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Easter cookies (and other adorable sweet treats!)

March 20 By American Greetings

Everyone knows food is a universal language of love. Baking together adds so much meaning to our relationships – because it simply means spending time together.  So this Easter, make sure you’ve got as many cooks in the kitchen as possible! (Who said having too many is too much? Definitely not us!)

In honor of the Easter holiday approaching, we pulled together some amazing Easter cookies and sweet treats that take Easter candy to a whole new level, and add great opportunities to spend time with those you love! Enjoy!

1. Easy Easter Cookies by Spaceships and Laser Beams

Easy Easter Cookies by Spaceships and Laser Beams

Image credit: Spaceships and Laser Beams

We loved this fun twist on Rice Krispie treats! Stephanie cuts out the bars with an egg-shaped cookie cutter, dips them in melting chocolate and then into sprinkles! How fun! (Heads up: She also has some super adorable Easter printables on her blog, too!)

2. Nutter Butter Chicks by Passion for Savings

Nutter Butter Chicks by Passion for Savings

Image credit: Passion for Savings

We were pretty sure that Nutter Butters couldn’t get more delicious, but when dipped in melting chocolate? Yes, please!

3. Adorable (and easy) Blue Birdies by Sweet Sugarbelle

 

Adorable (and easy) Blue Birdies by Sweet Sugarbelle

Image credit: Sweet Sugarbelle

We were thrilled to see Jordan almonds on display (and not just at a wedding!) A little royal icing takes these confections to a new (adorable!) level!

4. Bird’s Nests by The Curvy Carrot

Bird's Next Cookies by The Curvy Carrot

Image credit: The Curvy Carrot

Shanon makes these Bird’s Nests with chow mein noodles, but can you imagine them with pretzels? We’re positively swooning at the idea of the perfect sweet-and-salty combination!

Do you have a favorite Easter treat or tradition? We’d love to hear about it!

 

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Filed Under: Easter, Recipes Tagged With: Easter cookie recipes, Easter recipes, Easter sweet treats

Free Printable Thanksgiving Recipes… from our family to yours!

November 7 By American Greetings

Free Printable Thanksgiving Recipes

With Thanksgiving fast approaching and the rest of the holiday season right around the corner, there will undoubtedly be many family get-togethers and friendly dinners you will be invited to, which means it’s time to start thinking of some new side dishes to share with the group! With this in mind, we decided to make some free printable Thanksgiving recipe cards featuring some of our American Greetings associates’ favorite family recipes.  We  tried to select a few that seemed equal parts delicious and easy to prepare!

1. Spicy Chicken Dip:

Spicy Chicken Dip Recipe

This comes to us from the kitchen of Christine Stefanick and is a surefire winner during pre-dinner appetizers or any of the many football games thoughout the day! Click here to download and print the full-size, double-sided recipe card.

2. Squash Casserole:

Squash_Casserole_Recipe_Card_Front

We’re sure you’ve had squash casserole before, but this one adds in two of our favorite things in an amazing way–bread stuffing and cheese! To view the full recipe card and print it for yourself, click here: Baked Squash Casserole Printable Recipe Card. This tasty recipe is courtesy of American Greetings associate Dana Hunt!

3. Better Than Waldorf Salad:

Waldorf_Salad_Recipe_Card_Front
From the kitchen of Sue Tischler, this upgraded Waldorf Salad recipe adds pineapple, cherries, and marshmallow cream to create a delightful side dish that’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Download and print the full recipe card here!

What’s your favorite family recipe? We’d love to hear in the comments!

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How to Make a Delicious Christmas Wassail Recipe in 5 Easy Steps

December 9 By American Greetings

Christmas Wassail Recipe

You may have sung this holiday carol since childhood and, to this day, still have no idea what wassail, or wassailing is. Coming from the Anglo-Saxon waes hael , the word literally means ‘be you healthy’ or ‘good health’ and was first used as a simple greeting before being turned into a traditional drinking beverage. (Which is why, “To your health!” is often said when drinking with others.)  This hot, mulled cider became the focal point of “wassailing,” which started as a Medieval drinking ritual as an honor to the trees, intended to ensure a good cider apple harvest the following year. The tradition later changed from going orchard to orchard, to going door to door with a large, ornate bowl asking for it to be filled, which became the custom of wassailing – or the habit of visiting neighbors, singing carols, and sharing drink  — much like our customs today of caroling and Mumming. Plus, enjoy a delicious Christmas Wassail Recipe below.

