HoliDIY Ornament Contest: Terrific Trees

Christmas is almost here and that means our HoliDIY Contest is about to come to an end. For several weeks our Facebook fans have been voting for their favorite Marketplace Events made ornament. Our team members were challenged to see who could make the best ornament, and everything comes to a head at midnight Christmas Day.

Before you visit our Facebook page to cast your vote, try making your own ornament. These terrific trees, made by Liz H., Birmingham Home + Garden Assistant Show Manager, look great and are a snap to put together. All you need is a bit of ribbon and some twigs. Here's how you do it!

What you'll need:

• A stick (about 6 inches long)
• Some scrap ribbon
• Hot glue gun

Directions:

Step 1: Cut a stick about 6 inches long.

Step 2: Cut a length of scrap ribbon.

Step 3: Lay out the ribbon and cut to form a tree shape.

Step 4: Hot glue the ribbon to the stick

Step 5: Tie a ribbon at the top to make a loop

Step 6: Hang on your tree!

We're big fans of this rustic ornament. It's easy to make and as long as you have ribbon, sticks, and a glue gun, practically free! If you like them as much as we do, make sure to vote for them in our HoliDIY Challenge! Visit Facebook to cast your vote today!

Read More

HoliDIY Ornament Contest: Rustic Snowflakes

Just a few more days until Christmas and it's a tight race for competitors in our HoliDIY Ornament Contest. For weeks Facebook fans have been voting for their favorite homemade ornament, and everything will come to a head on midnight Christmas Day. Whose ornament will receive the most votes? Only time will tell.

Before you visit our Facebook page to cast your vote, try making your own ornament! These rustic stars, submitted by our Senior Graphic Designer, Dorothy M., come together in four simple steps (and one of them is waiting for glue to dry!). Add a little whimsy to your holiday decor. Here's how to make them.

What you'll need:

• Paper towel roll
• Scissors
• Hot glue gun

Directions:

Step 1: Cut your paper towel roll into 1/4 inch strips.

Step 2: Glue your strips together in a snowflake pattern. You can try making a few snowflakes with different patterns (remember, now two snowflakes are alike).

Step 3: Wait for glue to dry.

Step 4: Place carefully in tree or around home

We're big fans of these cute ornaments! They're so easy to make, and environmentally friendly! What could be better? If you like them as much as we do, make sure to vote for them in our HoliDIY Challenge! Visit Facebook to cast your vote today!

Read More

HoliDIY Ornament Contest: Stupendous Snowman

The HoliDIY Ornament Contest is in full swing and the competition is getting fierce! As part of a friendly DIY challenge, Marketplace Events team members crafted some ornaments, and now the online voting has begun. Whose ornament will receive the most votes and be crowned the winner? It's up to you (and our other Facebook fans) to decide.

Before you visit our Facebook page and vote for your favorite, why not try making your own ornament? We've already showed you how to make Karen A.'s sweet Santa ornaments, but what about Lupe M.'s stupendous snowman? The Salt Lake Home Show Office Administrator made this cute little guy using supplies she found around her home. Here's how you can make one.

What you'll need:

• Cotton balls
• Small mason jar
• Craft paint
• Hot glue gun and glue stick
• Construction paper (orange and black)
• Ribbon 
• Glitter

Directions:

Step 1: Use pulled apart cotton balls and sprinkled glitter to make the "snow".

Step 2: Glue the snow to the inside lid of the mason jar.

Step 3: Use cotton balls to make the snowman - two balls for the bottom, one ball for the middle, and one ball for the head. Glue all the balls together.

Step 4: Cut a carrot nose out of your orange construction paper, and a top hat and arms out of your black construction paper. Glue items to snowman.

Step 5: Use black paint to create the snowman's mouth and eyes - little dabs will do.

Step 6: Take your ribbon and tie it around the snowman to make the scarf.

Step 7: Paint half of the inside of the mason jar blue to make your background and sprinkle some glitter on top for some extra sparkle.

Step 8: Once the paint has dried, slide the mason jar over the snowman and twist on the lid.

We're big fans of this creative ornament! It's pretty simple to make and will add a nice holiday scene to your home this season. What do you think? If you're a fan, vote for Lupe M.'s ornament in our HoliDIY Challenge! Visit Facebook to cast your vote today!

