Can you believe it's already the holiday week? I have the BEST styled shoot to share with you in celebration of my last post before the holiday {my festive-fetti™ even gets tossed in the air to celebrate}. It's now time for me to take a little break to get ready for the festivities and celebrate with family and friends. I wish you and your loved ones the very best this holiday season and if you are looking for a super fun way to thank your bridesmaids for being in your wedding - you will LOVE what I have for you today. It's a Holiday Cookie Exchange with the bride and her bridesmaids to say "Thank You for Being My Bridesmaid". You simply bring your favorite cookie for the holiday season, eat a few of course with hot chocolate and/or wine to celebrate, and then pack up a sampling of each remaining cookie in a pretty box to enjoy back at home.

Are you ready? It's time to invite your bridesmaids to a get-together for festive fun and yummy cookies. It's a super special way to say thank you for being my bridesmaid.

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Wedding Vendors:
Photography:  Debbie Ringle Photography
Flowers, Styling and Details:  EightTreeStreet
Hair and Makeup:  Bobby Pins and Blush
Stationery Design:  Allison Barnhill Design
Calligraphy:  Allison Dee Calligraphy
Designer Wrapping Paper:  Fig 2 Design
festive-fetti™ and Gift box details: FestiveFetti
Cookies and Desserts:  Wegman's
Linens:  CVLinens
Gift boxes:  Target
Blue Goblets by The Pioneer Woman for Walmart
Brush Trees, Holiday decorations and gold mason jars: JoAnn Fabrics
Bridesmaids/model dresses:  Charlotte Russe
Venue:  Private Horse Farm in Fredericksburg, Virginia

the post contains links to several affiliate programs

When it comes to holiday weddings + parties, having special treats is a fun way to celebrate with your guests. Today, I have some sweet ideas to share with you and you can still receive your order in time for the holidays {even with standard shipping}.

First up is Eleni's New York - they are famous for their custom hand-iced Conversation Cookies™. With each cookie being slightly crisp, not too sweet and intricately hand-decorated - they are the perfect dessert or party favor for every occasion. Eleni's is nut free and kosher too. Here's a fun sampling of their holiday collections including the perfect personalized cookie for New Year's Eve.

If you use the exclusive coupon code BRENDASBLOG when you checkout at Elenis - you will save 10% on your order.
>>> Click Here <<<

Next up is the set of 2 Home Sweet Home Mug Toppers. Your guests will love being presented their hot chocolate with a cute cookie house perched on the edge of their mug.

And, since ice cream is perfect all year round - how about serving the Ultimate Holiday Ice Cream Collection from eCreamery? The scrumptious flavors include: Peppermint Mocha Ice Cream with Cookie Crunch & Fudge Swirls {top left}, Chocolate Hazelnut Ice Cream, Eggnog Ice Cream, Double Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Cashew Brittle, Sea Salt Caramel Sundae - Brownie Bites & Swirls of Fudge and Caramel {top right}, Gingerbread Cookie Swirl Ice Cream {bottom left}, Cinnamon Ice Cream, and Candy Cane Ice Cream {bottom right}.

What ice cream flavor is calling your name?

When you Shop at eCreamery from now until December 31st, you can save $10 with coupon code merry10
>>> Click Here <<<

this post contains links to affiliates I am proud to partner with

Well, today's post took a bit of a different direction. I had scheduled to feature a real wedding that was submitted to me via Two Bright Lights and I was showing up as the only one having accepted it so I was excited about an exclusive first feature. But, at 6 pm, the photographer emailed and asked if I could wait on posting it as she "was really wanting to put it in print publication". I have now removed it permanently from my schedule and since I was bummed I couldn't share it with you, I decided something sweet would be the best solution. So here, are my favorite gluten free chocolate chip cookies that are made without butter along with a cute way to send your guests home with cookies if making them for a party. {I should probably mention the following for my readers that don't already know . . . my 7 year old daughter is gluten-free and nut-free so I tend to turn many pinterest recipes into "safe" options that we can all enjoy with her.}

Easy Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies without Butter

adapted from: the 20/10

Ingredients:
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour blend {I use Domata a lot lately}
1 egg
4 tbsp of sugar
1/2 cup of packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup Enjoy Life mini chocolate chips {these are gluten + nut free}

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350

1. In a bowl, sift together the baking soda, salt, and flour. Set aside.  

2. In a separate bowl, mix together the egg, both sugars, vegetable oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract until smooth.

3. Slowly add the mixed dry ingredients to the egg mixture and mix until the two are just blended. Then stir in the chocolate chips. I always end up using my hands here to be sure the chocolate chips are mixed in as the mini chips tend to stay on the bottom of the bowl.

4. Scoop out about a tablespoon of the dough and shape into rounds of about 1" and flatten in your hand before placing on your baking sheet {about 2" apart from each other}. I line mine with parchment paper for easy removal of the cookies.

5. Bake for around 10 minutes. Let cookies cool on the baking sheet for about 3 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

my personal notes for you:
I'm sure you could substitute other oils for the vegetable oil but I'm personally not able to use coconut oil as we have been told to avoid anything with coconut due to the nut allergy. These cookies can be a bit harder the next day - but a quick little run in the microwave not only softens them up, it makes them nice and warm again. Just like freshly made ones :)

Lastly - since this is a wedding blog - wouldn't it be super cute to make cookies for your guests at a bridal shower or wedding and send them home in these adorable dessert favor bags?