How to Make a Classic Holiday Egg Nog Recipe 

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Egg Nog Recipe Ingredients:

4 cups of Milk
2 1/2 teaspoon of Vanilla Extract
5 Whole Cloves
1 teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon
12 Egg Yolks
1 1/2 cups of Sugar
4 cups of Light Cream
2 1/2 cups of Light Rum
1/2 teaspoon of Ground Nutmeg

Homemade Eggnog Recipe Directions:

1. Heat the milk, cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a saucepan over a low heat for approximately 5 minutes. After the time has passed remove the saucepan from the heat.
2. Take a large bowl, and whisk the egg yolks and sugar until the combination becomes fluffy. Then begin to whisk the hot milk mixture slowly with the mixture of fluffy eggs.  After the two mixtures have been combined, pour them into the saucepan. Cook them over a medium heat, being sure to constantly stir it for 3 minutes or until it becomes thick.
3. After mixture has become thick, strain it to pull out all of the cloves.  Then let it cool for about an hour.  Then stir in the rum, cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla, and nutmeg.
4. Refrigerate the mixture over night before serving and then ENJOY!!!!

Looking for more holiday drinks?

Take a look at our 26 holiday cocktails – perfect from Thanksgiving through New years!

For more delicious drink recipes on Stagetecture, visit our drinks archives.

75 Creative Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas 

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15 Christmas Stocking Stuffers Ideas for Teens

1. Apple iPod Shuffle 2GB
2. Retro Vintage Two Tone Sunglasses
3. Panasonic ErgoFit Earbud Headphones
4. Boys Camouflage Trifold Wallet
5. Fandango Gift Card
6. Top Secret Lock and Key Diary with Invisible Ink Pen
7. Funky Socks 2 Pack
8. 101 Real-World Tips for Teenaged Guys Paperback
9. Bath Bombs Gift Set
10. Vinyl Skateboard Guitar Travel Case Decals
11. Knitted Beanie Cap with Scarf Two Peice Set
12. Hot Designs Glitz and Glam Nail Art Pens
13. Fujifilm Instax Mini 7S Camera
14. Teen Coloring Book
15. Let’s do this! Gold and Purple Sparkly 18oz Confetti Loop Water Bottle

15 Christmas Stocking Stuffers Ideas for Kids

1. Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Memory Match Game
2. Schylling Classic Tin Kaleidoscope
3. 3 Bees & Me Bath Toys
4. Toddler Girls Beanie Hat and Easy Mittens
5. Holiday Counting Chunky Book
6. Pull Back Trains Assorted Colors
7. Non-Skid Toddler Crew Socks
8. Moonjar Classic Moneybox: Save, Spend, Share
9. Disney Frozen 6 Piece Lip Balm Gift Set
10. Finger Printing Monsters Art Set
11. Stegosaurus Plush Stuffed Dinosaur
12. Brush Buddies Shopkins Sonic Powered Toothbrush
13. TruKid Bubble Podz, Yumberry 24 Count
14. WIND-UP Toys Stocking Stuffers
15. Olivia Helps with Christmas Board Book

15 Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Him

1. Bath & Body Works Signature Collection Noir for Men Gift Set
2. Beard Balm
3. Stanley 4-in-1 Pocket Screwdriver
4. Hawk-Spruce Extendable Back Scratcher
5. RFID Blocking Mens Wallet
6. NFL Toothbrush
7. External Backup Power Pack
8. 3 Pairs Thermal Wool Socks
9. Bacon Flavored Toothpicks
10. LUX Essentials Pop ‘N’ Catch Magnetic Wall Mounted Bottle Opener
11. Wood Wayfarer Sunglasses by Eye Love
12. Paracord Survival Bracelet
13. Barrel Aged Cocktail Kit
14. Fog Free Shower Shave Mirror
15. 10-in-1 Stainless Steel Manicure Set

15 Christmas Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Her

1. 4 Wine Stoppers by Clever Leigh
2. EOS 2016 Limited Edition Holiday Lip Balm Sphere Collection 3-Pack
3. Soothing Therapeutic Gel Eye Masks
4. Wearable Nail Polish Holder
5. Wonder Woman Knee High Shiny Red Caped Socks
6. Electronic Callus Remover
7. PRO Beauty Sponge Blender 4pc Set
8. Inflatable Bath Pillow with Feathers
9. Vera Bradley Small Cosmetic Bag
10. Bath Bomb Gift Set
11. CoverGirl The Super Sizer Fibers Mascara
12. Konjac Natural Exfoliating Facial Sponge
13. Cooling Workout Towel
14. Hair Towel Wrap
15. Detangling Brush

15 Christmas Stocking Stuffer & Gift Ideas for Friends

Need Christmas gift ideas for friends, neighbors, co-workers? We have just the gift idea!

