Don't fret over what to get a party host this holiday season. We have creative ideas for hostess gifts, including items for the home and garden, treats from your kitchen, gift basket suggestions, and more.
More from Martha Stewart:
Easy Holiday Ham and Pork Recipes
Quick and Satisfying Winter Soups
Festive Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
Read More »from 7 Hostess Gift Ideas
Holiday fudgeTraditional fudge recipes require a candy thermometer and a fair amount of precision to get the texture just right; this streamlined recipe is simple enough for children to make (with supervision, of course) and relies on the addition of mini marshmallows for silkiness.
Related: 42 Prettiest Christmas Cookies to Bake
Yield: Makes 24 two-inch pieces
Ingredients
See More: The Best Eggnog Recipes We've Ever Tasted
Directions
Prepara Topper ChopperBy Jolene Bouchon, Martha Stewart
The best diets are not diets at all, in my humble opinion, but just plain ol' reasonable eating. You make sure you're dining mostly on nutritious stuff, with some, but not too much, of the bad stuff; get some exercise; and, voila, you're the picture of fitness and health. In a perfect world. The fact is, it's not always so easy to get the good vs. bad balance right.
The hardest aspect of healthy eating, for me, is portion control. I just don't like the idea of being limited, dag nabit, even if the proper portion is an amount I would have chosen anyway. So I've resorted to tricking myself, which I'm not too proud to say, works pretty well. (Most of the time.) One of my latest tricks involves a little trompe l'oeil, with the aid of an unusual tool.
Related: 8 Healthy Breakfasts for Everyday of the Week
Each morning I eat most of my daily fruit servings for breakfast, topped with a serving of plain yogurt and whatever nuts I'm
Read More »from The Ultimate Tool for Portion Control
Martha Stewart Living
By Laura House
Megan Shuler and Emily Read Bentley were a creative match made on Twitter. After admiring each other's inspiring work in the virtual world, the two teamed up last January to form the Bay Area's Enjoy Events Co.
While weddings are their specialty, the duo puts their fresh, inventive, and handmade spin on everything from birthday bashes to showers. No matter the occasion, they love turning a good party into an epic one.
Just before the holiday party season hits full swing, we asked them for five ways to think beyond the traditional yuletide party or cookie swap.
1. Create a crafty reason to get together over the holidays.
Slow down during the busy holiday season with a leisurely (and useful) craft night with your friends. Pull together leftover ribbon, wrapping paper, scrap materials, and paint to assemble unique centerpiece containers. Or, create one-of-a-kind gift tags out of colorful paper, fabric, and yarn.
Plus: Holiday Crafts That Shine
2. Ditch traditional
By Justine Lorelle LoMonaco
Planning a bash they'll never forget doesn't have to sap all your free time and energy. In fact, you can do it in the time it would take you to watch four episodes of Downton Abbey. Here's how to throw a day-of shindig they'll think took you weeks to plan.
Martha StewartThrowing an elegant holiday get-together -- whether a sit-down dinner or a cocktail party -- doesn't have to be stressful. Here are a few tips for hosting a wonderful Christmas gathering without breaking a sweat.
1. Put Together a Guest List and Invitations
Once you've decided what kind of party you're going to host, determine the date, time, guest list, and menu. Then put together a list of people to invite and decide how you're going to get the word out (you can send an invitation via email or post, or you can call guests). We suggest inviting your guests at least three to four weeks in advance if not sooner, as calendars fill up fast around the holiday season.
Check Out Our Online Invitations on pingg.com
Now that you know what type of party you're going to host and you have a guest list, it's time to pick what you'll serve. If you're having a dinner party, use one of these easy menus, or pick and choose which
Read More »from How to Easily Host a Holiday PartyAs Martha Stewart says, "the best children's gifts involve teaching." These 7 gifts aim to thrill little ones of all ages through imagination, smart design, and good old-fashioned play.
From head to bunny slippered-toe, we found something for every woman on your list.
Plus: Gifts for Him and Gifts for Happy Pets
Plus: 12 Martha Stewart Stocking Stuffers
Our editors and their four-legged friends tracked down these special items for a roundup of gifts your pets will love.
Miss Ida's EggnongMake this tasty eggnog, a family recipe from event planner Bronson Van Wyck, for a traditional holiday drink no one can resist. Bonus points: it's simple to make with only two steps!
Plus: 21 Holiday Cocktails
Miss Ida's Eggnog
Serves 10 to 12
Watch Martha Stewart and Bronson Van Wyck make Miss Ida's Eggnog
Ingredients
12 large eggs, separated
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups whiskey
2 ounces rum
2 ounces brandy
6 cups heavy cream
Freshly grated nutmeg, for serving
Plus: 14 Winter Drinks for Santa
Directions
1. Beat egg yolks together in a large bowl; whisk in sugar until well combined. Slowly whisk in whiskey, rum, and brandy until fully incorporated. While whisking, slowly add 4 cups heavy cream and whisk until well combined. Transfer to refrigerator until chilled, at least 2 hours.
2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into chilled liquor mixture. Add remaining 2 cups heavy cream to mixer and whisk until soft
