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Upcycled Food Recipes To Make In 2024

Bacon Fat: The crisp slices may be the real star, but the bacon fat is nothing to just discard. (Plus, tossing it down the drain or in the trash can't be good for your home's plumbing or the environment, right?). It adds a subtle smokiness to this yummy bacon jam, but you can also use it as a popcorn topping!. (via Brit + Co)

Citrus Peels: Turn your favorite peels into marmalade with this easy recipe. Spread it on toast for breakfast or use it in a dessert — it's just that versatile. (via Brit + Co)

Pumpkin Seeds: We can hardly keep track of all the ways pumpkin seeds and guts can be repurposed. Stirring them into puppy chow is a great option for those who enjoy theirs a little sweeter. (via Brit + Co)

Apple Peels: You'll love sipping on homemade apple peel bourbonas a spicy, warming alternative to the usual flavored vodka and “fiery" store-bought selections. The sweet, autumnal notes mean it's just as good enjoyed neat or in a hot toddy. (via Food52)

Leftover Bones: Whip up a batch of brodo or this delicious creamy chicken, mushroom and green chile soup the next time you roast a chicken and pick it clean. (via Kitchen Sanctuary)

Chard Stems: Yeah, we can pickle chard stems for a sour afternoon pick-me-up. Not feeling something so puckery? Toss them on the grill instead. (via Bon Appétit)

Broccoli Stalks: Use the florets in your next stir fry, then transform the stalks into tasty baked fries like these broccoli stem fries. Dip 'em in chimichurri tahini for the ultimate snack. (via What's Cooking Good Looking)

Carrot Tops: If you buy fresh carrots with their tops, don't let them lop them off at the register. Instead, transform the fronds into a lovely pesto for roasted carrot soup. (via Cravings in Amsterdam)

Potato Peels: Crispy potato skins get an apeeling makeover when roasted, especially when sprinkled with cheese and scallions. (via The Kitchn)

Fennel Fronds: A pinch of fennel frond salt adds a subtle anise flavor anywhere it's sprinkled. (via Chew Town)

Apple Cores: Simmer apple cores and peels with a little sugar in a big pot of water to make an easy, no-waste apple juice. (via Inspiration Kitchen)

Papaya Seeds: You'll enjoy the interesting peppery taste papaya seeds lend this sweet and spicy watermelon blueberry salsa. Consider this the ultimate addition to the Memorial Day picnic. (via The Healthy Foodie)

Kale Stems: Kale stems are pretty tough to chew, but blending them in your next post-workout smoothie takes care of that issue, no sweat. Plus, when whirled with strawberries and banana, you'll hardly even know they're there. (via The Roasted Root)

Almond Pulp: If you make your own homemadealmond milk, it probably pains you a bit to just toss all the pulp you get after straining. Happily, it can be used to make grain-free cinnamon and peanut butter almond pulp crackers/cereal and more. (via The Edible Perspective)

1. Halloween Washi Magnet Clips: Give wooden clothespins a Hallo-worthy makeover with as little as a button and washi tape. Clip them onto a line of twine for an instant hanging photo album, or, if you want to use them as fridge memo holders, add magnetic tape strips to their backs. (via Inside Bru Crew Life)

2. All Eyes on You Wreath: For decor that’s as creepy as it is fun, make this DIY eyeball wreath out of ping-pong balls. It’s a lighthearted and colorful way to celebrate the season. (via I Love to Create)

3. Balloon-Dipped Mason Jars: Achieve these candy corn-inspired mason jars with minimal mess using balloons — no glue or paint required! They make for a festive flower vase or colorful candle holder. (via Brit + Co)

4. Jack-o’-Lantern Jars: Whether you use them as Halloween decorations or trick-or-treating buckets, these DIY jack-o’-lantern jars are a cinch to make. Instead of tossing your baby food jars or salsa containers in the recycling, you can make Pinterest-ready decor. (via Make It & Love It)

5. Little Halloween Monsters: If you happen to have a few empty pill bottles, use them to create these adorable little Halloween monsters with some fabric and felt scraps. Keep them from toppling over by filling them with marbles for ballast. (via This Heart of Mine)

