Happy New Year's Eve!

Courtesy of History.com

Hi Friends,

It's been a pleasure sharing our design ideas, recipes and just simple reminders with you this year. We hope you've enjoyed and will continue to enjoy good health, prosperity and happiness, but most of all, the company of family and good friends; after all that's really the riches in our lives.

As we end this year, we wanted to share some New Year's traditions to take to your family and friends with our hope you will continue to befriend Interior Designs for many years to come.

Happy New Year!

New Year's Traditions
In many countries, New Year’s celebrations begin on the evening of December 31—New Year’s Eve—and continue into the early hours of January 1. Revelers often enjoy meals and snacks thought to bestow good luck for the coming year. In Spain and several other Spanish-speaking countries, people bolt down a dozen grapes-symbolizing their hopes for the months ahead-right before midnight. In many parts of the world, traditional New Year’s dishes feature legumes, which are thought to resemble coins and herald future financial success; examples include lentils in Italy and black-eyed peas in the southern United States. Because pigs represent progress and prosperity in some cultures, pork appears on the New Year’s Eve table in Cuba, Austria, Hungary, Portugal and other countries. Ring-shaped cakes and pastries, a sign that the year has come full circle, round out the feast in the Netherlands, Mexico, Greece and elsewhere. In Sweden and Norway, meanwhile, rice pudding with an almond hidden inside is served on New Year’s Eve; it is said that whoever finds the nut can expect 12 months of good fortune.

Other customs that are common worldwide include watching fireworks and singing songs to welcome the new year, including the ever-popular "Auld Lang Syne" in many English-speaking countries. The practice of making resolutions for the new year is thought to have first caught on among the ancient Babylonians, who made promises in order to earn the favor of the gods and start the year off on the right foot. (They would reportedly vow to pay off debts and return borrowed farm equipment.)

In the United States, the most iconic New Year’s tradition is the dropping of a giant ball in New York City's Times Square at the stroke of midnight. Millions of people around the world watch the event, which has taken place almost every year since 1907. Over time, the ball itself has ballooned from a 700-pound iron-and-wood orb to a brightly patterned sphere 12 feet in diameter and weighing in at nearly 12,000 pounds. Various towns and cities across America have developed their own versions of the Times Square ritual, organizing public drops of items ranging from pickles (Dillsburg, Pennsylvania) to possums (Tallapoosa, Georgia) at midnight on New Year’s Eve.

Happy New Year and check back for more great ideas next year.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

A Classic New Year's Day Brunch With a Twist

Courtesy of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo, Mochatini

Hi Friends,

This isn't your childhood breakfast pizza. This flatbread is topped with roasted tomatoes, fried eggs, ricotta cheese and arugula. Ring in a brand new year with a festive brunch on January 1st. This year, serve up new twists on traditional New Year’s Day recipes with this egg-topped flatbread breakfast pizza. Get the recipe!

Flatbread With Eggs, Tomatoes and Arugula Recipe


Makes 4 flatbreads or 8 servings

Ingredients

For the roasted tomatoes:

• 3 pounds fresh plum tomatoes, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
• 6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 1/2-cup olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste

For the crust:

• 1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 1/4-ounce packets active dry yeast
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Cornmeal, for sprinkling

For topping the flatbreads:

• 8 large eggs
• 1 cup ricotta cheese
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces fingerling potatoes, cooked, cooled, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch slices
• 2/3 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1-1/4 cups baby arugula leaves
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Parmesan cheese shavings, for serving

Instructions
For the tomatoes: Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Wrap aluminum foil on a baking sheet and arrange tomatoes in single layer. Toss tomatoes with 1/2 cup olive oil, chopped garlic cloves and herbs de Provence. Bake, uncovered for about an hour, or until tomatoes are dry and lightly brown. Remove from oven and let cool. Tip: You can make the tomatoes up to two days before serving.

