Tradition Thursday: It's Eggnog Time!

A La Carte Kitchen

When it comes to holiday culinary traditions, there's really nothing quite as popular as eggnog. We did a little research to find some well-loved eggnog recipes to share with you.

The creators of these recipes say they've spent years perfecting them. If you've never made the homemade stuff, perhaps this is the year to try it for your holiday entertaining!

Amazingly Good Eggnog Recipe

Alton Brown's Eggnog Recipe

Jeffrey Morgenthaler's Eggnog Recipe

Clean Plates' Recipe, with dairy-free and non-alcoholic options

Tradition Thursday: Family Baking Traditions

At The Baker's Bench

It's Tradition Thursday, but instead of a wedding tradition, today we're sharing a family Christmas tradition with you.

Baking together is part of many families' holiday traditions, and this recipe is always part of my family traditions at Christmas. In my grandparents house, my grandfather always does all the cooking and this is one of the recipes I associate with him most. These cookies are perfect for the winter season and I guarantee you will not be able to eat just one! They're great for giving to friends and neighbors, especially if you wrap them up in something festive like this...

Martha Stewart Crafts

Molasses Sugar Cookies

3/4 cup oil or melted shortening

1 cup sugar

Extra sugar for rolling

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. cloves

Beat together oil, sugar, molasses and egg. Add remaining ingredients. Mix well and chill thoroughly. Form into 1" balls. Roll in granulated sugar and place on greased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Do not flatten. Bake at 375 for 8 to 10 minutes.

Ten Tips For Easy Thanksgiving Entertaining

DigsDigs

Thanksgiving is only a week away, so today we're bringing you some simple entertaining tips we've come up with for throwing a great Thanksgiving feast, or any dinner party. Planning ahead will help you stay organized so you can actually enjoy the day alongside your guests!

1) Shop early

There's nothing worse than going to the store the day before Thanksgiving to find that half the ingredients you need for your meal are sold out.

2) Prepare your fridge

Clean out the fridge in the days before Thanksgiving to make room for the meal prep and leftovers.

3) Have appetizers ready

This will keep guests happy and prevent them getting anxious while waiting for the real meal to begin.

4) Plan fun table decor

Whether simple or formal, putting a little extra thought into your table decor will really set the tone for your dinner experience as a special occasion and puts everyone in the holiday mood.

5) Consider using place cards

If you're planning for lots of guests, keep things easy by using place cards for seating.

6) Have a kids table

Put younger kids together for the meal and prep for messes. They'll have much more fun and parents will be able to relax and enjoy the adult company more.

7) Plan for your food presentation

A buffet is definitely the easiest way to go. Think through what the dishes will be served in ahead of time.

8) Use labels

Label the dishes so it's easy for guests to select what they'd like to eat.

9) Have multiple sets of condiments at the table

To avoid the "can you pass the..." question, have things like salt and pepper and cranberry sauce placed in several places on the table.

10) Have plenty of to-go containers on hand

This is an easy way to share leftovers with guests as they're leaving.