The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us, don’t they? One moment we’re crunching leaves in October, and the next we’re elbow-deep in wrapping paper, wondering how on earth Christmas is already here. Over the years, I’ve learned that the most peaceful holiday seasons aren’t the ones filled with perfection—they’re the ones prepared with intention. A stocked pantry, a few tried-and-true recipes, and a rhythm that feels comforting rather than chaotic… that’s where the magic lives.

That’s why this year on The Simple Pursuit, I’m launching something truly special: Count Down to Christmas — 25 Days of Simple.

Every day leading up to Christmas, I’ll be sharing a homemade recipe on Instagram and Facebook—simple, whole-food staples that help you ditch the processed stuff, save money, and reconnect with the timeless tradition of making things by hand. From cozy hot cocoa mix to fluffy marshmallows, from my trusty sugar cookies to the buttercream frosting that never fails, each recipe is designed to be easy, nourishing, and completely doable—especially during the busiest time of the year.

And because I know how precious your time is (especially if you’re juggling kids, work, gifts, and… life), I’m gathering all 25 homemade Christmas recipes into a beautifully designed, downloadable PDF. At the end of the month, you’ll be able to print it, save it, use it year after year, and make it part of your family traditions.

This season isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about filling your home with warmth, fragrance, and memories—without the overwhelm. Whole-food ingredients, simple preparation, and the joy of creating something from scratch… that’s the heartbeat of this countdown.

Let’s make these 25 days slower, sweeter, and a little more homemade.

Why Homemade Christmas Recipes Make the Holidays Easier—not Harder

If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had years when the holidays felt… heavy.
Not because they aren’t beautiful, but because the pressure can be overwhelming:

• Make dinner.
• Buy gifts.
• Wrap gifts.
• Bring something to the potluck.
• Bake cookies for the school program.
• Prepare something for brunch.
• Make more food because your family is always hungry.

I love all of it.
But I also love breathing space, simplicity, and knowing my pantry is stocked with things I can grab and use without thinking.

That is the heart behind this countdown:
Whole-food pantry staples you make once and rely on all season.

When you open your pantry and see homemade mixes, seasonings, staples, and treats ready to go, suddenly December feels doable. Maybe even peaceful.

And in true The Simple Pursuit fashion, every recipe leans into:

• whole ingredients
• organic, non-toxic choices
• back-to-basics cooking
• simple, modern homestead living
• no guilt, no perfection… just good food made with love

This countdown isn’t about creating more work.
It’s about creating more ease.

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The Joy of a Stocked Pantry: Your December Survival Strategy

There is something incredibly grounding about a pantry filled with homemade staples. It’s more than food—it’s preparation, comfort, and confidence.

Homemade mixes = fewer decisions

Decision fatigue is real, especially in December.
When you already have a jar of homemade pancake mix, brownie mix, hot cocoa blend, or stuffing mix, you remove stress before it starts.

Whole food ingredients = no guilt

You don’t have to choose between “holiday fun” and “eating clean.”
When you make it yourself, you know exactly what goes in it—and what doesn’t.

Simple traditions = lasting memories

Kids don’t remember the perfectly wrapped gifts.
But they will remember homemade cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, shaking jars of hot cocoa mix, and baking sugar cookies at the counter together.

Your pantry becomes the heart of the season—quietly fueling joy.

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🎄 The 25 Days of Simple Homemade Christmas Recipes Countdown

These 25 recipes are designed to make your holidays easier, more intentional, and more delicious.

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1. Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Warm, rich, and made with real ingredients—no preservatives, no fillers.

2. Honey-Sweetened Marshmallows

Fluffy little snowdrifts perfect for cocoa or Christmas gifting.

3. Soft Sugar Cookies

A simple, nostalgic recipe that never disappoints.

4. Vanilla Bean Buttercream Frosting

The creamy topper that makes every holiday dessert sparkle.

5. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Mix

Warm as a Christmas hug.

6. Gingerbread Cookie Mix

All the flavor, none of the fuss.

7. DIY Brownie Mix

For when you need a quick dessert or chocolate therapy.

8. Homemade Pancake & Waffle Mix

Breakfast becomes effortless—especially for guests.

9. Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

A jarred gift everyone loves.

10. Cream-of-Soup Mix

Your clean alternative to the canned stuff.

11. Homemade Cake Mix

Make birthdays, holidays, and “just because” moments easier.

12. Brown Gravy Mix

Save any meal—and every holiday roast.

13. Brownie Mix

Guaranteed to turn any Grinch into a soft brownie heart.

14. Stuffing Mix

The holidays in a jar.

15. Cranberry Sauce

Bright, tangy, better-than-store-bought magic.

16. Homemade Apple Cider

Comfort in a mug.

17. Chai Tea Concentrate

Instant coziness in a mug.

18. Granola Clusters

Crunchy, cozy, Christmas morning magic.

19. Turkey Gravy

Saving dry birds since forever.

20. Vegetable Bouillon Paste

Soup season’s secret weapon.

21. Cinnamon Honey Butter

Spreadable joy.

22. Cocoa Coffee Creamer

Because mama needs fuel to wrap all those presents.

23. Homemade Vanilla Extract

A year-round essential.

24. Gingerbread Spice Blend

Instant holiday flavor in one shake.

25. Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls

Yes, these are the ones your family begs for.

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How to Use Your “25 Days of Simple” Countdown

Make One Each Day

Turn it into a December ritual—brew cocoa, bake cookies, prep mixes, involve the kids, savor the slowness.

Mix & Match as Gifts

Place your mixes in jars, add a handwritten note, and give meaningful, low-cost, whole-food gifts to the people you love.

Stock Your Pantry Before the Rush

Do them all early and smile every time you open your pantry in December.

Make It a Family Tradition

Pick a day each year to prep your holiday staples.
You’ll be amazed how simple moments become treasured memories.

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The Heart Behind Homemade Christmas Recipes

Growing up, I watched my family work hard during the holidays—cooking, cleaning, preparing for guests, trying to make everything perfect.
And while it was all done with love, perfection came with a cost: exhaustion.

When I became a mom, I realized I wanted the holidays to feel different.

I wanted:

✨ more time together
✨ more presence
✨ more meaning
✨ more peace

And that meant simplifying.

Whole-food cooking and homemade pantry staples became my way of slowing down the season.
Instead of scrambling, I prepared ahead.
Instead of buying boxes, I made mixes.
Instead of rushing, I gathered my family around the table to shake jars and bake cookies.

Homemade Christmas recipes aren’t about doing more work.
They’re about creating ease, connection, and tradition.

And truly—nothing tastes like homemade.

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Why Whole-Food Holiday Staples Matter

In a world of instant everything and ingredient lists that read like science experiments, whole-food cooking feels grounding. Comforting. Human.

It’s also:

• healthier
• more flavorful
• more affordable
• more sustainable
• more nostalgic

There’s something powerful about using real food—our ancestors’ food—to nourish our families during the busiest, most emotional season of the year.

When you use whole ingredients, the holidays feel… real.
And real feels good.

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A Simpler, Sweeter Christmas Starts in Your Kitchen

You don’t need a perfect holiday.
You don’t need matching pajamas, designer garlands, or color-coded gift wrap (unless you enjoy those things—then by all means, continue).

What you do need is peace.
And a pantry that works for you.

These homemade Christmas recipes help you create a holiday season filled with comfort, tradition, and whole-food goodness—without the overwhelm.

You deserve a December that feels as cozy and intentional as the food you make.

Here’s to a simpler, sweeter Christmas.
Here’s to your 25 days of homemade.
And here’s to traditions that last a lifetime.