Still More Last-Minute Ideas

Hostess with the Mostess posted a wonderful collection of 15 peppermint desserts... and how hard is it to NOT want to make them all??

Photo from HostessBlog.com (link to photo below).

This is just a sample of the yummy dessert ideas. Click here to go directly to the post to find more!

Martha Stewart also has some awesomely creative ideas for those of you looking to put the finishing touches on gifts, wrapping, decorating, centerpieces, and more! Click here to visit MarthaStewart.com for more ideas.

Sweet Treats for the Kiddos (and Big Kids, Too!)

I was looking for a fun, yet practical gift (that's the adult in me speaking) for some cool kids I know. I walked around the store a few times last night and was finally inspired to make each child a hot cocoa kit.

I had some Christmas-themed take-out style boxes that I filled with red filler. I then added a few packets of hot cocoa mix, a snack-sized bag of mini marshmallows, and some mini-candy canes. I'll finish them off with some fun tags (like the printable ones in this post!). Take this idea to the next level and make it a nice Christmas gift for your favorite family, your children's friends, neighbors, etc. who can enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate with the ones they love.

Here's another idea... a friend and I created a "hot chocolate bar" last Christmas after Christmas dinner was finished. The kids and adults alike enjoyed a steaming cup of hot chocolate and a selection of gourmet marshmallows that were dipped in chocolate and various toppings. Mmmmmm.....

Holiday Posting Blitz!

Christmas is almost here.... and if you're like 98% of the world, you still might have some last minute tasks to complete. I'm here to help you out! I'll be posting several ideas today for last-minute additions to your tree, gifts, table, etc.

If you need some CUTE gift tags, check out these printable ones from Wiley Valentine. Aren't they fun??

Photo from Wiley Valentine blog (link below).

Click here to go to the Wiley Valentine blog and download from the post. Enjoy! More to come!

Counting Down to Christmas....

I don't know about you, but I feel like the holiday season is FLYING right by me! That's a shame because this is one of my favorite times of year, especially for blogging. And that being said, I owe you an apology. I've been slacking on the blog posts lately, but I have good reasons! In my personal life, I moved over Thanksgiving, did a half-marathon the following weekend, and just started to unpack this past week after regaining movement in my legs. :-) Not to mention, I have a day job, and I spent the last couple of nights working on treats for my co-workers.... and totally forgot to take pictures to share with you!

At any rate, I found some neat inspiration today from an historical "legend" in my town. Check out The Davenport Hotel and Tower blog to see the results of a gingerbread house competition to benefit a local charity- amazing stuff!

Snow White House- winner of the competition

Photo from The Davenport Hotel & Tower Blog (link below)

I almost want to attempt the same level of creativity in my own kitchen, but I don't think time allows for that this year. Click here to see the post and additional photos.

If any of you have gingerbread house photos to share, e-mail them to creativeentertaining@gmail.com by Sunday, December 27 and I'll do a special post with your photos. I love seeing what other minds (and hands) create!

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your turkey be cooked and your pie divine

Cap off the day with a nice glass of wine

Here's to you, the hostess, for on this day

You are truly the "mostess" in so many ways!

At the end of the day, it's not about the food, china, or tablescapes... it's about being with close family and friends and celebrating all you have to be thankful for. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and best of luck with your Black Friday shopping! :-)

REAL LIFE: Fall Fondue Party

Fondue is one of my favorite things to do, and it's fun to invite "newbies" over to join in on the food fun. A few weekends ago I hosted a fondue party for a few friends. I like to do this a few times a year, usually as the seasons change and new inspiration hits me!

I have a tiny place that I call home, so squeezing a few more bodies in, along with multiple fondue pots, plates, and bowls of food, is sometimes a challenge. While I wanted to really be festive for the fall season, I stuck with the "less is more" mantra and maximized the decor by keeping it central to the dining area. This accomplished two things that I know you'll appreciate: my decor spending was unbelievably small, and my stress level for party preparations did not shoot through the roof.

I hit up a JoAnn Store and scored some key decor items on clearance for 70% off... YES! I then took a basket, a vase, and harvest-themed decor I already owned and put them to work. The results included simple, yet inviting fall tablescapes that did not get in the way of the fondue.

I got a little busy after my guests arrived, so I forgot to take pictures of the tables with food on them (which my guests were bringing). Every square inch was filled with delicious food!

A Good Cause: Operation Shower

Photo from Operation Shower

Amy of the Stem blog is involved with a wonderful organization called Operation Shower. Operation Shower, a 501(c)(3) accredited charity founded in 2007, is a non-profit organization that recognizes and honors the sacrifices military families make by producing and coordinating baby showers and “showers-in-a-box” for pregnant and expecting military personnel and their families. It is currently run by a super-small group of dedicated individuals, and they NEED OUR HELP to keep this endeavor going and GROWING! Please check out the Operation Shower blog and consider how you can help them out this holiday season!