2014 Holiday Gift Guide by Postmedia Saskatchewan

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The scents of the season From evergreens to spices, here’s how to fill your home with festive aromas By Laura Depta CTW Features oliday decorating isn’t just about making a home look beautiful — it’s about filling the space with holiday treats and trimmings that appeal to all five senses. If scent is the strongest sense tied to memory, then certainly a home overflowing with warm, festive aromas will help make the holiday season especially memorable. A traditional, live Christmas tree is a great place to start. Dr. Bert Cregg, associate professor in the department of forestry at Michigan State University, said that scent is one of the primary reasons why people choose to purchase live Christmas trees. “The tree is part of the overall experience,” said Cregg, a prominent researcher of Christmas tree systems. “I think three factors — the tradition, the experience and then, of course, the scent — if you’re talking about why people have a real tree instead of a fake tree.” Tree popularity depends somewhat on what part of the United States consumers live in, but in terms of the most aromatic, there are a few sure-fire home runs. “Fraser fir certainly has a very pleasant scent,” said Cregg. “But balsam fir is — in terms of scent — probably at the top of the list. Balsam fir has what most people would describe as a Christmas tree scent.” Cregg also recommends noble fir. With any tree, Cregg said that the key to retaining scent is retaining needles, and the ways to do that are to buy a tree that is as fresh as possible and to make sure it stays hydrated. “You just want to keep the water to them,” said Cregg. “And the fact that they’re going through a lot of water is a good thing. That means that the tree is functioning and it’s keeping those needles fresh — going to keep the scent going.” In addition to a beautiful tree, all that holiday cooking will certainly fill any home with delicious smells. Beatrice Ojakangas, author of The Great Holiday Baking Book (University of Minnesota Press, 2001), recommends baking yeast breads or anything with sweet spices — cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg — to really saturate the air with those warm holiday fragrances. “Those are the things that people notice if they step in the door and you’ve been baking,” said Ojakangas. “You bake with certain spices through the holiday season, and that kind of decorates the air.” In terms of cooking, she recommends a roast. “Whenever you’re cooking, you’re going to put aromas into the air and that’s a good thing,” said Ojakangas. “But the ones that end up being particularly holiday, I think, are the sweet spices, and I do things like rub them into roasts.” If the needles on a real tree or the nuances of baking aren’t particularly preferable, don’t worry. There are always alternative ways to keep a home smelling wonderful. If a tree is simply too big or too much hassle, consider purchasing a real wreath as a more manageable option. Jarred candles are also available in balsam fir and Christmas cookie scents, and candles have the added benefit of looking beautiful, too. Diffusing pure essential oils like clove or cinnamon is another way to get the same aromatic effect.

PEPPERNUTS

Try this recipe to add a pleasant (and tasty) holiday aroma to your home From: The Great Holiday Baking Book (University of Minnesota Press, 2001) by Beatrice Ojakangas 1 cup butter, room temperature 1 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg 1 cup ground toasted filberts or almonds 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1. P reheat oven to 375 F. In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar, and then add the egg and nuts. 2. I n another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, allspice and nutmeg. 3. B lend the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture to make a stiff dough. (At this point you can wrap the dough and refrigerate it to develop the flavour, for up to a week). 4. C ut off portions of the dough and roll each between your hands and a lightly floured board to make slim ropes about ½-inch thick. Cut into ½-inch pieces and place on baking sheet. 5. B ake 8 minutes, or until light brown and dry. Remove from the oven and cool on the baking sheet. Makes about 600 peppernuts. Serve them piled in a basket or large bowl. ABOUT THIS CONTENT: These stories were produced by Leader-Post Specialty Products to promote awareness of this topic for commercial purposes. The Leader-Post editorial department had no involvement in the creation of this content.

Great gifts for the

family foodie

he best holiday gifts are often those that encourage their recipients to pursue a passion or favourite hobby. Tickets to a ballgame might be right up a sports fan’s alley, while the family globetrotter would no doubt love a contribution to his or her travel fund. When gifting the family foodie — that person who loves to cook or simply can’t get enough of his or her favourite cuisines — shoppers have a host of options at their disposal to ensure this holiday season brings a smile to their favourite foodie’s face.

• Spice rack Few home cooks can get by without a vast selection of spices, so a spice rack that includes all the essential spices makes perfect sense for the family foodie. Some spice racks even come with several years’ worth of free spice refills, so do your homework and find one that will have your friend or family member spicing things up for years to come.

• Cooking lessons Cooking lessons can be a great way for men, women and even children to cultivate their love of food. If your friend or family member prefers a specific type of cuisine, then find them cooking lessons where they can learn how to prepare — and not just eat — some favourite dishes. Cooking lessons also make a great opportunity to bond with a loved one. If you, too, want to expand

your cooking horizons, buy your own lessons and go with your friend or family member.

• A night out If your favourite foodie prefers his or her meals made by someone else, treat that friend or family member to a night out at their favourite restaurant. You can give a gift card for the restaurant, or take this special someone out yourself and enjoy a great meal and great company, to boot.

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• Serving dishes Many foodies not only love to eat but also love to serve up their favourite foods to family and friends. If your friend or family member has played host to guests many times in the past, surprise him or her with some new serving dishes. You probably have a sense of their serving style already, but if you don’t, make a mental note the next time you visit, or simply buy them a gift card so they can buy whichever dishes they need to make their next soiree a success.

• Wine rack A great bottle of wine completes a great meal, so why not buy your family foodie a place to store all of his or her bottles of wine? Wine racks can range from the simple, inexpensive freestanding models, to more complex or expensive ones that need to be installed. If the eventual recipient of your thoughtful gift rents rather than owns his or her home, avoid buying a wine rack that needs to be installed, as that might cause damage that will cost them some money when the time comes to move out. But, if your friend or family member owns their home, then look for a wine rack that fits in with their established décor. You can even christen the new wine rack by supplementing your gift with a few bottles of your loved one’s favourite vintages. With so many potential gifts to choose from, shoppers often find foodies are fun to shop for during the holiday season.

