine tequila, champagne and triple sec with fresh lime juice for the perfect NYE drink. Rim glasses with sugar or salt and add fresh lime for garnish. This drink is best served in a margarita glass, but you can also use regular drinking glasses instead. For a non-alcoholic version, Punch of Yum has a great recipe here. You’ll create a jalapeno cilantro simple syrup and mix it with tonic water and lime juice. 7. New Year Sunrise Mocktail This mocktail recipe is perfect for younger guests, but even adults will love them. You’ll need just four ingredients: grenadine, orange juice, sugar-free lemonade and orange slices. Add fun NYE-themed straws, orange slices and little streamer drink stirrers as garnish. I recommend using fresh orange juice for this drink, but you can always use a high-quality orange juice if fresh isn’t an option. You can use other juices instead if you like, but make sure they’ll pair well with the grenadine first. 8. Raspberry Champagne Punch Bellini A super delicious punch that takes just four ingredients: raspberry schnapps, champagne, fresh raspberries and mint. You’ll need a blender for this recipe to mix the fresh berries and schnapps. Top off each glass with champagne and add a sprig of mint. If you’re worried about someone breaking your expensive drinkware, try serving this in plastic champagne glasses instead. You can even use a plastic punch bowl if you want. You can find non-alcoholic versions of each ingredient in this drink, but you can also simply use fruit juices instead. Lemonade and orange juice would be fine substitutes for a punch that everyone can enjoy. 9. Non Alcoholic Christmas Punch This may be labeled as a Christmas punch, but there’s no reason why you can’t serve it on New Year’s Eve. The great thing about this punch is that it can be enjoyed by guests of all ages. It’s a sweet mix of cranberry juice, orange juice, ginger ale, cinnamon, lime zest, warm spices and fresh cranberries. Just mix all of the ingredients in a punch bowl, and you’re ready to serve. You can easily whip this up last minute before your guests start arriving. Just don’t forget to add ice to keep this punch cool throughout the night. 10. Santa’s Strawberry Smash An adorably named drink that can easily be made alcohol-free. This cocktail recipe calls for gin, but you can easily skip it or use an alcohol-free gin alternative. Lime juice, coconut milk, simple syrup and strawberry round out this tasty, festive drink. For garnish, you’ll need marshmallows and fresh strawberries. If you don’t have one already, I recommend investing in a good cocktail shaker set that includes a muddler. You’ll need one for this drink! 11. Winter Aperol Spritz Saying goodbye to the holiday season with a winter Aperol spritz seems fitting. As one of my fave New Year’s Eve drinks, this spritz will take about 50 minutes (with cooling) to make. You’ll need a small saucepan for this recipe, along with: Cranberries Water Sugar Prosecco Aperol Cranberry simple syrup Soda water And you’ll also make a garnish out of rosemary sprigs and cranberries. If you read through the recipe, you can make the simple syrup up to five days before you plan on making your spritz, which will save you some time. 12. Holiday Cranberry Mojito Recipe A new year is upon us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make the mojito that you made on Christmas again for New Year’s Eve. For me, I love the look and taste of this mojito. It just looks so festive with the cranberries, lime slices and mint sprigs. You’ll need to make a cranberry syrup out of: Fresh cranberries Granulated sugar Water And the mojito itself will be made from fresh mint leaves, granulated sugar, lime juice, cranberry juice, club soda, ice cubs and rum. Your garnish will complete the look and taste of this drink. 13. Limoncello Reviver Cocktail You can never go wrong with a good limoncello like you’ll learn to make with this recipe. Rosy coconut water and Empress gin go into this cocktail, along with: Lillet Blanc Lemon juice Simple syrup Pink coconut water And for the Limoncello, the recipe calls for Fabrizia Limoncello, which you may have a hard time sourcing. I did see quite a few stores selling this variety online, but you can also swap it out for any variety that you find locally. With the pink coconut water, your coupe glasses will look amazing filled with this drink. Related: 17 Fun New Year’s Eve Games to Try This Year 14. Salted Caramel Mudslide Dessert cocktails are always such a good choice during New Year’s Eve celebrations. But I do have to warn you that you may end up getting yourself in trouble drinking these because it’s like drinking candy. You’ll need six main ingredients for your mudslide: Bailey’s Irish cream Kahlua coffee liqueur Vodka Caramel sauce Raw sugar Sea salt And while half of the caramel sauce will go into a small dish, you’ll also dip the rim of each glass in it, along with some sugar for an extra-sweet taste. 15. Sparkling Apple Pie Cocktail New Year’s Eve drinks that taste like apple pie? Sign me up. Total prep time is ten minutes and you’ll use some sinful ingredients, such as: Apple cider Cinnamon schnapps Honey Champagne or sparkling wine Cinnamon and sugar Apple slices You’ll dip the rim of each glass into a mixture of cinnamon sugar, but before you do, be sure to wet the rim so that the mixture “sticks.” Margarita glasses are always a great option for this cocktail. Related: 25+ Delicious New Year’s Eve Food Ideas for Your Party This Year 16. Christmas Amaretto Sour A Christmas amaretto sour will warm you up on New Year’s Eve and includes: Lemon juice Avril amaretto Maraschino cranberry juice You’ll pour all three ingredients into a shaker and shake well. Sprinkle some cinnamon and sugar onto your glass to frost it. Garnish with a fancy cinnamon stick and cranberries, add ice and fill the glass with the contents of your shaker. 17. Holiday Mojito Mocktail with Cranberry and Pomegranate Grab your cocktail glasses because you’re going to love this recipe. First, you’ll add water, sugar, and fresh cranberries to a saucepan and simmer on low heat. You want the sauce it creates to get nice and thick. And the aroma is divine, too. While all of this is happening, pop your lime and mint into each glass and add ice. Mix together before adding in your: Canada Dry Pomegranate juice Finally, add in your garnish of cranberries, lime and mint.
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