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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

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It’s been a very snowy weekend here and it’s finally starting to feel like the holidays. We’ve had very little snow the last 10 days or so, which is really odd for us seeing as we typically have a heavy coat of snow this time of year. Thankfully, the snow is here and it’s so magical to watch the pretty snowflakes falling. Picture a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie.

It’s a true winter wonderland. It’s cheesy to say, I know, but it’s the truth.

Now that the snow has arrived, the countdown to Christmas is officially on. With only eleven days left until Christmas Eve, it’s already full-on holiday craziness. And the honest truth? I’m so behind on my shopping. I have my secret Santa all taken care of, but still have many items on my list to order for my mom and Asher. I know Christmas is about so much more than the gifts, but I can’t tell you how much I really love to gift a GOOD gift. It’s just so fun for me. The search, the ordering, and then, of course, the wrapping. I really love it all. Time is just the issue, as always. But I’m setting aside time tonight to hopefully get everything ordered before it’s too late.

Is anyone else in the same situation? I’m always a little last minute with my shopping…I must get that from my mom!

Anyway, I’m looking forward to a Sunday night of shopping. Of course, with Christmas movies playing in the background and my two favorite holiday candles burning…Tis’ the season.

In other news, things around here are the usual December craziness. I’ve been jumping around from project to project. And while I’m excited about everything I’m doing, it’s can be just a smidge overwhelming at times. The good news is that I’m finally making headway on a few big projects we have coming up. Very happy about that!

Coming up this week on HBH, we have so many new and delicious recipes! First off, the simplest pasta that I’ve been working on for weeks and finally got just right. A sweet holiday cookie on Tuesday that’s a classic, but of course, with a twist. A warming Indian dinner, the coziest soup, and a sweet holiday breakfast come Friday. For Saturday’s cocktail…it’s extra special because it’s the last Christmas drink of the season!

Oh and?! I will also be sharing my 2020 cookie box too. Cannot wait!

Hoping you all have been enjoying the weekend and have a very relaxing Sunday planned. Hopefully, you’re baking up a fresh batch of The Santa Clause Cookies or making some Spicy Alla Vodka Pasta because really, is there anything better this time of year?

1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try…

watching…Midnight at the Magnolia. My mom told me I have to watch this. Have you guys seen it? She also said The Christmas Chronicles II was really good! Oh, and Asher said that she really liked Elliott the Littlest Reindeer.

loving…our family stockings. We’ve had these Pottery Barn Kids stockings for years, and yet I still love seeing them all hung on my parent’s mantel. They are the cutest…and we only keep adding more to our growing collection! They’re on sale today if you are looking for new stockings! My mom just got the dog for Oslo.

loving…my Dirty Gingerbread Candle. I mentioned I wanted to try this candle last week. Well, I’ve now been burning it for the last four days and it’s basically Christmas in a candle. I love it.

listening to…Second Life with Jen Atkin. Loved this episode. Jen is such a powerhouse entrepreneur and I found her story so inspiring. I’m excited for her new book, Blowing My Way To the Top!

loving…the Augustinus Bader Cleansing Balm. I just got this and already love it. My skin has been so dry, but is so gentle on my skin and removes all makeup.

excited to try…the Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask. My cousin says she loves this! My lips have been so dry, so I’m ordering it!

ordered…these Jolly Santa Lidded Mugs. I 100% don’t need these, but they’re so cute and a fun idea for them!

loving….my Beis Bags. I just got this backpack, work tote, and makeup bag and love each one. They’re so cute, but yet so functional.

drinking…The Grinch Cocktail. One of my Christmas favorites. Excited to make this for my family soon!

watching….Willow by Taylor Swift. Just like everyone else, I was sucked in. Does her creativity ever stop? Incredible.

wanting, but thinking this is beyond my price range…this Louis Vuitton Capucines Mini Bag. So pretty…maybe someday! Also, since we’re on the topic of dream designer handbags, this Channel Flap Bag. Classic and always stunning.

loving…these Crock Print Leather Boots. My cousin, Abby hinted she might want these for Christmas! They’re on sale, so I might just grab her a pair! Also, everything on the Dolce Vita site is 30% off today! She loves their shoes!

baking…Holy Jolly Santa Cookies. My brothers girlfriend, Hailey, baked these over the weekend and I’m just so excited she did! I LOVED seeing the two of them in the kitchen together baking away. It was so sweet.

