Explore can cannabis help with Dr. Oz’s holiday advice, especially when his annual food lectures feel harder to swallow than the cookies.
Holiday celebrations are famously filled with with people indulging in Christmas treats, lavish anticipated feasts, yummy cookies and nostalgic dishes denied the rest of the year. But in a Grinch move, Dr. Oz’s advice and direction to his staff at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is to eat less cookies and use smaller plates for meals. The former TV host has been pushing his direction since before Thanksgiving, yet putting his into practice can be easier said than done. Can cannabis help with Dr. Oz’s holiday advice?
While cannabis is often stereotyped as a direct path to the munchies, the relationship between cannabis and appetite is far more nuanced. Different cannabinoids affect the body differently, and in controlled, thoughtful use, cannabis can help some people feel calmer, more focused, and less prone to stress-eating—one of the biggest drivers of holiday overindulgence.
Microdosing—taking very small amounts of THC, often 1–3 mg—has gained popularity for its ability to take the edge off without creating the intense appetite spikes associated with higher doses. For many adults, a light microdose before a holiday gathering can ease social anxiety, reduce end-of-year stress, and help them make more deliberate decisions about what and how much they eat. When people feel calmer, they often default to moderation rather than mindless grazing.
Another benefit is cannabis’s potential to reduce stress building up over the season. Many adults experience heightened workplace tension in December as deadlines stack up, calendars collide, and demanding bosses or unpredictable leaders increase pressure. Especially when you have a leader who can micromanage. This kind of stress commonly leads to “anxiety consumption”—mindless snacking, extra cookies, or overeating as a coping mechanism. Low-dose cannabis or CBD-dominant products may help relax the nervous system and ease tension, which can translate into fewer emotional calories consumed and more intentional choices around food. When people feel less overwhelmed, they’re less likely to reach for sugar as a soothing shortcut.
CBD-dominant products also play a role. CBD does not stimulate appetite the way THC can, and early research suggests it may help regulate stress and promote a sense of balance. Pairing CBD with Dr. Oz’s “smaller plate” strategy can make mindful eating feel less like a chore and more like a grounded choice.
Strain selection also matters. While some THC-heavy indica strains are known for enhancing appetite, many sativa-leaning or hybrid strains are reported by consumers to boost energy and focus rather than hunger. Choosing strains with higher CBD or THCV content may also support appetite control; THCV, in particular, has been studied for its potential to curb hunger signals.
Cannabis is not a diet hack, nor should it replace healthy habits. But for adults who already use it responsibly, integrating thoughtful, low-dose cannabis into the holiday season may help them stay aligned with Dr. Oz’s advice: fewer cookies, smaller plates, and a calmer approach to celebration. With intention—and the right products—cannabis can support a holiday mindset which is joyful, balanced, and far less stressed.
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This indulgent Holiday Hot Cocoa Dip is one you’ll want to save! Our chocolate dessert dip is a simple, 5 ingredient that’s perfect for any holiday gathering or party. Just mix, chill, and serve with your favorite dippers!
We love using TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow Milk for this recipe—it adds that rich, authentic cocoa flavor without needing to melt chocolate or make a mix.
I don’t know what it is about the holidays and dips, but they go together as much as Rudolph and Santa, or candy canes and Christmas trees!
I don’t know about you, but I kind of miss the old days where holiday parties were filled with friends bringing their “famous” dish to every holiday party. That tradition, the investment in offering a little of their time and love to a gathering of friends and family seems a little lost with the convenience of the world.
But I’m bringing it back.
Whether it’s our famous Baked Brie or Peggy’s Creamy Baked Artichoke Dip, there’s room for everyone and every taste bud at my house. In fact, come on, I can’t be the only one that misses the nostalgia of family favorite recipes showing up around the holidays.
In recent years, we can’t miss making our chewy gingerbread man cookies. They are unlike any other cookie you’ve ever had! Trust me and make these cookies!
What recipes are part of your holiday traditions?
Ingredients for Hot Cocoa Dip
You only need 5 ingredients to make this holiday dessert dip…
TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow Milk: Deepens cocoa flavor and keeps the dip creamy.
Cream Cheese: Adds body and a hint of tang to balance the sweetness.
Sweetened Condensed Milk: Sweetens and gives the dip a smooth, rich finish.
Cool Whip: Lightens the texture for a fluffy, mousse-like feel.
How to Make Hot Cocoa Dip
Grab your kiddos and head to the kitchen to whip up this easy no bake chocolate dip! It’s easy enough that children of any age can help.
Make the Pudding: In a bowl, whisk the pudding powder and milk together until smooth and set aside to thicken.
Beat: Beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
Combine: Mix the pudding and cream cheese mixture together and fold in the whipped topping.
Serve: Get all your favorite dippers and serve!
Variations of a Holiday Dip Recipe
Cool Whip – if you’d prefer not to use cool whip, you can use 1 ½ cups of whipped cream instead. However, it tends to not thicken quite the same.
Chocolate milk – please feel free to use your favorite chocolate milk for this recipe, but the TruMoo really packs more flavor.
Flavor additions –Try mixing in some peppermint candies, m&ms, caramel drizzle and more!
Garnishes – Try using sprinkles, crushed chocolate cookies, marshmallow creme, or nuts!
What to Dip in Hot Cocoa Dip
You can dip anything you want in this tasty chocolate dip, but here are a few of our favorite dippers: graham crackers, cookies, animal crackers, Nilla Wafers, pretzels or fruit.
Storage Tips
Leftover hot cocoa dip should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to 5 days.
Whether you’re hosting a holiday party or snuggling up for a movie night, this Hot Cocoa Dip is the kind of treat that brings everyone together. It’s simple enough for the kids to help make and special enough to take to a party with the fam.
More Dessert Dips to Try:
Watch How Easy this Holiday Dip is Made…
Prevent your screen from going dark
In a bowl, whisk the pudding powder and milk together until smooth and set aside to thicken.
3.4 oz Dry Chocolate Pudding Powder, 1 Cup TruMoo Chocolate Marshmallow Milk
Beat the cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk until smooth.
4 oz Cream Cheese, ½ Can Sweetened Condensed Milk
Mix the pudding and cream cheese mixture together and fold in the whipped topping.
3 oz Cool Whip
Serve with graham crackers, cookies, animal crackers, Nilla Wafers, pretzels, fruit and more!
*Kitchen Nostalgia is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
The holiday light show at Montgomery County’s Brookside Gardens is open for about a month and a half. But preparing for the show, which involves 1.5 million twinkling lights, is pretty much a year-round affair.
The holiday light show at Montgomery County’s Brookside Gardens is open for about a month and a half. But preparing for the show, which involves 1.5 million twinkling lights, is pretty much a year-round affair.
Practically right after each year’s show finishes in early January, staff members are already thinking about the next iteration of the popular event, said Jeff Patterson, the facilities and grounds manager at the garden.
“We’ll have a wrap-up meeting, and then [it’s]: What do you want to do for next year?” said Patterson, who’s in his 24th year setting up the show.
Brookside Gardens is not alone. Throughout the state, drive-through and walk-through light shows have become winter holiday mainstays that require hundreds of man-hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars to set up every year.
In Maryland, popular shows take over parks, gardens, fairgrounds and farmland, beginning some time around Thanksgiving and extending past Christmas and often into the New Year.
The coronavirus pandemic reportedly boosted the concept’s popularity, with stir-crazy quarantined Marylanders eager for outdoor activities that allowed for social distancing.
The Garden of Lights show at Brookside, which is set up by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, has drawn 44,000 visitors each year, on average, dating back to 2022. Before that, tickets were sold per car, rather than per person, making prepandemic comparisons difficult. But anecdotally, COVID provided a boost, Patterson said.
“It increased visitation for a few years, for sure,” he said.
During a recent workday, with the show just a few weeks away, workers used zip ties to affix lights to a large tunnel, decorated to look like a caterpillar, that visitors will walk through near the visitor center. A second crew assembled another tunnel of lights in the yew garden, on the other side of the 50-acre garden within Wheaton Regional Park.
For the Brookside show, which opened Nov. 21, the design work begins in January, after which materials are ordered and then an in-house welder assembles the metal structures the hold the lights.
Patterson said the crew makes slight modifications to the show each year, largely adding more and more attractions, based on what set-ups are popular with attendees. Last year, the team added a group of pink flamingos near a lake in the gardens, Patterson said.
“That was a huge hit,” Patterson said. “So, this year we added palm trees and a whole bunch of other stuff out there.”
Producing this year’s show included a bit of a wrinkle: Tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump (R) on goods entering the U.S. from China and other nations drove up prices on the raw materials and light bulbs that have to be purchased for the displays in the early part of the year. Patterson said prices changed so frequently that staffers had to check repeatedly before making purchases.
“We have price limits on what we can spend, being a government agency,” Patterson said. “So, we had to cut back some on supplies, because we had to pay a tariff. And that — I’d never seen that before. So, instead of buying 20 lights, we were going to buy 18 lights, because we had to pay that extra money in tariffs.”
The show’s overall budget is in the hundreds of thousands each year, Patterson said. Admission is $13.99 Sunday through Thursday and $16.99 on Fridays and Saturdays. Children 5 and under are free.
At Brookside, a crew of about a dozen seasonal workers begins assembling the displays in August, first putting together the metal silhouettes for the lights, and then shortly thereafter pulling the lights from four shipping containers, where they are organized by color.
During the off-season, some of the larger metal forms are stored beneath tall roof structures, including a giraffe and tall trees.
“It keeps adding and adding as the show keeps growing,” he said.
The show has also changed over the years. First came the transition to LED lights from incandescent bulbs, a time-intensive process that took place around 2015, Patterson said.
“It took us quite a few years to get all the forms done, because they were all incandescent,” Patterson said. “You have our giraffe, which has the most lights on it, that took three weeks to strip and redo.”
The next big thing is displays that are controlled through cellphone apps, which spurred another transition for the staff at Brookside.
