From Scratch Sugar Cookies

This is a tradition my husband’s family loves and adores and it ISN’T Christmas to them without homemade sugar cookies. The kids get so excited to roll out the dough and can’t contain their enthusiasm as they use half a bottle of sprinklers per cookie, but what’s a little sugar rush before bed on Christmas Eve?

Here’s our families tried and true delicious sugar cookie recipe:

Christmas Roll Out Sugar Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs beaten
3 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup milk

Directions:
Cream butter or margarine and sugar together. Add vanilla and eggs.
In a separate bowl add dry ingredients.
Add in dry ingredients alternatively with milk to your wet ingredients.

Chill for 1-2 hours

Roll out cough dough to approx 3/8″ (be sure to not roll too thin)

Cut into desired shapes and bake at 375 degrees for 10-12 minutes or until barely brown on bottom. Let cool down before icing.

Frosting
1 pound unsalted butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups powder sugar
Splash of milk as needed.
Whip frosting until a smooth consistency, separate into various bowls and add food coloring to desired color

Hand the frosting and sprinkles over to the little people and let them go to town!!

‘Tis the season! There’s honestly just something about Christmas time that feels so calm, even thought it’s the most jam packed month of parties, events, gatherings, to do’s and more. But there’s these moments, like decorating the tree while listening to Christmas music, pausing to capture the grins on my children’s faces that make these season so peaceful. Here’s our favorite Christmas traditions in hopes maybe some will inspire you to start in your own home. 

this tree was gifted by King of Christmas, but as always, all opinions are my own.

Holiday Decor

If you are looking for outdoor decor be sure to check out the grinch printable.

Choosing a Tree Size

The scale of a Christmas Tree is extremely important. You don’t want the tree to seem miniature, but also don’t want it brushing the roof and no room for the star to brightly shine. General rule of thumb is to get a tree that is 1′ lower than your ceiling height, with the exception of a room that has a vaulted ceiling. For example, I have 9′ ceilings that vault as high as 18 feet. I could have gotten a VERY tall 12′ or 15′ tree and placed in the center of the room, but because I wanted it near the lower ceiling of the room I chose a 9′ King Flocked Pre-lit King of Christmas Tree and placed it a few feet from the walls.

Choose a color scheme

Picking a color scheme sets the foundation for your tree. The best part of a color scheme is you can keep the same gorgeous tree year to year, but get entirely different looks with a change in colors. In years past I have opted for gold, silver, and red on a traditional tree, but this year I selected a natural color palate of green, burnt orange, gold, and natural wood/tan tones based off of these glass ornaments.

The green of the glass ornaments reflect beautifully off of white flock.

Be sure to check out all of the gorgeous tree and ornament options at King of Christmas.

Holiday Traditions

Family Holiday Movies

We spend each weekend relaxing on the couch to only the lights glimmering from the Christmas tree and television watching our favorite Christmas movies. Here’s a few we love to watch:

• Home Alone 1 & 2 – I mean is there anything better than watching the bad guys get dominated by an 8 year old?
  The Grinch – Mostly the Jim Carrey version
  Harry Potter the series – these are technically Christmas movies, but they still bring that holiday magic (pun intended). 
  Elf – spaghetti with maple syrup on top & paper snowflakes. Need I say more?
  The Santa Claus – can you tell I’m a creation of the late 80’s early 90’s? Shaken. Not stirred.
  4 Christmases – going to the in laws for Christmas? Or trying to catch a flight away?

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? For more home inspiration and DIY’s be sure to follow along on instagram @honeybuilthome

xo- Christine