Where the Wild ings Are

I made this for someone as a Christmas gift. But with New Years on the way, it can still be a hostess gift or a gift to a friend you haven’t exchanged with yet.

I purchased a small italian punch bowl, (Wal-Mart or Target $7) and filled it with silver balloons, silly string, noisemakers, candy, confetti and a sparkling drink. I also printed the works to “Auld Lang Syne” (see below). It looks better in person and was a very easy and fun gift.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I’ll be mine,
And we’ll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou’d the gowans fine,
But we’ve wander’d monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidl’d in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar’d
Sin auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o thine,
And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne

Meanings

auld lang syne - times gone by
be - pay for
braes - hills
braid - broad
burn - stream
dine - dinner time
fiere - friend
fit - foot
gowans - daisies
guid-willie waught - goodwill drink
monie - many
morning sun - noon
paidl’t - paddled
pint-stowp - pint tankard
pou’d - pulled
twa - two

One of the best things to do at Christmas is gather everyone around to view the Christmas Classics.

Here is what is playing and when…

http://tv.yahoo.com/slideshow/195/photos/1

“How The Grinch Stole Christmas” airs December 24th at 8pm ET on ABC.

It’s a Wonderful Life (My personal favorite) airs December 24th at 8pm ET on NBC (you’ll have to go back and forth from the grinch!)
 

Elf, December 25th at 9pm on USA

Think out of the box and do something creative this year. I used all the same wrappipng paper and all red velvet ribbon under my tree. It looks kinda neat.

Here are some even better ideas from Martha of course…

http://www.marthastewart.com/photo-gallery/wrap-it-up

Yarn Wrapping ( I love the fuzzy one in the bottom right corner )
 

Woven Gift Wrap (for very special people!)

This website has great stocking stuffers ideas for all ages.

http://www.plumpstocking.com/

Here are a few more ideas from Real Simple…stuffers for $10 or less…

Little Miss Matched Change Purses

A fitting place to stash booty.
To Buy: $7, www.littlemissmatched.com.

Mark Lund

We Live Like This Soap on a Roll

Paper soap in five scents.
To Buy: $6, www.solutions.com.

Mark Lund

Swiss+Tech Utili-Key 6-in-1 Tool

Six tools that close up into a key shape.
To Buy: $10, www.thinkgeek.com.

Mark Lund

Madallie Oil Cloth Chalk Mat

Plus chalk and a terry wipe.
To Buy: $10, www.madallie.com.

Eco-Friendly Gift: Noted Co. Matchstick Garden

Sticks of herb or flower seeds.
To Buy: $2.50, www.paperanimations.com.
Additional Retailers: www.matchstickgarden.com for store locations.

Mark Lund

Speaking of stockings, look as these darling ones from Garnet Hill. I LOVE the extra long ones. More to fill, but so darn cute! On sale right now, the long are only $6 and short $5. I have to get them! They are having a lot of great sales right now.

http://www.garnethill.com

For muffins:
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
Scant 1 tsp salt
½ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
¾ cup plus 1 Tbs whole milk
2 Tbs buttermilk
1 ½ sticks (6 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup plus 2 Tbs granulated sugar
2 large eggs

For topping:
4 - 6 Tbs unsalted butter
1 ½ - 2 cups powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and set a rack to the middle position. Spray a standard-size muffin tin with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg, and whisk to mix them thoroughly. Set aside.

Combine the milk and the buttermilk in a measuring cup, and set aside.

Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or, alternatively, in a large mixing bowl with electric beaters nearby), and beat on medium speed for a few seconds, until the butter is soft and creamy. With the motor running, add the sugar in a steady stream. Continue beating, scraping down the sides of the bowl once or twice, until the mixture increases in volume and lightens to pale yellow. It should look light, fluffy, and wonderfully creamy, like frosting. This could take a couple of minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, beating until they are just combined.

With a wooden spoon, mix ¼ of the flour mixture into the butter mixture. Add 1/3 of the milk mixture. Continue to add the dry and wet ingredients alternately, ending with the dries. Mix until the dough is smooth and well combined, but do not overmix.

Divide the batter between the cups of the muffin tin. Bake until the muffins are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 25-32 minutes.

When the muffins are cool enough to handle, prepare the topping: melt the butter in the microwave or on the stovetop, and pour the powdered sugar into a deep bowl. Using a pastry brush and working one muffin at a time, lightly brush the entire outside of the muffin with butter, and then roll it in the powdered sugar. Shake off any excess, and place the finished muffins on a rack or serving platter. Serve.

Note: These muffins are best on the day that they’re made, but they’re still awfully good on the second day—much better than the usual day-old muffin or stale doughnut. And for those who like advance planning, also note that this batter keeps, covered and chilled, for up to three days.

Yield: 12 muffins

All things the kids can do too!

www.parents.com

Minty Chocolate Treats

http://shop.broadwaypaper.com/

I’m not normally into stamps, but I think I would dig these, they are very unique and a little bit vintage. $25

These lipglosses are darling and I think would be great for anyone age 7 to 30! $7.50

 

I can’t enlarge this one, but they are really cute. I saw Santa Kissing Mints $3.50. This would be SUCH a cute gift paired with mistletoe and lipgloss!

$4 at Petite Pear http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8360265

Winter Wonderland $3 for set of 16 from Maythird  http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8040136

$2 set of 6 from Pictures of Lily http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8503970

$4.80 for set of 12 from Paperologie http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=8502281

Cohen LOVES being outside, as do most kids. It’s been so cold that we haven’t been out much. So whenever we DO get outside, he has the time of his life and just walks and runs as far as he can go!

Here’s some of his outdoor pics…