Home//Southern Living/December 2018/In This Issue
Southern Living|December 2018HOLIDAY GETAWAYNo matter your Christmas wish, you’ll find a home for the holidays here in Charleston.HOLIDAY HEADQUARTERSPerhaps the best time of year to check into Belmond Charleston Place hotel is during the holidays. Step into the grand lobby and you’ll be greeted with a magnificent holiday display complete with a fully operational replica of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express train. Enjoy on-site shopping and luxurious dining at Charleston Grill.TRADITIONAL WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGSA stay at the historic John Rutledge House Inn offers guests luxurious amenities while showcasing an ethereal elegance of a bygone era. Whether in Charleston for a holiday relishing in romance, becoming the ultimate foodie, or a girls’ getaway, this historic home is perfect for that southern winter escape you’ve been craving.LUXE WINTER HIDEAWAYAn intimate boutique inn, the French Quarter Inn…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018Bring Out the ChinaCozy Classic“I love to blend the high and low, the formal and informal,” says Buffy Hargett Miller. This seasonal tablescape starts with gray-and-white plates (Juliska’s Country Estate in Flint), which she brightens up with cheery bursts of red, simple patterned table linens, shiny silver pieces, and a cascading centerpiece garland. Buffy’s tricks could apply to most earthenware, pottery, or transferware dishes. “This styling is just right for informal holiday gatherings like Christmas breakfast or even a family supper during December,” she adds.1 The CenterpieceStart with traditional holiday selections like a garland, red amaryllis, berries, pears, and apples. Then arrange them together as a table runner. “The neutral plates called for strong pops of color, but I wanted to do something a little more unconventional,” says Buffy. Spread the garland diagonally…4 min
Southern Living|December 2018Merry & BrightCANDY CANE REDTreat formal entries to the loose, freeform nature of eucalyptus. Both the silver dollar and feather types add a touch of wild beauty, while potted fan palms keep the look firmly rooted in the local landscape.1. Door color similar to Tomato Red (2010-10); benjaminmoore.com2. 3.75" Sage Double Face French Satin Ribbon; moodfabrics.com3. Champagne Satin Ribbon; papersource.com4. Planter similar to Simplicity Square Pot Large in Taupe; houzz.comTEAL APPEALTo help deepen the connection between front door and shore, hang a wreath made of oyster shells in place of traditional greenery. The bright, bleached shells pair well with soft native garlands, like this one crafted of tree fern and Leyland cypress branches.1. Door color similar to Jargon Jade (SW 6753); sherwin-williams.com2. Oyster Shell Wreath; sweetbay cotton.etsy.com3. Italian Urn Planter by Christopher…2 min
Southern Living|December 2018‘Yuletide’ CamelliaTHERE ISN’T A MORE WELCOME sight in the garden than a shrub that flowers during the Christmas season. ‘Yuletide’ camellia is grouped with the fall-blooming sasanqua hybrids, but this selection flowers later (usually around the holidays). Dozens of brilliant red blossoms with yellow stamens decorate branches bearing glossy, deep green leaves. ‘Yuletide’ is a compact, upright grower, making it an excellent choice for tight spaces and small gardens. If you want, you can shear it in spring into a hedge or tall screen. Be sure to give it full sun to light shade and moist, acid, well-drained soil. A member of our Southern Living Plant Collection, it grows well in USDA Zones 7 to 9.…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018Pretty Little Things1. CONTOUR BRUSH SETPop, fizz, clink! These four makeup brushes with a rose gold case are destined to be the life of the party. BUY: $12; target.com2. FARMACY CREAM OF THE CROPLet it glow all season long with a little help from three skin-care best sellers. BUY: $42; sephora.com3. EOS 3-PACK TINLip balms in holiday-inspired flavors are fun stocking stuffers for your sister and BFF. BUY: $13; walmart.com4. ICONIC AVON BEAUTY CLASSICS COLLECTIONFestive books of neutral eye shadows and blush palettes are begging to be put on display. BUY: $25; avon.com5. COUNTDOWN MINI MASCARA KITWhen she wishes for longer, fuller lashes, Santa will deliver with this set of four pocket-size tubes. BUY: $15; maybelline.com6. KITSCH LUXE SHOWER CAPThe beauty queen has finally met her match with the crown jewel of…2 min
