Our Tiny Nest

11 In DIY/ food/ holidays

The best hostess gift to give for the holidays – overnight breakfast strata

The best hostess gift idea to give for the holidays - overnight breakfast strata. Aluminum baking tray with printable gift tag and ribbon

This post contains affiliate links

The holidays are upon us and no one likes to show up empty handed am I right? This is the best hostess gift to give for the holidays, my overnight breakfast strata. Not only is it extremely thoughtful for your hostess, but it’s super easy to put together and is the only thing I will give from now on. All they have to do is simply bake and enjoy!

I’m sharing my recipe below and my printable gift tag.

The Best Hostess Gift For The Holidays

Now I would never turn down a bottle of wine, chocolates, nice candle or truly anything that someone thought to bring me. But if you’ve ever hosted a party or event before the holidays, we all know it can be stressful. The next day my house usually looks like a tornado blew through and I’m usually exhausted from all the party prep and the fun. Showing up at someone’s door with a ready to bake breakfast for the next day will be a welcome surprise for your hostess and her family.

To make this hostess gift you will need:

Disposable 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients for the Overnight Breakfast Strata
Ribbon
Copy of my printable (make sure you’re a subscriber so you have access to my printable library) or a handwritten note.

Prepare the overnight strata in a disposable pan according to recipe. Cover with aluminum foil.

NOTE – Do not deliver this baked. Give to your hostess chilled and have them place in the fridge so that they just pop in the oven the next morning 🙂

Add some ribbon and a little thank you note.

You can absolutely write your own. I printed up this cute little note including the recipe for my overnight breakfast strata for if your hostess decides to return the favor one day or make again for her family. And trust me, they will! This recipe is soooo good!

Click here to go to my printable library and download the printable! (Password in your email from me)

If you’re not already a subscriber, subscribe below at the end of this post.

Overnight Breakfast Strata

Ingredients:

12 eggs
3 cups half and half
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups shredded gruyere cheese
1 cup ham, diced
1 cup chives, chopped
1 cup red peppers, diced
1 loaf french bread, torn into pieces
salt, pepper, garlic powder, ground mustard to taste

Directions:

1.) Grease the inside of a disposable 9×13 baking dish.

2.) In a large bowl, beat together eggs, half and half, cheeses, ham, chives, peppers and seasonings.

3.) Place the torn bread chunks into the baking dish.

4.) Pour the egg mixture over the bread and use a spatula to fold the bread on top so it is evenly covered.

5.) Cover with aluminum foil and chill. Allow the strata to chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour prior to baking.

6.) When ready, bake at 350 degrees F, uncovered for about 50 minutes or until golden brown.

For more handmade gift ideas check out

This DIY simmer pot gift

My homemade Irish Cream

Housewarming gift

Pin for later

Sign up below to get access to my printable library and for more seasonal DIYs and recipes right to your inbox!

November 17, 2023 By Nicolle

14 In food/ holidays/ Recipes

The best homemade gingerbread syrup

This post contains affiliate links

This is the best homemade gingerbread syrup and an absolute must for the holiday season for lattes, waffles, or pancakes!

It’s impossible to think of the holiday season without the warm smells and tastes of gingerbread. I am a huge fan of gingerbread lattes and this homemade gingerbread syrup makes it easy so you can make your own right at home. (For more of my favorite coffee recipes check out my healthier pumpkin spice latte or this Irish cream cold brew). Or use this gingerbread syrup over your pancakes or waffles for a breakfast that even Buddy the Elf himself would approve of.

If you’ve never made your own syrups at home, it’s incredibly easy! And this syrup is sure to put you in a holiday mood!

How to store your homemade gingerbread syrup

Once made, store in an airtight container or glass bottle in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

I like to keep mine in this coffee syrup pump. But you can also put in a mason jar.

Homemade Gingerbread Latte

To make a homemade gingerbread latte, start by pouring some cream and a few pumps or teaspoons of gingerbread syrup (as desired) into a glass. Using a frother (linking mine here), froth well. Then pour over a hot mug of espresso or coffee.

