Last Minute goodies!

awwww

Hello my friends and happy "we're almost there" day to my fellow stuck-at-work'ers (yes there are some of us at work today!) In an attempt to spread a little more Christmas cheer before the big day, here are some more (super easy to create at the last minute!) eats and treats (first edition HERE) to ensure that the gifts under your tree aren't the only thing making loved ones smile this holiday!

This easy to execute and adorable to deliver treat is perfect for your host and hostess or as a small gift for exchanges which stick to a lower price-point. Hot cocoa/chocolate milk powder with mini marshmallows inside and a Bailey's treat on the outside, plus, who doesn't love a good mason jar!? Pin it HERE.

Forget reindeer games, these sweet and salty treats are no joke! A glorious combination of pretzels, rolo and sixlets (which I've never heard of, but red m&ms would do just fine!) and you have an unmistakably awesome holiday treat perfect for dessert platter display! Pin it HERE (full instructions HERE).

Still stumped for table decor? This colorful idea requires just a few holiday items and will have guests complimenting your craftiness. Using mixed height candle sticks (painted in a favorite color at the bottom if you have time/don't mind the permanent paint job!) place small colorful ball ornaments (CVS has quite the selection still) and candles at the top. Store bought mini trees are an excellent compliment if you're able to track them down! Pin it HERE (more pictures and info HERE).

How freakin adorable are these tiny Santa snacks!? Perhaps the perfect thing to mix with pretzel/rolo reindeer, these santas are made of just 3 ingredients, marshmallows, strawberries and frosting. You can create your frosting beard with a piping bag if you're fancy or a plain old ziplock with the corner snipped off if you're an amateur like me. Santa's face goes on (pre-beard and berry!!) using edible marker. So simple, SO sweet to see (and eat!) Pin it HERE (full instructions HERE)

Seasonal Eats and Treats

Tis the season!

Brrrrr! Baby it's cooold outside!! A crisp 23 degrees here in NYC with a forecast of more snow for the weekend, winter has most certainly arrived! Since the weather outside is frightful, this is the perfect time to share some of the seasonal goodies I've been curating and collecting. Here's hoping these fun eats and treats help make the next two weeks extra merry and bright :)

What a ridiculously adorable way to add a bit of cheer to your holiday table!! This festive "snow globe" (but actually salt shaker) craft is sure to have your guests smiling while the season their food so click HERE to Pin it, click HERE for original post (via Country Living).

Santa Claus is coming to town and my oh my does he look tasty! Click HERE to Pin this tasty treat or click HERE for this cupcake and a few other Santa inspired sweet treats (via Kids Kubby)

Salty and sweet make the perfect seasonal treat!! Though finding circle shaped pretzels may be a bit tricky (or maybe that's just in the tiny grocery stores we have here in NYC!?) these treats are super easy to make and are sure to be a hit with your holiday party crew. Pin it HERE or click HERE for step by step instructions. (via Shugary Sweets)

Want your house to smell like Christmas cheer!? Keep this pot of fresh winter wonder boiling during your holiday get together as the perfect compliment to your holiday tunes and treats! Pin it HERE.

The perfect bite-sized holiday themed dessert! Easy to prepare and adorable to display, these Dipped Minty Marshmallow Pops are an awesome low maintenance sweet treat to put out after the big meal. Pin it HERE, full instructions HERE (via Liv Life)

(A Jew) On Christmas.

George Washington get his tree

The decorations are up, the holiday music is playing and faster than you can say "Black Friday Insanity" Thanksgiving is in our rear view and the countdown to Christmas has begun. Christmas... beautiful, sparkly, cheery Christmas. Moment of honesty: I really wish I celebrated Christmas. Though I am proud of my Jewish heritage and I love my Chanukah traditions (Mom's latkah's are a once-per-year delicacy) nothing compares to a twinkling tree, mint hot chocolate and Mariah Carey belting out that all she wants for Christmas, is me. 

My parents tell a tale of little Meri coming home from preschool, confused about Santa. "If I'm good, he's supposed to come! Is he going to come!?" Stuck with the difficult task of explaining religious diversity to a 3-year old (and risking the reveal of some "Santa-related truths" to an entire preschool) my parents did what any parent of a blabber mouth would do: they told me to believe. And believe I did - cookies, carrots for the reindeer and a short note thanking Santa for stopping by. From that year on, the magic of Santa has been a tradition in my Jewish family (you should see my stocking) and an annual small gift from Mr. Claus reminds each of us of the holiday's joy (and a funny Meri story.) Because similar to Chanukah's 8 nights of gifts, Christmas has developed traditions quite distinct from the religious significance of the day. For me and so many others, twinkling lights, an excellent soundtrack, togetherness and giving are all non-religious Christmas magic (also the Nutcracker, It's a Wonderful Life, the smell of fresh pine and gingerbread). So while I may not get to put up a tree (tempted, so tempted)  I'm going to love on Christmas with the enthusiasm of a goy... it's like my parents said "all you have to do is believe" :)