New Year's Eve Party Eats & Drinks

Garlic Cheese Monkey Bread

There's nothing better than "Money Bread" for holiday parties! Not only are they beautiful but you can make them as a sweet dessert or as a savory dish. My all time favorite party food. I love them all!

Remember this recipe for National Bread Month / November
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How to Video of all kinds of Party Poppers

You know we are always talking about food on this blog and I had to share this video of all kinds of party poppers. No party would be complete without poppers. Yummm!
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Top 10 Best Christmas Commercials for 2018

Jake's Top 10 :The funniest, most heartwarming best overall amazing Christmas adverts released this year! Funny, touching & will make you smile!
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Song for if your missing someone this Christmas

Blessing to everyone who is missing a loved one.
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Lyrics: I’m not going to lie. Christmas really hurts this time Cause you’re not here to celebrate with me. Tears fill my eyes. And memories flood my mind, As I place your ornament upon our tree. Although this year I have a broken heart, It gives me hope and joy as I remember where you are. Chorus: You’re with the Son of God. You’re with the Prince of Peace. You’re with the one we’re celebrating And that thought amazes me. Sometimes I still break down, Grieving that we’re apart, But the sweetest gift is knowing where you are. You’re with the Son of God. Got your picture in a frame And a stocking with your name. Oh God knows it’s been hard letting go. And I can’t bring you back, But I’ll see you again. And oh, that thought is healing to my soul. I’ll miss making angels with you in the snow. I guess instead you will be singing with them All around God’s throne. Chorus And I know the Christmas season Was your favorite time of year. You loved to help us decorate our tree. But now that you’re with Jesus, I can’t imagine how you feel Cause He’s the one who bled and died Upon the tree for you and me. Chorus Credits: “The Sweetest Gift” written by Craig Aven Produced by Jon Schmidt and Chuck E. Myers “sea” Arranged by Jon Schmidt, Chuck Myers, Al van der Beek & Steven Sharp Nelson Craig Aven: Vocals Jon Schmidt: Piano Steven Sharp Nelson: Cello Piano and vocals recorded by Jake Bowen at Big Idea Studios Cello recorded by Al van der Beek at TPG Studios Mastered by Al van der Beek Video Produced and Filmed by Paul Anderson & Shaye Scott Video Edited by Shaye Scott & Paul Anderson
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Candy Cane Cheesecake

How to make Holiday Candy Cane White Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

This easy yet beautiful dessert would be perfect for Christmas, Valentine's Day or Easter. And always perfect for National Cheesecake Day which is celebrated on July 30th or National Dessert Day which is celebrated every October 14th.

INGREDIENTS •23 oreo cookies •2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted •340g cream cheese, room temperature •6 tbsp sugar •6 tbsp sour cream •½ tsp vanilla extract •½ tsp peppermint extract •pinch salt •1 egg •1 egg yolk •red or pink food coloring •9 candy canes, crushed

• See Home Cooking for full recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di6DS03XhgE

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Cozy up to the fire with Happy the cat and Hallmark Channel / yule log

Cozy up to the fire with Happy the cat and Hallmark Channel
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Beef & Onion Stuffed Puffed Pastry in the shape of a star / Party Food

This video has been picked to honor Food related Holidays in our calendar.

• Christmas /
• National Pastry Day / December 9
• National Meat Month / January
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Spend Christmas by the fireside with a very happy cat and dog

Spend Christmas by the fireside with Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. Enjoy the glow of the yule log, along with holiday music and a very Happy Cat and Dog!
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Jesse's Gift from Santa

Adopt a Pet to Celebrate the Holidays / Best friends animal society

Best Friends Animal Society is a national animal welfare organization focused on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. An authority and leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country.
https://youtu.be/1weap7e1i_Q

About Best Friends Animal Society: Best Friends Animal Society is a national animal welfare organization focused on ending the killing of dogs and cats in America's shelters. An authority and leader in the no-kill movement, Best Friends runs the nation's largest no-kill sanctuary for companion animals, as well as lifesaving programs in partnership with rescue groups and shelters across the country.

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This video is in honor of National Animal Holidays.

• http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/National_animal_holidays.html

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One Diet Plan to Cure Any Disease | Subah Jain

In this video she says this...."Want to get rid of diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid, gastritis, PCOS, acne, hair fall, knee pain, sinus, obesity or any other chronic disease? Or simply want to lose weight fast? Follow the four food principles and diet plan discussed in this video, specifically for India. By changing to a living foods, water rich, plant-based diet, any disease can be reversed ."
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This video has been picked to celebrate all Health Awareness Holidays.
Remember and celebrate all Health Observances.