The phrase Waes hael caught on as a common toast  due to the piece of toast or crisp breads that were traditionally floated on top of the wassail, which is where our phrase, “Let’s have a toast,” or “I’ll toast to that!” comes from. Traditionally made of mulled ale, curdled cream, eggs, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and sugar with pieces of toast and roasted apples floating in it, wassail was also sometimes called ‘Lamb’s Wool’ because the pulp from the roasted apples made it look frothy, resembling soft wool. The legendary drink was served on the Feast of the Three Kings, or Twelfth Night, which marks the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus, but the wealthy drank Wassail on all the 12 days of Christmas.

If you haven’t made wassail before – time for a new tradition! Plus, your house will transform into a cozy Christmas cottage the minute this sweet pot of joy-joy starts simmering. There are many variations of wassail but most all of them contain several basic ingredients, and you can make it with hard cider and brandy or forgo the alcohol altogether to make it kid-friendly like the delicious wassail we’re sharing here. We promise that it will wrap you in warm yuletide cheer the entire season.

Step 1: Pour apple cider into your pot, then add the orange juice, and lemon juice and gently stir together until well blended.

Wassail_Step_01.1Wassail_Step_01

Step 2: Add the hibiscus tea bags, cinnamon sticks, cloves, nutmeg, and star anise.

Wassail_Step_02

Step 3: Slice the ginger and add in with the juniper berries.

Wassail_Step_03

Step 4: Lastly, make round slices with your apple and orange and add them to your pot.
Tip: if you’d like, you can stud your orange slices with cloves on the edge of the peel or on the top for a festive look.
Wassail_Step_04

Step 5: Set the slow cooker to high heat and cook for 3-4 hours, until the color has darkened and the fruit is soft. If using a pot on the stove, allow to simmer all day, then remove the tea bags and serve hot.
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We hope you’ll enjoy the warmth and comfort of this traditional drink all throughout the season. May you drink it in ‘good health’ with your family and friends. “To your health!”

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What is Figgy Pudding? (Figgy Pudding Recipe Card)

December 7 By American Greetings

Figgy Pudding Recipe

Have you ever stopped to wonder, “Wait, what exactly is figgy pudding?!” We’re here to explain, and we have a yummy Figgy Pudding Recipe for you!

Dating back to at least the 16th century, figgy pudding (a dense, moist, cakelike dessert also called “plum pudding” or “Christmas pudding”) was part of an old English tradition where the wealthy would hand it out as a treat to carolers on Christmas Eve to brave the chilly night.

In time, figgy pudding became part of another popular British tradition, too, called “Stir-Up Sunday,” which took place on the Sunday before Advent each year. Entire families would get together to make their Christmas pudding, with each member taking turns stirring the mixture and wishing for good luck.

Some fun facts:

  • The original recipe contained 13 ingredients to represent Jesus and his 12 disciples.
  • Stirring was done from East to West to remember the Wise Men who visited Jesus after his birth.
  • Coins were traditionally added to the batter to bring luck to anyone who found them in their “pud.” (We wouldn’t suggest doing that today!)
  • The garnish of holly represented Jesus’s crown of thorns.

Today, the figgy pudding recipe is more like something akin to fruitcake—certainly more cake-ish than pudding-ish—that’s been steamed and served flambé. It’s an extra-special holiday treat that’s as delicious as it is unique.

Now that you know what it is, it’s the perfect time to make one for the holiday season! Click here to print your free recipe card. Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

Figgy Pudding Recipe

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How to Roast Chestnuts in 5 Easy Steps

December 5 By American Greetings

AG_FB_BLOG_Chestnuts_Quote

They’re tender. Sweet. Aromatic. Buttery. And simply delicious. So if visions of roasted chestnuts (rather than sugar plums) are dancing in your head, it’s time to learn how to roast chestnuts at home!

