Last year I started a new tradition for my family. My oldest daughter was in kindergarten and I wanted to do something special for her teacher as a Christmas present. I really wanted to give her something that was meaningful to us and something she could keep for years to come. I decided my daughter and I would bake her my friend Annette’s famous pound cake in the Emerson Creek Pottery Snowman Loaf Pan and wrap it in colorful plastic wrap all tied up with a bow. I tied a ceramic Snowman Christmas ornament to the ribbon the finish off the present. Her teacher absolutely loved the gift! She said she would remember my daughter every time she uses her loaf pan.

Can you guess what her first grade teacher is getting for Christmas this year? :+)

Walk into any store right now and it is hard to miss the fact that the holidays are in full swing! I love the flavors and smells of this season. Traditions play an important role in bringing back those elements of the holidays. Each year I try to add a few decorative things around my house that bring back old memories and also I add a few new items to keep things fresh. The first place I begin when decorating is with some inexpensive candles. I anxiously get my home “smelling” like the holidays with the warm flicker of candlelight. Pillar candles are a favorite of mine because they can burn for a long time. This year I am using the Emerson Creek Pottery “Cranberry Design” pillar candle holder to display my candles. I just love the look of cranberries this time of year. The decorating possibilities are endless with cranberries. I can choose candles that are cranberry red, evergreen or winter white and all will look great on the Cranberry pillar holders. They also make great hostess gifts if you are looking for something to bring with you to a holiday party. If you love decorating with candles as much as I do, check out Emerson Creek Pottery’s full line of pillar holders.