Southern Living|December 2018Savannah: A Winter’s TaleCAN’T TAKE MY EYES off him—this older man standing in front of a bench in Chippewa Square. He’s got a Santa hat and a flute, and there’s a string of colored lights draped around his neck. It’s not clear whether he’s setting up or closing down, so I figure I’ll wait. He’s got no Christmas hustle, but that’s what I like about him.The last time I was here during the holidays was 1988, when I rode up on an Amtrak from Jacksonville, Florida, with my dad and two of my sisters. I remember stepping into the lobby of the Hyatt Regency, a mid-century giant straddling River Street, and gazing up at a Christmas tree so bright it could have been on fire. Outside, a street fair lit the riverfront. The…3 min
Southern Living|December 2018for theTASTEMAKER1 Whiskey in a Teacup: What Growing Up in the South Taught Me About Life, Love, and Baking Biscuits is Reese Witherspoon’s hilarious tribute to the Southern women who raised her. $35; barnes andnoble.com2 Dial up her’do with retro Bobbing Pins in spirited hues. $8; odeme.co3 Atlanta designer Edith Anne Hunt’s Tinsley Leather Earrings are the ideal eye-catching accents. $68 pair; shiverandduke.com4 Goldilocks would approve of this pick: The Essential Crossbody Bag is just the right size. $99; markand graham.com5 Madewell’s Fair Isle Breakwater Crew is an understated take on a winter favorite. $98; madewell.com6 A cozy merino-cashmere blend is what makes this Herringbone Scarf especially soft. $109 (get 15% off using discount code SOUTHERN LIVING); worthing toncorners.com7 Each Wavy Shaped Bowl is handcrafted in Alabama. $42; susangordon pottery.com8 She’ll…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018for the ADVENTURER1 The Bluetooth Wonderboom mini speaker is waterproof and also floats. $100; ultimateears.com2 Give her a water-resistant Sport Watch that looks good and can take a beating. $98; dooney.com3 For the overpacker: A Douglass Color Block tote is the bag that (finally!) holds it all. $80; statebags.com4 The silk-and-cotton blend Ibis Bandana will go with every outfit in her carry-on. $40; shopsunday monday.com5 Keep charging cords tangle free with Untie 10-Inch Twistable Ribbons. $10 for four; unplugged goods.com6 American South is a smart, soulful field guide by Wildsam that’ll teach even the know-it-alls a thing or two. $20; wildsam.com7 Bundle up for winter adventures in a Cabin Faux Fur Pom Beanie. $35; eddiebauer.com8 Road trips call for a pair of Polarized Harvey sunglasses from Charleston, South Carolina-based Nectar. $45; nectarsun…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018DASHING DIY IDEAS1 PERSONALIZED PACKAGINGLawler uses the outtakes from her family’s Christmas card photo shoot to create a collage wrapping paper by Minted. “We don’t even have to put our name on it!” she says.2 ZINGY PLACE CARDSSpell out guests’ initials with cloves on lemons to make aromatic holiday place cards. (She pokes tiny holes in the lemons with a meat thermometer to map out each pattern before she inserts the cloves.)3 SECRET SANTAShe used some remnants of the Citrus Garden fabric to create little “packages” to fill in the tree and place throughout the sunroom. Lawler simply wrapped up a plastic foam ball with fabric and a little blue ribbon. “I didn’t even sew the edges,” she says.4 BUCKET OF CHEERCopy Lawler’s ingenious ice bucket by filling a clean, empty gallon…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018THE HAM LADYSix months before Christmas, when her country hams are about to undergo what she calls the “July sweats,” Nancy Newsom stands in the back room of her shop, holding an ice pick. She slides it into the meat of an aged ham, close to the bone, and then lifts the pick to her nose. To the layperson, it might smell mostly of metal, but Newsom can distinguish traces of sumptuous funk created by weather, smoke, and time.With a crumbly-looking brick wall behind her and wrinkled, ruby-colored hams on a rough-hewn table in front of her, the scene could’ve been plucked from a small town in Spain or Italy. But this is Princeton, Kentucky, population 6,108. The Newsom family has operated its grocery, seed, and ham businesses along this section of…8 min
