New Years Eve Party Ideas - Party Printables

Now that Christmas is over, it's time to prepare for another holiday that is only a few short days away. New Years Eve! If you haven't started planning your get-together yet, it's not to late. Here are some adorable DIY printable's to get you started!

These super cute drink charms are so easy! Find the free template here
and the instructions here.


These chic must have invites can be purchased on etsy and printed by yourself at home!

I love these great bottle labels from Andersruff. Find them here.

These damask candle holder covers would be a great addition to any bar or dessert table. Find the instructions and template here.

A cute collection of easy ideas from fiskars.

Perfect party circle punches! Instructions and more photos here.

Top your cupcakes with these great vintage clocks! Find them here.

Cute subway art from Custom Printables. Find the template here.

Holiday Dessert Recipes: Mocha Pot de Creme

If you are still looking for a great dessert to serve after Christmas dinner or on Christmas Eve, then this next one is for you! Nothing reminds me of Christmas and winter like a warm, chocolate dessert and this one is delightful! Plus, it's low in fat! What could be better?!

Mocha Pot de Creme:

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, sifted
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon skim milk
• 1/4 cup low-fat evaporated milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• Pinch of kosher salt
• Confectioners' sugar, for sprinkling

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Line a shallow baking pan with a cloth towel and set aside.
2. Place the cocoa powder in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, combine the skim milk and the evaporated milk. Slowly whisk about 3 tablespoons of the milk mixture into the cocoa powder until it forms a thick paste. Whisk in the remaining milk mixture until thoroughly combined and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the egg, egg white, granulated sugar, and salt and whisk together until thoroughly combined. Whisk in the cocoa-milk mixture until thoroughly combined. Divide the mixture among four 4-ounce ovenproof demitasse cups and place in the prepared baking pan; fill the baking pan halfway with water. Transfer to the oven and bake until the puddings are set when lightly jiggled, about 50 minutes.
4. Remove the puddings from the water bath, transfer to a wire rack, and let cool 20 to 30 minutes. Dust the puddings with confectioners' sugar and serve warm.

Photo and recipe from Whole Living

Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

It's about that time of year that the procrastinators (me included....) decide that with only 2 days to go before Christmas, it might be a good time to tackle the job of wrapping all of those gifts hiding in various locations around the house. Here are a few of my favorite creative wrapping ideas to help get a jump start on some long nights ahead!

Easy Hole Punch

Find It Around the House

Don't Just Read the News

Paint Perfect

Dish Towel Magic

Photo Gift Tag

It's All in the Name

Poms Away

Pretty Paint Can

Basic Blueprints

Admit One

Yep, It's a Weave

Lovely Lace

That's a Wrap!

Simple Shapes

Free Printables: Cookie Exchange Party

If you still have a cookie exchange party to attend this season, or just need to put a little something together for a neighbor, these free printables from Joy Ever After are perfect. Find them here.

Holiday Cocktail Recipes and Gift Ideas: Merry Mixers

With all the holiday parties and family gatherings most people have planned this month, finding yet another gift for the host or hostess is just another thing to add to your to-do list. Why not make it easy on yourself?! I found these chic and oh so adorable Merry Mixer labels to print out and attach to a homemade cocktail mixer! They are so easy to do, just print out the instructions, pour into a decorative glass bottle, print out the label, and voila! Make a few and arrange with some simple cocktail glasses and rimming sugar in a gift basket. Super cute and super easy! (Found via How About Orange)

I just adore these adorable treat boxes from Creations with Christina. They look just like mini Christmas Trees! Too cute! She made these ones for her kid's school teachers, but you could easily customize them for neighbors, friends, co-workers, or just about anyone! Love!

Holiday Recipes: Mini Gingerbread Houses

Every time I see these pictures I just can't resist getting a smile on my face. They are just so darn adorable! Who could resist a mug of hot chocolate with these little babies perched on the edge?! A perfect little addition to a kid's mug too! They would be so great to personalize with an initial! Find the recipe and how-to's here.

Holiday Centerpiece Ideas

The holidays are always a time when family and friends are over for intimate dinner parties or outlandish events so finding the best holiday table decor can sometimes be a challenge. Here are some of my favorite ideas for holiday centerpieces.

Winter Wonderland

Leaves and "Berries"

Lovely Levels

Woodsy Wreath

Red & White

Sweet Treats

Peppermint Bundle

Red & White Swirls

Fir Elegance

Merry Martini's
Present Pile-Up

Holiday Dessert Recipe: Gingerbread Truffles

Looking for a great dessert to bring to a holiday get-together this year? Well look no further! These fab gingerbread truffles are sure to please a few palates! The red, white, and green coloring on these are so festive and I just can't resist those adorable little gingerbread man sprinkles on top! I'll definitely be making some of these for the neighbors! Find the recipe and instructions here.

Holiday Crafts - Topiary

Seriously.....how gorgeous?! And to think this topiary was made from Pistachios! Simply stunning and amazing when clustered together and at varying heights! And what makes this topiary even better.....? It's easy to make!

Pistachio Topiary:

Materials:
1-inch foam paintbrush; red acrylic paint; 3-inch Styrofoam ball; hot-glue gun; red pistachios; egg cup or short candlestick holder.

Directions:
1. Paint ball red; let dry.

2. Place a dot of glue on closed end of pistachio; press onto ball.

3. Continue gluing pistachios onto ball, placing them in rings and using smaller nuts to fill spaces.

4. Display ball on egg cup or candlestick.

Instructions and photo from Women's Day.

Holiday Decor Ideas - Sparkling Silver

The new trend in holiday decor this year seems to be heading into the winter whites and sparkling snow colors. Here are some cute and simple ways to add a little holiday sparkle and shine to your decor!

Add a little sparkle to a holiday arrangement. Simply use silver paint and glitter! Paint the top or bottom of an acorn and then sprinkle silver glitter while the paint is still wet.

For a cute Poinsettia display, use a small silver pot, a silver ball ornament, and the head of a poinsettia flower, with one inch of the stem still intact. Stick the flower into the top of the ornament, and then set the ornament onto the pot. Cluster a few together for a pretty display.

Dress up your walls with a cute frame. Mount a white picture frame, without the glass, to a wall with a nail. Tie an ornament to the nail, using pretty, shimmering ribbon, so that the ornament hangs in the center of the frame. Top with a pretty, colorful bow.

Dress up a wire topiary tree with silver tinsel or garland. Add white rocks or sparkling glass pieces to the bottom of the pot for a fresh approach to soil.

Make your candles sparkle with these fabulous votive holders. Coat an existing holder or a small juice glass in clear craft glue. Roll the glasses in clear glitter. Attach silver trim around the rim and then finish the look with gorgeous gems.

Add some sparkle to your door or mantle with a little shimmer. Simply hot-glue sparkling buttons or gems to a 9-inch wreath form and top with a pretty bow. Hang where the light will catch it!

Ideas and pictures from Better Homes & Gardens and Design Decor Staging