Holiday Gift Guide
Holiday Cookies
Easy DIY Wreath
Cooking with kids
FamilyLife Holidays Made Easy
December 2020
December Contents
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63
ADVICE
ORGANIZE
FEATURES
14 10 Easy Ways To Get Kids Excited About Cooking, According To Experts
37 How To Make A DIY Paper Wreath From Old Holiday Cards
47 2020 Gift Guide
19 5 Simple Tips for Birthday Bash Success 23 ABC's of the Holidays
FOOD
37 IN EVERY ISSUE 11 Editor's Letter
74 63 Last Look Wonderful time of the year
ON THE COVER Photography by Erik Putz Food styling by Eshun Mott Prop Styling by Madeline Johari
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FamilyLife EDITOR IN-CHIEF Pamela Hayford EXECUTIVE EDITOR Suzanne Moutis CREATIVE DIRECTOR Karen Paddon EDITORIAL OPERATIONS & ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Olga Goncalves Costa TEST KITCHEN FOOD DIRECTOR Soo Kim SENIOR FOOD ASSOCIATE Stina Diös CONTRIBUTING FOOD SPECIALISTS Donna Borooah, Cara Tegler ART DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Lena Diaz ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Sarah Big Canoe CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR Leanne Gilbert PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Genevieve Pizzale EDITORIAL SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Megan Howard FEATURES EDITOR Mary Levitski COPY EDITORS Debbie Madsen Villamere, Stephanie Zolis EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Marianne Davidson, Sarah Dziedzic HOME & GARDEN HOME & STYLE DIRECTOR Ann Marie Favot DESIGN EDITOR Morgan Lindsay NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGERS, TORONTO David Lawrence, John McDowell, Nicole Rosen, Roberta Thomson NATIONAL ACCOUNTS MANAGER, MONTREAL Ingrid Barfod NATIONAL ACCOUNT MANAGER, VANCOUVER Renee Wong BRAND OPERATIONS MANAGER Terry Smith
VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE SALES & DIRECTOR, CLIENT SOLUTIONS Brandon Kirk DIRECTOR, MEDIA SALES Mike Lambe ST. JOSEPH COMMUNICATIONS CHAIRMAN & CEO Tony Gagliano VICE CHAIRMAN John Gagliano PRESIDENT & PUBLISHER Ken Hunt VICE PRESDIENT, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY Sean McCluskey EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Sarah Trimble DIRECTOR, LIFESTYLE CONTENT Sasha Emmons DIRECTOR, CONTENT OPERATIONS James Reid DIRECTOR, CIRCULATION Allan Yue MANAGER, CIRCULATION Lisa Rivers DIRECTOR, BRANDED CONTENT, AUDIENCE & EVENTS Nadine Silverthorne PROJECT MANAGER, BRANDED CONTENT Milena Boskovic EXECUTIVE EDITOR, BRANDED CONTENT Meaghan Yuen DESIGNER, BRANDED CONTENT Leo Tapel Family Life is published by St. Joseph Communications, 15 Benton Road, Toronto, M6M 3G2. Contents Copyright 2020 by St. Joseph Communications. may not be reprinted without written permission. Article proposals and manuscripts must be accompanied by self-addressed envelopes and sufficient postage; otherwise they will not be returned or acknowledged. While the publishers will take all reasonable care, they will not be responsible for the loss of any manuscript, drawing or photograph. ISSN 0128-1839. Single copy price $5.99 + tax. Full subscription prices: Canada, 1 year (6 issues), $15 + tax. In the U.S., 1 year $45 + tax; Other countries $75 + tax, Indexed in the Canadian Periodical Index. Printed in Canada. Family Life, it's affiliate and assignees may use, reproduce, publish, distribute, store and archive such as unsolicited submissions in whole or in part in any form or medium whatsoever, without compensate of any sort.
St. Joseph Communications can be reached at 15 Benton Road, Toronto, M6M 3G2
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Editor's Letter
Thank you Really, what else can you say after 5 years in a job that has been better—more fun, more surprising, and definitely longer-lasting—than you could have expected? I write this during a happy-sad week, as it is my last week as the editor of FamilyLife. I’m happy because there is something uniquely thrilling about closing your eyes and jumping and not knowing what the landing is going to feel like. Which is exactly what I’m about to do. And I’m sad because I leave behind this work family and this brand that I truly love The best piece of advice I can leave you with is this: Don’t sweat it. Yes, safety matters. Yes, we need to educate ourselves about the different choices that lie ahead. But if we make a mistake — and we all make mistakes — it’s OK. It happens. It’s an opportunity to practice resiliency. Worrying won’t help. So don’t sweat it. Do your best and enjoy every moment you can. Life is full of possibilities and opportunities. Seize them.
