German Heritage Baking Cookbook:
Heidrun Metzler is a German-born baker and author with a lifelong passion for sharing the traditions of European desserts. Raised in Oberursel (near Frankfurt) among the flavors of her relatives’ kitchens, she began baking at the age of 10. Her passion for heritage recipes, paired with decades of experience, shines through in her writing and teaching. Her debut cookbook, German Heritage Baking, Volume I has been recognized with multiple honors, including the American Legacy Book Awards (Best International Cookbook; Best Interior Design) and the National Indie Excellence Awards (Winner: Regional Cookbook, Finalist: Cover Design). This book includes:
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Authentic Techniques Made Simple — Clear instructions and tips on flour types, oven adjustments, and classic doughs like Mürbeteig (shortcrust) give bakers confidence in creating stunning desserts at home.
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Less Sweet, More Flavorful — Recipes focus on balance and depth, offering cakes, tortes, and cookies that delight without overwhelming sweetness.
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Bavarian Holiday Favorites — From fruit-filled tarts to nutty cookies and festive cakes, these recipes bring old world traditions to modern celebrations.
Vanillekipferl (Vanilla Almond Crescents)
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Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Line each cookie sheet with a silicone mat or butter and line with parchment paper. Set aside.
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Make the dough: Sift 1 cup of the flour and the baking powder onto a marble or wooden board. Keep the remaining ¼ cup flour on the side. Distribute the ground almonds over the flour. Make a well in the center of the flour and add the sugar, salt, vanilla extract, almond extract, and egg yolk. Cut the butter into small pieces, approximately ¼ to ½ inch. Distribute the butter around the well. Begin carefully pushing the dry ingredients into the well’s center. Work to combine all ingredients, first with a metal dough scraper and then with your hands, until a ball of dough forms. Add more flour from the reserved ¼ cup, a little at a time, if the dough becomes too sticky.
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Let dough rest in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
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Form the crescents: Sprinkle a marble or wooden board with almond meal. Divide the dough into three equal sections. Work with one section at a time, leaving the rest in the refrigerator. Roll the section of dough into a rope, about 2 inches in diameter. Starting at one end, cut the rope into approximately ½ – inch-long pieces. Roll each piece into a 4-inch-long rope and shape into a crescent with tapered ends (see tip below). Handle the dough gently and sprinkle more ground almonds a little at a tie, onto the work surface if dough gets too sticky.
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Place cookies 2 inches apart on cookie sheet to allow for spreading during baking. 14 to 16 cookies will fit on one 16 x 12-inch sheet. If there is still space on the cookie sheet, remove another section of dough from the refrigerator to roll and shape.
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As the first batch bakes, roll and shape the next batch, placing the crescents onto the second prepared sheet. Repeat this process until all the dough has been used.
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Bake for 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool on cookie sheet for a few minutes so that cookies do not break when transferring to wire rack. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Allow cookie sheet to cool completely before adding new cookies for baking.
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Coat with sugar: sift the powdered sugar and vanilla sugar into a large bowl and mix. Roll each cookie in the sugar mixture. Alternatively, transfer cookies to a plate and sift the sugar mixture liberally and evenly over the tops. Store in a closed container. Cookie tins work well.
Why I like this cookbook: My extended family (there were 8 of us total) all went to Germany for spring break. My FIL paid for most of the trip. He has always dreamed of taking all of us there. He was a foreign exchange student in Germany when he was in high school. Then he was a high school German teacher for a few years. We had talked for years about making a big family trip and saving up to go.
For the Tea Lover:
iTea World:
This collection brings together six varieties of jasmine tea, crafted from five carefully selected tea bases — white, green, oolong, dark, and black tea — and refined through three to seven rounds of traditional fresh-flower scenting. The result is an elegant aromatic journey, unfolding from light and graceful to deep and mellow. Perfect for every season, always accompanied by the gentle fragrance of jasmine.
Why I like iTeaWorld: This store always expands my horizons when it comes to tea. This tea is not comparable to the cheaper tea bags you can get at your grocery store. iTeaWorld beats them all hands down – especially because you are steeping loose leaf tea.
Most of the Chinese teas that came with the Jasmine sampler, I have never heard of before! Talk about authentic! I really enjoyed tasting the jasmine with different kind of teas – green, white, oolong, dark, or black. You won’t regret trying this sampler! It’s also a great gift to give to your tea-loving friends and family!