But…you probably don’t want to do it over an open fire (unless you really insist). Rather, in an oven. In your home. Whenever you feel like it. It’s not complicated. Or hard. Or overly time consuming either. But it’s sure worth it…down to the very last delectable bite! So without further ado, here are 5 easy steps to learn how to roast your very own chestnuts (in season from late September through late December):

Step 1: Choose the best chestnuts you can find. They should be heavy for their size with smooth, shiny, and unblemished skin. Avoid nuts that rattle or have mold on their surface (both mean they’re old). Tip: Store fresh chestnuts in your fridge for up to 1 month or in your freezer for up to 4 months. Bring to room temperature before roasting. Once roasted, they should be eaten within 4 days.
AG_FB_Chestnuts_step_01

Step 2: Grasp each chestnut firmly and carefully cut a long slit across the rounded top with a sharp serrated bread knife. Be sure to cut just through the shell and into the flesh. Alternatively, you can use a sharp, pointy paring knife to cut an X on the flat side of each chestnut. Again, make sure it goes through the shell. Tip: Both methods allow the steam to escape while cooking and make peeling a lot easier.

AG_FB_Chestnuts_step_02

Step 3: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Place chestnuts in a baking pan or rimmed baking sheet (or on a heavy baking sheet) slit-side up. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the cuts you’ve made burst open and the visible flesh is golden brown. Tip: Occasionally shake the pan while baking to avoid burning the chestnuts.

AG_FB_Chestnuts_step_03

Step 4: Remove from oven and as soon as you can handle them with a bare or gloved hand, start peeling. Remove and discard each shell and inner paper skin. Tip: Don’t wait too long until they’ve cooled because they will be much more difficult to peel then.

AG_FB_Chestnuts_step_04

Step 5: Serve warm…or let cool for use as an ingredient in a favorite recipe. Either way, enjoy!

AG_FB_Chestnuts_step_05

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Free Printable Christmas Cookie Recipe – Easy, no bake!

December 15 By American Greetings

AG_FB_LINK_Cookie_Recipe

With Christmas right around the corner, there’s still so much left to do…and so little time to do it. Hang the lights. Decorate the tree. Wrap the gifts. Write the cards. And bake the cookies!

Ahhh, the cookies! After all, what’s Christmas without cookies?!

Of course, you probably have a favorite Christmas cookie recipe that you make year after year. It may even take all day to bake. But during these last hectic days before the holiday, we’d like to share a very special—and super simple—recipe for a Christmas cookie recipe that will not disappoint: Turtle Cookie Balls from My Baking Addiction.

They take only 30 minutes to prepare. There’s no baking involved. They make a whopping 42 servings. They can easily be given as gifts. And they’re so delicious, no one will be able to stop at just one!

Here’s a free printable recipe card just for you. Merry Christmas, everyone, from your friends at American Greetings!

AG_Printable_Cookie_Recipe Photo credit: My Baking Addiction

TURTLE COOKIE BALLS
Recipe courtesy of Kraft Foods
Yield: 42 servings

Ingredients:

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

70 vanilla wafers, finely crushed (about 2-1/3 cups)

3 tablespoons caramel ice cream topping

4 (4-ounce) packages Baker’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate, broken into pieces, melted*

¼ cup chopped pecans

Directions:

  1. Mix first 3 ingredients until blended.
  2. Shape into 42 (1-inch) balls. Freeze for 10 minutes.
  3. Dip balls in melted chocolate. Place in a single layer in a shallow, waxed paper-lined pan. Sprinkle immediately with pecans.
  4. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until firm.

*Place broken chocolate pieces into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat and stir. Continue cooking and stirring in 10 second increments until completely melted and perfectly smooth.

 

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Valentine’s Day sweet treats

February 12 By American Greetings

Valentine's Day Sweet Treats

It has been said that the fastest way to a person’s heart is through their stomach. While we might argue that it’s a wee bit more complicated than that, it’s surely a thoughtful (and tasty!) way to express love and adoration.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, we pulled together some fun ideas for creating the perfect Valentine’s Day sweet treat!

1. Valentine’s Day Oreo Pops by Makoodle

valentines-oreo-pops-2

2. Homemade Strawberry Valentine Snacks by Modern Parents Messy Kids

Simple strawberries and grapes modern parents messy kids

3. Easy Valentine’s Day Cookies by Family Fresh Meals

Easy-Valentines-Day-Cookies-FamilyFreshMeals

4. Easy Cupid’s Arrow Pretzels by One Little Project

Heart arrows by one little project

5. Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Hearts by 1 Fine Cookie

chocolate hearts one fine cookie alternative image

6. Valentine’s Day Candy Cake from All You

Conversation hearts cake by all you

7. X’s and O’s Cupcakes from Martha Stewart

xo cupcakes by Martha Stewart

8. Homemade Valentine’s Day gumdrops by Mom on Timeout

Homemade-Gumdrops

Want to try any of these yummy treat ideas?

