This story was written by member Angelica and comes from the Savory Sights group in the YumSugar Community.I decided to make my own holiday hostess gifts this year instead of spending on wine or pre-made goodies. I found mini jam jars at Target and stocked up on pistachios, almonds, white chocolate chips and dried cranberries from Trader Joe's, which combine to make a tangy, sweet, and salty treat that can be enjoyed at the party, or weeks later. To add an extra seasonal flair I dressed the jars with a red ribbon and a simple stock card label, which I decorated with a rubber stamp. I made eight for about $50, which comes out to about $6 a piece. Personalized, pretty and not-so-pricey. The perfect holiday treat!

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Keep things simple at your holiday happy hour. Instead of hosting a full bar, offer one festive pitcher of drinks. This vibrant red concoction takes its hue from fresh pomegranate juice and grenadine. Make several batches and store in the fridge. When one pitcher is empty, fill it with the drink that's ready and waiting in the fridge.

Also have sparkling and red wine on hand for those who prefer to sip something a little lighter. Have friends who don't drink? Serve them sparkling water mixed with blood orange juice and garnish with a lime wedge. To check out the rum pomegranate punch recipe, please read more.

When we kicked off our Best of 2009 coverage, we wanted to know which glossy was your go-to food magazine for recipes, tips, and entertaining ideas. The results were shocking: an overwhelming 65 percent of you chose Every Day With Rachael Ray, blowing the runnerup, Food Network Magazine, which got 8 percent of the vote, out of the water. We agree: Every Day With Rachael Ray is our pick, too. We love its energetic layout, helpful suggestions, and fun travel pointers — all of which we can imagine Rachael Ray chirping about in person. Most of all, we love its practical yet creative recipes, from electric pink beet rigatoni to Thanksgiving turkey.

What do you love about Every Day With Rachael Ray?

Whether it's sweet, spicy pecans or smoky cashews, nuts have always been a part of my holiday tradition. This year, I decided, would be no different, only I would combine my nut of choice, crunchy roasted almonds, with all of my favorite flavor profiles — smoky, spicy, slightly garlicky — to create the most satisfying holiday snack ever. Because these nuts don't require a lot of energy, they're fantastic to give away as edible gifts over and over again. See the recipe when you read more.