Make fun the star of the party this year

While covid is sadly far from gone, life is returning to ‘normal’ for many. This includes some returning to the office and workplace social events coming back. Keen to reconnect with colleagues and celebrate the festive season, it’s no surprise that Christmas parties are high on the agenda at work.

Also high on the agenda for some is alcohol, with many social events at work revolving around bars and drinking. Workplace drink culture is rife within certain industries, making it feel like you need to join in to progress in your career.

To change this requires a full culture change at work, which sounds daunting, but perhaps it can start with a small action. Celebrating the festive season with activities that don’t centre alcohol could be an incredible first step.

Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Ice skating

Definitely an activity that benefits from sober participants, ice skating is a fun way to come together, have a go at something new and indulge in all those festive feels. After your skate you can find a spot to grab a hot chocolate and catch up with your colleagues.

2. Christmas markets

An activity the Happiful team recently enjoyed and one we can highly recommend is a trip to a Christmas market. Sure, mulled wine and ciders are likely available, but so are hot chocolates, coffees and other non-alcoholic tipples. Take a wander around the stalls, enjoy a tasty snack (our team went for crepes and churros!) and soak up the atmosphere.

3. Pawsitive cafe

Got some office dogs who want to join the festive fun? Try the Pawsitive cafe in Notting Hill (or your own local dog-friendly cafe). Pawsitive cafe in particular is not only welcoming of pups, it’s designed with mental wellbeing in mind too. From the positive affirmations and decor to the therapeutic activities on offer (including decorating tree ornaments) it’s bound to spark joy for all.

4. Wreath making

Another activity coming up on Happiful’s calendar (we’re spoiled, what can we say) is wreath making. This is a fun and creative way to spend an afternoon with colleagues and you get to leave with a beautiful wreath to hang on your door.

5. Cookery class

If crafts aren’t your thing, what about a cooking or baking class? You could learn to make your favourite festive treat, gather round afterwards and eat your creations while sharing reflections on the year with your team-mates. Delicious.

6. Volunteering day

Keen to support others this festive period? Organising a work volunteer day could be a lovely way to do it. You could support a local cause, spend time creating care packages, host a charity drive to raise money or send presents to those in need. Take a look at Reach Volunteering for more ideas.

7. Escape room/murder mystery party

For teams who love a good brain-teaser, why not head to an escape room or host a murder mystery party? This is a great way to get everyone involved in a unique celebration you’ll be talking about f

Christmas Cookie Recipes Roundup

I’m pretty sure Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without all the Christmas cookie recipes. Ok, that isn’t true because all you really need for Christmas is Jesus, but that’s a whole different post. I’m going to let my stomach do the talking here and say that Christmas needs baking and cookies.

What are the Christmas cookies you remember from your childhood? Which ones does your family love now? I absolutely love the memories that come with the holidays that center on certain recipes. We are going to cover everything here — from the cutout sugar cookies that you frost with the kiddos to the gingerbread men that will be your most favorite Christmas cookie of all time. 

Gingerbread Cookies

I’m over here squealing because gingerbread is my favorite. I mean, is there anything that screams Christmas more than the smell of gingerbread filling the house? Heaven, people! Heaven!

Chewy Gingerbread Man Cookies

This is it. The best. My favorite. It is Christmas the minute these hit my mouth. I guarantee they are going to become your favorite too. They are perfectly spiced and so chewy. And that glaze is everything!

Gingerbread Man Sandwich Cookies

My kids love making these gingerbread sandwich cookies. The cookies are soft and chewy and they are filled with a creamy filling. And the M&Ms buttons are the cutest touch.

Tart cranberries and sweet apples are baked inside a brown sugar and oat crisp for a perfect not-to-sweet cranberry apple crisp.

Cranberry Apple Crisp

Old fashioned apple crisp has long been a stand by recipe for me. One that works for any occasion and no one seems to turn down, especially if it is warm and I add vanilla ice cream.

Take your apple crisp, add a bag of cranberries, yes an entire bag. Because who wants just a half cup of leftover berries floating around their fridge? And there you have it, a perfect cranberry apple crisp.

Well, that’s almost all there is to it. I do like tart things, but the crisp does need some sugar mixed with the fruit to help those cranberries.

I am always curious, who peels their apples for crisp? I admit I do not anymore. They cook down nicely and I am good with skipping that step. No one in my family seems to notice that I have started doing that.

