17Apart Holiday Gift Guide: 17 Gifts (Naughty or Nice!)

Each year we always ask our big kids to make and send a gift wish list before Thanksgiving so we can take advantage of the big sale weekend. It's one way we know we can get them something they really want and a few surprises while keeping on budget. This year, we've compiled a list of our favorite ideas to share. From those you know best to those that stump you every year, to unexpected hostess gifts and budget-friendly stocking stuffers — here's what we're loving (and buying!) this year.

And! Today many of these ideas are on super sale so you can stock up while staying on or below budget too.

How to Cook a Whole Country Ham

A country ham is known best for its salty taste. I've only ever met people who either love or hate a salty ham. I've also met folks who think they like a salty ham until they've tried a real country ham. If you've had one, you know what I'm talking about.

A New Year: Our 2018 Goals & Intentions

Tell me I'm not alone in feeling like the start of a new year is like having a new chance. In all the hustle and bustle that comes with day to day life, this is a time of year we actually take the time to pause and look back, reflect and realize we're making this life of ours. It's also a chance to think about where we're headed, what we're dreaming and how, perhaps, our dreams have changed.

Decking the Halls! 2017 Holiday House Tour

With the new year just around the corner and our last week of holiday break coming to a close, we're beginning to clean up the house and wanted to take a quick pause to share some of our favorite photos from how we "decked" the halls this year.

It's Tree Time!

This past weekend we ventured out to choose this year's Christmas tree. We ended up bringing home a 9 footer, the largest we've ever managed to accommodate in our space — insert praise hands for the high ceilings that come with historic homes.

No-Bake Dog Treats: Sweet Potato, Peanut Butter & Oats

These sweet little dog treats are so quick to make, come together with three completely natural ingredients (peanut butter, oats and sweet potato) and require no baking time. They take shape well in most any silicone ice mold — our go-to choice is usually hearts in honor of showing our big guy a little love!

New Beginnings: Our 2017 Goals & Resolutions

Laguardia Airport floor, December 2016

The start to January is a classic time we take to sit down, reflect on the previous year and begin putting our minds to what we want from the year ahead. While these posts tend to be more wordy and robust, they've become some of our personal favorites to scroll back on and see where we were at the time — along with what we were thinking, planning and dreaming of for the year ahead.

Merry & Bright! Our 2016 Holiday Recap

Now that the holidays are beginning to wind down, we're taking this week to rest a bit and reflect on all of the busyness that can easily be considered what we call the holiday blur. Today we're rounding up a few of our favorite events, decorations and family photos from the last few holiday-heavy weeks.

Let's Go Get the Tree!

This time last weeked, we were listening to holiday tunes on the radio, driving about 45 minutes outside the city to look for this year's Christmas tree. We ended up bringing home a sparse Norway Spruce that we find to be quite charming paired with memories from the day together with Basil out on the Christmas tree farm. Today we're sharing a few of our favorite snaps from the big adventure if you care to see...

Our Thanksgiving on the Farm

This past Thursday, we packed up the car and headed about 40 minutes outside of Richmond to spend Thanksgiving with family on my Aunt & Uncle's horse farm here in Virginia. The day coincided with my birthday this year so it ended up being an extra special way to celebrate — today I've rounded up a few of my favorite snaps from the day if you care to see...

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

With hearts and flowers abound, love is in the air. This time of year with Valentine's just around the corner — we're digging the bright pops of color and feel so ready for spring to make its return. Today we've rounded up a handful of sweet ideas for the sweet ones in your lives, along with a few favorites for cooking at home & staying in (our favorite way to spend the holiday).

A Fresh Start: Our 2016 Goals & Resolutions

Fonti del Clitunno, Italy

Though getting back into routine after taking an extended holiday break, we're peering into the New Year this Monday morning with bright eyes and a fresh outlook (case in point). January is a classic time we like to take a deeper look back into the year behind us and make plans for the year ahead.

What We Found Under the Tree: Our 2015 Gift Roundup

As the holiday season comes to an official close, we wanted to share a quick roundup of the cheer we found waiting under the tree this year (thanks Santa!). As you can gather, we tend to go for simple, useful and a little bit fun — all things we're looking forward to putting to good use in the new year!

Oh What Fun! Our 2015 Holiday Recap

With the festivities around the holidays winding down this week, we wanted to take a moment to share a few of our favorite shots from the season leading into Christmas here on the blog. From new and familiar decor, to Christmas Eve on the farm and Christmas dinner at here at home, it's been a full season to say the least — we hope you enjoy!

Recipe: Spiced Holiday Nut Mix

Looking for a simple yet festive holiday snack for gatherings and quick gift ideas? This recipe for spiced nuts is one of my go-to's around this time of year — the salty, sweet & crunchy combo makes for an all around pleaser.

NYC in December

We spent the bulk of early December in New York, primarily working, eating and enjoying the holiday decorations this time of year while in town. Today we've rounded up our collective phone snaps from the week to share here on the blog if you care to see...

The city over the holidays is a special thing — Christmas trees line the street corners and decorations line the streets. A simple stroll through Little Italy feels more like a walk through a busy wonderland:

Over on eHow: DIY Farmhouse Christmas Tree Stand

This time last weekend we were heading out to pick up this year's Christmas tree. We opted for a smaller 5ft tree since we've decided to position it in our family room (since fully updating the front room into an office early last year).

Weekend Basics: 'Tis The Season

Coming back from a week in NYC, this past weekend was a welcome return to sunny December weather, a trip to the country with Basil and scouting out this year's Christmas tree. We've rounded up our collective iPhone snaps from all the events today if you care to see...

Our Thanksgiving in St. Stephens Church, Virginia

Thanksgiving day we spent time with my Dad and extended family on my aunt and uncle's Virginia horse farm. This is a place I've been visiting since early childhood and a favorite place we've highlighted here on the blog from time to time over the years. Tim has been hunting with family in these woods and we loved the chance to just walk the grounds, check out the garden, take in the fresh air, admire the horses and visit this year's new colts.

Over on eHow: How to Make DIY Mulling Spice Bundles

As the draw holidays near, we've been leaning into the season. In that spirit, for our latest project post with eHow we raided the pantry to create a handful of mulling spice bundles — there's nothing like the smell of citrus and spice to invite immediate warmth and seasonal aromas throughout the house.