There’s no doubt that decorating, crafting, and baking are among the best parts of the Christmas season for many of us. And since there’s a good chance that most of us will be celebrating differently this year due to COVID-19, now is the perfect time to try new things, like a totally revamped tree or a brand new Gingerbread cookie recipe. Since we get most of our inspiration from home and food TV (who doesn’t?), we’re highlighting our favorite shows to watch this holiday season.
Biggest Little Christmas Showdown (HGTV)
This four-part series is the ultimate holiday home & design competition. Builders are tasked with creating the cheeriest, most inventive miniature holiday homes, which are then judged by miniature experts (I had no idea this was a thing, but I’m happier now that I know they exist). As the competition progresses, the builders will compete in the finale for the grand prize of $50,000 regularly-sized dollars. Even better, the winning miniature home is transformed into an actual vacation house, complete with the holiday decorations for the season. Um, where do I sign up?!
Sleighed (The Design Network)
In Sleighed, two craftmasters go head-to-head each week in the ultimate holiday crafting showdown. Each episode has a specific decorating theme, from Trimming the Tree to Deck the Door. There’s nothing quite like making your own Christmas gifts for family and friends, and in the Season of Giving episode, both contestants craft some seriously cute DIY gifts. As craftmaster Brooke Maners says, “glue gun is life” and she’s definitely not wrong. Once you’ve binged all of the totally addicting Sleighed, check out more shows on The Design Network here.
Watch on demand with The Design Network
Giada’s Holiday Handbook (Food Network)
If you need some inspiration in the kitchen this holiday season, look no further, as Food Network heavyweight Giada De Laurentis gifts us with five seasons of holiday cooking. Giada cooks up some innovative ideas like Italian Christmas Bunch (Season 5, Episode 6), Christmas Tree Brownies (Season 4, Episode 2), and a Gingerbread House Party (Season 1, Episode 6). If you’re like me and survive the holidays with some much-needed alcohol, there’s even an episode on Christmas Cocktails (Season 3, Episode 4). Don’t forget to check out the rest of Food Network’s holiday lineup, including plenty of holiday baking competitions.
Watch all five seasons on demand with Food Network
Holiday Crafters Gone Wild (HGTV)
Holiday Crafters Gone Wild is a two-hour special in which competitors battle it out to make the fanciest holiday decorations for the home. Whether it be a festive, quite-literally-over-the-top tree topper or yuletide tablescape fit for a holiday feast, these competitors must bring out their best if they want a chance at the $10,000 grand prize. TV personality Jay Manuel hosts, and designer Kim Myles and celebrity party planner Michael Russo judge. What is the judging criteria you might ask? Creativity, complexity, and craftsmanship.
Watch on demand on HGTV
Bon Appétit Holiday Highlights (Bon Appétit)
In this expertly curated playlist, Bon Appétit is giving us all of their cooking tips and secrets for the holiday season. Some of their delicious creations include cardamom cream & maple-glazed doughnuts, a caramel molten cake, and braised short ribs. So if you’re looking for some innovation in the kitchen, Bon Appétit's Holiday Highlights has you covered. There’s even a challenge in which 50 (yes, 50!) people attempt to make the perfect hot chocolate. Is hot cocoa foolproof? Are there any secret ingredients to take your hot cocoa to the next level? Watch Holiday Highlights to find the answer to these burning holiday questions.
Watch on Bon Appétit from 10am, 4pm, and 10pm ET Saturdays through January 2nd
You’ll Be Home for Christmas (HGTV)
This brand new show isn't just holiday-themed; it also features a Santa impersonator as its host. Albie Mushaney is an Oregon-based real estate agent who spends his free time every holiday season dressing up as old man St. Nicholas. In You’ll Be Home for Christmas, Mushaney is helping people find and buy their perfect home - the ultimate Christmas gift! These homes conveniently come decorated for the holidays, relieving some of the stress for these first time home buyers!
Watch on HGTV on Friday, December 18th at 9pm ET
Sugar Fix (Tastemade)
With all of the desserts and sugary goods the holiday season is known for, it’s no surprise Christmas is a gluttonous time for many. Tastemade’s Sugar Fix takes us through plenty of confectionery sweets perfectly packaged for the holidays. If your oven is preoccupied with meat roasts and potatoes, check out the no-bake White Chocolate Peppermint Fudge Pie. Another no-bake idea is the adorable and easy Rice Krispie Christmas trees. For plenty of baking inspiration, check out Sugar Fix on Tastemade on Sling.
Watch on demand with Tastemade
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