I mean this is garlic, butter, bacon, and parmesan cheese.  Nothing wrong with those ingredients. Perfect appetizer.

I love drinking this one as you trim the tree—really nothing more festive and appropriate. It’s even better if you drink it out of one of those Christmas Vacation Moose Mugs (which I have).

This is a fan fav, and simple to make!

No better way to get in the holiday spirit! The first time I had one of these, I knew there were no cocktail for the holiday!

Every year I start getting requests from family and friends (and my husband’s colleagues) for this simple holiday treat.

I don’t make it every year, but there is something nice about sipping on a bright holiday sangria while you’re a big holiday meal for friends and family. It’s a bit sweet but not too sweet. And silly as it is, the garnish always makes me feel festive.

These Sugar Cookies are my favorites not just for the flavor, but for the journey they represent—a holiday tradition that travels through generations. Every year, my mom, my sisters, and I gather to bake my grandmother’s recipe while our kids decorate the cookies, always piling on far too many sprinkles. It’s a sweet trip back to where our family traditions began. With several of our children away at college, this is one tradition we now wait for them to come home for—they never want to miss it.

This is a festive twist that adds a little holiday cheer to my favorite cocktail, the Moscow Mule.

Sticky Toffee Pudding is the quintessential holiday dessert—rich, warm, and comforting, with festive flavors that perfectly capture the spirit of the season.

Eggnog—nothing fancy, just from the store!—is my favorite festive drink. It’s rich, creamy, perfectly spiced, and sometimes even a little boozy. It truly feels like the holidays in a cup!

This was my sweet mom’s staple and I love carrying on the tradition! So, keep scrolling if you’re looking for something healthy. Ha!

I’m an equal opportunist. But I do love some local beer. Now, with things sold all over the country, you can look up Triple Crossing Brewery’s Falcon Smash or Ardent Craft Ales’ X IPA and see if they sell it near you! Or come to Richmond and we will treat you to one!

Collard greens are a holiday staple for us! They’re a family favorite because the slow-simmered greens and smoky ham hocks bring a taste of home for my husband, who’s originally from Alabama. Every bowl is pure Southern comfort! It’s definitely a labor of love, so we save this one for the big holiday meals.

This recipe is a family favorite because it’s easy to make and captures the spirit of the season—warm, cozy, and festive in every sip.

Welcome to my corner of the holiday kitchen, where the turkey is finally retired, the matching pajamas are mandatory, and the slow cooker becomes the real MVP.

My favorite holiday food? Chicken Chili. It’s warm, it’s comforting, and it happily simmers away while you watch one of the holiday classics (Elf, Home Alone or The Holiday in our home), dominate a board game with your kiddos, or simply admire how adorable everyone looks in their matching flannel sets.

And for a drink? I keep it simple: cinnamon tea.

Yes… just cinnamon. No fuss. No foam. No “crafted by an artisan monk in the mountains.” And the best part? It comes in K-cups from Maud’s—pure cinnamon comfort at the press of a button. Simply search “Maud’s Cinnamon Tea K-Cups.” Your future self will thank you.

There’s something about this cake that feels like stepping into a café in Paris—rich, decadent, indulgent, but wonderfully simple. This particular recipe is a showstopper that’s astonishingly easy to make. It’s become my go-to holiday dessert because it delivers maximum impact with minimal fuss. When I bring it to family gatherings, there’s always that collective pause after the first bite—silence, then delight. It tastes like celebration. It’s rich, it’s decadent, it looks impressive, and it comes together effortlessly—an ideal holiday dessert when you want something luxurious without spending the whole day baking.

Coquito is more than a drink—it’s a celebration in a glass. I first experienced it while spending the holidays with friends from Puerto Rico, and every sip tasted like warmth, music, and family. Creamy coconut, cinnamon, and holiday spices combine into something festive and deeply comforting. It’s Puerto Rico’s answer to eggnog, but so much better. Making Coquito has become one of my favorite December traditions. I batch it up in pretty bottles, share it with friends, and toast to the year we’ve had and the one ahead. It’s festive, nostalgic, and packed with flavor—and it carries the spirit of Puerto Rican holiday hospitality.

A timeless shortbread recipe from a small 40 year old Toronto bakery was shared in the local paper, and quickly became a favourite in my family. For the past 25 years it wouldn’t be Christmas without sharing these cookies with loved ones. The recipe has now been shared far and wide and today, many friends and family members have adopted these cookies into their own holiday traditions. I love seeing how traditions spread and connect us all regardless of location.

Canadian winters call for something warm and spiked! When I sip this special hot chocolate I am reminded how a small, premium touch can turn a familiar classic into something unforgettable. Cheers to cozy classics and unforgettable experiences this holiday!

My Granny Mabel always ate dessert first, I get my sweet tooth from her. These are great to take to a gathering, or to make and give out as gifts in a festive gift box.

These are the best for a cold night (and also helps if you are feeling under the weather).  Also nice for those of us that are road-warriors and spend a lot of time on planes and events.