American Heart Month / February
National Cancer Prevention Month / February
World Cancer Day / February
National Nutrition Month / March
National Kidney Month / March
National Parkinson's Awareness Month / April
National Cancer Control Month / April
Stress Awareness Month / April
National Parkinson's Awareness Month / April
National Cancer Control Month
World Health Day / April 7
National American Stroke Month / May
National High Blood Pressure Education Month / May
National Mental Health Month / May
Arthritis Awareness Month / May
Women's Health Month / May
Men's Health Month / June
June 1 to June 7 / National Migraine Awareness Week
World Hepatitis Day / July 28
August 14 to August 18 / Fungal Disease Awareness Week
World Heart Day / September 29
National Chiropractic Month / October
Lung Cancer Awareness Month / November
Stomach Cancer Awareness Month / November
World Diabetes Day / Nov. 14
the list goes on......
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Winter Cake / Home Cooking Adventure

As you know my blog talks about Holidays, Celebrations and the 4 Seasons.... and I love to share the beautiful work that others do in celebration of the holidays. So today I have picked this beautiful "Winter Cake" from Home Cooking Adventure. A beautiful representation of winter. I hope you all try the recipe because I know I sure am. And please share and pass on this winter time beauty.

She says....
"This Winter Cake is an impressive dessert that everybody will love, perfect for winter holidays, a great twist to the classic recipes. Almond biscuit crust at the bottom with two layers of moist white cake, filled with raspberry and red currants filling and topped with a delicious sweetened condensed milk buttercream." To print the recipe / check the full recipe on her blog:
https://www.homecookingadventure.com/recipes/winter-cake
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How to make Ginger Bread Cookies / list of ingredients

This youtube video shows you how to make ginger bread cookies and lists all the ingredients. Sift it all together in a bowl. Then mix the wet stuff. Knead the dough briefly until smooth. Wrap it in clingwrap and leave in the fridge for 15 minutes. Then roll the dough and cut out the cookies. Preheat the oven to 350 and bake for 15 minutes. Decorate with icing. Don't forget to share!
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Red Velvet Lava Cake

Christmas Gift ideas for Children

Christmas is a magical day for millions of children around the globe. And the gifts are a huge part of it! 
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What are you having for your Christmas dinner

What are you having for your Christmas Dinner? Garlic and herb roasted turkey, crunchy veggies with garlic butter, apricot glazed smoked ham, cranberry poached pears?
What are you having for your Christmas Dinner? Be a part of our holiday community. Put in the comments below..... 1) Where your from... then 2) What you are eating for Christmas dinner.

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Holiday Traditions around the world

The holiday season is a magical time. Let's see how people celebrate. Here's a few holiday traditions around the world. Sweden burn the Gavle Goat, Norway... hide the broom, The Philippines... Giant lantern Festival. Israel.... light the menora. Germany.... St. Nicholas Day.

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Winter Holiday Wishes

Spread your cheer all around and wish winter holiday wishes.

I love to be inspired and this video did just that. May your holidays be filled with fun. Share your joy with friends and family. Make these days warmer for each other. Spread your cheer all around. It's time to feel magic in the air.  We wish you wonderful holidays!

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Thank you for being a part of my blog "Live every day like a holiday"

For more holiday fun; see my other sites.

Holiday Directory: http://www.gone-ta-pott.com

my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/gonetapott

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Christmas Crunch Cake Recipe

This fun granola, no bake cake is not only great for Christmas.... but would be great as any type of celebration cake. Remember this recipe for National Cake Day too!
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Jolly Vodka Spiked Jello Shots

9 Easy Christmas Recipes

Chocolate Coconut Bûche de Noël (Yule Log)

Introduction to Prime Pantry / Everyday essentials delivered to you

During the holidays....
Any type of helpful service is greatly appreciated because we are living such a fast pace life and find it hard to run to the store and stand in the long lines for just the simple things. That's why I wanted to pass on the information about Prime Pantry. This may be something perfect for you. "Everyday essentials delivered to you"

With Prime Pantry....
The Amazon site says this "Prime members can shop for groceries and gourmet food, household, health and beauty products in one place. We have thousands of items available at low prices including snacks, coffee, soft drinks, breakfast foods, cosmetics, first aid supplies, household products and more.