1. Toblerone Swiss Milk Chocolate 6 Bar Gift Set
2. Inspirational Quotes Hardcover Book
3. Peanuts Gang Hot Chocolate Gift Set
4. Led Light Telescoping Handle Magnetic Pickup Tool
5. Handmade Multilayer Charm Leather Bracelet
6. Morning Medicine Glass Coffee Mug
7. Essential Oil Carrying Case & Stainless Steel Diffuser Bracelet
8. Handheld Milk Frother Wand
9. Striped Multicolor Reversible Knit Leg Warmers
10. Sneaker Balls Shoe, Gym Bag and Locker Deodorizer
11. Laptop Keyboard Light
12. Flip-Top Sport Infuser Water Bottle
13. Set of 2 Nonstick BBQ Mats
14. Monkey Slingshot
15. Pulled Pork Shredder – BBQ Tools for the Grill

Food Ideas for Christmas stocking stuffers:

Every child enjoys treats on Christmas and what better way to light up their faces, than with yummy homemade recipes?

Practical Christmas gifts for kids:

How about gripper socks that you make yourself with puffy paint in their favorite characters? What a great ideas for any age child and will keep their feet warm too!

Need Christmas Gift Ideas for your Holiday Party?

We’ve gathered our favorite Etsy friends’ shops for party favors, Christmas invitations, and more!

Take a look at these Christmas Party Ideas to celebrate the season and host the perfect party.

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

34 of our Favorite Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas

Thanksgiving Leftover Ideas: Stew with Turkey Dumpling

If you cannot eat the whole turkey, don’t throw the rest into the wastebasket because it can be used in making some truly delicious preparations. Check out this post Thanksgiving Leftovers: Stew with Turkey Dumpling to know how to use the turkey leftover in a delish way. Enjoy a stew with tasty dumplings and rich broth!

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1. Thanksgiving Leftover Recipe: Roasted Turkey Cobb Sandwich Recipe

Making sandwiches, soup, and meals are the only solution if you are left with a huge amount of leftover turkey. How does a roasted turkey cobb sandwich sound? Great, right? Well, we have this Leftover Thanksgiving Idea: Roasted Turkey Cobb Sandwich Recipe in our archive that will show you a way of using the leftover turkey mixed with the goodness of tomato, avocado, smoked bacon and crumbled blue cheese.

2. Turkey Tostadas with Cranberry-Chipotle Sauce

Do you still have enough leftover turkey? Great! We have yet another recipe for you that can be made with the turkey leftover. Find the recipe here: Turkey Tostadas with Spicy Cranberry-Chipotle Sauce Recipe. This delicious Mexican preparation will spice up your taste buds and change the way you think about leftovers!

3. Use that Leftover Turkey for a Leftover Smoked Turkey Nachos

Wanna indulge yourself into another spicy Mexican recipe? Well, these nachos made with leftover turkey, salsa, and cheddar cheese soup will satisfy your spice craving. Get the recipe for this quick and easy-to-make preparation from Leftover Smoked Turkey Nachos Recipe.

4. Thanksgiving Turkey tastes delicious in this White Chili with Roast Turkey recipe:

This recipe is the perfect way to relive the Thanksgiving craze! Different types of peppers, spices, and herbs mixed with leftover turkey meat will present you with a sumptuous soup to gulp on! Get the recipe here: White Chili with Roast Turkey or Chicken.

30 Thanksgiving Leftover Recipes from Blogger Friends:

1. Turkey Pot Pie
2. Corn & Cheddar Mashed Potato Fritters
3. Turkey a la Sweet Potato
4. Crustless Sweet Potato Pie
5. Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad {Gluten-Free, Vegan}
6. Kraft Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole
7. Thanksgiving Leftover Casserole
8. Sweet Potato Praline Quesadillas: Easy Leftovers Treat
9. Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chili Recipe
10. Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Nachos
11. Thanksgiving Leftovers Stuffed Bell Peppers
12. Leftover Turkey Meatloaf
13. Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe – Turkey Wraps
14. Leftover Turkey Sandwich
15. Turkey Enchilada Casserole with Salsa Verde
16. Turkey Casserole
17. Oven Baked Turkey Sandwiches
18. Delicious Leftover Turkey Soup
19. Turkey Cranberry Quesadillas
20. Cran-Apple Turkey Sandwich with Thanksgiving Leftovers!
21. Leftover Turkey Chili
22. Turkey Salad Sandwich
23. Easy Dinner Recipe: Chicken (or Turkey) Divan
24. Cranberry Pecan Turkey Salad
25. Healthy Turkey Salad with Grapes, Apples & Walnuts
26. Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe
27. 3-Ingredient Leftover Turkey Stew
28. Holiday Leftovers? Try this Creamy Turkey Casserole
29. Turkey and Stuffing Casserole
30. Thanksgiving Leftovers in a Mason Jar

