SPEND MORE TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Written by Rondi Hillstrom Davis and Janell Sewall Oakes


Too often we forgo entertaining because ofrepparttar mere thought of all ofrepparttar 111270 preparation that is involved. And more is not better. Often we try to out do each other with lavish parties and expensive gifts. Stop and remember for a second what was important from your own childhood. Was it an outing? Baking cookies with your grandmother? Building a snowman with your dad? We need to connect. This doesn’t require more time, just shiftingrepparttar 111271 focus ofrepparttar 111272 time we already have. Here, a casual party and a very simple activity wererepparttar 111273 catalyst that brought everyone together.

To getrepparttar 111274 entire neighborhood intorepparttar 111275 Christmas spirit we planned a caroling party. The day before our guests arrived, my kids and I spent an afternoon making decorative candleholders to give to each caroler, to lightrepparttar 111276 way for our caroling expedition.

Dad, dressed as Santa, provided our very own photo opportunity. Little ones whispered their Christmas list in Santa’s ear. Grown ups, as well as kids, had their pictures taken in Santa’s lap.

Adults, kids, and even a few dogs then joined us on our merry way. Our numbers grew as we made our way caroling throughrepparttar 111277 neighborhood.

Asrepparttar 111278 carolers returned, we welcomed them with Mexican hot chocolate and ginger spice cookies. This party was a great way to engage everyone in an activity thatrepparttar 111279 whole family could enjoy. And for a few short hours we were able to turn our attention away fromrepparttar 111280 commercial marketing ofrepparttar 111281 holidays to something much more personal.

Christmas Libations for Little Elves

Written by Susan Dunn, You Personal Coach


Please makerepparttar children's table festive! I watched a little munchkin’s face fall last holiday when she realized she was relegated torepparttar 111269 “children’s table.”

I make itrepparttar 111270 focal point of my own decorating, and invite you to considerrepparttar 111271 possiblities!

Here are some festive drink recipes forrepparttar 111272 little elves at your celebration.

Choose festive ware and garnish. Any drink with whipped cream, you can put sprinkles atop, candied fruit, cinnamon candies, Christmas “picks,” drizzle with (non-alcoholic) crème de menthe for color, shaved colored chocolate, a Candy kiss.

Tie a red bow with an evergreen sprig onrepparttar 111273 punch ladle; surroundrepparttar 111274 base with greens and sugared cranberries or toy ornaments. If it’s hot, stick in a cinnamon stick or candy cane; dollop with whipped cream and garnish with sprinkles, cinnamon candies, confectioner’s sugar; add a holiday "pick"; stick a sparkler in each mug and light at presentation time.

If it’s cold, use decorated ice cubes – freeze cranberries, tiny ornaments, mint leaves, anything festive and NON-POISONOUS intorepparttar 111275 cubes and add at presentation time. (Remember that holly berries and all parts ofrepparttar 111276 mistletoe are poisonous); or freezerepparttar 111277 same things in an ice mold. You can have great fun with floating ice rings for punch forrepparttar 111278 kids - put in ornaments, cherries, greenery, anything you can make hygienic-enough and that isn't poisonous!

Whatever you serve, serve it with festive flare, and give it a holiday name! There's no more appreciative audience when you gorepparttar 111279 extra mile.

NANA'S NOG

3 cups milk 1 cup half 'n' half 3 T. sugar Put in blender with ice and frappe. Consider food coloring and candy sprinkles. Serves 4.

CHRISTMAS MINT PUNCH 1 1/2 c water 10 oz mint jelly 3 c pineapple juice, chilled 1/2 c lemon juice 64 oz Sprite 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 and juices. Just before serving, add Sprite and lime sherbet.

TRIM-THE-TREE CIDER PUNCH

1 gallon apple cider 12 whole cloves 2 large apples (Granny Smith, Rome Beauty), peeled, left whole 2 cinnamon sticks Ground nutmeg

Pour apple cider into large pot. Insert 6 cloves into each apple. Add apples and cinnamon sticks to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat; cover and barely simmer over very low heat 1 hour to allow flavors to blend. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over low heat before continuing.) Ladle hot cider punch into mugs. Sprinkle with nutmeg and serve. Source, Bon Appétit, December 1995

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