Prime customers can pay $4.99 per month to sign up for a Prime Pantry membership, and receive free shipping on orders $10 or more. Alternatively, Prime customers can choose to pay a flat $5.99 shipping fee on orders under $35, or receive free shipping on orders $35 or more. All Prime Pantry boxes are shipped using ground shipping, and may take 1-4 business days to arrive.

Pantry’s wide selection allows you to take care of all your household and laundry needs with brands such as Tide, Clorox, Kleenex, Quilted Northern, Bounty and more. Keep your kitchen stocked with beverages from Nestle, La Croix, Coca-Cola, and snacks from Frito-Lay, Pepperidge Farm, Nature Valley, Kellogg’s and more. Whether it’s organic, gluten-free, or vegan, our food selection aims to cater to a variety of dietary preferences.

Save yourself a trip to the store, and enjoy access to exclusive selection of low-priced items in everyday sizes with Prime Pantry."

10 Christmas Cookies

24 Fun Christmas Treat Ideas For Advent Calendar Desserts

Should I have a Cookie

Celebrate National Cookie Day!

From Visually.

10 Ten Minute Holiday Crafts

If you're looking for some fun and creative ways to decorate this holiday season, wrap gifts, or host a party, this infographic provides some snazzy and quick ideas to bring in the holiday spirit. From making gift boxes out of matchboxes to making dipping Oreo cookies in peppermint, this infographic provides tips and techniques to make your Christmas season more merry.  Click photo to enlarge

by Overstock.

From Visually.

Christmas Drinks from around the Globe

Santa’s been throwing ’em back for a few centuries and has zipped around the world a thousand times, which has been plenty of time to pick up some wicked Christmas cocktail recipes. In this infographic from Treetopia are some of his favorite mixed drinks he's collected from around the globe - complete with easy-to-follow mixing instructions. More than just your father's traditional eggnog recipe! Source: http://www.t...s/9953.htm

Click on photo to enlarge:

From Visually.

December 3 Daily Observances

December 2 Daily Observances

December 1 Daily Observances

What's the best gift topper for women

Christmas Dinners

Check out these culinary treats from around the world! What will you be eating on Christmas day?

From Visually.

List of multinational festivals and holidays in December

Buddhism

• Bodhi Day: 8 December – Day of Enlightenment, celebrating the day that the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni or Siddhartha Gautama) experienced enlightenment (also known as Bodhi).

Christianity

• Advent: four Sundays preceding Christmas Day
• Krampusnacht: 5 December – The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe on 6 December. In Alpine countries, Saint Nicholas has a devilish companion named Krampus who punishes the bad children the night before.
• Saint Nicholas' Day: 6 December
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception Day: 8 December – The day of Virgin Mary's Immaculate Conception is celebrated as a public holiday in many Catholic countries.
• Saint Lucia's Day: 13 December – Church Feast Day. Saint Lucia comes as a young woman with lights and sweets.
• Las Posadas: 16–24 December – procession to various family lodgings for celebration & prayer and to re-enact Mary & Joseph's journey to Bethlehem
• Longest Night: A modern Christian service to help those coping with loss, usually held on the eve of theWinter solstice. 
• Christmas Eve: 24 December – In many countries e.g. the German speaking countries, but also in Poland, Hungary and the Nordic countries, gift giving is on 24 December.
• Christmas Day: 25 December and 7 January – celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike.
• Anastasia of Sirmium feast day: 25 December
• Twelve Days of Christmas: 25 December–6 January
• Saint Stephen's Day: 26 December – In Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic a holiday celebrated as Second Day of Christmas.
• Saint John the Evangelist's Day: 27 December
• Holy Innocents' Day: 28 December
• Saint Sylvester's Day: 31 December

Hinduism

• Pancha Ganapati: a modern five-day Hindu festival celebrated from December 21 through 25 in honor of Ganesha.

Historical

• Malkh: 25 December
• Modraniht: or Mothers' Night, the Saxon winter solstice festival.
• Saturnalia: 17–23 December – An ancient Roman winter solstice festival in honor of the deity Saturn, held on the 17 December of the Julian calendar and expanded with festivities through to 23 December. Celebrated with sacrifice, a public banquet, followed by private gift-giving, continual partying, and a carnival.
• Dies Natalis Solis Invicti (Day of the birth of the Unconquered Sun): 25 December – late Roman Empire

Humanism

• HumanLight: 23 December – Humanist holiday originated by the New Jersey Humanist Network in celebration of "a Humanist's vision of a good future."