2. My Favorite Christmas Drinks…

The North Pole Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

The North Pole Cocktail

Pomegranate Champagne Mule | halfbakedharvest.com

Pomegranate Champagne Mule

Vanilla Espresso Martini | halfbakedharvets.com

Vanilla Espresso Martini

The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com #thegrinch #christmasdrinksaturday #vodka

The Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail

Cranberry Bourbon Sour | halfbakedharvest.com #bourbon #thanksgiving #cocktails #holiday #christmas

Cranberry Bourbon Sour

Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail | halfbakedharvst.com #cocktail #Christmas #holiday #easyrecipes #citrus #winter

Holly Jolly Christmas Citrus Cocktail

White Christmas Mojito | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

White Christmas Mojito

Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch | halfbakedharvest.com #bourbon #holiday #christmas #cocktails #pomegranate

Holiday Cheermeister Bourbon Punch

Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule | halfbakedharvest.com #cocktails #christmas #holiday #drinks #pomegranate #vodka

Spicy Pomegranate Moscow Mule

Gingerbread White Russian | halfbakedharvest.com #gingerbread #whiterussian #christmas #holiday #drink #cocktail

Gingerbread White Russian

Buddy the Elf Cocktail | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

Buddy the Elf Cocktail

Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned | halfbakedharvest.com #bourbon #cocktail #drink #thanksgiving #holiday #chai

Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned

3. Beauty Gift Sets I am Love…

4. Favorite questions of the week.

q: Favorite Christmas tradition?
a: My little sister (Asher) and I have a Christmas Day every single year. It’s just the two of us. We make gingerbread houses, bake cookies, wrap gifts, make hot chocolate, and watch her favorite Christmas movies ?

5. 25 Days of Christmas…

Nine Favorite Things | halfbakedharvest.com

21. Homemade Simple Syrups

Homemade cocktail syrups make the perfect gift for anyone who loves to enjoy a good drink…but without the effort 😉

Also, I love mixing up a good cocktail. That’s no secret. But things are busy during the holidays, so I try to have these simple syrups on hand. You can make a drink in 5 minutes start to finish with these easy homemade Simple Syrups!

20. Find The Best Stocking Stuffers

I LOVE a GOOD stocking stuffer. Ever since I can remember I’ve been in charge of stuffing my mom’s stocking on Christmas Eve. My dad is great and all, but he’s literally the real-life version of the Grinch.

I always make an effort to fill her stocking with things she’ll use. Jewelry, lotions, scarves, make-up, and any other items I can stuff in there. I can sometimes go a little overboard, but I have fun doing it.

Here are some of my picks for this year!

19. An Easy Holiday Table

I grab a few bundles of eucalyptus greens for $5 each at the grocery store. I also pick up a bunch of pomegranates. Then I simply arrange the pomegranates around the edges of the greens. I then throw in a few ornaments for an extra festive touch…and done. Takes me about 10 minutes and always turns out so pretty. The major bonus in using eucalyptus?

It smells incredible, just like Christmas actually. Perfection!

Read the full blog post on my tablescape here

18. An Easy Holiday Table…Continued

Moving on from my holiday centerpiece to the place settings. I love keeping things simple and always add some kind of homemade element to really make my table feel special. Plus, I’m last minute with everything, and sometimes homemade is easier than buying something from the store. It usually turns out way cuter anyway.

So here’s what I do:

I use simple brushed white plates and gold flatware, to add a festive pop of color. Natural linens with velvet ribbon, and then? Homemade gingerbread cookie name tags to give each place setting a special touch. To finish the table off, I use my favorite fancy wine glasses that add an air of elegance.

Read the full blog post on my tablescape here

An Easy Christmas Tablescape | halfbakedharvest.com #christmas #tablescape #holiday #dinner

17. Snowy, Sparkly Pine Cone Ornaments

These are some of the first Christmas ornaments I shared with you guys, but I still love these fun and easy DIY ornament! If you’re in need of a fun weekend project, make these extra festive, and oh so sparkly, Pine Cone Ornaments.

16. Christmas Potpourri

I’ve mentioned this idea before, but I LOVE homemade potpourri and if you’re a candle person, you’ll love this.

The best part is, you can really use whatever you have on hand. The must-haves (in my opinion), are cinnamon, citrus, ginger, and vanilla. Nothing makes it feel more like the holidays than those smells. So good.

I just let this simmer all day long, adding more water as needed. It’s maybe even better than a candle!

15. Gingerbread Snow Globe Place Setting

I love a crafty project and these are so easy and super cute! The best part? You can eat your place setting when done! Win. Win.

6. Inspiring Me On Pinterest…the Holiday Mantel.

I just got the prettiest greenery from Gracious Garlands and I am going to be honest, this is my first time really working with so much greenery. I am so excited, but also in need of inspiration. So I scrolled Pinerest and found some really pretty looks. I can’t wait to share with you guys what I’m working on…more to come soon!! And if you are in need of stunning holiday greenery, I highly recommend ordering from Gracious Garlands. Everyone who works is there is so kind and their greens are the prettiest I’ve seen.

Camille Styles

Camille Styles

Hey Lovely Studio 

Liz Marie Blog

Camille Styles

Amber Lewis

Wedding Chicks

House of Jade Interiors

7. Favorite links i’m loving…

I Watched Every Holiday Movie on Netflix…these are the 9 you should stream.

Leanne Ford Renovated Her New Home the Only Way She Knows How…it’s unique and so stunning. Of course.

This Trader Joe’s Buy Is Perfect for Last-Minute Holiday Decorating…I LOVE using dried orange slices to decorate. Such a fun and cute little holiday trick!

5 Up-and-Coming Materials Our Editors Predict Will Take Renos by Storm…love the jewel-toned marbles.

The 12 Best Games for a Grown-Up Game Night…my family loves Cards Against Humanity.

The Most Cluttered Areas of a Home…and the hacks to fix them.

