Let It (Sugar) Snow

With Christmas only a few days away, I bet you’ve already trimmed your tree. But, with a quick trip to the grocery or a sweep of your kitchen, you can gather the simple ingredients to quickly craft fantastic winter accents.

FROSTED ROSEMARY & CRANBERRIES

Green boughs and bright red berries covered in a light, fresh frost easily conjure holiday thoughts. You can create this look with 4 inexpensive ingredients:
 

1. Water
2. Sugar
3. Rosemary
4. Cranberries

Sugared rosemary and cranberries aside a Yule Log dessert.
Concept adapted from and photo courtesy of one of my
favorite magazines, The Local Palate.

• Make a simple syrup using 3/4 cup of sugar and 1/2 cup of water. Bring to a boil and set aside to cool.
• Cover a shallow dish with sugar. Next to the sugar dish, place a baking sheet covered in parchment paper.
• Drop a fresh sprig of rosemary into the cooled syrup, turning to ensure it’s lightly coated. Remove with a slotted spoon and place into the sugar.
• Roll the rosemary sprig in the sugar to coat it evenly on all sides and place the sprig on the parchment paper to dry.
• Repeat with additional rosemary and cranberries.

 

I love this accent because the supplies are fresh and edible – meaning they make great garnishes for cakes, desserts and place settings.

SUGAR SNOW

This one is about as easy as it sounds. Sugar makes an excellent snow stand-in when creating a holiday centerpiece. Simply fill a glass bowl or vase of your choice with sugar and then dress it up with an endless assortment of items.

One of my recent creations. This inexpensive glass bowl becomes
elegant table decor whenyou add sugar and a miniature
tree from the local craft store.

 

• Fresh or fake greenery
• Candles (try anchoring a simple white taper in the sugar for an elegant look)
• Make a terrarium with small birds, trees, pinecones and other items from your local craft store

Here's a sparkly and minty winter terrarium, courtesy of Sew Can Do.

Wherever you live and wherever you roam this holiday season, if you want snow, now you can create your own winter wonderland inside.

Cheers!