Judaism

• Hanukkah: usually falls anywhere between late November and early January.

Paganism

• Pagan winter festival that was celebrated by the historical Germanic people from late December to early January.
• Yalda: 21 December – The turning point, Winter Solstice. As the longest night of the year and the beginning of the lengthening of days, Shabe Yaldā or Shabe Chelle is an Iranian festival celebrating the victory of light and goodness over darkness and evil. Shabe yalda means 'birthday eve.' According to Persian mythology, Mithra was born at dawn on 22 December to a virgin mother. He symbolizes light, truth, goodness, strength, and friendship. Herodotus reports that this was the most important holiday of the year for contemporary Persians. In modern times Persians celebrate Yalda by staying up late or all night, a practice known as Shab Chera meaning 'night gazing'. Fruits and nuts are eaten, especially pomegranates and watermelons, whose red color invokes the crimson hues of dawn and symbolize Mithra.
• Koliada: Slavic winter festival celebrated on late December with parades and singers who visit houses and receive gifts.

Secular

• Boxing Day: 26 December.
• Human Rights Day: 10 December
• Dongzhi Festival – a celebration of Winter
• Hogmanay: night of 31 December–before dawn of 1 January – Scottish New Year's Eve celebration
• Newtonmas: 25 December – As an alternative to celebrating the religious holiday Christmas, some atheists and skeptics have chosen to celebrate December 25 as Newtonmas, due to it being Isaac Newton's birthday on the old style date.
• Kwanzaa: 26 December–1 January – Pan-African festival celebrated in the US
• New Year's Eve: 31 December – last day of the Gregorian year 
• Soyal: 21 December – Zuni and Hopi
• Solstice: On or about 21 December.
• Zamenhof Day: 15 December – Birthday of Ludwig Zamenhof, inventor of Esperanto; holiday reunion for Esperantists
• Watch Night: 31 December

Unitarian Universalism

• Chalica: first week of December – A holiday created in 2005, celebrated by some Unitarian Universalists. 

Fictional or parody

• Erastide: In David Eddings' Belgariad and Malloreon series, Erastide is a celebration of the day on which the Seven Gods created the world. Greetings ("Joyous Erastide") and gifts are exchanged, and feasts are held.
• Feast of Winter Veil: 15 December–2 January – A holiday in World of Warcraft. This holiday is based on Christmas. Cities are decorated with lights and a tree with presents. Special quests, items and snowballs are available to players during this time. The character of "Greatfather Winter", who is modeled after Santa Claus, appears. Festival of the Winter Veil was and still is a legitimate holiday of European religions like Wicca. The Germanic tribes used to celebrate the Winter Solstice as a time to be thankful for the blessings given to them to survive harsh winters. The term "Weil", incorrectly translated to "veil", means abundance in German.
• Feast of Alvis: in the TV series Sealab 2021. "Believer, you have forgotten the true meaning of Alvis Day. Neither is it ham, nor pomp. Nay, the true meaning of Alvis day is drinking. Drinking and revenge."–Alvis
• Hogswatch: a holiday celebrated on the fictional world of Discworld. It is very similar to the Christian celebration of Christmas.
• Festivus: 23 December – a parody holiday created by Daniel O'Keefe and made popular by Seinfield as an alternative to Christmas.
• Frostvale: the winter holidays in the Artix Entertainment universe
• Decemberween: 25 December – a parody of Christmas that features gift-giving, carol-singing and decorated trees. The fact that it takes place on December 25, the same day as Christmas, has been presented as just a coincidence, and it has been stated that Decemberween traditionally takes place "55 days after Halloween". The holiday has been featured in the Homestar Runner series.
• Wintersday, the end-of-the-year celebration in the fictional universe of the Guild Wars franchise, starts every year mid December and ends the next year on early January.
• IES Competition Time, Don's Event questions on the number of trips he took all over the world and in return offering prizes for the person who can guess closest. Follows this up with everyone's favourite Andrew Award presentation.
• Winter's Crest, the winter celebration held on the continent of Tal'Dorei in the world of Exandria, as featured in the RPG show Critical Role. 