Southern Living|December 2018PEACE of CAKEOUR BEST WHITE CAKETransform pantry staples from Publix into a heavenly dessert.ACTIVE 35 MIN. - TOTAL 1 HOUR, 55 MIN.SERVES 10CAKE LAYERS1 cup unsalted butter, softened2 cups granulated sugar7 large egg whites, at room temperature1 tsp. vanilla extract1 tsp. almond extract2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour2 tsp. baking powder1 tsp. kosher salt1 cup whole milkVANILLA BUTTERCREAM2 cups unsalted butter, softened7 cups powdered sugar1 tsp. vanilla extract⅛ tsp. kosher salt⅔ cup heavy creamGARNISHESRosemary sprigs Powdered sugar Gingerbread Cookies (recipe follows)1. Prepare the Cake Layers: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease 3 (8-inch) round cake pans with cooking spray. Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper rounds, and spray paper.2. Combine butter and sugar in bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment. Beat on medium-high speed until creamy and fluffy,…4 min
Southern Living|December 2018SIMPLYSPECTACULARWhip up a few batches of this FIVE-IN-ONE DOUGH when you forget that the cookie exchange is tonight. (Yikes!)CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT SWIRL SANDWICH COOKIESACTIVE 30 MIN. - TOTAL 3 HOURS, 5 MIN.MAKES 2 DOZENPrepare Chocolate Sugar Cookie Dough as directed in Step 1, substituting light brown sugar for granulated sugar. Melt 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips according to package directions, and cool. Add to butter-sugar mixture; beat on low until blended. Proceed as directed in Step 2, reducing flour to 1½ cups. Cover dough; chill 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 48 (1-inch) balls. Place½ cup sparkling sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll each ball in sparkling sugar; place 2 inches apart onto 2 parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Gently flatten dough balls to½-inch thickness. Bake in preheated oven until…20 min
Southern Living|December 2018KNOW YOUR GINGERFRESHChoose clean knobs of fresh ginger root with smooth, shiny skin. Store in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, and use it before it begins to shrivel. Remove the peel with a vegetable peeler or the tip of a metal spoon.CRYSTALLIZEDLook for packaged rounds or strips of ginger (also called candied ginger), and press them inside the package. The ginger pieces should bend easily without snapping, similar to gummy bears. Prechopped “baker’s cut” ginger tends to be hard, and it will not soften when cooked.GROUNDGive your ground ginger (and other spices) the sniff test before you kick your holiday baking into high gear. If the aroma isn’t bold and pungent, the spice is past its prime.…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018Did You Get Our Card?THEY START SHOWING UP in the mailbox in early December, often in red or green envelopes with festive stamps and silver ink. I don’t know how many we get, but they come from all over the country—partly because the Evans family has moved a lot and partly because my wife, Susan, is much better at keeping up with people than her husband. We get them from high school and college friends, cousins, aunts, and old business colleagues. We get them from our neighbors, our dry cleaner, our banker, and the real estate agent who sold us a house years ago. We get them from people I’ve worked for and people who’ve worked for me. Sometimes we even get them from people we don’t know.By late December, our dining room table…2 min
Southern Living|December 2018Gifted and TalentedEVERYONE KNOWS THAT WHEN it comes to meaningful gift giving, it’s the thought that counts. But Southerners also know the real secret to setting your present apart from others in the pile is wow-worthy packaging. Twirled ribbon, personalized tags, customized wrap—this year, there are even more creative ways to deliver goodies. From a powder blue woodgrain pattern to a leafy green palm print, we’ve handpicked our favorite papers of the season.Our Wrap List1. Woodgrain Light Blue Driftwood by Rebecca Reck Art, $15; spoonflower.com. Pineapple Cotton Ribbon in Blue, $19; onekingslane.com. Champagne gift tags, $7/set of 10; riflepaperco.com2. Driftwood Geometric Citron Yellow, $15; spoonflower.com. May Arts Ribbon 1.25 Inch Silk Ribbon in Robin’s Egg Blue, $62/32 yards; ribbonresource.com3. Palm Leaf Frond on Blush Linen Texture, $15; spoonflower.com. Coral Single Face Velvet…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018Corgi in the CapitalThe District may be a city with diplomats and politicians, but no one can socialize quite like Moogle. Whether cruising around downtown D.C. or playing a round of fetch in the park (two of his favorite pastimes), Moogle makes sure to greet everyone he meets. With the help of his owners, Mai and Sean Soby, he attends regular corgi gatherings, even celebrating “Corgmas” during the holidays. “We have a fantastic corgi community here!” says Mai.INSTAGRAM: @moogle_ the_fluffy_corgiBREED: Pembroke Welsh corgiAGE: 4GOOD-BOY STATUS: Moogle is an only pup but helps socialize foster corgis that come to live with his family through the East Coast Corgi Rescue.FAVORITE TREAT: Salmon and chicken jerkiesCHRISTMAS TRADITIONS: He loves strolling the city to see cheerful holiday decorations “and taking photos, of course,” says Mai. He also…1 min
