Saturday, November 13, 2021
Sauk Valley Media/ SaukValley.com • Saturday, November 13, 2021
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How to approach hosting the holidays this year To the relief of many, the upcoming holiday season figures to feel more normal than it did a year ago. The COVID-19 pandemic forced families to celebrate the 2020 holiday season in quarantine. Longtime family traditions like big gatherings might have been shelved in 2020, but the successful rollout of various vaccines has put such celebrations back in play in 2021.
wait for government-issued mandates to help relatives ease their anxiety about variants of the virus. Hosts can explain to family members that if anyone on the guest list expresses concerns about the virus that they will ask everyone else to wear masks while celebrating indoors. Anyone unwilling to comply can celebrate outside or stay home and visit after concerned relatives have gone home.
Though it would be great to imagine a 2021 holiday season with COVID-19 well in the rearview mirror, the spread of potentially deadly variants of the virus and the relatively high number of eligible yet unvaccinated adults and children could make hosting the holidays a bit tricky. The following are some strategies hosts can employ to make this holiday season both special and safe. • Host small celebrations instead of one large one. Families accustomed to gathering en masse during the holiday season may benefit by hosting a small gathering or two instead of one big one. This can be especially important if families include a lot of unvaccinated people, like small children. • Ask guests to wear a mask if anyone is
concerned. The debate about masks is ongoing. While the vast majority of mask mandates had been lifted in the spring of 2021, concerns about the Delta variant prompted government officials and public health agencies to reconsider their mask guidelines. Families need not
• Stick to the great outdoors. Families that gather in mild climates for the holidays can reduce the likelihood of spreading the virus by keeping celebrations outdoors. Public health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization have noted the virus is considerably less likely to spread outdoors, as researchers have learned fresh air disperses and dilutes the virus. So celebrating outdoors this holiday season can provide a measure of protection for family members who are not vaccinated. The 2021 holiday season should mark a wel come return to normalcy for many families. However, holiday hosts may still need to implement some safety measures to protect their friends and families.
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Individuals may be presented with plenty of opportunities to cook for a crowd over the course of a typical year. But no time of year is more synonymous with large sit-down meals than the holiday season. Certain foods, such as pasta dishes and casseroles, are ideal dishes to cook for crowds. However, for those home cooks who want to prepare in advance and then enjoy themselves on the actual holiday, it may be best to choose foods that taste better the day after the dish has been cooked. Many recipes develop deeper flavor profiles after they have been left to rest and are then reheated. Holiday hosts can explore these ideas for meals that can be cooked in advance and taste even better when reheated after a day in the refrigerator. Stew A stew that’s been simmering on the stove or in the slow cooker all day will have a winning flavor. But stew can be even more delicious the next day. The starch in the potatoes will enable the sauce of the stew — whether it’s tomato-based or comprised of a mix of brown gravy and meat drippings — to thicken. The meat may continue to cook and tenderize while
so they’ll be crisp on the outside and tender in the middle. Lasagna Lasagna is a layered pasta dish featuring flat noodle sheets, cheese, sauce, and sometimes meat like ground beef or sausage. Lasagnas that are served right out of the oven can be runny even if they taste scrumptious. Baking it and letting it sit overnight allows all of the layers to gel together, making for a much more cohesive and fortified dish the following day.
reheating. As a one-pot meal, stew is simple to prepare in advance and then serve in an attractive crock for the holidays.
Curries Curries are typically made with many spices that help to make the dish flavorful. A curry that is freshly made may feature intense flavor because each of its components can be tasted individually. After a night of resting in the refrigerator, those flavors meld and mellow. Furthermore, if potatoes are used in the recipe, a night in the fridge gives the potatoes an opportunity to absorb the spices, making for an even tastier meal.
Meatloaf The herbs and spices in a meat loaf continue to release their flavors, and letting the loaf sit can improve the texture and the ability to slice it Many meals can be made ahead of time for without it falling apart. Consider pan-frying inholiday dinners and will taste even better when dividual slices of meatloaf until they’re browned they are served the following day.
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3 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Sauk Valley Media/ SaukValley.com • Saturday, November 13, 2021
Make-ahead meals for tasty holiday dinners
Sauk Valley Media/ SaukValley.com • Saturday, November 13, 2021
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What is Plaid Friday? Locally owned small businesses are vital components of many thriving communities. The unique role locally owned small businesses play was never more apparent than during the pandemic, when many such establishments were forced to close, reduce their hours of operation or downsize their offerings as consumers were urged to stay home and prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In the wake of those changes, communities across the country soon realized how vital local businesses are to their local economies. Job creation and tax revenue are two ways that locally owned small businesses support local economies. These businesses also make communities unique and serve as a source of pride for residents, which underscores the importance of supporting them as the world slowly emerges from the pandemic. Businesses big and small look to the holiday season as a great time to increase their revenue. Big business gets a significant boost from Black Friday, which occurs on the day after Thanksgiving and marks the unofficial opening of the holiday shopping season. But consumers who want to support locally owned small busi-
nesses as they start their holiday shopping can look to Plaid Friday. Plaid Friday was initially organized in Oakland, Calif., in 2009. Back then, Plaid Friday, which takes place on the day after Thanksgiving, was intended to serve as a more laid back alternative to Black Friday, a day that’s become as notorious for incidents threatening public safety as it has for great deals. Plaid Friday efforts promote locally owned small businesses and encourage residents to patronize these establishments as they begin their holiday shopping.