Pamela Hayford Editor In-Chief
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Advice
10 Easy Ways To Get Kids Excited About Cooking, According To Experts By AMY THOMAS
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Advice With all the extra time we’re spending at home, wouldn’t it be great to inspire your kids’ creativity…in the kitchen? It may seem daunting but there are actually more ways to pique their interest and get them to pitch in than you’d think. From letting them set the menu to sampling strong spices to impromptu dance parties at the stove, experts share some tried and true ways to cultivate your child’s culinary curiosity. Appeal to their minds as much as their taste buds. “Rule #1, trust the kids, no matter how old they are,” declares Sylvie Berger, a New York-based chef who offers workshops she calls “culinary playgrounds for kids.” In other words, don’t think they’ll automatically reject a food just because they’re a kid. Instead, ask their opinion about a good recipe to try, start a conversation about what you might make with eggs, engage your child’s imagination. “Once they understand you trust them... and you’re cooking and discovering together,” says Berger, “that’s the way you bring them along.” Tickle all their senses. While cooking and food is about taste, it’s also so much more. “Have them describe a food by looking at it,” suggests Lauren Sharifi, a Massachusetts-based pediatric and family dietitian who works with many picky eaters. “Touch the food, smell the food, hear what sounds it makes.” This sensory-based exploration lets kids engage with food in new ways that could change their perspective and ignite their imagination. Work with their obsessions. If your child is over the moon about sweet potatoes, explore all the ways of making it. Share a raw sweet potato with them, then slice and roast it, mash it, do a baked option that layers on other ingredients. Whether it’s a sweet potato (ingredient) or soup (dish), show that one item can have a millions permutations, which can inspire more exploring. Make smart pairings. Getting your kids excited to make a pizza might not be too difficult. But how do you stir up the same enthusiasm for cooking, say, broccoli? “The easiest way to introduce veggies to children is to mix them with something yummy,” says Berger. That could be eggs, cheese or dough that brings the yum factor and, with it, a more open mind. “It helps them understand that it’s not just a piece a broccoli that we have to shove in our mouths,” says Berger, “that you can make all sorts of magic things with these vegetables.”
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Let things get messy. Throw perfection out the window when cooking with kids. Don’t expect the meal, much less the kitchen, to be pretty. Alexis Newman, a dietitian in the Philadelphia area, realized this while making jambalaya with her own three-year-old when the seasonings went flying. “If I want her to like and enjoy food, it’s going to be a messy process and I just have to be okay with it,” she says. This attitude is not only healthy, it promotes a fun atmosphere that lets you both loosen up and enjoy the experience more. Spice it up. It may be counterintuitive, but don’t play it safe. Bland is bland, no matter how old you are. “Spices are fantastic with kids,” says Berger, pointing out that extreme flavors appeal to their adventurous spirits— albeit with a forewarning of their potential strength, and water bottles at the ready. Engage their noses first by putting spices, like cumin, cloves, and cayenne in a paper bag to smell and then having them blind test a tiny amount “Whether they like it or not, it’s surprising for their taste buds, and they love that.” Give them control. To get kids excited to cook, think beyond the stove. “Have them help decide what recipes to make for dinner one night a week and build on it,” suggests Melissa Halas, a dietitian in Pasadena, CA and founder of SuperKids Nutrition, which promotes healthy eating in kids and families. They can help with the grocery list, set the table, choose the music you listen (and dance) to while you’re cooking. As Halas points out, “Children get excited when they feel responsible.” Turn over the tools. Who wouldn’t have fun with something called the “crinkle cutter”? Though gadgets like this one, which cuts everything from veggies to cheese with a cute zig-zag pattern, make prep work feel like play, so can the most basic kitchen tools. Think: rolling pins, measuring cups, vegetable peelers, even aprons and oven mitts. If you are working with younger children, opt for plastic since it’s lighter and bring in lots of color.
Advice
Start them young. “I don’t think people realize they can start getting their kids involved at a really young age,” says Sharifi. Even as wee as a year and a half, they’re learning about and exploring food, making it a great time to expose them to the process and provoke their curiosity. Newman used to hold her baby on her hip while she cooked, and now her three-year-old daughter drags a chair up to the counter wanting to help with dinner. Model good (food) behavior. Just like other areas of parenting, your kids are picking up on your cues. “If you are excited about cooking, your kids will be too,” Halas says. Experimenting, sharing, and learning is part of the whole process. Share your enthusiasm about seeing them in the kitchen, offer positive feedback as they chop, measure, and stir, and, afterwards, reinforce what a good job they did.