Click here to print out our super cute Valentine’s Day shopping list. This sweet printable includes a shopping list so you won’t forget anything you need, and open notes section to write down extra reminders, and adorable little love notes you can cut out and leave in lunch boxes, school folders, or around the house for your sweetie.

Free shopping list printable

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Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

October 17 By American Greetings

When the first day of fall recently arrived at American Greetings, we did what we always do so well—we celebrated! This time it took the shape of a fun Fall Fest—food, cider, decorations, and all! Our Social Media Team wanted to share our fun with you by posting some “behind-the-scenes” photos on  Instagram that day:

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe from Maria Isabella

If you saw the post, you probably also noticed some lovely mini pumpkin cheesecakes on the right-hand side of the picture. So many of you commented on them that we asked our social media writing expert and resident baking maven, Maria Isabella, to share her mini pumpkin cheesecake recipe with you!

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe from Maria Isabella

 

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

Recipe adapted from Pinch My Salt
Makes 12 servings

Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon maple syrup
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
½ cup canned pumpkin
1 egg plus 1 egg white, slightly beaten
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons maple syrup
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Pinch of ground cloves

Topping:
1 cup heavy cream
Powdered sugar, to taste
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Lightly grease a 12-cavity mini cheesecake pan with cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, mix all crust ingredients until well combined. Divide evenly between the 12 cups. Press crumbs firmly on bottom and a third of the way up sides of each cup. Set aside.
  3. In a separate medium bowl, blend all filling ingredients together until smooth. Spoon evenly into each crust-lined cup.
  4. Bake for 14 minutes. Remove from oven and place on rack to cool for 20 minutes. Carefully remove cheesecakes from pan. Let cool completely. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  5. Just before serving, combine all topping ingredients in a chilled bowl. Whip until soft peaks form. Place a dollop on each cheesecake.

Enjoy and Happy Fall!

mariah sig-600dpi

 

 

In addition to writing for American Greetings, Maria is also a published, award-winning cookbook author. Her book, In The Kitchen With Cleveland’s Favorite Chefs, is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million and Kent State University Press. Follow her blog at www.mariasbitsandpieces.com.

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Easy, Adorable Valentine’s Day Crafts

February 6 By American Greetings

It’s February—the month dedicated to all things red, pink, and covered in hearts! As we count down the days until Valentine’s Day, we’re also in the mood to do some crafting! In order to accomplish this goal, we thought we’d share some really great Valentine’s Day craft ideas that we found that are perfect for showing some love to someone special in your life.

 

DIY Valentine's Day Crafts - heart shaped bird feeder, handprints, yarn hearts, valentine garland

1. DIY Chalkboard Valentine Candy Box from Skip to my Lou

2. Heart Shaped Bird Feeder from No Time For Flash Cards

3. Heart Handprint Valentine Craft from The Shirleys

4. Yarn Hearts from Family Chic

5. Marbled Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies from The Novice Chef

6. Mini Heart Garland from Honey We’re Home

7. Valentine Craft: Tic Tac Toe Hearts from Alpha Mom

If you have any other heart-themed ideas or creative for Valentine’s Day crafts, feel free to leave a note in the comments! We’d love to hear from you!

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Filed Under: Crafting, DIY, Holidays, Recipes, Valentine's Day Tagged With: heart crafts, heart shaped crafts, home-made Valentines, Valentine's Day, Valentine's day crafts, Valentines

Summer Series – Recipes

July 22 By American Greetings

Summer Recipes

It’s summertime and the cooking is easy!  With so many delicious foods in season, the only hard thing about serving up the perfect meal is narrowing down the choices.

Simple Summer Meals

Nobody wants to spend a warm day over a hot stove, which is why summer salads are excellent options for lunch and dinner—especially if you add chicken, steak or seafood.   If you’re packing a picnic, it’s fun to combine classic favorites with interesting updates such as a BLT dip and pinwheel sandwiches, along with low-maintenance desserts that stay fresh all day long.

Great Grilling Recipes

Although burgers and hotdogs tend to be the most common grill foods, it might be time for a new spin on some old favorites, like barbecue hot dogs and stuffed burgers.  Or, serve all the flavors of the season on one skewer with easy kabobs. If you prefer steak or seafood but worry that your grilling skills might not make the cut, a mouth-watering marinade is your key to success.  And don’t forget to grill your side dishes, too! Grilled vegetables complement any summer meal perfectly…and keep all the cooking out of kitchen.

