A QUICK DIY CHRISTMAS CRAFT ROUND UP

I wanted to pop in and round up a few of my favorite DIYs from last year, just in case you are in the mood for crafting a little holiday cheer before the big day. These crafts are easy and quick and maybe you didn't get around to making them last year, so here is your friendly reminder. xo

DIY Mini Present Garland for Oh Happy Day

Funky and bright holiday gift wrap ideas for The Sweetest Occasion.

Four simple garland ideas for Christmas on The Sweetest Occasion

Free Printable Santa List for The Sweetest Occasion

Don't forget the matching tags...

HOW TO MAKE A DIY GUMDROP ORNAMENT

I have a touch of a sweet tooth, ok a huge sweet tooth. Do you have one too or know someone who does? Need a last minute gift idea? Henry gave these to his bus driver and his teacher and they were a hit. They are easy, little ones can help and they sparkle too? My kind of DIY. Make these DIY Glittery Gumdrop ornaments today by checking out the full DIY over on The Sweetest Occasion. These also make the sweetest place card holders!

Backstory: I bought the brownie pop pan and can't make brownies in it that don't burn or get stuck. I have no idea what I am doing wrong. But, crafty as I am, I think I have found a better use for the pan as a gumdrop maker.

Psst...if you go to Target right now, they have the CUTEST gumdrop wrapping paper in the dollar bin.

LAST MINUTE HOLIDAY IDEAS: COOL CHRISTMAS BOOKS

We are on the final countdown, Christmas is coming up quick and I have a PSA. If you are still in need one one or two or many gift ideas, don't give up and give a sweater. Please. When the Mr. and I were discussing presents, he jokingly said "Nothing says 'I hate you' like a sweater. " Ouch, and then I said, 'but I like sweaters!' Don't feel bad, I have given many a sweater in my day, and gift cards too because I think they are useful and I like them, but he makes a good point. Where is the love in a sweater? You can do better than that, pick something that had a bit of thought involved, unless of course they really, really want a sweater. Starting to fret? Need a little inspiration? Check out your local bookstore, well, yes, these would make a great gift, but you need them for the ideas inside. Country Living sent over two festive books for the holidays for me to review. Deck the Halls, by Katy McColl, is a great source for gift tags (tear out and use these bad boys), craft ideas and decorations, and The Farm Chicks Christmas, by Serena Thompson, is your one stop shop for holiday DIY gifts. I was thrilled when I first opened these books.

Deck the Halls is a great resource and collection of goodies. I am obsessed with the colorful illustrations throughout the book and you can actually use them. This is such a smart idea for a book, to have tear out goodies, tags, recipe cards built in.

There is none of this pull it off the cd, print it and cut it out nonsense, which if it were earlier in the season isn't so hard, but now? I need instant gratification. Brilliantly printed and ready to use, the tags and goodies even include a template to pop out to cut a gingerbread house. AWESOME. I was busier than ever this holiday, and I couldn't find cute tags to use until this book. But there is more, the whole book is filled to the brim with quick holiday hints and tricks for Christmas and holiday entertaining. Even if you don't use the all the goodies right now, I recommend picking it up for next year.

Feeling crafty? The Farm Chicks Christmas, by Serena Thompson, is your one stop shop for holiday DIY gifts. You know I am crazy about vintage Christmas kitch and this book is full of it. What is different about it, is that the kitch is so beautifully integrated into the decor and carefully curated in a modern way. This DIY is for the gumdrop wreath, but this truck? The letters that spell out TREE?  This is the kind of inspiration that Christmas books should have.

Both of these books are full of gorgeous pictures, which you would expect nothing less from Country Living. Find inspiration for gift ideas and packaging up those pretty little packages. I mean, come on!

I've never packaged anything so fun in my whole life have you? I vote we try it...

A big THANK YOU to Country Living for letting me review these books just in time for Christmas, I love finding cool new books. Have a title for something you think my readers will LOVE? Shoot me an email. All opinions in this post are mine.