No holiday celebration is complete until

eggnog

has been served

he holiday season is rife with tradition: from Christmas trees to lighting displays to visits with Santa Claus at the local mall. Families reunite during the holiday season to exchange gifts, enjoy meals together and do a little catching up along the way. But the holiday season also is synonymous with parties. Whether it’s an office holiday party, a gathering with family and friends or a more intimate gathering at home, such celebrations are a big part of the holiday season and one of the reason why this is such a beloved time of year. As this is a season of celebrating, it’s good to remember that no holiday party is truly complete until eggnog has been served. Enjoyed almost exclusively during the holiday season, eggnog is as much a staple of holiday celebrations as stockings hung by the chimney with care. This year, impress your holiday guests with the following recipe for Excellent Eggnog from A.J. Rathbun’s Good Spirits (Harvard Common Press).

EXCELLENT EGGNOG Serves 8 8 large eggs, preferably organic 2 ¼ cups superfine sugar 8 ounces brandy 8 ounces rum 4 ounces bourbon 1 litre milk Freshly grated nutmeg for garnish 1. S eparate the egg yolks from the egg whites, setting the whites aside for a moment. 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the yolks with a hand mixer until completely combined. Add the sugar and beat until it reaches a creamy consistency. 3. Add the brandy, rum and bourbon, and then the milk, beating well. 4. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, beat the egg whites with a hand mixer until soft peaks form (be sure before beating the whites that you have cleaned and thoroughly dried the beaters). 5. Fold the egg whites into the yolk-sugar-alcohol mixture. Refrigerate the mix until well chilled (at least 3 hours). 6. Stir to recombine as needed. Serve the eggnog in mugs, topping each serving with some nutmeg.

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gingerbread house building party

How to throw a

It’s a holiday tradition, so why haven’t you ever hosted one? It could be a lot easier than you think. By Marla R. Miller CTW Features hat’s not to love about a gingerbread house building party? Festive and fun, it’s a party filled with candy and other sweet treats, plus guests get the chance to create their own unique, take-home holiday keepsake. A gingerbread party appeals to kids and adults, so you can invite parents to accompany their children or plan one as a way to celebrate the holidays with neighbours and your children’s friends. This theme party is a great way to gather family and friends for the holidays, do a short activity for the kids, and even make it a contest for the creative and competitive guests in the crowd — complete with photos and bragging rights until next year. Best of all, busy parents and budget party planners can pull off the soirée with minimal time and expense, said Andressa Hara, owner of Twinkle Twinkle Little Party, an event planning and design company based in Boise, Idaho. It’s easy to throw together an impressive party with Christmas decorations you already have. “If you would like to throw a small party at home, get a little table, add milk and cookies and

cupcakes and you’d be covered,” Hara said. Hara has hosted her own parties for the last few years, along with organizing them for clients. She said they’re a fun idea for kids. “It actually engages them and keeps them busy, and parents can talk,” Hara said. “I wanted a holiday party that would give the kids something to do rather than run around or just eat sweets.” (A gingerbread house building party dessert table that Hara designed was featured in the December 2013 issue of Tattle Magazine.)

Building the party basics Like any great party, it’s good to start with a theme, then build decorations and activities around it. Hara likes to base her décor on printable templates for things like take-home colouring books, cupcake toppers and wrappers, bottle labels and treat bag labels. “I usually start with my printables and come up with a colour palette, an invitation,” she said. “I design a label. They can dress up their drinks, buy regular bottles and wrap them with the Christmas or gingerbread printable.” Continued on Page 12

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Continued from Page 11 Along with traditional red-and-green decorations, a Candy Land or Santa’s workshop theme fits with this type of party, said Samantha Antes, owner of Confetti Events, a Washington, D.C.based party-planning company that counts children’s parties among its specialties. “Lots of your decorations can be homemade and made to look like you are in an enchanted forest of candy,” Antes said. Antes suggests placing big bowls or vases full of different candy around the room. “It looks amazing and it’s double purpose,” she said. “The kids can eat it or use it for their houses and for decorations.” For the actual building process, Antes recommends setting up four to eight stations for partygoers to move around and build their houses in stages. All the “helpers” can dress as Santa’s elves and create a workshop atmosphere. “Put your house together at one, make your roof and add decorations at another,” Antes said. “Play a game; give the kids a break. You can’t just have the focus be on one thing. It can go way too fast or it will take way too long and they will lose interest.”

The hostess should plan time for snacks, a reading of The Gingerbread Man or other Christmas stories and a few ageappropriate games — or drinks for the adults. This type of party is best suited for ages six to 12 and up if they plan to build and decorate on their own. “For older kids, make it into a fun contest and they will really put their effort into it,” Antes said. “With younger kids, it’s just for fun, and older kids like to make it really detailed.” Unless you are a party pro or have a lot of free time, Hara said it’s easier to skip baking the gingerbread pieces from scratch and buy kits from a local store. What makes the party fun is to keep the rules loose and let attendees use some ingenuity and imagination to craft a colourful, candy-coated house they can display during the holiday season. It’s a good way to get people in the spirit and get them excited, Antes said. “A gingerbread house can be as holiday and Christmas-y as you make it,” she said. “No matter how much you celebrate Christmas, it’s a great way to get anyone in the holiday spirit, and they probably won’t go to more than one a year.”

The gingerbread party plan 1. Get guests in order

This party is good for all ages, but it works best for a group of kids aged six to 12. Think get-to-know your neighbours and their kids, a gathering of extended family members or friends and their children, for school, church and scout groups, or a party for your children’s friends who are close in age. The older kids can build their own, while the younger kids can stick to helping bake and decorate gingerbread man cookies or decorating preassembled houses. The holidays are busy, so send out invitations two or three weeks in advance.

