Category: Holidays Page 13 of 14

One of the best parts of Easter – like any other holiday, really – has to be the food. Whether or not your family celebrates with a big Easter dinner, we’d bet that everyone around your table will enjoy some special springtime desserts.

Try one of these recipes for an excellent addition to the chocolate bunnies and jelly beans that the Easter bunny brings. And don’t forget to snap some pictures of your beautiful creation to display on your Nixplay WiFi Cloud Digital Frame!

Lemon Cheesecake Morning Buns from Willow Bird Baking

via Willow Bird Baking

Nothing says springtime like the bright, citrusy flavor of lemon – and adding in cheesecake just makes everything even better.

While they’re called “morning buns,” they’ll be just as welcome on the dessert table. They’re light and fluffy, filled with tangy cream cheese filling and topped with a lemon glaze.

Mini Strawberry Tarts from Southern Living 

via My Recipes 

These pretty little tarts, with their bright red strawberries and white filling, will make for a beautiful presentation on your Easter table.

The recipe calls for pistachio pastry crust, which is no doubt delicious – but if you’re pressed for time, we bet you could use some pre-made mini pie crusts and no one would know the difference.

Carrot Cake with Salted Caramel-Cream Cheese Frosting from Betty Crocker 

via Betty Crocker

If you need a decadent, impressive dessert to display when family and friends come over for Easter brunch, this carrot cake with salted caramel-cream cheese frosting is the one for you.

Four layers high and finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce, this cake is not only food photo-worthy, but also completely delicious. Perhaps the best part is that is uses a box of cake mix as the base, so it’s easier to put together than it looks.

Chocolate Zucchini Cakes from Southern Living

via My Recipes

There’s nothing like adding a vegetable to your dessert to make you feel less guilty about eating it (see: carrot cake!). The best part about these intense chocolate zucchini cakes is that you’ll never know there’s anything healthy in them.

These cakes are rich, moist, and chocolatey, and covered with an incredible sour cream fudge frosting. They’re perfect for those Easter guests who don’t buy into the idea that springtime desserts must be light and citrusy.

Bunny Cookie Pops from Bakerella

via Bakerella

If you’ve got children who will be joining you for Easter, why not make these adorable bunny cookie pops? Better yet, let the kids help!

For this recipe, you’ll need white and pink candy wafers, a bunny candy mold, M&Ms or other candies for decoration, Oreos, and lollipop sticks. They’re easy, fun to decorate, and a definite eye-catcher.

Simple Easter Bunny Sugar Cookies from SheKnows

via SheKnows

Who says sugar cookies are only for Christmastime?

Use either homemade or storebought sugar cookie dough, roll it out, cut out some bunny shapes, and pop them in the oven. Once they’re done and cooled, decorate them with icing, chocolate candies, jelly beans – whatever your (or your children’s) heart desires.

Homemade Peanut Butter Eggs from food.com

via Food.com

You don’t need to run to the store for a chocolate peanut butter egg fix. You can make your own right at home with just peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, milk, chocolate chips, and shortening.

Mix up the peanut butter filling by combining peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, and milk and mold the resulting dough into egg shapes. Freeze the eggs for one hour. Then create your chocolate coating by melting the chocolate chips and shortening together, and dip your frozen eggs into the chocolate.

You can decorate them with sprinkles, candies, or royal icing.

Easter is a wonderful time to share delicious treats with friends. For more fun Easter ideas, check out our post “6 Fun Alternatives to Dyeing Easter Eggs.”

It’s never too early to start planning your spring break vacation – especially if you’re an avid traveler or photographer.

Once you’re out of college, it’s not the party-heavy, crowded beach towns that tend to catch your fancy. Instead, spring break becomes a chance to relax, regroup, and get away from it all – preferably with some beautiful views of nature mixed in.

Here’s our pick for the most scenic and relaxing spots to spend your spring break this year.

Lisse, Holland

Holland is beautiful at any time of year, but the springtime is when you absolutely must visit. This is when you can see those iconic fields of brightly colored tulips stretching as far as the eye can see.

The Keukenof in Lisse is a world-famous garden and destination for travelers from around the world. It’s only open between March and May, so make sure you check the exact dates you want to travel to ensure you’ll be able to visit. And whether you take your photos on a DSLR camera or your smartphone, don’t run the risk of a dead battery. Those tulips make for some incredible photos.

The Grand Canyon, U.S.

Beat the summer crowds and see this awe-inspiring natural wonder in the spring, when daytime temperatures are pleasant and nights are cool (even cold).

Airfare and hotel rates should be a bit lower, and if you explore some of the areas around the Grand Canyon, you’ll see the beautiful desert flowers that appear seemingly overnight in an otherwise harsh landscape.

Washington, D.C.

If you haven’t seen D.C.’s cherry trees when they explode into pink clouds of blossoms each spring, then a trip to the country’s capital is in order.

The annual Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled around when the blossoms are expected to bloom, but it’s not an exact science, of course, so check to see if any changes have been made in the weeks before you go.

You’ll be in good company – more than 1 million people travel to D.C. each year for the festival – but we think it’s worth it to get a photo of you and the family surrounded by beautiful pink blossoms.