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Word of the Day BlogSouthern Living|December 2018YOUR DECEMBER CHECKLISTCHOOSEFraser fir is the most popular cut Christmas tree for several very good reasons. It holds its needles indoors longer than other conifers. Soft, no-stick needles emit that cherished, resiny Christmas tree aroma. Plus, layered branches make for easy decorating.REMOVEDon’t let fallen leaves from shade trees smother grass beneath them. Go over your lawn with a mulching mower that has a bagger attached. The finely chopped leaves will make great mulch for planting beds. They stay in place, look attractive, and add organic matter to the soil as they decompose. They’re also free.PLANTIt’s inevitable. Some of you who bought spring bulbs during the fall haven’t gotten around to planting them yet. Get off your recliners, and do it now! They need time in the ground to develop good root systems.…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018My Grandmother, the Beauty Icon“Grandma has never been clouded in mystery. She’s as sharp as a tack with a recall that I’m convinced has never allowed her to tell the same story twice. Her tales of dances and debutante days fixed my childhood imagination on her bathroom vanity, a place where I believed all elegant ladies kept their secrets. I remember sneaking into Grandma’s room years ago during her annual family Christmas Eve party. To avoid the bogeyman I thought hid in Grandad’s old office, I took off down the hall at a full sprint. What I found when I arrived was well worth the heart-pounding journey. The bottles, the jewelry—it was a little girl’s dream come true. It still is.” —PATRICIA WEIGEL SHANNON“An overdone face? Never. One coat of mascara is just enough…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018for theHOME SWEET HOMEBODY1 Condor Chocolates’ Milk Chocolate + Georgia Pecans and Camino Verde Dark Chocolate 80% bars are crafted in Athens, Georgia. $9 each; condorchocolates.com2 If she grew up on her mama’s 1972 edition, she’ll also love The Southern Living Party Cookbook: A Modern Guide To Gathering, with recipes and stories from caterer and TV personality Elizabeth Heiskell. $35; target.com3 Savor cafe-quality coffee in your own home with a Large French Press. $70; lecreuset.com4 Blue Floral Tin Leaf Plates mimic the look of formal china without the fuss. $12 each; biscuit-home.com5 Elevate charcuterie boards with Slate Black Cheese Knives. $40 for four; dillards.com6 He’ll love that this fragrant Leather + Pine Candle was hand poured into a reusable whiskey glass. $44; ranger station.co7 These Parker Stripe Cocktail Napkins are not your grandma’s…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018for theBUDDING GARDENER1 Each seed packet in this 14-piece Healing Herb Set includes planting instructions and a brief description of its uses and health benefits. $42; bestmadeco.com2 Rubber Chelsea Rain Boots that kick mud to the curb and look good with nearly all of our winter outfits? We’ll take them. $40; jcrew.com3 Winter weather can do a number on your lips, so protect them with this natural Tupelo Honey Lip Balm. $3.50; savannah bee.com4 The Botanical Bible: Plants, Flowers, Art, Recipes & Other Home Remedies is packed with information on everything from photosynthesis to fig leaf ice cream. Plus, it’s pretty enough for the coffee table. $40; abramsbooks.com5 Whether she’s heading to the farmers’ market or running the kids around town, this screen-printed canvas Herb Garden Everyday Tote Bag fills the bill.…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018CHRISTMASTIDEMY LIFE HAD JUST UNDERGONE a major sea change, and the next thing I knew, it was Christmas. After years of urban dwelling, I had moved to a South Carolina barrier island to be with a new husband, where we’d start our new life with a blended family. Although I’d fully embraced the change, everything suddenly felt strange and unfamiliar. The holidays had always been about tradition, not starting from scratch smack-dab in the midst of midlife. How did anyone even do such a thing? Standing on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean on Christmas Eve, alone and bewildered, I wondered what I had gotten myself into.I’d tried hard to get into the spirit of a Lowcountry holiday. I’d decorated my new house with seashells, seagrass wreaths, and palmetto fronds…5 min