2. Set the scene Decorations and desserts can be simple or elaborate — handmade, storebought or made by a professional designer and baker. Ideas for an easy but festive dessert table include Christmas cupcakes, iced or gingerbread cookies, candy canes and holiday candy, milk, punch, hot cocoa and other refreshments. Dipped pretzels, cookies, marshmallows, cake balls, cake pops or other homemade candies add a little extra to the party.

3. Building supplies You can make your own gingerbread pieces or buy a kit from a local store. Be sure to buy early before they sell out or give guests enough time to buy their own, and make sure to mention if they need to bring their own on the invitation. Graham crackers also are an easy substitute for smaller-scale houses.

4. Special touches Include gingerbread man- or house-shaped cookies, candy cane-, snowman- or other Christmas-themed cake pops and tops, personalized aprons and labels, decorating stations, photo opportunities with their completed house, and a goodie bag big enough to take it home. Keep the party about two hours. Plan time for snacks, stories and the house building activity. CTW Features

How to send gifts to

faraway friends and family

he holiday season is a time to share happy experiences with friends and family. But reconnecting with loved ones during the holidays is not always possible, especially when family and friends are spread out across the country, if not the globe. Even though these people may not be close geographically, they’re still close in our hearts and, therefore, still on our holiday shopping lists. Some issues arise when sending gifts to faraway friends and family. Distance necessitates shipping gifts or making travel arrangements. To make that process less complicated, consider the following suggestions.

• Package gifts wisely When shipping gifts, exercise caution to ensure the item arrives on time and in one piece. The holiday season is one of the busiest times of the year for the shipping industry, and packages may endure a few bumps along the way. For fragile items, use extra packing peanuts, newspaper or other protective wrapping material. Choose the right size package so the gift does not move around much inside of the box. If the gift is expensive, insure the package in case it gets lost or damaged. Also, you may want to spend a little more money to have the shipment tracked and a confirmation sent when the package is delivered. This can offer some peace of mind during a hectic time of year.

• Take advantage of free shipping offers Many retailers offer discounts on shipping rates during the

holiday season. Shop at retailers that offer such discounts, as shipping costs can be exorbitant, depending on the sizes of the packages being sent. In addition, online retailers may allow you to ship the gift directly to its recipient, which can help you ensure the gift gets to its destination on time.

• Give gift cards and certificates Gift cards are an easy item to ship, and can be sent in the regular mail for the cost of a stamp. Certain retailers may have digital gift cards or certificates that allow buyers to email a special code to the gift recipient, who can then redeem the code for a purchase credit. This is a convenient, fast and inexpensive way to send holiday wishes.

• Don’t forget about inspections and customs procedures Items shipped out of the country may be delayed by customs inspectors at their ultimate destination. Assume that certain packages may be opened or detained, and ship such packages early so the gifts still arrive on time. Packages that look unusual or like they’re hiding something are more likely to be inspected. Be honest about declarations of value and what is contained in the package. Also, realize certain items, like fruits, vegetables, plants or seeds may be prohibited. Learn the international shipping rules for your gift’s destination prior to sending anything. Distant family members and friends may be out of sight but certainly not out of mind come the holidays. When it comes to sending gifts, ship smart.

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Christmas tunes S

spread holiday spirit

ome stores start stocking Christmas decorations and wrapping paper as early as the end of October, and some families begin decking their halls in holiday finery in mid-November. But, for many people, the holiday season has not truly begun until the music synonymous with this festive time of year has hit the airwaves. Few things can make a person feel as festive as the holiday songs they know and love. Many families have a favourite musical artist whose music they consider synonymous with their holiday celebrations. While families have their own unique holiday traditions, over time certain holiday songs have emerged as favourites. These are the tunes you’re likely to hear played over and over on the radio. Billboard, which tracks the music industry’s most popular songs, compiled its own list of the most popular Christmas songs. The list measures the volume of people who have been exposed to the song on the radio, and is based on ranking rather than exact figures of listeners. The following are the 10 most popular songs based on those parameters. 10. Happy Xmas (War is Over), by John Lennon. This song debuted in 1971 and was written by Lennon and his wife, Yoko Ono. Performed with the Harlem Community Choir, the song was originally a protest song about the Vietnam War before it eventually became a Christmas standard. 9. Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24), by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. According to Nielsen, this instrumental mash-up of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Carol of the Bells is one of the best-selling Christmas digital singles in SoundScan history. A combination of full, classical orchestra and rock, Christmas Eve is a memorable and powerful piece of music.

8. White Christmas, by Bing Crosby. Crosby crooned this tune in 1942 in the movie of the same name, and Irving Berlin’s song soon became one of the most popular holiday tunes of all time. It has been covered innumerable times and has become a holiday season standard. 7. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, by Andy Williams. This popular Christmas song was written by Edward Pola and George

Wyle in 1963. The song celebrates the traditions and feelings of the Christmas season. 6. Feliz Navidad, by Jose Feliciano. This Spanish-English pop song is recognized by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers as one of the 25 most-played and recorded Christmas songs around the world. Puerto Rican-born Feliciano has said that the song has always been a bridge to the cultures that are so dear to him. 5. A Holly Jolly Christmas, by Burl Ives. This song was written by Johnny Marks, an American songwriter. Ironically, Marks was Jewish, but he specialized in Christmas songs and wrote many of the holiday standards people love, including this upbeat tune and Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree. 4. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire), by Nat King Cole. Believe it or not, this song was actually written in the summer when composers Bob Wells and Mel Torme were trying to cool off with winter imagery. Snow-covered images and phrases eventually turned into lyrics for this popular song that was most memorably recorded by Nat King Cole. 3. Jingle Bell Rock, by Bobby Helms. This song has been performed by many, but Helms’ version of it is perhaps the best known. The song highlights the crossover style known as rockabilly and merges the classic Jingle Bells with rock n’ roll references of the 1950s. 2. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, by Brenda Lee. Brenda Lee was a chart-topping female vocalist of the 1960s who owes much of her success to this beloved holiday classic. Despite the mature sound of her voice, Lee recorded this version when she was only 13 years old. 1. All I Want for Christmas is You, by Mariah Carey. This up-tempo love song has become a Christmas classic and one of Carey’s most popular hits. She cowrote and coproduced the song with Walter Afansieff. It is one of the few modern, original Christmas songs to stand the test of time and become an official Christmas standard.