This round up of Thanksgiving leftover recipes will produce some fantastic preparations made with leftover turkey and vegetables. They will bring you compliments and save you from throwing food away.

What leftover recipes would you add to the list?

Thanksgiving Leftovers Idea: Roasted Turkey Cobb Sandwich Recipe

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Thanksgiving Leftovers Ingredients:

1/2 ounce(s) (1 tablespoon) unsalted butter,  softened, plus more for roll or bun
1 teaspoon(s) crumbled blue cheese, such as Roquefort
3 slices applewood-smoked bacon
1 brioche roll or hamburger bun, split
1/4 ripe avocado
2 thin slices tomato
1 medium egg
4 thin slices cooked turkey

Turkey Sandwich Directions:

1. Cook bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain, and wipe skillet clean.
2. Butter cut sides of roll or bun. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Place roll or bun, buttered sides down, in skillet, and cook until golden brown, 1 to 3 minutes.
3. Mash avocado and blue cheese in a small bowl. Spread mixture on bottom half of roll or bun. Top with tomato and bacon.
4. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add egg, and cook until white is set, about 1 1/2 minutes. Gently flip the egg, and cook until yolk is runny in the center but slightly set around edge, about 30 seconds. Remove from pan. Add turkey to pan, and heat through.
5. Place turkey and egg on top of the tomato. Top with remaining half of roll or bun, and serve immediately.

Need more Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Ideas?

Our 34 Thanksgiving Leftovers Ideas here will inspire to enjoy leftovers again.

For more recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Thanksgiving Breakfast: Pumpkin Waffles and Maple Cream

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Pumpkin Waffles Ingredients:

For the Pumpkin Waffles

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour (you can substitute 1 or 2 cups of all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier version)
• ¼ cup of packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp. ground ginger
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
• 4 lightly beaten eggs
• 3 cups of milk (you can use whole or reduced fat milk)
• 1 can pumpkin (15 ounces)
• ¼ cup melted butter
• Butter for the waffle baker

For the Maple Nut Cream

• 1 tbsp. butter
• ¾ cup coarsely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans are perfect)
• 1 ½ cups of pure maple syrup
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ½ cup of whipping cream

Image via: The Specklet Palate

Directions

• Prepare the waffle baker by brushing a little butter on it. Preheat the waffle baker and preheat your oven to about 300 degrees F.
• To make the waffle mixture, add the flour, the brown sugar, the baking powder, the salt, the cinnamon, the ginger and the nutmeg to a large bowl and combine the ingredients well.
• Create a small well in the center of your prepared mixture.
• Take another large bowl and mix together the eggs, the milk, the pumpkin and the butter.
• Combine the flour mixture with the pumpkin mixture and stir until you have a slightly lumpy but well moistened waffle mixture.
• Depending on your waffle maker, pour the correct amount of the waffle mixture (normally about 1 to 1 and ¼ cup of mixture) onto the grids of your waffle baker, swiftly close the lid and don’t open it until your waffle is done (refer to the waffle baker manufacturer’s directions for the baking time).
• Once baked, lift the waffle with a fork and place it onto a baking sheet and put it into the oven until all the waffles are baked.
• For the Maple – Nut Cream, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add the chopped nuts and cook while stirring for about 1 or 2 minutes, or until the nuts are looking toasted. Add the maple syrup as well as the whipping cream and let it heat through.
• Drizzle the maple-nut cream over warm waffles and serve immediately.

You can make the waffles ahead of time and freeze them in plastic freezer bags as soon as they have completely cooled down. They can be kept in the freezer for up to two months. As for the Maple – Nut Cream, prepare it for up to a week before serving, cover it tightly and place it in a refrigerator. When it’s time to serve breakfast, just reheat the frozen waffles in a warm oven or a toaster until they warm up and heat up the maple – nut cream in the microwave for about 1 or 2 minutes, stirring every 20-30 seconds.

This Thanksgiving Breakfast recipe is ideal for providing the perfect start into the celebrations.