For the dough: Stir together warm water and honey in small bowl. Stir in yeast. Let stand until foamy, about 5 minutes. Place flour and coarse salt in stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment. Pour in water mixture. Mix on medium speed until dough comes together and pulls away from sides of bowl, adding more water by tablespoonfuls if too dry, about 2 to 3 minutes. Brush large bowl with oil. Form dough into ball. Place in bowl; turn to coat. Cover with plastic; place in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F. Place a pizza stone or baking sheet in oven (if using rimmed baking sheet, invert sheet, rim side down). Knead dough in bowl, turning over 3 to 4 times. Cover and let rise again until doubled in volume, about 45 minutes. Divide dough into 4 equal portions. Form each portion into ball. Place on floured work surface; cover with plastic wrap and let rest 10 minutes. Sprinkle rimless baking sheet with cornmeal. Working with 1 ball at a time, roll out dough on floured surface to 12x7-inch oval. Transfer to baking sheet.

To finish the flatbreads: Spread roasted tomatoes evenly over dough, leaving a 1-inch border. Sprinkle each flatbread with 1/4 of the potatoes and peas. Spoon three or four tablespoon-sized dollops of ricotta cheese atop vegetables. Slide pizza onto stone, if using; bake until crust is golden brown on bottom and around edges, 10 to 12 minutes.

While the flatbreads cook, make the fried eggs. Brush nonstick skillet with olive oil and heat over medium heat. Crack 2 eggs into skillet and cook until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 2-3 minutes each.

Transfer flatbreads to work surface. Place 2 fried eggs atop each flatbread. Scatter Parmesan shavings and arugula leaves on each one. Cut pizza into halves or wedges and serve immediately.

Bon Appétit...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Happy New Year!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

New Year's Eve Cookie Centerpiece & Favors

Courtesy of Hani Bacova, Haniela's Food & Photography

Hi Friends,

These countdown cookies are just as fun for a New Year's party centerpiece as they are for your guests to take home as favors.

Materials Needed:

• sugar cookie dough (recipe below)
• cookie cutters in number shapes
• cookie cutter in round shape, approximately 3-4 inches across
• royal icing, white (recipe below)
• food-grade glitter or silver spray paint
• pastry bag and fine tip
• cake stand
• cellophane bags and ribbon

Bake Sugar Cookie Numbers
You’ll need 10 cookies, numbered 10 to 1 and 10 round cookies (2 1/2 inches across) for the bases.

Basic sugar cookie recipe:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 sticks butter, unsalted, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Sift together the flour and baking powder. In a mixing bowl, beat the room temperature butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Scrape the bowl at least once while mixing. Add in the egg and mix until fluffy and pale in color. Add salt and vanilla extract. Slowly add flour mixture (1 cup at a time) and stir until incorporated. Don't be afraid to use your hands a little to form a uniform cookie dough. Form the dough into a disc and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour. If the dough gets too hard to roll let soften a bit before rolling the dough. Preheat oven to 360 degrees F.

Roll the dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper to 5/16 inch (about 7 mm) thick.

Using number cookie cutters cut out numbers from 1 to 10, as well as small 2.5 inch rounds. Place the cut cookie shapes on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Place cookies in the fridge to harden for about 5 minutes and then put them in the oven.

Bake the cookies for approximately 8-10 minutes. Rotate sheets halfway through for even baking. Remove cookies from the oven and allow to cool on the sheet for 5 minutes. Do not attempt to move the cookies at this stage as they are too soft and will break. Slowly remove cookies from the sheet using a wide spatula, place them on the cooling rack and let cool completely.



Apply Icing
Start by piping thick royal icing all the way around the numbers. Then flood each cookie with a thinner icing. Let them dry completely.

Basic royal icing recipe:

• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons meringue powder
• 2 tablespoons plus 1/4 tablespoon water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla or lemon extract

In a clean stainless steel bowl whisk together water and meringue powder, add powdered sugar and using your stand mixer (or you can use hand-held mixer, too), beat until stiff and glossy peaks are formed, about 5 minutes with stand mixer and 7 minutes with hand-held mixer. Add vanilla extract and beat for an additional minute. Scrape icing into an airtight bowl and cover tightly with a lid to prevent drying.



Add Glitter
Use a food-grade spray paint and stencil or food glitter to embellish cookies. If using a stencil, position it directly on top of the cookie and simply spray over with a food-grade spray paint. Gently lift the stencil to reveal the stenciled pattern. Continue with remaining cookies until you are done with all the numbers. If you prefer, simply spray the whole cookie or use food glitter to create a clean look. Let cookies dry before handling.