Vancouver

For a Canadian city, Vancouver in the springtime has surprisingly mild weather, with most days in the 50s (Fahrenheit, that is).

Spring in Vancouver is not only mild, it’s beautiful too, as the city’s many parks begin to come alive again with flowers and greenery. There are festivals galore to keep you entertained, and hotel rooms are reasonably priced, as high season isn’t until summer.

Kauai, Hawaii

Any season in Hawaii is beautiful to an almost otherworldly degree, but springtime can be exceptional. Kauai, particularly, is known for its breathtaking scenery: high green cliffs, huge tropical flowers, and the grand Waimea Canyon, which is like a tropical Grand Canyon.

No photograph can do justice to the scenery here, but you’ll be tempted to try your best. As you’ll be taking mostly nature shots here, you may want to consider a lightweight tripod. This will help you get those wide-angle, deep perspective images that are so ideal for nature photography.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

If you’re a nature lover who can’t get all the way to Hawaii this spring, Jackson Hole is an excellent decision that’s a bit closer to home.

If you go in early March, you may still be able to hit the ski slopes that this town is known for – but if the snow isn’t cooperating, you’ve got plenty of hikes, canoe trips, and other outdoor excursions to take up your time.

It’s a lovely place for photographers, too. While you’re there, why not try snapping photos of the mountain scenery on horseback?

Spring is a wonderful time to travel, even though most of us schedule our vacations during the summer. Just make sure to share your photos with loved ones via the Nixplay app – it’s a great way to stay connected to family, no matter how far apart you may be.

If you’re planning a romantic trip, for Valentine’s Day or any other time of the year, you’ve got a lot to think about.

You want to make sure that the destination you’re traveling to is beautiful and serene, not crawling with tourists.

You want it to be a place your partner will love.

And you want it to have enough restaurants, sights, and natural attractions that you’re not stuck in your hotel room the entire time – unless, of course, you want to be.

The places on this list meet all those criteria. One of them is bound to be the perfect destination for you and your love. Just make sure you snap a few cute couples’ selfies to remember your trip by!

San Francisco

The City by the Bay is hard to beat for romance, what with its incredible bay views, unique architecture, and proximity to natural wonders like the redwood forest of Muir Woods, just 16 miles from the city.

You’ll have no trouble finding great restaurants for a romantic meal, whether it’s Valentine’s Day or not. But if you want to really take advantage of San Francisco, opt for a picnic in one of the many parks – Golden Gate Park, the Palace of Fine Arts, and John McLaren Park are some of the most often recommended.

Asheville, NC

If a quiet cabin in the woods is your idea of a romantic getaway, look no further than Asheville, N.C. This mountain town is not only in the middle of vast swaths of protected forest, it’s also home to the major historic attraction the Biltmore Estate and the storied Grove Park Inn.

The Biltmore, an 8,000 acre estate and the largest private home in the country, was built by George Vanderbilt and today hosts tours as well as romantic special events.

The Inn hosts one of the best luxury brunch buffets in the Southeast, and has a world-class spa as well. It’s perfect for a romantic couples’ weekend. Bonus point for literary buffs: F. Scott Fitzgerald lived at the inn for two summers in 1935 and 1936.

Paris

What isn’t romantic about Paris? The City of Lights can give any couple plenty of opportunity for romance, from boat rides on the Seine, to lavish candlelit dinners, to evening strolls on the Champs-Elysees.

But for something more unique, visit the often-overlooked Musee de Montmartre, or rent a rowboat for a row down the Grand Canal at Versailles.

New York

Like Paris, New York is replete with romantic offerings for couples who want to get away for a bit. If you and your partner are urbanites at heart, you can’t go wrong here.

Museums like MoMA, the Guggenheim, and the Met, and the countless theater and performance events that run daily will give any couple an endless list of activities to enjoy together. End your evening with a romantic dinner or drink at one of the city’s high-end restaurants and a stroll through the High Line, the trendy park that stands on a disused railroad spur on the Lower West Side.

Romance can be found anywhere if you’re with the one you love – but it never hurts to get out of town for a bit and enjoy a new place together. Make sure you remember your special trips by taking some romantic photos. For more ideas on how celebrate love this Valentine’s Day, read our post “The Best Valentine’s Day Photo Gift Ideas.”

With the kids out of school, you’ve probably found yourself at a loss for ideas to occupy their time at least once or twice.

Luckily, there are plenty of fun, easy DIY crafts that you can do with your children that will let you spend quality time together, while making your home more festive. Here are a few of our favorites.

Candy Cane Garland

If you’ve got old paint chips lying around that you’re not going to be using again, use them to create a candy cane garland.

Trace candy cane shapes on them and let kids cut them out. Then use a hole punch and twine to string them together.

via Real Simple

Cookie Cutter Ornaments

These stylish cookie cutter ornaments are perfect crafts for older kids who are handy with scissors. With some inexpensive aluminum cookie cutters, festive paper, photographs, and glue, you can turn these out in a matter of minutes. They make lovely additions to gifts, too.

via Martha Stewart

Tiny Wreaths

Making wreaths you can hang on the door may be a great craft for you, but it can be a little much for the kids.

