Tomorrow we celebrate the First Advent. Time to get into a festive mood and to think about how we can spread some Holiday spirit. This year we have to get used to that all is a bit different. So I put together ideas for a special holiday season because truely after what 2020 has thrown at us we can sure use something special.
Special Gift Ideas for the Holidays
Coffee Cinnamon Scrub
Waking up in the morning taking a hot shower and loosing yourself in the scent of coffee and cinnamon. There is no better way to get into holiday spirit. This coffee cinnamon scrub is easy to make. You have almost all ingredients at home already. And it makes a really nice gift for loved ones. Just make sure you have a batch for yourself.
Vegan Bath Bombs
Let’s stay in the bathroom. Enjoying a lovely book in the bath tub or listening to some relaxing music can chase away all the holiday hectic that is taking place. If you are making some vegan bath bombs yourself you could even add some glitter or fancy ingredient to get into the holiday spirit. Or you make some star shaped bombs by using a baking try. Since all ingredients are edible (except glitter) you can use it to make cookies afterwards too. Again this would also make a wonderful gift.
Printable Pattern Calendar
I love the time around Christmas and especially between the years. The 12 days after Christmas have some special magic. I like to hang up a new calendar in my office. This year I made my own pattern calendar and share a download with you. I also review my year and make plans for the next one. Having those thoughts and time to reflect is Holiday Spirit for me.
If you are looking for more gift ideas to make this season check out my post “10 Last minute gift ideas” or my collection of advent & Christmas ideas.
Special Drink Ideas for the Holidays
Spicy Fruit Punch
I am not such a big fan of “Glühwein” or as you may call it “Mulled Wine”. I tend to get a headache rather quickly. However I love to drink some hot spicy red drink when others sip their Glühwein. So I came up with this alcohol free version of mulled wine.
Hot Cranberry Drink
When on our honeymoon in Finland we came across this drink all the time. There are little huts everywhere on the trails where you can warm up and often times there is a cauldron over the fire with this drink. When we went to the husky safari or at the reindeer farm everywhere we were served this hot cranberry drink. I came to love it.
Hot Apple Cider
Now bear with me the photo is pathetic. But it was one oft the first posts on this blog back in 2013. You can see how I evolved my photography skills. Nevertheless ever since this hot apple cider is one of my favorite Holiday drinks ever. I will be sipping one tonight while FaceTiming with friends.
Special Baking Ideas for the Holidays
Finnish Sour Cream Cake with Cardamom
Don’t let the photo fool you this is the perfect cake for cold winter days. Maybe while watching the snowflakes dance outside. But also for a wonderful crafting afternoon or for an relaxing afternoon while drinking tea. The smell of the Finnish sour cream cake is hinting that the holiday season is around the corner.
Baked Apple Pie | Bratapfelkuchen
Baked apples is there anything more festive than this? Add a few cranberries and vanilla and you get holidays on a spoon. Or fork. This baked apple cake reminds me of the times when my grandma would make us baked apple in the old tiled stove that had a little compartment were you could heat things up. The apples would be put in there after lunch and bake for a few hours until it was time for a snack in the afternoon. The smell was so wonderful. This brings back that spirit.
Spicy Chai Cookies
These are my favorite cookies to bake and eat during the holidays. They are a nice variation with all the the sugary cookies and chocolate glazed ginger breads. They have a spicy punch to them, added with a nutty flavor they are really really good. But don’t let me fool you – healthy is probably not one of their adjectives to describe. But this season specially they are good for the soul.
I hope you will have a special holiday season this year. Do you have anything that makes it festive?
Happy festivities