I know cranberries are only available fresh in the late fall and early winter time frame but finding ways to enjoy them year-round has been my personal mission. Lucky for everyone they freeze extremely easily.

And to make it even easier, there’s nothing special to it. Just toss the bag in your freezer. I have found that frozen and fresh are quite interchangeable. There isn’t a recipe I have written yet that you can’t swap fresh for frozen and vice versa.

Apple Cranberry Crisp

Not only is cranberry apple crisp delicious to eat I am in love with the bright red festive color of the berries contrasted by the white apple slices. To assemble your crisp toss the cranberries and apple slices with your sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

In fruit crisps I don’t always use cornstarch, however, it does help

While we always hope the holidays will be relaxed and joyful, stress can show up as we navigate family dynamics, financial strains, and societal pressure. Here we share some ideas to help you find mindful moments so you can return to calm

1. Wrapping gifts

Whether you love or loathe gift wrapping, there are a few things we can do to make it more a mindful. Dim the lights, play some holiday music, pour a glass of your favourite festive tipple. As you wrap, take a moment to feel the texture of the paper, notice the colours of the bows, and the delicious sound your scissors make when cutting. Go slow and lose yourself in the process.

2. Going for a winter walk

Heading outside when it’s cold may not seem appealing, but there’s magic to be found on winter walks. Wrap up in your favourite coat, scarf, hat, and gloves. Pull on some boots with good grip to navigate any icy patches, and make your way outside.

Notice the way the bracing air feels as it hits your skin. Look out for interesting patterns, perhaps there are footprints in snow or some particularly pleasing brick-work. Listen out for birds singing, squirrels scurrying, and trees swaying in the wind. If you’re in a city, can you hear snippets of conversations on the breeze?

3. Making hot chocolate

Having a mindful moment is all about doing something slowly and with intention. With this in mind, making a hot chocolate can become a ritual. Use your favourite mug (the bigger the better in our opinion) and use your senses to explore every step of creation, from warming the milk and adding the chocolate, to finishing with a flurry of marshmallows.

If possible, take some time to sip it slowly, noticing the flavour with each mouthful. While drinking, cosy up with a good book, listen to a calming playlist, or simply look out the window and take a moment to be fully present.

4. Lighting a festive aromatherapy candle

Aromatherapy is a simple yet effective way to make any moment more mindful, as it triggers our sense of smell and pulls us into the here and now. Look for warming and fresh scents such as nutmeg, pine, frankincense, cinnamon, orange, or clove.

Use your candle as a way to signal relaxation time, perhaps after you finish work for the day, or when the kids are tucked up in bed. Light the candle and pause for a moment to watch the flame (you could even try a candle meditation) and notice the scent, taking slow, deep breaths.

Dark Chocolate Coconut Fudge is filled with sweet, chewy bits of coconut and then topped with a generous sprinkling of coconut.

Coconut Fudge

Talk about a seriously crunchy, chewy, chocolate-y fudge that will have you coming back for just a sliver more all night long. I enjoy sweets but can usually resist, as long as I get it out of my house quickly. Until I made this coconut fudge.

Have I mentioned before that coconut is my kryptonite? It makes me weak and destroys every ounce of sense: as evidenced by The Best Ever Coconut Pound Cake that I could easily polish off single-handed.

When you combine generous amounts of coconut with creamy dark chocolate fudge, it’s guaranteed to be an irresistible holiday treat.

Coconut Candy

I can not resist the fun of melting chocolate and transforming it into holiday fudge in just minutes! When I think back on all the times I stirred and stirred and stirred with a candy thermometer at my side while I made fussy candy recipes, I just think “never again.”

I love spending time in the kitchen and I enjoy making holiday treats, but I can make 6 different kinds of fudge in the time it takes to stir together one old-fashioned batch! You don’t have to tell Grandma this isn’t her family recipe.

Want a peek at this year’s quick and easy candy making? Chocolate Pecan Fudge, White Chocolate Caramel Fudge, and Peanut Butter Oreo Fudge are all great 5 Minute Fudge recipes! 

There I go getting distracted by all the fudge again. For this recipe, I love stirring in toasted coconut. Toasting the coconut for this isn’t required, but it will add an additional bit of crunch to the fudge and to the topping.