Hi friends! I hope you are all having a wonderful week so far.

Of course, we are still celebrating Fall and Thanksgiving, however, why not start the most joyous time a little early this year?? I created one of these guides for the Fall and I had so, so much fun making one, so I wanted to do it again for all things Christmas/Winter! Like millions of other people, this is my favorite time of year hands down. I can’t explain this, but everything just seems bright and sparkly during Christmas time. I am always in the absolute best of moods and I wish the holiday season lasted so much longer. Even if no one reads this, I just love making these posts and talking about the holiday season. I could talk about it for days (just ask Justin lol). Justin is the person that does not want ANY Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving…. I know right?? Talk about a party pooper. It doesn’t really stop me… I usually sneak in a few decorations and by the time he notices he just accepts it and before he knows it our entire home is decorated 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.

During this guide I will go over the must watch holiday movies, playlists, holiday decor, my favorite recipes, etc… Grab a glass of wine, put on some Christmas music and keep reading!

Holiday Movies

Disclaimer: Of course there are SO MANY more holiday movies out there, these are just my personal favorites :)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas | The Holiday

Elf | The Family Stone

The Santa Clause 1 & 2 | Christmas with the Kranks

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Little Women | The Night Before

Home Alone | Home Alone 2

Miracle on 34th Street | Jingle all the Way

Serendipity | Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas

Holiday Home Decor

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Gifts to Take the Host at a Holiday Get Together

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Holiday Party Dresses

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Holiday Music

Did you really think I wouldn’t share a playlist on this thread?! If you’ve been reading my posts or if you follow me on Instagram, I am absolutely obsessed with music and making playlists. Even though holiday music is listened to for a short time, it is probably still the most listened to playlist of the year. I play it while i’m working, during parties, cooking, etc… It is just the happiest, most cheery music and I look forward to the day I can start playing holiday music every single year. You can listen to my 2020 updated holiday playlist on Spotify here!

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Holiday Recipes

Disclaimer: None of these are my recipes except the pumpkin cookies :)
Click the photo to go to the recipe!

Soft Gingerbread Cookies | Butternut Squash Soup

Sweet Potato Casserole | Cranberry Brie Bites

Honey Maple Roasted Carrots | Beef Bourguignon

Goat Cheese and Honey Bites | Sweet Potato Goat Cheese Appetizer

Pear Tart with Goat Cheese | Pumpkin Ravioli in Apple Sage Butter Sauce

My Famous Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cookies

Ok, I know it’s the most annoying thing on the planet when someone calls their recipe “famous,” HOWEVER, I am making an exception for these choco chip pumpkin cookies! I have made these several times already for the holidays and my family and friends go nuts over them. Here’s what you’ll need:

2 1/2 cups of flour
1 tsp of baking powder
1 tsp of baking soda
1/2 tsp of salt
1 tbsp of pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup of butter (softened)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla

Here’s what you’ll do…

Preheat your oven to 350
Mix together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt & pumpkin spice
Set aside
Mix butter, sugar, pumpkin puree, egg and vanilla
Slowly add in dry ingredients you set aside earlier
Add chocolate chips
Scoop out dough onto a pan lined with parchment paper
Bake for 11-12 minutes
Cool on a cooling rack
Voila! They are so soft and will be a total crowd pleaser!

This last weekend, I went to a Friendsgiving and brought my family’s famous cream corn. The recipe came highly requested, but I think my mom would kill me if I gave away that recipe! You’ll just have to come over for wine night and yummy food to taste it!