Giada's Holiday Handbook — Season 5

Giada De Laurentiis kicks off the season with a harvest-themed festival for her neighbors. The backyard games start with bobbing for apples, which they use to dip into melted caramel and toppings for dessert. The delicious feast includes Roasted Squash and Gorgonzola Pizza, made with Giada's own Pizza Dough, complemented with Italian Carrot Salad and Spiced Apple Cake.

Giada De Laurentiis hosts a festive Thanksgiving for family and friends. Setting up an extra-long table on the beach, Giada asks each family member to invite a friend and provides a personalized welcome message at each place setting. The guests enjoy a menu of Braised Turkey Braciole, Bacon Stuffing with Radicchio and Chestnuts, Brussels Sprouts Agrodolce and delicious Parmesan Apple Pie.

Giada De Laurentiis and her daughter, Jade, host a holiday party for her friends. Jade helps prepare the menu, prep for the party and plan the activity of making homemade Christmas gifts for a teacher or coach. The menu is a gourmet twist on kid favorites, including Jade's Home Fries, Turkey Parmesan Panini, Brie and Apple Panini and Double Chocolate Mint Cupcakes.

Giada De Laurentiis invites her cousins to bring an appetizer over for a Christmas party, and surprise guest Aunt Raffy judges which is the best. After the highly competitive game, Giada and her guests dine on a festive buffet-style meal of Pomegranate Glazed Pork, Braised Escarole with Olives and Raisins, Baked Penne with Squash and Goat Cheese, and a colorful dessert of Cherry and Cranberry Cobbler.

Giada De Laurentiis is on a mission to recreate a family holiday recipe called Miracle Rice with her beloved Aunt Raffy. The dish reflects generations of stories and memories, and, of course, both Giada and Raffy have their own ideas on how it's best prepared. They also create a Simple Sorbet, an easy berry dessert, before ending the night with a grab-bag gift exchange.

Giada De Laurentiis hosts a gorgeous formal brunch for her family on Christmas day, with a California twist on some favorite Italian dishes. Giada's delicious menu includes Beef Tenderloin with Scallion Salsa Verde, a Crab and Artichoke Frittata, Olive Biscuits and a decadent Chocolate Panettone Sformato for dessert. The festive family gathering ends with a holiday gift exchange.

Giada De Laurentiis helps her girlfriends jump-start the new year with a fun gathering that focuses on wellness and self-care. After a poolside stretch and yoga session, Giada serves a buffet menu of her healthy Wedge Salad, Broiled Salmon with Fennel Salad, Herb De Provence Roasted Potatoes and crowd favorite Quinoa Chocolate Chip Cookies. Following lunch, the guests make their own facial and body scrubs as part of their take-home gift bag.