Making your own extracts is an easy process.  Maddy and I got together and made some back in September so that we could give it away this year for Christmas.  Unfortunately, that is the one problem with this project, the extracts need to steep for awhile before using them.  The other option is to make them and add the vanilla beans or almonds to the jars and on the tag, let the receiver know that they need to wait a few months to use them.  

     Whatever you decide to do, let me show you a few things that we found out as we prepared to make these extracts.  If you don't want to make it this year, you can file this post away until next year to make as gifts, or just make it now for yourself! 
       Most people have heard of making your own Vanilla Extract in Vodka, but have you heard of using glycerin?  There are pros and cons to using both.  Have you heard of how to make Almond Extract?  You may be surprised at that process!  Keep reading and I will tell you all about our process and experience making our own extracts! 

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     It is no secret that men are so difficult to buy gifts for! Am I wrong?  They only like expensive things, I feel like they are polite about handmade things but disappointed on the inside, except for maybe the beautiful quilt or blanket made by grandma, and they never really tell you what they want.  Clothes don't excite them that much and so many men's gifts seem like cliches.  Most gift guides suggest alcohol, but the men in my life don't drink it.  What is a woman to do?  
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     Well, this year I was inspired!  I saw an idea for giving crazy soda's in Christmas stockings, then I saw that some places sold soda samplers for largish amounts of money.  World Market sells one for $17 and that is the lowest, but the soda selections seemed rather ordinary to me. Other sites offer samplers at around $30 to $50!  I thought, I think that I can put together samplers that fit the tastes and personalities of the men that I am buying for and do it at a lower price point! Guess what!  I did it! 

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      I am so excited to share this recipe with you for Gingerbread Fudge today!  I made it last year, very close to Christmas, so I figured I would save it for this year, because who makes fudge all year long?  Not me!  But, every so often I would think about fudge or someone would mention fudge and my mind would go back to this awesome Gingerbread Fudge that I have been saving to share with you this year in time for Christmas!  

     Do you have any of those unusual people in your life who don't like chocolate?  Or, maybe they only like white chocolate, (which isn't really chocolate) ?  I do and let me tell you, this fudge hit the spot for them! 

  The great thing about Gingerbread Fudge is the warm spices that taste like Christmas, the creaminess of the white chocolate mixed with the sweetened condensed milk.  Those ingredients make this fudge very rich!  Then, I added sprinkles to the body of the fudge to give it a festive flair.

     This recipe makes a 9 x 13 inch pan full of fudge, so there is plenty to feed a party or to share with friends.  Whether they like chocolate or not, they will love this fudge! 

     Gingerbread Fudge is so easy to make compared to many fudge recipes you will find, so I'm sure that once you give it a try it will make repeat appearances on your Christmas treat trays!  You'd better put extra on there because it will go fast! 
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     Happy Christmas Season!  I hope that your Thanksgiving was wonderful! 

     Today I've been unpacking my many tubs of decorations and putting them out.  I have many little figurines, decorations and collections that I've hoarded over the last 45 years of marriage.  I have a Snowman Collection, a Santa Collection, a Nativity Collection, a Christmas Village, Christmas Tins, Christmas Dishes and so many, many Ornaments!  I love them all, yet there are a few items in each collection that I truly adore that I would be happy to keep and do away with the rest (I think).  I wish that early on I had been more focused and mindful about how I wanted to decorate and hadn't collected so many small items in such an eclectic way.   It makes more sense to be focused on fewer, more impactful items.
  For example, think of your Christmas Tree.  It is usually one of the most impactful pieces of decoration in your house during the holidays.  It is large, bright and beautiful.  It stands out against the backdrop of your home.  The ornaments on it may have special meaning to you and your family and if you only have a tree, that may be the only decoration that you really need.  Although, Most of us like to do a bit more to add to the festive feelings in our homes.    A nativity is a necessity for me, some sort of advent can be wonderful when you have children and other special items that compliment the tree and the festive, cozy feelings of the season. 

      That being said, all of that festive decorating can get expensive, plus consider the cleanup! That is why mindfulness in choices of decor is very important.   Etsy is a great place to find items that can be printed and used only for a single year, or also items that can become treasures for years to come.  I've collected a few examples that I think you might love for this year and even for in the future.  Bonus:  Many items are on sale right now for Black Friday Weekend so don't miss out!     
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     These are just a few of the beautiful printable art pieces available! 

     It is December 1st and you still haven't put up your advent calendar?  Print one off right now and get started right on time today! 
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    If you are a young family who hasn't collected a lot or ornaments yet, or if you are a teacher looking for a cute idea for your kids, or if you are looking for a cute idea for the kids table at dinner, these printable ornaments might just be for you.  They will probably last just one Christmas, but they will look super while they last! 
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     Buying gift tags can get surprisingly pricey for the cute ones that I like!  Printing your own can be very economical to get the look on your gifts that you would like.
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     I have barely scratched the surface of the wonderful things there are to download and print from Etsy sellers at such great prices!  I hope you will find something that makes you happy and lends itself to all of the Christmasy feelings that you are wanting in your home! 
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