Winter Wedding

Although I am a happily married woman, I still LOVE to look at wedding ideas. Here are a couple I stumbled upon on FB yesterday. Isn't this table simply to die for??? I love every single inch. Spectacular!

Thought the "I Do" was a cute addition to the cake table too.

Happy NYE to all!

1-And a Cocktail in a Pear Tree....

So the 12 days comes to an end with a delish drink for all you lovely followers! I have served this at many parties and it is always a HUGE hit. Better triple the batch for a crowd though, I always do!

Sangria

1 750ml dry red wine (a dry "box" wine works just fine!)

1 cup orange juice-I prefer pulp free

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup lime juice

1/4 cup triple sec

Chill overnight.

Before serving add ice, orange, lime and lemon slices. I also like to put whole, fresh cranberries in around the holidays.

Cheers to all of you! Thanks so much for following The Gifted Life. I enjoy sharing my ideas with you. Have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year!

2-Holiday Thank You Notes

Get a jump start on your holiday thank you notes by ordering them online today at http://www.vistaprint.com/ Click on holiday and then caricatures to create items like the above. Everything holiday is 50% off right now too!

3-Money Wreath

Tired of giving gift cards, but need a similar gift? Make a money wreath! My crafty husband created this one from a styrofoam wreath and U shaped pins. Just lightly fold $1 bills into bow tie shapes and stick into the wreath with the pins. We added floral picks to give it a festive holiday look. This wreath used $50, but you could easily do it with around $40 instead.

4-Candy Sushi

I think this idea is so fun! Great for entertaining kiddos at home on Christmas break this week too.

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter
4 cups mini marshmallows
6 cups crisped rice cereal
20 to 25 gummy worms
1 to 2 boxes of fruit leather (I think Fruit by the Foot would work, if that product still exists!)
12- by 17-inch baking sheet
2-quart saucepan

Instructions
Grease a 12- by 17-inch baking pan.

Melt butter in a 2-quart saucepan over medium heat.
Add the marshmallows and stir until smooth.

Remove mixture from heat and stir in the rice cereal until it's evenly coated.

Turn the baking sheet so that the shorter ends are at the top and bottom. Then press the marshmallow mixture on the sheet, distributing it evenly.

Starting at one side and 1 inch up from the lower edge, place gummy worms atop the mixture end to end in a horizontal line.

Gently roll the lower edge of the marshmallow mixture over the gummy worms.

Then stop and cut the log away from the rest of the mixture. Use the same method for 4 more logs.

Slice each log in 1-inch-thick "sushi" rolls and wrap them individually with a strip of fruit leather.


In one of the images above, you can see they have used powdered sugar doughnuts, cut in 1/2, placed a Swedish Fish on top, and then wrapped with the fruit leather.

5-Clementines and Peppermints

I am loving this idea from Real Simple. Mix clementines and peppermints in a glass jar or trifle bowl. Have small bags on hand for your holiday guests to create take home goodie bags.

At an all ages Christmas party, keep the kiddos entertained with this easy craft. Give each child three clementines, a sturdy plate, some toothpicks, and store bought frosting. Dollop frosting in the center of the plate and place a clementine in it. Stick a few toothpicks halfway into the top of the fruit and spear a smaller clementine on top. Repeat with the third clementine. Make a hat out of frosting, a vanilla wafer, and peppermints. Use candy cane pieces for arms and a nose, and cloves for the eyes. Finish by tying on a scarf of red licorice.

6-Wine Wrappings

We are headed over to a friend's house for dinner tonight and since those gift bags for giving wine are so boring, I decided to come up with some more creative options.

This first one is just a square of left over fabric cinched with a ribbon. Simple and festive!

This second one is a sleeve of wrapping paper that I folded the top edge under about 3 inches. I cut slits into the folded edge to create a frilly collar. Add a sparkly ribbon and this gift is good to go!