Want to make an order? Use this iTeaWorld promo code: MAURARWHITE for 20% off!
Plus check out their Black Friday Sale ——All teas 25% OFF, Green teas 50% OFF – Nov 3 – Dec 1
For the Hopeless Romantic:
The Doc’s Christmas Miracle:
Set in the small town of Crescent Hill, The Doc’s Christmas Miracle combines the charm of a Hallmark holiday romance with the high stakes of a medical drama. When a Christmas Eve snowstorm traps patients and staff inside the local clinic, two dedicated doctors must join forces to save lives — and perhaps open their hearts to second chances. Secrets surface, forgiveness is tested, and the line between science and miracle begins to blur.
More than a holiday love story, The Doc’s Christmas Miracle explores resilience, forgiveness and the surprising ways healing can arrive — even in the middle of life’s hardest seasons. Perfect for fans of Hallmark holiday movies, uplifting romances or small-town dramas with heart, Stolin’s latest book is a cozy escape brimming with snow, sparkle and a touch of Christmas magic.
This is set to release on Dec. 1st. You can pre-order here on Amazon. The kindle version is available now for just $3.99!
Why I like this book: Hallmark + Christmas romance book. Shall I say more??
New York’s Secret Subway Book:
The Underground Genius of Alfred Beach an the Origins of Mass Transit
In the nineteenth century, Manhattan’s streets were so choked with pedestrians, horses, vehicles, and vendors that a trip from City Hall to Central Park could take hours. Alfred Beach had the perfect solution: build a giant pneumatic tube underneath Broadway from the Battery to Harlem. Air pressure would shoot passengers up and down the island in clean, quiet carriages. But Beach was up against the operators of the horse-drawn streetcars and the politicians in their pay, most conspicuously William M. Tweed, the notorious “Boss” of Tammany Hall.
New York’s Secret Subway: The Underground Genius of Alfred Beach and the Origins of Mass Transit tells a classic story of good versus evil, pitting the mild-mannered Beach, a visionary inventor and entrepreneur, against the oafish tyrant Tweed, the exemplar of corruption in the Gilded Age. It also tells the story of one of the most astonishing feats of engineering in American history, the surreptitious creation of the nation’s first operational subway.
Why I like this book: This book is the complete opposite of The Doc’s Christmas Miracle! This one is for a friend or family member who loves a great historical story. I didn’t have a clue how the New York Subway came about, nor would I even think about that. As I age, though, I appreciate non-fiction stories like this more and more and found it quite interesting. My husband is also an engineer, so he enjoyed some facts from this book that I shared with him. For example, when they built the first New York City subway tunnels in the early 1900s, engineers used a technique called “cut and cover” where they literally dug up entire city streets, laid the tunnels, then rebuilt the roads on top — all while businesses and homes tried to keep operating around the chaos.
COLOP Blissful Prints Collectable Stamp Set, 9 Piece Giftable Christmas Stamp Set:
Stamps for Christmas Cards, Gift Tags, and Holiday Scrapbooking
- Each Blissful Print Stamp Set is hand-made from high quality FSC certified maple wood from the heart of Europe.
- Each set comes with 9 unique designs created for maximum creative flexibility when used for card making or paper crafting.
- The designs are intended to complement each other as a seasonal decorative piece when stored in the wooden display box.
- The high-quality lacquer finished wooden box is designed to function as both a storage location for your stamps but is also designed as a seasonal display set and comes with pre-mounted hardware for the set to be used as a wall hanging.
- This set includes 9 unique stamps, inspiring creativity booklet,official certificate of authenticity with your numbered edition, and a decorative wooden box with wall mounting hardware
- You can get any color you want of Colop stamp ink here!
The True Gifts of Christmas by Megan Alexander
Veggie Smarts Book:
Michu Tofu Cat Litter Natural Clumping Tofu Cat Litter
A woman-owned, eco-conscious brand, Michu Pet is redefining the cat product space with vibrant, design-forward essentials that truly get today’s cat parents. From modern litter boxes that complement your decor to real wood cat towers that are functional and beautiful, Michu Pet proves that pet products can be both practical and chic.