Thoughtful gifts W

for hosts and hostesses

hen invited to a friend or family member’s home for a dinner party or weekend getaway, custom suggests bringing a gift along for the host or hostess. Hosting is not always as easy as some hosts make it appear, so taking a gift is a great way to show your gracious hosts how much you appreciate their efforts. The following are a handful of ideas that make great host and hostess gifts. • Coffee: Coffee makes a great gift when spending a night or weekend at your host’s home. Many adults enjoy a hot cup of coffee when they wake up in the morning, so bring along a bag of fresh gourmet coffee for everyone to enjoy through the weekend. When bringing fresh coffee, it’s best to err on the side of caution, so make sure to have the beans ground before you arrive at the home of your host, who may or may not have a grinder. You can even go the extra mile and bring both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee so those who prefer decaf are not left out in the cold. • Electric wine opener: For those who want to lend a helping hand with regard to nighttime beverages, consider an electric wine opener. Such openers remove the struggle of opening bottles of wine with traditional corkscrews. Electric wine openers can remove

both natural and synthetic corks at the effortless press of a button, which means hosts can quickly and easily open bottles of wine for the table without the fear of breaking the cork and having it sneak its way into the wine. • Plant: Plants also make great gifts for hosts and hostesses. While flowers don’t have the longest life expectancy, a wellmaintained plant can last a full season or longer. Plants can serve as pleasant accents to a home’s interior while improving the air quality within the home, but they also can be placed outdoors to add an extra element to a host’s garden or yard. • Scented candle: Scented candles strike a chord with people who love to relax at home or establish a serene environment within their homes and offices. Hosts work very hard when hosting friends or family members, and scented candles can help them to unwind once all the guests have come and gone for the night. • Seasonal items: Seasonal items relevant to the time of year when you’re visiting or staying overnight with your host also make great gifts. For example, if a friend or family member is hosting a holiday party, then bring an ornament or decorative item he or she can hang on the tree or use to deck the halls in the years to come.

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From my home to yours

Going home for the holidays? Share a taste of where you now call home by bringing back some of your favourite local delicacies for the family By Jessica Royer Ocken CTW Features ot only are the holidays a time to gather and catch up with family, they’re an opportunity to share the very best food and drink available. Mom’s not getting out the fancy dishes for nothing, so this season, as you travel to be with your loved ones, why not bring something exceptionally delicious — and something that says you — to grace the holiday table? “There’s no better gift than something unique,” said John-Mark Hack, executive director of the Local Food Association (LFA), a national trade organization based in Versailles, Ky. “When you buy something that’s produced in a certain area, crafted by people who live there, its uniqueness has a special value.” In some cases, selecting just the right item may be pretty easy — simply think about what you love to eat or drink in the place you

call home. “In Vermont we have the advantage of being a place people associate with Christmas anyway,” said Helen Fuqua, manager of Apple Mountain, a specialty store in Burlington, Vt. “It looks like a Christmas card around here!” Fuqua said starting shortly before Thanksgiving and continuing through the holiday season, jams and jellies, locally made condiments, and of course everything maple — from syrup to hot sauce to popcorn and even maple cotton candy — flies off the shelves and heads home for the holidays with local residents and college students. No matter where you live, your local community is likely home to farmers, bakers, confectioners and distillers who draw from the ingredients that grow best in your area, as well as the area’s cultural heritage, to create unique and flavourful specialty goods.

�

For example, according to the Brewers Association, an industry group, the majority of Americans live within 10 miles of a local brewery. Translation: it should not be too hard to find a tasty brew — especially one unavailable in your hometown — to bring to your family gathering. Fuqua said at least one of Apple Mountain’s employees stocks up on Heady Topper, an India Pale Ale brewed in nearby Waterbury, before going home to see his family. “You can’t find it anywhere, so it adds to the personal connection,” she said. “And there’s accountability and quality because when you produce and sell something locally, you’re often making it for your neighbours.” So who doesn’t want to be the person who brought home the coolest, most delicious holiday treat of all? “It’s a great way to create long-time memories,” said the LFA’s Hack. However, if you’re flying, the TSA may object to a carryon full of beers or other delicious liquids, so consider shipping them ahead. If you still need inspiration, seek out a local producer of jams, jellies and preserves, suggested Hack. These are in abundance around holiday time and are bursting with flavours born in your region. (Saskatoon berry jam, anyone? Gravelbourg mustard?) Local cheese producers also are present in most communities, so wow your family with a swanky cheese plate featuring cow, goat, and even sheep’s milk cheeses from your neck of the woods. And, of course, the other benefit to buying locally produced delicacies for the holidays is the support it offers the community you call home, notes Hack. You’ll likely purchase artisanal treats directly — or almost directly — from the person who created them, and your transaction puts money back into the local economy. So even if you’re not spending the holidays where you live, you can spread a little cheer with your shopping before you go. Bon appetit!

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Getting the hang of the holidays Try one of these high-flying acts to add some festive glamour to your holiday home By Alice Oglethorpe CTW Features uring any other time of year, stringing up random items around the home looks odd and haphazard. But, around the holidays, hanging ornaments, mistletoe, wreaths, bells and more from the ceiling can be an easy way to give a home a glamorous and festive feel.

Easy does it The easiest project is to take something that is already hanging and add holiday items to it. That’s how Barbara Matson did it.

