The Santa Plate

Growing up it was a tradition, on Christmas Eve, to make a plate for Santa. My sisters and I would gather some baked goods (typically decorated sugar cookies) and a few carrot sticks (for the reindeer of course) and leave it by the tree with a cup of milk or egg nog.

As we got older we started to know Santa really well and our Santa preferred a glass of milk and graham crackers- he was not a fancy man, our Santa.

In keeping with tradition, I made some sugar cookies recently and thought I'd share the recipe. They make a lot, so whip up some Triple Chocolate Cocoa, invite some friends over and have yourself a cookie decorating party!

(Sugar cookie & glaze recipe to follow)

Foodie stocking stuffers

We're in the final weeks before Christmas and since I've talked about foodie splurges and gifts under $50, it's only appropriate that we cover all our bases and talk about stockings! I love stockings because I love little things. Don't you find that the littlest things are the cutest? So here are some stocking suggestions that are broken down into two categories: gadgets & gizmos and delectables.

Gadgets and Gizmos:

- Zoku Slush & Shake Maker is perfect for those times you want a slushy or a single-serving of a shake. Maybe you're not in the mood to whip out your Vitamix. No problem! Just keep the cup frozen and when you pour in a cold liquid, use the included spoon to scrape down the sides. Magically, you'll start to see it get slushy! This works really well with juice and lemonade. I've also tried it with chocolate milk and loved it- so much healthier than a milkshake with ice cream, but it still had that texture and thickness of one. You can be as healthy as you want with this. 

- Chef n' Buttercup Butter Maker will be in my stocking this year (Santa tells me these things). Now I can make homemade butter without feeling like I should be wearing a bonnet. Another bonus? There's a built-in ramekin to store the butter. I can't wait to try it!

- Microplane grater & zester is something I only recently got. I know there's a lot of hype with this grater and I thought that's all it was- hype. That is, until I got one for myself. I'd been using the small holes on a regular grater and it only worked ok. Then I decided to try the Microplane and was shocked by how sharp and fast it grated/zested food. It made my other grater look archaic. This is an ideal size for a stocking- it's long and slim so it'll work perfectly!

- Amco Rub Away Bar  takes away any stinky scents from your hands. So if you often work with seafood, garlic and onions, this bar should be an essential for you. 

Delectables:

- Belgium's Chocolate Source Truly Magical Sticks may not be the homemade hot cocoa that I prefer, but this sure beats the powdered stuff! Just heat up some hot milk, dip the spoon in and let the chocolate melt into a delicious, drinkable cocoa. I wouldn't be upset if this was in my stocking. 

- Godiva Gold Star Ornament this little box of assorted truffles can do double duty- it can fill a stocking or decorate the tree. I love to give Godiva chocolates because I love to eat them. And if you open a box of chocolates, don't you share? Everyone benefits!

- Christmas Santa Boot- Retro Assortment- this would be so cute to give to someone older than you (maybe your parents or grandparents) because they're candy from a by-gone era. Bring out the nostalgia with this little boot!

- La Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel- So many recipes of mine involve fleur de sel, but it may not be in everyone's kitchen. This beautiful tin will help them make some of the most delicious treats (here, here and here, to name a few). Perhaps attach a recipe card with the canister... then suggest that you'll be the taste tester ;)  

*Even though I may own some of these items, I would LOVE to have them in a stocking. Stockings are a great place to add something small, fun and whimsical. What do you hope to get in your stocking? Are you giving any of these?

Fabulous beauty gifts under $50

For anyone who loves beauty products, these are some gift idea's that will really impress.

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This mini brush set and gorgeous eyeshadow palette, from Target, look chic and high-end.

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The Anna Sui Minnie Mouse collection is for the grown up woman who is still a little girl at heart.

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This Butter London nail polish set has really beautiful, wearable colors. Pair it with this glittery mini-manicure tool set and now you've given them the gift of perfect nails all the time!

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MAC's Stroke of Midnight Palette comes in two shades: warm and cool, depending on skin tone. It's a complete set with a bronzer, three eyeshadows, two lipsticks and a black kohl pencil. Perfect for anyone who travels or is on-the-go constantly.

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These sets from Sephora are for the person who can never give you an idea, or list, of what they want. Make them do the work by giving them this rollerball fragrance voucher set where they can choose a full size rollerball after sampling the mini's included. Then, they can try the Bite Beauty Lip set and mix the colors to get a custom lip stick. 

Know anyone who'd want these?

Fabulous foodie gifts under $50

With the Holiday's fast approaching (hello, Hanukah is before Thanksgiving?!?!) I though I'd devote a Holiday gift giving post every week until Christmas, and today is all about foodie gifts under $50.

For the pizza connoisseur: I've been really into homemade pizza's lately (especially this recipe) and I'd love a gift like this.

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For the baker in the house:

I love oven mitts and you definitely need two of them- these mitts are sturdy enough to handle the hot oven heat. A small, flexible silicone spatula is essential for lifting cookies off the pan without scratching the surface. Every baker needs a cookie scoop. How else will you get that perfect, consistent round shape? Candy thermometer's aren't something you buy unless you need it for a specific recipe. So wouldn't it be so much easier if you could open the drawer, have the thermometer available and make these Pecan Pralines?

Popcorn junkies:

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We all know going to the movies has become ridiculously expensive, and sometimes it's better to stay in and watch a movie with different popcorn flavors. Aren't those individual popcorn cups the cutest? No germ-y hands in a big bowl. Here's one of my favorite popcorn recipes.


For the everyday chef:

salad spinner/ bamboo salad utensils/ large glass bowl

I feel like every time I go to a bridal shower, all the women who have been married for decades complain that they wish they could have a shower too- they're kitchen items are either broken or outdated. Well this salad set would be a great "refresher" gift of household items that a home chef who's been cooking for years may not have... or they might want to replace anyways!

How to brew loose tea, for beginners

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The tea industry has really exploded in the past couple of years. If your gift receiver likes tea then these are ideal for helping them start their loose tea journey!


All of these gifts would be great on their own (some of them could be stocking stuffers) and they'd all go nicely in a wrapped box or cellophane-d basket. What are you asking for the Holiday's?  Any of these suggestions helpful in crossing gifts off your list?