GretchRuns Christmas : Part 1

Happy Holidays everyone!  I'm so excited that it's December, which means it's time to bust out those decorations, surround yourself with holiday music 24/7, sip on holiday drinks and eat your weight in cookies.

Today I'll be starting a new holiday series (check out my Thanksgiving posts here) for Christmas!  Each Thursday from now until New Year's Eve I'll be sharing a favorite song, craft, and cookie.  I'm really excited and I hope you enjoy this series!

Song : Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (Nsync)

I suggest you play this song in the background while you're reading this post.  Nothing gets me in the holiday mood like this song!  This song brings back so many memories of being younger and listening to this song with friends.  I can't help but smile when this song comes on, so I had to have it as my first song!  P.S., when everyone starts clapping at the end of the song, you MUST join in!

Craft : Fireplace

I love to decorate my cubical at work, but it's hard to come up with clever ideas that don't involve bringing in a tree or a bunch of supplies.  One day, I saw an empty printer paper box laying around and got the idea to turn it into a fake fireplace for my extra monitor.  It turned out really cute and everyone stops by to comment on it!  It was really easy to make, and I was able to finish it during my lunch break one day!

Supplies :

Box with lid (I used a box that printer paper comes in)
X-acto knife or scissors
Brick print paper
Wood print paper
Construction paper or scrapbook paper


Directions :

Take the base of the box, and cut out a rectangle in the bottom.  This is where you can see the "fireplace", so it should be nearly as big as your computer screen, but still covers up the edges.  I used a piece of paper to trace a rectangle, but this depends on the size of your screen. 

Cut out a rectangle in a long side of the box.  This is a hole for the bottom of your monitor, so it doesn't have to be too big.

Completely cut out the other long side of the box.

I made a (horrible) Paint illustration to show you what the box looks like.  There should be a total of three cuts in the box.  The only sides that don't need to be cut are the two shorter sides.  The back should be open since there's a lid on the box. (all cuts are in orange)

Next, we're going to decorate the "fireplace"!  I couldn't find brick paper anywhere, so I printed out a brick wallpaper and tried to line it up as well as I could.  You could also do a stone fireplace!

Cover the lid with wood paper, or any paper that you want for your mantle.

Make decorations for the fireplace out of construction paper!  I made a mini paper garland and two stockings.

To assemble, slide the box in front of the screen.  If the hole in the bottom isn't big enough, cut it larger.  Place the lid on top, and get a fireplace background or gif!  You can also put decorations on top of the fireplace!

Cookies : Festive Logs

These cookies were always my dad's favorite, so we make them every year.  Now they're also my favorite!  I love the rich chocolate paired with a buttery shortbread cookie.  These are really easy to make, look great, and are easy to customize!

Ingredients :

1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate
4 teaspoons coconut oil
sprinkles


Directions :

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add vanilla and flour slowly.  Mix until well combined.

Get a tablespoon of dough, and form into a 2 inch log.  Place on an ungreased baking sheet, and continue with the rest of the dough, placing an inch apart.  Bake for 9-11 minutes until cookies are lightly browned.

While cookies are cooling, boil water.  Place a bowl with chocolate and oil over pot to form a double boiler.  Stir chocolate until it's melted, and turn down heat.

Dip each cookie halfway into the chocolate, and place on wax paper to cool.  Before chocolate melts, add sprinkles on the cookies.  (I usually do sets of 10 at a time and stir the chocolate before starting my next set.)

You can also make designs with the chocolate, or sprinkle other decorations on the cookies, such as walnuts, peppermint pieces, mini white chocolate chips, candied ginger, etc.  The possibilities are endless!

What is your song for the holidays?  
Do you have any cute office decorations?
What's your favorite cookie?

Linking up with Amanda and Kels
as well as Jess and  Ivanna for Try It Thursday