Finger Food for New Year's Eve

With a sigh of pure sensual greed, Shelby popped a chilled shrimp into her mouth. 
"I don't know what this is," she murmured, giving a tiny hors d'oeuvre a close study. "Have a taste and tell me." 
Intrigued, Alan bit into the finger food she held to his mouth. 
"Pate wrapped in pastry with a touch of chestnut." 
"Hmm. Okay." Shelby devoured the rest of it. 


All the Possibilities

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Holiday Appetizer Buffet Recipes

Ranging from elegant seafood nibbles to hearty picks like meatballs, hot dips, and deviled eggs, these Christmas appetizer recipes were chosen specifically for this season's most festive gatherings. Find finger buffet ideas for easygoing holiday nibbles-and-sips parties, Christmas appetizer ideas to kick off a grand holiday feast, and more ways to irresistibly celebrate the season, bite by bite.

BHG

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“With a little class. I made fancy hors d‟oeuvres.” 

“Pigs in a blanket?”

 When she laughed, tossing back her head the way she did, he poked her. 

“I like pigs in a blanket.” 

“You‟re not getting them tonight.” 

Happy Ever After

Celebrity-inspired New Year's Eve looks

Then he saw her. And wondered how he could have missed her.

She’d done something to her hair, Jed noted. Piled it up on her head in a tangle of dark, wild curls that looked just on the edge of control. And her eyes, he thought, watching as she gripped one of her companions’ hands and laughed. She’d painted them up so that they looked bigger, deeper, sultry as a gypsy’s. Her lips, which continued to curve as they moved to form words he couldn’t hear, were a bold, daring red.

She’d worn a black-and-silver jumpsuit with a high neck, long sleeves and sleek legs that fit like a second skin and should have been illegal. The silver beads splattered over it caught the stage lights every time she moved, and flashed like lightning.

As she’d known they would, he mused.

Hidden Riches

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By Esra (http://www.sxc.hu/photo/206921) [Copyrighted free use], via Wikimedia Commons

There's no better way to ring in a new year than looking and feeling your best -- which means it's time to choose an outfit!

AOL

What to Wear on New Year's Eve

He did, however, manage to focus on her. She was wearing a dress. 

He supposed the technical term was dress for the skin of hot red painted on her. 

It showed off that tight, athletic body he'd imagined in ways that might have been illegal in several jurisdictions. She'd left her hair down. Black rain to milk-white shoulders. 

Sky-high heels the same color as the dress showcased slim, muscular legs.

She smelled like cool, secret shadows.

"You look amazing."

"I clean up good if the occasion warrants it." 

Northern Lights

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By epSos.de, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27942754

Your Christmas dress is already in the bag but the party’s not over yet because New Year’s Eve is right around the corner. 

And, while we tend to go on about how overrated it is, as one of the biggest party nights of the year what you wear really does matter.

INDEPENDENT

Inspirational Quotes to Ring in the New Year

“Come on, everybody, listen up! 
We got one minute until zero hour, 
so find your significant other—or a handy pair of lips—
and get ready to pucker up for the new year.”

Hidden Riches

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By Magnus Johansson (HAPPY NEW YEAR) [CC BY-SA 2.0 

(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Let these words of wisdom inspire you to have your best year yet.

YAHOO!

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But before he could, Quentin bounded up and swung an arm around each of them. 

“Happy new year, mes enfants. ” 

With a tilt of his head, he pitched his voice so that it flowed like wine over the din.
 “ ‘Ring out the old, ring in the new, Ring, happy bells, across the snow: The year is going, let him go; Ring out the false, ring in the true.’ ”

“Tennyson,” Jed murmured

Hidden Riches

Maintaining a sense of fun and wonder

“Still believe in magic, Faith?” 

She glanced up, and for the first time her smile was completely open, her eyes warm. 

“Yes, of course I do. Especially at Christmastime.”

Home for Christmas

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By Staff Sgt. Timothy Koster [Public domain], 
via Wikimedia Commons

“Maintaining a childlike excitement into adulthood is not only fun 
but it also contributes to the ability to enjoy life and be resilient.”

YAHOO!

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He rubbed his cheek over her hair, looked out at the colored lights gleaming on the houses below. 

“Did you hear something?” he murmured. 

“Mmm.” She held him close, smiled. “Sleigh bells.”

All I Want for Christmas

How to Grieve during the Holidays, 5 minutes at a Time

It took well over an hour as Shane shared her memories about nearly every ornament she unpacked. As she took out a red felt star, she recalled the year she had made it for her grandmother. It brought both a sting and a warmth. She‟d been dreading Christmas. It hadn't seemed possible to celebrate the holiday in that house without the woman who had always shared it with her. Gran would have reminded her that there was a cycle.

First Impressions

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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/

File:Closeup_of_mini-light.JPG#/media/File:Closeup_of_mini-light.JPG

We are feeling, and this is allowed.

YAHOO!

"Happy Christmas. To All of Us."