“That was a struggle at first — the learning curve of: ‘Oh, we have to get WiFi in the garden now to run all these things,” Patterson said.
The light show is hardly Patterson’s only job. As grounds manager, he also oversees irrigation, custodial crews and more. But it has become a significant part of his day-to-day.
“It’s a huge undertaking, and it takes almost every section here to make it work, from advertising to budgeting to all of our banners and signage we have to put up, and online ads,” Patterson said.
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This is the classic holiday recipe for meringue cookies! Our little meringues only call for 5 ingredients, and a lot of oven time. Be patient as the piping takes a little bit of practice, but this recipe will walk you through the steps so that you can make your own perfect meringues!
Must Make Holiday Cookies
Ok, this Christmas, well, holiday cookie recipe is one you would have found in my grandma’s kitchen which means it’s a must-make! I love the traditions of holidays and cookies are the perfect place to remember loved ones.
I’ve been busy practicing meringue cookies, dying meringues, and munching on A LOT of meringues so that I can share what I’ve learned with you! Now you can make these addictive cookies without the stress! And since they are only about 20 calories each, munch away!
Important Tip: Making Meringue Cookies
This recipe calls for only 5 ingredients. With so few ingredients, you actually run a higher risk of issues. The key to avoiding those issues is stiff peaks.
While adding the sugar, the foamy egg mixture will start to become thick, glossy, and sticky, that’s exactly what you are looking for! My mom would often stop the mixer, grab the whisk and turn it upside down to inspect. I love that method of checking for stiff peaks!
Ingredients for Meringue Cookie Recipe
Egg Whites: The foundation of meringue — when whipped, they trap air, creating the light, airy structure. As they cook, the proteins set and give the cookies their crisp texture.
Salt: Sharpens the flavor and helps slightly strengthen the egg white foam during whipping.
Cream of Tartar: The acid that stabilizes the egg whites which allows them to hold more air without collapsing, and helps prevent overbeating.
Clear Vanilla: Adds flavor without discoloring the pure white meringue. Regular vanilla extract can give the meringue a beige tint.
Sugar: Sweetens and dissolves into the egg whites to create a glossy, stable foam that bakes into a crisp shell outside with melt-in-your-mouth marshmallow on the inside.
How to Make Meringue Cookies
Prep: Preheat the oven to 225℉ and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
Beat: Using the whisk attachment on a stand mixer (you can also use a mixing bowl and electric hand mixer), beat the egg whites. When they start to get foamy, add the salt, cream of tartar and vanilla. Continue beating until soft peaks form.
Whip: Slowly add the sugar one small spoonful at a time continuing to whip until stiff peaks form and the meringue is shiny.
PRO TIP: Test the meringue by rubbing a small bit of the mixture between your fingers, you shouldn’t feel the sugar or any grittiness. If you can still feel the sugar, just whip it a little longer.
Pipe: Transfer the meringue batter to a large piping bag with a large star piping tip. Pipe onto the prepared baking sheets.
Bake and Cool: Place the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 1 hour. DO NOT open the oven! When the 1 hour is up, turn the oven off and let the cookies cool completely in the oven then remove.
Adding Color
If you want to add some color to your meringue cookies, you’ll add food gel at the end of step 3. Once the meringue is fully combined and shiny, add a few drops of food gel and mix to combine. Add more food gel until you get the color you want.
NOTE: The meringue will brown when you add food coloring so plan on a darker color than what you start with.
Tips for Beautiful Meringue Cookies
Clean Bowls: In college I watched a chef repeat often that you cannot think about making meringue until you make sure your bowl is clean and free of grease, water and any debris.
Two Bowl Eggs: The second tip she gave was to crack your eggs in a separate bowl when separating the whites to avoid any egg yolk sneaking in. Even a tiny bit of yolk will ruin your meringues.
Gritty Sugar: You need to beat the meringues until smooth, which can be a little hard to tell. Add the sugar gradually, one tablespoon at a time, and then take a small bit of meringue and rub between your fingers to see if it’s gritty.
Stiff Peaks: You’ve already heard my two cents, just truly make sure you can turn that whisk upside down and a peak stays standing.
Save My Meringues!
Every other batch I seem to have meringues get soft after baking. To solve this, pop them back in the oven at 225℉ for another 10-20 minutes (if they begin to turn golden brown around the edges turn off heat immediately) and then let them cool in the oven for another hour.
How to Store Meringue Cookies
Meringue cookies should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature. They need to be kept dry and they will keep for up to 2 weeks.
They can also be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Layer them in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
There’s just something so magical about how a few simple ingredients—egg whites, sugar, and a touch of vanilla—can turn into the lightest, crispest meringue cookies. Whether you’re making them for Christmas cookie trays, a baby shower, or just because you want a sweet little treat for the family, these easy meringue cookies always feel special.
More Holiday Cookies to Try:
Prevent your screen from going dark
Preheat the oven to 225℉. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Beat egg whites in a stand mixer with the whisk attachment. As they foam, add salt, cream of tartar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
Gradually add sugar while continuing to whip until stiff peaks form, and the meringue is shiny, about 5 minutes. *See Note.
1 Cup Sugar
Next, test the meringue by rubbing a small bit of the mixture between your fingers, you shouldn’t feel the sugar, otherwise keep beating.
Using a large disposable piping bag, add a large star tip and transfer meringue to prepared piping bag and pipe onto prepared cookie sheet.
Bake at 225℉ for 1 hour. Do not open the oven! Leave the oven door closed and allow cookies to cool completely in the oven for 1-2 hours then remove.
If you’re planning to add color, add the food gel at this point. Note that the cookies will brown and darken when baked when you add food coloring. Adapted from All Recipes
Jayda Cheaves Shows How She’s Looking Out With Her “Blessing Bags” This Holiday Season
On Sunday, November 23, Jayda Cheaves took to her Instagram Story to initially share a photo of various items spread out across a floor. In a subsequent post, Cheaves laid out the items, showing an emergency poncho, Hot Hands insole foot warmers, a Winterlace beanie hat, gloves, a pouch, hand sanitizing wipes, a first-aid kit, a comb, pocket tissues, two lip balms, an emergency blanket, and a religious pamphlet.
Take a look at the photos she shared of her “blessing bags” below.
Internet Users Are Applauding Her
Social media users entered TSR’s comment section, applauding Jayda Cheaves for her “blessing bags” for the holiday season.
Instagram user @stylesbynyles_ wrote, “This is what I mean when I ask God to be a blessing to me so I can bless others ❤️🩹”
While Instagram user @dlrvenues added, “Wait I really love this idea!! 💡 The giveback is real”
Instagram user @brookeyslays wrote, “one thing about jayda she never misses an opportunity to give back to the less fortunate❤️❤️”
While Instagram user @afox2577 added, “She seems to be so kind. I love her. God bless her”
Instagram user @bipolarbellebythebay wrote, “I love this!!! She’s got essentials in there so I’m sure they’ll be appreciated.”
While Instagram user @nya2fyaa added, “Jayda is so sweet & thoughtful. Make sense why she’s overly blessed”
Instagram user @queenslive4ever wrote, “If we’re fortunate enough we should also be a blessing to those who are in need. 🥹🙌🏾”
While Instagram user @dominiquechinn added, “This is so thoughtful ❤️”
Instagram user @mzash_vs_mzjuju wrote, “Dope I’m do the same!! We gotta help each other no matter what we going through someone always got it worse”
Before Showing Her “Blessing Bags” For This Holiday Season, Jayda Cheaves Had Internet Users Turnin’ Their Heads
Before showing off her blessing bags for the holiday season, Jayda Cheaves had internet users doin’ a double-take at her recent outfits. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, Cheaves posted photos of herself wearing a cut-out bodysuit, which showcased her curves. Additionally, she paired it with oversized furry boots and skintone leggings. Ultimately, her outfit left some social media users saying, “She just be wearing anything…”
Then, about a week later, Cheaves showed off her see-through pants for the internet. This left one social media user saying, “When 2026 comes in, can we start wearing clothes again?!?!”
Need a last-minute Thanksgiving idea? EZ’s Liquor Lounge, 3301 White Oak, is hosting its annual Thanksgiving community potluck on Thanksgiving Day, with owner Matt Tanner serving up his signature Goose & Andouille Gumbo. All are invited to bring a favorite dish or simply come as they are to enjoy the good company
Now through Sunday, November 30, Burger Bodega and House of Pies are teaming up on a Bayou Goo Pie Shake ($10), available atBurger Bodega, 4520 Washington, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shake blends House of Pies’ beloved Bayou Goo – featuring layers of velvety sweet cream cheese, pecans, vanilla custard and chocolate shavings – into a classic Burger Bodega milkshake, finished with milk chocolate shavings.
In honor of 15 years since opening their first shop in Miami, PINCHO is celebrating in Miami and Houston, throwing it back with fan-favorites from its vault of craveable specials. From November 28–December 4, folks can dig into the Cartel Burger and Cartel Hot Dog – your choice of signature beef patty or all-beef dog topped with cheddar, bacon, papitas, pink sauce and mango sauce, all tucked into a butter-toasted brioche bun.
The Kid, 1815 North Durham, hosts a one-night Cocktails for a Cause event on Friday, December 5 from 4 to 9 p.m., raising funds for Kids’ Meals Houston. Guests can sip two specialty cocktails – the Comeback Kid made with bourbon donated by Redemption Bourbon and the Kids’ Table featuring cantaloupe syrup and lime – with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the nonprofit’s mission to fight childhood hunger. Children are welcome until 7 p.m. and Happy Hour food pricing runs until 7 p.m.
Whiskey Cake is throwing a Prohibition Party across all Houston locations on Friday, December 5, where the whiskey flows legally and the mischief is encouraged. Expect live music, hand-rolled cigars on the patio and bartenders slinging bootleg-inspired cocktails from Whiskey Cake’s scratch bar. Doors open at 7 p.m., the band starts at 8 and guests are encouraged to dress the part. Admission is free.
