Christmas

I love a good Christmas cookie as much as the next girl, but when I’m in the mood for something different I make Crispy Crunchy White Chocolate Balls.

Are you looking for a last-minute edible gift idea or a great dessert you can serve on Christmas? This recipe for a Christmas Tree Bouquet is more creative than standard cookies, and makes a great holiday treat, or centerpiece for your holiday dinner table. These are really simple to make; simply bake up some shortbread cookies cut into Christmas trees decorate them! Just don’t forget to add a stick before baking!

This holiday season, you want that special someone to know you really put thought and effort into your Christmas gift. There's nothing like a handmade touch to show you care. These simple DIYs makes your presents extra special. Check 'em out!

There's nothing better than getting something you WANT as a gift versus something you NEED. This Christmas, Indulge those on your gift list with a little bit of luxury this without spending a ton of money—each of these deals is under $35. You even may have enough cash left over to shop for yourself, too!

While unwrapping gifts may be a favorite holiday tradition (especially for the youngest family members), there are so many wonderful ways parents can share the season together before and on Christmas with kids. Here are some creative ideas for family fun to celebrate the holiday countdown while keeping with the spirit of the season.

Looking for a cool way to showcase your Christmas cards in your home? Create colorful DIY pinboards from dollar store materials in no time! This is an easy craft thats makes for perfect holiday decor. Make one large board or a trio of smaller ones to hang in your home this holiday season. They are lightweight, which makes them easy to hang and easy to take down with no damage to your wall.

With only days left until Christmas, braving the packed malls, frenzied holiday shoppers, express shipping are the only options left so you can deliver the perfect gifts for friends and family. It's time to look into last minute-deals: these awesome gifts, each under $35, totally nail it. Get these fantastic gifts shipped, sealed and delivered, under budget, just in time to make you look like the best "gift giver in the world." Get shopping!

Instead of having an elf on your shelf, why not have an elf on your tree this Christmas? This Clothespin Elf Ornament craft is a simple DIY that clips right onto your tree, or you can fasten it to a gift bag or Christmas present to add a little extra charm. You can even have the elf hold a small gift, like candy or jewelry, in its wire arms. Try this Christmas craft this year and start a holiday tradition!

Ham is a Christmas dinner staple—it's a delicious tradition for many of us, but just because it's tradition that doesn't mean it has to be boring! I love varying the flavor of my ham every Christmas by making a new luscious glaze. Here are my tree favorite ham glazes, all derived from mixing four simple ingredients in different ways. Round out the meal by adding greens and potatoes, and you'll have very merry holiday guests.

My kids are on winter break over Christmas and New Year's, which means it's up to me to find fun activities for them to do at home over the next few weeks. That's where these Ice Cream Cone Christmas Trees come in—this is a great cooking with kids project that also makes a fabulous christmas decoration and tasty christmas treat. Try this recipe for a sweet dessert, and a cool family project. (Kids do most of the work!)

Every Christmas wreath needs a fluffy, red bow and we've got the perfect one for to DIY that's so much easier than you think. Once your hang this in your home, it will really feel like Christmas! Keep reading to see how to make this Christmas craft and spruce up your holiday decor.

Making a DIY yarn wreath is a fabulous way to welcome Christmas and winter. This Candy Cane Yarn Wreath makes a fun Christmas craft and fabulous seasonal door decor. This wreath, reminiscent of a peppermint candy cane, is not only easy to make, but will your home a sense of cozy warmth.

Ho, Ho, Ho...the shopping days left in the season are dwindling, and while you may have gotten the big presents out of the way, don't forget about those pesky stockings! Rather than just stuffing them with candy (or coal!) add a few adorable trinkets for less than $10 each, so get in on these deals before Christmas, and get your holiday shopping done!

Every Christmas I get this insane urge to make homemade gifts for friends and family. Because I'm me, I can't keep it simple and usually decide nothing says "Merry Christmas" like hand sewn quilted potholders or a hula hoop loom rug.

The Grinch is a Christmas icon and a classic holiday film for kids and grown ups! Now you can recreate The Grinch in this easy recipe for sheet cake that will be the star of your Christmas dessert table. This Christmas recipe is perfect for a holiday Grinch party! Everyone can watch the movie, and share their favorite Grinch quotes. The kids will love it, and the adults will have a good chuckle.

This DIY angel tree topper is easy to make, but very elegant atop your Christmas tree. This is a fun craft to do with kids and makes a great tree decoration or a wonderful gift for your child to give to someone special. Try this Christmas craft and start a holiday tradition!

This is a really special Christmas craft you can do to decorate your home for the merry holiday. Isn't it convenient that pinecones are shaped like Christmas trees? With this holiday spin on family fun, even the kids can participate by adding the puff paint Christmas lights to the trees. Once done, line these up on a mantle or place one on each of your child's nightstands to bring the seasonal spirit to your house.

I love advent calendars, and I love garlands! The holidays are the perfect time for crafting, and I like to take advantage to make a few DIY garlands to hang around the house for my family's holiday decor. It's particularly great because the little ones can't reach the calendar and discover what surprise treats and gifts you have in store. It's a win, win!