Christmas Day went by in a blur. 

She tried to imprint specific moments on her mind-Mason's sheer delight in the antique medical bag she'd found him, Harper and Austin squaring off over a foosball table. 

There was Lily's predictable fascination with boxes and wrapping rather than toys, and Hayley's joy in showing off a new pair of earrings. 

She loved seeing Logan sitting cross-legged on the floor, showing Stella's boys-his boys now-the child-sized tools inside the toolboxes he'd made them. 

She wanted to slow the clock down-just for this day, just this one day-but it sped by, from dawn and the excitement of opening gifts, to the candlelight and the lavish meal David prepared and served on her best china. 

Before she knew it, the house was quiet once more. 

She wandered down to take a last look at the tree, to sit alone in the parlor with her coffee and her memories of the day, and all the Christmases before. 

Surprised when she heard footsteps, she looked over and saw her sons. 

"I thought you'd all gone over to Harper's." 

"We were waiting for you to come down," Harper told her. 

"Come down?" 

"You always come down Christmas night, after everyone's gone to bed."

Black Rose

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Christmas can seem so loud with activity and busyness that often times, we aren't really enjoying it.  It can be such an amazing time of the year, if we just allowed ourselves time to be quiet and simply enjoy the season with family.

JOY IN THE HOME

It’s time to unwrap the Christmas image

She would go away, she decided, and forced herself to move. She would pack a bag, toss it in the car and drive until she felt like stopping. She’d take a couple of days. Hell, she’d take a week. She couldn’t bear to stay here alone through the holidays. For the next ten minutes, she tossed things into a suitcase without any plan or sense of order. Now that the decision was made, she only wanted to move quickly. She closed the lid on the suitcase, carried it into the living room and started for her coat.

The knock on her door had her clenching her teeth. If one more well-meaning neighbor stopped by to wish her Merry Christmas and invite her to dinner, she was going to scream.

All I Want for Christmas

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Y

ou may not notice it, but at this time of year there is a question that runs around like a headless turkey: “How many people are you having over for Christmas lunch?” Those of us who do not want to be judged for the lack of dinner plates around the festive table, usually answer: “Oh, we’re having a quiet one.”

GUARDIAN

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"I'm just on my way home to pick up my bags. I wish you'd change your mind and come with me. You know you're welcome." She lifted a brow. "And I know Grandpa has been nagging you for weeks to come up for the holidays."

"I appreciate it, but I can't. Besides, I'm not a family-gathering type. Christmas is for kids and families."

She shook her head. "You didn't even put up a tree."

"You bought me that ugly little ceramic one."

"It's not ugly, it's tacky. That's entirely different." She wanted so much to ask him again, to find the right words to persuade him to spend Christmas with her, to be part of her life. But she'd resolved to make do and accept what she had. "I'll miss you."

"You'll be surrounded by people." He smiled a little as he stood up. "Hordes of MacGregors, even the thought of which unnerves me. You won't have time to miss me."

"I'll miss you anyway." She kissed him lightly. She pulled a brightly wrapped box out of her pocket, handed it to him.

"What's this?"

"A present. It's traditional. I want you to open it Christmas morning."

"Look, I don't have—"

"Royce, say thank-you."

Though he was as miserable as he'd been in his life, he made his lips curve. "Thank you."

"Now say Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas, Slim."

"I'll see you in a few days." She hurried out, telling herself it was the sentiment of the season that misted her eyes.

Laura

@The MacGregor Brides

Favorite thing about the holiday: "I love knowing what's coming."

Christmas Eve was the most beautiful day in the year as far as Natasha was concerned. It was a time to celebrate life and love and family.

The house was quiet when she came in. She was drawn to the tree and the light. She sent an angel spinning on one branch, then turned to study the room.

On the table there was a papier-mâché reindeer with only one ear. Compliments of Freddie's second-grade art class. Beside it stood a pudgy snowman holding a lantern. An exquisite porcelain crèche was displayed on the mantel. Beneath it hung four stockings. A fire crackled in the grate.

Taming Natasha

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I Lived Like I Was in a Hallmark Christmas Movie for a Week

Best Christmas Cookies of All Time

He was only sneaking downstairs to scarf up some cookies. How was a guy supposed to sleep when there were a million cookies in the house?

The Quinn's Christmas 

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If these don't convince Santa to hand over the goods, nothing will. 

GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

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"I thought you were cut off from the cookie supply."

"That was yesterday." Needing to brazen it out, Seth plucked one out, bit it. 

"It's after midnight, so it's today."

"Good point."

The Quinn's Christmas

Feelings and Quotes

 In the front window, the grand tree showered light within and without. 

Beneath it, presents were heaped in shiny mountains. 

Between the  songs, there were stories, and through both there was laughter. 

But oddly, Aidan felt there was something yet missing.

Christmas at Ardmore

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As they flew over the cliffs in a night that had turned brilliant, Aidan felt the last piece slide into place. 

"There now, it's perfect, isn't it?"