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Advice
5 Simple Tips for Birthday Bash Success Whether you’re planning a princess tea party or a superhero birthday bash, the secret to organizing a party your child will treasure is to keep your little one’s interests at the forefront.If your child does well in smaller groups, keep the guest list small. Plan the menu around her favorite foods and look for little touches that celebrate the unique joy she brings to your family. Make his big day extra special with these simple tips that make childhood birthday parties manageable but magnificent:
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Advice
Set a theme.
Decorate the guests.
Building your celebration around a theme that reflects your child brings an added touch of fun and excitement. Popular options include a favorite color, sport, activity or character. While the Internet offers a mind-boggling array of ideas for crafting the perfect theme, there also are a variety of party-ready options for busy moms with limited time.
There’s no reason to stop with streamers and balloons. Integrate your guests into the decor with fun activities that bring your theme to life. Face paint, washable tattoos or stamps let little guests take an active role in the party and express a little creativity of their own.
Amp up the activity. Create opportunities for all the little partygoers to participate in the festivities with interactive games that tie back to the theme of the party. Old-school favorites like pin-the-tail on the donkey can be updated to reflect today’s popular characters; makeyour-own slime or clay is the perfect project for a group of mad scientists; or a treasure hunt can be adapted to nearly any theme.
Add some fancy to the food. If your party menu calls for more than cake and ice cream, you can take advantage of another avenue to carry through your theme. A little creativity, some clever monikers and a few basic modifications can quickly transform everyday snacks into festive fun. For example, a dinosaur party might feature Brontosaurus Burgers and T-Rex Trail Mix. The options are nearly endless, and if you’re at a loss, you can find ample inspiration online.
Offer a fond farewell. No birthday party is complete without treats to send partygoers home happy. However, goodie bags need not be costly or elaborate. An inexpensive item such as bubbles or sidewalk chalk tied in themecolored ribbon is a fun choice for many ages. When it comes to candy, favorite Hershey’s products – from Kit Kat Miniatures to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures to iconic Kisses chocolates – are now available in birthday-themed designs for a sweet ending to any celebration.
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Advice
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a c Advice
b
A is for Angels. They are all around us throughout the year, yet they seem closer during this holiday season. Discuss guardian angels with your children, and perhaps create a small angel tree in your child’s bedroom. Encourage him or her to name each angel, and then keep one on the nightstand to keep watch all year.
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C is for Christmas Cookies,
B is for Bells If we are lucky, the Salvation Army bells will be ringing this season throughout our city. Bells have a special place during the season, as they ring in churches and bell choirs. Try making a bell wreath. Simply Google “jingle bell wreath” and you’ll find the easy steps. Hang them on doorknobs to ring out a festive jingle every time you open the door!
of course! Whether you purchase prepared sugar cookie dough or make your own, don’t worry about the mess. Cookie cutters are available online, and you can find colored icing at your grocery store. Fill cute baggies tied with ribbon and share the cookies with neighbors and friends. Take pics for family!
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d
D is for Dasher. You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. You know the rest. Have fun making reindeer and writing their names in glitter, then string them on your holiday mantle.
f e g h i j Advice
F is for Fa La La La La, La La La La! In 1944 Judy Garland sang this popular Christmas song in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis. The emotion of holiday music, old and new, is powerful. Play it, dance to it and let it bring the magic of Christmas into your home. Visit BrownieLocks.com to find fun Christmas carol trivia.
G is for Good Will.
E is for Santa’s Elves
That Elf on the Shelf may be a bit overdone, but you can still discuss how your children can be little elves and spread kindness wherever they go.
H is for Holy.
No matter who we celebrate during this time, deem the season holy. All faiths hold reverence to a holy entity. Explain this to your children and discuss all religions. This encourages inclusion, an open mind and worldly attitude.
This year more than ever, we all need to bring good will to friends, family, neighbors and teachers. Make a list of activities you can do together to bring smiles, such as serving in a food kitchen, making cards to send to soldiers or bringing flowers to an elderly neighbor.
I is for Icicles. In our region, winter brings many opportunities to sled, ski and ice skate. And those icicles can at times shimmer in the sunlight. If you see one in a safe and opportune locale, break it off and look at the clear beauty. Discuss how icicles form and then melt.
J is for Jolly. The legend of jolly old St. Nick can be traced back hundreds of years to a monk named St. Nicholas, believed to be born sometime around 280 A.D. in Patara, near Myra in modern-day Turkey. He was admired for his piety and kindness, and it’s said he gave away all his inherited wealth and traveled the countryside helping the poor and sick. The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick’s Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas, which is Dutch for Saint Nicholas. Food for thought!