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Resources: www.gone-ta-pott.com / wikipedia.org / freedictionary.com / ChaseCalendar

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Christmas Party Ornament Exchange Woes

Ornament Exchange Gift Etiquette

5 reasons why ornaments make great token gifts for Christmas

What is a Candle Follower

https://amzn.to/2P1CQXB

We are always celebrating something and we are always using candles during the holiday season... so I though it would be helpful to pass on information about "candle followers". This is a helpful item that many people are not aware is available.

What is a Candle Follower?

These are glass or metal tubes with an internal stricture partway along, which sit around the top of a lit candle. As the candle burns, the wax melts and the follower holds the melted wax in, whilst the stricture rests on the topmost solid portion of wax. Candle followers are often deliberately heavy or weighted to ensure they move down as the candle burns lower, maintaining a seal and preventing wax escape. The purpose of a candle follower is threefold:

• To contain the melted wax, making the candle more efficient, avoiding mess, and producing a more even burn.
• As a decoration, either due to the ornate nature of the device, or (in the case of a glass follower) through light dispersion or coloration.
• If necessary, to shield the flame from wind.

Candle followers are often found in churches on altar candles.

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Resources:  wikipedia / www.gone-ta-pott.com / amazon /

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Winter Holidays

Winter Holidays by America - from 2002
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Northern Hemisphere winter holidays:
"The winter months in the Northern Hemisphere is often accompanied by festivals and feasts. The winter holiday season is known as a period of time surrounding Christmas that was formed in order to embrace all cultural and religious celebration rather than only Christian celebrations. Usually, this period begins near the start of November and ends with New Year's Day on January 1." "The holiday season is usually commercially referred to with a broad interpretation, avoiding the reference of specific holidays like Hanukkah or Christmas." "Traditional "holiday season" festivities are usually associated with winter, including snowflakes and wintry songs." "In some Christian countries, the end of the festive season is considered to be after the feast of Epiphany, although this is only within the Christian creed.Winter holiday greetings are traditionally a part of the winter holiday season."

Holidays in honor of Winter

• January 23 - Snowplow Mailbox Hockey Days.

• February - National Blah Buster Month - Get rid of those winter blues and do do something fun.

• February 2  - Groundhog Day / USA 

• March 20 - Snowman Burning Day / USA (weird holidays)

• Saturnalia: (December 17)

• Flake Appreciation Day: (December 18)

• Winter Solstice:

Christmas

Note: The usage "holiday season" or some variation thereof is usually only used to any notable extent in the United States and Canada. Due, however, to the prevalence of celebration in these countries, this article reflects both the "Christmas season" and "holiday season" namesakes.

"The Christmas season, the (Christmas) holidays or the holiday season is a notable 2 to 4 month period that surrounds the Christmas holiday as well as other varying holidays. It is sometimes synonymous with the winter season, and is usually said to take place between approximately October and January. It has been found to have a proportionate effect on health, compared to the rest of the year. Its reference and naming by schools and governments has been the subject of controversy. It incorporates a period of shopping which comprises a peak season for the retail sector (the "Christmas shopping season"), and a period of sales at the end of the season (the "January sales")."

"The exact definition, name, and celebratory method of the period varies from culture to culture: According to Yanovski et al., in the United States the season "is generally considered to begin with Thanksgiving and end after New Year's Day". According to Axelrad, the season in the United States encompasses at least Christmas and New Year's Day, and also includes Saint Nicholas Day. The U.S. Fire Administration defines the winter holiday season as the period from December 1 to January 7. According to Chen et al., in China the Christmas/winter holiday season "is generally considered to begin with the winter solstice and end after the Lantern Festival". Some stores and shopping malls advertise their Christmas merchandise beginning after Halloween or even in late October, alongside Halloween items. In the UK Christmas food appears on supermarket shelves as early as September."

The precise definition of feasts and festival days that are encompassed by the Christmas/winter holiday season has become controversial over recent decades.

Traditionally, the only holidays included in the "season" were:

• Christmas Eve

• Christmas Day

• Boxing Day (in some countries), like Australia

• New Year's Eve,

• New Year's Day and

• Three Kings Day.

In recent times, this definition has begun to expand to include:

• Yule,

• Hanukkah,

• Kwanzaa,

• Thanksgiving and

• Black Friday. 

Due to the phenomenon of Christmas creep and the informal inclusion of American Thanksgiving, the "winter" holiday season has begun to extend into late autumn. 

• See also list of winter festivals.

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Resources:
http://www.gone-ta-pott.com/winter_holidays.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/whttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_multinational_festivals_and_holidaysiki/
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