No holiday season officially begins until Starbucks unveils their red paper cups in stores. At the same time, they also release their limited edition Red Holiday To-Go Mug. The Red Holiday To-Go Mug is a ceramic version of the holiday-themed paper cups that come around for the winter season. Personally owning one of these I can officially say that they are a great holiday gift for the Starbucks enthusiast in your family. The Red Holiday To-Go Mug is available online or at your local Starbucks Coffee Shop.
[Product submitted by Susie].
I like to tease my mother about the fact that I never got an American Girl doll for Christmas growing up; whereas my younger sister came along and somehow ended up with at least half a dozen. To this day I have a soft spot for these historical dolls and I’ve been known to wander around the brick and mortar American Girl store in the Natick Mall with a look of awe upon my face.
Presently my pick for best American Girl doll is Kitt Kittredge, probably because I loved how adorably Amber Breslin portrayed her in the film version. One of the Kitt doll’s accessories also happens to be a fabulous holiday baking kit that includes: 3 cookie recipe cards, 2 metal measuring cups, a pretend sugar box, a pretend flour box, a pretend can of baking powder, a flour sifter with a handle that really turns, a wooden rolling pin Kit can use to “press” patterns into the dough, 2 metal cookie cutters to create festive shapes in the dough, pretend cookies on a golden platter, and a festive tablecloth with a star-shaped centerpiece.
I’m certain that doll lovers (whether they be offical owners of the Kitt doll or not) will light up upon opening this fanciful set. This would also be the perfect Christmas Eve gift if your family happens to holds with the tradition of children opening one present the night before Christmas.
Attention fitness-minded foodies: it’s not just chocolatiers and gourmet gift basket makers who are jumping on the seasonal flavor bandwagon. Clif Bar—the best-selling energy and endurance brand in grocery and natural food stores—is spicing up the holidays with a trio of limited-edition energy bars. Made with wholesome organic ingredients and free of trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, and preservatives, the seasonal release of Clif Bars in Cranberry Orange Nut Bread, Spiced Pumpkin Pie, and Iced Gingerbread flavors makes for a healthy way to enjoy the classic tastes of the holiday season. To pick up these bars (which have the mouth-feel of a cookie) as a special treat for yourself or as a stocking stuffer for athletes and active friends and family, order online or check out the health food and energy bar aisle at your favorite grocer.
All I want for Christmas is a six-pack of Samuel Adams Old Fezziwig Ale. Unfortunately no matter how good I am Santa wont be able to fulfill my wish. You see Old Fezziwig Ale is only available in the Winter Classics Pack, and only two festive little bottle are included in each box. Can I get a “Bah, Humbug!” from the crowd? This means that I would have to ask Santa to bring me three twelve-packs of beer and honestly I think that would border on serious alcoholism no matter how you spin it.
So I’ll horde those two little Dickensian bottles of spicy holiday ale to enjoy on Christmas while I’m roasting a turkey and chasing wrapping-paper-eating kittens around, and perhaps some day the marketing team at Samuel Adams will release Old Fezziwig Ale from its Winter Classics Pack prison.
I’m not a fan (sacrilege, I know), but to those who love it, Diet Coke is as addictive as crack. This Christmas, Diet Coke fans can bring effervescent joy to their world with a quirky holiday ornament that pays homage to their favorite artificially sweetened elixir. Crafted of glass and featuring an eye-catching glaze and sparkly glitter accents, the Diet Coke ornament is 4” of Diet Coke-aholic tree-trimming awesomeness. For those who feel that a day without Diet Coke is like a day without sunshine, this décor’s for you. Commence holiday cheering in 3, 2, 1 …
Let’s ponder for a second the possibility that maybe this year Santa doesn’t want you to set out milk and cookies for his annual trip down your chimney. Perhaps the big guy will go into sugar shock somewhere over the Pacific Ocean and he’d simply relish a small break from sprinkles and chocolate chips? If you think this might even be a remote possibility then might I suggest a well-timed bowl of piping hot Snowman Macaroni and Cheese should be left fireside instead? While all of that gooey Gruyère certainly wont lessen Santa’s waistline one bit it will definitely perk him up for the long toy delivery journey ahead.
When the weather outside is frightful, nothing soothes like a steaming cup of hot tea. This time of year, my mug is filled with flavors of the season like peppermint, orange, and my favorite, Gingerbread Spice Herb Tea. With a nostalgic medley of ginger, cinnamon and other all-natural ingredients, Gingerbread Spice Herb Tea tastes and smells just like its oven-baked namesake. But—naturally free of refined sugars and added sweeteners—this tasty tea won’t have you packing on the holiday pounds. Gingerbread Spice Herb Tea is also caffeine free, and does not contain artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, making it a festive treat you can indulge in at any time of day or night.
Other delicious, all-natural teas in the Celestial Seasonings holiday line include: Candy Cane Lane, Nutcracker Sweet, Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride, and Sugar Plum Spice. Need some instant holiday cheer? Just add water. Note: these teas can be difficult to find on your grocer’s shelf. To locate a flavor near you, be sure to use the store search on each tea’s product page, or you can order directly online.
Almost every recipe I made for my first Christmas dinner last year came from Diana Morgan’s must-have cookbook The Christmas Table. If you’re at all nervous about playing hostess for this month’s festivities then I absolutely recommend picking up this title. Morgan covers everything from the traditional holiday turkey to a sublime show-stopping crown roast. But that’s only the beginning; from appetizers to cocktails, dessert to leftovers and even edible gifts this book offers step-by-step instruction on everything you’ll need to know to entertain in fabulous style.
The pièce de résistance of my feast last year was a decadent Eggnog Cheesecake. This year I’m hoping to tackle the Yorkshire Pudding with Chives and perhaps the Gingerbread Bundt Cake with Créme Anglaise. Then we’ll possibly wash it all down with a Blood Orange Mimosa (or three). Now if that line-up doesn’t scream “jolly and bright” I don’t know what does.
Be still my eggnog loving heart! King Arthur Flour sells a professional-quality flavoring that will apparently knock your baking socks right off. I just adore eggnog and I’m simply over the moon with thoughts of waffles, muffins, cookies, cakes, and even candies spiced with this unique essence. So order a bottle and get your teaspoon ready. The holiday treat experiments you could whip-up with this simple addition are endless.
Maggie of the fabulous website Eat Boutique has bundled together an amazing array of New England centric products perfect for holiday giving. All of the items are hand-crafted from artisans who care about authenticity and old-fashioned hospitality.
This unique giftbox holds the following sweet and savory treats:
- Taza Chocolate Covered Almonds, 8 ounce package
- Taza Chocolate Covered Nibs, sweet 2 ounce package
- Lark Fine Foods Salted Rosemary Shortbread, 7.5 ounce package
- Lark Fine Foods Mighty Gingers, spicy 8.5 ounce package
- Q’s Nuts Sweet & Sassy Pecans, 5 ounce package
- Q’s Nuts Key Lime Coconut Ginger Cashews, 3 ounce package
- Hutchinson’s Candy Famous Fudge, 15 ounce package
- Silverbrook Farm Pear Ginger Jam, luscious 8 ounce jar
The New England Giftbox offer is very reasonably priced at only $65 per set. However, there is a limited supply so place your order now! I’m positive they will sell out quickly.