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k Advice
K is for King. Many kings are a part of the season, including the three kings that came bearing gifts for baby Jesus, who as an infant was born a King. Setting up a manger scene can be a tradition your children will carry with them throughout their lives. When I was a child, my mother always gave me the opportunity to set up the straw and wooden manger scene in our home. My aunt gave me a lovely porcelain manger scene for Christmas one year, and I treasure it to this day. The kings, the animals, the baby and the shepherds all have their place!
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M is for Mistletoe. Who hasn’t kissed under the mistletoe? The custom of kissing under this pretty, bright green sprig with red berries comes from England. There was kissing under the mistletoe in the illustration in the first book version of A Christmas Carol, published in 1843. The original custom was that a berry had to be picked from the sprig before a person could be kissed, and when the berries were gone, there could be no more kissing!
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L is for Lights. Be creative! There are so many options to put on a Griswold-worthy show around your home. Involve the children so they feel a part of the fun.
n p Advice
N is for New Year. We will all look to 2021 with hopeful hearts for a better year! Make this a festive occasion at home with feasting on crab legs, hotdogs, tacos or homemade soup. Whatever you serve, this night will be remembered.
P is for Poinsettia. These bright red leaves offer a splash of color to frigid winter, and the story of why they are the Christmas flower, said to come from an old Mexican legend, is so sweet! A young girl named Pepita was sad that she didn’t have a gift to leave for baby Jesus at Christmas Eve services. Her cousin tried to comfort her and said that Jesus would love any present, no matter how small. With no money to buy a gift, Pepita picked a bouquet of weeds that she walked past on the way to church. When she got there, she left the weeds at the bottom of the Nativity scene. Suddenly, the weeds transformed into beautiful red flowers.
o q
O is for Oh Holy Night. The songs of the season always call up memories for each of us. Begin your own holiday tradition by introducing your children to these classic goosebumpraising melodic masterpieces!
Q is for Quality Time. Obviously, everyone has been at home many more days and hours than usual. Even so, this time can be a bit more “homey” with the right attitude and ambiance. Draw from your own memories to create a holiday home, filled with love and togetherness.
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r Advice
R is for Rudolph. What is the holiday season without this classic? Plan to pop popcorn, light the fireplace and snuggle under fuzzy blankets as you enjoy this sweet show. Its timeless message of inclusion and accepting differences never goes out of style. Rudolph, “the most famous reindeer of all,” was born more than a hundred years after his eight flying counterparts. The rednosed wonder was the creation of Robert L. May, a copywriter at the Montgomery Ward department store. In 1939, he wrote a Christmas-themed storypoem to help bring holiday traffic into his store.
t s
T is for Tradition.
We all have traditions from the holidays, like the way we hang our stockings or light our Menorah, the special corn casserole our grandmother made or the ribs our grandfather smoked. Discuss what tradition your family will make and then keep it every year!
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S is for The Sound of Music, the iconic movie. Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens, brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things! Begin a holiday family tradition with this delightful film. When Christopher Plummer sings “Edelweiss,” I’m reminded of a music box that played this tune that my father gave me when I was a little girl.
u v w x y z
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U is for Uncles, Aunts and Grandparents! With luck, family will be able to visit and stay for the holidays in your home, or you will visit them. Make sure you have your children spend time with them and listen closely to their stories.
V is for Vacation. With luck, family will be able to visit and stay for the holidays in your home, or you will visit them. Make sure you have your children spend time with them and listen closely to their stories.
W is for Wassail. This warm apple drink dates back to another tradition in England, when villagers would go door to door in their neighborhood wassailing, which meant offering the hot mulled cider to neighbors and singing carols. Also, they would go to orchards and sing to ensure a good apple harvest come spring.
X is for eXercise! Keep the blood flowing and mood up by exercising throughout this season of eating treats and snuggling with popcorn and hot chocolate.
Y is for Yule. Discuss the history of the yule log, which is a custom from years past that involves selecting a log to burn on Christmas Eve. It is also a delicious recipe you can find online.
Z is for Zoey! Rudolph’s girlfriend in the 1998 animated movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. She sings the sweet song “There’s always Tomorrow.” Google it and play the uplifting tune!
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Organize
How To Make A DIY Paper Wreath From Old Holiday Cards Wreath Craft, Kalpna Patel. Photo, Erik Putz.
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Supplies: Old greeting cards (about 12), Cardboard, Scissors, craft knife, Hot glue, glue dots or tape, Pencil or marker, String, twine, ribbon or yarn
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Step 1: Make a leaf template. Cut a simple leaf shape out of the back of a greeting card. Use it as a template to trace and cut leaves (about 40), taking care to save special design elements and handwritten notes to add a personal touch to your wreath.
