holidays Archives - Page 2 of 7

9 In halloween/ holidays

Last Minute Halloween Ideas

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Halloween is less than a week away and I’m sharing some fun last minute Halloween ideas. From spooky treats to some of the best Halloween movies, decor and games, scroll down for a real screaming time!

Last Minute Halloween Ideas

1.) Go Batty with the decorations. Add some fun bats to the wall or even on lampshades to add a spooky touch. My kids are also big fans of the 10 ft skeletons, and obviously Halloween inflatables. We also love to make these easy DIY Ghost Lanterns. Click here for my DIY.

2.) Get some fun Halloween pajamas and have a Halloween movie night.

Everything is just better with some fun holiday PJ’s, am I right? These are some of the cutest Halloween pajamas.

Sharing a list of some of my favorite Halloween movies below.

Hocus Pocus
Beetlejuice
Monster House
Nightmare Before Christmas
Halloween
Casper
The Addam’s Family
Clue
Practical Magic
The Amityville Horror
Halloweentown
Sleepy Hollow
The Craft

3.) Make Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate and serve in fun cauldrons or with some ghost Peeps.

This hot chocolate can be made in the crock pot and the subtle pumpkin taste is perfect for fall. Serve in some little mini cauldron cups for the kids or top with a Ghost Peep. I like to add some Rumchata or Fireball to kick it up a notch for the adults. Click here for my recipe.

4.) Serve some festive Halloween themed treats.

This Halloween bark is always a hit and super easy to make. Click here.

This pumpkin baked brie is a delicious and more upscale appetizer if you’re not looking to get super Halloween-ey.

How fun is this spider taco ring?

This Mummy Chicken Pot Pie is hearty and will fill up those tummies before you hit the streets Trick or Treating.

I saw this bloody fondue fountain and I think this is sooo marvelous! Enjoy with fruit, pretzels or some sponge cake.

Pumpkin spice snack mix is a delicious sweet and salty combo. I like to make a bunch and leave out in a cannister to munch throughout the day. Sharing the recipe here.

These zombie jello cups are a scream! I don’t know what the kids always love jello! I made these jello cups and added some Zombie finger pops and gummy eyeball treats.

5.) Boo your friends and neighbors.

Surprise your friends and neighbors with some little treats on their doorstep. I’m sharing my free printable and DIY here.

And here is this one for the adults. Click here to download my free printable and drink up witches!

6.) Have a pumpkin carving or decorating contest.

Here are some ideas to inspire you.

7.) Figure out your costumes and dress up!

I think that’s probably the most fun part. For just one night, you can be absolutely anyone or anything. The options are endless! Whether you’re going to a Halloween party or maybe just even giving out candy to trick or treaters at home, get into it and dress the part!

Linking the deets for this easy couples costume here because I think we can all agree Taylor and Travis are couple goals.

Click here to shop all Halloween costumes

8.) Play some games.

Get the family or some friends together for fun. Get a round of classic Clue going or if you’re a true crime buff, try cracking a cold case. I’m linking some fun ones below.

Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!!!

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October 25, 2023 By Nicolle

6 In holidays/ St Patricks Day

9 Ideas for St Patrick’s Day

9 recipes and Ideas for St. Patrick's Day

This St. Patrick’s Day, I’ve got 9 ideas to help you celebrate. Here are some of my favorite recipes and ideas you and your family are sure to enjoy! Scroll down to see them all including my leprechaun bait, reuben salad, homemade Irish cream and more!

9 Ideas for St. Patrick’s Day

1.) Lucky Pancakes

My kids ask for this every St. Patrick’s Day. It’s easy to do and a cute festive breakfast. Recipe here

2.) Lucky Charms Ice Cream Sandwiches

Give your rice krispie treats a glow up by adding some lucky charms and smoosh some ice cream in between to make the sweet ice cream sandwich! Recipe here

3.) Leprechaun Bait

Lure those leprechauns into your trap with this sweet and addicting leprechaun bait! Recipe here

4.) Reuben Salad

This is my twist on the classic pub sandwich. Serve as a salad for a lighter way to enjoy! Recipe here

5.) Homemade Irish Cream

I usually make this around Christmas time as little gifts but you can make for St. Patrick’s Day too! Once you try this homemade Irish cream, you’ll never want the fake stuff! Drink over ice or in coffee 🙂

Recipe here

6.) Irish Cream Cold Brew

If you’ve had the Starbucks version, I’m showing you how you can make your own at home! I love to add a splash of my homemade Irish cream to it! Recipe here

7.) Rainbow Sangria

This is the kind of rainbow I want to see on St. Patrick’s Day. This is a fantastic springtime sip! Recipe here

8.) Guinness Chocolate Milkshake

I’m not a big beer drinker but did you know that Guinness pairs nicely with chocolate? This milkshake is so rich and a great boozy St. Patrick’s Day dessert for adults! Recipe here

9.) St Patrick’s Day Bath

If the leprechaun stops by your house for some shenanigans, have them bring some magic potion to make bath time fun! Click to see how!

