Thoughtful Presence Giveaway: Make it a Joyous Christmas Gift Set

I usually try not to think too much about Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving. No Christmas music, no Christmas movies, no Christmas decorating or baking. Thanksgiving has always been the official kick-off of the holiday season and I have always been pretty strict about that policy. At least that was my policy before I started a gift basket business. It's a little hard to wait until the day after Thanksgiving to think Christmas when you're in the gifting business. It's more like we start thinking Christmas in June or July!

All of those traditions - decorating with lights, baking cookies of varied flavors, sending cards to those near and far - are just a few of the ways we make our own joyous Christmas. While I am excited to begin all of my own family traditions, I would love to hear about yours. Tell us about your own favorite Christmas tradition and enter our latest giveaway:

Enter to win our Joyous Christmas Gift Set

10 DIY Great Gifts for Guys

There’s something special about a handmade gift. Knowing it was made with love, specially designed for  you. No matter what else is on your list of wishes, receiving a handmade gift from someone you love always holds lifelong memories. And that’s what gifting should be about.

When you’re stuck on what to get the men in your life, you can’t go wrong with something handmade. They’ll love you even more and remember it forever.

We're featuring 10 of our favorite DIY handmade gifts for men, all intended to be customizable to your guy’s unique style and interests. Check them out!

I love the rough and rugged look of this Woven Paracord Watch from Instructables. Choose watch or bracelet, whichever best suits your guy, and create it in his best color. 

Woven paracord watch 

Every guy who BBQs needs his own designer towels. 1) so he won't use yours, and 2) so they can show off his favorite foods, drinks, colors....whatever you decide! Easy instructions from Silly Pearl.

BBQ hanging towels

For the classy corporate guy, the stays are an everyday need, and monogrammed adds that special touch. You can do some monogrammed and some with a short special message of your choice. These are from Shrimp Salad Circus.

Monogrammed collar stays

The best thing about this pillow from curbly is that you can create any message, song lyrics, favorite places or just about anything you choose to stencil! Very personalized!

Letter stencil pillow

What guy doesn't have a favorite comic strip? These comic book coasters from Mod Podge Rocks make a fun surprise, and he won't believe you actually made them!

Comic book coasters

Whether it's Jack Daniels or another bottle, this manly soap dispenser from curlybirds will be a welcome addition to his side of the sink. 

Jack Daniels Soap Dispenser

I think I love these copper trimmed glasses from A little nutmeg just as they are, but you can certainly choose any design or color or glass shape to suit your guy. 

Personalized beer glasses

Great idea for the biker or gadget lover, this clock from Instructables is simply genius! 

Bike Brake Clock

This laptop sleeve from Sweet Verbena is a little more work, but if you're up to the task, it's super stylish and he won't let it out of his sight!

Laptop sleeve

Fun and ultra modern, choose your own color and create your own shapes with these geo cuff links from Almost Makes Perfect!

Geo cuff links

If you have a favorite DIY gift for guys that you've made or found, please share in the comments!

Have a happy day!

Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe: Mashed Yams in Orange Cups

I remember making this side dish for a Thanksgiving dinner at my brother's house quite a few years ago. It has always been one of my favorite ways to make and serve holiday sweet potatoes. The recipe is from Bon Appetit, but I've added some of my own tips below (as I am known to do!)

Enjoy!

Photo taken from epicurious.com

Makes 18 servings.

Ingredients

• 6 pounds large yams (red-skinned sweet potatoes)
• 3/4 cup marshmallow creme
• 9 tablespoons butter, room temperature
• 6 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 large eggs
• 9 large oranges
• Additional marshmallow creme
• 36 pecan halves

Directions

1. Pierce each yam all over with fork. 
2. Working in 2 batches, cook yams in microwave 15 minutes. Turn yams over; cook until tender, about 12 minutes longer. Cut yams in half; scoop pulp into bowl. (I actually don't microwave to pre-cook the potatoes. I boil them until they are good and soft - about 45 minutes. I then peel them and slice them into a bowl.)
3. Add 3/4 cup marshmallow creme, butter, and syrup; mash until smooth. 
4. Season with salt and pepper. 
5. Whisk in eggs. 
6. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill.)
7. Preheat oven to 350°F. 
8. Cut thin slice from top and bottom of each orange to make flat surfaces. 
9. Cut oranges in half. Scoop out pulp; reserve for another use.
10. Place orange cups on 2 baking sheets. 
11. Divide yam mixture equally among cups. Top each with dollop of marshmallow creme and 2 pecan halves. 
12. Bake until beginning to brown, about 30 minutes. 

10 Random Acts of Kindness You Can Do on World Kindness Day

Today is World Kindness Day, and no matter your age, location, or occupation, there's something you can do today to spread a little kindness. You very well might be doing some of these every day, and if so, I commend you. World Kindness Day is intended to raise awareness of how small acts of kindness can make a huge difference and to encourage practicing small acts of kindness.

Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. As you go about your day, make it a point to share a smile and a greeting with strangers you encounter - at the office, grocery store, or gas station. Just a little smile will make a big difference to someone who might be having a bad day.
2. Bring a little treat to share at your work place.
3. Make a donation today to your favorite charity.
4. Leave prime parking space for others today.
5. Bring a neighbor a small treat or flowers and wish them a happy day.
6. Stop inside a nearby church and say a special prayer for kindness and peace around the world.
7. Sign up for a volunteer project today.
8. If you're out shopping, ask the cashier how their day is going. Tell them today is World Kindness Day and pay it forward.
9. Clean out a closet and donate some things you no longer need.
10. Practice patience on the road. Yield and take it slowly.

Randomactsofkindness.org has many other great ideas and inspiring stories. Take a few minutes to read and be inspired.

Have a happy day!

Favorite Recipe: Apple-Filled Acorn Squash Rings with Curry Butter

This recipe has been around for years, and I've made it just about every year since I first discovered it. It's filled with the wonderful flavors of apples, squash, and curry, and is quite easy to make. The hardest task to this recipe is cutting the tough skinned acorn squash. But the presentation is beautiful and flavors are delicious, so well worth the effort of a single task!

Photo taken from epicurious.com

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1-1/2 tablespoons curry powder
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, diced (about 2-1/3 cups)
• 2/3 cup apple juice
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 8 unpeeled acorn squash rings, seeded and sliced about 1 inch thick (should be about 2 medium sized acorn squash

Directions

1. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and saute until tender.
2. Add 1 tablespoon curry powder, stir 1 minute.
3. Add apples, apple juice, and raisins. Saute until liquid evaporates, about 6 minutes.
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Above filling can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
6. Preheat oven to 350 F. 
7. Melt 5 tablespoons butter in small skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 tablespoon curry powder, stir about 1 minute. Transfer curry butter to bowl. 
8. Brush 2 large rimmed baking sheets with some curry butter. 
9. Arrange squash in single layer on sheets. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
10. Scoop filling into center of rings. Drizzle remaining curry butter over squash and filling.
11. Cover with foil. Bake until squash is tender when pierced with fork, about 40 minutes.
12. Use spatula to transfer squash rings with filling to plates.
13. Enjoy!

Have a happy day!

Wordless Wednesday: Giving Thanks

Have a happy and grateful day!