Attach Bases
Using a stiff royal icing, attach numbers onto the round cookies. Add support with a piece of paper towel or plastic wrap propped up against them while drying.



Set Up Display
Display on the table for a pretty edible decoration, or wrap cookies for individual favors.

Bon Appétit...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Happy New Year's Eve!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Tempting Hot Chocolates

Courtesy of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo, Mochatini

Hi Friends,

No espresso machine? Mix up a batch of hot chocolate that's ready when guests arrive or just to warm up cold mornings with a steaming cup of hot chocolate. Get the recipes here!

Creamy Hot Chocolate
Compliments of Gourmet Magazine

Tested with the Spanish chocolate Valor Chocolate a la Taza, this fast and easy recipe yielded a pretty cup of hot chocolate whose caressing texture lived up to its name.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup well-chilled heavy cream
• 1 Tbsp. sugar
• 4 oz. fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
• 2 cups whole milk

Preparation:
Using an electric mixer and a bowl, beat the cream with the sugar until it holds stiff peaks. Chop chocolate and reserve two teaspoons. In a small saucepan, heat the milk with the remaining chocolate over moderate heat, stirring, until it comes to a simmer. Pour hot chocolate into two large mugs and top with whipped cream and reserved chocolate.

Serves 2

Moody's Hot Chocolate
Compliments of Kathy Cooney

Kathy Cooney, pastry chef at Moody's Bistro & Lounge in Truckee, California, created this unusually thick and intense version of hot chocolate. "It isn't served by the mugful, but more like an espresso with a spoonful of freshly whipped cream," she recommends. At the restaurant, she uses the Venezuelan chocolate El Rey Gran Saman. "It is slightly more acidic and flowery than some domestic chocolates," she says. "It is a dessert by itself or with a fresh churro," she says of the hot chocolate it yields. People who prefer a thinner cup of hot chocolate can thin it with more water and then reheat it.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, melted
• 1 Tbsp. almond liqueur

Preparation:
Bring milk and 1/2 cup of water to a simmer in a saucepan. Turn off the heat. Meanwhile, combine the cinnamon stick, sugar and 1/4 cup of water in heavy-bottomed medium saucepan. Over medium-high heat, allow sugar to caramelize as you swirl the pan. As it reaches a deep amber color, remove from the heat and slowly whisk in milk-water mixture. Return to low heat and gently stir until it is smooth. Whisk in melted chocolate. Heat until the edges start to bubble. Remove from the heat. Take out the cinnamon stick. Add the almond liqueur. Whip hot chocolate with immersion blender for a minute. Serve immediately.

Serves 6

New Mexican Hot Chocolate
Cinnamon and nutmeg spice up the flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup honey
• 5 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 4 cups reduced-fat milk (2 percent)
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Preparation:
Combine first six ingredients in a large, heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk and vanilla extract, stirring constantly with a whisk. Heat to 180 degrees or until tiny bubbles form around the edge, stirring with a whisk (do not boil).

Serves 8

Keep warm...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Happy New Year!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Champagne-Glazed Fruit Tarts

Courtesy of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo, Mochatini

Hi Friends,

Use leftover champagne or sparkling wine from New Year's Eve festivities to create a glaze for these mascarpone-filled fruit tarts.

Champagne-Glazed Fruit Tart Recipe

Makes six individually-sized tarts

Ingredients

• 6 mini tart shells
• 1 cup champagne or sparkling wine
• 1/2 cup apricot jam
• 1 lbs fresh strawberries, blueberries or other mixed fruit, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups mascarpone cheese
• 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine apricot jam with one cup of champagne or sparkling wine over medium heat. Boil until reduced by half, about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Transfer to a small bowl to cool.

Stir together fruit and granulated sugar in a bowl and let stand, stirring occasionally, 30 minutes. Strain in a sieve set over a small saucepan, reserving fruit.

Meanwhile, whisk together mascarpone cheese, confectioners’ sugar, lemon juice, zest, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until stiff.

To assemble the tarts, distribute mascarpone cheese mixture evenly among tart shells, then top with fruit. Drizzle champagne-apricot glaze over the top of each tart. Serve immediately, or make the tarts a day before your party and refrigerate until serving.