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Decorating is one of the joys of the holiday season. Families often decorate together, and such traditions may include dressing the Christmas tree and hanging holiday lights around the house.
your own penguin family using polystyrene craft balls in assorted sizes and then hang them on the tree or place them around the house. • Reindeer: Santa would not be able to get the job done each Christmas Eve without his trustworthy team of reindeer. Popsicle stick reindeer projects can be fun for kids of all ages and a great way for youngsters to recognize the efforts of Dasher, Dancer, Comet, Cupid, and, of course, Rudolph, among others.
A day spent making homemade ornaments is another great way to decorate and spend quality time together as a family during the holiday season. Though families can let their imaginations run wild when making ornaments at home, the following are some great starting points that can serve as springboards for holiday crafting sessions. • Snowmen: The holiday season simply wouldn’t be the same without snowmen. Homemade snowmen can be made out of ping pong balls, which are the ideal size when making ornaments for the Christmas tree. Those who want to go a little bigger can glue wiffle balls or large polystyrene balls together or create their own papier mâché snowmen to display on mantles or on console tables in a foyer or hallway. • Santa Claus: Another staple of holiday decor, Santa Claus has inspired many a DIY holiday
ornament over the years. A paper plate Santa Claus with a cotton ball beard glued on can make for a fun Christmas craft, especially for young children who can’t wait for the big guy to appear on Christmas Eve.
• Cookie cutters: Family baking sessions are a holiday tradition for millions of people. Though that often leads to batches upon batches of tasty cookies, it also means families tend to have a surplus of holiday cookie cutters around the house. Surplus cookie cutters tend to be discarded or relegated to the miscellaneous items drawer in kitchens, but a more awe-inspiring fate can await them. A coat of paint, some glitter and a little bit of string or twine is all families need to transform their extra cookie cutters into colorful tree ornaments.
• Penguins: Though they might not have a direct link to the holiday season, penguins Holiday decorating sessions can be made even evoke feelings of cold weather, making them an more fun when families take time to craft some ideal addition to holiday decor schemes. Make DIY decorations together.
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5 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Sauk Valley Media/ SaukValley.com • Saturday, November 13, 2021
Deck the halls with DIY decor
10 gift ideas for people who love to cook Many people know someone who loves spending lots of time in the kitchen. Certain home cooks may enjoy whipping up favorite recipes, while others might get excited about experimenting with new flavors and ingredients. A love of cooking paves the way for many different gifting opportunities. Food-related gifts also come in a wide variety of price points, making it easy for shoppers to spend as little or as much as they want. Check out these 10 gift ideas for the foodie on your holiday shopping list. 1. Sheet pans They may not seem like the most sexy or high-tech tools of the kitchen, but sheet pans are among the most versatile. They can be used for cookies, sheet pan cakes, oven-frying cutlets or fries, or even serving as the perfect bases for candy brittles. 2. Air fryer tool set By now many people have hopped on the air fryer bandwagon, but they may not have all of the accessories to take air frying to the next level. From spatulas to tongs to silicone brush-
es, an air fryer tool set can make meals even more delicious. 3. Dutch oven: You’d be hard-pressed to find a more hard-working tool in the kitchen than a Dutch oven. These heavy, often enameled cast iron vessels come in various quart sizes. They can be used to cook stews, breads, cakes, and much more. 4. Kitchen compost bin: Home cooks who want to cut down on waste will appreciate a countertop compost bin to gather food scraps. 5. Serving board: The rise in cheese and charcuterie boards means cooks will need something attractive to serve their spreads. Wooden and stone boards are attractive when serving sliced cheeses, crackers, chutneys, and other appetizer. 6. Electric wine opener: Wine is the perfect complement to many dishes, and what easier way to open bottles than with an electric wine opener? Many are compatible with almost any bottleneck and can open several bottles on a single charge.
7. Spiralizer: The trend for pasta alternatives continues, and having a spiralizer that can turn vegetables like zucchini into spiraled “noodles” will be handy in most kitchens. 8. Apron and accessories Home cooks need to protect their clothing in the kitchen. A fashionable apron and matching oven mitts can make a statement and keep clothes clean. 9. Meat delivery The number of direct-to-home meat shipping providers continues to grow. Have quality cuts of meat delivered right to a home cook’s house so that he or she can cut back on trips to the store. 10. New blender Today’s blenders can crush ice, process foods, puree, and chop foods. These versatile appliances make a welcome addition to any kitchen. Stock up on food-related gifts now for those people on your holiday shopping list who love to cook.
