Saturday, December 8, 2012
Make your holidays merry and bright with these festive beverages.
The packages are wrapped, stockings hung, turkey trimmed. But what's a holiday without cocktails? Wow your guests with some of these unique, zesty beverages this year. Spicy Gingerman - Shake one ounce vanilla vodka, one ounce hazelnut liqueur, half an ounce butterscotch schnapps and two ounces ginger ale. Pour over ice and garnish with a cinnamon stick. Sleigh Ride - I'll admit, I picked this drink just because the name sounded so cozy and festive. But the recipe reaffirmed my choice, because this cocktail is cozy and festive! But this one requires a little planning ahead because five ounces apple cider, one cinnamon stick, one apple slice and two teaspoons honey need to be mixed in advanced and allowed to sit overnight. Then add cider …
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Make your own beautiful holiday wreath.
Even during the holiday season, first impressions are important. And since the front door is usually the first thing guests will see when they enter your home, it's a place most people adorn with an elaborate wreath they probably paid an arm and a leg for. Sure, you could spend said appendages for a wreath of your own. Craft stores and home improvement warehouses have plenty of fresh and faux pre-finished holiday wreaths for $50 or more. Some of these projects are so easy a third-grader could do them. I know, because one of them, the plastic bag wreath, I actually made in third grade. It took my little 8-year-old hands weeks to do it, but I did it! What's currently on my front door is a beautiful length of twisted grapevine, cut from my …
Used responsibly, credit cards can offer extra benefits and protections for your holiday gift purchases.
American consumers use credit cards more during the month of December than in any other calendar month. The Federal Reserve reported that last December shoppers spent over $851 billion on their credit cards. Credit cards have a bad reputation, because people tend to spend more than they can afford, and get into financial trouble when the interest starts to rack up. But when used wisely, credit cards can actually provide consumers with added protections against fraud and theft, and they can extend warranties on purchases. When you're shopping online, your purchases are protected against damaged or missing items. Some credit cards offer price protection, where the card issuer will refund the difference if you find a lower price on a purchase…
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Craft kits sold at Jo-Ann Craft stores are being recalled.
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Thursday, November 29, 2012
Jo-Anne Fabric and Craft stores are recalling the foam Pumpkin Turkey Craft kit manufactured by Ningbo Golden Time Gifts and Crafts for magnet ingestion hazard. According to the recall from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, "the magnets holding the pumpkin shell pieces together can become loose, posing a hazard to young children. If swallowed, these magnets can link together inside a child's intestines and clamp onto body tissues, causing intestinal obstructions, perforations, sepsis and death. Internal injury from magnets can pose serious lifelong health effects." No injuries have been reported. The products were sold nationwide at Jo-Ann Craft Stores between August 2012 and October 2012. Consumers should immediately stop using the …
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Gift card purchases are expected to top $28 billion this year.
This holiday, gift cards will be one of the most wished-for and most oft-gifted gifts, according to the National Retail Federation, which calls gift-cards "a win-win gift for givers and receivers." They're simple, they're highly portable, easy to buy, easy to wrap, easy to spend. Gift cards are flexible enough to fit into any budget, and your recipient will probably be happier with a gift card than an ugly Christmas sweater or a fruitcake. The gift card allows them to buy something they really want. More than 80 percent of shoppers will buy at least one gift card this season, and they'll spend an average of $156.86 on gift cards. Total spending on gift cards is expected to reach $28.79 billion, the NRF reports. With gift-card giving, as …
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Adorn your turkey dinner table with festive, but affordable, decor.
Thanksgiving is about being grateful for what we have, so a flashy, ornate centerpiece on your dinner table would seem out of place. In my humble opinion, this is a bit over-the-top. More appropriate for the occasion would be simple decor, with natural colors and elements, something you can put together without trips to six different stores. Raid the pantry - Place a pillar candle in a vase. Around the candle, layer beans, rice, corn or other dried grains for colorful stripes. Halloween leftovers - If you have any pumpkins or gourds left over from Halloween (uncarved, of course. Your Jack-o-lantern probaby doesn't look or smell that great by now), they'll do nicely on your Thanksgiving dinner table. Hollow out a large pumpkin and stuff it …
Sunday, November 11, 2012
Mini pumpkin cheesecakes perfect for holiday dinner parties.
If your family is anything like mine, at Thanksgiving dinner is seated and served at the table, but dessert is more buffet style. For me, there's nothing worse than trying to cut a cake or pie for 30 people. My solution: cupcakes, in all shapes and forms. Cheesecake cupcakes, and these, pumpkin cheesecake cupcakes, are perfect for small bites and big parties. These are really easy to make and this recipe makes a little over two dozen cupcakes and are super yummy! Perfect for Thanksgiving dinner parties or enjoying during the season. Ingredients Crust: Filling: Directions Preheat oven to 350. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners. For crust: Combine all dry ingredients and add melted butter. Combine until all dry ingredients are coated in …
Hipster Kitty
10:31 am on Monday, December 3, 2012
Do you have a professional source for all of this information, or are you just making it up from your own experience, Sarah? more ›