FamilyLife - December 2019

SPECIAL HOLIDAY ISSUE

FamilyLife

OUR HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE December 2019

December Contents

72

47

ADVICE

ORGANIZE

FEATURES

19 Don’t Sweat It Tips for New Parents

33 11 ways to update your home decor

47 2019 Gift Guide

25 Showering the Second Baby 29 Importance of Baby Talk

55 Best toys of 2019

FOOD

33 IN EVERY ISSUE 16 Editor's Letter 70 Last Look

63 6 Delicious Holiday Cookies

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FamilyLife EDITOR IN-CHIEF Pamela Hayford EXECUTIVE EDITOR Suzanne Moutis CREATIVE DIRECTOR Karen Paddon EDITORIAL OPERATIONS & ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Olga Goncalves Costa TEST KITCHEN FOOD DIRECTOR Soo Kim SENIOR FOOD ASSOCIATE Stina Diös CONTRIBUTING FOOD SPECIALISTS Donna Borooah, Cara Tegler ART DEPUTY ART DIRECTOR Lena Diaz ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR Sarah Big Canoe CONTRIBUTING ART DIRECTOR Leanne Gilbert PRODUCTION SPECIALIST Genevieve Pizzale EDITORIAL SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR Megan Howard FEATURES EDITOR Mary Levitski COPY EDITORS Debbie Madsen Villamere, Stephanie Zolis EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Marianne Davidson, Sarah Dziedzic HOME & GARDEN HOME & STYLE DIRECTOR Ann Marie Favot DESIGN EDITOR Morgan Lindsay ADVERTISING SALES, TORONTO SENIOR DIRECTOR, MEDIA SOLUTIONS, TRANSACTIONAL Jérôme Leys KEY ACCOUNT DIRECTORS, NATIONAL ADVERTISING SALES David Garby, Andrea McBride, Akta Sharma ADVERTISING COORDINATION TEAM LEADER Maddie Belanger ADVERTISING COORDINATION MANAGER Janice Clarke NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES Cathy Ellis, Gary Forshaw, Joanne Landry, Delainie Salvatore, Vanessa Watson DIGITAL NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVES Paul Cummins, Gwen O’Toole, Tony Vigario, Joanna Woodman SALES ASSOCIATE Patricia Mixemong MARKETING & CREATIVE SOLUTIONS BRAND MANAGER Mieka Jansen SENIOR STRATEGIST Stephanie Mediati STRATEGIST Jeremie Marcoux PROJECT MANAGERS Janine Short, Kathryn Walsh ART DIRECTOR Suzanne Lacorte

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Editor's Letter

Cheers to Christmas “It's the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It's the most wonderful time of the year”~ “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” by Andy Williams I have a distinct memory of my older sitting in the back of the car and listening along with this song. As she croons along to the tune, she says to me, “It really IS the most wonderful time of the year.” And to a child, it is. A parent, on the other hand, might replace wonderful with busiest for a more accurate picture of December. So. Many. Commitments. From the purchasing of gifts to the baking of cookies to the hosting and attending of gatherings—it’s just about all anyone can do to make it through the season. In all the hustle and bustle, we often lose sight of the true meaning and enjoyment of the season. Our Holiday Guide has some terrific ideas for keeping the jolly in your holidays this year. I love the suggestion to take a day off. We did that last year with the girls, right before Christmas. And while they referred to it as “forced family fun day,” we all enjoyed the nice reprieve from all the holiday busyness. May you find moments of peace and quiet to settle your mind and heart this December.

Pamela Hayford Editor In-Chief

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December 2019 - Family Life

Advice

Don’t Sweat It Tips for New Parents

By SARAH LYONS

Family Life ‐ December 2019

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Advice Having a baby is one of the most exciting and anticipated moments in a parent’s life. You’ve prepared the nursery, installed the car seat, read parenting books, and now it’s time to bring your baby home to start a new life together. This season is fun and exciting but also exhausting and overwhelming.

Adjusting to a new infant at home takes time, but there’s no need to sweat some things as you enjoy your baby and figure out your new normal.