Southern Living|December 2018THE TOWN FAVORITE“THIS HOUSE SPEAKS FOR ITSELF,” says Joyce Eidson when asked about the Louisiana Colonial-style home that she and Woodus Humphrey have owned since 2015. It was designed by Louisiana architect A. Hays Town, whose signature style provides the house with its distinct voice. The home incorporates key architectural elements and has many unmistakable features that can be found in hundreds of Town’s designs across the region—such as traditionally exterior components that were used indoors; salvaged, locally sourced materials; and interior woods that were hand chosen by the architect himself. Several of these homes have been featured on our very own pages over the years.This house has a grand history, and it can be daunting to imagine making changes to such a storied structure. So Eidson enlisted the help of Colleen…4 min
Southern Living|December 2018THE ICING ON THE CAKETWO-STEP RIBBON FROSTING1 For a textured “ribbon” look, repeat the same process of frosting the cake, adding a second, thicker layer of buttercream to the top and around the sides. Next, use an offset spatula to smooth the top and sides.2 Drag a 1-inch-wide offset spatula around the sides of the cake, starting at the bottom and working your way up. Use your other hand to slowly rotate the cake stand as you go. Leave the top smooth.CHOOSE YOUR OWN TOPPERPick 3- to 4-inch cutters, which work best for this cake. Here are our favoritesCAROver the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house we go. Car Christmas Tree Cookie Cutter, $7.50; printandflourish.etsy.comGINGERBREAD HOUSEWe have visions of sugarplums dancing in our heads. Gingerbread House Cookie Cutter, from $4; cutitoutcutters.etsy.comBABY DEERHey,…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018Merry Christmas, SUGAR!PEPPERMINT DIVINITYHow could a snowball-shaped confection with the celestial name “divinity” fall out of favor, losing its prized spot on the holiday dessert table in a few decades’ time? Traditionally studded with pecans and swiftly made from a few ingredients, divinity is a delightful turn-of-the-century heirloom worth restoring to its former lofty place. We’ve tweaked the usual rendition by swapping out the nuts for crushed peppermint candies, making them extra pretty and tasty. recipe, page 185PEPPERMINT DIVINITYDivinity requires advance planning and dry, sunny weather to turn out well. Once made, the confections hold nicely for up to a week, so check the forecast and choose your “divinity day.”ACTIVE 30 MIN. - TOTAL 1 HOUR, 40 MIN.MAKES ABOUT 24 CANDIES2 cups granulated sugar½ cup light corn syrup¼ cup water¼ tsp. kosher…14 min
Southern Living|December 2018Bah, Humbug!THE BOOK was not treated well. The fabric on the back cover seems to have been eaten away by some dreaded pestilence, probably one long-ago summer. This book was not made for summer, I suppose. At some point, it was left out in the rain. The ink has run, but I can still make out the words. It has an odd beginning, for a book about joy.Marley was dead: to beginwith. There is no doubt whatever about that…dead as adoor-nail…I might have beeninclined, myself, to regard acoffn-nail as the deadest pieceof ironmongery in the trade…You, no doubt, have traditions you return to every Christmas. This is mine. I bought it for $3 at a thrift store, but it was the best $3 I ever spent. In A Christmas Carol, I’ve…2 min
Southern Living|December 2018Take a BoughFESTOON THE FRONT DOOROn the exterior, go for a few high-impact pieces rather than small, hard-to-see details. This entry point’s all-natural look started with a 25-foot Leyland cypress garland that curves around the front door’s fanlight and runs down the sides, with clusters of large pinecones fastened with wire. A lush collar of magnolia leaves, loosely stuffed into the top of each topiary pot, is an effortless holiday addition to any year-round container.LIVEN UP THE ENTRYDon’t let the living room have all the holiday fun. Make a playful statement in this welcoming area with a garland-draped, stocking-bedecked banister (D. Stevens Velvet Christmas Stockings; neimanmarcus.com). Tie the stockings directly to the balustrade, not the garland. Lastly, loop on ribbons (from Mood Fabrics and Paper Source).EMBELLISH THE KITCHENDrape a single Leyland cypress…3 min