Read More

Ho Ho Holiday Baking: 7 Treats to Make this Season

How’s your holiday baking going? If your annual shortbread and fruit cake seem a little stale, don’t fret! We’ve found some fresh and festive treat recipes that are sure to sleigh this season. Leave these sweets out for Santa and you might even get an extra gift – or two!

Marvelous Macarons – These peppermint macarons look almost too good to eat. We say almost, though, because they are absolutely worth eating. Light and sweet, they make the perfect holiday treat.

Image via Studio DIY

Beautiful Brownies – We are loving these festive little brownies. A simple squiggle of green icing, some sprinkles, and a candy cane combine with the always delicious brownie to make a fabulous Christmas tree. These are sure to be a hit at any holiday get together!

Image via One Little Project

Creative Cookie Cups – Most of you have had a cookie with your hot chocolates, but have you ever had a hot chocolate that is a cookie? These desserts are absolutely adorable (we’re big fans of the pretzel handle) and are sure to delight any child (or child at heart) you’re entertaining!

Image via The Gunny Sack

Sweet, Sweating Snowman – These snowman cookies are so cute, and a breeze to make! A Dollop of white icing, a peanut butter cup, and some sprinkles make one very convincing Frosty. Strapped for time, but want to wow your guests? These guys will do!

Image via Kitchen Meets Girl

Cool Christmas Trees – These Rice Krispie Christmas trees are fantastic (and could make the perfect prop for your Elf on the Shelf). Surprise friends, family, and neighbors with this sweet treat all December long.

Image via Simplee Thrifty

Perfect Peppermint Bark – Not sure what to serve your gluten-intolerant guests this season? We’ve got you covered. This peppermint bark is delicious and gluten free. Just because you can’t have gluten, doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!

Image via Gluten Free Canteen

Egg-cellent Eggnog Cookies – Finding festive vegan desserts can be a little tricky. Everywhere you look recipes seem to be calling for eggs and milk. Especially when it comes to eggnog inspired treats. So when we found these vegan eggnog cookies we had to share them!

Image via Half Full

We hope these treats add a little extra sweetness to the rest of your holiday season. Don’t forget to share your best baking shots with us on Instagram and Twitter – we love seeing what you create!

Read More

8 Fabulously Festive Table Settings

Expecting many dinner guests throughout December? Whether you’re putting on a casual meal to celebrate the season with friends and family or hosting the main event, the right table setting can make all the difference at a dinner party. Read on for some fun and fabulous tablescape inspiration to help get you through the holidays in style.

Cranberries & Candles – We love this simple, elegant centerpiece. A few handfuls of cranberries, some votives, and a serving dish are all you need to recreate this stunning look.

Image via Midwest Living

Perfect in Plaid – This rustic table is fabulously festive. Cozy knit napkins, evergreen branches, candles, and cranberries make a table fit for any fan of the outdoors.

Image via Poppy Talk

Joyful Jars – This mason jar centerpiece is lovely. It’s beautiful without being overpowering – plus you can fill as many jars as you need for the length of your table. You’ll need several mason jars, some sea salt, a few candles, some cranberries, and some evergreen branches.

Image via Country Living

O Christmas Tree Napkin – How cute is this napkin? Getting creative with your place settings doesn’t have to be complicated. A square green napkin and some simple folding will festive up your places in no time!

Image via Instructables

Wonderful Wood – Wood, pine cones, and deer: oh my! Here’s another rustic table to inspire you. We’re big fans of the table runner they’ve chosen, as well the wood they’ve placed under their plates. 

Image via The White Buffalo Styling Co.

Pink & White Wonderland – Your table isn’t limited to a red and green color scheme this holiday season. Want to break out of the box? Try a white, pink, and gold table! With the right accents (like ornaments and reindeer) you can keep your festive motif while using these fun, fresh colors.

Image via Celebrations At Home

Cute Cranberry Wreath – We’re still fawning over these mini cranberry wreath place settings. They’re a snap to make and add some fabulous, custom charm to any holiday table.

Image via Say Yes

We hope these ideas help you set a beautiful table this holiday season. Make sure to share shots of your seasonal tablescapes with us on Twitter and Instagram – we love seeing what you create!

Read More

Holiday Spirits: 6 Fun & Festive Drinks Worth Making

It’s mid-December and we all know what that means: holiday party season is in full swing. As you don your ugly sweaters and prepare for Santa swaps and other merriment, consider skipping the traditional egg nog for some more fresh and festive cocktails. We’ve found some delicious holiday spirits that will have everyone full of Christmas cheers!