Housework A neat and clean house is a nice thing to have, but the thing about housework is that it never goes away.

Once you get the house clean, it’s messy again. While you enjoy your new baby, try to let some of the cleaning go. Do the bare minimum while you rest, recover and recuperate from birth and snuggle your newborn.

Cooking Immediately after bringing home Baby is not the time to cook elaborate meals—or sometimes any meals at all. However, you do need to eat regular and nutritious meals, so keep it simple. Stock the pantry with items that are quick and easy to eat while you care for the baby. Wendy Haviland, Overland Park mom of two, says, “I prepared freezer meals before the baby was born so I had something to put in the oven or crock pot when I was tired from taking care of a newborn.”

You can also ask friends to set up a meal train where family and friends can bring dinner during the first few days after the birth of your baby. This will eliminate the need to shop and cook while you are recovering.

Spoiling baby When I first became a mom I was warned that I shouldn’t hold my newborn too much or while he was sleeping because it might spoil him and then he would never sleep in his own bed or let me put him down for a few minutes. This is simply not true. There is no such thing as a spoiled baby. Newborns sleep most of the day and they find great comfort in being held. It also creates a strong bond between parent and child. There is no such thing as sleep training a newborn or spoiling a new baby. Enjoy as much cuddle time as you care to and let that worry go.

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Naptime One old saying is true: Sleep when the baby is sleeping.

This piece of advice really is one of the best you’ll receive. As a person who likes to keep busy, I found it hard to allow myself to take naps during the day. Once the exhaustion of being up most of the night nursing my newborn hit me, I decided to give myself permission to take doze when my baby does. Moms need rest, and your body needs time to recuperate after the stress of giving birth.

Accept help It can be hard to accept help when you are used to doing everything yourself, but when you have a new baby at home any help offered can be a huge blessing.

Take people up on their offers to bring meals, help with older children’s carpool or clean the house. And don’t just have them do the quick, easy chores you can keep up with. Let them vacuum the house, do laundry and wash dishes—all tasks that seem to pile up quickly.

While you have help, jump in the shower, take a nap or run a much-needed errand. People offer to help because they want to. You can always pay it forward when you find your new normal.

Take turns New moms, especially those breastfeed, easily get overtired. As much as possible, share the task of caretaking with your partner. Some moms will find it hard to pass the baby care to their husbands, but dads often feel left out and want to jump in. He may not do things exactly as you do, but that's okay. As long as Baby is clean, fed and happy, there’s nothing to stress over. Sharing the load also gives Dad time to bond with Baby as well.

Advice

Take a break

Be flexible

Having a new baby can be physically and emotionally taxing. It is okay to admit you need a break sometimes.

If you feel overwhelmed, schedule a time your spouse or a friend can take care of the baby while you step out of the house for a bit. Breastfeeding moms may find it difficult to get away for extended periods, but even taking a break for an hour or two can do a lot to improve your mood.

When you are adjusting to having a new baby, realize it will take a while to find your routine again. When planning an outing, think ahead. Pack extra diapers, clothes for you and the baby and anything else you might need. Be prepared to feed Baby on the go if needed. Also accept that sometimes an outing will not go as well as planned--heading home early is okay. Be flexible and go easy on yourself when it comes to taking Baby out for the first time and when trying to get things done around the house. This is normal and will get easier in time.

Adding a new family member is both exciting and disruptive. In time, you will adjust to your newborn and won’t be able to imagine your family without the new addition. In the meantime, give yourself, your spouse and your other children time to adjust to this big change. Use your time to focus on Baby, and let less important stuff wait for later. No need to sweat it!

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Advice

Showering the Second Baby

By REGAN LYONS

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Advice When the second baby is on its way, most parents still have all of the essentials they need from their firstborn, but it’s still important to celebrate the newest little one on the way and make sure the mom-to-be is feeling loved and special. Here are a few fun ways to celebrate the new addition without hosting a traditional baby shower.

Throw a Baby Sprinkle A baby sprinkle is like a baby shower, but scaled down and more low-key. Instead of showering the expecting mom and baby with gifts, you sprinkle them with smaller items. Sprinkles are typically more casual and require less preparation from the host. Gifts usually include smaller items like clothing, diapers and wipes, as opposed to the big ticket items, such as strollers and basinets, you would give at a shower. This is a fun way to show your love for the mom and child without planning a lavish party.

