A Gift Guide for Holiday Cheer{s}

On Monday, I posted about how to create the perfect cheese board to suit your holiday party needs. I mean, a gorgeous spread that doesn't require an ounce of cooking? How can you not be sold?? Naturally, thinking of nibbling on cheese gave way to thoughts of sipping on wine... or beer... or whiskey. {Oh, c'mon, I've already admitted my fondness for the stuff a while back.}

Cocktail parties are a fun tradition at this time of year, spending time with friends while sipping on festive libations. How about reciprocating the hospitality by bringing your host or hostess a little gift?

My friends at RedEnvelope asked if I would share some of my favorite bar, wine & beer finds from their products... and I almost ended up with a shopping cart full of things for myself!

RedEnvelope carries all kinds of goodies for every person on your list with LOTS of personalized options. I've gotta admit, I am a sucker for a monogram or an engraved gift, so I'd be happy to receive just about anything in one of their signature red gift boxes! But, for purposes of today's post, I'm going to dive right in to gifts for cocktail enthusiasts and wine connoisseurs alike, so grab a seat at the bar and check out some of my top picks!

For the Home Brewer

Home brewing has become all the rage in the past few years; its a hobby that has piqued the interest of beer drinkers, calling them to create their very own custom brews at home. Know someone who has "hopped" onto the brewing bandwagon? {Seriously, I can't even stop myself.} How about gifting them with some barware to show off their concoctions?

I loved this personalized pitcher {$29.95}, ideal for showing off their latest lager...

Or how about a customized bar sign {starting at $79.95} or craft beer barrel sign {starting at $99} to give visitors a clue that good beer happens here? {These gifts totally reminded me of my blogger friend Sloane & her hops-lovin' hubby over at Life Food & Beer!}

 

For Those Who Like to Craft a Cocktail...

Thanks to the rebirth of the speakeasy {and hipsters. Let's give them some credit, too.} cocktail culture has come back in full force across America. The old fashioned art of a well-crafted beverage is hotter than ever, but dimly-lit lounges aren't the only ones who can shake and stir their way to crafty goodness...

Craft Cocktails by Brian VanFlandern {$49.95} is the ultimate guide to mixing up cocktails like the pros. Recipes, tips and gorgeous photography make this book a beautiful gift and a gorgeous coffee table book. {I've actually leafed through this book myself. Stunning.}

Put all that studying to practice by stocking the self-made mixologist with all the right gear. I love the look of these classic pieces: Engraved highballs {$57.95} and an elegant stainless steel shaker {$36.95} featuring fun cocktail-related sayings.




... And Those Who Use Cocktails for their Crafts!

If you're anything like me, Pinterest has got you in a crafting uproar saving old bottles, wine corks and other assorted items you never used to give a second thought to tossing. {I recently made my own wine cork wreath. And yes... I totally nailed it.} Well, keep your corks, friends.

How cute is this personalizable wine tray cork kit {$49.95} for displaying the remnants of some of your favorite bottles? This kit is cool because you can use your own corks, or purchase custom corks {$14.95} that are personalized with the recipients name and a special year.

Have a friend that would rather consume the results of their creativity? This Homemade Gin Kit {$49.95} will let your pals see what goes into creating a palatable spirit AND allow them to enjoy the fruits of their labor. {No bathtub required.}

For the Wine & Cheese Lover

So, we've covered the beer drinker, the cocktail crowd... and now we've come to the oenophile. Sure, you could pick up a nice bottle of wine, stick it in one of those tall, obvious gift bags and call it a day. But how about giving the gift of time instead? Ok, maybe it's not exactly that, but every second counts when a wine lover is waiting for their bottle to chill. I know I could get a lot of use out of this instant wine chiller {$49.95} at the end of a long day when I just want a nice crisp glass of white, stat!

Another present that shows you really understand the needs of your wine-loving friends? These handy wine appetizer trays {$39.95}. They let you nibble and sip comfortably without juggling glasses and plates. Because, who among us hasn't experienced that awkward moment when you have to choose between the two?