Thanksgiving DIY: How to Make Beautiful Burlap Placemats

Image via: Etsy – The Sew Savvy – Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Placemats

 Image via Etsy – Sassafrass Home – Burlap Decor Thanksgiving DIY

Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Placemats Supplies:

Burlap fabric

Ruler

Pin

Scissors

Letter Stencil

Acrylic paint and foam brush

Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Wreath Inspiration:

Image via: Etsy – Creative Places – Burlap Placemats

Burlap Placemat Directions:

1. Cut one 15″ tall x 21″ long rectangle or use an existing placemat as your guide (you can use pins to mark the edges). To achieve a straight cut, you can proceed like this: make a small snip at one end of your burlap, where you placed a pin, find a loose, vertical burlap thread and pull it out all the way. The fabric will create wrinkles, but that is fine. As soon as all the thread is pulled out, straighten out the burlap. Now you should be able to see a nice, fine straight line where the thread used to be. This line will be your cutting guide. Repeat the same steps for the other three sides of your placemat, and you will have created a perfect burlap rectangle.
2. If you want to create a fringe, remove a few threads on every side until the placemats have the look you want. If you want to make the placemats more lasting, you can stitch a seam around the borders before creating the fringe. Use the scissors to correct any loose threats.
3. You can iron at this point the placemats smooth.
4. Place your stencil over the placemat and paint the shapes with acrylic paint (you could use fabric paint so it may not fade if washed), using the foam brush. Remove the stencil carefully and let the paint dry completely. Once dried, your placemats are ready to decorate your festive table!
5. Alternatively, you can paint a pattern or phrase with paint freehandedly or even with a sharpie pen, if you have the skills!

Image via: Etsy – The Sew Savvy – Thanksgiving DIY Burlap Placemats

Looking for creative Thanksgiving DIY ideas? 

We love these ideas from around the design community:

Country Living gives you creative Thanksgiving craft ideas.

WooHoo Home has 28 awesome DIY Thanksgiving decor ideas to try out.

Image via: Etsy – This Joyful Home Etc – Thanksgiving Craft Ideas

Looking for more Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas?

Take a look at our 25 Thanksgiving Centerpiece Ideas!

This easy Thanksgiving DIY is perfect for making your festive dinner standing out. If you make them individual for each guest, it would make a wonderful gift for them to take back home. Once you have the hang of this technique, think about other ways to make use of it, like making a burlap banner with letters, burlap table runners, burlap gift bags or burlap pillows, the possibilities are endless.

For more DIY Thanksgiving decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Thanksgiving Main Dish: Honey Glazed Ham

Ingredients

• ½ cup clover honey
• 1½ cups of packed light brown sugar
• 1 bone-in smoked ham (10 pound)
• 2 tbsp of Dijon mustard
• ⅓ orange, juiced and zested
• ⅓ cup of pineapple juice
• ¼ ground cloves

Instructions

1. Alter your oven racks to hold a big roasting pan. Place a shallow roasting rack on the pan. Preheat your oven to 350⁰
2. Rinse the ham under water then place it on the rack inside the roasting pan.
3. Cover it with foil and bake for 1 hour and 40 minutes.
4. Mix the honey, brown sugar, cloves, pineapple juice, orange zest, orange juice, and Dijon mustard in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat till the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
5. Pour the honey glaze over the ham and roast for 1 hour and 40 minutes more. Baste the pork twice with the glaze while it’s still in the roaster. The total roasting time for the ham should be 20 minutes per pound.
6. Check if the ham is done by inserting a meat thermometer into a meaty spot. If it displays 160⁰F, it’s done.
7. Leave the ham for 15 minutes before slicing to let the juices set. You can also make it 2 hours in advance, cover with foil, and serve when it cools.

If you’re tired of cooking Turkey, try this Thanksgiving main dish. The glaze is delectable and will blow your guests away. If some is left, mix it with a little flour and pan drippings and make a lovely sauce to go with the meat. You can use the ham and bone drippings to make soup later.

What Thanksgiving recipe sides will you be serving with your ham?

I Host a Casual Thanksgiving Dinner with KitchenAid

All images by Stagetecture

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This Thanksgiving I paired up with KitchenAid® to show off their gorgeous colors of the season and how you can use their fall-inspired bakeware and small appliances to pull together a great dinner. To start off my table setting I used the Persimmon (Orange) Nesting Ceramic 4 Piece Set for fried chicken that my kids love! While you may think that fried chicken isn’t for Thanksgiving, think again! Perfect for a laid back dinner amongst friends and family. For those who still want a baked fowl I cooked a chicken in their Casserole Dish in Ivy Green and served it alongside green beans and potatoes.