Host a Freezer Shower Freezer showers are a fun and practical way to prepare the mommy-to-be before her new baby arrives.

Simply ask the guest of honor for a few of her favorite recipes that can be frozen. Then assign each guest an ingredient to prepare and bring to the shower. Then all guests work together to prepare the freezer meals.

Another option is to ask each guest to bring a frozen meal already prepared. Just make sure each meal has a label with the name of the meal, the cooking temperature, baking instructions and date the food was prepared. By the end of the party, the mom will have plenty of freezer meals to get her through the hardest weeks after the baby is born

Plan a Sip and See A sip and see is a fun way to celebrate the new baby after his arrival. Invite friends and family to casually drop by and sip on tea, coffee, soup or other refreshments and meet the new baby. Guests will feel no obligation to bring a gift, and they are able to meet the baby at the same time. New mothers love sip and sees, because the occasion allows them to introduce the new addition to friends and family and prevents visitors from dropping by unexpectedly during the first few weeks after the baby is born.

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Splurge on a Spa Day Shower Is the momma-to-be looking for a little relaxation?

Throw her a spa day shower! Reserve a few hours at a local spa and meet a group of ladies for manicures, pedicures and massages. The guests will chip in to foot the bill for the guest of honor. This is a win-win for the mom-to-be and the guests, because everybody could use a day at the spa. After the spa, meet for brunch, cocktails and mocktails at a favorite spot. Your guest of honor will leave feeling relaxed and ready to welcome the new baby, and so will you!

Diaper and Beer Party Who says dads can’t join in on the fun? A diaper and beer party is a great way for dads to celebrate the new baby with their friends and collect diapers at the same time. Diaper and beer parties usually take place at a bar or someone’s home. Guests are asked to bring a package of diapers or wipes with them. The guests drink the night away, and the dad-to-be gets to enjoy one last hoorah before the baby arrives. When the party is over, everyone has had a great time and the parents won’t need to buy diapers for several months after the baby arrives.

Card Shower If you want to do something special for the expecting mother, but you don’t want to plan an entire party, a card shower is the way to go. Put together an online event inviting friends and family to send a card to the mother-to-be. You can make a special request for family and friends to write a message or words of advice in the card. You can also suggest they send a book in place of a card to start the little one’s library. A card shower takes minimal effort to plan but will be memorable for the mom to look back on later down the road.

Advice

Importance of Baby Talk

By GINA KLEIN

Family Life ‐ December 2019

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Advice You new parents must admit that, besides the lack of sleep, dirty diapers and odd feeding times, having a baby in the house is fun! It naturally brings out your inner child that’s been hidden away for many years.

You now find yourselves playing peek-a-boo, singing silly songs to your little one and speaking to her in high-pitched voices. Sometimes you may feel a bit awkward about the one-way, cartoony-sounding conversation you carry on with your little, nonverbal human, but talking to your baby is very natural and important. It actually benefits your baby! Especially how you talk. Research says the more you exaggerate your vowels and raise the pitch of your voice while talking to your little cuddle bug, the more your baby will babble.

New findings in research confirm that the quantity of words you use with your baby is not what spurs early language development. The style of speech and social context in which speech occurs are what matter most.

Parents in the studies who used a raised voice pitch while talking to their babies individually (with no one else around) had 1-year-olds who babbled the most.

Believe it or not, babies understand the general meaning of what you’re saying long before they can speak clearly, and they also absorb the emotional tone.

Here are some ways you can encourage your baby to learn to communicate with you before he can say words clearly:

Imitate Let your baby know that what he is feeling and trying to communicate with you is important. Have a backand-forth conversation in baby talk. This teaches baby the give-and-take of an adult conversation. Also, imitate her vocalization—“goo-goo,” “da-da,” etc. Smile and mirror her facial expressions and gestures, too.

Don’t interrupt.

When your baby tries to talk back to you, don’t interrupt or look away. He needs to know you care about listening to him.

