Christmas cocktail recipes

Tis the season for Christmas cocktails!

I have a super easy recipe that I came up with this year and it is very refreshing and festive.

This concoction actually came to be because I wanted a drink this color. A little experimenting and I think it turned out really good and looks pretty cute in vintage cups!

Author: Melaine Thompson

pink grapefruit Christmas cocktail

prep time: cook time: total time:

ingredients:

Mix equal parts pink prosecco with sparkling pink grapefruit juice. 

Add ice cubes, and cranberries and mint for garnish.

Enjoy!

instructions:

Add more prosecco depending on taste.

Created using The Recipes Generator

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2018/12/christmas-cocktail-recipes.html

sugared cranberries

Sugared cranberries are so easy to make and are so fun for the holidays!

This is the first time I have made them and it was much easier than I thought. 

Follow the recipe below to make your own. They look really great sprinkled on naked cakes or cakes with white frosting too!

Yield: 3.5 cups

Sugared Cranberries

ingredients:

2 cups sugar

1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries

1/2 cup water

instructions:

1. Combine 1/2 cup sugar and 1/2 cup water in a pan over medium heat, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Stir in cranberries until well coated. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to wire rack; let dry for at least 1 hour.
2. Working in batches, roll cranberries in remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar until well coated; let rest for at least 1 hour.

Created using The Recipes Generator

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2018/12/sugared-cranberries.html

Friday favorites

It's Friday once again, and that means it is time for Friday favorites! This has become one of my most read posts. I love that you guys love seeing what I am loving, hating, or buying. 

I also love that you put up with the randomness of these Friday Favorite posts. They have become a dumping ground of sorts for my brain each week to share everything on my mind.

So, thanks for listening and reading! Let's get right to it shall we?

I have been wanting to switch out our dining room chairs to something a little more comfy. I do love what we have, however, these are really speaking to me. What do you think?

I am also really about using cute white and metallic Christmas trees for decorating with this year. 

Here are a few of my favorites I have found:

This mercury glass tree

This one lights up. 

These ones also light up, and they are on sale!

This 3 piece gold set is beautiful.

If I had an extra $360 to spend right now, I just might buy these.

This pillow is very inexpensive but looks really high end.

These Santa mugs are always a huge hit.

If you collect and/or display copper in your kitchen, this would be a fun addition.

I bet this smells amazing!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2018/12/friday-favorites.html

holiday gift guide 2018

Creating holiday gift guides is fun. Some of these things I am gifting, some I am wanting, and I some I am dreaming about.

My goal here is to help you find unique gifts for your loved ones. Not that you can't shop on your own. But, if you are feeling stuck, or need something for that hard to buy for person, my hopes is that this will help you out a bit! 

For some reason I am really excited for the gift guide for HIM! Maybe it's because I really wouldn't mind anything on there either, ha-ha!

Take a peek around, see if something speaks to you, and happy shopping.

GIFT GUIDE FOR HIM

1- Pine Mountain Balsam Hill fire logs. It's like burning a Yankee candle in your fireplace. 

2- Strike Anywhere matches in a fun vintage style container.

3- I am personally giving emergency kits this year. It's something everyone should have. Safety first!

4- A modern take on a traditional log holder. This would look great indoors or out.

5- For the photographer in your life. Treat them to a high quality, wireless, color photo printer.

6- This will be the last cooler you will ever buy. We keep one on our deck for extra drinks in the summer and the ice doesn't melt for 2 weeks. It's crazy good. Your husband/spouse will be thrilled to receive this!

7- Give the gift of comfort with this luxe cashmere and wool blanket. Bonus- it will look great as a decor accent!

8- Keep him warm with a cozy Patagonia hat this winter.

GIFT GUIDE FOR HER

1- Give a year long gift with a monthly subscription for a friend or loved one. Every month they will receive 3 pretty letterpress cards and fun stamps. I LOVE this idea, the idea of a handwritten card is simply lovely.