“I’m not one to break the bank when I decorate for the holidays,” said Matson, who lives just outside of Vancouver, B.C., and blogs on home décor at MarkovaDesign.com. “I have a gorgeous crystal chandelier over my dining room table and decided to hang some [Christmas] balls from it with pretty ribbon.” Matson made sure to keep the balls high enough so they wouldn’t interfere with people dining or with candles on the table. “I also hung crystals from an iron chandelier in my kitchen, strung up a glittery sign that said ‘Noel’ in front of a mirror, and hung wreaths in front of my windows,” she said.

Get your craft on

Courtesy of Jessica Sykes

Jessica Sykes, a crafter in New Port Richey, Fla. literally turned things on end when she made a wreath to hang from her ceiling. “I wanted to use some of the vertical space in my home, so I bought the largest foam wreath ring I could find in a craft store, wrapped it in faux garland, and sprayed it with flocking paint to give it the look of being frosted with snow,” she says. “I then tied it in three different places with cording and hung it from a hook on the ceiling.” Once it was in place, Sykes decorated the wreath with different ornaments. “You don’t have to make it all yourself,” she said. “You could get a real wreath or a faux one that was already made. And I did just silver ornaments, but you could combine them with gold and green ones as well.”

Inspirations for small spaces Hanging decorations helps make the most of a tight spot, such as doorways or nooks. Melanie Collette, a crafter blogger in Mesa, Ariz., found large bells for a low price, and bought some to hang over a small bar area in the kitchen. “I had seen ornaments on ribbons hanging in windows, but I wanted something a little more substantial in my home,” said Collette, who blogs at CraftyCupboard. net. She took a white three-quarter-inch dowel that was six feet long and wrapped it with red tape so it looked like a striped candy cane. “I screwed some hooks into the ceiling and tied ribbon to the rod and hung it on the hooks. Then I used ribbon to hang the bells from the rod, along with snowflakes, stars and glitter balls,” she said. “Everyone compliments me when they see it.”

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Hot, Hotter,

Hottest Trends

The holidays are the perfect time to warm up guests with inspired, creative fare. Here are three recipes to try this season that are sure to have everyone talking. By Bev Bennett CTW Features redictable isn’t the word you want to use when describing your holiday fare. This year, commit to serving buzz-worthy dishes that will have everyone talking — and reaching for seconds. Here’s what you’ll want to have on your menus to reflect the hot, hotter and hottest trends.

Waffles If you’re waffling over what to serve as an entree, you’re on the right track. This honeycombed bread, a breakfast staple, has a new life, especially in sweet-and-savoury pairings, such as chicken and waffles or waffles and short ribs. Why waffles? The versatility makes waffles a match for all flavours, from sweet to spicy to savoury. “The possibilities are endless,” wrote Lee Brian Schrager, author of Fried & True: More than 50 Recipes for America’s Best Fried Chicken and Sides (Clarkson Potter, 2014) in an email.

The origins of the popular chicken and waffles are traced back to the Wells Supper Club in Harlem, New York, according to Schrager. “The club became a late-night stop for jazz musicians who would come in after their gigs. It was too late for dinner and too early to serve breakfast, and the fried chicken and waffles combination was created as a compromise,” wrote Schrager. Intrigued? If your guests are early enough for brunch, try this rich spin on bread pudding with waffles and bacon.

waffle and bacon pudding Ingredients 4 eggs 2 1/4 cups milk 1/3 cup maple syrup ¼ teaspoon salt 6 waffles (about 5 inches in diameter), toasted, torn into 1-inch pieces 6 slices thick bacon, fried until crisp, cut into bite-size pieces Continued on Page 24

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Hot and spicy

Beat eggs, milk, maple syrup and salt together in a large bowl. Gently stir in waffles and bacon. Pour into generously buttered 8-inch square glass baking dish. Cover lightly with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated 325-degree oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil. Bake 30 to 40 minutes longer or until pudding is firm and knife inserted in center comes out clean. Makes 6 servings

The heat isn’t letting up, according to Maeve Webster, a culinary trend watcher. “Even though heat is a trend that has been going on for a long time, there’s no end to ways in which you can impart heat in a dish,” said Webster, senior director at Datassential, a Chicago consulting and research company that focuses on all aspects of the food industry. What will the heat wave lead to? “Both hot-sweet and even hotter,” Webster said. If hot-sweet flavours appeal to you, you’ll want pimento cheese on your entertaining menu. This classic Southern spread “is something people have always made at home,” said Perre Coleman Magness, author of Pimento Cheese: The Cookbook (St. Martin’s Griffin, 2014). The concoction of cheddar cheese and pimento peppers started as a sandwich spread and now is making its way into “fancy restaurants all over the country.” And no wonder. There’s no end to the dishes you can make with a pimento cheese base, said Magness, who offers a few suggestions for the holidays. • Scoop out cherry tomatoes and fill with pimento cheese. • Spread it on toasted bread and top with leftover turkey. • Cut thick bacon into 2 1/2-inch slices. Bake until crisp and serve in place of crackers with a dollop of pimento cheese. Here’s her pimento cheese recipe from the cookbook.

Hot chocolate flights Flights allow you to compare a series of like beverages or foods in small portions. Translate the concept to hot chocolate for a holiday indulgence. The challenge is deciding how to showcase the differences. For the liquid, you can choose milk, which allows chocolate flavours to stand out, or cream, which adds richness. Then there’s the question of chocolates. Do you put Swiss chocolate against Belgian, or bittersweet with semisweet? And what should be the proportion of chocolate to liquid? Fortunately you can sip your way to the answers. “Here is the thing about hot chocolate. If you want more chocolaty taste, add more chocolate. If you want more creaminess, add half-and-half,” said Eliza Ward, owner of Seattle-based ChefShop. “I use half-and-half because I like my hot cocoa very creamy,” Ward said. The true secret for great hot chocolate is to make it in advance. “Chocolate loves to rest,” said Michael Turback, author of Hot Chocolate (Ten Speed Press, 2005). In fact, hot chocolate that’s prepared and served immediately tastes different from that made in advance and reheated, Turback said. That’s a great advantage for holiday entertaining. Drinking chocolate made in advance can be refrigerated for up to three days, according to the hot chocolate expert. But upon reheat, the hot chocolate should be hot enough to require a spoon for the initial sips. “You want it hot and want it to stay hot as long as possible,” Turback said. For a tasty comparison, buy three of the same brand chocolate bars, one in 56 per cent cacao, one 70 per cent and one 85 per cent — the number refers to the percentage of ingredients by weight in the bar that come from the cocoa bean. Make the following recipe three times, once with each chocolate, but switch to half-and-half from milk if you prefer.

