Holiday Gift Guide: New Cookbooks from ABRAMS Publishing #abramsdinnerparty #holidaygiftguide #bestcookbooks2021

It's hard to believe that it's already November! I'm basically in denial that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. November means it's also time to start thinking about holiday gift shopping for friends and family! If you have any home cooks on your shopping list, today I'm sharing a trio of fantastic cookbooks I received this Fall as part of the ABRAMS Dinner Party blogging group. Each of these cookbooks is unique and fun...they truly offer something for everyone. Whether your gift list includes aspiring bakers...maybe at-home hosts who love to entertain...or someone who simply lives for Christmas DIY and cooking/baking projects? I've definitley got you covered!

(1) Nailed It! Baking Challenges for the Rest of Us. In this official companion cookbook, the creators of the popular Netflix baking series Nailed It! share behind-the-scenes tips, tricks, and detailed recipes behind the mind blowing cakes and other baked goodies from the show's most popular episodes. The cookbook also includes simplified versions of some of the show's most memorable baking challenges -- which give even inexperienced bakers the ability to bake a personal masterpiece. Recipes range from smaller, "easy-ish" Baker's Choice recipes for cookies and cake pops...to some of the most challenging cakes ever revealed behind the show's iconic Door #2. The main goal of this cookbook is to have fun baking -- whether your final creation is a mouthwatering masterpiece -- or a delicious disaster. The books also includes tips for hosting an at-home Nailed It! challenge event. There's even an entire chapter dedicated to fun holiday recipes -- including Head Judge Jacques Torres' famous and simple-to-make Legendary Hot Chocolate. I already have that recipe earmarked to serve my family on Christmas Eve!

(2) Arty Parties -- An Entertaining Cookbook. This book is ideal for the at-home entertainers on your shopping list. Author Julia Sherman is a cook, writer, and artist. In Arty Parties, she shares how anyone can easily apply an artist’s touch to their at-home celebrations. Even if you're not an artist? You can entertain like one with this fun cookbook/guidebook! Arty Parties shows how to cook, live, and host like an artist via simple, inspired recipes and hands-on kitchen experiments. Sherman explains how to design uniquely personal (and memorable) gatherings that will leave your guests raving long after the party ends. Arty Parties states that modern gatherings are not so much about "getting it right"...meaning modern parties emphasize fun over perfection! Showcasing colorful food that's innovative and simple, Sherman shares recipes and flavors that are creative -- without being fussy or complicated. Examples include Avocado-Lemongrass Panna Cotta, a Saffron-Infused Tomato Soup, and Cauliflower Salad with Curry Vinaigrette. I especially love that every recipe has a key at the bottom that shares whether the recipe Makes Good Leftovers, is appropriate for Make Ahead, and which Season it's most appropriate for. Arty Parties is unique and beautifully designed...a how-to guide to create meaningful experiences. Gatherings that nourish the host...and their guests...in body, mind, and soul.

(3) 2021 Christmas with Southern Living. For many of us here in the South -- including myself, it doesn't feel like the Christmas season until Southern Living magazine releases its annual Christmas lifestyle book. Part DIY holiday decorating guide...part cookbook of holiday menus and recipes...this annual holiday guidebook contains tons of great ideas to make the holiday season extra special! This year's edition contains more than 100 new recipes that make entertaining and holiday food gift giving easy and fun. The editors of Southern Living share their favorite cooking tips -- including make-ahead secrets -- that make holiday hosting fun and less stressful. The book's overriding theme is making holiday memories with family and friends. The 2021 Christmas with South Living edition  includes a special section showcasing gifts from the kitchen -- including Mighty Mint Pinwheels and sweetly savory Pickled Grapes. The book's 200+ photos depict tasty food...and more. The front half of the book shares beautiful holiday DIY decorations and table settings...along with designs for holiday wreaths, trees, centerpieces, and mantel arrangements. 2021 Christmas with Southern Living is a go-to resource for essentials needed to make the holidays beautiful...and tasty. 

To order any of these books, simply click on the GRAY linked title for each book. This will take you directly to the book's dedicated page on the ABRAMS Publishing website. From there, you can order for delivery directly to your holiday gift recipient...or to your home address so you can wrap and hand deliver your purchase.

Be sure to come back here next week for a quick and easy recipe from 2021 Christmas with Southern Living. I'll be featuring the recipe for their sweetly-spicy Spiced Pecans. They're delicious...and easy to make with ingredients you likely already have on hand in your kitchen. They also happen to make excellent hostess gifts during the busy holiday party season!

Disclosure: I received complimentary copies of these three recommended cookbooks as part of the ABRAMS Dinner Party blogging group. All opinions about these books are solely my own.