The Best Homemade Gingerbread Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp molasses
1 Tbsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves

Directions:

1.) In a medium saucepan combine all ingredients and bring to a boil stirring until sugar is dissolved.

2.) Reduce to a simmer and allow to infuse for about 10 minutes.

3.) Allow the syrup to cool and then transfer to an airtight container or glass bottle in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Homemade Gift Idea

This would also make a great homemade gift idea. Gift with some fresh local coffee, a cute mug and some gingerbread mug huggers. Or maybe gift with some pancake or waffle mix and a darling gingerbread man waffle iron.

For more gingerbread aesthetic finds, check out this post here.

More Gingerbread Inspiration from The Cozy Creative Collaborative

The Cozy Creative Collaborative is back this month to share Christmas inspiration with a gingerbread theme.

Here are the gingerbread themed posts from my fellow Cozy Creative Collaborators:

DIY Gingerbread Christmas Tree Decoration from Eleanor Rose Home

Potterybarn Gingerbread Theme Home Decor From The Tattered Pew

Copycat Gingerbread Latte Starbucks Recipe from Mornings on Macedonia

Pin for later

Sign up below for more holiday inspired recipes and DIYs right to your inbox!

The best homemade gingerbread syrup

This gingerbread syrup is a must for the holiday season for all your lattes, coffee, pancakes or waffles. Plus it also makes a nice homemade gift.

5 from 5 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 20

Course Drinks

Servings 1 bottle

Ingredients

1 cup water
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 Tbsp molasses
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves

Instructions

In a medium saucepan combine all ingredients and bring to a boil stirring until sugar is dissolved.
Reduce to a simmer and allow to infuse for about 10 minutes.
Allow the syrup to cool and then transfer to an airtight container or glass bottle in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Keyword coffee, gingerbread, lattes

November 14, 2023 By Nicolle

15 In food/ Recipes

Thanksgiving leftovers galette

This post contains affiliate links

Thanksgiving leftovers – that’s the best part am I right? While I love me a Thanksgiving leftovers sandwich, (cue Ross and “The Moist Maker”), this Thanksgiving leftovers galette is an amazing way to serve leftover turkey with all the trimmings and get another meal out of it!

The day after Thanksgiving is always a special one to me. I have fond memories of hitting up the mall with my cool aunt, getting manicures and doing some Black Friday shopping then coming home and making a nice big sandwich with turkey and all my favorite sides. And while these days I prefer shopping from home in my pajamas (because crowds, ewww), I still look forward to those Thanksgiving leftovers. So pop this baby in the oven and curl up with your favorite Christmas movie and some Black Friday shopping right from the comfort of your own home.

What is a galette?

The term galette comes from the Norman word “gale”, meaning a flat cake. It’s basically a round, flat pie but with no pie crust topping, so kind of like an open faced tart. Where a pie is a little more formal and put together, the galette is more rustic, relaxed and imperfect. A galette is baked on a baking pan instead of a pie plate. Traditionally they have a fruit filling, but the options are endless!

Thanksgiving leftovers galette

I like to use a refrigerated pie crust because let’s face it, who wants to make pie crust from scratch after Thanksgiving? Layer with all your favorite Thanksgiving sides and turkey, then roll up the edges, brush with some egg wash and pop in the oven until golden.

Ingredients:

Shredded turkey or cut into chunks
Mashed potatoes
Stuffing
Cranberry sauce
2 pie crusts (I cheat and use refrigerated)
Shredded swiss and gruyere cheese
1 egg (for egg wash)
Optional – gravy

Directions:

1.) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2.) Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Slightly layer the two pie crusts so they overlap in the middle.

3.) Start by spooning the mashed potatoes over the dough, leaving about a 1-2 inch border.

4.) Next layer the stuffing and turkey.

5.) Sprinkle with shredded cheese.

6.) Fold the edges of the dough up so that it makes a crust and large open faced tart.

7.) Make an egg wash by beating 1 egg with some water then brush the egg wash over the edges of the crust.