HOT CHOCOLATE Ingredients 1 cup whole milk 1 teaspoon confectioners’ sugar 1 3.5-ounce chocolate bar, broken into small pieces Preparation Heat milk to a simmer in a heavy-bottom pot. Stir in confectioners’ sugar. Add chocolate, a small amount at a time, stirring after each addition, until melted. Let cool about 10 minutes. Pour into a microwave-safe container. Cover. Label with the type of chocolate used. Refrigerate until ready to heat and serve. Makes four 1/3-cup flight-sized servings.

PC’S PIMENTO CHEESE Ingredients 1 cup pecan halves 1 2-ounce jar chopped pimentos with liquid 2 teaspoons garlic salt Dash of cayenne pepper or a shot of hot sauce 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese 8 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese 1 cup mayonnaise, more or less Preparation Place the pecans and pimentos with their liquid, garlic salt and cayenne to taste in a food processor fitted with the metal blade and pulse a few times to chop the nuts and blend the pimentos; do not let the mixture turn into a From Pimento Cheese: The Cookbook by Perre Coleman paste. Magness. Text copyright © 2014 by the author and Remove the metal photographs copyright © 2014 by Jennifer Davick and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Griffin, an imprint blade and fit the of St. Martin’s Press, LLC. processor with the grating disk. Grate the cheeses. Turn the mixture into a bowl, scraping down the sides of the processor bowl well. Add the mayonnaise, a little at a time and stir to blend until you reach the desired consistency. The pimento cheese will keep, refrigerated, in an airtight container for 1 week. Makes about 3-1/2 cups.

Gift wrap tricks

to save time

hen the holiday shopping is all done, that enormous pile of presents still needs to be wrapped. People have varying degrees of ability with regard to wrapping gifts. Some excel at those creased corners and perfect bows, while others are less adept at wrapping. The task of wrapping gifts may not be something to look forward to, but wrapping gifts is an essential element of the holiday season. Fortunately, there are a few tricks of the trade wrappers can lean on to make the process of wrapping gifts go as quickly and smoothly as possible. Stock up on double-sided tape. Wrapping with double-sided tape helps you avoid unsightly tape lines and creates a neat finished product. Use a toilet paper tube to preserve wrapping paper rolls and keep them from unravelling. Simply cut the tube lengthwise and snap it over the open roll of paper to serve as a handy clip to keep the paper tidy. When you lose the edge of the tape on a roll, it can take precious time trying to find it again and then lift a piece of tape off the roll. Use a plastic bread clip to hold the end of the tape to prevent this from happening. Turn snack containers into handy gift wrap options. Empty potato chip canisters can be wrapped and used to hold other food gifts or smaller stocking stuffers.

Wooden spoons or Popsicle sticks can make clever gift tags. Poke a hole in the end and tie onto your gift. Use a piece of fabric to wrap a present if you’re not too skilled with traditional paper. Fabric can be reused and is more durable, and you won’t run the risk of tearing an edge or poking a hole through it. This can be especially useful for oddly shaped gifts. Newsprint tied with natural cord and some pine boughs is an inexpensive, classic-looking gift wrap. Kraft butcher paper or brown mailing paper can be used in a pinch. Stamp images on the paper to customize the gift wrap and use ribbons and bows to further dress things up. Always work on a hard, flat surface, as working on the floor or a soft surface makes it more difficult to control wrapping paper, and you’re more likely to tear the paper. Use a gift box or cardboard to create a firm container to wrap soft gifts. Reuse old boxes to create a greeting card. Use a piece of ribbon and a bow and your newly created card as a thank-you or gift tag for future gifts. This is a great way to recycle during a season when excess is common.

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Potluck’s back — (MLS) — By: Carla Jordan all it a sign of the times or just plain good luck for those of us yearning to swap fast food fare for some tasty home cooking. Potluck gatherings are back, and are one of this year’s hottest trends in entertaining. Although these communal “luck of the pot” meals (where everyone brings their favourite dish) hearken back to the late 19th century, they found their footing in the mid-1950’s, when it seemed like every mom in the neighbourhood was filling casserole dishes for church socials and family get-togethers. “There are three primary reasons driving the return of potluck — our schedules, the economy and childhood memories,” said Chef Jeff Gillis, www.CelebratingHome.com. “We live such fast-paced lives that divvying up the cooking makes home entertaining more realistic than putting all of the burden on the hostess. Making one dish instead of several also helps stretch the budget — something we’re all looking to do these days. And, let’s face it — after years of dashing through the drive-thru, wouldn’t you like to sit down to some home-cooked food, even if it’s only once a week?” Got potluck fever but not a clue what to do? Here are four tips that’ll make your next gathering both tasty and stylish, plus, a family-favourite recipe that’ll put your home on the map as potluck heaven.

let’s eat!

Organize participants

Divide the meal by categories so guests will have a balance of appetizers, entrées, sides and desserts from which to choose. Cooks needn’t commit to a specific recipe, but it’s helpful to know up-front that a well-rounded meal is in the making.

Agree on advance prep All dishes should be cooked prior to arrival so only a quick reheating is required. Everything should also hit your doorstep ready for presentation to avoid last-minute searches for serving bowls and platters.

Choose easy-fix, crowd-pleasing recipes To appeal to guests with varying tastes, save the exotic for later and dust off mom’s (or grandma’s) cookbook. Traditional potluck dishes like casseroles, chili, soup, bread and cakes are always popular and easy to make.

Dress up the table Remember the special tablecloth Mom used for Sunday dinner? Create some memories for your own family with a pretty fabric tablecloth, cloth napkins (pretty and eco-friendly) and some candles. A few minutes is all it takes to create a festive look that’ll make guests feel honoured to have gathered around your table.

bean pot beef stew This twist on an old favourite yields a hearty, flavourful entrée that takes less prep time because it slow cooks in the oven in a bean pot. Ingredients: 1 pound round steak, cut into bite-sized pieces 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 cloves garlic, chopped fine 1 can (398 ml) diced tomatoes 6 cups beef broth (or stock) 1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme 3 bay leaves 2 cups potatoes, cubed 1 cup celery, diced 1 cup carrots, diced Salt and pepper to taste Directions: Rub steak with olive oil and coat with salt and pepper. Let steak sit at room temperature in bean pot while preparing all other vegetables. Chop and dice everything, then add to bean pot. Add beef broth (or stock), thyme, bay leaves, diced tomatoes, and salt and pepper. Cover and bake in 375 F oven for 3 to 4 hours until meat is tender. *Recipe courtesy of www.CelebratingHome.com

A slow cooker (like Celebrating Home’s Venetian Home Spice Bean Pot shown here) is potluck perfect. It’s sized to feed a crowd and to go from kitchen to table without missing a stylish beat. Photo courtesy of www.CelebratingHome.com.

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‘Tis the season

for cider

Hard apple beverages are all the rage right now. Here’s what to know about the crisp — or dry or sweet — drinks you’ll be drinking this season By Ben Larrison CTW Features olidays like Christmas and Hanukkah have their iconic meals, but just what are we to drink during these celebrations? Well, this year, a nice hard cider just may be the perfect fit. Long a favourite in Europe, cider’s popularity in North America has soared in recent years, aided by a booming artisanal cider movement. Like wine, cider comes in a wide variety of styles and flavour profiles, and since it’s a “harvest beverage” cider seems all the more appropriate around the holidays. “Now that we have all these choices with cider, and so many that are quite elegant ... it just seems like a perfect fit for me for the holidays,” said Sherrye Wyatt, executive director of the U.S.-based Northwest Cider Association. “I think that they go hand-in-hand.” Though hard apple drinks are now seen as a major up-and-comer in the alcoholic beverage industry, their history in North America actually is fairly significant — for many early settlers, cider was the preferred alternative to an oft-contaminated water supply. Though its popularity waned following Prohibition, the drink has enjoyed a resurgence in the past decade, steadily popping up in homes and bars across the country. Today’s cider scene resembles the

early days of the craft beer movement, with a plethora of small, specialized cider makers offering entries in an industry that is otherwise dominated by a few household brands. “There’s ranges in quality of cider, just as there are in every other industry,” said Tim Larsen, co-owner of Snowdrift Cider Co. in Wenatchee, Wash. “So, if [people] prefer artisanal wines or craft beers, then they’re going to enjoy a more artisanal cider. If they enjoy a domestic product, like PBR, or if they enjoy a Mike’s Hard Lemonade, then there are going to be a lot of mass-produced things out there for their palate.” When it comes to your holiday feast, there is almost certainly a satisfying cider to complement your meal. Tieton Cider Works, in Tieton, Wash., even puts together a “menu” of cider pairings around the holiday season. (For recipes, visit tietonciderworks.com/ tieton/pairings) Sharon Campbell, co-owner and creative director for Tieton Cider Works, said that for a big turkey dinner, people should actually consider basing their pairings around the side dishes, since turkey is versatile enough to pair well with most ciders. A dry cider, she said, can go well with butternut squash or savoury bread pudding, while sweeter ciders work nicely with potatoes. Continued on Page 30

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Continued from Page 29 As for Campbell’s personal Christmas favourite? “We do a [sweeter] cherry cider,” Campbell said. “It went with the sweet potatoes, and it went with the dressing, it went with the savoury bread pudding. It went with everything!” So, if you are new to the world of cider, the holidays may be the perfect time to give it a try. After all: ’Tis the season. “Apple season is late summer into the fall, so it makes sense that people think of cider as something that evokes a feeling of the holidays and the nostalgia that goes along with them,” said Greg Hall, former Goose Island brewmaster and founder of Virtue Cider. “Cider goes great with food, and the holidays bring great feasts, so we’re happy to be a part of people’s tradition.” CTW Features

Try a Cider Cocktail

Looking to wow your holiday guests with a killer cocktail that captures the spirit of the season? Cider may be your perfect answer. “Cider drinks well on its own, it pairs great with food, and it lends itself well to cocktails,” said David Sipes, cider maker at Angry Orchard. “It just has this versatility around it.” So for those of you who are looking to get adventurous with your cocktails this holiday season, here is a cider-based recipe courtesy of Virtue Cider and Cristiana DeLucca, mixologist at Bangers & Lace in Chicago, Ill.

kessinger’s kiss Ingredients Egg white 3/4 ounce lemon juice 3/4 ounce grenadine 1 ounce apple brandy 1/4 ounce coffee liqueur 2 ounces virtue mitten cider Nutmeg Preparation Combine the egg white, lemon juice, grenadine, apple brandy and coffee liqueur in a Boston shaker glass or cocktail shaker with ice. Give it a nice, long shake (your arms may get tired!). Pour into a glass with ice. Top with the cider and grate on some fresh nutmeg. (Courtesy of Cristiana DeLucca, mixologist at Bangers & Lace in Chicago) CTW Features

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When hosting a dinner party, hosts can let the wine expert on their guest list choose the beverages for the night.

Holiday hosting How to approach

‘What can I bring?’

