Tips For A Cozy Night In This Holiday Season

December means snowy nights, relaxing by the fire and adorning your home with festive holiday decorations. To create the perfect setting for a comfortable night in this holiday season, DIY Network host and Pine Mountain spokesperson Jason Cameron, has put together a go-to checklist for parents.    

 Some of Jason’s tips include:

·         Make a festive snack –Everyone loves making sugar cookies and gingerbread, but the best part is eating your creations! While snacking on cookies, wash it down with some hot chocolate or warm apple cider.

 

·         Light a fire – A fire is a great way to create a sense of warmth and bonding. Using a firelog such as the American Home™ by Yankee Candle® Balsam Fir Firelog is a great way to make your home smell of pine and eliminates the need to cut firewood.

 

·         Watch a holiday movie –From Frosty the Snowman to Elf, we all have a favorite holiday movie. These movies provide a sense of nostalgia for adults, and offer hours of entertainment for kids.

 

·         Decorate your home – Setting up holiday decorations in your home is a tradition that many families across the country have. Play some light music in the background and chat about your favorite holiday memories to make the activity more festive. 

 What are some of y'alls ideas for a fun night in.??

Xoxo Jess

5 Holiday Inspired Cocktails by Van Gogh Vodka

Disclosure: I received samples for this post. All opinions are my own.

These Van Gogh Vodka’s festive holiday cocktail recipes are destined to make sure your party is a holiday hit. I’ve also included some tips to make sure that you get to enjoy your party and the company too. It’s your party, so prepare everything before so you aren’t running around the entire time. Premix the cocktails in batches and serve in small bottles.

Hot Caramel Buttered Rum

     

• 1-1/2 oz. Ron Abuelo Añejo Rum
• 1/2 oz. Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka
• 1 Tbsp Unsalted butter, softened
• 1 Tbsp Brown sugar
• 1 Tbsp Honey
• Pinch Ground Cinnamon
• Pinch Ground Cloves
• Pinch Nutmeg
• Cinnamon Stick

Add all ingredients (excluding rum and vodka) into a hot drinking cup or mug. Mix the ingredients together until they are well combined and have formed a batter. Add Ron Abuelo Añejo Rum and Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka. Pour in hot water (1 cup or more to personal taste) and stir vigorously until the mixture has dissolved. Garnish with cinnamon stick.

 

Gingerbread

 

• 1 oz. Van Gogh Vanilla
• 1 oz. hazelnut liqueur
• 1/2 oz. butterscotch schnapps
• 2 oz. ginger ale

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well, pour into a tall glass and garnish with cinnamon stick.

Honey Pom Pom

 

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• 1-1/2 oz. Van Gogh Pomegranate Vodka
• 3/4 oz. pomegranate juice
• 1/2 oz. fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 oz. honey syrup (equal parts honey and water)

Shake ingredients very well with ice and strain into martini glass or over ice into a rocks glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.

 

Vanilla Eggnog Martini

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• 1 oz. Van Gogh Vanilla Vodka
• 3/4 oz. Amaretto
• 2-1/2 oz. Eggnog, already prepared

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a chilled martini glass. Dust with freshly grated nutmeg or cinnamon.

 

The Fireside Chat

• 3 oz. Espresso Lungo
• 1 1/2 oz. Van Gogh Double Espresso Vodka
• 1/4 oz. Monin Salted Caramel Syrup
• 2 oz. Foamed milk

Pour ingredients in a mug and stir briefly.  Garnish with cloved orange peel.

 

To see more Van Gogh Vodka Seasonal Cocktails visit their website.

The Art of Vodka.

Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh is famous for his emotional honesty, use of bold colors and for pioneering the post-impressionist movement. Van Gogh Vodka celebrates its namesake with beautiful, artist-inspired packaging and innovative flavors with vibrant, true-to-life tastes.

The highly acclaimed and colorful collection includes two smooth, unflavored vodkas, Van Gogh Classic-80 and Van Gogh BLUE Triple Wheat – as well as twenty-two bold flavors that can stand on their own or enhance your cocktail with their remarkably real tastes and aromas.

 

Connect with Van Gogh Vodka Online:

Facebook, Twitter, and their Amazing Pinterest Boards

 

Give with Tree Classics; Tree=Donation

 

          

This year, a company that sells Christmas trees called Tree Classics is donating $1 for every purchase from their website to a non profit called trymunity.com which is a social network for those that have suffered a life changing event such as a severe traumatic brain injury.

Every time someone buys a tree> a donation will happen.

“We strongly believe in helping the agencies that help the people in our communities,” said Greg Moro of Tree Classics. “This is one of the many ways we can thank those nonprofits.”

• For every $5 donated, customers will receive a chance to win a 6-inch pair of snowmen figurines that are perfect for the mantel.
• For every $25 donated, customers will receive a chance to win a 6-foot, pre-lit St. Charles spruce artificial tree.

When shopping at Tree Classics, customers will find a large selection including pre-lit trees, gold, silver, white and green options, and trees that come in a variety of widths and heights. Thanks to this year’s fundraiser, getting a beautiful Christmas tree and helping a nonprofit is just a few clicks away.

About Tree Classics:

Tree Classics has been providing the world’s finest artificial Christmas trees to our community since 1976. Our pre-lit trees come in a variety of styles ideal for any home or business. Part of the fabric of our organization has always been to spread cheer, and we are excited to support the missions of our local nonprofits.

Make Your Thanksgiving Feast a Little Bit Brighter

  

     Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Edible Arrangements, all opinions are my own.

Transition your Thanksgiving table with festive yet edible centerpieces. Most of your guests will arrive before the food is done, so give them something to nibble on while they wait. You’ll want the table to look pretty, so why not add in a centerpiece that’s beautiful AND practical as well?

                

Edible Arrangements has the perfect go-to Thanksgiving centerpieces in a variety of prices, so there’s something for everyone. They have baskets filled with a cornucopia of fruit and chocolate that the whole family will enjoy! The beautifully arranged fruit dipped chocolate is fresh, delightful, and looks so much better as a centerpiece than flowers do.

                    

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be stuffy or strictly proper. Remember it’s a day to spend with the ones you love and giving thanks. It should be fun and inviting, and your guests will appreciate all that you’ve done. It doesn’t matter if your Thanksgiving festivities are formal, modern, or traditional- Edible Arrangements will fit in any scheme of decor. These are just as useful as they are delicious.



I love that they combine harvest-hued colors mixed with chocolate leaves & a variety of fruit. Thanksgiving decoration ideas are just as bountiful as the thanks we are giving this season. You can combine an edible arrangement with traditional autumn decorations, like faux-painted pumpkins and colorful fall leaves.


                  
Does your family enjoy sitting around watching Football while they eat? Do you already have some football decorations already in place for the big day? Why not add to it with this amazing Touchdown Delight Edible Arrangements piece?



These arrangements would also make amazing centerpieces for the kids tables. You know they’re always trying to sneak into the snacks before eating time, so let them. Give them the option of nibbling on something healthy while they wait for the Turkey and sides to be completed. They’ll love it and it won’t ruin their dinner.



Even if you aren’t the one hosting the dinner this year, bring a gift. Hostess Gifts are much appreciated. When someone invites you to their home to celebrate with them; whether family or friend show your appreciation. You could bring something for just the hostess, such as the picture above. Or you could give a full centerpiece that all the guests could enjoy, your call.


Connect with Edible Arrangements:
Facebook & Twitter