He took Jude's hand, brought it to his lips. 

"Happy Christmas. To all of us."

Christmas at Ardmore

Letters to Santa From Kids

Dear Santa, 

We have been good. 

Zeke wanted to put in very good, but Zack, the conscience, rejected the idea. 

All I Want for Christmas

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By Archives New Zealand from New Zealand - Letter to Santa, CC BY-SA 2.0, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=51248704

Every year, kids all over the world write letters to Santa Claus wishing him a Merry Christmas, listing their holiday gift wishes, and well, asking and telling him things that only hilarious kids could think of. From commenting on his appearance to ratting out their parents who say they "can't have a dog," these letters to Saint Nick are going to make you laugh out loud.

MSN

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You have lots of time to find the mom and make the biks so you can enjoi the hollidays. Thank you. Love, Zeke and Zack.

All I want for Christmas

Lies about Santa? They could be good for your child

“It’s her.” He hissed it to his brother, rapping Zeke hard in the ribs. 

“Who?” 

“It’s the mom.” Zeke stopped playing with the action figure he’d had stuck in his pocket 
and looked up onstage, where Nell was now directing the alto section. 

“Kim’s teacher is the mom?”

“She has to be.” Deadly excited, Zeke kept his voice in a conspiratorial whisper. 

“Santa’s had enough time to get the letter. She was singing a Christmas song, 
and she’s got yellow hair and a nice smile. She likes little boys, too. I can tell.”

“Maybe.” Not quite convinced, Zeke studied Nell. 

She was pretty, he thought. And she laughed  a lot, even when some of the big kids 
made mistakes. But that didn’t mean she liked dogs or baked cookies. 

“We can’t know for sure yet.” 

Zack huffed out an impatient breath. “She knew us. She knew which was which. Magic.” 

His eyes were solemn as he looked at his brother. 

“It’s the mom.” 

“Magic,” Zeke repeated, and stared,  goggle-eyed, at Nell. 

“Do we have to wait till Christmas to get her?” 

“I guess so. Probably.” 

That was a puzzle Zack would have to work on.

All I Want for Christmas

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By kodomo no tomo - kodomo no tomo, Public Domain, 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3137790

Developmental psychology suggests that fantastical beliefs in children are associated with positive developmental outcomes. 

And parents need not worry, children will bust the Santa myth themselves, when the time is right.

THE CONVERSATION

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Just the bikes, Dad, they told him. 

Santa’s making them, and he’s taking care of the big present. 

What big present? Mac wondered. 
No interrogation, no tricks, had pulled out that particular answer. 
For once his kids were closed up tight. 

That was an idea that disturbed him. 
He knew that in another year, two if he was lucky, they’d begin to question 
and doubt the existence of Santa and magic. 

The end of innocence. 

Whatever it was they were counting on for Christmas morning, 

he wanted to see that they found it under the tree.

All I Want for Christmas

The world's ultimate snowmen

“Mom and I are going to build a snowman. She says Christmas snowmen are the best. You can help.”

Home for Christmas

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The internet has curated some of the most creative ideas when it comes to ice figures with wow-factor

DAILYMAIL

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“We need carrots and scarves and stuff.” 

“I’ll take care of it.” 

With a grin Clara gulped down chocolate. 

“And hats?” 

“And hats.” 

A snowball hit the kitchen window. Clara was up like a shot. 

“There she is. Gotta go. Come soon, Mom. You make the best.”

Home for Christmas 

It's Soup and Stew Time

Then settle down with her leftover soup and read the evening away.

For her, it encompassed a perfect weekend.

“I think action/adventure with a comedy to follow,” she said to Bert as she

gave the soup another stir. “And wine. The chief of police was right. It’s a very

nice one.”

The Witness

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25+ Hearty Soups and Stews to Make This Winter

COUNTRY LIVING

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He followed her, and the cooking smells, back to the kitchen.

“It’s a good night for soup and a fire,” he commented, hoping he’d get a share

of both. “We may get a little frost tonight.”

The Witness

Driving Home For Christmas

What ten years hadn’t changed was what was inside.

He was still looking for roots, for his place.

That was why he was heading back to Quiet Valley.

The road still twisted and turned through the woods, up the mountains and down again, as it had when he’d headed in the opposite direction on a Greyhound. Snow covered the ground,smooth here, bumpy there where it was heaped over rocks. In the sunlight, trees shimmered with it. 

Had he missed it?

He’d spent one winter in snow up to his waist in the Andes. He’d spent another sweltering in Africa. The years ran together, but oddly enough, Jason could remember every place he’d spent Christmas over the last ten years, though he’d never celebrated the holiday. The road narrowed and swept into a wide curve. He could see the mountains, covered with pines and dusted with white. 

Yes, he’d missed it.

Home for Christmas

_________________

Driving in my car
I'm driving home for Christmas
Driving home for Christmas
With a thousand memories

I take look at the driver next to me
He's just the same
Just the same