Southern Lady Celebrate Christmas 2010

In this issue, I am sharing with you the photos from our wedding. Neal and I were married a year ago beside our Christmas tree, surrounded by our children and family—it was the perfect evening. He even had his favorite Krispy Kreme crullers stacked as a cake! Dottie Smith at Edgar’s Bakery created my cake, which was reminiscent of birthday cakes from my childhood: white cake with pecan-cherry filling! What a dream. This issue is packed with creative ideas for making your holidays festive. It doesn’t have to be a huge event; it can be a small dinner for two. It is the people in our lives that make life worth celebrating. Put your special touch on the holidays this season, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Dream your special…

We are in a flurry of wrapping and writing here at Hoff man Media as we get ready to ship our Christmas issue. It’s September and 90-something degrees outside so we aren’t singing carols quite yet. But nonetheless, Christmas is taking over the photo studio and our desktops. Working out of season is a challenge. You begin to wonder what month it really is, and why stores are selling Halloween decorations when you are writing Christmas stories. It’s a funny out-of-sync world. But in sync or out, we have ideas for you to make this Christmas one to celebrate. Before the holidays get into full swing, check out our wreath-making party. With a couple of easy how-tos you and your friends can make a wreath to welcome the season. There are…

Vintage Silver Ornaments These one-of-a-kind silver ornaments created by Deborah Sielski can be hung on the tree, tucked into wreaths and garlands, or used to embellish your holiday table. Available at vintageglassdesigns.com or call 717-872-4060. Give It Your Best Shot Try filling these six unique shot glasses with your favorite soup, and serve mini-soup shooters at your holiday or New Year’s Eve party. Available at pier1.com or 800-245-4595. Tabletop Trees These whimsical felt Christmas trees look like they hopped right out of a Dr. Suess story. Available at Kalalou, Inc. Call 800-249-4229. Jolly Ole St. Nick Add some instant Christmas sparkle to your tree with this jovial Santa ornament. Available at pier1.com or 800-245-4595. Poof! It’s A Party! These assorted cupcake holders and holiday-themed food picks make decorating party food so simple. It’s literally a Christmas celebration in a…

Chocolate Peppermint Spirals Makes about 2½ dozen cookies 1½ cups unsalted butter, softened 2½ cups confectioners’ sugar 2 large eggs 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 4½ cups all-purpose flour, divided 2 teaspoons salt ½ cup finely chopped soft peppermints 1 teaspoon peppermint extract ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 egg white, lightly beaten In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually beat in 4 cups flour and salt. Place 2 cups dough in a separate bowl; add remaining ½ cup flour, peppermints, and peppermint extract, beating well. Roll dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper into 2 (12x10-inch) rectangles. Chill for 1 hour. Add cocoa powder to remaining dough, beating well. Roll dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper into 2 (12x10-inch) rectangles. Chill for 1 hour. Remove top piece of parchment…

Most towns host Christmas celebrations that last a weekend, or maybe two. Not this small, funny-named town Natchitoches, Louisiana, (pronounced Nack-a-tish). Despite its size, when it throws a holiday festival, it’s big! In 1926, the city’s head electrician strung some lights downtown as a gift to town residents from the Power and Light Department, later dubbing it the “City of Lights.” The oldest city in the state (it’s 4 years older than New Orleans) dating back to 1714, Nachitoches earned true recognition, however, when the iconic movie Steel Magnolias was fittingly filmed there. Today, people flock from all over the country to be a part of the Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights, a true holiday memory maker. The big event, held the first weekend in December, includes a street parade, shopping, live…

Save change with an ornament exchange party. This holiday, instead of buying individual gifts for all your friends, invite them to bring one ornament to exchange with other friends. Everyone goes home with a gift and a little more jingle in their pockets. Citrus Punch Makes 20 cups 6 cups pineapple juice 4 cups orange juice 4 cups prepared refrigerated lemonade 4 cups ginger ale 2 cups pink grapefruit juice Garnish: pineapple slices, orange slices, and fresh mint In a large punch bowl filled wiThice, combine pineapple juice, orange juice, lemonade, ginger ale, and grapefruit juice. Serve chilled. Garnish with pineapple slices, orange slices, and mint, if desired. Cranberry Cocktail Makes 1 drink 3 ounces cranberry juice 2½ ounces simple syrup 1½ ounces gin ¼ ounce fresh lemon juice Garnish: frozen cranberries Chill a lowball glass. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice. Add cranberry juice, simple…