Holiday DIY

It is Sunday and we are back again to the day before the work week. I've had the best time the past few days hanging out with family and friends in Wichita! It involved lots of eating, watching movies, laughing, and shopping. Friday night we went to Mosley Street Melodrama and saw Shakespeare's MacBethlehem, which was quite hilarious. If any of you are in the area this season, make sure you go because you are sure to laugh at their show!

Since Christmas is right around the corner and trees are just going up in houses, I figured now would be the optimal time to share a few holiday DIYs with you!

When I studied in Oxford, England, I attended a Christmas party at the Oxford Union that was quite lovely. It was there that I was introduced to the intoxicatingly delicious drink of mulled wine. It has now become a tradition that I make this at family get togethers during the holidays. It brings a wonderful combination of warmth, spicy sweetness, and alcohol that is hard to pass up! Below is my very easy recipe.

Holiday Mulled Wine:
2 bottles of cheap red wine
1/3 cup brandy
4 cinnamon sticks
8 cloves
1 orange
1/3 cup sugar (or honey)
2 tsp ground ginger

Mix the above ingredients in a large pot, except for the orange. Zest the orange peel into the pot and slice the orange. Place the slices in with the rest of the ingredients and heat on low. Do not let the mulled wine boil! Serve hot with extra cinnamon sticks and orange for garnish.

I've also been inspired by Anthropologie and their adorable filled glass ornaments. I tried these out on my own and they worked out so well! I'm giving them as gifts to family and cannot wait to hang the rest on my Christmas tree! They will look beautiful next to the evergreen branches and soft honey lights.

DIY Winter Wonderland Ornament

Made from: glass ornament, pieces of fake garland, fake snow, white & silver glitter, and hot glue

DIY Floating Feathers Ornament

Made from: Glass ornament, multi-colored feathers, and gold glitter

DIY Terrarium Ornament

Made from: Glass ornament, Spanish moss, piece of fake garland, miniature pinecone, and green glitter

DIY Book Pages Ornament

Made from: Glass ornament, paper strips from vintage dictionary, and glitter

While making these, I also made a snowglobe out of a mason jar! All it required was a mason jar (obviously), a miniature christmas tree, miniature pinecone, fake snow, and hot glue!

DIY Mason Jar Snow Globe