Brasserie 19, 1962 West Gray, is kicking off the holiday season with a high-energy holiday edition of its signature monthly brunch party, Santa Le Brunch de Funk, held on Saturday, December 6 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Expect melted raclette, holiday cocktails and a live DJ spinning seasonal favorites and chic brunch beats. Guests are encouraged to arrive in Christmas sweaters or cozy pajamas.
The Audrey, 9595 Six Pines, will host a Holiday Nutcracker Tea on Saturday and Sunday, December 6–7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering an enchanting morning filled with seasonal magic. Guests can enjoy elegant teas, festive bites, and visits from Nutcracker ballerinas — including Clara and her mischievous mice — dancing through the dining room for charming photo ops. Reserve via OpenTable for Saturday or Sunday.
If there was one plant that embodied the spirit of Christmas, poinsettias would be at the top of the list! These cheerful red blooms may be all over, but did you know how they became associated with Christmas? Here’s the fascinating history behind the plant, plus how to care for poinsettias.
Poinsettias are everywhere we look throughout the holidays. They are for sale in pretty much any store you walk into, are a standby for school fundraisers, and can be seen in many people’s houses over the season. December 12th is even National Poinsettia Day in the United States!
Native to Mexico, the poinsettia has a deep history in the Aztec culture before it became the Christmas icon it’s known as today. Its history as a tropical plant also means many of us struggle to keep poinsettias happy and healthy during and beyond the holiday season.
That’s where I come in! I’m going to share some tips on how to care for your poinsettia, style it, and keep it alive after the holidays.
In this post, we will cover…
Poinsettias are abundant and inexpensive during the Christmas season.
All About Poinsettias
Poinsettias have become such a universal symbol for Christmas and winter that many people don’t realize that they are actually tropical plants that grow as large shrubs in the wild. By learning how to care for poinsettias and paying attention to detail, you can create a stylish poinsettia display that showcases these fiery crimson beauties.
Botany
It can be hard to picture poinsettias growing in the wild since we are so used to seeing them as houseplants. The poinsettia plant, Euphorbia pulcherrima, is native to western Mexico, where it grows into a large shrub or small tree.
The large red “petals” are actually bracts, and the small yellow centers are the flowers. Colourful bracts and small flowers are also seen on other common flowering shrubs and trees like dogwoods and hydrangeas.
Poinsettia “flowers” are actually bracts.
History and Association with Christmas
The plant was originally known to the Aztec people as cuetlaxochitl. They used the plant as medicine to reduce fever. They also commonly used it for making a red dye that coloured cosmetics and textiles.
In the wild, poinsettia naturally begins to bloom in December as a result of longer nights. Missionaries took notice of the plant in the sixteenth century and its star-shaped bracts that bring to mind the Star of Bethlehem.
The timing and shape of the poinsettia are believed to be where the original connection to the holiday came from. And you can’t deny that the red and green colours fit in perfectly!
There is a Mexican Christmas tale about the origin of the poinsettia that tells the story of a young peasant girl named Pepita who could not afford a proper offering for her Christmas prayer, so she placed a bundle of weeds on the church altar instead.
The weeds began to bloom red and turned into beautiful, large, star-shaped flowers. In Mexico, the plant became known as Flor de Nochebuena (Christmas Eve flower).
In the nineteenth century, Joel Roberts Poinsett, the United States’ first ambassador to Mexico and an avid gardener, fell in love with growing poinsettias and sent some back to his home in South Carolina, introducing them to the U.S. for the first time. The plant got its common name from Poinsett.
Joel Roberts Poinsett also has a legacy of being a slave owner and played a role in the displacement of Native Americans, leading some to reject the common name of poinsettia in favour of the original name cuetlaxochitl.
A wild poinsettia shrub.
Selecting a Pointsettia Plant
When it comes to growing poinsettias, most people purchase the plant rather than growing it from seed or propagation. They’re everywhere during the holidays and are rather affordable, too.
Begin by purchasing a plant that looks healthy. Choose one that is full and does not have discoloured leaves or other signs of disease.
I know that you can buy poinsettias in all kinds of colours now, such as blue, rainbow, and even glitter-covered ones, but I am just not a fan. If it is not some shade or combination of red and white, it is definitely dyed.
Poinsettias are beautiful when left natural, and I think that dyed flowers just look artificial and tacky, plus I don’t especially want to bring any harsh dyes into my home. The fewer chemicals, the better!
Leave the fake colours and pick a gorgeous natural poinsettia instead. You can find them in fiery red, white, cream, blush, or with candy-cane stripes!
Avoid unnaturally coloured and dyed poinsettias.
How to Care for Poinsettias
Light Requirements
Place poinsettias in a bright room that gets lots of natural light, but keep the plant out of direct sunlight. Remember, it’s a tropical plant that is used to getting plenty of sunlight.
Place it somewhere away from drafty windows or heat sources since dramatic changes in temperature can harm the plant.
Watering Requirements
Water only when the soil feels dry to the touch. Water thoroughly when you do. I water my poinsettia roughly once a week.
Temperature and Humidity
Poinsettias are tropical plants, and can be more finicky than most. So while it needs plenty of indoor lighting, to shouldn’t be by a drafty window. You want to keep it somewhere where the temperature is stable, ideally between 18°C to 21°C (65°F to 70°F).
If you live in a dry climate, consider misting your poinsettia somewhat regularly. You can also use a DIY humidity tray.
Avoid placing poinsettias by heat registers, as this can dry them out.
Styling Poinsettias
Taking a little bit of time to re-pot your poinsettia once you get it home makes a huge difference. Plant it in a decorative ceramic pot, something plain, or even a salad bowl—anything other than leaving it in that shiny foil wrapping it comes in will make it look SO much more sophisticated.
Take your poinsettia out of the foil wrap and into a salad bowl for easy decor.
How to Keep Your Poinsettia Alive
You can get reblooms every year IF you properly care for your poinsettia. The idea is to mimic greenhouse conditions. After Christmas, continue to water and care for your poinsettia as mentioned above.
Like any plant, it will shed its flowers when it’s done blooming. The bracts will start to fade and fall off. Give your poinsettia a good trim after it finishes shedding.
After the bracts have fallen, it’s also time to start fertilizing. I apply my houseplant fertilizer roughly once a month from spring through summer. The poinsettia can become leggy with all these nutrients and not enough light, so feel free to trim the stems back to six inches.
This may also be a good time to repot the plant, as its soil becomes quite compact in its original nursery containers.
How to Encourage New Poinsettia Blooms
Beginning October 1st, your plant needs to be in total and complete darkness from 5 PM to 8 AM (or 14 hours a night). Any kind of exposure to light, from streetlamps to a tiny night light, can disrupt the process. A closet is a good place to store it, along with a bowl of water for humidity. During the day, return it to a bright, indirect spot and continue with regular watering.
Do this until the last week of November (8 weeks). By then, you should begin to see the red buds coming in. You can stop placing the plant in total darkness and leave it in its usual spot. Your poinsettia doesn’t need any fertilizer during its bloom time.
Your poinsettia should produce the same coloured bracts as the previous year.
Poinsettia Toxicity and Safety
A lot of people avoid having poinsettias in the house because of the fear that they are dangerous to cats and dogs, but the plants are not as poisonous to pets as is commonly thought. They can only cause serious harm if ingested in huge amounts (your furry friend would have to eat hundreds of plants to be in real danger, according to studies).
They can cause some unpleasant tummy aches, though, so it’s best to keep them out of reach of pets anyway. For more on plants that can be harmful to dogs and cats, take a look at this post.
The milky sap can cause skin irritation to some people. If concerned, wear gloves when pruning your poinsettia.
I’m not worried about my cat, Magic, munching on poinsettia.
FAQ on Poinsettia Care
How often should I water poinsettias?
Water your poinsettias once they are dry to the touch or you notice wilting. Let them dry out completely between waterings. It’s important to have drainage for your poinsettia so it’s not sitting in water.
Do poinsettias like sun or shade?
A tropical plant from Central America, poinsettias like it hot. Give them as much bright, indirect sunlight as possible indoors. You want to make sure that they do not touch any window panes with their leaves, as it can easily damage them, as can drafty windows.
How long can I keep my poinsettia alive?
Your poinsettia is designed to make it through the holiday season. It can stay red for a couple of months with the right care, but it will eventually drop its red leaves and turn green again. If you plan on keeping your poinsettia, you can cut back the plant to 6 inches and continue with the care.
They’re difficult to get to turn red again, but you can follow the care outlined above and aim for Christmas red again!
What is the “short-day” / darkness requirement for poinsettias?
To get a poinsettia to rebloom (change its bracts’ colour), it needs to experience cooling temperatures and shorter daylight. It requires 12-15 hours of total darkness over 6-8 weeks during the fall season. This includes artificial light. If this doesn’t occur naturally in its environment, you can move the poinsettia to a dark room, like a closet, or place a large cardboard box over it for 12-15 hours.
More Winter Flowers to Grow
Rose Morris is a professional writer and Editor with an MA in English Literature. She is a member of Room Magazine’s editorial board, has written for The Malahat Review, Western Living Magazine, Concrete Garden, and elsewhere.