Here’s a few tips on setting a Casual Thanksgiving Dinner table:

Choose your favorite small gourds like pumpkins, squash and other miniature vegetables to disperse around the table. I prefer to not have one centerpiece as it creates a more formal environment that makes everyone feel uptight!  Instead, I used a bag of mixed shelled nuts like walnuts, pine nuts, pecans and more and put them casually around the table.

Casual Thanksgiving Dinner – Create the look:

• Burlap runner in your choice of colors. It makes a beautiful backdrop to any natural tablescape
• Napkin rings with fall inspired motifs. I like these leaf ones
• Fabric napkins in a deep rust color brings texture to your table and pairs nicely with the autumn colored bakeware
• Casual dinnerware that doesn’t have a lot of ornamentation will bring focus to the food and will keep the meal casual
• Simple stemware for your favorite wine.. or put apple juice for kids to feel grown up!

Adding unexpected touches to the Thanksgiving meal

What I love about a casual Thanksgiving is you don’t have to only serve traditional food. I opted for a Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup prepared in the KitchenAid® 5-Speed Diamond Blender in Tangerine. It whips up your favorite soups easily but also would be perfect for drinks to serve table-side!

This Thanksgiving create a casual way to gather friends and family without the stress of formal planning.

For more Thanksgiving ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Thanksgiving Side Dish: Cornbread Dressing Recipe

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Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Yields: 14-16 servings

Cornbread Dressing Recipe Ingredients:

½ cup butter

3 cups celery, diced

2 cups sweet onions, diced

½ cup fresh sage, finely sage

Cornbread Crumbles

3 cups fresh, soft breadcrumbs

4 large eggs, lightly beaten

7 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon ground pepper

Cornbread Dressing Recipe Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large skillet melt butter over medium heat. Add onions and celery, and sauté for 5 to 6 minutes or until onions are golden brown. Stir in sage, and cook for 1 minute.
2. In a large bowl, stir together cornbread crumbles and breadcrumbs. Stir in eggs, chicken broth, ground pepper, and celery minute. Stir until blended. Divide the mixture between a lightly greased baking dish (13*9 inch), and a lightly greased 8-inch square baking dish.
3. Bake at 400 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until set and golden brown.

Try these alternatives for your dressing recipe.

Fresh corn and green chili dressing: Substitute 3 cups corn kernels for diced celery and half cup chopped fresh cilantro for sage. Prepare the recipe as directed. Stir in 2 cans chopped green chilies with cilantro in step 1.

The best part about this Thanksgiving side dish is that you can prepare it ahead of time and freeze it until ready to use. Overall, easy to prepare, this cornbread dressing boasts of great flavor. Try it for your next turn as the party host and you wouldn’t be disappointed. We promise!

Taka a look at our Make-Ahead Recipes for your holiday meal.

From dressing to gravy and casserole dishes, save yourself time with 22 make-ahead Thanksgiving recipes

Overall, easy to prepare, this cornbread dressing boasts of great flavor. Try it for your next turn as the party host and you wouldn’t be disappointed. We promise!

For more Thanksgiving recipes on Stagetecture, click here

How to Make Creamy Mushroom Soup Recipe

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Mushroom Soup Recipe Ingredients:

• Ingredients
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• ¼ cup of butter
• 1 chopped medium white onion
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, snipped
• 1 ½ pounds coarsely chopped button mushrooms
• 2 14 ounce cans vegetable broth
• 2 cups whipped cream
• A little olive oil for serving

Soup Recipe Directions:

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, the bay leaves, the minced garlic and the rosemary to the pan and cook for about 5-6 minutes, until the onion becomes tender.
2. Add the mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and let the ingredients simmer for 5 – 10 minutes without covering the pan, until the mushrooms become tender. Take out the bay leaves and let it cool a little bit.
4. Little by little blend the ingredients in a blender until smooth, but not completely smooth, you can leave a little portion of chunky ingredients for texture if you like. When you have blended the soup, pout it again into the pan and add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Bring the soup to a boil and whisk in the whipping cream; let it all heat through.
5. Serve the soup individually, drizzling a little olive oil over it and sprinkle with a few snipped rosemary leaves.

This easy yet elegant soup will give your dinner a perfect kick off. Add a few wild mushrooms to the button mushrooms when cooking for giving the soup an even earthier taste or add some more minced garlic to spice things up. Serve the soup with some crispy croutons or bread sticks to round the dish up and you will have the perfect Thanksgiving Side.