Melvin Upchurch Realtor - December 2023

This year, many friends and families will set up their Christmas trees and work together to decorate them with their favorite ornaments. Some ornaments even have their own special meaning or associated memory that sends the entire group down memory lane. While this holiday nostalgia is wonderful, the problem is that many of these ornaments are old, from when kids were little, a married couple just started dating, or a group of friends first met. People rarely add new decorations to the tree and create new memories to look back on in the coming years. But you and your loved ones can change that this year by making your own DIY cardboard gingerbread ornaments together! DIY Gingerbread Ornaments: Add Sweet Memories to Your Christmas Tree

Lastly, punch a small hole (you can just poke the pen tip through) on top of the cardboard on the ornament, feed the string through, and tie a knot at the top to make a loop. You can put the loop over a branch on your tree, and it will look like a freshly baked cookie is hanging there! If you want to make the ornament even more meaningful, have your kids, friends, or other family members make themselves (or you!) as cardboard gingerbread people! They can add their hair, outfits, or anything else to their ginger-person design. Having everyone’s ginger selves hanging on the tree together will always remind you of the time you spent with them to create these decorations. The best part is they’ll never go bad, and you can reuse them every year!

All you need for this ornament is brown cardboard (from any box lying around), a white gel pen or marker, and string.

To make your “gingerbread,” you first draw out the shape of your ornament(s) in pencil on a piece of cardboard before cutting it out. Then, use your white marker or pen to add “frosting” designs. We recommend adding some of those traditional gingerbread frosting loops around the edges before going in and adding details.

Homemade Eggnog

TAKE A BREAK

Inspired by AheadOfThyme.com

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole milk • 1 tbsp vanilla extract • 3 eggs, room temperature • 4 egg yolks, room temperature • 1/3 cup sugar • 1/4 tsp salt

• 2 cups heavy cream • 1 1/2 tsp nutmeg For topping • Whipped cream • Ground cinnamon • Extra nutmeg

Directions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and vanilla, swirling occasionally until it starts to steam. 2. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and salt for approximately 5 minutes until the mixture is thickened. Slowly add milk and whisk to combine. 3. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan and cook over low heat, stirring for about 6 minutes. 4. In another large mixing bowl, place heavy cream and nutmeg. Strain egg mixture into the cream and cool in the fridge for at least 2 hours. When chilled, fill a glass with eggnog and top with whipped cream, cinnamon, and extra nutmeg!

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