Southern Living|December 2018Thanks for the Paperwhites!FOR TEACHERSWatching the delicate flowers form is half the fun of paperwhites. Pick up bulb-forcing vases at your local garden shop or online. Fill each one with water, and place a bulb on top. Once it has a few shoots and flowers, knot a cheery ribbon around the vase, and it’s ready for the teacher’s desk.FOR DINNER GUESTSPlace cards can double as party favors at a festive affair. Fill a vintage teacup (stock up on them at thrift stores!) with gravel and a single bulb. Carefully tie the name tag to a sturdy stem. Note: A paperwhite that’s just starting to flower (as shown here) sits nicely on the table, and your guests can also look forward to more blooms to come.FOR YOUR NEIGHBORSSpread cheer in your community with a…3 min
Southern Living|December 2018THE GRUMPY GARDENERFORE!› We live on a golf course in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, and lost many of our trees to a hurricane. Can you suggest trees to plant that aren’t too messy, grow around 20 to 30 feet tall, and can protect my house from a golf ball that’s aimed directly at it? —CONNIE » Hold it, missy. I’ve hit many houses playing golf and only one on purpose! Good candidates for your screen include crepe myrtle, pindo palm, ‘Allee’ Chinese elm, windmill palm, chaste tree, loquat, ‘Alta’ Southern magnolia, and oleander.DINNERTIME› Deer seem to think my hydrangeas are for their dining pleasure! Will my plants recover from being their main course? —SUSAN » Deer relish all kinds of hydrangeas and will mow them to the ground if they can.…2 min
Southern Living|December 2018Crescent City StyleA Sweet Stop at the Ice-Cream ShopTHE TRADITION: “Living above an ice-cream parlor has been so fun,” says Ekanger, who likes to pop downstairs for a scoop after she and her husband, Trevor, finish their holiday decorating. “The Creole Creamery makes a peppermint flavor around this time of year that is a personal favorite. There’s a cute little bench right outside the shop, so we like to sit there and people-watch.”HER LOOK: Mild New Orleans winters mean sandals work year-round. Ekanger wears them with a ladylike midi and a classic car coat for a seasonally appropriate look.Pupusas at HomeTHE TRADITION: On Christmas Eve, Ekanger likes to prepare pupusas, a soulful dish that her Salvadoran mother often made to celebrate special occasions. “They’re basically tortillas stuffed with cheese and meat—they’re delicious,”…2 min
Southern Living|December 2018Crazy for ChristmasWITH THE OLD-TIMEY APPEAL OF MAYBERRY, the quirky characters of Stars Hollow, and a laid-back attitude that’s all its own, Dahlonega strikes small-town gold. Tucked in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this easygoing community offers sweeping views and plenty to do, with hiking trails for the adventurous, an impressive collection of North Georgia wineries for weekend tours and tastings, and a historic town square with worn brick facades centered around a courthouse, which dates back to the state’s early 19th-century gold rush. And while this whistle-stop feels secluded, you can easily make it here from Atlanta in about an hour and a half.Hallmark WorthyCatching this place during Christmastime is like peering into a snow globe that came to life when no one was looking. From the outside, Dahlonega…7 min
Southern Living|December 2018THAT’S A WrapMCCORMICK® HOLIDAY COOKIE STOCKING STUFFERSUse the rich flavors of McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract and Cinnamon to create delicious cookies this holiday season, for a gift you know they’ll love. Wrap individually for stocking stuffers, or gift in a decorative tin. For recipe ideas and more, visit:mccormick.com/christmasGET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYSThe Southern Living Collection available exclusively at Dillard’s has everything you need to make your home warm and inviting this holiday season. From stunning home décor to cheerful tableware, you can find all of your new festive favorites at your hometown Dillard’s store.Dillards.com/SouthernLivingCABELA’S CARNIVORE 1HP GRINDERCabela’s carnivore commercial-grade grinder. Powered by a 1hp motor, it grinds all the delicious meats you love with precision and ease. It even comes with a cool-tek® gel ice pak so your meat binds and sticks…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018for the SOUTHERN CHEF1 Half of proceeds from the Stainless Steel Measuring Cups set goes to a fund-raiser of your choice. $24; boonsupply.com2 Woodturner Al Mather shapes his beautiful Biscuit Cutters from ash wood. From $30; food52.com3 She’ll love flipping through Southern Baked, the debut cookbook by the “pie lady” from Gainesville, Georgia. $25; gibbs-smith.com4 Sweeten tea with Infused Honey from Athens, Georgia’s Bear Hug Honey Company. $7 for a 