HOW TO MAKE A DIAMOND MARSHMALLOW

A gem of a cup of cocoa is easier than you think to make. All it takes is a bag of flat marshmallows and a kitchen knife. I know you can cut homemade marshmallows in any number of shapes, but this is a quick and easy version, no candy making involved. Perfect for a brunch with the girls or someone looking for a proposal idea for the holidays.

To make a diamond, cut off each of the corners. This shape is pretty cute as is. But take it one step further by cutting the top half, in half, forming a diamond shape. Eat scraps, you wouldn't want to waste it would you?

Using the back of the knife blade press lines into the top of the diamond, forming the gem. Repeat.

Make some gourmet drinking chocolate or a packet of instant cocoa and ta da!

PARTY FAVORITES: SHAUNA OF CONFETTI POP

It's here, it's here the holiday season. Oh wait, you already knew that? It's another post in our PARTY FAVORITES series, now in HOLIDAY form. Break out the tinsel and let's get merry! If you are new around here, Party Favorites is a sneak peek into what is really in everyone's party stash to throw their signature AWESOME bashes. Let's have a bit of fun with the second half of the amazing team over at CONFETTI POP, where DIYs and design come to party, the talented Shauna Younge. It's no wonder that the pictures are so amazing over at Confetti Pop, she's an amazing desserts table stylist and former food columnist. Let's peek into her holiday entertaining secrets, shall we?

Favorite tree: real or fake?  If real: flocked or plain? If fake: white, silver or green? A fake, green, pre-lit tree with pinecones. I know, pretty specific, huh? But that's my current tree. I've always had faux ones when I was growing up, and my husband always had real ones. Every year, we debate finally getting a real one, but the allure of an instant tree is too tempting for me to resist. 

Favorite color palette for Thanksgiving? Plum, magenta, and navy with some white to make it really pop. Even though it's not traditional for Fall, those deep jewel tones always remind me of thick, luxe fabrics that I want to snuggle into and watch a cheesy Lifetime movie marathon.

Favorite color palette for Christmas? Pink and gold. I'm still determined to make this happen some year soon. I finally scooped up the West Elm gold flatware and some gold ornaments. I just need to find the perfect soft pink ornaments to finish the look. I'm starting to think I'll have to DIY some to get the look I want.

Chargers: Yes or no? Are there anti-charger people?!? Who are these Philistines? I love chargers! You can grab an inexpensive all-white plate set from IKEA and dress them up differently for each event with the right charger. They make a great transition piece as your eye travels across the tablescape.  

 Placesettings: matching or mixed dishes? I love the look of mixed place settings, because it breaks of the uniformity of the table and adds a bit of whimsy and unexpectedness. I also think it alleviates the pressure of having a perfectly matched, coordinated set. If you find four fabulous plates on clearance, grab them. Don't worry that you don't have a full set. Mix it with something else you love. 

 Tablecloth or runner? Both! If I had to pick just one, I'd say tablecloth. It's a quick way to totally transform even a crusty old card table with hideous legs into a surface worthy of a fancy dinner. With a runner, you really still need a beautiful table in a palette-friendly hue to make it work for your party. 

 Favorite Christmas song? Without question, This Christmas. Every year, we'd travel to my Grandma's house and I swear every radio station between Illinois and Mississippi would play that song at least twice an hour. Every time I hear it, I'm transported to that time again. I love every version, the Chris Brown one, the Mariah Carey one, the 98 Degrees one. I'm not picky when it comes to that song. One year, I even designed our Christmas cards to feature lyrics of the song. After all, "Loving each other's what makes the season bright."

Thank you so much for coming Shauna! What a wonderful set of tips you have shared with us! Check out Confetti Pop for oodles of cool Christmas crafts for your holiday fete! xo

Don't forget about entering to win a FREE notebook to get organized from our friends over at Martha Stewart! Enter here, the contest ends at noon PST!

Oh, and speaking of entering, did you know we are on DAY 5 of 24 Merry Days? Go check out what kind of amazingness you can enter to win today!