Day 8 of Christmas beauty... Welcoming wreaths

All photos from Midwest Living

One of the first things I learned to do when decorating for the holidays was to create a wreath. I started out just adding holly to an evergreen wreath, then graduated to hot-gluing things to it. Eventually I learned to make more sophisticated wreaths and I have to say it's still one of my great pleasures of the holiday season. I just love that you can create a beautiful wreath out of nearly anything - the only limit is your imagination.

I hope these lovely creations spark your creativity. A holiday wreath is a great way to welcome your loved ones home this Christmas season.

All photos from Midwest Living

Day 7 of Christmas beauty... Holiday drinks

Photo credit: Sang An/Country Living

One of my many favorite things about the holidays are the drinks - hot cocoa, spiced cider, etc. They are a wonderful treat for one or a warming delight for a group. And, these drinks lend themselves to a beautiful presentation - a pretty holiday cup and a peppermint stick turn a cup of hot chocolate into something special. And spiced ciders are a delight for your sense of smell and taste, while any red cocktail is instantly a festive treat for the eyes.

My grandmother mixes her own hot chocolate and sends me a new tub of mix each Christmas. I'm not exactly sure what her recipe is, but I know it contains good cocoa and marshmallows. One of these days I'll wrangle the details from her. (Mental note: Also need the recipe for her Cherry Jam.) If you're not lucky enough to have your own private supply of good hot chocolate mix, try this recipe from Country Living, found here.

Photo credit: Steven Randazzo/Country Living

I am also a lover of warm spiced cider. You can buy the packets in the store (if you must), but I love to have a pan of it simmering on the stove all day long for frequent refills. It's pretty easy to make and will leave your whole home smelling divine. For a variety of spiced cider recipes, click here. For Hot Cranberry Cider, click here.

Photo credit: Sang An/Country Living

If you'd like to try mixing your own tea for a holiday treat, try this Black Apple Tea recipe from Country Living, found here. It's fairly simple and sounds perfect for the holidays.

For those seeking something a little more bracing, these Pomegranate Margaritas look pretty festive.

Here's to a beautiful holiday season. Cheers!

Day 6 of Christmas Beauty... Christmas lights

Photo credit: Shane Lynn/Country Living

While few of us are blessed to have a place as spectacular as The Woodstock Inn in Vermont to decorate (shown above), most of us have a little corner of the world we call home. And this time of year, it's easy to make your home glow with the magic of Christmas lights. Colored, white, twinkling, icicle - there's something for everyone. And if hanging strands of lights isn't your thing, something as simple as putting candles in your windows and a wreath on the front door (either lighted or with a light shining on it) instantly adds beauty to the world. I am blessed to have a large front window right where we put our Christmas tree, so it shines for those inside and outside. We add a few lights around the door and window and presto - instant holiday cheerfulness. I hope all of you will enjoy shining a little holiday beauty into the world this year.

Photo credit: Sister72 via flickr

Photo credit: Sister72 via flickr

Photo credit: fauxto_digit via flickr

Photo credit: Sister72 via flickr

Day 5 of Christmas Beauty... Cookies and Pink Saturday

Photo credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Photo credit: Naomi via flickr

Today is a blending of Christmas beauty and Pink Saturday. Beverly, our Pink Saturday hostess, asked us to share a favorite childhood holiday memory this week. Mine is baking Christmas cookies. Each year, my siblings and I would gladly spend several evenings baking all of our favorites. Our parents would help if needed, but generally they just left us to it once we were old enough. It was always a good time - well, except for the clean up. :) We made lots of different types of cookies - some simple, some elaborate, all delicious and beautiful, just like those shown here.

Please stop by How Sweet the Sound for a complete list of blogs participating in Pink Saturday this week. And be sure to pop by here for a daily dose of Christmas beauty for the next couple of weeks. Check out the button in my sidebar for lots of holiday giveaways, too. Happy Pink Saturday, all!

Photo credit: Food Network

Photo credit: Frances Janisch via delish.com

Photo credit: Frances Janisch via delish.com

Photo credit: Frances Janisch via delish.com

Day 4 of Christmas Beauty... Vintage Christmas cards

Photo credit: koiart71 via flickr

Photo credit: koiart71 via flickr

My Christmas cards tend to veer between beautiful and humorous. The last few years I have been sending Anne Taintor cards, which are a little of each, with some vintage thrown in. But my favorite cards are probably old ones like these. I like the simple beauty and sentiments they convey. Hope you enjoy.

Photo credit: riptheskull via flickr

Photo credit: Ravensmagiclantern via flickr

Photo credit: koiart71 via flickr

Photo credit: riptheskull via flickr