2- The only mascara you will ever buy from here on out. While you are buying one for a gift, buy one for yourself. You'll thank me later.

3- Tuck a gift card to your friends favorite coffee shop in this cute mug with a little tissue. For a fun touch, tie a ornament onto the handle with festive ribbon.

4- I don't know anyone who wouldn't want these darling crystal firework stud earrings.

5- The cutest coziest sweater, isn't it darling?

6- Hair dryers don't last forever. If you know someone in need, I have found the cutest one here.

7- Everyone needs a cute pom hat.

8- I am personally asking for this. Because all the scents are sooooo good, why not get a sampling of the top sellers?

GIFT GUIDE FOR THE KIDS

1- This game will keep the kids busy for HOURS. Just what we all need after a busy Christmas right?

2- Puzzles bring the family together. We like to have one to do together after the holidays are over and before the kids go back to school. There's something so relaxing about it.

3- Bananagram is another fun one that we have. Bonus- it fits in a stocking.

4- Send the kiddos off to bed Christmas eve in the sweetest pajamas.

5- This is really a gift for the whole family. My teenagers still go on ours, and when little ones come to visit, they enjoy it too. My mom who's 69 recently took it for a spin. Huge hit for kids, moms, dads, and guests.

6- Do your kids know what they want to be when they grow up? This is a set of "career" dress up clothes for your little ones. Bonus- re-use these for Halloween!

7- Kids pajamas don't have to match exactly. I love this cute little boys pajama set.

8- I feel like legos are a hit for anyone, any age. This ski chalet is just too cute.

Thank you for taking the time to go through ALL that!

I will be adding to this list shortly, so come back to see what I am loving for gifting for the home lover, and vintage lover. 

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2018/12/holiday-gift-guide-2018.html

Christmas mantle mystery box challenge

Do you remember when a group of us bloggers did a mystery box creative challenge for our coffee tables? Where we were sent a box of 10 items from the dollar store that we had to make over for our homes? If you missed it or need a refresher, you can see that post here. 

Well, we had so much fun with that, that we decided to do it again! This time for our mantles, and using items sent to us from other bloggers. Items that they aren't using anymore. Items intended to go to the Goodwill.....

Traci from Beneath My Heart sent me these darling turquoise bottles.

Super cute but not really in my color scheme. 

I wanted to get a little more creative for my Christmas mantle and use these in a way other than intended.

So I turned them into candle holders and here is how I did it!

The first thing I did was spray paint them white. I always have white spray paint on hand because you never know when you are going to need it. 

I found some silver beaded wire garland that I cut down and wrapped around each bottle to embellish them just a bit.

You could embellish any bottles with paper or pictures and decoupage medium. You can hot glue on broken jewelry, or add rub on transfers or stickers. Glue on some faux greenery. The possibilities are endless.

Then I simply added taper candles to them and voila, candle holders for our mantle!

I placed one on one side and two on the other. 

I tucked in a combination of real and faux greenery and some battery operated string lights.

The deer head stocking holders were a thrift store find and I painted them white as well. 

I like how the it all came together it was really quite simple! 

Here are some other sources from this room if you are interested!

Brown faux fur stocking

Quilted velvet stocking

Cream faux fur stocking

Star stocking

Faux garland on mantle

Boxwood Garland

Candles

Would you like to see what everyone else created with their friend's "leftovers?"

I do! 

Visit my friends below to see what they did for their Christmas mantle mystery box challenge.

xoxo

Thistlewood

Lolly Jane

Zevy Joy
Craftberrry Bush

Beneath My Heart

The Handmade Home

Nesting with Grace

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2018/12/christmas-mantle-mystery-box-challenge.html

chocolate dipped marshmallows

Hello there! 

Today I have a fun festive holiday treat for you. 

Like most of my recipes, it's super easy and quick to make.

If you have little ones, include them in the fun! 

These chocolate dipped marshmallows are super cute and great to eat right off the plate, or served with hot cocoa. 

Next time you are at the grocery store pick up a few things:

Melting chocolate-I used milk chocolate and white chocolate.