Bon Appétit...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Happy New Year!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Free Printable New Year’s Eve Decorations

Courtesy of Liz Gray and Kim Stoegbauer, The TomKat Studio
Photography by ten22 studio

Hi Friends,

Every New Year’s Eve party needs a bit of glitz, don’t you think? Luckily, we have an exclusive collection of printable party decor and easy paper crafts from The TomKat Studio; the sparkle is provided, you bring the bubbly!

Tissue Paper Tassel Garland
Tassel garlands are a huge party trend. It's easy to make your own with some tissue paper or sparkling mylar, scissors and string. A few tassels in sparkling mylar add a festive touch to your handmade tassel garland. Sheets of mylar are available at most craft stores. This tutorial shows you how to make a larger version big enough to dress the front of a buffet table or stretch across a wall, but you can easily scale down the project. For a version small enough to add flair to your dining chairs, use 1/8 sheet of tissue paper per tassel.



Materials Needed:

• 1/2 sheet of 20" x 20" or 20" x 24" tissue paper or mylar per
• scissors
• ribbon or cord

Cut Fringe
Fold a piece of tissue paper in half and in half the other way. Cut strips towards the fold to create fringe, leaving about 1 inch uncut at the fold line. Once all strips are cut, unfold the tissue and cut in half so you have 2 sheets with fringe (to make 2 tassels).



Twist Tassels
Unfold tissue paper. Begin rolling tightly down the middle crease. Continue rolling, fold in half and then twist to create a loop for hanging.



Create More Tassels and Finish Garland
Repeat to create additional tassels in various colors. Hang from thin cord or ribbon.



Printable Party Flags
Attach these printable party flags to monochromatic tubes of white candies (such as Sixlets) and hand out as guests depart. Or, attach to drinking straws, lollipops or cake pops.

Click HERE to download Printable Party Flags



Custom Printable Invitations
Get guests in the festive mood by sending out this custom-designed printable invitation. Add your party details and embellish the bow design with glitter before sending to guests.



Such Great Heights
Elevate your party's style by displaying desserts on cake plates staggered in height. A fancy layer cake trimmed with pink and gold fondant ruffles is the perfect match for this party theme.



Edible Gold Embellishments
Pink cake pops sprinkled with edible gold glitter and embellished with gold bows tie in beautifully.



DIY Drink Embellishments
Dress up your serving vessels with tiny ribbon bows or DIY swizzle sticks made from straws and tissue paper.



Little Bites, Big Flavor
A New Year's Eve party typically means a late night, so be sure to offer a variety of appetizers and snacks to keep your guests in a festive mood. Bite-sized appetizers skewered on party picks are easy for guests to eat with a cocktail in hand. Write down the appetizer offerings on our printable menu cards to let guests know what they're eating.

Click HERE to download the Printable Menu Template



Easy-to-Make Appetizers
Simple, fresh watermelon-and-feta bites flavored with red wine vinegar and mint pair perfectly with bubbly champagne. Here's the recipe!


Feta, Mint and Watermelon Bites Recipe
Recipe Compliments of Joanna Meyer, Baked by Joanna

Makes about 24 pieces

Ingredients

• 2 pounds seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4-cup red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced into rings
• 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
• 1 sprig mint, finely chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 24 decorative skewers (optional)

Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and onion rings; season with salt and pepper to taste and marinate for one hour in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.

To assemble, place a watermelon cube on a plate, top with 2 marinated onion rings and sprinkle with feta and mint.

To create a more elegant look, twist the onion around a skewer in the shape of an eight. Tip: Add an extra twist or two if it is a larger ring) Poke the skewer into the watermelon; sprinkle feta and mint on top.

Cook's Note: The watermelon weight is after the rind has been removed.

Festive Favors
After midnight, send guests home with a mini favor bag packed with treats they can enjoy on New Year's Day. Label each bag with a printable "Thank You" tag.

Click HERE to download the Printable Favor Tags



Your family and friends will be impressed with this sophisticated Sparkling New Year's Eve Party and your HOSTING skills...

Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Merry Christmas!

From Our Door To Yours...

Hi Friends,

The Holiday Season gives us the perfect opportunity to wish you all the timeless treasures of the season; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

'Twas the Night Before Christmas...