Scammers particularly use the holiday season to steal your money and information.Hoping consumers will let down their guard, or just trying to spoof legitimate businesses, scammers will do everything they can to take advantage of your vulnerability or generosity.Chase and the Baltimore Police Department recently hosted a scam education event to show consumers how to protect themselves. Some of their tips are listed below.Holiday shopping: What to knowShop with trusted retailers: Stick to reputable websites when shopping online. If you’re unfamiliar with a store, search for its name along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews” to uncover any red flags.Verify website URLs: Scammers can create fake websites that look like legitimate retailers. Ensure the URL starts with “https://” as the “s” stands for secure. Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails or texts.Beware of unrealistic deals: Scammers lure buyers by offering massive discounts on popular or sold-out items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.How you pay matters: Credit cards and debit cards offer different protections than cash or payment transfer apps, like Zelle and Venmo. Remember, only use apps like Zelle to pay others you know and trust.Shopping on public Wi-Fi: Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi when making an online purchase. Scammers can intercept your personal information on unsecured networks.Use digital tools: Trusted financial institutions offer credit and identity monitoring, including alerts to inform you when your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web.Online deals that are too good to be trueWhen shopping online or on social media, buy only from trusted websites and vendors. If purchasing on a marketplace, stay on the platform to complete transactions and communicate with sellers, as protections often only apply when you use the platform.Use payment methods that offer buyer protection. Never send money to strangers, particularly via payment-transfer apps like Zelle or Venmo, for purchases, especially when you can’t confirm the goods exist. Missed packages or problems with deliveryExpecting a package? Be cautious of phishing messages through email or text message that impersonate delivery services, like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx, with links to view “missed deliveries.” These links may lead to fake sign-in pages to capture your actual password or to malware-infected sites.Do not respond to messages requesting personal or financial information, including money or cryptocurrency. Be wary of unexpected packages and avoid scanning QR codes, as they may be attempts to steal your information.Scams: Fake refunds, quishing, phishing/smishing, whalingRefund scams: Another scam doesn’t demand payment. Instead, it dangles a refund, sometimes via text messages posing as official messages from “Department of Taxation,” urging recipients to “click here to claim your refund.” The texts look legitimate at a glance, but they are designed to lure you into tapping a fraudulent link and handing over personal information. Cybersecurity experts are warning about scammers using QR codes to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The practice called “quishing” uses a QR code that sends you to a dummy website to get your information — and money.When it comes to phishing, the term is more widely known, but people are still falling for it. Phishing emails or texts (known as “smishing”) attempt to trick a recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out information or downloading a malware file.Whaling attacks generally target leaders or other executives with access to large amounts of information at an organization or business. Whaling attacks can target people in payroll offices, human resources and financial offices as well as leadership. Video below: An expert’s tips to avoid falling for QR code scamsGift card scamsBe cautious about buying gift cards from third-party sites. Scammers will pre-save card details or sell expired cards.Don’t respond to an unsolicited email or text message offering you a gift card because it’s often a way to track your online activity.Don’t fall for scammers asking you to pay for services or goods using gift cards.Video below: Guide to selling gift cards securely onlinePhony charitiesThe holidays are also a season of giving, but before you donate money, double-check the contact and payment information for a charity.Beware of text, email or phone call solicitations. Like any other unsolicited message, don’t click on links or open attachments because they may contain malware or try to steal your information.Travel scamsScammers try to mimic or impersonate popular travel websites by recreating familiar branding, logos or company verbiage.As part of your travel research, do scam checks by looking up unfamiliar retail, travel and services websites by searching online for their names along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews.”Chase advises using a credit card to book travel so that if an issue arises, you can dispute it.What to do if you fall victim to a scamVideo below: Steps to take immediately after falling for a scamStop communication: Discontinue all contact with the scammer immediately to prevent further damage.Document everything: Take note of all relevant information, including the scammer’s contact details and any information that may be useful when reporting the incident.Contact your bank: Report the incident and verify recent transactions to ensure there is no fraudulent activity on your account.Report the incident: File a police report or an inquiry to the Federal Trade Commission for official documentation.Monitor for identity theft: Sign up for credit and identity monitoring to receive alerts when your personal information has been leaked in a data breach or shows up on the dark web.Change your passwords: Update your online accounts by creating strong passwords, particularly if the scam involved accessing your personal information.Share your experience: Let friends and family know what happened to raise awareness about the signs of scams and help others avoid falling victim. Remember that financial scams can, and do, happen to anyone, so don’t feel embarrassed.Remain on high alert for follow-up scams: Scammers might attempt to target you again, especially if they know you’ve fallen victim before. Be cautious of unsolicited communications.
Scammers particularly use the holiday season to steal your money and information.
Hoping consumers will let down their guard, or just trying to spoof legitimate businesses, scammers will do everything they can to take advantage of your vulnerability or generosity.
Chase and the Baltimore Police Department recently hosted a scam education event to show consumers how to protect themselves. Some of their tips are listed below.
Holiday shopping: What to know
Shop with trusted retailers: Stick to reputable websites when shopping online. If you’re unfamiliar with a store, search for its name along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews” to uncover any red flags.
Verify website URLs: Scammers can create fake websites that look like legitimate retailers. Ensure the URL starts with “https://” as the “s” stands for secure. Avoid clicking links from unsolicited emails or texts.
Beware of unrealistic deals: Scammers lure buyers by offering massive discounts on popular or sold-out items. If a deal seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
How you pay matters: Credit cards and debit cards offer different protections than cash or payment transfer apps, like Zelle and Venmo. Remember, only use apps like Zelle to pay others you know and trust.
Shopping on public Wi-Fi: Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi when making an online purchase. Scammers can intercept your personal information on unsecured networks.
Use digital tools: Trusted financial institutions offer credit and identity monitoring, including alerts to inform you when your data is exposed in a data breach or on the dark web.
Online deals that are too good to be true
When shopping online or on social media, buy only from trusted websites and vendors. If purchasing on a marketplace, stay on the platform to complete transactions and communicate with sellers, as protections often only apply when you use the platform.
Use payment methods that offer buyer protection. Never send money to strangers, particularly via payment-transfer apps like Zelle or Venmo, for purchases, especially when you can’t confirm the goods exist.
Missed packages or problems with delivery
Expecting a package? Be cautious of phishing messages through email or text message that impersonate delivery services, like the U.S. Postal Service, UPS or FedEx, with links to view “missed deliveries.”
These links may lead to fake sign-in pages to capture your actual password or to malware-infected sites.
Do not respond to messages requesting personal or financial information, including money or cryptocurrency. Be wary of unexpected packages and avoid scanning QR codes, as they may be attempts to steal your information.
Refund scams: Another scam doesn’t demand payment. Instead, it dangles a refund, sometimes via text messages posing as official messages from “Department of Taxation,” urging recipients to “click here to claim your refund.” The texts look legitimate at a glance, but they are designed to lure you into tapping a fraudulent link and handing over personal information.
Cybersecurity experts are warning about scammers using QR codes to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. The practice called “quishing” uses a QR code that sends you to a dummy website to get your information — and money.
When it comes to phishing, the term is more widely known, but people are still falling for it. Phishing emails or texts (known as “smishing”) attempt to trick a recipient into clicking a suspicious link, filling out information or downloading a malware file.
Whaling attacks generally target leaders or other executives with access to large amounts of information at an organization or business. Whaling attacks can target people in payroll offices, human resources and financial offices as well as leadership.
Video below: An expert’s tips to avoid falling for QR code scams
Gift card scams
Be cautious about buying gift cards from third-party sites. Scammers will pre-save card details or sell expired cards.
Don’t respond to an unsolicited email or text message offering you a gift card because it’s often a way to track your online activity.
Don’t fall for scammers asking you to pay for services or goods using gift cards.
Video below: Guide to selling gift cards securely online
Phony charities
The holidays are also a season of giving, but before you donate money, double-check the contact and payment information for a charity.
Beware of text, email or phone call solicitations. Like any other unsolicited message, don’t click on links or open attachments because they may contain malware or try to steal your information.
Travel scams
Scammers try to mimic or impersonate popular travel websites by recreating familiar branding, logos or company verbiage.
As part of your travel research, do scam checks by looking up unfamiliar retail, travel and services websites by searching online for their names along with terms like “scam,” “complaints” or “reviews.”
Chase advises using a credit card to book travel so that if an issue arises, you can dispute it.
What to do if you fall victim to a scam
Video below: Steps to take immediately after falling for a scam
Stop communication: Discontinue all contact with the scammer immediately to prevent further damage.
Document everything: Take note of all relevant information, including the scammer’s contact details and any information that may be useful when reporting the incident.
Contact your bank: Report the incident and verify recent transactions to ensure there is no fraudulent activity on your account.
Report the incident: File a police report or an inquiry to the Federal Trade Commission for official documentation.
Monitor for identity theft: Sign up for credit and identity monitoring to receive alerts when your personal information has been leaked in a data breach or shows up on the dark web.
Change your passwords: Update your online accounts by creating strong passwords, particularly if the scam involved accessing your personal information.
Share your experience: Let friends and family know what happened to raise awareness about the signs of scams and help others avoid falling victim. Remember that financial scams can, and do, happen to anyone, so don’t feel embarrassed.
Remain on high alert for follow-up scams: Scammers might attempt to target you again, especially if they know you’ve fallen victim before. Be cautious of unsolicited communications.
The 2025 holiday shopping season is approaching, punctuating the end of a year filled with economic uncertainty. As a result, businesses should be preparing for a consumer landscape shaped by equal parts optimism and caution.
Findings from several recently published studies indicate that shoppers are expected to be highly intentional, balancing value and convenience as they navigate economic pressures. Understanding these behavioral shifts will be key for businesses aiming to capture attention and loyalty in a competitive and fickle marketplace.
According to Adobe’s online shopping forecast, published in October, the 2025 holiday season is expected to produce slower but still record-breaking growth in e-commerce. The deceleration is attributed to ongoing economic uncertainty, inflation, and tighter consumer budgets. Ryder’s 2025 e-commerce consumer study, published in September, echoes these findings, reporting that 44 percent of shoppers plan to reduce 2025 holiday spending compared to 2024.
That said, however, 28 percent of consumers said they don’t plan to make any changes in spending, even if that means purchasing fewer items, and 10 percent plan to make more purchases, even if that means spending more. To capture the attention of cautious spenders, focus on offering clear value and flexible purchasing options.
