Are you still searching for that perfect calendar? I hope so because I've got 9 of the best free calendars for you to download and print at home. I mean, who needs Google calendar when you can print out one of these beauties instead? Am I right?
'And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.'
Meister Eckhart.
I'm signing off for the year but before I do I wanted to take a minute to wish you all the merriest of Christmases and a Happy New Year. Thank you for all the wonderful support over the past year. I really do appreciate every comment, like, pin or share. However you celebrate I hope it's filled with joy and love. See you in 2017.
I'm back with the last of diy Christmas gift guides and I think anyone with a sweet tooth will agree I've saved the best till last. Don't fancy braving those busy shops? Why not surprise your loved ones with some edible Christmas gifts instead. With everything from cookies to truffles to marshmallows and even boozy treats I guarantee one of these sweet treats with be a hit with even the fussiest of foodies.
Candied fruit coconut macaroons - Sprinkle Bakes // Homemade Irish cream - The Sweetest Occasion // Diy colour-splattered hot chocolate sticks - Swooned // Gourmet toasted cookie dough jars - Sprinkle Bakes // Diy hostess gift box - Sugar & Cloth // Ginger infused gin - Sugar & Cloth // Moomin chocolate truffles - Wallflower Kitchen // Diy cookie decorating kit - Five Marigolds.
Candied Fruit Coconut Macaroons
This recipe is proof that baking doesn’t have to be fussy or complicated to yield delicious results. You’ll need 3 ingredients for the macaroons, not counting the dip in chocolate which is optional (but when is chocolate ever optional?).
Gourmet Toasted Cookie Dough in a Jar
So, what is ‘gourmet’ cookie dough? In short, it’s cookie dough made with the best ingredients around. The ingredients can be endlessly varied, but consider using your favorite specialty butter (I like French butter). Sea salt, pure vanilla extract, and dark chocolate chips (such as Guittard) will make a big difference in flavor, too.
Ginger Infused Gin Cocktail Recipe
These Ginger Infused Gin Cocktails are easy to whip up and the perfect cocktail gift to surprise your friends this holiday.
DIY Cookie Decorating Kit
Need a gift for kids who love to frost and decorate? Or how about a parent or grandparent who wants a special activity to do with their kids or grandkids? This cookie decorating kit is the perfect gift to help them create something sprinkled with fun this holiday season.
Candy cane meringue kisses - Wallflower Kitchen // Gingerbread candied nuts - Sugar & Cloth // Peppermint marshmallows - Bakerita // Jelly bean vodka - A Life of Geekery // Vanilla pumpkin seed clusters - Wallflower Kitchen // Homemade flavoured salts - Love and Olive Oil // Gingerbread boxes - Recipe Tin Eats // Hibiscus almond marshmallows - My Name is Yeh// Fresh cranberry vodka - The Wanderlust Kitchen.
Vegan Candy Cane Meringue Kisses
Vegan peppermint meringue kisses made with peppermint and aquafaba (liquid from a tin of chickpeas!) Fun and festive Christmas treats.
Gingerbread Candied Nuts
They have all the tastes and smells of the season, but take less than 30 minutes to make. (Plus, a little cooling time, because burnt tongues are no fun!).
Peppermint Marshmallows
Making your own marshmallows is easier than you’d think! These Peppermint Marshmallows look gorgeous, taste 100x better than store-bought marshmallows and make a great holiday gift. Be sure to save a few to enjoy in your hot cocoa!
Jelly Belly Vodka
Jelly Belly vodka is my homemade stocking filler of choice this year. It’s so easy to make, there are hundreds of flavours to try and even better, you can invent your own. I’ve put plenty to the test to single out the best Jelly Belly vodka flavours, which to combine and which to skip.
Vanilla Pumpkin Seed Clusters
The clusters are so delicious, munchy and sweet and make a great snack or topping for a breakfast cereal.
Homemade Flavored Salts
The beauty of these larger grained, specialty salts is that a pinch will go a long way. Since the salt is added at the very end, right before serving, the salt crystals aren’t absorbed into the dish, meaning you get much more taste and flavor with a fraction of the salt.
Gingerbread Boxes & Mason Jars
A completely edible Christmas gift – Gingerbread Cookie Boxes and Mason Jars! The Mason Jar is made simply by wrapping dough around a can! You don’t need any cookie cutters, mixers or any special equipment to make these.