Hi Friends,

One of the oldest and most popular Christmas poems ever, commonly referred to as "Twas The Night Before Christmas," was written in the early 19th century.

Though its author is disputed, with the poem being attributed to both Clement Clarke Moore and Henry Livingston Jr. over the years, it was definitely first published on Dec. 23, 1823 in the Troy Sentinel newspaper in upstate New York.

It is also referred to as "A Visit From St. Nicholas" or "The Night Before Christmas." and goes like this...

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads.
And Mama in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
had just settled our brains for a long winter's nap.

When out on the roof there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
tore open the shutter, and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
gave the lustre of midday to objects below,
when, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles, his coursers they came,
and he whistled and shouted and called them by name:

"Now Dasher! Now Dancer!
Now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid!
On, Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch!
To the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away!
Dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
when they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky
so up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
with the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
the prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes--how they twinkled! His dimples, how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
and the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
and I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head
soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
and filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
and giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, 'ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!"

Hope you enjoyed the poem and will share it with family and friends...

Merry Christmas from your friends at Interior Design.

Merry Christmas!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Host a Holiday Movie Night

Courtesy of Manvi Drona-Hidalgo

Merry Christmas Friends,

This year, gather your friends and family for a fun holiday movie night party. DIYers you’ll want to start crafting the budget-friendly decorations for this bash right away. For movie buffs, nothing beats watching holiday favorites amidst friends and the comforts of home. A festive and glam private screening with cinema-style snacks is sure to get everyone into the holiday spirit.

Paper Serving Cones
Bright paper serving cones are simple to make, affordable and eliminate the need for flatware. Fill with popcorn, nuts or candy and place around your buffet.



Popcorn, Upgraded
One plus of a movie night at home? Better popcorn! Swap the artificial butter for fun new flavors, like peanut butter caramel and bacon-cheddar.



Mix Up a Signature Drink
For the adults at your gathering, a signature cocktail is a must. This one was inspired by the Dr. Suess classic The Grinch and includes champagne, ginger ale, bitters and mint.



Pick Your Own Candy
Fun printed bags are the perfect vessel for guests’ favorite movie theater-style candies. Set out a buffet of options and let them pick and choose.



DIY Light-Up Centerpiece
Skip the traditional centerpiece and make DIY lighted letters with a cheery saying the highlight of the table.



Movie Night Bingo
Keep guests engaged with a holiday movie bingo. Decide when to start, what movies will be playing during, the rules, and prizes before the party. When guests have their beverages and snacks and are ready to play, hand them handmade holiday movie themed bingo cards, designate a judge and begin playing! Regular bingo rules apply: The first guest to cross off items straight across or diagonally wins a prize (or just glory!).



Add Cozy Pillows and Throws
Original Holiday-Movie-Night-Blankets let guests cozy up during movie time. Place baskets or throws around the room, and deck out the sofa with comfy throw pillows. Need extra seating? Large floor pillows give some guests soft front-row seats.



Enjoy your Festive Holiday Movie Night Party...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Merry Christmas!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

DIY Photo Place Cards

Courtesy of Lisa and Sarah Cox, A Spoonful of Sugar

Merry Christmas Friends,

Use photos of your guests on place cards for dinner party fun.

Materials Needed:

• black and white photo copies or printouts of each person’s photo using photo paper
• white cardstock
• 1 1/2 inch hole punch or scissors
• red and turquoise tags (find a free template online by searching "free SVG tags")
• scrapbooking paper
• decorative small brads
• glue

Print Out Photos
Find a funny picture of each of your guests. Childhood photos are great, but any goofy piture will do. Scan all the photos and then cropped the faces so that the images were approximately 1 3/4 inches square. Convert all the images to black and white, and print them out on a sheet of photo paper.



Create Tags
Using a 1 1/2 inch circle punch, cut out all the faces. Mount them on white card stock cut into 1 3/4 inches. Finally, glue them on red and aqua tags.



Finish the Cards
Glue a rectangle of scrap patterned scrap booking paper to a folded piece of white card stock. Then, attach the red and aqua tags using small decorative brads on either side of the photo.



Happy crafting...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Merry Christmas!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne