Christmas 2012 Part 1

So decorating in our family starts the day after Thanksgiving. Now a days it seems that so many stores are starting to put Christmas decorations up earlier and earlier each year and each year the cost of decorations become more and more expensive. Here is what we did in order to save some money, be unique and stay in the holiday spirit!

                                           

We made our own wreath and saved $125 doing it ourselves. It's classy, unique and because it is faux foliage we can use this every year! 

We decorated inexpensive Christmas bulbs to give them our own personal touch. Makes our tree more colorful and family oriented without spending an arm and a leg

Ok Santa personally told me he liked these and even requested that we make some for Mrs. Clause as well. Nutella cookie and S'more Ice Cream sandwhiches. Delicious and just leave a note to santa next to his milk that his cookies are in the freezer!

Our little one is so excited to open her presents and have a great Christmas and enjoy all the wonderful things our family and Santa gave her!

Nutella Cookie and S'More Ice Cream Recipe:

Ingredients for cookies:

2 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup Nutella
1 teaspoon vanilla

Cookie Directions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the first four ingredients and set aside.

With or in a mixer, beat the butter and sugar until very creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly in between. Next, add the Nutella and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Lastly, beat in the flour mixture. Cover the bowl and chill the dough for at least four hours.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Scoop the dough by approximately 2 tablespoons full each onto prepared baking sheets. they spread quite a bit.

Bake cookies until the edges are set but the centers still seem soft, approximately 15 minutes. Cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet then transfer to a wire rack.

                                                               Ingredients for Ice Cream:

                                                                   Vanilla Ice Cream

                                                          1/4 cup Crushed Chocolate Chips

                                                           1/2 cup Crushed Gram Crackers

                                                                  1 cup Mini Marshmallows

While the cookies are cooling take 4 over flowing cups of vanilla ice cream and let them soften. Add the rest of the ingredients and the softened ice cream into a mixer, mix it together then freeze until the ice cream is back to original state. Once ice cream is ready and cookies are cooled take one scoop of the ice cream and place it between two cookies and serve. Great all year round!