A Cozy Day of Self-Care with Apple Cider Donuts & a DIY Gingerbread House Garland

Some days simply invite you to embrace the coziness of life. Imagine waking up to a soft light filtering through your curtains, a gentle breeze rustling the leaves outside, and a world that feels hushed and serene. There are no plans or obligations today—just you, wrapped in your favorite blanket, surrounded by the soothing melodies of your chosen playlist. It’s on these special days that I feel most alive, allowing myself the freedom to curl up in my comfiest clothes and let go of the outside world while diving into the comforts of my kitchen and crafting corner.

Self-care is often thought of as a day at the spa or an indulgent retreat, but it can take so many forms, each as unique as the person seeking it. It’s about understanding what truly nourishes your soul and recharges your spirit. For me, self-care means creating something delicious that fills my home with warmth and joy, paired with engaging in a craft project that allows my imagination to flow. Just ask my ever-growing collection of supplies from Michael's; it’s proof of my love for crafting.

This week, I decided to embrace the comforting vibes of the season by treating myself to two delightful and fulfilling projects: baking Brown Butter Apple Cider Donuts drizzled with Salted Maple Glaze and making a charming felt gingerbread garland. As I measured out the ingredients for the donuts, the rich, nutty scent of browning butter enveloped my kitchen, making it feel warm and inviting. Each donut, with its tender crumb and sweet glaze, not only satisfied my cravings but also left the sweetest aroma wafting through my home.

In addition to baking, I indulged in the meditative act of creating a felt gingerbread garland. The act of cutting and layering felt in cheerful hues brought me joy, and adding whimsical details with puff paint felt like a form of play. Each piece came together, transforming my crafting space into a festive wonderland while providing me a peaceful escape.

If you find yourself in need of a little self-care and wish to embrace the cozy, creative side of life, I hope this post serves as an invitation to explore those simple joys. Let’s take the time to bake, craft, and indulge in heartfelt activities that fill our cups with happiness. I invite you to join me on this journey and share your own experiences.

Mindful Moments

  • Savoring Exercise: Take a moment to smell the ingredients (like brown butter or apple cider) and notice their comforting aromas. While crafting, focus on the texture of the felt or the precision of your puff paint. Practicing mindfulness during these activities can make them even more soothing.

Gentle Movement

  • Stretch Breaks: Pause between baking and crafting to do light stretches or yoga. Focus on releasing tension in your shoulders and hands, which can get tight from these activities.

  • Nature Walk: If time allows, take a short stroll outside to gather inspiration or reflect on the sensory experiences of your baking and crafting.

Journaling Prompt

  • While the donuts bake, grab a notebook and jot down your thoughts about what self-care means to you. Reflect on what activities make you feel rejuvenated and how you can incorporate them into your routine more often.

Self-Compassion Check-In

  • Write yourself a kind note or affirmation while you work on the garland. Something like, "I deserve this time to nourish myself and create joy." You can even attach the note to your garland as a personal touch!

Music or Audiobook Pairing

  • Create a playlist that makes you feel calm and happy, or listen to a cozy, uplifting audiobook while you bake and craft.

Tea or Cider Break

  • Make a cup of tea or warm apple cider to sip while you decorate your donuts or finish your garland. This reinforces the cozy, slow-paced feel of the day.

Ingredients:

For the Donuts

  • 1 cup apple cider (reduced to ½ cup)

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 ½ tsp baking powder

  • ½ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon

  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, browned

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar

  • 2 large eggs

  • ½ cup whole milk

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Salted Maple Glaze

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar

  • 3 tbsp pure maple syrup

  • 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed for consistency)

  • ¼ tsp sea salt

For Garnish (optional)

  • Dehydrated apple slices (store-bought or homemade)

  • A sprinkle of cinnamon sugar

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Instructions:

Before you begin cooking, pause for a few moments and take three deep breaths. Inhale deeply through your nose, letting your belly expand. Exhale slowly through your mouth. As you breathe, set an intention for this moment: you are taking time to nourish yourself, both physically and emotionally.

