Dreaming of a White Christmas

Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog

I once read that we imagine Christmas as snowy thanks to Charles Dickens. All of his Christmas stories feature a cold, snowy Christmas season, even though the holiday is only a few days into winter – and rarely sees more than a slight dusting of snow in reality. Scholars think this is because Dickens’ childhood took place during an unusually cold decade and he grew up seeing more Christmases with a heavy blanket of snow than not.

When I first learned this fact, it remind me of my own childhood, growing up in the snow belt of Southern Ontario. It was normal for us to get a few big snow storms in November, I even remember having snow ball fights with my brother on his birthday at the end of October, and have that snow stick around and build through March and sometimes into April. My mom had a running joke about dreaming of a green Christmas and I remember wondering what that would be like, since I had only known white Christmases. As a teenager, the snow seemed lighter, but it was still always there. Then I moved to where I live now in the Niagara Region microclimate where most Christmases are brown and a snowfall before January is highly unusual. Sure driving is safer and there’s no shovelling to do, but I find myself missing the snow very much at Christmastime. There is just something so magical about a soft, fresh, downy blanket of snow covering the houses with colourful Christmas light glowing from underneath and the way the city seems so quiet and still before people have left their warm homes and covered the snow in footprints.

That’s why I was so excited when we got a big snow storm last week! It’s nearly all melted away now, but I made sure to get out and enjoy as much of it as I could while it was here, starting with grabbing my camera and heading out the morning after the storm to capture the city all done up for Christmas.

Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Dreaming of a White Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog

All photos by me.

Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon & Black Tea

Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog

I started experimenting with hot toddy recipes for the first time when the weather turned cold. They’ve been so nice to come home to after taking the puppy for her evening walk on the weekends. Although less traditional, I like to use bourbon over whiskey, rye or brandy because there’s just something so Christmas-y about bourbon to me. I also use black tea instead of plain, old, hot water for added flavour and fortitude.

Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Ingredients

  • 1½ oz bourbon
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • fresh brewed black tea
  • cinnamon stick

For Garnish:

  • lemon slice
  • 3 whole cloves

Method

  1. Add bourbon, honey and lemon juice to an 8 oz mug.
  2. Top up with hot black tea.
  3. Stir well with cinnamon stick. (Serve with or without stick.)
  4. Pierce lemon slice with cloves, slit part way up the middle, and hang over the side of the mug. (I found it easier to pierce before cut and after making a small slit with a paring knife.)

Classic Hot Toddy with Bourbon and Black Tea | Sophster-Toaster Blog

All photos by me.

Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt

Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog

I don’t usually design pieces so obviously for specific holiday but when I saw this cocktail harlequin fabric, I couldn’t resist. It’s so cheery and festive without being completely over the top; the print designer says she was inspired by vintage wrapping paper. I knew it would be just darling as glamorous tea length skirt – and I lined it in soft pink voile, to make it even more charming. The whole time I was making the sample, I couldn’t help but get excited for dark nights, Christmas lights, snow and hot toddies. I’m so glad I decided to add this festive little number to my design repertoire.

Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Sweater H&M
Skirt Sophster-Toaster
Petticoat ModCloth
Tights Pretty Polly
Shoes ModCloth
Necklace Emery & Opal

Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog Martinis & Mistletoe Skirt | Sophster-Toaster Blog

All photos by me.

The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift

The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Never show up empty handed. It may be cliche, but it’s a great motto to follow – especially around the holidays when everyone is working extra hard to make their celebrations special. Bringing along a little something to thank your host for all the time, money and effort they put into throwing the best party of the year is a big deal. Finding the perfect hostess gift can be tricky but when done right, the gesture appears elegant and effortless.

The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Here are some of the tips I like to follow:

For Giving
  • Find a gift that is small so it can be easily accepted by a host who has their hands full, literally or figuratively.
  • Get them a gift that suits the scale of the party. Giving your host something expensive or unexpected may stress them at an already taxing time.
  • Wrap the gift lightly or not at all, they will be busy with their hosting duties.
  • Get them something that can be used right away or for future entertaining.
  • Bring a unique gift – a person only needs so many bouquets and bottles of wine –  but don’t go too crazy. A fun tea towel, a fancy bar tool or an indulgent snack in pretty packaging are all safe bets.
  • Don’t know if gift-giving is appropriate? A sincere and gracious “thank you for having me” is all you need to give your host.
For Receiving
  • Open each gift shortly after receiving it and not in front of other guests: hostess gifts are nice, but not required.
  • Thank your gift-giving guests when you receive their gifts, thank you notes are not necessary.
  • If a guest brings wine, scotch, etc, try to open and serve it at the party. Obviously, this becomes impossible if everyone brings wine but you can leave unopened bottles out to show intent. If a bottle doesn’t get opened, invite the guest over another time to enjoy it with you or simply text them a picture of you enjoying it alone.

The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift | Sophster-Toaster Blog The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift | Sophster-Toaster Blog The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift | Sophster-Toaster Blog The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift | Sophster-Toaster Blog The Etiquette of the Hostess Gift | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Dress Sophster-Toaster
Top H&M
Tights Target
Shoes ModCloth
Necklace old

All photos by me.