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Location, location, location Where you hang the wreath is key to its longevity. Wreaths and garlands hung indoors likely won’t last as long as those hung outside, advises the floral retailer Bouqs.com. Evergreen boughs tend to require a colder climate to thrive, and indoor heat can prematurely zap moisture from the wreath. Using a humidifier indoors or misting the wreath may help. It’s probably best to hang fresh wreaths outdoors, but avoid direct sunlight, which can dry out the greenery. Slightly shaded spots are best. If your front door is bathed in full sun for hours, hang an artificial wreath here instead of a fresh one.
Majestic Christmas trees garner the lion’s share of the decorative fanfare when the holidays arrive. Trees may be the focal points of holiday decor, but the humble wreath adorning the front door is the first decoration guests are likely to see when visiting a home. Wreaths may need some care to maintain their beauty all month long. Here are some tips to help holiday wreaths last as long as possible. Choose a wreath wisely When shopping for a wreath, choose freshly cut greenery that you assemble yourself; otherwise, look for wreaths made from freshly cut boughs with their foliage intact. Make sure not too many needles or leaves are falling off. Heavily decorated, preassembled wreaths may be convenient, but ornaments can make it challenging to give the wreath the moisture it needs to survive. Moisture/water Access to moisture will help to keep the wreath fresh. While a Christmas tree trunk may sit inside of a stand filled with water, wreaths require a little ingenuity. According to the wreath and garland retailer Club Botanic, if you will not be
hanging a freshly purchased wreath right away, keep it in a plastic liner in a cool, dark place to help it retain moisture. Just make sure you don’t seal that liner closed. Before hanging, lay the wreath in a couple of inches of water for about an hour or up to a day so that the cut stems can soak up water.
Maintain airflow Another factor that can affect the wreath’s longevity is an ample flow of oxygen. Wreaths tend to last much longer when kept on an outer door, indicates Harbor Farm in Ellsworth, ME. Wreaths sandwiched between a front door and a storm door will probably perish faster due to lack of oxygen.
Once the wreath is hanging on a door or elsewhere, spritz it with water every few days to prevent it from drying out.
Following these tips can help keep fresh wreaths as vibrant as the day they were brought home.
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HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS Sauk Valley Media/ SaukValley.com • Saturday, November 13, 2021
How to care for fresh holiday wreaths
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A guide to picking the perfect fresh Christmas tree Come the holiday season, perhaps no tradition evokes the warm and fuzzy “feels” more than a family outing to pick a Christmas tree. Whether it’s a trek to a live Christmas tree farm or a short drive to the nearest pre-cut tree lot, the process of selecting a tree that will serve as the crown jewel of the entire season is a great way to make lasting memories.
to foliar diseases like needle-cast fungus.
ample space for foot traffic around the tree.
Selecting a tree is a yearly ritual and each person has his or her set of criteria for what makes the ideal Christmas tree. These tips can help families find the right tree.
Space for ornaments In addition to aroma and needle longevity, look for trees that have a desirable shape and allow for adequate space between branches, advises the home and garden resource The Spruce. Trees groomed to be lush and full will look beautiful unadorned, but once ornaments are added, full branches may cause those ornaments to hang low or even fall off. Trees with sparse branches allow for ornaments to hang straight.
Perform a needle check Every tree will drop some needles, and most evergreens hold their foliage. Modest needle loss is not an indicator of a poor tree. However, Decker’s Nursery in Greenlawn, NY says if 50 percent of the needles are lost when you swipe your hand down three to five different branches around the tree, the tree likely is not a good choice. In addition, avoid a tree that has glaring defects in the trunk as it can impede water flow through the tree.
Choose your species Do some homework on the type of tree you want prior to buying the tree. Balsam fir and fraser fir are popular Christmas tree varieties, but there are many others, such as noble fir and Norway spruce. Balsams are known for having the most fragrant smell, but frasers tend to keep their needles the longest. For those who prefer a douglas fir, keep in mind that they sometimes drop their needles prematurely due
Measure your space Trees in the field or in a lot may look much smaller than they do when brought into the living room. Don’t make the mistake of selecting a tree that is too large for your home. The agricultural firm Ragan & Masey says to measure the room from floor to ceiling and subtract the height of the tree stand and tree topper. It’s equally important to measure the width of the area where the tree will stand and allow for
Heavier is better A heavy pre-cut tree means it is full of water and has been cut more recently. A healthy, fresh tree is going to require an effort to lift. Older, dried out trees will not be heavy. Upon arriving home, make a fresh cut off the tree trunk and get it in water as soon as possible — even if that’s a bucket until the tree stand can be set up.