8.) Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove then top with the cranberry sauce and place back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes.

9.) Remove once golden. Slice and serve warm with gravy if desired.

Get these leftover containers to bring your leftovers home in so that you can make this recipe the next day.

For more Thanksgiving ideas check out:

Sweet Potato Casserole

These pumpkin magic bars

This easy place setting

This place setting for kids

10 fantastic fall tablescapes

Sign up below to get my Thanksgiving newsletter full of recipes, DIYs, a playlist and more right to your inbox!

Pin for later

Thanksgiving leftovers galette

Pie crust is top with leftover Thanksgiving turkey and all of your favorite sides and baked to perfection in a rustic tart or galette. Top with gravy and cranberry sauce!

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 30

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

1 cup shredded or diced turkey
1 cup mashed potatoes
1 cup stuffing
1 cup cranberry sauce
2 pie crusts refrigerated
1 egg
gravy optional
1 cup shredded gruyere or swiss cheese

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Slightly layer the two pie crusts so they overlap in the middle.
Start by spooning the mashed potatoes over the dough, leaving about a 1-2 inch border.
Next layer the stuffing and turkey.
Sprinkle with shredded cheese.
Fold the edges of the dough up so that it makes a crust and large open faced tart.
Make an egg wash by beating 1 egg with some water then brush the egg wash over the edges of the crust.
Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes. Remove then top with the cranberry sauce and place back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes.
Remove once golden. Slice and serve warm with gravy if desired.

Keyword galette, Thanksgiving, turkey

November 10, 2023 By Nicolle

2 In Nesting

Nesting

This post contains affiliate links

Nesting on this first weekend in November.

Happy Daylight Savings. I hope you all enjoy your extra hour today whether it be getting an extra hour of sleep, having a cup of coffee in peace, spending time with family or friends, or maybe tackling that one thing that’s been on your to do list and you just haven’t had the time.

In fact as I write this, Rick and the kids are all still sleeping so it’s just me, Miss Lola Mae, my big cuppa and the glow of the Christmas lights. It’s glorious.

Yes you heard that right. I made Rick put up our tree yesterday. It’s not decorated yet but she’s up in all her glory and I’m feeling festive. Have you put up your tree yet?

In fact Mav made me so proud. We were literally walking door to door trick or treating and he said to me “so mommy, does that mean we can put up our tree tomorrow?” He takes after his mama 🙂

I know it’s been a busy few weeks between Halloween, all the events and parties.

Here’s what’s been happening lately on the blog:

If you have leftover Halloween candy (leftovers? What’s that?) here’s a recipe for my Halloween candy cookie bars.

I think this is going to be the Christmas decor trend of 2023, all things gingerbread. I shared some of my favorite gingerbread finds here.

And because it’s soup season, I shared my favorite soup recipes to keep your belly and heart full for the cold months. Click here to see them all.

Random Amazon Finds this week:

I just bought this to help step up my fitness game.

I was looking for advent calendars and I found this one for all the Swifties and now I have to have it!

I’m obsessed with this sweatshirt/jacket in the beige.

What I’m reading…

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears – I have always been a huge Britney fan and to read some of the situations that she has been in, truly makes me appreciate her even more.

And now here are some of my favorite finds of the week from around the web:

Save this idea for your Thanksgiving or Friendsgiving celebration. Is there anything better than wine in a pumpkin dispenser? My friend Michele shows you how to do it!

Life lessons we can learn from Chandler Bing. RIP Chan Chan Man. Thank you for all the laughs.

These Christmas tree skirt ideas.

This grilled cheese charcuterie board.

The cutest DIY to count your gratitude this season.

Stay tuned for next week where we’re talking leftovers! I’ve got an idea for your leftover pumpkins and your Thanksgiving leftovers!

Sign up below so you don’t miss anything!

I’m also working on adding some more free printables to the printable library for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If there is anything in particular you’d like to see, make sure to comment or send me an email ourtinynestblog@gmail.com.

Have a great week!

November 5, 2023 By Nicolle

Older Posts

Newer Posts