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The Frantic Santa
by W.Holidays
November:
Great for Thanksgiving and Christmas: Candied Citrus Peel and Vanilla
Sugar.
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Candied Citrus Peel
It's easy but time consuming. The final
product may be eaten like candy or chopped up and added to cookies and
breads. Peel a couple of lemons, a grapefruit, and a few oranges. Place
the peels in pot with lots of cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer 10
minutes. Drain and remove white pith. (It scrapes off easily with a
spoon). Julienne the peel. Heat 2 cups water and 1 cup granulated sugar.
When sugar dissolves add peel and simmer, covered, 45 minutes. Drain and
cool 45 minutes. Toss with 1-2 cups granulated sugar and let dry
overnight on a baking sheet. Store in airtight container.
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Vanilla Sugar
Great for holiday baking just substitute this
sugar for your regular sugar. Put 2 cups of granulated or powdered
sugar in a jar. Add 1-2 rinsed and dried vanilla beans, and shake.
Let jar stand for at least 3 days before using. The vanilla will
infused the sugar. The longer it sits the stronger it will be. Shake the jar
occasionally. As the sugar is used add more so you'll always have some
on hand.
As
you gather all your goodies for your Thanksgiving feast pick up mason
jars if you plan on making mixes in a jar (http://www.web-holidays.com/christmas/food/mixes.htm)
for Christmas. The jars rapidly disappear from the shelves following
Thanksgiving.
Planning
a Party?
If you are having a holiday party it is time to
start planning! Plan to send out your invitation three weeks in
advance. The weekends book up quickly for people.
End
of November: Gift Giving
Yes, it is time to think about gifts!
Make a list of the people you'd like to buy
gifts for and whom you would like to make gifts
for. Come up with a few ideas for each person. Decide what your budget
is and don't go over that budget. It really is the thought that counts.
Next, make up a shopping schedule. Think about shopping online. There
are many secure, safe sites including many of the major department
stores, but order early.
Shopping Tips:
- When
you go shopping wear comfortable shoes and keep a positive attitude. Be
prepared to encounter cranky, overworked sales people, rude, aggressive
shoppers, and long lines. Don't give into this negativity!
- Drive
safely and if you have to park far from the entrance think of it as "great exercise".
- For
less stress and for safety precautions don't shop with your children
unless you have the time and the store is not too crowded.
- Shop
with a friend who can keep you company in line!
December
1: Decorating
There are two type of decorators. The one who
needs to put up everything right away and the one who mills about
taking several days to decorate. Whichever decorator-type you are, take
your time and enjoy the process. Do what makes you happy.
It's okay to begin decorating your home for the holidays now.
There are services that you can hire to put up your outside light
display; they will also take them down. Consider your time and energy
and the cost of the service. This will help you decide if it is worth
your while.
You can also find really good cheap outdoor timers and have your lights
turn on at dusk. Whether you use a timer or turn them on the old
fashion way, keep them on for just a couple of hours to save on your
electric bill. In a couple of weeks you can leave them on longer.
December 2: Greeting Cards
This is a wonderful time to keep in touch. Make
another list, this time listing everyone you plan on sending a card. It
is now popular to send a generic letter printed out on pretty paper to
everyone. If you do this take the time to put the recipients' name on
the letter (rather than 'Dear Friends') and a brief paragraph just to
them.
Some people send out as many as 40 greeting cards. To avoid hand
cramping and writing that becomes illegible, write and address five to
six cards a day. If you have 40 cards that's only seven days to completion.
December 3: Add film, batteries, and tape to your shopping
list. Stock up now before you forget.
December 4: Make a your Christmas Eve and Day meal plans.
Decide what you're making and what you're not. If you are responsible
for both meals, one should be easy and simple. If you're placing orders
do it now. If you are having a potluck let everyone know what you need
them to bring by the 14th. Plan foods you can
make in advance. Buy all the pantry items and non-perishables you'll
need now.
December 5: Its beginning to smell a lot like Christmas!