6. Duct Tape Trick-or-Treat Candy Buckets: Turn an old paint can into a one-of-a-kind candy bucket your little one will love. All you’ll need for this DIY is some cardboard, an empty can and an assortment of duct tape in festive colors. (via Mer Mag)

7. Glittery Pumpkin Mason Jars: Glitter can do no wrong! Add some shimmer and shine to an orange-painted mason jar for cute and budget-friendly Halloween decor. (via Life Is a Lullaby)

8. DIY Ombre Wine Bottles: Ombre is a look that’s in all year round. Give old wine bottles a festive finish with an ombre spray-paint job inspired by candy corn. Once your bottles are dry, spruce them up even further with a bouquet of orange-hued flowers or a branch of autumnal leaves. (via Brit + Co)

9. Halloween Heels: Whether you’re dressing up as a skeleton or just want to add Halloween flavor to your work outfit, DIY these skeleton heels. While you’re at it, try making skeleton gloves to complete the look. (via Instructables)

10. Halloween Mason Jar Luminaries: These DIY luminaries illuminate a spooky silhouette, throwing even spookier shadows. Line them up on your windowsill to give your home an eerie flickering glow. (via Princess Pinky Girl)

11. Giant Yarn Spiderweb: Breathe new life into a thrifted frame with spray paint and a little yarn-weaving. The result will be an intricate display that trumps any store-bought cobweb. (via Made Everyday)

12. Eraser-Stamped Halloween Shirt: Do you have a plain t-shirt that could use a makeover? With fabric paint and the eraser end of a pencil, you too can create these frightfully fun bat-patterned shirts. Try this technique with silhouettes of cats, jack-o’-lanterns or other spooky icons. (via Cutesy Crafts)

13. Rib Cage T-Shirt: You’ll definitely get a skele-TON of compliments rocking this DIY rib cage tee. All you’ll need is a simple white or black t-shirt, a pair of scissors and some free templates to recreate this look. (via Martha Stewart)

14. Tin Can Halloween Decorations: Rather than throwing out your empty soup cans, upcycle them by turning them into these modern jack-o’-lanterns. Add a tealight candle to cast creepy shadows. (via Crafty Magazine)

15. Spooky Spiderweb Hoops: If you’ve got a couple of spare embroidery hoops, it’s quick and fun to weave these impressive DIY spiderwebs. Clip a spider pin onto the webbing, or make one of out chenille stems, to complete the scene. (via A Night Owl)

16. Spooky Skull Treat Boxes: If you’re anything like us, you’re probably finding these old plastic Easter eggs in drawers and under furniture for months after the holiday. Why not turn them into Halloween treat boxes? (via Martha Stewart)

17. Mummy Luminary: Light up the night with these mummy-inspired luminaries made from empty food jars. As a safety precaution, because of the fabulous but flammable gauze, use battery-operated tea lights to illuminate them. (via Bren Did)

18. Spooky Tin Can Lantern: Line your walkway with these spooky lanterns made out of used tin cans. Depending on the paint you use, these can work indoors or out, with real or battery-operated candles. (via The Paper Mama)

Will you try your hand at these spooky chic Halloween DIYs? Follow us on Pinterest for more spooky DIY ideas!

When's the best time to do holiday shopping?

The best time to do holiday shopping really all depends on your personal shopping goals. Do you want to get a jump on items you know will sell out soon? Do you want to save the most money possible? Do you want to focus on handmade, personalized gifts? These factors will undoubtedly influence your holiday shopping schedule.

Shopping early can be advantageous for all of the aforementioned goals. A lot of retailers start promoting their holiday products early on, giving you ample time to snatch up that limited-time lip kit or fancy water bottle you’ve been eyeing way before the holidays.

Plus, some of the best deals for holiday shopping happen ahead of Black Friday and Cyber Monday – in 2023, Experian observed a surge in early spending in October, thanks to early discounts, a trend likely to continue in 2024.

