Rich in Flavor- Christmas Cookie Exchange

This year, Ryan and I hosted my small group's cookie exchange at our house. It was a perfect combination of confectionary aromas, savory samplings and quality time with good friends. Here are some pictures of the night. Thanks, Jonathan Larson, for taking the lovely photos :) 

A quick, free and small centerpiece- limbs off of our Christmas tree that had to be trimmed anyway, placed in glass cruets with ribbon. 

Red Accents

Recycled Paper Makes for a Krafty Christmas

This year, I spent A LOT OF TIME wrapping presents! Last year, I was the complete opposite. Some newspaper, some ads, tape and I was done. Not even scissors. This year I guess I made up for my past years of unattractive wrap jobs. 

 Christmas presents are always exciting, but something about a brown paper package with frill, paper and bows makes it a little more exciting. I'm posting lots of images of different decorations from this year. Some were borrowed ideas, others original. Many were executed with the help of my Cricut machine :) 

And, the most exciting part? The paper is from 100% post-consumer content and 100% recyclable. Just like my old way with newspapers, but prettier.

My hubby brought home a drawing tube from work that was perfect to stow oddly shaped gifts! While using a drawing tube was not originally mine, the candy cane embellishment was :) 

This was a borrowed idea- so easy and cute! I used pussy willow sticks, assorted green paper, scalloped scissors and a hot glue gun!