Holidays Archives - Gently Sustainable

07NovNovember 7, 2019

Farmhouse Christmas Tree Decor Ideas

It's the most wonderful time of the year, the Christmas season! Time to decorate our homes and put up Christmas trees! I've got some great "Farmhouse Christmas Tree Decor Ideas" for you! This tree, from lilbooblue.com, has so much farmhouse flair! I just LOVE the galvanized tags with ribbon! Aren't the unfinished wood discs cute? And the wood-bead garland? Since the author designed this tree for the "Dream Tree Challenge" for Michaels, most of her supplies were purchased from there as well. However, I would suffice to say that many of these ornaments could be made from what you have around...

By kmorrisAccomplished, Holidays, Newbie, Sustainable Home, Veteran0 Comments

18SepSeptember 18, 2019

24 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes to Bake & Share

It's that time of year again! Time to bake cookies! I've got exactly what you need this year, "24 Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes to Bake & Share" with pictures! These are some of the very best, crowd-pleasing Christmas cookie recipes out there! Not only that, these are some of the most popular Christmas cookie recipes, all in one place! After all, we all crave a little variety in our cookie baking! These recipes are simple to make and look fabulous on your holiday table or cookie plates! Perfect cookie recipes for a cookie exchange! Make all 24! Let's start this list...

By KellyAccomplished, Holidays, Newbie, Scratch Recipes, Veteran0 Comments

18SepSeptember 18, 2019

Peppermint Meringue Cookie Recipe

This Peppermint Meringue Cookie recipe, also known as "Christmas Meringue Cookies" is one that I received years ago from our Danish neighbors, who brought us a plate of these every year. They are so wonderful and inexpensive to make! With just a few ingredients, you have a really special little Christmas meringue cookie to share! Hilarious Christmas Party Games Just put the egg whites in your mixer and whip until foamy. Then add the salt and cream of tartar and beat until soft peaks form, it's starting to look like meringue, isn't it??? Gradually add the sugar, and then whip for about 7 minutes...

By KellyAccomplished, Holidays, Newbie, Scratch Recipes, VeteranChristmas cookies0 Comments

28NovNovember 28, 2018

How to Make a Christmas Wreath from Scratch

What smells more like Christmas than fresh greenery? It makes your entire home smell wonderful! So why not learn "How to Make a Christmas Wreath from Scratch" this Christmas? This is a no-cost, no-waste, sustainable project, which makes it all the better in my book. You can throw it in the compost pile after the holidays! You will need: Fresh cut greenery Floral wire or some other flexible cord that can be wrapped tight A round frame of some kind (a wire hanger will work or some twigs bound together) Wire cutters Ribbon if desired Finding fresh greenery doesn't have to...

By KellyHolidays, Sustainable Homehow to make fresh wreath0 Comments

20NovNovember 20, 2018

What Homesteaders Really Want for Christmas

What Homesteaders Want for Christmas – Homesteading “Must-Haves”

I think all homesteaders look forward to Christmas! Why? Because it's a time when they look forward to sales (and possible gifts!) on the tools they want and need to be more sustainable! If you love a homesteader, you need this "What Homesteaders Want for Christmas - Homesteading "Must-Haves""! You'll never find me at a Black Friday sale. Nor will you find me at a mall, strolling around with bags in both arms. Christmas brings out the worst in a consumer-driven society. However, on the bright side, Christmas can bring discounts on much desired items for your homestead. Whether you...

By KellyCanning, Dehydrating, Holidays, Preserving FoodHomestead Christmas gifts0 Comments

14NovNovember 14, 2018

Best Sustainable Gifts for 2020

If you're looking for the best sustainable gifts for 2020, I've got some great ideas for you! Spending responsibly and for the long term is what our family strives for - money is just too hard to come by to spend it on frivolous things! When you purchase better quality items (even when they're used!), you'll spend less throughout your lifetime because you won't need to replace things as often! That's being sustainable! Personally, I love the Carhartt brand! I've had the same coat, overalls and gloves for about 10 years now and they continue to hold up well. They keep me...

By KellyHolidays, Sustainable Homesustainable holidays0 Comments

28OctOctober 28, 2018

Easy, Moist Pumpkin Bread Recipe

This has been a family favorite for years now! I use it to stretch meals, pack in lunch boxes and even for a quick breakfast - here's my "Easy, Moist Pumpkin Bread Recipe"! One of the best things about this easy Pumpkin Bread recipe is that it can be made with everyday ingredients, I almost always have what I need in the pantry. That makes it so easy to whip up a batch to take to a new neighbor or a new mom! I like to use frozen pumpkin puree when I have it, but be sure to drain it well. ...

By KellyBaking Bread, Holidays, Scratch Recipes0 Comments

25OctOctober 25, 2018

How to Simplify Christmas

The holiday season is just around the corner! With all of the traditions, baking, visiting, decorating and gift shopping, it can be enough to take the joy right out of it. But it doesn't have to be that way. Here's "How to Simplify Christmas"! Planning Simple but Elegant Decor To keep things simple at our homestead, I choose to decorate (for the most part) with naturally occurring elements. Items like pinecones, fruit, spices and small pine tree branches can go a long way to make your home look festive! How to Make a Fresh Wreath from Cuttings Simple changes like adding festive candles...

By KellyHolidays, Sustainable Homesimple christmas0 Comments

22OctOctober 22, 2018

How to Make Reusable Cloth Gift Bags

I've been meaning to make these for like forever. Finally, here's "How to Make Reusable Cloth Gift Bags"! I bought about 10 yards of different Christmas fabric on sale one year with every intent to make reusable cloth gift bags. This year, I finally got around to it and I'm thrilled with the results! What's great about this simple pattern is that you can make reusable cloth gift bags for every holiday, including birthdays, and never buy wrapping paper again! Also, when your friends and family receive a gift from you in a cloth bag, they've also received the gift of...

By KellyFabric Arts, Holidays, Sewing, Skill Building, Sustainable HomeCloth gift bags, sustainable wrapping0 Comments