The Coolest Cocktails

While water is certainly the best way to stay hydrated in the sunshine, it’s so much more fun to cool off with a creative summer drink.  For many people, iced tea is the official taste of summertime, but there are also plenty of occasions to keep the cocktails  flowing.  Non-alcoholic treats such as Watermelon Lemonade or an Orange Creamsicle Smoothie are refreshing options for kids—and a fun way to keep everyone in the summertime spirit!

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Filed Under: Fun activities, Recipes, Summer, Tips Tagged With: burger recipes, grilling recipes, Summer Desserts, Summer Drink Recipes, summer recipes, summer salads

Top 10 Picnic Tips

June 17 By American Greetings

Top 10 Picnic Tips from stayinspired365.com

It’s time to stock up the cooler, spread out the blanket and bask in the sunshine…because tomorrow is International Picnic Day!  And with the official start of summer occurring on June 21, a whole season of picnicking is about to begin.  So here are our top  ten picnic tips to get you perfectly prepared:

1.    Keep it simple. Stick to a menu of summertime favorites that you can serve all at the same time.  Guests can leisurely help themselves while you kick back and relax.

2.     Make things interesting. Even classics like fried chicken, watermelon and potato salad can be updated with a new recipe.  Or visit your local deli or gourmet market for a picnic made by pros.

3.     Cool it. Freeze bottles of water or juice to use as ice packs until they’re ready to drink.  Ice the cooler several hours beforehand to keep it colder longer, but be sure to keep some ice separate to put in drinks.

4.     Pack wisely. Use lidded plastic containers to keep things fresh and prevent spills.  Pack dressings separately to avoid soggy salads.  For condiments, many brands now offer convenient “picnic packs.”  But you still can’t beat individual fast food packets, so save your extras!

5.     Keep it light. Once you consolidate your supplies, make sure they’re simple to carry and not too heavy.  Some picnic spots are quite a hike. 

6.     Set the table or blanket. Bring extra plates or platters for serving, large spoons for salads, at least one sharp knife, and an opener for wine or bottles.  To keep things organized, put food and drinks in separate coolers.

7.     Be prepared. Sunscreen, bug spray, a waterproof picnic blanket, umbrellas and a first aid kit should protect you from most of the elements.

8.     Avoid these. Foods that don’t transport well (ice cream, puddings, frosted cakes) should stay off the menu.  And keep in mind that sweet and sticky tends to attract wasps and bees.

9.     Clean up. You can never have enough hand wipes—especially if you opt for barbeque.  And be sure to bring extra bags for leftover food and trash.

10.    Stay flexible. Even the best laid plans—and picnics—are weather dependent, but no one ever said you can’t picnic indoors.  If the skies turn stormy, move the meal inside, lay the blanket on the floor and stay in the summertime spirit!

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Spring Recipes to Awaken Your Taste Buds…

March 18 By American Greetings

With the first day of Spring just around the corner, it’s time to stop simmering comfort food in crock pots and start serving up those healthy, delicious in-season fruits and vegetables from the produce aisle.  Or, better yet, browse your local Farmer’s Market!

Here’s a rainbow of spring recipes that truly capture the essence of spring.  And best of all, with a variety of dishes from breakfast through dinner, your Easter menu is nearly complete–just be sure to include your favorite dessert!

American-Greetings_blueberry-cream-cheese

Blueberry Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

This is a soon-to-be family favorite that can be prepared the night before your Easter brunch or simply for Sunday morning…with leftovers you’ll love on Monday.

Tomato Basil SkewersAmerican-Greetings_tomato-basil-skewers

For a quick, colorful appetizer or just a healthy snack, you can’t beat this 10-minute treat that’s easy to make and fun to eat.

AmericanGreetins_strawberry-and-spinach-saladStrawberry and Spinach Salad

This five-star salad will instantly get you in the spirit of spring…and carry you right through summer because you’ll crave it again and again.

Roasted AsparagusAmericanGreetings_roasted-asparagus

No spring dinner is complete without the season’s star vegetable and ultra-healthy superfood—with whole body benefits that range from anti-aging to pain relief!

American-Greetings_tangerine-glazed-hamTangerine-Glazed Easter Ham with Baby Carrots

In an effort to bring you the best Easter ham ever, this recipe has been hailed “beyond delicious” and the one that may finally convert your non-ham fan.