Hibiscus Almond Marshmallows
Hibiscus is my new favorite natural food coloring. It's such a great shade of pink and it imparts a nice citrusy berry flavor that helps balance out the sweetness of a marshmallow. The first time I had hibiscus I knew its brightness would go well with nutty almond, so I went with two-tone bbs that help make the prettiest cup of hot chocolate you've ever done seen.
Fresh Cranberry Vodka
If you’ve never tried a fresh cranberry vodka cocktail, here’s your chance! All you need is a bag of cranberries, a bottle of vodka, and a blender. For this recipe I’ve added homemade rosemary simple syrup to create a festive holiday cocktail!
Cranberry and pistachio chocolate bark - Love And Lemons // Salted cashew brittle - Spoon Fork Bacon // Bacon jam - Spoon Fork Bacon // Salted gingersnap mallomars - Spoon Fork Bacon // Hot chocolate dippers - Le Zoe Musings // Minty chocolate holiday bites - Pinch of Yum // Orange zest and sea salt bark - Lexi's Clean Kitchen // Rose infused recipes - Sugar & Cloth // Walnut mushroom cookies - Mitzy at Home.
Cranberry & Pistachio Chocolate Bark
Cranberry Pistachio Chocolate Bark is a quick & easy holiday recipe. It's delicious topped with dried fruit, coconut, and nuts. Vegan and gluten-free, too!
Salted Cashew Brittle
I love things like toffee, brittle, almond roca, etc, so today we have a Salted Cashew Brittle for you! The cashews add a nice dose of savory decadence to the brittle that I prefer over peanuts.
Give The Gift Of Bacon Jam
We have yet another great gift giving idea for you. It is our Bacon Jam, with a cute label and a really awesome little hand carved wooden spreaders. It’s the perfect pairing for our Bacon Jam.
Salted Gingersnap Mallomars
This year we have our own version of mallomars, our Salted Gingersnap Mallomars! Since the holidays are right around the corner I thought it would be fun to replace the traditional shortbread cookie base with a spicy gingersnap cookie!
DIY Hot Chocolate Dippers
This time, I’ve decided to make their hot chocolate experience a lot more fun and sweet! These Hot Chocolate Dippers will bring the glisten to any child’s eyes and more “ooohh’s” and “aaahh’s” than you’ve ever heard in your entire adult life.
Minty Chocolate Holiday Cake Bites
Minty chocolate cake and frosting wrapped in white chocolate and gold sprinkles and swizzled with one more chocolate drizzle? That’s where we’re headed today.
Sea Salt And Chocolate Orange Bark
This Sea Salt and Chocolate Orange Bark treat is simple to make, but looks so elegant. Make it under 15 minutes with just a few simple ingredients to serve at a holiday party or to give away as a gift.
Rose Infused Caramels
These perfectly pretty and sweet Rose Infused Homemade Caramels make the perfect edible gift!
Walnut Mushroom Cookies
They’re chocolaty, crunchy and have a moist nutty center. And they’re cute. I don’t normally describe food as being cute, but these really are adorable. They remind me of the forest, its quietness, the beautiful trees and the cool air.
The final countdown to Christmas has begun and I've got one last craft project to share with you. I picked up this adorable mini Christmas tree at my local supermarket and although it's actually covered in silver glitter I thought it looked a little bare. These origami lucky stars are the perfect solution. I used them as tiny tree toppers last year when I made these diy paper Christmas trees and this time I thought I'd string them up and use them to create a mini paper star garland. If you're still looking for some last minute decorations to deck your halls decorating some mini trees might be the answer, they'll make your home festive and bright in no time at all.
To make the origami star:
1. Start by cutting up some strips of paper. If you want mini stars cut the paper into 12 x ½ inch strips.
2. Tie a loose knot in one end of the paper strip.
3. Pull it gently and press flat to make a pentagon.
4. Tuck the short end of the paper strip into the knot.
5. Wrap the long end around each side of your pentagon. It should naturally follow in the right direction. Keep going until you have a small tail piece left. Tuck the tail end securely into the knot.
6. Pinch each corner of the pentagon between your thumb and forefinger to make the star puff up.
7. Thread the finished stars onto some cotton or embroidery thread and wrap around your mini Christmas tree.
Super simple to make as all last minute decorations should be and the fact that they're cute as a button doesn't hurt either.
Gathering Beauty is a DIY, craft blog with a love for all things paper. Here you'll find origami, papercrafts, air dry clay projects as well as the odd crochet or weaving tutorials. Let's Get Crafty!
Hi, I'm Emma. I'm a life-long maker, artist and founder of the craft blog Gathering Beauty. You can learn more about me and my blog here.
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