An Inc.com Featured Presentation
Holiday purchasing decisions are being driven by a mix of cost-saving factors
Free shipping remains the most powerful motivator for shoppers, according to Ryder’s study, with 76 percent of respondents reporting it as more likely than any other factor to influence their 2025 holiday purchasing decisions. The second most likely factor to influence consumers’ holiday purchasing decisions was sales and discounts (64 percent), followed by free returns (31 percent), emphasizing the importance of transparent, customer-friendly return policies for brands aiming to win over cautious holiday shoppers. Notably, 94 percent of respondents selected at least one of these as a top-three factor in their holiday purchase decisions.
Another anticipated trend from Adobe’s holiday shopping forecast is the dominance of mobile commerce, which is being forecast to account for a record 56.1 percent of all online spending. Similarly, 50 percent of respondents in Ryder’s consumer study said they plan to conduct 2025 holiday shopping using mobile apps; however, additional findings suggest 2025 holiday shopping activity will be well spread across channels. Ryder’s study revealed that 74 percent of online shoppers also plan to shop in physical retail stores, along with 73 percent on e-commerce marketplaces, 70 percent on store/brand websites, and 23 percent on social media marketplaces.
Maintaining a seamless omnichannel presence appeals to shoppers because it allows them to move effortlessly between online, mobile, and in-store experiences—whichever they happen to be embracing at any given moment. They want to be able to enjoy consistency in branding, pricing, and customer service as they browse, check inventory, redeem promotions, and complete purchases, wherever it’s most convenient. This flexibility builds trust, saves time, and makes the shopping journey feel easy and enjoyable, which ultimately increases satisfaction, loyalty, and conversion rates across every channel.
The 2025 holiday season is bringing in a tide of consumers that are more discerning, digitally fluent, and value-driven than ever. While shoppers continue to prize deals, free shipping, and flexible payment options, they’re also blending digital convenience with the tactile experience offered by in-store shopping. The brands and retailers that will earn their attention and business will be those that anticipate these hybrid behaviors, aligning promotions, fulfillment, and customer engagement across all channels. Combining operational agility with authentic connection will position businesses to not only meet consumers’ expectations unique to the holiday season, but also strengthen loyalty well into the year ahead.
The opinions expressed here by Inc.com columnists are their own, not those of Inc.com.
MTA New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow riding a bus in Queens.
Marc A. Hermann / MTA
New York is a global travel destination all year round, but it’s particularly special to be here during the holidays. Longtime residents and tourists alike take advantage of all that the City has to offer – from iconic holiday markets to elaborate decorations, to big events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting.
All these people aren’t getting around in private cars. They’re taking transit, and our team is mindful of the influx of regular and new riders. So, we’re taking proactive steps to maintain great service throughout the season.
Much like how you might clean up before hosting, New York City Transit also wants the system to look its best – power washing high-traffic stations like 34 St-Herald Square ahead of the parade and 42 St-Times Square Station before the ball drop. We send additional personnel to stations to help with crowd control, wayfinding and fare purchases as well.
The holidays are prime time for station agents, who aren’t just ambassadors to the subways; they’re also representatives of New York City and their work is important. We take seriously our duty to provide excellent customer service to all riders, including visitors who might need a little extra help navigating the system.
We also know that more people create more trash. As much as we encourage customers to dispose of their garbage in bins, they don’t always do that. Not only does this present a cleanliness issue, but it can also have an impact on service when debris ends up on the tracks. That’s why we’re ramping up cleaning schedules at 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center to help protect service at the station that is the gateway to so many iconic New York holiday traditions.
We don’t want anything to jeopardize your ride. On-time performance last month reached an impressive 83.4%, boosted by the introduction of new trains. We now have 745 R211 cars in service, with over 250 running on the A line, 100 on the C, 70 on the G, and more than 100 on the B. The entire Staten Island Railway fleet has also been replaced with the new models.
Strong service isn’t a gift, it should be a given and we work hard to provide it. With this incredible team in place, I know we can continue to deliver safe and efficient service that all riders can rely on this holiday season.
Nearly 20 holiday markets featuring art, jewelry, home decor and other handmade goods are taking place in the Philadelphia region this November and December. Here’s where to find them.
It’s very normal to have trouble sleeping when you’re not in your own cozy, perfectly personalized bed. If you’re traveling for the holidays, being intentional with alcohol, staying active, minding your blood sugar, taking a sleep supplement, and sticking to your usual routine as much as possible will help you get the sleep you need to wake up refreshed and ready to ring in the last few days of the year.
This post may contain references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Oh Sweet Basil may receive compensation when you click on links to such products.
This easy baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip is the perfect holiday appetizer this season. Only a few simple ingredients (cheese, creamcheese, leftover cranberry sauce, cranberries and spices) to this savory hot dip. Ever wondered what to make with leftover cranberry sauce? This is the answer!
This cheese dip is one of my favorite holiday dip recipes! I love that it looks as festive as it tastes and the kids love that it’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty!
The holiday season is here and that means a lot of parties, get-togethers and food. From the family Thanksgiving dinner to the “favorite things party” with girlfriends, our calendar is packed. When I need to bring a dish to share, quick and easy recipes are the way to go… like this Baked Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip.
Easy to make: There are only a few simple ingredients so no running to a million different stores to get what you need.
Sweet and Cheesy: The tangy flavor of the cranberries are balanced with the savory cheeses and then you get that hint of sweet from the cranberry sauce.
Everyone Asks For the Recipe: I love that this is the dip we often get asked for the recipe, guests just love it!
Uses Up Leftovers: I don’t know about you, but I’m often googling “what to make with leftover cranberry sauce” This festive recipe solves that problem!
Make Ahead: This dip is easy to make ahead of time, so you can spend more time with your guests. See more below.
Carrian’s Secret Sandwich!
Not only is this an amazing dip, it’s also to-die-for as a spread for sandwiches or grilled up into a grilled cheese sandwich with ham or turkey. Try it and share on instagram by tagging @ohsweetbasil and #ohsweetbasil.
Spray a small baking dish with nonstick spray and preheat the oven to 375.
Mix together the cream cheese, 3/4 of the cheeses, nutmeg, orange zest and rosemary.
Fold in the cranberries.
Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
Add dollops of the cranberry sauce with a spoon and swirl with the spoon or a knife.
Top with remaining shredded cheeses.
Bake until bubbly and the edges are browning.
Cream Cheese Cranberry Dip Tips
I like to place some homemade cranberry sauce in a freezer bag and toss it in the freezer around Thanksgiving, so that I can have it already prepared for this dip at Christmas. However, you can also prepare the cranberry sauce in advance and store covered in the refrigerator.
Use good quality white cheddar cheese like Tillamook. Buy a block and shred it yourself for a 10x better taste and gooeyness.
What to Serve With Cranberry Cream Cheese Dip
So, what can you use to dip into a cranberry cream cheese dip? You can serve it with crackers, crostini, pita chips or slices or even vegetables.
Slow Cooker Instructions
Lightly coat the inside of a small slow-cooker (3-quart slow cooker is ideal) with a non-stick spray. Prepare the dip ingredients as written in step #2. Add the mixture to the bowl of a slow cooker.
Cover and cook on low for 1 hour or until heated through and the cheese is melted. In the last 5-10 minutes of cooking, add the reserved cheese over the top.
To Make Ahead
Prepare and assemble the dip as written. Cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Cranberry sauce can be made up to 1 week in advance.
Storing Cranberry Cheese Dip
You can store leftover dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Can You Freeze Cranberry Dip?
From my experience, the cream cheese in this dip can turn grainy and the cranberry sauce can become a little watery when reheated from frozen. However, wrapping well in foil and then defrosting in the fridge will help. If frozen, I highly recommend baking to reheat.
How to Reheat Baked Cream Cheese Dip
To reheat your dip in the microwave heat it on high for 30 seconds at a time, or bake, covered with foil at 350 until bubbly, about 20 minutes.
Can I Use Fresh or Frozen Cranberries
You can use either fresh or frozen cranberries to make a dip.
Bonus Tip- How to Make Crostini
Do you want to serve it with our favorite accompaniment, crostinis?
Bake on the middle rack for 6 to 9 minutes, until they’re crisp and nicely golden on top. Sprinkle the toasts lightly with salt.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
Slice your baguette on the diagonal into crostini pieces no wider than ½-inch. Place slice on a baking sheet. Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil
Variations & Substitutions
I love how versatile this dip is. Try out:
Jalapeño Cranberry Dip | Like it spicy? Add two tablespoons of chopped jarred jalapeños or 1 fresh chopped jalapeno to the dip!
Love nuts? Add ¼ cup of your favorite chopped nuts, pistachios are my favorite!
Make it indulgent! Crisp up prosciutto to sprinkle all over the dip before serving. It’s so good!
More Holiday Dip Recipes
Prevent your screen from going dark
Spray a small baking dish with nonstick spray and preheat the oven to 375℉.
In a medium-large mixing bowl, stir together the cream cheese, ¾ of the cheeses, nutmeg, orange zest and rosemary.
8 Ounces Cream Cheese, 1 Cup Extra-Sharp white Cheddar cheese, 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, ⅛-¼ teaspoon Nutmeg, 1 teaspoon Orange Zest, 1 teaspoon Fresh Rosemary
Fold in the cranberries.
1/2 Cup Fresh Cranberries
Spoon the cranberry mixture evenly into prepared baking dish.
Add dollops of the cranberry sauce with a spoon and swirl with the spoon or a knife.
1/3 Cup Cranberry Sauce
Top with remaining shredded cheeses.
Bake for 18-20 minutes until bubbly in the middle and the edges are browning. Cover if needed with some foil if browning too quickly.
Serve immediately with crostini, Triscuits, seeded crackers or pita chips.
You can feed a small crowd of friends and family with this Pumpkin Slab Pie. Creamy and perfectly spiced pumpkin pie in a homemade, buttery and flaky pie crust! This holiday season, try this simple approach to a from-scratch, sheet pan pumpkin pie that’s beyond easy and delicious! Yields 12 to 16 squares.
