We’ve got plenty of Christmas decoration ideas to get you started—all of which can make you happy, help you connect with the neighbors, and bring some (literal) light to the winter gloom. And if you’re planning on some Christmas DIY projects, why not get a head start in the summer months? Christmas music is always acceptable, no matter the season. So bust out the ornaments, throw a batch of Christmas cookies in the oven, and start decorating....

Awesome Front Entry Ideas Shelving for Every Room Tip: Fiberglass frames are usually found with black exteriors and white interiors. Paint the interior black (primer plus two coats of paint) to get this look. 16 Open Kitchen Floor Plans Primary Bedroom Inspiration

Tomato Basil-Pesto Sauce: Whisk in 1/2 cup Pesto alla Genovese (see recipe) into the pasta sauce. Taste and add more if desired.Nutrition Analysis: 89 calories, 2 g protein, 6 g carb., 7 g total fat (1 g sat. fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 12% Vitamin A, 11% Vitamin C, 165 mg sodium, 5% calcium, 7% iron Garlic-Robusto Sauce: Add 2 to 3 tablespoon of garlic oil (see Caramelized garlic recipe) and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper....

1 cup sifted powdered sugar ½ teaspoon almond extract 1 tablespoon milk Food coloring (optional)

2 ½ cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt ½ cup shortening ¼ cup butter, cut up, or shortening ½ cup ice water

1 tablespoon olive oil ¼ cup finely chopped onion 1 8 ounce can tomato sauce 2 tablespoon tomato paste 1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 teaspoon honey or heat-stable granular sugar substitute (Splenda)

1 large sweet onion, chopped (1 cup) 1 tablespoon cooking oil ½ cup salad oil ½ cup cider vinegar 1 tablespoon honey ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

12 ounce fresh blackberries (about 2 1/2 cups) 1 ½ tablespoon snipped fresh rosemary ¾ cup water ¼ cup sugar Big Batch: In a punch bowl combine 3 cups of the bourbon, 2/3 cup lemon juice, and one recipe of the Blackberry-Rosemary Syrup. Add 4 cups chilled sparkling lemonade. Garnish with frozen blackberries, if desired. Makes about 12 servings, each 5 oz.

4 avocados, halved, seeded, peeled, and coarsely mashed 1 medium tomato, chopped ¼ cup finely chopped onion 1 jalapeno, seeded, finely chopped 1 tablespoon minced garlic (6 cloves) 1 teaspoon shredded lime peel 2 tablespoon lime juice ½ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper ⅛ teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce

Highlights: Won Campaign Strategy of the Year, 2019 at the ThinkTank Network Awards

1 ¼ cup buttermilk 1 egg yolk 2 tablespoon melted butter 1 cup Buckwheat Pancake Mix 1 egg white

Tips Prefer pumpkin? Substitute canned pumpkin for the butternut squash. Not a fan of gingersnaps? Try graham crackers instead. Want to make it gluten free? Use gluten-free gingersnaps in the crust.