Finally, shopping early can be especially helpful if your plan is to focus on handmade or personalized gifts, giving the artisan you buy from (or yourself, if you’re DIY-ing your gifts) plenty of time to craft the item with love and care.

Gallup reported in 2023 that one in four shoppers start shopping as early as September, a trend likely to continue in 2024 – so you might already be embarking on your shopping spree!

If right now is just still too darn early for you to start holiday shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are some of the best times to shop since so many retailers offer their largest discounts of the entire year. Plus, the late November-early December timeline can feel a bit more appropriate for the gifting season opposed to late October-early November, when everyone’s still recovering from Halloween.

The only thing to consider during this time is the shipping timelines for the items you purchase – but most retailers will typically advise their specific shipping schedules, so you don’t risk your goodies arriving late.

Where should I shop for gifts?

You have three main options when it comes to where to shop for holiday gifts: online, in-store, and via our amazing gift guides. Of course, each method has its advantages and disadvantages.

Shopping in-store offers a tangible experience: the opportunity to hold specific items in your hands and gauge exactly what they’ll be like when you give them as a gift. The pitfall with shopping in-person is that it typically requires a commute and journeys through potentially very busy malls and shopping strips, which can add to the already-stressful holiday experience.

In-store shopping can be more physically exhausting, but it’s all about preference! Sometimes strolling through the stores that get all dolled up for Christmas is the best part of the season.

Per Google, 65% of those planning to shop for the holidays say they will shop online more. Shopping for gifts online can be super helpful since you can centralize your findings in your browser’s bookmark tab or via virtual cart(s). Plus, shopping online can pose more opportunities for saving some money: lots of retailers typically offer discount codes for online users, especially if you sign up for their digital marketing channels (like email and text) and make a purchase.

Shopping online isn’t just shopping, either. The internet can be a stellar research tool to help you vet whether certain products are worth it, where they can be bought, and when they’ll be available. In fact, Google reported that more than half of U.S. holiday shoppers who went into a store last year say they looked up product reviews online and/or located an item in-store by checking it online.

Last but not least, scrolling gift guides has to be our favorite place to shop for gifts – and not just because we write and publish them.

At their very core, gift guides help streamline the holiday shopping process, alleviating the stress that bubbles up when you’re wondering what the heck to shop for in the first place. Our gift guides are backed by real people, real experiences, and real opinions from our editorial team. We only promote products that we really love and believe in, oftentimes ones we’ve tested and reviewed ourselves.

We have gift guides for just about everyone on your list, with more on the way! Check ‘em out:

• Gifts for Him
• Gifts for Her
• Gifts for Foodies
• DIY + Handmade Gifts
• White Elephant Gifts
• Gift Sets

What are the best kinds of gifts to give?

The best kinds of gifts to give are thoughtful gifts that consider the giftee’s interests, wants, and needs. These gifts can be sentimental, practical, or both simultaneously. What matters most in a gift is that it’ll be meaningful to them past just the holiday season, whether it’s helping them get through daily tasks, reminding them of a memorable trip or event, or giving them small doses of joy.

“Shoppers are increasingly looking for personalized and unique gifts that reflect the recipient's personality and interests,” says Mia Anderson, Owner of ChicSew. “With the rise of online shopping, many consumers are opting for curated gift boxes or experiences that add a special touch.”

Gift boxes, personalized items, books of interest, self-care goodies, and even gift cards can all be thoughtful gifts depending on the recipient. If you have no clue what your giftee is into, it’s not a bad idea to ask them what they want the most!

“My idea of a great gift is something that is in tandem with the recipient's interest and offers something new to the person, be it learning a new skill, enjoying a calming activity, or simply spending quality time with the family,” says Alfred Christ, Sales Manager & Marketer at Robotime. “This season, we encourage shoppers to shift their focus on quality and the memories their gifts will create and not just merely material aspects.”

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, Black Friday lands on November 29.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is typcally the Monday after Thanksgiving. This year, Cyber Monday will land on December 2. Oftentimes, retailers and brands extend their online offers through the week (coined Cyber Week) after the event. Salesforce reported that 67% of shoppers in 2024 plan on shopping during Cyber Week!