Whatever toppings you like.

I used crushed graham crackers, crushed candy canes, and chocolate sprinkles. 

Candy sticks.

Prepare and set aside your toppings in individual bowls.

Crush anything that needs to be crushed. 

Melt the chocolate according to the instructions on the package.

Insert candy sticks into your large marshmallows. 

When chocolate is melted, simply dip half of your marshmallow into the yumminess, then quickly roll or dip into your candy of choice. 

Set on a tray to cool.

These would be very cute on a hot cocoa bar, but also cute {inexpensive and easy} to bring to a get together this season. 

Kids love these, but so do adults, admittedly, I ate way too many!

If you'd like to see more holiday treats, click on any of the links below to satisfy your sweet tooth.

4Minute Decadent Microwave Fudge by Ella Claire | Gluten/Dairy Free Rice Krispies Christmas Trees by Zevy Joy | Dipped Marshmallows by My Sweet Savannah | Individual Chocolate Souffle by Town and Country Living | Santa Munch Christmas Popcorn by Tidy Mom Mini Skillet Cookie Cakes by Inspired by Charm | Cinnamon Buns by So Much Better with Age | Peanut Butter Fudge by Anderson + Grant | Peppermint Brownies by Nina Hendrick Design Co. | Deconstructed Apple Pie Bites by Taryn Whiteaker Christmas Energy Snack Bites by Nest of Posies | Peppermint Bark by Boxwood Avenue | Gluten Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles by Tidbits | Keto Cinnamon Sugar Pecans by Home Stories A to Z | Candy Cane Pretzels by My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Caramel Popcorn Crunch by Shabby Fufu | Individual Ornament Cakes by Summer Adams Designs

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2018/12/chocolate-dipped-marshmallows.html

Christmas table decorations for kids

This Christmas, don't forget to set up a sweet space for the kids to eat, get messy, and stay out of your hair!

A cute space for the kids, with a fun activity will draw them in and keep them busy for hours.
Well, maybe not hours, but you catch my drift. I am having some pint size relatives over this year and thought it would be fun to show you what I am setting up for them.

Set out an activity for them to do. They can decorate cookies, put together gingerbread houses, or just simply color. 

I decided on all of the above, and I will show you how you can recreate this look on your own, it's very simple!

Starting with your table, which can be any shape, roll out brown craft paper. You can roll it out like a runner, cover the whole table with it, any way you like. Save the leftovers and wrap gifts with it!

I like to cut the paper a little long and let it curl under for a whimsical look.

Next, start building up your table with plates and cups or mugs, depending on what you are serving. I am using large rectangular plates that almost look like trays, to build the gingerbread houses on. The bonus to these is that they have a lip on them which will keep the candies from rolling off onto your floor.

By the way, these are the mini gingerbread houses I am using.

I added a candy cane to each mug and will be serving hot cocoa. 

For the centerpiece I added a gingerbread house that is already done and elevated it on a cake stand. I added a bit of greenery from the yard and fresh cranberries for color. 

Next you will want to build out from the centerpiece and fill in the dead spots. 

I chose to stick with white or marble containers. The candy and house pieces are on a marble lazy susan so it's easy to share the treats. 

It's fun to add a container of crayons or colored pencils as well so the kids can literally color on the table. 

If you have any fun ball ornaments, deer figurines, even wrapped gifts, scatter these around for a fun touch. 

And finally, after everything is set, use a black sharpie to write any notes on the table, outline your plates, or add directions for how to put the houses together. 

I wrote out 3 simple steps.

1-use the icing to put your house together.

2-add candy

3-have fun and drink hot cocoa!

The best part about this is that this will also double as a place for them to eat their meal, and when the guests leave, simply crumple up the "tablecloth" and toss.

Have so much fun with this.

Creating magical spaces for kids during the holidays is always so much fun.

xoxo

from
http://www.mysweetsavannahblog.com/2018/12/christmas-table-decorations-for-kids.html