Step 2: Add dimension.
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Gently score the back of each leaf down the centre with a craft knife, making sure not to cut all the way through the card. Fold the leaves along the cut.
Step 3: Experiment with leaf placement. Spread the leaves out in a circle to decide how you want the final arrangement to look. Try grouping similar colours together, or contrasting dark and light designs.
Step 4: Cut out the base.
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Using plates as guides, trace a large circle (at least 12 inches in diameter) on a piece of cardboard and a second circle within the first one (about an inch smaller).
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Step 5: Attach a string for hanging.
Find the perfect spot for your wreath and reuse year after year to keep wishes from your friends and family close throughout the season.
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Starting at the top of your base, glue the leaves, working counterclockwise so they overlap.
Step 7: Hang your wreath.
Poke holes at the top of your base and thread a piece of string, twine, ribbon or yarn through to hang your wreath.
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Step 6: Glue the leaves.
"Unless we make Christmas an occasion to share our blessings, all the snow in Alaska won't make it 'white.'" -Bing Crosby
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2020 Gift Guide Best Gifts for Babies and Kids (And Parents) Will Go Ga-Ga For Wagons, bottles, wipes, monitors, bibs, gliders, and a ton of toys for the tiny little baby person in your life. By JOHN MIHALY
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Monopoly For Sore Losers Nobody likes coming in last, but in this remix of classic Monopoly, it pays to lose. Every time you pay rent or taxes or go to jail, grab a sore loser coin. Collect enough and you can take the Mr. Monopoly token that lets you earn money instead of paying it. Who’s the loser now? Hasbro, $30, walmart.ca
Hands Full Hang on tight: Things are about to get out of hand! You’ll get tangled up trying to hold on while jumping, dancing and shaking to complete some twisted challenges. Take turns going solo or work together to see how long you can last—or ramp things up a notch in Survival Mode, where the last one standing wins! WowWee, $40, mastermindtoys.com
Cupcake Academy Who’s got a sweet tooth? In this bakery-themed co-operative board game, the whole family works together to assemble all the pastries before the timer runs out. But watch out: You’ll need to use some quick logic to make sure every cupcake cup stacks up perfectly, and nobody wins unless every player finishes their task—no baker gets left behind! Blue Orange Games, $36, amazon.ca
Washable Paint Pour Art Set Create a beautiful work of art with this painting kit. Simply layer paints into the provided beaker and pour them onto the canvas to create a kaleidoscope of colour. Tilt the canvas to move the paint around or try pouring through the strainer to create cool new shapes. Crayola, $23, toysrus.ca
City Ocean Exploration Ship With a ship (that actually floats!), a dinghy, a helicopter and a submarine, kids can survey the ocean from up in the air to deep below the surface. Snap pictures of a stingray and inspect a sunken pirate ship, but make sure to steer clear of the great white shark lurking nearby! Lego, $180, lego.com
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Pomsies Wave 4 Psst, this furry pet wants to be your buddy. Loaded with 50 responses that are triggered when you press its mouth, head or nose, Pomsies love to be tickled—and when you dance. The fluffy tail wraps around your wrist or backpack. Pomsies, $20, walmart.ca
Sprinkle Art Shaker Sprinkles without the mess?! Load the shaker with a template, outline it with glue, fill the vial with sprinkles, close the shaker lid and give it a shake. You can create glittery art without the sparkle explosion! Crayola, $23, thebay.com
Rainbow Surprise Dolls These fashion icons have 20-plus surprises to unbox and play with, including a bevy of rainbow and shimmery slime powders that can be added to the doll’s translucent outfit or her ’90s platform combat boots. Poopsie Slime Surprise, $80, toysrus.ca
DIY Puffy Charms The world is your…pineapple, with this tricked-out set of DIY adornments. Using 210 puffy stickers, 110 metal rings and yards of cord, little crafters can get busy creating 3D charms, from pandas and pears to planets and pizza. It’s so simple: Place two puffy stickers together to form a charm and get to work accessorizing. Craft-tastic, $20, mastermindtoys.com
Pixie Crew Educational Panel This two-dimensional design activity will stoke imaginations and create works of art. Here’s how it works: Young artists grab a pixel and push it into place on the silicone panel. Anything goes design wise, but they can get inspiration online if they’re feeling stuck. Not happy with the placement of a piece? It’s easy to remove and manipulate the pixels. Pixie Crew, $16, indigo.ca
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Tweet Beats Tree Set Mix and match these music-loving birds on different branches to create sweet melodies. Every feathered friend has its own unique musical style: Beach Bobby likes reggae, Jenny the American is a classic pop star, Binky fancies himself part of a British boy band and MC Jay is a rapper. Tweet Beats, $40, mastermindtoys.com