Make Pomanders. These are easy and fun for all
ages. It's an old fashioned way to get the season
started. You'll need oranges, lemons, any citrus fruit and
whole cloves. Poke several small holes in the citrus with a
toothpick or some sharp object. Push in cloves.
December
6: Party season is upon us. Here are a few tips. If you
bring your children remember they get tired quicker and may get bored
so don't plan an all-nighter. Toddlers may be uncomfortable around a
large group of people they don't know. If you want to stay a long time
ask Grandma to sit with the children. If you plan to drink have a
designated sober and responsible driver. In addition, don't blow your
entire budget on a new outfit! When visiting offer to bring something
to help out the host/hostess. If you are hosting take them up
on the offer, chips, soda, a bottle of wine, it all helps.
December 7: Have snacks on hand for unexpected
company. Assorted crackers, cheeses, dips, marinated olives, a frozen
appetizer (or two) and a frozen pie (or two). There is a
wonderful assortment of frozen treats available. They are great for last minute company or a
fun night for the family.
December 8: Shipping
If you need to send packages to relatives or friends send them within
the next couple of days to insure they are received by Christmas.
December 9: Find some craft projects to do as a family.
Pick up all the supplies needed to make the crafts later in the week.
December
10: Don't Forget Anyone!
Make sure you have a few extra gifts on hand
incase you forgot someone or you have unexpected company. Buy gifts
that will be good for most anyone and you would enjoy if unused. Here
are a few ideas-
-
a gift certificate for movie rentals paired with microwave popcorn
- a gift certificate to a bookstore
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a chocolate basket filled with fancy chocolates,
flavored hot cocoa, chocolate cookies, etc.
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gourmet coffee paired with biscotti
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a good bottle of wine or champagne
December
11: Make those mixes in a jar!
Decorate them with Christmas patterned materials
and ribbons.
December
12: Give to those who are not as fortunate.
This is a season for charity. You will be amazed how good you will
feel. Give your time, money, or just your old clothes to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or the local shelter.
Participate in one of the many drives. There are toy drives and canned good drives in many stores throughout the holiday season.
December
13: Make crafts as a family.
December 14: Tree Picking
If you're getting a fresh tree pinch the needles to make sure they bend
and are not brittle. Gently bounce the tree on its trunk you should not
be showered with needles. Check and pluck of any unwanted spiders who
may have taken up residence while waiting for the tree to be purchased.
Trim about an inch off the bottom of the trunk and place in fresh, cold
water as soon as possible. Check and add water daily.
December 15-16: Bake cookies!
Baking cookies this year? Select the cookies you
want, then prepare the dough for all the cookies and refrigerate today
and bake them tomorrow. This will keep you from cookie burnout and
save you a lot of time. Bake the cookies you are known for, then add a
few new treats.
December 17: Create a Candy Land
Pick up some small inexpensive pretty glass jars and fill them with
different candies. This will be fun for children and guests.
December 18: Time for you!
Yes, you. You have to be good to yourself in order to be good to those
around you. No one enjoys being around a stress out hair-pulling person
so relax take in a movie, make a lunch date with a friend, or rent some
movies, order a pizza, and enjoy your family.
December 19: Having everyone come to your place?
Do your heavy duty cleaning now. Then you can pick-up and do
light cleaning before everyone arrives. Don't stress on a
perfect house. It's the holidays.
December 20: Make a gingerbread house
Make it simple or complex, but spend some time
creating. Don't forget to decorate with an assortment of candy and send
us a picture of your creation.
December 21: Start wrapping presents, you don't have to do it
all, but give yourself a head start.
December 22: If Santa needs help with toys assembly, do it
today or tonight in private to make sure you have all the parts and to
reduce Christmas Eve night tension.
December 23: Make what you can for Christmas Eve and
Christmas Day meals.
December 24: Take a few moments and have a cup of hot cocoa
or coffee before the craziness begins. Have a very Merry Christmas.
December 25: Yeah! We made it, kick back and enjoy!
After Christmas: Take is easy but also take advantage of the
after Christmas sales. This is the best time to pick up decorations and
even gifts for next year.
modified May 5, 2008
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