For the Shot Taker

Um, so, admittedly, I am not the girl you will find tossing back shots. However... if anything were to prompt me to indulge, it would be pretty glassware like these celebration shot glasses, beautifully engraved with the sentiment of "cheers" in different languages.

Better yet, how about shot glasses that actually enhance the flavor of the liquor? This Himalayan salt tequila set combines beauty and functionality... no need to lick and salt the back of your hand. {Not that I've ever done that or anything.}

Clearly, RedEnvelope knows what's up when it comes to gift options. No Christmas ties and fruitcakes here. So, treat your cocktail-loving friends to gifts that are sure to bring good cheer to any party and toss in a bottle of aspirin for good measure. {Kidding, of course. Always drink responsibly!}

And speaking of tequila and good cheer, I've got a special cocoa treat that will instantly warm up your holiday gatherings: {Spiked} Mexican Spice Hot Chocolate.

The hint of warm spices {and tequila, if you wish} will keep you from feeling the chill in the air as you sip this twist on a cool weather favorite. Cinnamon, nutmeg and a pinch of chili powder are just a few of the flavors that will make this an instant favorite.

Give it some grown up flair with a little shot of Patron "XO Cafe" {or their Cafe Dark Cocoa} or even some Kahlua. No matter how you serve it up, it's sure to be a hit.

Disclosure: My friends at RedEnvelope asked if I'd like to be part of their holiday recipe round up. I have not been compensated for this post, and as always, the opinions here are all my own!

Spiked Mexican Spice Hot Cocoa
Adapted from Imbibe Magazine
Makes about 2 servings

For Spice Mixture:

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of cloves

Combine all spices in a small bowl or zip-top plastic bag. Mix well. Store in an airtight container.

For Hot Chocolate

2 cups milk of your choice {I used almond milk}
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
A pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

{optional} 2 ounces of Patron Cafe or your favorite liqueur, marshmallows for topping


1. In a small pot, bring milk up to a simmer over medium heat. When starting to get little bubbles around the edges, whisk in chocolate chips, cocoa powder and salt.

2. Stir until the chips have melted and the ingredients are completely combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

3. Pour into glasses. Add about an ounce of desired liqueur, if desired.

Garnish with marshmallows, whipped cream, or a sprinkle of spice mixture if desired.

Bake, Craft, Sew! | Creamy Eggnog Dip

Have you started thinking about holiday shopping? Overwhelmed by the idea of hitting the {crowded} stores and getting all those names crossed off your list?

Fear not! Rachel from A Southern Fairytale is hosting Bake, Craft, Sew! over on her blog... Thirty days of original, delicious, adorable and doable DIY holiday gift ideas that will ease the anxiety of holiday prep!

I adore this idea because I think homemade gifts are so lovely. They can take a little effort, sure, but with a little organization and some brilliant ideas for inspiration, you can easily whip up a whole sleigh-full of gifts without blowing your holiday budget.

I'm sharing a homemade, super simple solution to thoughtful holiday gifting today over on Rachel's blog:

Creamy Eggnog Dip.

Now, I know not everyone is into this holiday concoction, but those who are all about the decadent beverage are going to love you for turning this beloved treat into something you can eat. Did I mention that it's a boozy dip?? {You can leave out the hard stuff if you prefer... but what fun is that? Kidding.}

This idea came to me out of nowhere and as soon as I gave it a try, I knew it was a winner. How sweet a gift would this be to bring over to a holiday party or to deliver to friends and family?

NOTE: I forgot to mention over on A Southern Fairytale that this recipe makes enough for two gifts. And also, because it's a cream cheese-based creation, it should remain refrigerated until you're ready to share it. 

WANT THE RECIPE? Head over to A Southern Fairytale and make sure to browse all the other ideas that have been shared so far this month!