Emoji Window Art Create window clings (perfect for the car) using 40-plus designs, 3D googly eyes and even shimmering paint. Outline your design, and get colouring. Let your creation dry and then peel it off and stick it. *Insert emoji wearing sunglasses here. Creativity for Kids, $28, amazon.ca
Tamagotchi On The coolest little virtual pets of the ’90s are back! They can now make friends, get married and have their own little My Tamas. With millions of Tama characters, kids can play games, go shopping and pat themselves on the back for being so responsible. Tamagotchi, $80, toysrus.ca
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The Magic School Bus: Rides Again— Exploring Oceans Beep, beep! Hop on board the Magic School Bus with Miss Frizzle and the crew. Developed by Harvard grads, this ocean-themed box of experiments takes small scientists on a deep dive into STEM learning. The Young Scientists Club, $30, theyoungscientistsclub.com
Rockit Twist With 12 preloaded games in varying levels of difficulty, kids can learn math, problem-solving and science, and create their own music in a fun, WiFi-free way. Parents will love the head-phone jack for quiet learning time. LeapFrog, $70, indigo.ca
Play and Say Puppets Part toy, part puppet, these darling animals will make different sounds depending on how wide you open their mouths. Give their noses a boop for even more interactions like sniffs and sneezes! Choose from Pepper the Puppy, Durpy the Dino or Unabell the Unicorn. Wowwee, $20, mastermindtoys.com
Lil’ Cuddles Soft and Sweet Baby Crib Set Encourage your child’s nurturing instincts with this cute eight-inch baby doll and crib play set. With a soft body and molded head and limbs, this non-toxic doll loves to be lulled to sleep in her cozy crib. Madame Alexander Doll Company, $20, toysrus.ca Pinkfong Baby Shark Baby Shark wants to play and sing all day and snuggle up close all night. In day mode, use the play mask to initiate a fun game of peekaboo and sing the iconic song. In night mode, Baby Shark will play a soothing lullaby and provide a soft night light with a glowing dorsal fin! Wowwee, $25, canadiantire.ca
Go! Go! Cory Carson DJ Train Trax & The Roll Train DJ Train Trax is here to pump up the party, and Cory Carson and his little sister, Chrissy, are ready to dance all day long! Push DJ Train Trax along to hear him play different songs while special lighting effects brighten up his rainbow chimney. Are you ready to get this party started? Vtech, $35, toysrus.ca
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Shake Shake Rattle Give Sophie a shake with this innovative rattle that uses a motion detector to play music at different speeds according to how fast your baby shakes it. In music box mode, your babe can watch the lights and colours as they change along with six soothing melodies. Sophie la girafe, $25, babiesrus.ca
First Washer-Dryer Many kids have play kitchens, so why not a play laundry room? This pretend washer-dryer has a drum that actually spins and a detergent drawer that opens up so kids can do laundry just like their parents. It even comes with laundry baskets and tiny clothes to wash. Little tikes, $65, walmart.ca
My Take Along Farm Little horse lovers will get a kick out of this darling ranch that has everything you need to take care of your pretty pony. Feed them some hay or have them jump over the pasture fences. When it’s tidy-up time, store all the pieces inside to keep your farm friends together in one place. Playmobil, $45, playmobil.ca
Building Blocks & Bag What kid doesn’t love to build up a city of blocks just to knock it down again? With this 60-block set, your child will have everything they need to make colourful towers to topple and rebuild. A cotton storage bag makes for easy clean-up. Le Toy Van, $90, agatha.boutique
1-2-3 Build It! Robot Factory Who wants to make a robot friend? This 18piece kit lets kids create tons of wacky combinations—try using the eye pieces as wheels or the hand clamps as antennae.If you have other 1-2-3 Build It! sets, you can use those pieces for even more robo-buddy possibilities. Learning Resources, $39, midoco.ca
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New Sprouts Pasta Time Nothing is im-pasta-ble with this adorable play food set. With all the tools needed to create a delightful pasta dinner, including tongs and a mini colander, it’s the perfect addition to your kid’s play kitchen. More cheese, please! Learning Resources, $35, purplecamelcatalog.com
Pick Up & Count Vacuum Get kids excited to help around the house with this toy vacuum that actually picks up pieces of “dust” (colourful plastic disks) and counts them. With three play modes and six games, this toy teaches kids numbers and colours—and that cleaning can be fun! Leapfrog, $35, toysrus.ca
Yum-2-3 Toaster Breakfast is almost ready! Pop some pretend bread into this friendly toaster and it’ll teach you all about colours, numbers and opposites (light versus dark, up versus down). Serve with bacon and eggs and you’ve got yourself a tasty meal fit for a growing kid. Leapfrog, $20, walmart.ca
3-D Arranging Game Creative Stones Every kid needs a solid set of wooden blocks, right? This 28piece set can be reconfigured into hundreds of combinations and structures to keep little hands busy. The unique shapes help develop spatial understanding and improve fine motor skills. Haba, $40, dillydallykids.ca
