Celebrate Mini Holidays from December 1 to December 14 With Delicious Recipes and Decorating Tips
From Make a Gift Day to Christmas Tree Day, here are mini holidays to celebrate from December 1 to 14
As December kicks off, holiday preparations abound. From shopping and parties to baking and decorating, both homes and stores are bustling this time of year as the festivities get underway. While much of the focus is on the holidays that fall at the end of the month, there are other, lesser known days beforehand that can still be fun to celebrate.
From the feel-good perks of DIY gifting to the heartwarming tradition of decorating a Christmas tree, there’s plenty to enjoy! Get into the holiday spirit with these “mini holiday” ideas to make your season even brighter.
December 1- 31: Eggnog Month
Classic eggnog gets a nutty twist in this hands-off cocktail recipe created by the mixologists in the Woman’s World test kitchen.
To make Almond Coconut Eggnog: In a 4-qt. slow cooker, whisk 4 egg yolks, 1⁄2 cup of sugar, 1 Tbs. of cornstarch, 1⁄2 tsp. of ground nutmeg and 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. Add 3 more cups of almond milk, 2 (13.5 oz.) cans of unsweetened coconut milk and 4 cinnamon sticks. Cover; cook on low 3 hrs. Stir in 1 cup of white rum. Ladle into heatproof glasses. Garnish as desired. Serves 8.
Tuesday, December 3: Make a Gift Day
Hoping to surprise a loved one with a DIY gift? They’re sure to appreciate the gesture! A recent Consumer.org survey found that 80% of people were happy to receive a homemade gift. More good news: Making that gift is super beneficial for you too!
Researchers reporting in the journal Frontiers in Public Health analyzed survey data results from 7,182 people and found that the subjects who took part in arts and crafts reported higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction and lower levels of stress. Participants also revealed that they felt a greater sense of purpose and that life felt more worthwhile. The authors theorize that the mental health and mood boost comes from unleashing your creativity and the satisfaction of seeing your work come to life.
Wednesday, December 4: National Cookie Day
Satisfy your cookie craving today with shortbread cookies that have a hint of tangy citrus.
To make Orange Shortbread Cookies: Heat oven to 350°F. Using a mixer on medium speed, beat 1 cup of room-temperature butter and 1⁄2 cup of powdered or packed brown sugar. Gradually stir in 2 1⁄4 cups of flour until blended. Stir in 2 tsp. of orange zest. On a lightly floured surface, knead until smooth. Pat dough to 1⁄3” thickness. Using a 2 to 2 1⁄2” cookie cutter, cut into desired shape. Place on baking sheet; bake 8 minutes, or until done. Garnish with a drizzle of white icing, orange zest and sprinkles. Makes 24–26 cookies.
Sunday, December 8: Christmas Tree Day
We love the heartwarming feeling we get from seeing precious, meaningful ornaments on our Christmas tree, so we asked David Shindler, CEO of Christmas Decor SE in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to share his tips for displaying them to their fullest. “Hang your most important ornaments between knee and eye level, and toward the tip of the branch—this makes them easiest to see,” he says.
And to guarantee they’re well-secured, Shindler suggests pinching together the wire hook after you hang the ornament, then flipping the bauble around the branch a couple of times. “It won’t budge!”
Thursday, December 12: Gingerbread House Day
Ready to build the perfect gingerbread house? We asked Beatriz Muller, winner of Food Network’s Holiday Gingerbread Showdown and The Big Bake, her best hacks for successfully assembling a store-bought kit: “I highly recommend using a small cheese grater or zester to help with leveling the gingerbread walls. Straight edges are so much easier to stick together!”
Also smart: For extra strength, wait an hour to attach the roof. She explains, “Houses often collapse when the icing holding the walls together isn’t dry.” (Check out some of these other clever gingerbread house decorating tricks!)
Help a Hero
Support overseas troops!
Do you have tuna packets, individual packets of drink mixes or travel-size toothpaste to spare? If so, send them to Forgotten Soldiers. The nonprofit organization will include the needed items in the thousands of care packages they send to deployed soldiers. Mail items to 3550 23rd Ave S., Suite #7, Lake Worth, FL 33461
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