Holiday Living

Vegetarian

Killer App: Cheddar Phyllo Crackers

Looking to prepare a large batch of snacks for New Year's Eve?

Looking to prepare a large batch of snacks for New Year's Eve? These phyllo crackers, with their smoky paprika and sharp cheddar topping, aren't just light and crispy — they're flavorful!

Not only are these the easiest crackers you'll ever make, but also, you'll have hundreds in no time, helping to keep your party budget in check. Make any holiday party more enjoyable with a big bowl of these crisp and cheesy crackers next to your favorite dip.

Keep reading for the recipe.

Vegetarian

30 Killer Vegetarian Appetizers

With the holiday season in full swing, there are a multitude of reasons why it's time to dig deep and find some killer appetizers to pull out of your pocket.

With the holiday season in full swing, there are a multitude of reasons why it's time to dig deep and find some killer appetizers to pull out of your pocket. But this year, for various reasons (among them, health, budget, and more sustainable eating), there are sure to be at least a few partygoers who are passing on the poultry, meat, and seafood this year. Thankfully, we've got an array of vegetarian options so superb that no one will be missing out on the meat at all! For a sampling of stellar veggie-forward starter ideas, keep reading.

Holiday Living

Spirits Away! 8 New Year's Eve Mocktails For Kids and Expectant Mamas

Don't leave your littlest partygoers — or those pregnant guests — out of the NYE fun!

Don't leave your littlest partygoers — or those pregnant guests — out of the NYE fun! Mocktails offer a great nonalcoholic way to get in the holiday spirit. We rounded up eight amazing drink recipes that will make nondrinkers feel special and sated. Keep clicking to explore our favorite holiday mocktail options!

Holiday

Try a Honeyed French 75 for a Sweet and Sparkling New Year

What could be better than an effervescent glass of Champagne?

What could be better than an effervescent glass of Champagne? Well, this bracing cocktail for starters. Begat by a happy accident, this honey-sweet twist on an old classic might just be my new go-to cocktail for day or night — it's equally well-suited for a New Year's Eve toast as it is for a booze-fueled brunch.

What sets this sparkling sipper apart from its classic preparation, you ask? When we decided to concoct a floral version of the tried-and-true tipple using Hendrick's (a notably floral gin) and honey, we referenced a recipe to find out the French 75's classic proportions. We accidentally doubled up on ingredients (save for the sparkling wine and garnishes), making for a slightly less effervescent but flavor-packed spin on an old favorite that we agreed might just top the original iteration.

Keep reading for the robust recipe.

Vegetarian

Killer App: Gruyère Gougères

If you've ever tasted a gougère — essentially savory cheese-flecked cousins of cream puffs and eclairs — then little needs to be said in order to convince you to head to the kitchen to whip up a batch of these luxurious appetizers.

If you've ever tasted a gougère — essentially savory cheese-flecked cousins of cream puffs and eclairs — then little needs to be said in order to convince you to head to the kitchen to whip up a batch of these luxurious appetizers. If not, I'll keep it simple: airy and light, with just enough nutty cheese to keep things lively, these pâte-à-choux party favorites will go fast if included in a party spread.

Put off by the slightly strange method of cookery that's outlined in the recipe below? Don't be. It may be a slight step outside of your baking repertoire if you've yet to try your hand at any treats in the choux-pastry family, but their assembly is actually quite simple and intuitive and can be made in large party-friendly quantities in precious few minutes. Keep reading for the easy yet impressive recipe.

Holiday Living

Instagram Challenge: Your Best Kids' Photos With Santa

An annual Christmas tradition for many a family, having your kids' photos taken with Santa can be fun, frightful, or just plain funny, depending on your little ones' reactions.

An annual Christmas tradition for many a family, having your kids' photos taken with Santa can be fun, frightful, or just plain funny, depending on your little ones' reactions. We were thrilled to see the response to our latest Instagram Challenge, in which you, our readers, shared so many adorable snaps of your kiddos on the lap of jolly old St. Nick. Click through to see some of our favorite photos and a big thanks to all who participated!

Best of 2012

Best of 2012: The Results Are in For the Year's Best in Parenting!

When it comes to sharing your opinions on everything from favorite products to parenting styles to celebrity moms, LilSugar readers are never shy, and that's why our Best Of polls are such a fun way to wrap up the year.

When it comes to sharing your opinions on everything from favorite products to parenting styles to celebrity moms, LilSugar readers are never shy, and that's why our Best Of polls are such a fun way to wrap up the year. You've weighed in on what you loved in 2012, and now we're prepared to share. Check out the best of the best — in everything from social-media-savvy celeb moms to baby names, toys, baby gear, and more!

party planning

The Lowdown on Champagnes and Sparkling Wines

Whether you're ringing in the New Year, celebrating a wedding or birthday, or just toasting the fact that it's almost Friday, there's always a reason to say "cheers" with Champagne.

Whether you're ringing in the New Year, celebrating a wedding or birthday, or just toasting the fact that it's almost Friday, there's always a reason to say "cheers" with Champagne. Of course, not all sparkling wine is classified as Champagne — and that's just the start of the confusing jargon. To help you choose a standout bottle of bubbly, we've put together a guide to all of the relevant vocab, so you can sort out the doux from the cru.

  • Sparkling wine: A catchall term used for any bubbly without a specific regional designation, this is often applied to American wines.
  • Champagne: Sparkling wine produced in the French region of the same name. The "Champagne" definition was protected by the Treaty of Versailles, but since the US never officially signed it, some older American producers use the Champagne name, too.
  • Cava: Spain's contribution to the sparkling family is named for the cellars in which it is produced.
  • Prosecco: A sparkling wine produced in Italy, mostly in the Veneto region.

Read on for a closer look at all the adjectives you may see on a sparkling wine label.

Holiday Living

5 Tips For Hiring a New Year's Eve Babysitter (It's Not Too Late!)

Congratulations — you not only made it through 2012, you were wise enough to make plans (child-free ones at that) to ring in the new year.

Congratulations — you not only made it through 2012, you were wise enough to make plans (child-free ones at that) to ring in the new year. Now comes the tough part — finding someone to watch the kids!

We spoke with Katie Bugbee, managing editor of Care.com — the online caregiver community — about the challenges of finding a sitter during the holidays. While babysitters are certainly at a premium, she says, "there are reliable local caregivers who are still available for New Year's Eve." The trick is knowing how (and where) to find them and what mama needs to do to keep them happy! Keep reading to see her tips, including the all important answer to how much you should be paying your NYE sitter.

recipes

Kick-Start Your Appetite With a Negroni Cocktail

This year, serve a classic cocktail that'll whet your guests' appetites before the next big feast.

This year, serve a classic cocktail that'll whet your guests' appetites before the next big feast. For a drink that'll truly kick-start the appetite, we recommend the bitter Italian drink known as the Negroni — and a two-ingredient appetizer to go along with it. Though this cocktail (which was purportedly invented by a Florentine count!) isn't for the faint of heart, we'd argue that once you fall for it, there's no going back. Watch our latest episode of Happiest Hour for an easy drink (and bite) to add a punch to this holiday's entertaining.