Bon Appetit…and bring on the sunshine!

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Superbowl Recipe – Go Cajun this Sunday!

February 3 By American Greetings

cajun pasta

Ok, are you ready for some football?  The superbowl is today and it will be played in New Orleans for the tenth time, which ties it with Miami for the most times a city has hosted this popular event.  Since New Orleans is famous for its spicy cuisine and most of us will be overindulging during the game, we thought it would be fun to feature a yummy recipe with some cajun flair. Ree Drummond has shared this recipe for Cajun Chicken Pasta on her blog site, The Pioneer Woman, and it has received great reviews.

The key to making this recipe worth tasting is all in the spices. Make sure you have plenty of cayenne pepper on hand and Ree suggests improvising with some bona fide bayou ingredients like crawfish, shrimp and andouille sausage.

This dish is sure to fulfill, so now let’s hope the game does too. Go teams!

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How To Brighten Someone’s Day…

January 14 By American Greetings

Have a happy day!

The holidays are over, and winter is in full force, with cold weather and short days.

Many people experience “the blues” after all the festivities are over, and still others might be down because of stress, work, poor health and other factors. This is a wonderful time to reach out—and in the process, it will lift your spirits, too! Here are some how to ideas:

Plan a Get-Together: If you are nearby, it’s a nice idea to make plans to get together for coffee or dinner. Offer to do the driving, but if they don’t want to go out, you can at least visit. Arrive with flowers or a plant, and perhaps something yummy to eat, like fresh-baked cookies. If you’re far away, you can still send a lovely arrangement to boost their spirits. Bright colors and springtime fragrances are always mood enhancers. Or, simply pick up the phone and call. Nothing warms the heart like hearing the voice of someone who cares.

Make it Personal: A card is always welcome, and be sure to give thought to what the receiver would like, whether it’s a funny, sweet or heartfelt card. Pictures or even a photo card that shows people they love or favorite pets can also bring an extra measure of cheer. A handwritten note or personalized message is important, too. Be supportive, but also include a positive message: bring up happy memories shared, or fun times that are coming up.

Get Smart: In this world of iPads, iPhones and in general, smart technology, you can lift someone’s spirits with a simple touch of a key. Send them links to apps or websites they might like, such as a joke for the day to make them laugh, a daily message of inspiration, or even a game site to add some fun.

So make a difference in someone’s life and remember: “Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.” ~ Sir James Barrie

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Thanksgiving Preparation Tips…

November 16 By American Greetings

Happy Thanksgiving

Holidays are filled with food and fun, but when you’re hosting Thanksgiving dinner, it can be overwhelming.  We’d like to share some ideas for Thanksgiving to make the occasion less stressful, and give you more time to enjoy the day.  And we also included some helpful hints for your guests:

Create a countdown calendar to stay organized.   Make a list of what you need to do each day. Include things such as shopping, cleaning and decorating—as well as taking a little time for yourself.

Work on your grocery list early.  There’s no way to avoid crowds at the grocery store this week, but if you make a detailed list first that focuses on your recipes, shopping will be a snap!  Also consider purchasing a few gourmet-prepared foods to make cooking easier.

Plan out your cleaning time. Family members can be a big help here, or if a close guest asks how they can help, why not suggest a pre-holiday “cleaning and coffee” get-together?

Simplify your decorating.   Make nature’s bounty the perfect accent by creating your own version of a cornucopia in a basket filled with luscious fruit, dried flowers and colorful leaves. Or spray leaves and pinecones with glitter shellac and arrange them around deep red and orange candles. Check out sites like Pinterest for amazing inspiration, too.

Make a detailed schedule for food preparation.  Counting backwards for your Thanksgiving feast will let you know just how much time each item needs for preparation and cooking, and you’ll be able to devote the time in between to socializing with your guests.

Remember guest etiquette.   If you’re the guest this year, definitely find out what you can bring, but also remember not to crowd in the kitchen, and always help with cleanup.  Be sure to send a thoughtful thank you note afterwards, too.

Give thanks!  Finally, no matter what your beliefs, it’s nice to say a few words of gratitude before the meal.  After all, this day is about being thankful for life’s gifts.

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Filed Under: Holidays, Recipes, Thanksgiving Tagged With: Thanksgiving Decorating, Thanksgiving Hints, Thanksgiving Preparation, Thanksgiving quotes, Thanksgiving Recipes

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