They even offer a high-performance, plant-based alternative to traditional litter — colored tofu litter available in five fresh scents. It’s top-tier for odor control, easy to clean, and pairs perfectly with Michu’s sleek litter boxes. Click here to see a short YouTube video of it in action!
Natural Clumping Tofu Cat Litter ($14.99) – Earth-friendly, flushable, and super absorbent, this lightweight litter is made from peas and corn and comes in five fun scents: Peach, Green Tea, Original, Watermelon, and Ocean Fresh. Great for multi-cat homes!
100% Natural & Biodegradable: Choose Michu, the environmentally friendly and flushable cat litter derived from natural peas, safe for your pets and family
Why I like this litter: First of all, I like the bright colors that come with different “scents.” The scents are not strong, and my cat’s litter box smells less! I haven’t opened the watermelon scented one yet, but that one has me the most intrigued. The turquoise litter in the picture above is Ocean Fresh.
I also LOVE the fact that I can scoop out a clump, and just drop it in the toilet and flush it!! No more piles of cat litter out in my woods!
Sawyer Water Filtration Systems For Camping:
The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is reusable and easy to clean, lasting up to 100,000 gallons. The fiber walls inside Sawyer’s hollow fiber membrane filters are thicker, making them stronger than other typical hollow fiber membrane which allows for more rigorous backwashing.
The Sawyer Squeeze Filter is reusable and easy to clean, lasting up to 100,000 gallons. The fiber walls inside Sawyer’s hollow fiber membrane filters are thicker, making them stronger than other typical hollow fiber membrane which allows for more rigorous backwashing.
The Sawyer Micro Squeeze Filter is reusable and easy to clean, lasting up to 100,000 gallons. The fiber walls inside Sawyer’s hollow fiber membrane filters are thicker, making them stronger than other typical hollow fiber membrane which allows for more rigorous backwashing.
For the Woman Who Needs Pampering:
Bootleg Bath Shower Steamers
Makes a perfect hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, white elephant exchange present, or simply for self care. Our variety pack is guaranteed to please.
-Beautifully packaged: Our shower steamer gift set arrives beautifully packaged, making it the perfect holiday gift that’s ready to delight from the moment it’s received.
-Thoughtfully Curated for the Perfect Gift: Each gift set includes a variety of scents designed to calm, energize, and uplift, so every moment feels custom-made.
-Ideal for Busy Moms and Wellness Lovers Alike: Created with today’s busy lifestyle in mind, our steamers provide an easy way to enjoy moments of peace and relaxation.
-Natural Ingredients: Made with premium ingredients, our steamers provide a natural way to relax, invigorate, or clear your mind.
Bootleg Bath is a trusted woman-owned clean beauty brand that creates high-quality, all-natural bath and body product.
Did you know that almost every shower steamer gift set on Amazon is made in China? For real! Our steamers are 100% made in the USA and offer the highest quality, luxury experience that is priced to compete.
Why I like these shower steamers: They are made in the USA! They smell amazing! They are natural and they are affordable!
For Anyone on a Gluten-Free Diet:
Breadfruit Pancake and Waffle Mix:
Breadfruit Pancake and Waffle Mix:If you are on a gluten-free diet, this breadfruit pancake and waffle mix is for you!
Consumers continue to prioritize allergen-friendly, and texture-enhancing ingredients, which synergize naturally with breadfruit’s unique properties. With its rich amino acid profile, sustainable sourcing story, and alignment with clean-label trends, breadfruit offers a strong value proposition to capture a share of the growing functional and gluten-free markets.
This waffle mix is:
- Gluten-Free Non-GMO High-Fiber No Sugar Added Pancake Mix
- Best for Pancakes Crispy Waffles
- Healthy No Preservatives Breakfast Meal
- Plant Based Pancake and Waffle Mix
Why I like this mix: The first time I made waffles, I added just water and an egg to the mix. It says on the label that you can also use milk and add sugar. I chose not to add those though, because I wanted to compare this to my normal waffle mix (with gluten), and didn’t want to add the sugar. It did make crispy waffles as it says in the description. But they turned out bland. I should have listened to the label and used milk and sugar. Next time I will make them correctly! It really is a great mix to try if you need gluten-free flour! This would also be great to make for breakfast on Christmas morning!