If a few years ago you would’ve asked me what was my favorite Thanksgiving pie, I would be confident in my answer. Pecan.
Hands down, without a doubt, THE best pie of all. But now I’m not sure sure. I mean, pumpkin. Over the years, it’s grown on me. It’s sweet, but not too sweet. And I’m pretty fond of the creaminess in contrast with the flaky butter crust. And hello? whipped cream! Plus it’s just the better dessert to pair with a cup of coffee.
This year I wanted to test out making a pumpkin slab pie because a) it feeds more and b) way easier.
Not that regular round pumpkin pie is terribly hard, but slab pie is where it’s at if you want a pie without all the fuss. The crust recipe is easy, just throw it all into a food processor. The filling is really easy too, just add it all to one bowl and whisk. However, the top reason why I may prefer making a pumpkin slab pie vs. a regular one is mostly because I don’t have to try to serve a triangular piece of pie out of a round pie dish with a rectangular serving utensil. Why struggle with this?
It’s the little things.
To Make This Pumpkin Slab Pie You Will Need:
Then after you make the pie crust, I suggest shaping it into a rectangle before wrapping in plastic wrap, this will make it easier to roll out to that shape. Then allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes in your refrigerator.
Next, once the dough has rested, place dough on a lightly floured surface.
Roll it out to a 12 x 15 rectangle that is roughly 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch thick. This should fit a quarter sheet pan (10 x 13 x 1).
Next, trim off any excess leaving an inch over hang. You can save the scraps, chill and then re-roll to stamp or cut out fun seasonal shapes.
Next tuck the overhang into the pan, pinching to from a crust. Return the crust back to the fridge to chili or 15 to 20 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375℉ (or 190℃).
Once the crust has chilled and your oven has preheated, place a piece of parchment paper into the crust and weigh it down with ceramic pie weights or dried beans and partially bake for 15 to minutes. Then decrease the oven temperature to 350° and use oven mitts to move your oven rack to the lower third position of your oven.
Meanwhile, make the filling. Pumpkin pie filling is SO easy. In a mixing bowl, measure and add 1-3/4 cups pumpkin puree with 1-2/3 cup half & half, 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup granulated sugar plus 1/4 cup light brown sugar, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
Give that a whisk and pour in the half & half.
Whisk one last time to incorporate the half & half..
Annnnd this is the exact moment, I realized I forgot to partially bake my crust (insert crying emoji).
Why is par-baking a crust important?
It’s not, really. Unless you don’t want the bottom crust to be soggy, especially in custard pie recipes. And you’ll see in these photos, exactly why I suggest you do this step. But hey, things happen. People forget stuff. 😂
Then slide the pie on the rack in the lower third of your oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the pie is set and the crust is golden.
If you notice the edge of the crust starts to brown too quickly, take sheet of aluminum foil the length of the pan, fold it in half and cut out a wide rectangle. Then unfold and place over the pie. Furthermore the filling is exposed, yet the crust is not.
Depending on how many people you’re serving or how big you want the pieces to be. I like to cut the pie into 12 squares. Serve with whipped cream and coffee.
Always coffee. (:
Ps. remember to par-bake your crust. Don’t be like me.
Enjoy! And if you give this Pumpkin Slab Pie recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Yield: 12servings
Pumpkin Slab Pie
You can feed a small crowd of friends and family with this Pumpkin Slab Pie. Creamy and perfectly spiced pumpkin pie in a homemade, buttery and flaky pie crust! This holiday season, try this simple approach to a from-scratch, sheet pan pumpkin pie that’s beyond easy and delicious!
Roll your pie crust out to a 12 x 15 rectangle to fit a 10 x 13 x 1 inch sheet pan. Trim and fold the edges behind itself and chill for 15 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375℉ (or 190℃).
Once chilled, partially bake the pie crust for 15 minutes by placing parchment inside the crust and weighing it down with pie weights or dried beans. Remove and allow to cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 350° and move the oven rack to the bottom 1/3 of your oven.
In a mixing bowl, combine the pure, half & half, eggs vanilla, sugars, pie spice, salt and vanilla. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
Pour into the partially baked pie crust and bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until set.
Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving with whipped cream.
*If you are unable to find half & half, substitute with 1 cup whole milk combined with 1 cup heavy cream **If you notice the edge of the crust starts to brown too quickly, here’s what I would recommend: take sheet of aluminum foil the length of the pan, fold it in half and cut out a wide rectangle. Unfold and place over the pie so the filling is exposed, yet the crust is not. Nutrition Disclaimer:All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
This recipe was originally posted on November 2nd, 2018 and has been updated with clear and concise instructions, new photography and helpful information.
Sausage and Cornbread Dressing is a delicious side dish to serve this Thanksgiving. Toasted cornbread is tossed with browned hot (or mild) sausage, sautéed onions, celery and fresh herbs. A sweet and savory combination that is a flavor explosion for your tastebuds. This recipe serves 10.
I’ve died and gone to cornbread dressing heaven.
While pulling together my Thanksgiving menu I usually go through my many notebooks of hand written recipes in search of something I’ve jotted down in the past and never got around to making. I was flipping through pages when I found this gem and I can’t believe I’ve never shared it! It’s a classic. Browned sausage, toasty cornbread and fresh herbs? A recipe SO simple yet packed with lots of flavor.
pork breakfast sausage – Use mild or hot pork breakfast sausage.
celery – Lends earthy flavor and delicious texture.
yellow onion – Adds a sweet and subtle onion flavor to the soup.
parsley – Adds pop of green and herbaceous flavor.
rosemary (fresh) – Adds a pine-like or woodsy flavor with notes of lemon, pepper and sage.
sage (fresh) – Gives a woodsy, earthy and slight peppery flavor with notes of citrusy mint.
thyme (fresh) – Lends an earthy, slightly minty and lemony flavor.
low-sodium chicken broth – Use homemade or store-bought.
egg – Needed to bind the stuffing ingredients together.
kosher salt – Enhances the flavors in this recipe.
What type of Pork is best for Cornbread stuffing (err dressing)?
I like to use hot pork sausage because I think the subtle heat works nicely with the sweetness of the cornbread. However, mild pork sausage would be just as delicious.
Toast the Cornbread:
Preheat your oven to 400℉ (or 200℃).
Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment and spray lightly with olive oil spray. Then cut cornbread into 1-inch cubes. You will need 6 cups or about 16 ounces total.
Arrange the cornbread cubes in an even layer and bake for 10 to 14 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through.
Once golden, remove and set aside to cool.
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (or 180°C).
Once cool, add to a large mixing bowl.
Meanwhile, brown 1 pound hot or mild pork breakfast sausage until fully cooked and browned.
Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and set aside.
Drain off all but 2 tablespoons fat from the sausage and add in 1½ cups sliced celery and 1 cup diced yellow onion. Cook on medium to medium-low heat until tender and the onions translucent. About 10 to 12 minutes.
To the cornbread, add the sausage, celery and onions.
Next, measure and add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 2 tablespoons minced parsley and 1 tablespoon each of minced rosemary, sage and thyme.
To 1½ cups of low-sodium chicken broth, crack in 1 large egg and whisk until incorporated.
Pour that into the bowl with the stuffing ingredients.
Gently toss to combine.
I like big pieces of cornbread along with some crumbles in my stuffing. However, feel free to mix it up however you prefer.
Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with olive oil spray and transfer the stuffing mixture.
Bake (at 350℉ or 180℃) and for 30 minutes, rotating halfway through, or until the top is golden brown. Serve immediately.
Can You make Cornbread Dressing in advance?
Yes! After transferring the stuffing mixture to the casserole dish, cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate 1 to 2 days! Then uncover and bake when you’re ready.
Enjoy! And if you give this Sausage and Cornbread Stuffing recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Yield: 10servings
Sausage and Cornbread Dressing
Sausage and Cornbread Dressing is a delicious side dish to serve this Thanksgiving. Toasted cornbread is tossed with browned hot (or mild) sausage, sautéed onions, celery and fresh herbs. A sweet and savory combination that is a flavor explosion for your tastebuds.
Prep Time: 35 minutesmins
Cook Time: 30 minutesmins
Total Time: 1 hourhr5 minutesmins
olive oil spray
16ouncescornbread, cubed (or about 6 cups) – homemade or store bought
Preheat your oven to 400℉ (or 200℃) and lightly spray a 3-quart oven safe baking dish. Set aside.
Next, line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly spray with olive oil. Add cubed cornbread and bake 10 to 14 minutes or until toasted and golden brown. Set aside to cool slightly before adding to a large mixing bowl.
Reduce oven temperature to 350℉ (or 180℃).
Meanwhile, cook sausage in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate (to absorb some of the lingering grease) before adding to the bowl with the cornbread.
Drain off all but 2 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet, discarding the rest. To the pan, add the celery and onion with a pinch of kosher salt. Stir and cook over low to medium-low for 10 to 12 minute or until celery is soft and onions translucent. Add this to the bowl with the cornbread and sausage. Add in 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and all of the herbs.
Whisk the egg into the broth before pouring into the bowl with the stuffing ingredients. Gently toss to combine.
Transfer to the prepared casserole dish and bake on the middle rack of your preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Rotate the pan halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
Nutrition Disclaimer:All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
This recipe was originally posted on November 15th, 2021 and has been updated with clear and concise instructions, new photography and helpful information.
Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey is simple and delicious! A whole turkey with rosemary and sage tucked between the turkey skin and breast is stuffed with apples, onion and garlic and roasted to perfection. Once roasted it is then brushed with apple jelly for a sweet simple glaze. This recipe will serve about 10 to 12.
I made the most incredible turkey last weekend.
I’m a little behind on my thanksgiving posts because Malloree was under the weather and between the doctors visits and trips to the pharmacy, I got behind. However it’s not too late to schedule this turkey for your Thanksgiving. It’s super easy and the results are perfection.