I love to see what you create! So if you make any of these, be sure to take a photo and tag me on Instagram @ourtiny_nest!

Happy Luck of the Irish to you all 😉

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March 9, 2023 By Nicolle

21 In food/ holidays

Leprechaun Bait Chex Mix Recipe

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This Leprechaun Bait chex mix recipe is a great snack for St. Patrick’s Day! This is a favorite recipe amongst all my boys, my husband included. It is seriously addicting and won’t last long! This chex mix is also a cute snack to give to friends at school. I’m sharing the recipe below.

Leprechaun Bait Chex Mix Recipe

Ingredients:

Honey chex cereal
Lucky charms cereal
pretzels
white chocolate chips
green M&M’s
chocolate gold coins

Directions:

Start by lining a large baking tray with parchment paper.

Pour the cereals and pretzels on the parchment paper.

In a bowl, pour the white chocolate chips. Melt in the microwave, stopping at about 30 second intervals to stir.

Once the chocolate is melted, use a fork to drizzle on top of the cereal and pretzel mixture.

Add the green M&M’s on top.

Mix together then allow to cool.

Break apart into pieces.

Add in some chocolate gold coins. I like to store this chex mix in a large glass canister because it looks cute on the counter or table and then just scoop out into bowls as you snack. Or you can bag for little treats for school. I’ve linked some cute gift tag stickers below.

If you have little ones, this is fun to make after reading “How To Catch A Leprechaun”.

I love to see what you create! If you make this, be sure to share a photo on Instagram and tag me @ourtiny_nest!

Here are some of our other favorite St. Patrick’s Day recipes:

Lucky charms ice cream sandwiches

Lucky St Patrick’s Day pancakes

If you liked this chex mix, you might also like this bunny bait that is perfect for Easter!

For more fun recipes and holiday ideas, be sure to subscribe below!

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February 27, 2023 By Nicolle

28 In holidays/ Recipes

The best pistachio thumbprint cookies

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These are the best pistachio thumbprint cookies and will easily become a favorite Christmas cookie! Sweet pistachio topped with a cheesecake filling or raspberry jam are the perfect bite and look festive for your Christmas cookie swaps or platters.

And I’m sharing 15 other delicious Christmas treats for you from some of my most favorite bloggers. Scroll down to see all of their recipes.

If you’re coming from Michele at Vintage Home Designs, welcome! I hope you will stick around here and continue to follow along. Also how delicious do her shortbread cookies look?

The best pistachio thumbprint cookies

One of my favorite things that I used to have every Christmas is my grandmother’s pistachio ambrosia. I loved it so much and it just wasn’t Christmas without it. This recipe combines my favorite flavors of pistachio with my favorite Christmas cookie – my sister’s almond raspberry thumbprints.

I made a yummy cheesecake filling for these cookies but you can also fill with raspberry jam too!

Ingredients

1 cup butter softened (I used unsalted)
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups flour
1 package instant pistachio pudding mix
2 cups nuts chopped (I used walnuts/pecans)

For the filling

1/2 cup cream cheese.
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
or raspberry jam (optional)
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Directions:

1.) Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees.

2.) In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy.

3.) Beat in the eggs, salt and extracts.

4.) Add in the flour and pistachio pudding mix, beating together until combined.

5.) Roll the batter into individual balls, about 1 inch. Roll some or all of the balls into the chopped nuts and place on a prepared baking sheet.

6.) Using your thumb, make a thumbprint in the center of each cookie.

7.) Bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes. You want to take them out just before the edges start to get golden.

8.) Using a spoon or your thumb, re-shape the thumbprint if necessary as sometimes it changes shape after baking.

9.) Allow the cookies to cool.

10.) While the cookies are cooling, start to prepare the cheesecake filling. In a mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese and sugar.

11.) Beat in the vanilla and make sure there are no lumps.

12.) Fill in each cookie with either the cream cheese filling or raspberry jam. I chose to do some of each.

13.) In a microwave safe bowl, melt some chocolate chips, stirring at 30 second intervals.

14.) Once melted, use a fork to drizzle some chocolate over each cookie.

15.) Allow the chocolate to cool before eating.

These also freeze really well so you can make ahead of time! I line some parchment paper in an airtight storage container and freeze until the day of.

Enjoy!!!