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Toddler Bread Basket Playtime won’t go stale with this adorable breadbasket. Your little one will “loaf” all of the plush baked goods: a baguette, a piece of toast, a chocolate chip cookie and more! Hape, $25, villagetoyshop.ca
Fisher-Price Linkimals Play Together Panda Panda is here to teach baby all about shapes, numbers and manners. Give his tummy a push and this ticklish bear will light up and play music. And if you let Panda meet other Linkimals friends, they’ll talk, sing and play with each other. Mattel, $30, toysrus.ca
Easy-Clean Fingerpaint Set Budding artists can paint to their heart’s content with absolutely no mess! Just place a piece of paper and some globs of paint underneath the flexible tray cover and let kids move it around for a tactile finger-paint experience that doesn’t involve getting any actual paint on their hands. Bonus: The tray is dishwasher safe. Crayola, $25, indigo.ca
Food
5 Brand-New Holiday Cookie Recipes To Try This Season Photo, Erik Putz.
Family Life ‐ December 2020
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Wonderful Time Of the Year
The holidays are going to look a lot different this year, but at least we’ll always have cookies. These brand-new recipes are hands-down our easiest ever, with genius hacks for making light and crispy palmiers and perfect rugelach, as well as a fresh take on classic shortbread and some impressive—and impressively simple—dipped sugar cookies. Make them all, box them up and leave a little holiday joy on your favourite peoples’ doorsteps this season. Photo, Erik Putz
Food Styling, Eshun Mott Prop Styling, Madeline Johari. Family Life ‐ December 2020
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No Roll Sugar Cookies
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Gingerbread Palmier Cookies
Family Life ‐ December 2020
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Savoury Herb Shortbread Cookies 66
December 2020 - Family Life
Pistachio Lemon Rugelach
Family Life ‐ December 2020
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Gluten Free Amaretti Cookies
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Food
No-Roll Sugar Cookies With Royal Icing PREP TIME:25 MINS TOTAL TIME:55 MINS 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar, (150g) 1 large egg 2 tsp vanilla 1. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 350F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment. 2. Stir flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Set aside. 3. With an electric mixer on mediumhigh, beat butter with sugar until fluffy, 2 to 3 min. Beat in egg and vanilla, 30 sec. Gradually stir in flour mixture until just combined. 4. Scoop out portions of dough and roll into 1 1/2-in. balls (about 2 tbsp). Arrange over two baking sheets, 2 in. apart. Dip the flat bottom of a measuring cup or drinking glass in flour, then press down each cookie to flatten to 1/4 in. thick. 5. Bake, one sheet at a time, until cookies are just golden, 14 to 16 min. Let stand on sheet for 2 min, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. We used Bulk Barn’s Royal Icing Mix to decorate these cookies. Prepare to a honey consistency, then add food colouring, if desired. Dip each baked and cooled cookie (full or half) into icing, letting excess run off. Sprinkle immediately with coloured sugar, or dry completely before dipping in another overlapping colour.
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Gingerbread Palmier Cookies PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:1 HOUR 35 MINS 1 450-g pkg frozen butter puff pastry , (two sheets), thawed in fridge overnight 3/4 cup granulated sugar , (150 g) 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp ground cloves 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate , or white candy melts (optional) 1/4 cup finely chopped candied ginger , or gold foil flakes (optional) 1. Stir sugar with spices in a bowl. Sprinkle counter with 1/4 cup sugar mixture. Working with one at a time, unroll cold puff pastry sheet onto sugar. Spread 2 tbsp sugar mixture evenly over sheet. Use a rolling pin to roll out each sheet into a 11 × 16-in. rectangle. 2. Stir sugar with spices in a bowl. Sprinkle counter with 1/4 cup sugar mixture. Working with one at a time, unroll cold puff pastry sheet onto sugar. Spread 2 tbsp sugar mixture evenly over sheet. Use a rolling pin to roll out each sheet into a 11 × 16-in. rectangle. 3. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 450F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment. Set aside any leftover sugar mixture on a cutting board. 4. Working one roll at a time, press roll into remaining sugar mix to coat completely. Slice into 1/3-in. slices and arrange on prepared sheets about 2 in. apart. (Cookies will spread as they bake.) 5. Bake, one sheet at a time, for 5 min, then flip cookies over. Continue baking until golden, 5 to 6 more min. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining roll. 6. Microwave chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl on medium, stirring halfway, until melted, 1 to 2 min. Dip part of each palmier into chocolate, then return to parchment. Sprinkle with candied ginger. Let stand until chocolate is firm, about 30 min.
