Southern Lady Holidays 2012

Christmas may come but once a year on the calendar, but for our staff , it is a yearlong event—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. From decorating trees to dreaming up desserts, our team gets positively giddy over producing seasonal themes and creative ideas to help you make the season truly bright. Early in the planning stages for this issue, I received a little divine inspiration. I was thinking about how much I enjoyed the hanging of the greens at church when I was a young girl and how my dad would hold me up so I could see the lighting of candles over the pews and people. His deep voice mixed with my small one, and “The First Noel” filled the sanctuary from wall to wall. It was…

WHITE CHOCOLATE SNACK MIX Makes ?? to ?? servings ? cups honey graham cereal ? cups crispy corn cereal squares ? cups frosted toasted oat cereal ? cups roasted salted pistachios ? cups salted sunflower kernels ¹⁄? (?-pound) bag mini pretzel twists ? (?-ounce) bags dried cranberries ? (??-ounce) bags white chocolate morsels, melted ?. In a large roasting pan, combine cereals, pistachios, sunflower kernels, pretzels, and cranberries. Drizzle melted white chocolate over cereal mixture, stirring gently to coat. Store in an airtight container. OPPOSITES ATTRACT This blend of sweet-and-salty tidbits makes for an irresistible flavor combination. Be sure to mix up plenty—it disappears by the handful. WHITE CHOCOLATE APRICOT BARS Makes ? dozen bars ?¹⁄? cups all-purpose flour ³⁄? cup firmly packed light brown sugar ¹⁄? cup plus ? tablespoons cold butter, divided ? cups finely chopped cashews, divided ? cup white chocolate morsels ¹⁄? cup light corn syrup ? tablespoon…

COTTAGE APPEAL Think of wrapped parcels as part of your holiday trimmings, and choose the colors and style accordingly. Vintage prints, chunky yarn, and lace accents lend beaucoups of charm to a cottage Christmas. Shimmering PAPER, A heartfelt NOTE, ribbons WINDING ROUND AND ROUND— EACH thoughtful LAYER ADDS TO THE anticipation. INSPIRED EYE Peruse your own home for creative inspiration. Circle stickers from the office transform plain yarn into a garland, while trims left over from sewing projects offer a striking alternative to standard ribbon. Sticky scrapbook letters, available at crafts stores, add a final flourish. GRAPHIC TAGS Rather than hide away tags beneath the gift, make them the focal point of the presentation. Bold graphics from extra greeting cards work perfectly, as do old holiday photo cards—recipients will cherish the nod to Christmases past. FAUX SNOW Arrange…

GOLDEN TOUCH Brilliant gold chargers set off the intricate design of the lovely holiday dinnerware. Choose color-coordinating napkins with beaded trim, and gather with delicately embellished napkin rings. THE holly-and-ivy THEME THREADS beautifully THROUGHOUT THIS charming Christmas TABLEAU. SIMPLY SPLENDID Create an eye-catching display by weaving cedar trimmings with holly and ivy into the chandelier. It makes a stunning design set among the hanging crystal prisms. ORNATE ELEMENTS The shimmers of gold seen in the details and the vibrant reds and greens found in the arrangements of holly and roses further the room’s elegant atmosphere. Include a coordinating tea set as a sweet decorative accent, and group large pieces in similar tones on the buffet to create a strong visual impact. To complete the buffet’s festive appeal, mix in greenery and ornaments among the focal point—in…

OH, WHAT FUN! Kids will love their very own unique holiday retreat. Create more seating by filling a wagon with pillows. Add a dramatic window effect by hanging camel burlap curtains from the ceiling and tacking a plaid blanket on the wall. A hanging lantern provides the lighting for this playful space. The mounting of a plush deer head gives a comical flair to the rugged décor. CHEERY TREATS & TREASURES Draw special messages and fun images on the festive table for two by placing a sheet of craft paper on top of a piece of plaid fabric. A toy truck cleverly hauls scrumptious cookies for the kiddos and Santa, while another one transports a quaint present. Colorful place settings are paired with quirky mugs resembling the jolly old man himself. Use them…

ECHOED RADIANCE Incorporate rich details from driftwood place-card holders to dreamy garlands to textured linens, and rely on color and repeating elements to unify the scene. CHANNEL OF BEAUTY Use layers and levels to make ordinary objects feel extraordinary. An artful composition of different household treasures—silver platters, weathered wood, vintage books, and antique ornaments—is key to the whimsy and depth of this ship-centered display. PERFECT PAIRING The Old-World style of this tableau presents a perfect excuse to display handmade trinkets with heirloom treasures. A wreath covered in burlap and adorned with lace flowers, driftwood, and scrolled book pages makes a charming counterpart to antiques and vintage collections, as does a nontraditional tree. JOYFUL ACCENT This anthology carries its sweet sentiment through the season and all year long. Visit used-book stores to select a handful of well-worn hardbacks,…