International Christmas Desserts

What are your favorite Christmas desserts? I love to travel (which hasn’t been so easy lately) and food from around the world. Some of the best times I’ve had traveling are during the holiday season, and traditional food other cultures celebrate Christmas with. Below are some of my favorites. If you try any, be sure to leave me a comment below!

Click the photos for links and recipes.

Happy Holidays!

Jaimarie

Lefse – Norway
Christmas Pudding – U.K.
Gingerbread
Buche de Noël – France
Panettone
Fudge
Turróne – Spain

Gratitude Cloche Hat

When the weather gets colder, it’s so much fun for me to create clothes and accessories to keep us warmer. One of the seasonal projects I just finished is a beautiful girl’s 1920’s style Cloche hat with an inside band of “gratitude ribbon”. It was ribbon I had leftover from another project, that matched my color scheme but it created the reminder to be thankful (and is now called the “Cloche gratitude hat” 😉).

Cloche is French for “bell” and the style of hat was incredibly popular in the 1920’s and originally created by Parisian designer Caroline Reboux. Here is my girl’s Winter version from a VFT pattern out of a holly thick fabric, with red satin lining and sewn satin ribbon rose. I am currently studying historical costuming and really enjoyed having an opportunity to remake one of the popular accessories from this time with a modern twist.

Happy Holidays!

Jaimarie

Ethel M – Travel Spotlight

One of my favorite places this time of year is a 40 year old chocolate factory in Las Vegas, NV (actually about 15 min away in Henderson) called Ethel M Chocolates. While you can have their sweets delivered (see their website) but the best part about them in my opinion is that you are allowed (for free!) to tour their factory in a self guided tour. You can see them actually making the chocolates by hand and at the end of a tour recieve a free sample. They have a cafe for lunch but they also have the largest Cactus Garden in the Southwest United States (over 3 acres!).

The company was started by the son of Ethel Mars (yes, of Mars and M&M candy) who moved to Las Vegas and opened his own company. During the holidays, they light up the Cactus Garden and have a walking tour throughout with music, hot cocoa and even Santa Claus (please check their website/social media as things are constantly changing due to the pandemic). Their chocolates make a wonderful Vegas souvenir for yourself or others and I find it to be one of Las Vegas’ hidden gems.

It is a must see on any trip!

xoxo

Jaimarie

Ethel M

Best Christmas Movies For The Whole Family

The Holidays are the time of year with short days and long cold nights, perfect for watching movies. Here are some great ones our family loves that are perfect for all ages (rated G up to PG-13) that you can watch at home with popcorn and hot cocoa. Click the photo for the IMDb links for more information about them and how to watch them.

Happy Holidays!

Jaimarie

Elf – PG
Home Alone – PG
Prancer – G
The Star – PG

Thanksgiving Leftover Meals (that aren’t sandwiches!)

We can’t wait for Thanksgiving but what is a foodie to do with all of those leftovers! You can only eat so many sandwiches, so here are some ideas of great ways to use your Thanksgiving dishes in meals the whole family will love.

Bon Appetit!

Jaimarie

Great Stocking Stuffers for Everyone

This time of year everyone is excited for the holidays. A favorite tradition is the opening of the Christmas Stocking on Christmas morning. Now Santa Claus normally takes care of filling it but it’s always fun to add a little extra yourself to round it out. Here are some fun seasonal ideas you can great pretty reasonably for all ages. There really is something for everyone.

Happy Holidays!

Jaimarie

Native Candy Cane Body Wash

Mrs. Meyer’s Peppermint Candle

Star Wars Light Up Chopsticks

Elf Card Game

World’s Smallest Etch a Sketch

Wet Brush Go Mini Green Detangler Brush

Sprout Seed Plantable Pencils

Great Thanksgiving Movies for the Whole Family

Every year on Thanksgiving after the food is done and socializing over, families look for a great movie they can all enjoy. Here are a list of movies for all different ages (with ratings included) and IMDb links to learn more. Have a wonderful holiday and remember how much everyone has to be Thankful for always.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Jaimarie

Pocahontas (G)

Turkey Hollow (PG)

Planes, Trains and Automobiles (R)

Free Birds (PG)

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (G)

You’ve Got Mail (PG)

Home For The Holidays (PG-13)

The Blind Side (PG-13)

The New World (PG-13)

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