FAO Schwarz Is Now a $25 Airbnb Listing…every kid’s dream come true.

23 Cult-Favorite Beauty Products…all on Amazon for easy shopping. This Tatcha Dewy Skin Cream is a tried and true favorite.

11 Holiday Nail Ideas That Aren’t Red…love the burgundy and emerald green shades.

This L.A. Ranch Renovation is Straight Out Of The 1980’s…and so pretty. I love the entryway and moody dining room.

11 Health Hacks to Get You Through the Holidays Enjoyably…all about getting out and moving in the morning.

11 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors You Should Absolutely Be Sampling…I love the black forest green and railings shade. So pretty!

7 Off-the-Grid Airbnbs with Serious Architecture and Design Cred…where would you stay?

Step Inside this Inviting Hollywood Escape…such a different home. It’s moody but cozy.

How Kris Jenner Decks the Halls…all the details.

8. Holiday Sweaters…

9. This week’s dinners…

Creamy Balsamic Mushroom Chicken Marsala | halfbakedharvest.com

Monday: Creamy Balsamic Mushroom Chicken Marsala

Crispy Cheesy Potato Stacks | halfbakedharvest.com

Serve  with…Crispy Cheesy Potato Stacks

Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili Oil | halfbakedharvest.com #dinner #noodles #easyrecipes #chinese

Tuesday: Better Than Takeout Szechuan Noodles with Sesame Chili Oil

One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com #skilletdinner #chicken #orzo

Wednesday: One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo

20 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen | halfbakedharvest.com #soup #instantpot #ramen #fallrecipes

Thursday: 30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen

Slow Cooker Red Wine Braised Short Rib Pasta | halfbakedharvest.com

Friday: Slow Cooker Red Wine Braised Short Rib Pasta

Creamy Coconut White Russian | halfbakedharvest.com

Saturday: Creamy Coconut White Russian

Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Millionaire’s Bars | halfbakedharvet.com

Sunday: Chocolate Covered Brown Butter Millionaire’s Bars

Check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. If you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s # 9 on the favorite’s list). You can grab the full grocery list for this week’s menu in our special Sunday newsletter.

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Comments

  1. I know all of your holiday cocktails are done and complete (and love them all) but would LOVE to see your take on hot buttered rum one day!

  2. Hi Tieghan! Love your blog and the inspiring recipes and posts. I always walk away with new ideas I’d like to try! Also must give you credit for the graceful way you handle some of the more, shall we say, critical comments on here – kudos to you! (I too, admire a beautifully designed handbag 🙂 ) Wishing you and your family a wonderful and healthy holiday season!

    1. Hey Colleen,
      Thanks so much for your kind message and following along! I truly appreciate you being here:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan

  3. Happy Sunday! I finally finished my second-to-last semester of grad school this week and am ready to relax after what feels like nonstop work over the last several months. But beware last minute holiday shopping this year, shipping is super slow! I ordered everything around black Friday sales (most before Thanksgiving) and several packages have not yet arrived. Also, I highly recommend Aldi’s seasonal candles. They are just like Bath and Body Works 3-wicks for $5! I can vouch for the balsam and cranberry scents. I don’t often comment but I’ve been cooking your recipes and lurking for years, love the cookbooks, xoxo.

    1. Hey Charlotte,
      Thanks so much for the candle recommendation, how awesome!! I hope you have a wonderful and relaxing holiday break! xTieghan

  4. You’ve got to be kidding about the 20,000 bag. Incredibly out of touch. All for a good bag but seriously that money could be used for charity and still get a good bag with a tenth of it. “Someday”, i hope not.

    1. Hey Angel! I only said I loved the bag, I’m not planning on buying it. The point of these post are to share the things that I love. Yes, that is an insane amount of money for a bag, but I can appreciate its beauty. If you don’t like a product, just simply read on for the next. There are plenty of very affordable picks within these post! Hoping that make sense! Have a wonderful Sunday and Hoppy Holidays to you and your family! xxTieghan

  5. Loved these links and those cocktails look divine! You and Asher should check out Godmothered on Disney plus. I just watched it last night and it’s SO adorable, and the setting is Christmas time so it feels a bit like a holiday movie! It’s adorable, funny, and inclusive.

    1. Hey Cassie,
      Thanks so much for the recommendation and reading todays post! I will definitely check it out:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan

  6. Happy Sunday and thank you for another great blog. I am certainly feeling both inspired and festive. In answer to your question, I am also a little behind with buying Christmas gifts and doing some holiday prep. I took a tumble on the stairs mid-week, bruising my lower back so I then spent 2 days resting, however I will catch up. Both work and home lives will be busy for the next 11 days though. I just have to keep telling myself to stay calm and enjoy the season and to not get stressed if something doesn’t get done. I love your festive cocktails, which I am looking forward to trying a few of these, however unfortunately I will have to put them on ice until the New Year, as I am on-call this Christmas. Wishing you a good week and looking forward to this week’s recipes 🙂

    1. Hey Colleen,
      Thanks so much for following along and reading the post! Glad to know I’m not the only one behind on shopping this year. So sorry to hear about your injury, sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season! xTieghan