Here at the Gardening Cook , we love to celebrate with holiday decor and food! Each of the holidays is special here on the blog.
Our site has loads of decor ideas, recipes and gardening tips for each season and holiday of the year.
From special cocktails for New Year’s Eve, through to patriotic recipes, spooky Halloween projects and pretty Christmas decor projects, every holiday is so much fun.
These easy projects will dress up your home for the holidays and give your friends some special food treats in no time flat!
If you are looking for some ideas for food and decorations for the holidays, one of these ideas may interest you.
It’s that time of the year. Pumpkins, Indian Corn and autumn plants all help to make this front porch decor for fall a hit with visitors! Each year, I use supplies from the previous porch but mix them up a bit to make my fall front porch decor a little extra special. This year, I…
Forcing paperwhites indoors will give you a delightful splash of spring color in just a few weeks. The project can be done in soil or in water and the kids will love to help. These pretty blooms can be used as a Christmas plant for decorating. Since spring is far off, these white flowers on…
Cook up a pot of this green split pea soup with ham bone easily in a slow cooker, and enjoy a hearty and comforting soup. It is the perfect way to use up leftover ham from Christmas. It is always a part of our menu on New Year’s Day. Is there anything more satisfying than…
These peppermint Rice Krispie ball cookies are so tasty and look really festive too. They have a crunchy cereal base dipped in white chocolate with a fun candy cane holder. This cookie recipe makes a great homemade Christmas gift and is perfect to take to a cookie swap. I love making cookies this time of…
This microwave peanut brittle is simple to make but looks like you made a trip to the candy shop. It comes together in just minutes and tastes amazing. Homemade nut brittle is one of our favorite Christmas recipes. Peanut brittle is not just for the holidays. Keep that taste coming in January, too, by celebrating…
These lemon snowball cookies are snowball-shaped bites of melt-in-your-mouth sweet deliciousness. This snowball cookie recipe is perfect for a cookie swap and will be a cookie recipe that you will love to make each Christmas. These delicate cookies are the perfect choice to make for Bake Cookies Day on December 18. Oh the weather outside…
These cinnamon baked apple slices have a thick brown sugar glaze but is not too sweet, since I used tart Granny Smith apples. Ever since I was a little girl, apples and pork were flavors that I really loved. I often make homemade applesauce to go with a pork dish but for tonight’s dinner, I…
It’s time to welcome autumn with these tips for fall decorations. From easy and simple porch and patio decor and wreaths to table decor, these autumn decor ideas will say hello to the new season in all areas of your home. I love the last change of seasons during the year. The sights and textures…
With the holidays approaching, these Baileys Irish Cream chocolate truffles are the perfect sweet ending to a special meal. Rich, creamy, and very easy to make, they’re perfect for any celebrating or gifting. Made with Bailey’s Irish Cream and a touch of Kahlua, they delight with an irresistible chocolate-coffee flavor. Perfect for holiday gifts—or treating yourself…
No holiday season would be complete without the buttery and crisp taste of a Scottish Shortbread cookie. Biting into crunchy shortbread cookies gives you a light as air texture and taste that just can’t be beat. The cookie is so popular that January 6 has been labeled as National Shortbread Day. Let’s learn how to…
This DIY candy cane vase makes an easy holiday decor project that is as much fun to put together as it is to display. Since it uses poinsettia flowers it goes right along with all your Christmas plants. All you need are some candy canes and a few inexpensive supplies. Grab some peppermint sticks and…
This year, make some Irish Cream Fudge as a part of your Christmas traditions! It is creamy and sweet and has a lovely consistency. This delicious Bailey’s fudge recipe has a surprise addition of coffee for a great flavor. Who doesn’t love the taste of a glass of Bailey’s Irish cream during the holidays? It…
These caramel apple recipes feature the regular toffee apple snack as well as bars, cookies, and other desserts that deliver the fabulous taste of this traditional fall treat. The recipes show that the caramel apple flavor is more than just a snack on a stick. Did you know that October 31 is National Caramel Apple…
This Fall Entryway Makeover takes my front door and entry through from fall and right into Thanksgiving with natural elements and the rustic colors of autumn leaves, pumpkins and more. From the robust colors of the foliage to flowering mums and on to the multitude of pumpkins, Indian corn, and gourds, Fall has it all. …
Are you looking for something fun and whimsical to add to your Halloween party table? This candy corn centerpiece is super easy to make and adds a spooky looking effect very quickly. I don’t know if you are like me, but I love using things found in my yard in Halloween decor projects. It keeps…
This delicious recipe for apple crumble baked apples gives us the best of both desserts – apple crumble and baked apples. It’s the season for all things yummy. Unfortunately, that might mean it is the season for extra pounds too! This yummy dessert has the delicious taste of apple crumble pie with a few slimming…
These home made Popsicle Recipes show that it’s easy to be cool in a tasty way. They are the perfect addition to your collection of cold summer desserts. I also love serving them on the 4th of July for a cool, refreshing treat. Frozen icy pops are a fun and refreshing sweet treat to enjoy during…
These champagne popsicles are a boozy sweet treat that is just for mum and dad though. No kids allowed! I love making popsicles at home! They’re not only easy to make, but also a fun and inexpensive way to beat the summer heat. I’ve seen people placing a Popsicle into a glass of champagne to allow…
August 2 is National Ice Cream Sandwich Day. This delicious almond ice cream sandwich is made from homemade cookies and regular ice cream for a fast and easy summertime dessert. The recipe is a fairly healthy one. It calls for old fashioned oats and egg beaters and keeps the sugar and butter to a minimum without…
It’s time for one of my favorite international dishes – Mexican Chori Pollo. This recipe is full of bold flavors, topped with cheese and baked in the oven for one amazing meal. If you eat at Mexican restaurants often, you will likely have seen Chori Pollo offered as a choice. The dish is similar to…
These Paleo Grilled Pork Chops have an amazing flavor that comes from a marinade before cooking and a sauce that gets added once the chops are grilled. The recipe is summer time cooking at it’s finest. It is one of my favorite gluten free 30 minute meals! One of my favorite things about summer is…
This is hands down my favorite spice rub mix. I use it almost every time we grill steaks. It is a wonderful blend of some of my favorite spices. It keeps well and goes quickly. It is the perfect rub to use on all sorts meats for the grill. It’s barbecue time! Keep reading to…
I thought it would be fun to share this project that shows how easy Re-growing Carrot Greens from carrot scraps is. Earth Day is celebrated every year on April 22. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now remembered in more that 193 countries! When I think of Earth Day, I think of recycling, taking…
It’s time for a change out of my table centerpiece. I love this type of project – gather a few supplies, poke them into the floral foam and voila – a pretty Spring Table centerpiece. My husband made me a centerpiece box to use for Thanksgiving. It graced my dining room table for Thanksgiving and…
This Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Fudge has everything that you want in a fudge recipe. It’s crumbly, peanut buttery, chocolatey, and deliciously tasty! If you like fudge with texture this is, hands down the best-tasting fudge ever! If you love Reese’s peanut butter cups, you will want to dive right into this pan as soon…
Setting up a pretty festive table does not have to be stressful. Just follow these 15 easy holiday party ideas to make entertaining a joy. Entertaining this time of the year is so much fun. It is the time for trimming the tree and decorating the house (don’t forget to use Christmas plants!) It’s also…