Things to Do

Design a holiday table with foraged finds from the garden. Photos by Jenna Alexander. Gathering at the table during the holidays is about community and the love of family and friends. One of my favorite traditions of the season is when my mother, sister and I set the table together; this ritual has become a moment of joyful creativity in what can otherwise be hectic days. Our tabletop design is based on foraging for what is readily available in the yard, along with some seaso

Include locally grown flowers, fruit and greenery for a seasonal tablescape. Seasonal fruit and other produce add unique accents to a floral arrangement. Photos by Sara Schober. When planning your holiday meals around seasonal produce, an easy way to add colorful elements toyour table is to let nature’s bounty also be a centerpiece. Just like fruits and vegetables have specificharvest times throughout the year, so too do locally grown flowers. To get you started on creatinga

These crafts use supplies that are easy to find around the house and in the kitchen. Photos by Shannon Rose Greene. Seed Paper Gift Tags This project is perfect for eco-conscious gift-givers who want to add a personal touch. These seed paper gift tags are beautiful and plantable – once the tag has served its purpose, the recipient canplant it in the garden and watch the seeds grow. This recipe makes approximately 12-14 tags, depending on size. You’ll need: Blender Flat, recta

The art of wrapping goods and gifts using fabric has gained in popularity over the years Tea towels or other fabric create a custom look and become a usable present for the recipient. Photos by Julie Christman. For a fun and creative way to adorn a gift without using paper that just gets tossed away, try wrapping presents in tea towels à la the furoshiki method. Added bonus of using this no-waste technique? You’re giving a gift within a gift. In Japanese culture, furoshiki re

Salt dough ornaments are a fun and eco-friendly way to decorate for the holidays. Photo by Elise Crigar. The holidays don’t have to come with a mountain of trash bags. If you want to have a more eco-friendly season, choose reusable first, compostable second and recyclable last. That hierarchy keeps the focus on materials that flow back into everyday life instead of into the landfill.  Decorate plain paper with potato stencil stamps for a kid-friendly DIY. Photo by Shannon Ros

When it comes time to find a special gift, think local! Supporting small businesses is an opportunity to purchase gifts while ensuring your hard-earned dollars stay in your local community. Here's a selection of gifts to get you started from some of our favorite #officialediblepartners. Gifts Beyond the Ordinary BLACK FIG + CO.  Black Fig & Co. specializes in elevated charcuterie boards, boxes, grazing tables and event styling. Inclusive catering, creative, qual­ity and thou

Some of the baked goodies sell out, like buttery croissants, muffins and brownies, so you might want to make those types of vendors your first stop. Photo by Michelle Calloway. Remember the advice to never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry because you will grab the wrong things? You can forget that suggestion the next time you head to the farmers’ market. Bring your appetite along with your shopping list, because our local markets offer a wide range of dining options. If

Photos by Amanda Rosenblatt. When it comes to creating a beautiful grazing board, my rule of thumb is simple: be intentional, not fussy. The key to a successful grazing board is thoughtful planning and arrangement that allows your ingredients to shine while presenting an inviting display for your guests. PLANNING Portion Guidelines: • Appetizer: 2 ounces cheese + 1-½ ounces cured meats per person • Main course: 3-½-4 ounces cheese + 3½-4 ounces cured meats per person Consid

In the bleak midwinter – or what passes for it here in Northeast Florida – perhaps nothing signifies a southern Christmas more than the vibrant seasonal plants we bring into our homes. Poinsettias, in all shapes and colors; the heraldic trumpets of amaryllis; paperwhite narcissus's stalks of pure white stars; and the equally festive Christmas cactus in all shades of pink, red, purple, orange and white. One benefit of living in the northern subtropics is the fact that these pl

CREME DE LA COCOA Pillowy marshmal­lows in a variety of seasonally inspired flavors melt perfectly in cocoa or shine solo as a sweet indulgence. Hand-crafted by Crème de la Cocoa - a perfect gift, stocking stuffer, addition to entertaining or personal treat. cremedelacocoa.com – @cremedelacocoa THE GREENHOUSE BAR The Greenhouse Wine Club is a unique and personalized wine ex­perience that goes beyond the bottle. Each release includes two bottles of hand picked wine imbued w

JENNA ALEXANDER These matchboxes by Jenna Alexander add a refined touch to any space with four distinct designs: a beach umbrella, vintage lawn chair, citrus branch and salt run oyster. Each design is sold separately. Select the perfect comple­ment to your décor. jenna-alexander.com – @jennaalexanderstudio MAYDAY I scream, you scream, we all scream for MayDay! A perfect accompaniment to holiday desserts. Send a bundle of sweet treats anywhere in the US. Spread happiness w

BLACK FIG + CO. Black Fig & Co. specializes in elevated charcuterie boards, boxes, grazing tables and event styling. Inclusive catering, creative, qual­ity and thoughtful spreads allow guests to savor each bite in a setting both elegant & heartfelt. blackfigco.com – @blackfig_co M.C. PRESSURE There's something special about handwritten recipe cards and M.C. Pressure adds an extra layer of cool with letterpress and high-quality paper. A perfect host(ess) gift, stocking stuf

It’s nearly impossible to mess these up, so don’t be afraid to play around by adding a garlic clove, dried chile, a few sprigs of herbs and/or a pinch of spices to suit your tastes. Photo by Jesse Brantman. Ingredients 3 cups water 1 cup rice vinegar 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar* ½ cup + 2 tablespoons sugar 3 tablespoons kosher salt Instructions Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring just to a boil, stirring to combine. Remove from heat. Trim, slice or chop ve

A one-day or weekend getaway to this small town in Lake County, Florida includes plenty of culinary options for all appetites. For a small town with about 14,000 residents, Mount Dora offers visitors a culinary cornucopia. When the daily grind is wearing you down, take a break, hit the highway and set the GPS to Mount Dora. This laid-back village alongside Lake Dora (often referred to as the “New England of Florida”) is tucked away in Lake County, about 30 miles northwest of

the start of autumn farmers markets

Rent a spot in a community garden to grow fresh produce and friendships. Members of the St. Augustine Beach Community Garden share tips...

Sometimes called the "Florida Cranberry," this local edible calyx packs a punch. Illustration by Kiara Sanchez. If you want to add a...

an evening at Park Place Lounge

block parties build community