Pfeffernüsse, aka pepper nuts, are a traditional German cookie featuring aromatic spices and a sweet icing. Like any good cookie recipe, there are dozens and dozens of variations of the spices and ingredients used, but all bakers agree that the result is a spicy, dry cookie that is small enough to grab by the handful! As…
A reed diffuser is another way to embrace the scents of Christmas throughout the holiday season. While the scent won't be as strong as a room spray or an electronic diffuser, these will add a light scent to the air, especially when used to a smaller room. The options for scent combinations are virtually endless, as are the…
I haven't been able to stop thinking about this idea since I made meringue angel kisses a few weeks ago, and sure enough, these little jars turned out just like store-bought individual hot chocolate packets...except so much cuter! To start, I modified the Alton Brown hot cocoa mix from our first 101 Days of Christmas to make individual servings.…
I've had these Ollibots on my list of gifts to make since I first saw them over the summer, and I'm excited to give Jackson a set for Christmas this year. These wooden robots are a great "homemade" gift because the artwork is provided for you (in case that's not your thing), and assembling the…
When my sister tried one of these cookies yesterday, she exclaimed, "Mmm! Tastes like a snickerdoodle." Which I suppose is a good thing since they are, in fact, snickerdoodles! With a cup of King Arthur Flour's melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon chips and a coating of cinnamon-sugar, these snickerdoodles (which I adapted from this King Arthur Flour recipe) offer…
As I've mentioned before, giving is important to our family all year long, but we especially love to give at Christmastime, when it's too easy to fall into the trap of commercialism and wanting more things. This year at Life Your Way, we're sharing our Christmas to provide farm animals to families in need. Yes, farm animals! By giving…
Create a shaving kit for the men in your life with this DIY shaving cream and aftershave! Actually, who am I kidding? DIY shaving cream and this refreshing aftershave would make a great gift for a woman too! Scent both products with classic Christmas scents like peppermint, choose something fresh like vanilla and orange, or mix…
It doesn't take complicated crafts to make my girls happy or keep them occupied; in fact, it's usually the simplest projects that hold their attention best. This is one of those projects! Chances are you remember this craft from your own childhood, and the fun part is really in customizing your snowflake since the possibilities are…
I think this may be one of my favorite printables to date, and I'm already dreaming up how I can use them for passing out Christmas goodies this year, especially since they're the perfect size for my nonpareils! Simply print out the template of your choice on regular paper (for a light gift, like a…
Madeleines, or French tea cakes, are really more cake than cookie, although we tend to think of them as a cookie anyway. These light and fluffy sponge cakes are baked in a shell-shaped pan to give them their distinctive shape, and they can be made with a variety of flavored extracts or decorations for a…