Before I move on to stocking stuffer ideas (coming soon), let me take a moment to share with you a VERY popular gift guide that people shop from annually: Funny, Weird & Family Friendly White Elephant Gift Ideas!
Stocking Stuffer Ideas:
For The Hot Sauce Lover
Tari Hot Sauce
Tari Hot Sauce is the perfect sauce for any chicken wings consumed this holiday or football season! Its creamy, flavorful formula is easy to squeeze onto sandwiches, chicken nuggets, wraps, or veggies, giving these foods an instant upgrade with just the right amount of smoky, sweet, or herbal Peruvian-inspired heat.
With five bold flavors – Zesty Verde(herbal and bright), Tropical Kick (sweet and chunky),Smoky Heat (smoky and spicy), Ají Amarillo (creamy and tangy), and Rocoto Pepper (creamy and smoky) – there’s a Tari sauce for every taste in the family.
Why I like Tari Hot Sauces:
I’m not a huge fan of hot sauces, but when I do eat them, I prefer something on the sweet side. Therefore, my personal favorite out of the five flavors is the Tropical Kick. I recently put this on a Morning Star fake chicken patty, and I have to admit, it gave it the right amount of kick without being overwhelmingly hot.
My oldest daughter and husband are HUGE fans of hot sauce, and they have loved the Zesty Verde. My husband adds it to his sandwiches and pasta dishes (epecially pasta with shrimp dishes.) We have only tried these two so far, but I can see us purchasing these again! I also like that they are about $6.50 each and won’t break the bank. If you choose to buy all five as a gift, you will get a free “llama” figurine. I personally think it looks more like a lamb/sheep – so we have all nick-named him Lamba Llama! Each item that comes in the 5 pk gift box makes perfect stocking stuffers!
VISOONE Designer Look Sunglasses:
Just because we are nearing winter, it doesn’t mean we still don’t need sunglasses! VISOONE’s stylish and durable sunglasses provide 100 % UV protection, a lightweight feel, and a designer look, without the high-end price tag.
Why VISOONE?
- 100 % UV protection: shields your eyes from harmful UVA/UVB rays
- Lightweight & durable
- Designed for lasting comfort
- Trendy and versatile: classic aviators, oversized glam, sporty & tons more options
- Elevated quality
- Budget-friendly
VISOONE sunglasses let you step into winter in style, without overspending. Wear these with your favorite boots and long winter coat, and you’ll feel like a fashionista, no matter your age!
Why I like Visoon Sunglasses:
I received the pair in the images above. I’m known for having an obscene amount of inexpensive sunglasses at my disposal. When I heard about this company, I was thrilled. I’m always on the lookout for designer-looking sunglasses at non-designer prices. This brand fits the bill!
I feel like I’m too old to wear this style, but when you are 45+ you stop caring what other people think. I look younger when I wear them and I LOVE them!
For The Camper or Hiker
Moon Rabbit Natural Bug Repellent
Attract humans, not insects, with this non-toxic, warm, and spicy eau de parfum that doubles as a botanical-based bug repellent. This DEET-free functional scent is perfect (and protective) for hiking, camping, and outdoor fun.
Step into nature without inviting the bugs. This elegant, botanical mist is more than just a bug repellent, it’s your signature outdoor scent. Blending organic essential oils and Chinese herbs, it wraps your skin in an herbaceous, floral veil that soothes the senses while sending pests packing. The aromatic notes of citronella, fir needle, lemon‑eucalyptus, grapefruit, jasmine, and more are suspended in witch hazel, jojoba, and distilled water, leaving you fresh, clean, and ready for long evenings outside. The luxurious addition of Patchouli, Sandalwood, Rose Geranium, and Vetiver creates an aromatic experience that sets it apart from typical insect repellents.
Why I Like Moon Rabbit Natural Bug Repellant:
We have plenty of biting bugs at our house, and we often apply bug repellent. I’m personally not a fan of putting toxic chemicals on me to deter from being bitten. However, I will admit that when the bugs are especially bad, I do opt for a product that contains DEET. It gets rid of bugs, but it is definitely not healthy to put on your skin!