The holiday season is in full swing, which means your wardrobe had better be up-to-date! With our cool finds, there's no reason you should be under-dressed. Tis the season to dazzle and sparkle in party dress that can't be outshined. From sheath silhouette mini dresses to floral pattered sequin A-lines, we've found just the perfect thing for you. Check out our favorite picks:

Pinecones are wonderful for holiday crafting, especially if you’re looking for a fun craft idea to do with the kids! There are so many DIYs you can do with pinecones to go with your holiday decorations. This charming Santa Pinecone Ornament is the perfect ornament for your Christmas tree. I makes a wonderful keepsake, and you’ll be able to hang it on the tree for many years to come.

Nothing gets kids in the holiday spirit better than a good holiday craft. They teach the satisfaction of making things by hand, and build memories that will last a lifetime. Craft guru Rachel Faucett from Handmade Charlotte has scoured the web to serve up 15 Easy Christmas Crafts that deliver big results. This winter, what could be cooler than that? Happy crafting!

I am smitten by these mittens! These Mitten Holiday Cards are the perfect DIY to make for loves ones this holiday season, and the best part is: the kids can help with this craft! Try this as a Christmas craft to get little ones into the spirit, or just as a fun winter project.

The holiday season leaves most moms wishing they had more money in their holiday budget for holiday shopping and getting extra christmas gifts. If that’s you, you may be surprised to learn that you could be sitting on a bit of extra cash you can use for your shopping—you just need to know where to look!

The holiday season is upon us, which means we're constantly surrounded by tempting foods that aren't always nutritious. If you're on the hunt for a wholesome holiday cookie recipe, you've come to the right place. In just under 30 minutes, you will have a plate full of nutty, chewy (gluten-free and grain-free!), chocolate-chunk cookies. This is a snack that your kids and guests will love.

’Tis the season to gather family and friends, but ’tis also the season of shopping, baking, cleaning, cooking, preparing, wrapping—and doing a million other things! Take a night off to relax and cuddle with your kids on the couch by popping some popcorn and popping in a great seasonal DVD to enjoy a Family Movie Night. Here are our picks of the 10 absolute best winter films to watch with your kids.

Guys are so difficult to shop for, aren't they?! Holiday shopping is difficult enough, so we took a look at some of the best gifts for men this holiday season to make your holiday less stressful. Best of all, these budget-friendly deals are each under $25 dollars! Put a smile on the face of your favorite guy with these fun finds:

• Golf Ball Monogrammer; $12.99 at target.com
• Mini Scratch Map; $24 at restorationhardware.com  
• Beer: A Cookbook; $12.95 at worldmarket.com
• Pick Punch $25; at uncommongoods.com
• Personalized Money Clip; $15 at etsy.com
• Topman Fair Isle Scarf $25 at nordstrom.com

I walked into Target the other day and realized, it's almost Christmas.

I love making homemade gifts for the holidays. Giving a DIY present instead of a store-bought bauble is thoughtful and original. Making this Peppermint Sugar is also a great DIY to do with kids—my daughter loves helping to make these gifts, which allow her to discover the joy of giving. This makes a great party favor or hostess gift.

Tis' the season for holiday cocktail parties and family gatherings! There are tons of presents to buy for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and you're sure to need a hostess gift sometime soon. Stock up on these budget-friendly gifts (each under $35!) that will make your "hostess with the mostess" smile and invite you back again and again!

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is one of my favorite all time Christmas stories, and I love the Muppet Christmas Carol version because it puts a fun twist on a dark classic. You can have even more fun watching this movie with your kids if you make a cool Christmas craft: Muppet Character Finger Puppets, featuring your  favorite Muppets as their Christmas Carol characters! You can use these finger puppets to re-enact parts of the story, or to hang on the Christmas tree as ornaments this holiday season.

With Halloween coming up next week, it may seem too early to even begin thinking about holiday gift shopping. But if you want to give holiday gifts that are both unique and personal, you've gotta get started now.

There is still plenty of time before you have to start thinking about the holiday season, but why not turn a few lazy days of summer into crafting fun with the kids to get your holiday advent calendar made so it will be ready when December 1 rolls around. 

Spiced like a mug of hot cider and covered in snowy powdered sugar, these Spiced Cider Meltaways are the perfect cookie to leave for Santa.

There are lots of complicated cookie and candy recipes out there, but I tend to think that the simpler ones are the best and this classic saltine candy is exactly one of those recipes.

It's Tuesday, so here's your list of the best stuff popping up around the web.

My family Christmas dinner is one of my favorite meals of the year.

Part of the magic of Christmas is the wonder and delight on children’s faces at all of the sights and sounds that surround them during the holidays.

With young children in the home, parents have to take extra precautions to be sure their children stay safe as they enjoy this Christmas season.

If ever there's a time to get your craft on, it's Christmas. 

Holiday trees come in all types of materials nowadays. 

This Christmas, as you compile your Toddlers Christmas wish list, be sure to check it twice. Check here for some quick tips to help you make your decisions.

These cute little fit gift box ornaments are made from film canisters.

Trying to stay on budget this holiday season? Hit the kitchen and make some easy edible gifts! They take no time, cost little and are made with love—there’s no better combination! This year, I’m excited to be handing out Gingered Lemon Curd.

The ball ornament is a classic Christmas staple that you can find in any craft store. 

I'm trying not to watch the calendar as the shopping days until Christmas tick past.

This mini Christmas tree decorating activty is fun for all ages. I'm tempted to decorate several for the mantle. Guess what it's made from? An ice cream cone! Keep reading to see the tutorial

The old axiom that it’s better to give than receive really is true.

Keep your holiday cheer intact and overcome shopping stress by remembering that gift giving is meant to show affection and appreciation…so follow some simple tips to stay on track!