Alcohol has been around a long time, providing both joy and misery. Assuming Smart Choices and Emotionally Intelligent use of spirits, we proceed to list 10 fun drinks for holiday season.

Pay attention to your serving ware, and GARNISH for that festive look. Any drink with whipped cream, you can put sprinkles atop, candied fruit, Christmas “picks” drizzle with crème de menthe for color, shaved color chocolate, a Candy kiss atop …

If it’s hot: ·Stick in a cinnamon stick or candy cane ·Dollop with whipped cream and garnish with sprinkles, candy, confectioner’s sugar ·Add a holiday “pick” – there are tons to choose from ·Stick a sparkler in each mug and light at presentation time

If it’s cold: ·Use decorated ice cubes – freeze cranberries, mint leaves, anything festive and NON-POISONOUS into cubes and add at presentation time. (Remember that holly berries and all parts of mistletoe are poisonous). ·Float sugar-coated cranberries in punch bowl ·Freeze ornaments or fruits or flowers in an ice ring for punch bowl; be creative – anything you can make hygienic-enough

For traditional eggnog – history, recipes and hazards of egg whites, go here: http://www.indepthinfo.com/eggnog/index.shtml

Whatever you serve, serve it with festive flare, and give it a holiday name!

The First Day of Christmas: CHRISTMAS MINT PUNCH 1 1/2 c Water 10 oz Mint jelly 3 c Pineapple juice; chilled 1/2 c Lemon juice 1 1/2 c Vodka 64 oz Lemon-lime carbonated drink; chilled 1 qt Lime sherbet In small saucepan, combine water and mint jelly; cook and stir until jelly melts. Cool. In large punch bowl, combine jelly mix, juices and vodka. Just before serving, add carbonated beverage and lime sherbet.

Day 2: ANBERRY CHRISTMAS

#1

2 well-chilled 750-ml. bottles champagne or sparkling cider 1 cup well-chilled cranberry juice cocktail, or to taste 3 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur, or to taste, if desired

In a large pitcher stir together well champagne, cranberry juice cocktail and Grand Marnier. Makes about 7 cups, serving 8. Source: ourmet, November 1993

#2

1 oz. cointreau 3 oz. cranberry juice 1 oz. lemon juice, 1 ½ oz. Vodka

Day 3: DAMN THE WEATHER

2 cups Ruby Port 1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice 1 cup fresh orange juice 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Chilled club soda or seltzer water 6 lemon slices for garnish

Ah yes good old Tin Can. The tin can has been around for years, providing many different projects to be made from tin cans. They are one of most versatile mediums for crafts, besides wood and foam. Best part about them, they are cheap. Tin cans can be used to make all kinds of candle holders, providing a unique touch to your home or garden. In this article, we will share some ideas on how to make interesting and unique candle holders out of tin cans.

There are two primary size tin cans, soup cans and coffee cans. Both offer a wide variety of different craft ideas. Tin cans can be cut, punched, painted, weathered and modified in multiple ways. They can be set on top of a table or hung out in garden.

Let’s start with basics. Most people will decide to punch holes into can, which is easiest. However you can use any type of cutting tools. A drill is handy, but even better is a Dremel tool. But for those who will be using a hammer or even a drill, let’s start there. Before you start anything, fill can with water and freeze it. This will allow you to punch holes easier, with out bending can.

It always helps to have some kind of plan or design in your head or on paper. In fact drawing design out on paper allows you to modify it and then tape it around tin can as a template. Think about weather or not you may want to paint tin can or weather proof it for outside garden use.