Savoury Herb Shortbread Cookies PREP TIME:25 MINS TOTAL TIME:50 MINS 100 g block Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese , grated (1 cup packed) 2 cups all-purpose flour , (270 g) 3 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 1/2 tsp garlic salt 1 cup cold unsalted butter 24 whole assorted herbs and leaves, such as parsley, thyme, rosemary and oregano , (optional) coarsely crushed pink peppercorns 1 tsp flaked sea salt 1. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 350F. Line a 9 × 13-in. non-stick metal pan with parchment, with overhanging edges over two long sides. 2. Whirl cheese in a food processor until finely ground. Add flour, thyme and garlic salt. Season with pepper. Whirl to combine. Add cubed butter through feed tube while pulsing until combined. (It’s okay if dough is a bit crumbly.) Transfer to prepared pan. Press dough over bottom of pan. 3. Use the flat bottom of a cup to smooth top. Score surface into 24 squares. Arrange whole herbs on each square. Use same cup to press gently so herbs stick. Garnish with pink peppercorns and sprinkle with flaked sea salt. Rescore surface. 4. Bake until top is just golden, 25 to 30 min. Immediately cut shortbread in pan into squares with a paring knife while hot. Turn off heat and return cookies to oven to cool completely.
Food
Pistachio-Lemon Rugelach
Gluten-Free Amaretti Cookies
PREP TIME:35 MINS TOTAL TIME:1 HOUR 20 MINS
PREP TIME:10 MINS TOTAL TIME:25 MINS
1 cup shelled unsalted unroasted pistachios , (140g) 1/2 cup icing sugar , (60g) 1 tbsp lemon zest 1/16 tsp green gel food colouring 1 egg yolk 1 400g-pkg refrigerated rolls of pie crust , (2 rolls) such as Pillsbury 3 tbsp coarse sugar , divided
1 1/2 cups ground almonds , (135g) 2/3 cup granulated sugar 1 tbsp lemon zest 2 large egg whites 1 tsp almond extract Gold coarse sugar , for garnish (optional)
1. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 350F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment. 2. Combine pistachios with enough water to cover in a small saucepan. Set over medium-high. Boil for 3 min, then drain and rinse under cold water. Add pistachios to the bowl of a food processor. Whirl until very finely chopped. Add icing sugar, lemon zest and food colouring. Whirl until smooth. 3. Beat egg yolk with 2 tbsp water in a bowl. Set aside. 4. Working one roll at a time, unroll pie crust dough on a lightly floured counter. Thinly spread half the filling evenly over the surface, to the edges. (You may need to use your fingers to spread the paste.) Sprinkle 1 tbsp coarse sugar evenly overtop. Using a knife or pizza cutter, cut dough like a pizza into 16 wedges. 5. Beginning at wide end of each wedge, tightly roll dough up toward the centre to create a crescent. Arrange crescents on one baking sheet, 1 in. apart. Brush tops of cookies with beaten egg and sprinkle 1⁄2 tbsp coarse sugar overtop. 6. Bake until lightly golden, 20 to 22 min. Repeat with second roll of dough. 7. Transfer baked rugelach to a rack to cool completely. Bake second sheet.
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1. Position rack in centre of oven and preheat to 350F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment. 2. Stir ground almonds with granulated sugar and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Stir in egg whites and almond extract just until combined. (Dough will be sticky.) 3. Spoon batter into a piping bag fitted with a 1/2-in. open star tip. Pipe 1 1/2in.-wide stars on prepared sheet, 1 in. apart. Sprinkle with gold sugar. 4. Bake until edges are golden brown, 14 to 16 min. Transfer to a rack to cool.
Last Look
Movies
Soul Streaming December 25, Disney+ Joe (Jamie Foxx) and 22 (Tina Fey) find Moonwind (at his day-job as a sign twirler) to help restore Joe to his body, but 22 experiences an epiphany and decides she must find her purpose on Earth. She flees with Joe tailing behind, but Terry catches up and brings both back to the Great Before. 22 realizes that her badge has been filled out, yet Joe insists that it was the result of his experiences and tastes.
Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures & Pixar
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