Happy New Year!! And Happy January 25th—Christmas is exactly 11 months away! I hope you all brought in the new year with much joy. This time of year, there’s usually a buzz about eating healthier, exercising more, spending more time with family, etc. What are your plans or resolutions for the new year?
I did make a resolution to eat healthier (again), but what I’m more excited about is (drumroll, please)… trying a new recipe every week. So far so good! I’ve tried a handful of recipes from a healthy cookbook
, and I found my new favorite cookie recipe! They are called Carnival Cookies. They’re primarily made from bananas and oats, so they’re super healthy and you don’t need to feel guilty if you’ve eaten 5 or 6! 
I shared the first batch of cookies with the other elves and reindeer here at the North Pole, and everyone loved them!
Especially Raymond.
Raymond loved the cookies so much that he begged me make another batch of cookies. It didn’t take much prodding for me to agree to bake some more. (Who can say no to cookies?) So Raymond and I headed to the pantry to gather the ingredients.
But first we needed to put on our aprons.
Then we got all the ingredients together. Raymond mashed the bananas while I mixed the dry ingredients.
After we added all the ingredients, we put the cookies on baking sheets, and then popped them in the oven to bake. About 15 minutes later, Mrs. Claus took them out of the oven. In the meantime, Raymond and I eagerly waited for the cookies to cool.
Looking for more yummy recipes? Click here to view the recipes in Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen.
What’s your favorite cookie?
When I think of Christmas dinner, I think of family, comfort, a warm kitchen, and a lot of food. The entire holiday season is a time to reflect on our blessings and to be grateful for what we have. (Like mom always said, “Count your blessings.”) It’s also a time when I think about how some people may not have these same warm comforts. Some folks may not have family near them, some may have fallen on hard times, and some may be going through a major life event (moving, a new baby, etc.) in which circumstances make it difficult to “make Christmas happen.” So if you know someone who perhaps lives far away and would appreciate some help this Christmas season, consider sending a meal.
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On Christmas Eve, we all know to leave cookies and milk out for Santa so that he has a snack to nibble on while he drops off the presents. With Christmas cookies being so tempting for those both young and old, how do you make sure no one eats Santa’s special cookies? If you’re looking for something more festive than Tupperware and a Post-it note, perhaps this “Saved for Santa” cover could do the trick! It’s a reusable plastic plate cover that fits snugly around your plate, and it will clearly let your family and friends know whose cookies are on the plate.
What kind of cookies does your family like to leave out for Santa?
Gifts in a jar are a Christmas classic. They are a great way to share your tasty baked goods (or other homemade goodies) during the holidays. But no one wants to give a plain ol’ jar! So today I’m exploring different ways to dress up your jar! Since these jars are fairly small in size (as far as presents are concerned), it doesn’t take much to snazz them up! I just dug through my box of recycled wrapping supplies and used what I had.
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So, you’ve got all the stuff for your gift basket, but need some help putting it all together? No problem! I have listed some basic gift wrapping supplies, although you may decide if you would like to wrap with something other than cellophane (tulle, for example). Leave a comment if you have any questions about wrapping or for advice!
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Who loves gift baskets? Who loves giving gift baskets? Giving an assortment of goodies in a basket is a great way to present your gifts to a loved one. A collection of hand-picked items shows the recipient how much thought and care you poured into the gift. It can be difficult trying to select the items to go into a basket, but be at ease because we’ve picked out some good stuff for you! You’ll be able to whip your basket(s) together in no time and have time to spare!
Today’s installment of gift baskets is chock full of ideas for a tasty gourmet snack basket. We have tasted many of these items and assure you that they are a special treat! These are made with heart and soul by American artisans. In addition to giving your loved one premium fare, you can feel great about yourself knowing that you are helping support families and local economies.
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Make wintery Christmas candies by simply covering chocolates in wrapping paper. This is a great way to use any scraps of paper or pieces too small to wrap a gift! Arrange several of these candies in a Christmas tin or on a small plate for a candy wreath.
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Brittany on Raymond’s Sporty Dream