Rachel and her Bake, Craft, Sew co-hosts are also inviting you to take part in a fabulous giveaway with gifts including some gorgeous cookbooks, a $25 gift card to Amazon, and even a Ninja Ultimate Blender!! {Move over, Oprah!}

You can enter {DAILY!} here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you, Rachel, for letting me be part of this wonderful project!

St. Patrick's Day Dipped Coffee Spoons & A Giveaway

Pssst... hey you... the one frantically searching for something festive to make for St. Patrick's Day. Come here.

A little closer, I don't want the whole world to hear.

I have a little secret to share with you. Ok, are you ready? Here it is:

I don't always get around to making something fabulous for every.single.holiday. {And I use the term "holiday" loosely.} 

Sometimes I run out of time. Or make 4 runs to the store and still manage to forget to pick up the ingredients I need for the recipe I want to try. Or I can't seem to think of something that hasn't already been blogged about by 800 other people. Or I forget that there's something to celebrate altogether.

It's ok.

I know... it's hard to shake feelings of inadequacy when the magazine covers in the express line are taunting you with "20 Easy St. Patrick's Day Goodies That Any Nitwit Can Pull Off". It may seem like those bloggers you follow have come up with every possible combination of beer/Irish cream/green/clover-shaped things without breaking a sweat. And you're sitting there holding a dropper of green food coloring without a clue as to what you will do with it.

Let's face it; most days we just don't have the energy {or supplies} to make precious little Leprechaun hats from cookies and candy and what have you, nitwit or not. {No offense if you are packaging these up right now, they are adorbs.}

For the better part of a month, I've racked my brain trying to come up with something wonderful to share for St. Patrick's Day. It seems like every time I would think of something good, someone else would beat me to actually posting it. Some of the ideas were a little too fussy or involved. Others were just, "eh." So I put off figuring out what I was going to make... and then I realized that St. Patrick's Day is this weekend.

Hm.

Armed with creativity, an iron will to deliver something festive {and a few baking pantry essentials}, these materialized:

What you need:

1. Plastic Spoons
2. Chocolate or candy melts or almond bark or any edible substance that can melt & set {caramel? PB, butterscotch, or mint chips?}
3. Sprinkles, preferably festive
4. A Refrigerator

Here are the directions:

1. Melt.
2. Dip.
3. Sprinkle.
4. Set.

And if you want to get REALLY fancy? Wrap & give.

It's that simple.

Why would these make a good St. Patrick's Day treat, you ask?

Well, because they're cute. And sugary. Because you know you've got about a dozen of those plastic-wrapped utensils that come with takeout stashed away somewhere in your house. And finally because after a few authentic Irish coffees, no one is going to care if you made a cake replica of an Irish castle or set up this {adorable} spread.

Still worried your contribution isn't cute enough? Just bring them out on one of these delightful personalized trays from Palm Beach Parties and no one will even notice. {While you're at it, take a look at her shop... SO much cute stuff!}

Consider today your lucky day.

Because you get an easy idea AND you can enter to win one of these pretty little party essentials, just by clicking a few things in the widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If I made your life any easier, I'd be spoon feeding you. Ha. ;)


Dipped Coffee Spoons

Plastic Spoons
Chocolate, Candy Coating, or other Melty Deliciousness {I used white candy coating}
Sprinkles
Parchment paper or a sheet tray
Packaging materials {cello bags, ribbon, etc.}

1. Heat desired dipping substance in a microwave safe container for 30 second intervals, stirring each time you stop, until smooth and liquidy enough to dip spoons in.

2. Dip spoons in to coat.

3. Place on a piece of parchment paper or a clean sheet tray.

4. If using sprinkles or colored sugar, sprinkle while wet.

5. Allow to set. You may do this at room temperature {takes a little longer} or in the refrigerator {super speedy}.

6. Decorate with colored icing or more chocolate as desired. {You can pipe on designs, drizzle for a gourmet look... just go for it. Get crazy!}

7. Allow any decorations to set again.

8. Package up if you'd like and give as a fun treat for stirring in coffee or cocoa!