Minced fresh rosemary and sage is tucked along with butter under the skin of each breast. Then apple, onion, garlic and celery are stuffed in the cavity before tying the legs and brushing the entire turkey with melted butter. You can never go wrong where butter is involved.
But the best part is that after the turkey has roasted, you brush it with apple jelly for a touch of sweetness that pairs amazingly well with the herbs. Pan drippings make pretty darn good gravy too. But that’s a whole other post.
To Make This Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey You Will Need:
whole turkey
sage
rosemary
butter
apple
onion
celery
head of garlic
apple jelly
How Long Should You Thaw A Turkey For?
To thaw a 12-pound turkey, you will need 1 day for every 4 to 5 pounds. In other words, plan on 3 to 4 days. Keep the turkey in it’s original packaging and place in your fridge to thaw safely.
Basic Tools you Will Need When making a turkey:
roasting pan (with a rack preferably)
kitchen string
turkey baster
instant read thermometer
fat separator (if making gravy)
How Long Does It Take To Roast A Turkey?
For a 12 to 14 pound turkey it takes 3 to 3 hours and 45 minutes OR until a doneness temp of 170° taken in the thickest part of the thigh.
Move your oven rack to the lowest position and preheat your oven to 325℉ (160℃).
Then finely chop 1/4 cup each fresh sage and rosemary and combine them together.
Remove the neck and gizzards (set aside if using for giblet gravy or stuffing) and pat your turkey dry (inside and out) with paper towels. Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin away from the turkey breast.
Creating little pocket.
Divide the herbs among each breast “pocket” and stuff two tablespoons of salted butter in each one as well. Try to get it as far into the breast pocket as possible.
Secure the skin with a toothpick.
Next prep the aromatics. Cut an apple into fourths (I’m using a honeycrisp), cut the onion, garlic and celery ribs in half.
Place the turkey, breast side up, onto a roasting rack that’s set into a roasting pan. Stuff the turkey with the apple, onion, garlic and celery.
Secure or truss the legs with kitchen string.
Tuck the wings under the turkey.
Brush the entire turkey with with melted butter.
Slide the turkey into the oven with the legs at the back of the oven and roast for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Once that time is up, remove the turkey and baste it with the drippings from the pan.
If your turkey is getting too brown too quickly, cover with foil.
Keep in mind, where the herbs are it will look darker.
Continue roasting for another 1 to 1 hour 30 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 170℉ to 175℉ (or 76℃ to 79℃) when an instant thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the thigh.
GORGEOUS! And it smells heavenly.
Carefully transfer your turkey to a carving board.
Heat up 1/2 cup apple jelly.
And brush your turkey with the warm apple jelly.
Cover loosely with foil and let rest for 30 minute or up to 1 hour.
Serve, carve and prepare to fall in love.
What To Serve With Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey?
Enjoy! And if you give this Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey recipe a try, let me know! Snap a photo and tag me on twitter or instagram!
Yield: 10servings
Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey
Apple and Herb Roasted Turkey is simple and delicious! A whole turkey with rosemary and sage tucked between the turkey skin and breast is stuffed with apples, onion and garlic and roasted to perfection. Once roasted it is then brushed with apple jelly for a sweet simple glaze. This recipe will serve about 10 to 12.
Start by moving your oven rack to the lowest position and preheat your oven to 325℉ (160℃).
Remove the neck and gizzards (set aside if using for gravy or stuffing) and pat your turkey dry (inside and out) with paper towels. Using your fingers, carefully loosen the skin away from the turkey breast. Creating little pocket. Divide the herbs among each breast “pocket” and stuff two tablespoons of salted butter in each one as well. Try to get it as far into the breast pocket as possible.Secure the skin underneath the breast with a toothpick.
Place the turkey breast side up onto a roasting rack that’s set into a roasting pan. Stuff the turkey with the apple, onion, garlic and celery. Secure or truss the legs with kitchen string. Tuck the wings under the turkey. Brush the entire turkey with with melted butter.
Roast your turkey for 1 hour 30 minutes. If it browns too quickly, loosely cover with foil.
Once your turkey has roasted for the hour and half, remove and baste with the turkey drippings.
Continue roasting for another 1 hour up to 1 hour and 30 minutes or until an instant read thermometer reads 170℉ to 175℉ (or 76℃ to 79℃) when an instant thermometer is inserted in the thickest part of the thigh.
Carefully transfer your turkey to a carving board and brush with warm apple jelly before tenting with foil and resting for 30 minutes.
Carve your turkey and serve.
Nutrition Disclaimer:All information presented on this site is intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on SimplyScratch.com should only be used as a general guideline.
This recipe was adapted from Taste of Home and originally posted on this blog on November 17th, 2021 and has been updated with clear and concise instructions, new photography and helpful information.
This Thanksgiving — coming up on Thursday, November 28 — skip the stress of cooking and let Houston’s top restaurants treat you to a festive feast. From family-friendly affairs featuring classic roast turkey and all the fixin’s to prix fixe menus featuring bubbles, oysters and TK, here is where to celebrate the season of gratitude with a tasty meal in Houston this year.
Celebrate Thanksgiving November 27 from 2 to 9 p.m. with a three-course prix fixe featuring roasted parsnip bisque, herb-roasted turkey or chateaubriand and pumpkin pie. Cost is $55–$65 for adults and $18–25 for kids.
The neighborhood taver is offering a three-course pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu ($75 per person), with a two-course children’s menu for $55. Guests can enjoy holiday classics like roast turkey, squash soup, and stuffing, alongside Bar Bludorn specialties including country ham beignets, steak tartare, steak frites and mushroom ravioli.
Enjoy a special three-course Thanksgiving dinner of traditional favorites like roast turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie, alongside Bludorn signatures such as steak tartare, hanger steak and Oysters Everyway. The three-course menu is $105 per person, with a two-course children’s menu available for $55.
Brennan’s, 3300 Smith Enjoy a three-course prix fixe feast of Creole and holiday classics in a cozy, festive atmosphere, open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; reservations required. Cost is $87 per person plus tax and tip. Call 713-522-9711.
Create your own Chinese-inspired Thanksgiving with crispy-skinned Peking duck, soup dumplings, specialty rice, noodles, seafood and vegetable plates. Open regular hours; walk-ins welcome.
Étoile will be open for Thanksgiving with a special three-course menu ($78 per adult, $28 per child, plus tax and gratuity) — expect seasonal hors d’oeuvres like butternut squash soup with orange zest, Scottish smoked salmon with dill cream, or chilled shrimp with tarragon cocktail sauce; main courses including free-range roasted turkey with all the classics, braised Akaushi beef, Iberico pork skirt steak, seared salmon, or a fall vegetable risotto with white truffle oil; and vanilla bourbon pecan pie or warm pear and brioche pudding with chocolate sorbet.
Hongdae 33, 9889 Bellaire Break from tradition with all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue in a vibrant, high-energy space. $33 per person for 90 minutes of unlimited food; a la carte drinks available. Walk-ins welcome; no reservations needed.
Guests can dine in style a three-course prix fixe from 2 to 9pm with — choose herb-roasted turkey ($75) or filet mignon ($85) with refined sides and pumpkin pie. Kids’ menu available.
The modern American seafood restaurant is hosting a festive three-course Thanksgiving dinner. Guests can choose from signature dishes like crab cakes, seafood gumbo, and seared scallops, as well as seasonal specials including roasted turkey roulade with puff pastry and sweet potato, and hanger steak with kale, bone marrow butter, and sauce bordelaise. The three-course menu is $85 per person, with a two-course children’s menu available for $55.
Celebrate Thanksgiving in lodge-style comfort with a three-course menu ($85 per adult, $45 child, plus beverages, tax and gratuity). Highlights include smoked duck gumbo, wild game tasting, Southern-style roast turkey with cornbread dressing and indulgent desserts like warm croissant bread pudding. Late-night snack packs with turkey, dressing, and gravy are also available to-go.
Hotel Granduca’s Remi is offering a pre-fixe Thanksgiving menu with oven-roasted heritage turkey, truffled mac and cheese, spiced pumpkin tarts and artisanal apple Dutch pies in an elegant setting. Seating runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for $105/adult and $54/children 10+. Reservations required via OpenTable or at 713-418-1000.
Enjoy a three-course Thanksgiving meal with Italian twists ($55 adults, $25 kids, $35 optional wine pairing), with options from butternut squash soup and hand-carved turkey breast to pecan pie or pumpkin pie.
Tipping Point will be open on Thanksgiving with a special a la carte or three-course menu for $75. Highlights include raspberry brie en croute, lamb duo with apple chutney, slow-roasted turkey with green beans, cornbread stuffing, rosemary mashed potatoes and a yeast roll, roasted rack of lamb and pecan pie.
Hosting a winter gathering? What about a cannabis cocktail/holiday party. It is the chic, hangover-free way to celebrate.
As the holidays approach, dinner parties and happy hours begin filling the calendar — often with a predictable lineup of wine, cocktails, and morning-after regrets. But this year, a new trend is quietly taking over living rooms and lounges. What about a cannabis cocktail/ holiday party? For adults looking to unwind without the hangover, low-dose cannabis beverages and mocktails are becoming the chic, health-conscious alternative to alcohol.
Think of it as an elevated gathering — literally. Instead of traditional cocktails, hosts are serving beautifully crafted “cannacocktails,” blending sparkling juices, herbal infusions, and precisely dosed cannabis tinctures or ready-to-pour THC/CBD beverages. The result? A relaxed, social buzz that’s mellow rather than messy, perfect for those who want to enjoy the season without derailing their wellness goals.
“With so many people cutting back on alcohol or exploring the sober-curious movement, cannabis drinks offer a modern middle ground,” says Seattle mixologist Jordan Leary, who specializes in non-alcoholic bar programs. “They still feel indulgent and festive, but you stay clear-headed and connected.”