Holly Jolly Jell-O Shots – These red and green creations are the perfect mix between cocktails and finger food. Guests can enjoy a playful bite, and there are no cups for you to tidy later!

Image via Tablespoon 

Sensational Blackberry Sparkler – With its mix of red, gold, and green, this ombre sparkler is a beautiful cocktail to serve at your holiday party. Whether you’re drinking to good health or the New Year, it’s the perfect beverage to sip.

Image via the Cookie Rookie

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate – This decadent and sweet concoction is perfect for cold days and serving to party guests who don’t want to imbibe. White chocolate and peppermint complement each other nicely, and when topped with crushed peppermint candies, this drink looks like Christmas in a cup.

Image via Gimme Some Oven

Cranberry Ginger Moscow Mule – We love this festive twist on the Moscow mule. The cranberries pair well with the vodka and ginger beer creating a fabulous seasonal drink. Definitely a must-make!

Image via A Brown Table

Apple Cider Mimosa – Hosting a holiday brunch? These apple cider mimosas should absolutely be on your menu! Not only are they extremely easy to make (we’re talking two ingredients here, people!) they look great.

Image via The Cookie Rookie

Hot Cinnamon Cranberry Punch – Cranberry, orange, lemon, cloves, and cinnamon combine to create this warm, festive beverage. Perfect for sipping by a hot fire, we’re sure your guests will love this sweet drink.

Image via Dessert Planet

We hope these fun cocktails help to add some festive cheer to your holiday parties. Whether you’re gathering with friends, coworkers, or family, we wish you and your guests a wonderful holiday season. And remember, if you create any of these cocktails, make sure to share some snaps with us on Instagram or Twitter!

Read More

Holi-DIY Ornament Contest: Sweet Santas

To help everyone get in the holiday spirit, we challenged our Marketplace Events team members to a friendly DIY competition. Employees had just over a month to create a cute, original ornament. There were no restrictions on size, style, or influence - it just had to be homemade.

Check out the full list of entries on our Facebook page and vote for your favorite. But first, learn how Karen A., Exhibit Sales Consultant for the Birmingham Home + Garden Show, created her fabulous Santa ornaments.

Here's what Karen had to say about her DIY:

"My inspiration for this Christmas ornament came from my sister, Katherine, who made a set of these with my nieces when they were younger. The holidays are a time for family and what better way to spend a weekend afternoon together than making a set of fun and affordable ornaments for your Christmas tree. Forget about the lines at the mall and stay at home and have some fun!"


What you'll need:

• Wood shims cut at a 45° degree angle
• Burgundy craft paint
• White craft paint
• Flesh tone craft paint
• Gold glitter craft paint
• A black Sharpie 
• Foam brushes
• Snow-texture

Directions:

Step 1: Start by putting a coat of burgundy paint on one side of all your shims.

Step 2: Once dry, turn over the shims and paint the lower portion and the hat burgundy. Leave room on the point of the shit for the white paint.

Step 3: Apply the flesh tone paint for the face. Be sure to leave a small amount of space between the burgundy hat and the face.

Step 4: Paint the tip of the hat, the brim of the hat, and the beard white.

Step 5: Using a Q-tip, apply the snow texture to the tip and brim of the hat. Take your time and apply as much or as little of this texture as you'd like.

Step 6: Using the white and burgundy paint, apply Santa's eyebrows and mouth by drawing two diagonal lines and a small dot.

Step 7: With a black Sharpie, apply Santa's eyes.

Step 8: Finish applying the snow texture to every Santa's beard, carefully going around their mouths.

Step 9: For some extra sparkle, after the front has completely dried, turn over the ornaments and apply a coat of gold paint to the back.

Step 10: Drill a hole through Santa's hat and thread with twine.

Step 11: Hang on your Christmas tree and enjoy!

The great thing about this project is that you can make several dozen ornaments with the supplies listed above and the cost per ornament is about 30 cents each (depending on just how much snow texture you use on each ornament). 

We love this tree full of homemade Santas! What do you think? If you're a fan, make sure to vote for Karen A.'s ornament in our HoliDIY Challenge! Visit Facebook to cast your vote today!

Read More