Chocolate Brownie Squares

Christmas may be over, but that doesn't mean that the baking has to stop! These "scrumptious, deep, chocolaty brownies topeed with chocolate buttercream and scattered with sweets" (Woram, 80) will keep you cheerful no matter the season!

For this recipe you will need:

• 1 1/2 sticks of unsalted butter
• 8 oz. of bittersweet chocolate or chocolate chips
• 1 1/4 cups of sugar 
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 cup of all purpose flour
• A pinch of salt
• Chocolate frosting

To start, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Put the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Stir carefully until melted, and then leave to cool slightly.

Put the sugar and eggs in a mixing bowl. Use an electric whisk to beat the mixture until pale and thick. Add the chocolate mixture and the vanilla and mix well. "Sift the flour and salt into the mixing bowl and fold in using a large metal spoon or spatula." (Woram, 80)

Spray a baking pan or dish with cooking spray and pour the batter in. Put the pan on the middle shelf of the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Let the brownies cool before frosting

 Spread the chocolate frosting evenly over the brownies. Scatter sprinkles and decorations over the top and serve.

 And there you have it! Delicious brownies for any time of the year!
An option was to add walnuts to this recipe. What do you like to add to your brownies?

Angel Tree Topper

A tree topper is one of the most classic parts of Christmas, but my family never got around to getting one. I decided to remedy that on my own by making an angel tree topper! "Decorate simple cones of card with a sprinkling of glitter and a pom-pom to create pretty tee-top angels complete with silver pipe cleaner or feather wings." (Woram, 32)

For this project you will need gold or silver paper, a marker, glitter, a stapler, pipe cleaners, glue, paint, a plate to trace the shape, and a pom-pom for the head.

First, place the plate about halfway on the piece of paper and trace around it with a marker. Use glue to draw a scalloped line all around the marked edge of the paper.

Sprinkle glitter over the glue and leave to dry for a few minutes. Shake off any excess glitter and cut out the semi-circle.

 Form the the semi-circle into a cone shape. "Folding it gently in half and making a slight crease at the center of the paper makes it a bit easier to form a cone." (Woram, 33). Use a stapler to join the care together.

 Use one of the pipe cleaners to form the wings. Twist the ends over to form a figure eight.

 Apply a dab of glue to the center of the wings and glue them ti the back of the cone, about an inch from the top. Glue the pompom to the top of the cone. Use the paint and a very small paintbrush to make the face. To finish off, bend a gold pipe cleaner in to a circle and glue to the top of the pompom head.

And there you have it, one fun and personalized tree topper! Be careful putting it on the tree so you don't knock it down like I did, and enjoy the festivity! 

If you didn't use an angel, what kind of tree topper would you want?

Paper Lanterns

Sometimes the Christmas season needs a little sparkle! These lanterns are great additions to your holiday decor, anywhere in the house. "Paper lanterns are a traditional and fun way of using a piece of paper to make three-dimensional decorations." (Woram, 25)

For this project, you will need wrapping paper, scissors, a ruler, and sequins or sequin trim.

Cut a square of wrapping paper about eight inches wide and long. Cut a strip of wrapping paper about one inch wide and eight inches long for the handle to hang the lantern from. "They look very pretty fashioned from soft pink and silver wrapping paper, or in a simple red and white." (Woram, 25) I chose to use a sparkly black paper because it was the most sparkly paper I had.

Fold the paper in half. Use a ruler and a marker to mark lines 1 1/4 inch long and 3/4 inch apart on the closed side of the paper. 

Cut along the marked lines to make the slits in the lantern. Unfold the paper and glue the sequins or sequin trim onto ends so that the cuts are pointing to the sequins.

 "To make the lantern shape, unfold the paper and roll it to form a tube shape with the paper slits running vertically." (Woram, 24) Glue the edges together, then press downwards to "form a splayed lantern shape." (Woram, 24)

 You now have a fun and festive decoration to hang in your house. If you want to use it as an actual lantern, you can set it on a table and put a small candle inside. It is better to use an electric candle to avoid the lantern catching fire.

What design of paper would you use to make your lantern?

Cinnamon Stick Ornaments

Christmas decorations aren't just about lights. In fact, one of the most Christmasey things is the smells of apple cider or eggnog that fills your home and lets everybody know that the holidays are here, and you can get that wonderful smell with these simple ornaments. "A bundle of cinnamon sticks tied together with red gingham ribbon and finished with a tiny jingle ell makes a pretty and fragrant addition to any Christmas tree." (Woram, 14)

You will need 5 small cinnamon sticks, scissors, two pieces of cloth ribbon, a thin wire, and a small bell.

Start by bundling the cinnamon sticks together. Cut a length of ribbon, about 8 inches long. "Lay the ribbon flat on a table and place the five cinnamon sticks on top." (Woram, 15)

Take the second ribbon and lay it on top of the cinnamon sticks, so that the ribbon forms the shape of a cross.

Bring the two ends of the first ribbon from under the cinnamon sticks and knot them on top. Make another knot a couple inches further up the ribbon. This will form the loop you hang your ornament from.

To finish off, "Tie the ends of the second piece of ribbon into a neat bow. Thread the bell onto the wire and push the wire through the knot of the bow." (Woram, 15) Twist the ends of the wire together to secure the bell and trim the wire ends.

You are done! Hang this simple and aromatic decoration on your tree for a festive smell all season long!

What is your favorite holiday smell?

Christmas Snow Globe

It's finally December, which means it's time to start the Christmas decorating. However, you're probably tired of your old, lackluster decorations, but don't want to spend to much time or money on new ones.  This fun Christmas craft is a great way to re purpose old decorations and spread the holiday spirit throughout your house! "Snow globes make great gifts for friends and family, and they are fun to make!" (Woram, 26).

Start with a clean jar with a lid, superglue, clear detergent/liquid soap, an ornament or decoration of your choice, and glitter. "White or silver glitter looks most similar to snow, but bright colors like red and green can look very jolly and festive." (Woram, 27).  I chose blue so that it would stand out more against the ornament I was using.

Next, "Use strong glue to firmly attach the decoration to the inside of the jar lid." (Woram, 27).

Make sure your jar is clean and clear, and "fill it right up to the brim" with water. Add about two teaspoons of clear soap or detergent to the water. This slows down the glitter so that it drifts down instead of all falling at once. "Add a few spoons of glitter to the water." (Woram, 27).

Your last step is to place the lid onto the jar and secure it tightly so that when your new globe is turned over, it is waterproof.

Your finished product should be a beautiful and festive snow globe! Shake to your heart's content, and have fun!

What are some of your favorite to re-purpose old decorations?