3-oz. jar; bear hughoney.com5 These Woodblock Chicory Napkins are crafted from flour-sack cotton. $38 for four; june december.com6 Tackle baking with a 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer in a fresh hue. $70; kitchenaid.com7 The No. 8 Skillet is hand-me-down worthy. $100; smitheyiron ware.com8 Sprinkle Pocketful of Starlight Vanilla Sugar on cookies. $13; beautifulbriny sea.com9 Upgrade his bottle opener to a Single-Hinged Wine Opener…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018HOUSE OF GOOD CHEERDesigned To Entertain“I didn’t want to use anything in this room that could constrain a colorful table,” explains Lawler about her dining chairs and versatile greige-colored walls. “I can go with a red-themed table for Christmas or pink for Easter.”Claim Your Favorite ColorSince they’ve been married, the Lawlers have hosted a blowout every Saint Patrick’s Day—she went to the University of Notre Dame, and her husband is from Boston—so they invite everyone over for corned beef and cabbage. When it came time to paint, Lawler knew there was only one color it could be: green (House Plant, SW 6727; sherwin-williams.com).JUST ADD SUNSHINEFor this Christmas tree, Lawler goes all out with a zesty motif that started with the fabric on her sectional sofa (Schumacher’s Citrus Garden). “I had a friend sew…5 min
Southern Living|December 2018TRIM THE TREES1 MODERN SENTIMENTSTraditional holiday symbols get a glossy makeover with simple shapes and loads of bright red and white.BASE A medium-size woven basket (etuhome.com) provides a tidier footing than a tree skirt.ORNAMENTS Dress branches with large red Gobstopper-like globes mixed with favorite holiday images. For an extra-sweet touch, suspend candy canes from the frosted boughs.GARLAND First hang the strands of lights, and then dangle a garland made from felt balls along the branches.TOPPER Try a homespun take on stars with a large matte wooden version.DETAILS Stick to solid wrapping papers except for one standout polkadot pattern.2 VINTAGE CHARMA ladylike palette of teal and pink reflects the pastel hues of these retro ornaments.TREE At only 4 feet tall, this tree (set in a sturdy planter) is just the right size for…4 min
Southern Living|December 2018Memory MakersTHE NEEDLEPOINTERBY JENNA BUSH HAGERWhen I imagine my Ganny, I think of her hands busy (usually her mouth too) as she meticulously needlepointed. She worked on many projects, but her most precious were stockings for her great-grandchildren. My daughters, Mila and Poppy, hang their own each year with care. Mila’s is traditional, with her name stitched in cursive next to poinsettias; Poppy’s has a Christmas cat watching Santa suspiciously, as only cats do.Growing up, Christmas was about tamales, guacamole, caroling, and cousin skits. But mostly, it was all about family, and it centered around our grandparents, our North Stars.When they were President and First Lady, our huge, rambunctious crew of uncles, aunts, and cousins traveled from all over—Texas, Florida, Virginia, and Maryland—descending upon the White House for the holiday. On…16 min
Southern Living|December 2018HOW-TO Rosemary TreesSELECT THE RIGHT SPRIGSA rosemary bush will have bigger, thicker, more treelike sprigs. If you don’t have a live plant, choose precut sprigs that are as wide as possible.FAN OUT THE NEEDLESUse your fingers to fluff out the leaves on all sides. The bottom stem of each sprig will be the top of the tree; you want the leaves to be shorter at the top and wider at the bottom.GIVE IT SHAPEIf necessary, use kitchen shears to trim the leaves to give each sprig a treelike, triangular form. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy look.CUTTERS: ANTONIS ACHILLEOS; PROP STYLING: CHRISTINA LANE…1 min
Southern Living|December 2018GingerbreadTAKES THE CAKENOTHING MAKES A HOUSE smell more like Christmas than the sweet and spicy aroma of a freshly baked pan of gingerbread. We’re not talking about the crisp cookies or the houses covered in icing and candy. The taste of those holiday delights just can’t compare to a slice of tender, richly spiced gingerbread cake.The practice of baking and sharing gingerbread originated in Europe several hundred years ago and then made its way to the colonial South as families immigrated to the region and brought their recipes and traditions with them.Ginger from Asia and dried spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, allspice, and cloves arrived by ship into Southern ports and traveled inland because they were easy to transport and store. Whole dried spices kept well and retained their flavor and…10 min