• Avoid asking guests to bring side dishes

• Consider the type of party

Some guests may offer to bring side dishes, but this, once again, may leave hosts vulnerable to guests who may not arrive on time. In addition, guests may have their own favourite side dishes, which may or may not go well with your entrée. When hosting a dinner party, it’s best to prepare the whole dinner on your own. If guests offer to bring sides, thank them before you politely explain how excited you are to host and prepare the entire meal on your own.

hen hosting a party, hosts are often asked, “What can I bring?” Those four words can spark as much thought in hosts as they do in guests, who want to show their appreciation for gracious hosts by bringing something to the party and hopefully taking some of the load off their hosts’ shoulders. Veteran hosts know that answering, “What can I bring?” is not always so easy. But there are a few guidelines hosts can follow to ensure both they and their guests feel good about what is brought to the festivities.

The type of gathering you’re hosting may dictate which gifts are acceptable and which are best left at home. For example, what works for a football party likely will not suffice at a formal affair. Casual affairs tend to be more loose and not as planned, whereas hosts throwing a formal dinner party likely have a set menu and schedule in mind. Guests can bring appetizers or snacks like potato chips and pretzels to backyard barbecues or parties geared around televised sporting events, but asking guests to bring appetizers to formal affairs may throw your entire schedule out of whack if guests are late.

• Consider the guests Some guests may specialize in a particular item or be especially knowledgeable in a certain area, and hosts can put such skills and knowledge to good use when guests ask what to bring to the party. Guests whose baked goods have achieved legendary status within your social circle can be tasked with bringing dessert, while those with an extensive knowledge of wines can bring the libations for

the night. In the latter case, let the party’s wine enthusiast know the menu in advance so he or she can bring appropriate pairings.

• Don’t overlook decorative items If the food and beverages are already taken care of, but guests still want to contribute, don’t be afraid to ask them to bring decorative items like a bouquet of fresh flowers or candles for the dinner table. Such items add to the ambiance of a dinner party, and picking them up does not require much effort on the part of guests.

• Have a backup plan in place Guests sometimes forget to bring something, even if they promised they would. So hosts should have a backup plan in place just in case guests prove forgetful. If one guest is tasked with bringing dessert, pick up some ice cream anyway just so you’re covered if that guest forgets to bring some dessert. “What can I bring?” is a question party hosts can expect to hear. How hosts answer that question can affect how much they and their guests enjoy the festivities.

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How to give

holiday gift cards

early every man or woman has hit that all too familiar wall when holiday shopping for friends and family. While many people might be a cinch to shop for, there always seems to be one challenge on holiday shopping lists, and finding the right gift for that person can be an exercise in patience and perseverance. But even the most patient shopper has his or her limits, and many people find themselves giving gift cards to those friends or family members who seemingly have everything already. Such

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• Buy directly from the retailer It’s easy to be duped by a counterfeit gift card, which can be embarrassing for both the gift giver and its eventual recipient. Counterfeit gift cards are big business for criminals who prey on gift givers during the holiday season. Only buy gift cards directly from the retailer, as cards sold by other sources, such as an online auction site, may be stolen or counterfeit. You don’t want to be the person who gave a stolen or counterfeit card, and your friend or family member does not want to be subjected to an inquiry as to why he or she is attempting to use a stolen or counterfeit card. • Examine the card before leaving the store Once a cashier or customer service employee hands you a gift card, examine it for tampering before leaving the store. Some criminals gain access to gift cards, even those that appear to be behind lock and key, and learn the PIN number associated with the card. Once they have the PIN, they can then recreate their own card, using the stolen PIN to activate and make purchases on their counterfeit cards long before the real card is sold to you. If you detect any damage, ask for a new card before leaving the store.

• Include a gift receipt with the card

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Gift cards make great gifts and can bail out frustrated holiday shoppers who simply can’t find that perfect gift for a friend or family member. But when shopping for gift cards, be sure to exercise caution before buying a card so your loved is not put in an embarrassing or costly situation.

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More than just convenient

Shop locally

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hopping is a big part of the holiday season, as families and friends search out the perfect gift for that someone special. While the popularity of shopping online has grown, it’s not always eco-friendly or timely, as gifts bought online must be packaged and shipped individually, wasting valuable resources and time that last-minute shoppers may not have. But the benefits of shopping locally go beyond convenience and the chance to reduce your carbon footprint. The following are a few ways that shopping locally this holiday season can directly benefit your community and the people who call it home.

The Weather Outside is Frightful but Red Wing Shoe Store gifts are really quite delightful! Send them off to work in warm, comfortable and hard wearing gear including waterproof, insulated boots; insulated overalls and outerwear; thermal underwear; head coverings and hoodies. Red Wing and Carhartt, the choice of professionals.

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When people shop locally, they are putting money back into their local communities. Local small businesses may be owned by your neighbours, and it can be comforting to know that your holiday shopping dollars are going to support a neighbour instead of a large corporation. Local businesses also employ your neighbours, so shopping locally can strengthen the local economy by creating jobs that may not exist if you and members of your community fail to support local small businesses.

Community identity Local small businesses go a long way toward creating a neighbourhood identity, and that identity can create a stronger sense of community among you and your neighbours. In addition, a unique community identity can make your town more attractive to outsiders, and that appeal can improve the value of local real estate while also attracting more people to local businesses in your neighbourhood.

Uniqueness of gifts The gifts you buy when shopping locally can also benefit your community. Gifts purchased from small local businesses tend to be more unique than items bought from national chains, as smaller retailers tend to sell more homemade items than their national competitors. Recipients of such items may find them more thoughtful than mass produced items bought from national chains, and the uniqueness of homemade gifts may encourage the gifts’ recipients to visit your community and do some shopping, further benefitting your local economy.

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The accessibility of customer service is another often overlooked benefit of shopping locally. When buying from national chains, especially during the holiday season when such businesses may be overwhelmed with orders, making contact with customer service departments can be a trying exercise in patience. Long wait times on the phone or online can make the process of contacting customer service extremely frustrating. But such frustration is rare when buying from local businesses, as consumers can simply take their products into the store, where employees can immediately address their concerns. In addition, buying locally makes it more convenient for friends and family members who also live in your community to return their gifts.

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