I really like Moon Rabbit because it isn’t overpowered with just the scent of citronella essential oil (which most essential oil bug repellants are dominated by). Along with citronella, there are also fir needle, lemon‑eucalyptus, grapefruit, and jasmine essential oils. When I’ve put it on at night while sitting on my swing on my deck, it has helped deter those nasty mosquitoes! But when I go on a walk, and I’m dealing with annoying black flies, Moon Rabbit doesn’t deter them. I’ve tried numerous bug repellents for those pesky flies, and only DEET has worked on them. 🙁
While it helps with some pesky bugs, but not all, I still like it because it really does smell like essential oil perfume. You can wear it anywhere, and you won’t need to shower after putting it on (unlike bug sprays with DEET.)
If you have someone in your life who is a hiker or camper, they will love this in their stocking this year!
For Those Who Love Biology:
GIANTmicrobes Organ Ornaments
These GIANTmicrobes organ ornaments make the perfect holiday gift or stocking stuffer for family, friends and co-workers this season. Or just purchase them to decorate your tree! If you know a science teacher, nurse, or doctor, they will love these! Homeschooling moms may want them to use as a science lesson at Christmas time for their kids! In this GIANTmicrobes organ ornament set, there are Deck The Halls with a Festive Heart, Colon, Lung & Pancreas.
I personally have numerous GIANTicrobes, since I am a former high school biology teacher! One of them is the giant tick – which we play a family game with and hide in random places around the house. (This turned into a family joke after dealing with numerous ticks that we pull off of our cats every season.) Whoever finds the tick, gets to hide it again. I’ve hidden it in some great places that have totally scared and freaked out my husband!
Now, my GIANTmicrobes collection has expanded with these organ ornaments, which we will add to our Christmas tree this year! Who doesn’t want a colon on their Christmas tree???!!!!
I also received a sample of the “PMS” GIANTmicrobe. I have a 12-year-old, waiting for “womenhood” to officially arrive. When that day happens, I’m going to wrap this up and give this to her as a gift. She won’t appreciate it, but I will! Maybe this can passed down from generation to generation as a new family tradition. My girls may not agree with it now, but if they have daughters in the future, they may love this idea!
I know I’m a bio-geek, but I just can’t get enough of GIANTmicrobes! I want them all!
For the Manicure Lover:
KISS Nails & imPRESS NO GLUE Manicures:
Indulge in the allure of our designer press-on nails, where cutting-edge style meets effortless elegance. Choose from trending nail designs and popular nail colors. Shop an extensive collection of press-on nails from imPRESS, including matching pedicure sets for the full salon experience at home. Discover nails that are easy to apply and fit any style or occasion from solid nail colors to more elaborate nail designs in popular nail shapes.
My experience: I had more than one person ask me if I got my nails professionally done while I was wearing imPRESS nails! I quickly told them no, and explained how easy imPRESS nails were to put on. Mine lasted about a week and a half before my first one fell off. Both of my daughters kept theirs on for a full 2 weeks.
Each package comes with enough nails for 3 applications – so if you lose just one nail before the others lose their stickiness, you can easily replace it.
It’s so much fun to pick out a new design each time I purchase a pack!! The designs are endless and they keep making more! The best part is that you can have professional-looking nails for less than $10!
For the Gardener:
SproutWorld Wood-Cased Pencils:
SproutWorld is on a mission to inspire environmental responsibility and sustainability with their innovative range of eco-friendly products. Known for their plantable pencils, SproutWorld combines functionality with sustainability by offering products that grow into beautiful plants once they’re no longer needed. From biodegradable pencils to a growing collection of sustainable office supplies and lifestyle items, SproutWorld makes it easy to reduce waste while bringing nature into everyday life.
The SproutWorld Original Edition contains a total of 8 eco-friendly, biodegradable and high-quality SproutWorld graphite pencils with decomposable cellulose seed-capsules for herbs, flowers, or vegetables. This edition includes the following seed type: Forget me not, Thyme, Parsley, Eternity flower, Daisy, Basil and Rucola.
Why I Like SproutWorld:
I planted a pencil with Forget-me-not seeds (my favorite wild flower) and was hoping they would be sprouted by the time I published this for a picture, but they aren’t ready yet. I will be continuing to watch mine grow, and will also plant the thyme and basil so I can have fresh herbs during the winter!
Comment below and tell me which product out of this list you’d love to try or give as a gift!
Pin this list and come back….I have a bunch of stocking stuffer ideas coming soon!
I’d love to read comments on which product you would like to try!
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