Low dose is the key, most cannabis beverages today range from 2 to 5 milligrams of THC, about the equivalent of a single glass of wine in social effect. Many also include CBD for balance, producing a light body relaxation without impairing focus or energy. They’re now available in elegant packaging from brands like Cann, Wunder, and Artet, all designed for adults who appreciate design, flavor, and mindfulness.
Hosting your own cannabis cocktail party is simpler than it sounds. The key is intentional pairing and pacing:
Offer a mix of infused and non-infused mocktails so guests can choose their comfort level.
Start with lower-dose drinks (2–3 mg THC) and wait at least 45 minutes before offering refills.
Pair beverages with light bites — think charcuterie, roasted nuts, or spiced popcorn — to balance flavors and absorption.
Set a cozy vibe: soft lighting, seasonal playlists, and clear labeling for all drinks.
And of course, safety first. Guests should plan transportation in advance, and anyone trying cannabis beverages for the first time should start low and go slow.
Beyond just being a novelty, the cannabis cocktail party reflects a broader shift toward intentional celebration. People are rethinking how they socialize, and cannabis offers an inclusive, modern way to connect.
So this holiday season, trade in the eggnog for an elderflower THC spritz, or a CBD ginger fizz. Your guests will thank you in the morning.
December is an exciting month for many folks, with lots of holidays to celebrate. It’s also the time when wintry weather sets in, making it perfect for cozying up with a new book by the fire. While December isn’t a big month for new releases, there are still plenty of upcoming books we’re excited to check out. In addition to the best new books for December 2025, we’ve included some of this year’s top new holiday-themed choices. Merry Reading and Happy New Books!
Get your free printable December reading log to share with students so they can keep track of their books and pages all month long! Just fill out the form on this page to get it.
New Picture Books for December 2025
Amazon
Sparkles for Sunny by Sylvia Chen, ill. by Thai My Phuong
Sunny is excited to celebrate Lunar Near Year with her family, but she’s not as enthusiastic about the matching qipáo dresses she and her sisters will wear. For once, Sunny would like to stand out in something that’s just her style—but one of her family’s rules is “don’t waste anything.” Can she come up with a solution that makes everyone happy?
Show kids all the different ways we show love to one another, from listening and sharing to hugging, dancing together, and more. Featuring photography of real families, siblings, and friends, this board book is the perfect fit for preschool and kindergarten classrooms that value diversity and kindness.
Paper Chase by Julia Donaldson, ill. by Victoria Sandøy
James and Ginger spend a wonderful afternoon playing together after her paper airplane lands on his open book, all under one big beautiful tree. But when Ginger looks for James under that tree again, she finds a surprise instead—the tree has been cut down! Follow the tree’s journey and learn how it’s made into the paper that will one day unite the two new friends once more.
The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson, ill. by Reggie Brown
This unique new middle grade book tells the story of a 600-year-old snowman and a 10-year-old girl. Blessing is dealing with bullies at school and mom suffering from severe depression at home. Meanwhile, the unusually long winter has trapped Albert in England, though by now he should have melted and reappeared elsewhere in the world. Can the two help each other find solutions to their problems?
The Stolen Songbird by Judith Eagle, ill. by Jo Rioux
In 1950s London, Caro loves her unusual life with two moms and a beloved white rabbit. But a series of events upends her world, sending Caro to live temporarily with a stern great-aunt. While unpacking her suitcase, she discovers a valuable stolen painting that soon has art thieves on her tail. With the help of her unusual collection of friends, Caro must find a way to return the painting and restore her life to normal.
Ten years after surviving a childhood kidnapping, Maggie Atkins reluctantly joins a school trip to the same mountains where it happened—alongside the friends who once abandoned her. When a storm traps them and a mysterious figure begins hunting them down, Maggie realizes the nightmare she thought was over has only just begun. Teens who love thrillers won’t be able to put this one down.
Seventeen-year-old Will Arrex, a sheltered noble destined to inherit her father’s power on the Eden space station, shocks everyone by joining the deadly Lottery that sends youths into space to search for habitable worlds. Forced to pilot a ship alongside her rival Paige Tarrant, Will uncovers a devastating secret: Their mission was never meant to return home.
Growing up in an “influencer” family, Rosalie’s days are a series of on-camera moments—many of which don’t even accurately capture her life. Rosalie is tired of it and beginning to worry about her (and her younger sister’s) physical and mental safety. But reclaiming her life means finding the bravery to take drastic action in this new novel in verse.
Cosmo takes an amazing journey to other planets when his new jetpack malfunctions. As he travels from place to place, he encounters a series of fun new environments and friends. But the real magic of this creative graphic novel happens when a magician casts a spell to send Cosmo back home—to finish the book, readers flip it upside down and experience it all over again from back to front! (Grades K–2)
The Case of the Heartbreak Heist by Christee Curran-Bauer
The Private Pigeon Detectives are back! In the latest entry in the series, they must figure out who’s stealing all the baking tools from the town’s Valentine’s Day baking competition. Could the groundhog who refused to answer his door on February 2 have something to do with it? (Grades 1–4)
As a member of the Buffalo Bill Wild West show, Martha Jane Cannary gained fame as Calamity Jane. Learn more about the story of her life on- and off-stage in this intriguing new graphic nonfiction book, and find out whether the legend of Calamity Jane is more than just a tall tale. (Grades 3–7)
Quincredible: A Better World by Rodney Barnes, illustrated by Selina Espiritu
In the latest entry in this teen superhero series, the indestructible Quincredible must solve the mystery of the contaminated water supply of his hometown, New Orleans. This crisis hits close to home—his mother is one of those made sick and hospitalized. Quinton continues to be one of the most likeable superheroes out there, thriving with the support of his family and friends. (Grades 9+)
Through the Telescope by Charles R. Smith Jr., ill. by Evening Monteiro
When young Mae Jemison first looked through a telescope, it started a journey that would culminate in her becoming the first Black female astronaut. This nonfiction picture book explores what Mae might have seen, and shares the thoughts of a young girl learning about the wonders of space. (Grades pre-K to 2)
The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price, ill. by Cynthia Yuan Cheng
Jonathon Haidt’s book The Anxious Generation addressed the sharp rise in teen mental illness in recent years. Now he’s back with a book aimed specifically at tweens, teaching them practical ways to deal with today’s unique challenges, including the overuse of screens. This is a must-read for any kid about to get their own cellphone and/or social media account, or those who feel overwhelmed and anxious before they’ve even started high school. (Grades 4–7)
Abolition and the African American Story by Patricia Williams Dockery
By the mid-1800s, African Americans had spent centuries shaping the nation’s economy and culture, even as the question of their rights threatened to divide it. During the Civil War and Reconstruction, their struggle for freedom and equality played out across battlefields, homes, and political arenas—with young people playing key roles in redefining what it meant to be American. (Grades 5–8)
Fans of The Word Collector will be thrilled with this new story of Jerome’s search for inspirational holiday words. When those words turn out to be harder to find than he expected, he decides that this time, it’s his turn to share his collection of wonderful words with the whole town!
The gorgeous cover of this new picture book evokes the magical story inside. Dasher the reindeer wants nothing more than to give her new polar bear friend George the ability to fly, but it seems his paws are destined to remain on the ground. Unless, of course, Santa Claus can find a way to make George’s dream come true! (Grades pre-K to 2)
The Book of Candles by Laurel Snyder, ill. by Leanne Hatch
In eight evocative poems, one for each night of Hanukkah, this book shares the traditions of the Jewish winter holiday through one family’s eyes. The family enjoys traditions old and new, like family meals and decorating for the holiday, but the most important moment comes when they gather together and light the candles on the menorah each night. (Grades pre-K to 2)
Interrupting Chicken Saves the Nutcracker by David Ezra Stein
The irrepressible little Chicken is back and headed to the ballet. Can she watch quietly without interrupting? Of course not. After a series of interruptions, she and Papa are kicked out—but not before Chicken steals the Nutcracker! In order to return it, she’ll need to rewrite the classic ballet, and readers will enjoy the new version as much as the audience. (Grades pre-K to 2)
Once Upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall, ill. by Sawyer Cloud
Join a variety of families as they celebrate Kwanzaa, and learn about the Nguzo Saba (Seven Principles) behind this holiday that’s special to many members of the African diaspora. Explore the history of Kwanzaa through beautiful illustrations and text that’s perfect for the youngest learners. (Grades pre-K to 2)
“On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me …” The flow of gifts is all well and good, but what happens on day 13, when the recipient finds themselves with hundreds of birds, not to mention dancing lords, maids milking cows, and more? Find out in this fun new holiday read! (Grades K–3)
C.J. the mouse never expected to become friends with a family of cats. But when he spots their menorah and chocolate gelt, his curiosity gets the best of him. As he learns about their holiday traditions, he also learns that this is one cat family who poses no threat since mice aren’t kosher! (Grades pre-K to 2)
Fa La La Family by Scott Hoying and Mark Hoying, ill. by Steph Lew
Just like “family,” the word “Christmas” means something different to everyone. But ultimately, it all comes down to love. Join a variety of diverse families as they share their holiday traditions, plus learn a brand-new Christmas song—a QR code provides a recording to go along with the included sheet music. (Grades pre-K to 3)
Weiwei once spent the winter solstice (Dōngzhì) surrounded by palm trees and hummingbirds. But now she’s moved to a much colder place. A family walk helps her see the beauty in her new wintry surroundings, and the family Dōngzhì traditions are the same no matter where she goes. (Grades K–3)
With most holiday books aimed at the picture book crowd, this middle grade graphic novel is a welcome addition to the genre. Virginia has just moved to a new city after losing her mom. When she spots what seems to be a flying reindeer, it sends her and new pal Benny on an adventure to reunite the magical animal with Santa, who it seems might just be real after all. (Grades 3–7)
Be sure to download your free printable December reading log!
We Are Teachers
Grab your free reading log to share with students—they can use it track their books and pages over winter break and keep up their reading habits over the holidays. Just fill out the form on this page to get yours!
