Thanks to #Hallmark for sponsoring this post!
Although it’s quite cliché, I’ve found that the older I get, I appreciate the holidays more and more. I’ve decided 22 is the age for most people – perhaps those on the collegiate path – when you stop making excessive wish lists and begin to genuinely value the holiday season for the people who surround you. Last week, my roommates and close friends celebrated ‘Friendsgiving’ – a family-style dinner before we leave campus to be with our family for the holidays. Everyone brought a dish or beverage and we played our favorite game – Heads Up – after eating. This event was the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and to really bring into perspective the fact that people are what make the holidays special rather than the tangible items you might acquire. While I’m usually the first to shop on a budget, you won’t find me shopping on Black Friday – this time is reserved for good food at home, good conversation, great beverages, and plenty of naps. For those of you who do participate in the shopping frenzy, I hope you show compassion to other shoppers, but also most importantly to the workers, cashiers, and other employees who do not have the luxury of a shopping trip with friends and family throughout Thanksgiving night and well into the day.
At 22, it’s safe to say funds are usually pretty tight which makes gift giving somewhat challenging. If you cannot afford to give someone a gift this holiday season, express your love or gratitude in other – more affordable – manners such as spending time together, cooking, or making gifts if you’re crafty. If you are purchasing gifts on a budget this year, consider buying items that are not only practical, useful, and long-lasting for someone, but gifts that start conversation. That isn’t to say it needs to be controversial. Giving gifts that encourage gatherings and conversation are the most special of the holiday season because they bring your friends and family close, and encourage you to take the time while you have it to relax and reminisce. One of my favorite and inexpensive holiday gifts include hot cocoa mixes with chocolate dipped spoons and a mug set. The mix is pre-proportion to make preparation easy for the recipient, and the set suggests they share it with a friend or loved one! It’s a special, simple, and affordable gift you can put together this holiday season with no stress. You can find my favorite hot chocolate recipe below (it’s got a little kick), but feel free to experiment with other flavors, liquors, and toppings to make your gift set unique. A cute holiday-themed mug such as my Ceramic Reindeer Mug designed by Kim Pjecha for Hallmark Gold Crown stores is perfect to spread the holiday cheer and big enough to fill with your favorite beverage – it’s 20% off right now here! This whole gift set will cost you less than $15! Happy Holidays from Space, Place & Southern Grace to you and your loved ones!
BOURBON HOT CHOCOLATE
Yields 2 large cups
30 minutes prep time
Ingredients:
2.5 cups 2% milk
5 ounces finely-chopped dark chocolate
1 ounce sugar
A pinch of brown sugar
3 ounces bourbon
Instructions:
- If the mugs are oven-safe, place them in the oven on the warm setting.
- Pour the milk and sugar into pot and heat over medium heat until it reaches the scalding point. The milk should not be boiling.
- Remove the milk from the heat. Add the chocolate and stir until completely melted.
- Stir in bourbon.
- Pour into warmed mugs. Serve immediately.
