Candy Cane Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

I wanted to make a gift for Mike's staff and my family who will be joining us on Christmas Eve.  I was interested in making a yummy treat that would look great packaged.  I am obsessed with the Trader Joe's Peppermint Pretzel Slims.  I decided to make my own version to give as Christmas treats.

Ingredients:
24 oz. white or semi-sweet chocolate chips
pretzels ( I used mini but pretzel thins or rods would work well too)
A package of candy canes crushed

Step One:  Melt the chips using a double boiler.

Step Two: Dip the pretzels into the chocolate.  Place the pretzels onto wax paper, then sprinkle with the candy canes.

Step Three:  Put the pretzels in the fridge to set

Step four: put them in holiday packaging.  Hope your friends enjoy them!

Candy Cane Playdoh

I decided to make Nolan's friends a little treat for the holidays.  Another great find on pinterest! I thought candy cane playdoh was a great idea.  I did change one thing only...no glitter!  I have a real issue with glitter. I hate when it gets all over the place and I just find it to be a pain, but if you wish you can add glitter into the batches. 

Ingredients:
5c. flour
5c. water
2.5 c. salt
3 tablespoons of cream of tartar
10 tablespoons of vegetable oil
red food coloring
a few drops of peppermint essential oil

Note: Split all ingredients in half and follow directions for a batch of white dough, then repeat with remaining ingredients and add red food coloring. 

Step One:  Mix water, salt and cream of tartar.  Cook on low heat, stirring regularly.  

Step Two: Add oil, then flour.  Stir over low heat.  The playdoh is done when it pulls away from the pan and is no longer sticky. 

Step Three: Dump dough on counter, let cool a bit, then knead.

Step Four: Add peppermint essential oil to the batches of dough.  I added about 10 drops per batch.  Add the red food coloring to the second batch. 

Step Five:  Roll the dough and intertwine the two batches together, making a candy cane pattern. 

Step Six: Cut the dough and place in mason jars.  I also added a candy cande cookie cutter onto each jar with a label.

The Final Product:  A batch of homemade candy cane playdoh for Nolan's friends to enjoy. 

Simple Decorating

This post is not about crafting but about simple ways I like to decorate the house for the holidays.

I found this idea on Pinterest.  We get a ton of cards and like to display them.  I was getting annoyed with the scotch tape on the stairs and the cards always fell which caused even more frustration. Off to Michaels I went to buy thick gingham fabric and mini clothespins to create a simple card display.  Just attatch the ribbon inside your cabinet with tape, hang the cards with clothespins and there you go! 

Another idea from Pinterest (do you see a pattern?)  Hang ornaments from a curtain rod using fishing wire.  I have received many compliments on this idea.

Do you have extra ornaments hanging around?  If so, put them in a glass jar for an elegant decoration.

Epsom Salt Luminaries

Christmastime is here and it's my absolute favorite time of year. As mentioned my goal is to create at least one craft per month but I had to take a hiatus due to personal (good) reasons. Tonight I worked on my first craft of the holiday season. I saw this on Pinterest and fell in love with the idea. My husband and I are hosting Christmas Eve this year and I thought the candles would make a simple yet beautiful centerpiece.

Materials
Mod Podge
Epsom salt
Blue and Green food coloring
Paint brush
Candle jars or Mason jars

Step One: Place one cup of epsom salt and one drop of food coloring into a bowl. Mix well until the color is evenly distributed. Complete this process for both colors. Put each color on a paper plate and swirl the salt around, covering the entire plate.

Step Two: Place your hand inside the candle.  Using a paintbrush, cover the outside with Mod Podge. Make sure you cover the candle with a thin layer.  You don't want it to be thick and messy. 

Step Three: Roll your candle in the epsom salt.  Stand your candle upright on a paper plate and let it dry for a few hours.

Step Four: Spray your candle with a clear sealer three times. Wait twenty minutes between coats.  I took my candles outside to spray them. 

Final Product: Beautiful luminaries that will make your tablescape glow during the holidays.