Making Christmas Eve special for kids
Christmas Eve is viewed differently by different people, even those who live under the same Santa-ready roof.
Adults may see Christmas Eve as crunch time when they must prepare food for the next day or set up presents for their children to open in the morning. Children, on the other hand, are focused on Santa’s visit and little else.
Parents naturally want to make Christmastime as special as possible for their children, and that may involve ensuring that Christmas Eve is just as memorable as Christmas Day. The following are some ways to impart more magic into Christmas Eve celebrations.
Attend Mass at midnight
Practicing Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas. On Christmas Eve, churches often hold celebrations that may include late-evening or midnight masses that celebrate the birth of Christ when the calendar switches over to December 25. While it does make for a late night, it can be thought-provoking for kids and a unique experience unlike any other.
Bake fresh cookies
Children like to leave out a plate of cookies and a glass of milk for Santa. That makes Christmas Eve a perfect time to whip up a fresh batch of cookies. Explore different recipes to come up with a unique offering each year.
Read a Christmas story
Watching television or looking at a tablet or mobile phone before bed can be too stimulating when it’s time for children to wind down
for bed. Choose a holiday tale or tales that can be read as a Christmas Eve bedtime story. Reciting the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas (‘Twas the Night Before Christmas)” is a great way to set the Christmas Eve mood.
Make a batch of ‘reindeer dust’
Why should Santa’s reindeer be left out when it comes to receiving treats? Reindeer dust, made from a combination of oatmeal, rice cereal, dried fruits, and glitter (if desired), is purported to attract Santa’s reindeer and provide them a nibble at the same time. Plus, it’s generally safe for other animals in the yard to eat.
Go caroling
Caroling may not be the norm, but some families may want to revive it. Close-knit communities can organize family-centric caroling opportunities and roam the cul-de-sacs and other pedestrian-friendly areas singing popular songs.
Christmas Eve is a great time to embrace various traditions that help to make the season even more special. (Metro)
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Bake up a sweet holiday treat
Entertaining is a big part of the holiday season. Calendars are packed this time of year with gatherings with friends, family and professional colleagues.
Entertaining requires keeping plenty of refreshments on hand to ensure guests maintain their holiday spirit. Dessert is no stranger to the season, with office break rooms, dining tables and buffet stations brimming with sweet treats to tempt celebrants’ palates. Everyone should have a go-to dessert to bring along to a holiday party or to offer guests when hosting their own fêtes. Cookies are a standard due to their versatility and portability.
Festive “Sour Cream Cookies” provide all of the holiday feels and can be customized in color to reflect celebrations of Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or New Year’s. Bake up a batch, courtesy of “Live Well Bake Cookies” (Rock Point) by Danielle Rye.
Sour Cream Cookies
Makes 22 cookies
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature
1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 1-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream or milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Gel food coloring (optional)
1. To make the cookies: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats and set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter and granulated sugar together for 1 to 2 minutes, or until well combined.
4. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, making sure to stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
5. Mix in the dry ingredients in two additions, alternating with the sour cream. Make sure to mix in each addition until just combined, and be careful not to overmix the batter.
6. Using a 1-1/2-tablespoon cookie scoop, scoop the cookie dough onto the prepared baking sheets, making sure to leave a little room between each one.
7. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the tops of the cookies are set and spring back when touched lightly. Remove from the oven, and allow to cool on the baking sheets for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer the cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. To make the vanilla buttercream frosting: In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large mixing bowl using a handheld mixer, beat the butter for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, mixing in each addition until well combined.
9. Add the heavy whipping cream, vanilla extract, and gel food coloring (if using), and continue mixing until fully combined.
10. Once the cookies have cooled completely, spread the frosting on top of the cookies.
11. Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
(Metro)
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baby and childrens gifts and carrying the Melissa and Doug line of childrens items. Visit the Brightly Farms Wine Tasting room for a wide selection of 20 varieties of Hunt Country Wines, New York’s finest cheeses, and other unique food items. Custom made wine gift baskets are also available. Fresh cut and locally grown Christmas trees and wreaths also available! Make your Christmas brighter by visiting Brightly’s Farm Market, located at the intersection of Rt. 18 and Drake Road in Hamlin. Open Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 585-636-4337 for your Santa reservation.
Westside News - December 4, 2022 Gift Guide 7 Published by Westside News Inc. as a second section of Westside News newspapers which circulate by private carrier and the U.S. Postal Service to free distribution recipients and paid subscribers in Bergen, Brockport-Sweden, Chili, Churchville-Riga, Clarendon, Clarkson, Hamlin, Hilton-Parma, Holley-Murray, North Greece, and Spencerport-Ogden. Business offices are located at 1776 Hilton-Parma Corners Road, Spencerport, NY 14559. (585) 352-3411. Entered for mailing at Spencerport, NY 14559. Subscription rates are $50 per year; $30 for six months or less. Publisher Keith A. Ryan Office Managers Emily Antinore, Linda Michielsen Digital Marketing Director Gary Sajdak Circulation & distribution Don Griffin, Kathy Hirschler Advertising representatives Lori Antonelli, Rachael Blair, Debbie Day, Tami Raco, Mary Lou Rockow, Ellen Stevens Ad production mgr., Assistant mgr. Karen Fien, Joanne Michielsen Production Vicki Caspersson, Suzette Coleman, Linda Michielsen, Donna Stultz. Editor Emerita Evelyn Dow Team Leader Emerita Marilyn Brown A Special Section of Westside News - December 4, 2022 Holiday Gift Guide A publication of Westside News Inc., P. O. Box 106, Spencerport, NY 14559 585-352-3411 • www.westsidenewsny.com OPEN ‘TIL DECEMBER 24TH Mon.-Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5 www.kirbysfm.com 9739 Ridge Rd. W., Brockport (3 miles W. Rt. 19 on 104) 637-2600 • Kirbygrown Apples AppleShippingAvailable • Winter Squash • Frozen Sour Cherries • Local Potatoes & Onions • Seasoned Apple Firewood Christmas Open House Dec. 3rd & 4th Comeoninandsee ourgreatarrayof • POINsETTIas COming DeCember 9th ShopinourGreenhouse 41/2”to10”pots • Freshmade WREaTHs • WNy CHRIsTMas TREEs •aNTIquEs • COuNTRy GIfTs • OLIvER’s CHOCOLaTEs (585) 315-2734 Cell brendagswanger@howardhanna.com 9 Main Street • Brockport, NY 14420 www.howardhanna.com BRENDA SWANGER Licensed R.E. Salesperson Thank You! For placing your trust in me to help you with your real estate needs. May Christmas and the coming new year bring Happiness and Health to you and your family. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year Christmas in the Country: Put magic into your Christmas by visiting Brightly’s Farm Market! Santa Claus will be at the farm on Saturdays, December 10 and 17, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call for reservations to book your family’s time to visit with Santa in his very own cozy room. While here shop our huge inventory of unique gift items for everyone from Amish made furniture, clocks and candles! Also offering a unique line of
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