Instead, help them make a kid-sized wreath by wrapping pipe cleaners around an embroidery hoop and providing decorations that they can add. Pompoms, glitter, felt leaves, and sequins all make perfect additions.

via Real Simple

Salt Dough Ornaments

Salt dough ornaments are an old standby when it comes to holiday crafts – in fact, you probably made some when you were young.

With just a few dry ingredients and water, you can easily create keepsake ornaments that kids love to paint and decorate. Do these every year and you’ll have a whole collection of special memories to hang on your tree.

via I Heart Arts and Crafts

Wine Cork Reindeer Ornament

With all that holiday shopping, gift wrapping, and baking you’ve got going on, you’ve surely got some wine corks sitting around! Make good use of them with this cute reindeer ornament craft. All it takes are pipe cleaners, googly eyes, pompoms, and bits of pinecone.

via Remodelando la Casa

Styrofoam Snowmen

Those styrofoam balls you can find at craft stores make adorable snowmen. Attach two or three together with toothpicks, punch out some black construction paper circles with a hole punch for eyes, and use pipe cleaners for a nose, arms, and scarf.

For some extra sparkle, lightly brush the styrofoam balls with glue and dust with glitter.

via Real Simple

Popsicle Stick Ornaments

Popsicle stick ornaments are another tried-and-true craft beloved by elementary school teachers the world round. That’s probably because they’re first, easy, and second, they allow kids to get extra creative.

The link below has instructions for reindeer, star, and tree ornaments, but you can make almost anything – snowmen, Santas, sleds, you name it.

via evite

Don’t forget to snap a picture or two while you’re making these crafts with your family – and then put down your phone and enjoy the moment. The pictures will look great on your Nixplay Wifi Cloud digital frame’s holiday photo playlist.

Who says you have to spend Christmas at home? If you’ve got a serious travel bug, then why not spend the holidays in a new, beautiful place, soaking up the local culture and celebrating in a unique way?

There are all kinds of ways you can create a special holiday while out of town, whether that means heading out on an outdoor adventure, soaking up the sun at a warm, sunny beach, or taking to the Alpine slopes. Here are just a few ideas of the best spots in the world to spend Christmas.

Tromso, Norway

If you’re not looking to escape the cold, visit this island city for its incredible Scandinavian culture. You can try dogsledding, eat authentic Norwegian food, and enjoy a vast array of markets, concerts, and other free Christmas-themed events.

The best reason to visit at Christmastime? Tromso is located in the actual Arctic Circle, and offers incredible views of the Northern Lights. Who knows – you may even come across a stray reindeer or two.

North Pole, Alaska

If you’ve got Christmas spirit in spades – or if you have children who’ll be making the trip with you – a visit to North Pole, Alaska is in order.

This small town a couple of hours outside Fairbanks is brimming with Christmas spirit. There’s the Santa Claus House Christmas store, a red and white landmark that’s been operating since the 1950s, streets like Kris Kringle Drive and Mistletoe Lane, and even a post office where 40,000 letters addressed to Santa Claus arrive each year.

And when you get tired of the kitsch, you can head to one of the many beautiful parks or wilderness areas that Alaska is known for. Just make sure to look up every now and then – you can see the Northern Lights from here, too.

Durango, Colorado

If staying stateside is what you’re looking for, try heading to Durango, Colorado for Christmas. This Western town is usually snowy starting in the middle of December, and it’s close enough to the ski town Telluride that you can easily head out for some skiing if the mood strikes.

One of the things Durango is most known for is its steam train, the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. At Christmas time, you can take advantage of several seasonal excursions: there’s the Polar Express for families, a Christmas tree run that takes you into the forest to cut down your own Christmas tree (and transport it back, of course), and a daily excursion into Cascade Canyon.

You also won’t want to miss the holiday events in town, like carol singing, holiday markets, and more.

Zurich, Switzerland

Featuring incredible views and old-world traditions, Zurich is beautiful at any time of year – but at Christmastime, it really stands out.

You’ll find lots of Christmas events in this Alpine city, from holiday markets and ice skating, to free, daily concerts and Lichterschwimmen, a breathtaking event when children send hundreds of floating candles down the River Limmat. And of course, when it comes to that favorite holiday treat – hot chocolate – you can’t beat Zurich.

Bali, Indonesia

In Bali, Christmas is part of the high season, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t spend your holidays there.

There are few places on earth that can boast the feelings of peace, tranquility, and goodwill that Bali does. The people are kind and friendly, the pace of life is slow, and the landscape is incredibly beautiful.

While there are plenty of Christmas events, resort deals, and Christmas meals available, you can easily opt for a quieter holiday by staying further out from the city center. A bonus? By moving further from all the people, you stand a better chance of booking a room with an incredible view of volcanoes or rice paddies.

Wherever you are this holiday season, make sure to stay in touch with your loved ones by sending your photos to their Nixplay Cloud WiFi Digital Frame via the Nixplay app! And if you need help creating a photo playlist to share with everyone back home, read our post “How to Create a Meaningful Photo Playlist to Share Your Trip with Loved Ones.”