Prepare the Apple Cider Reduction:

Pour apple cider into a small saucepan. As it simmers over medium heat, take a moment to breathe deeply and appreciate the process of creating something special for yourself. Watch the cider reduce to half its original volume, infusing your space with a warm, inviting aroma. This reduction is essential for giving your donuts a rich apple flavor. Set it aside to cool, acknowledging the time you’re taking for self-care.

Brown the Butter:

In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. As it transforms into a golden brown and fills your kitchen with a delightful nutty aroma, remind yourself of the beauty in small transformations. Remove it from heat and let it cool slightly, reflecting on the nourishing qualities of this butter, just as you nourish yourself.

Mix Dry Ingredients:

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. As you mix, visualize the positive energy each ingredient brings to your donuts and to your well-being.

Combine Wet Ingredients:

In a medium bowl, whisk together the browned butter, granulated sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and the cooled apple cider reduction. During this step, practice self-compassion by acknowledging your efforts. Every ingredient contributes to a delightful treat, much like every part of you contributes to your unique self.

Make the Batter:

Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Remember, the key to light and fluffy donuts is not to overmix. As you gently combine them, remind yourself to be gentle with your thoughts and feelings, embracing imperfections just as they are.

Bake the Donuts:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a donut pan, you can use a muffin tin. Grease the pan and spoon the batter into each cavity, filling them about ¾ full. As you place them in the oven, take a moment to appreciate the care you’re giving yourself through this process. Bake for 11–13 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Prepare the Glaze:

In a bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, maple syrup, milk (as needed), and sea salt until smooth. As you create this glaze, think about adding sweetness to your life, and remind yourself that you deserve indulgence.

Decorate the Donuts:

Once the donuts are cool, dip them into the salted maple glaze. For an extra touch, garnish with dehydrated apple slices or a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar. As you decorate, practice gratitude for the time you’ve spent nurturing yourself, and recognize that taking this time is a vital form of self-care. Enjoy your delicious creation, knowing you’ve cared for yourself both physically and emotionally.

Crafting is about the process, the joy of creating, and giving yourself permission to be imperfect. This felt gingerbread house garland is the perfect project for a cozy day of self-care. Using simple materials like felt, puff paint, and string, you can create a charming decoration while embracing your creative side.

How to Make a Felt Gingerbread House Garland: A Creative Self-Care Activity

Materials You’ll Need

  • Brown felt (enough to cut out multiple houses)

  • White puff paint (or fabric paint for the “icing”)

  • String, twine, or ribbon (for the garland)

  • Hot glue or your adhesive of choice

  • Scissors

  • A pencil or chalk (optional, for tracing designs)

Instructions

  1. Set the Scene for Self-Care
    Start by creating a cozy, calming environment. Put on your favorite music or podcast, make a cup of tea, and settle into your crafting space. Remind yourself that this is about the experience, not perfection.

  2. Cut Out Your Houses
    Use scissors to cut different shapes and sizes of houses from the brown felt. Don’t worry about symmetry or precision—each house is meant to be unique, just like the ones in a gingerbread village.

  3. Add Your Designs
    With the puff paint, decorate each house however you’d like. Try adding snowy rooftops, windows, doors, or even little hearts and stars. If you make a mistake or don’t like a design, let it dry and move on. Lean into self-compassion by reminding yourself that imperfection adds charm!

  4. Allow Time to Dry
    Puff paint needs time to set. While your houses dry, take a moment for yourself. Maybe journal, stretch, or simply enjoy your cozy space.

  5. Attach the String
    Once the paint is dry, attach the houses to your string using hot glue or another adhesive. Space them out evenly, or cluster them for a whimsical look.

  6. Hang Your Garland
    Find the perfect spot to display your creation—a mantel, window, or even your kitchen. Each time you see it, let it remind you of the care and creativity you poured into it.

    Why This is Self-Care

    This project is about more than the end result. It’s about giving yourself permission to slow down, to be messy, and to embrace your inner creativity. Some of my houses turned out differently than I imagined, but I leaned into self-compassion, knowing that imperfection is part of the process—and part of life. Take your time, enjoy the experience, and let this garland be a reflection of your own beautiful, imperfect creativity.