Use your eyes.

Eye contact is important when communicating with your baby. She will respond better to speech when you are looking right at her.

No TV. Limit how much TV your baby sees and hears. Too much has been shown to stunt babies’ language growth. Your voice is much more entertaining than the one on the big screen. Right?

Narrate your activities.

During meals, baths or play, tell him what you’re doing and what he is looking at. For example, “I am washing the bowl. This is a bowl.” Keep your sentences short.

Repeat.

Say something more than once to your baby. It’s good to say the same thing over again because babies need to hear words many times to understand them and learn new words. This is a key aspect of baby talk.

Read.

Take out one of her books and read to her. Point to and talk about the pictures you see.

Copy his sounds.

When he makes a sound, you make the sound, too, and then wait for him to respond. This teaches him how to have a conversation. These will be your first conversations together!

Use nonverbal cues.

Use an expressive face when you speak to show the emotions you are feeling at that moment. If you’re unhappy with what he is doing, make large eyes and a frowny face to let him know that you are not happy.

Smile when you are having fun, and laugh when something is funny. This helps little ones connect verbal communication with nonverbal cues.

Add on words.

When your baby gets a little older and says a word, add on to that word. For example, if baby says, “Car,” you say, “Yes, red car.” This helps get her into the next stage of talking.

Teach your home language first.

It’s important for babies and children to learn to speak in their home language first. They’ll learn English later.

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Organize 11 ways to update your home decor

Declutter your laundry room Sew up some colourful laundry bags by adding a drawstring to a favourite pillowcase.

Or sew them from scratch with the pattern in Jennifer Paganelli's inspiring sewing and craft book, Happy Home.

Happy Home, Chronicle Books.

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Give walls a wow treatment Wallpaper keeps getting better and better. Case in point: these hybrid fabricwallpaper decals from Finnish design superpower Marimekko. Choose from 39 larger-than-life patterned murals to instantly create a feature wall in a dining room, bedroom or hall.

Marimekko Green Green Mural, $325, Newwall.

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Organize

Modernize your bathroom Add a little sophistication to your bathroom for less than the cost of a blowout with luxurious new towels from Mukula. Their highstyle prints are inspired by nature, modern art and architecture.

Towels, from $16, Mukula.

Add a splash of colour Orange is oh-so-hot this year, and accessories are ideal for adding a hit of it without overdosing on citrus. These hand-blown glass bowls by Canadian Tsunami Glassworks do the trick — and give you a handy place to stash keys, change or candy.

Dress up your furniture You can't overstate the importance of details. No surprise, then, that we fell hard for these colourful feet specially made for Ikea furniture. Choose from 12 finishes, including sunny yellow and sophisticated teak and brass.

Estelle Legs in Orange, $181/4, Prettypegs.

Strawberry and Saffron Cell Bowl, $210, Tsunami Glassworks.

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Organize

Lay down some geometric shapes Patterned tiles are all the rage. These painted ones by architectural firm Claesson Koivisto Rune strike a perfect balance between simple modernism and colourful Moroccan. Get the look for less: Try a geometric flat weave carpet instead.

Stone Pattern Tile, $146/square metre, Marrakech Design.

Pack a chic picnic Inspire envy at the park — or in your backyard — with this carry-all bike, trendy Thermos and oversized blanket.

Schwinn Tricycle, $400, Canadian Tire. HBC Thermos, $35, The Bay. Blanket, $595, Jonathan Adler.

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Organize

Bring Hollywood to the table Feminine lines are this year's hot look for formal dining. Fashion designer Monique Lhuillier (she's the go-to for A-listers like Reese Witherspoon) takes her style home with her new collection for Waterford, available this October.

Blush Champagne Couples, Dentelle Collection, $165, William Ashley.

Liven up your drawers Give old utensils an instant facelift with food-safe paint and varnish. It's just one of the amazing DIY ideas you'll find on two great blogs we recently discovered, houseofearnest.com and littlebitfunky.com.

Go matte in the kitchen Move over, brushed aluminum and antiqued pewter — the latest in fashion finishes for your kitchen is matte black, shown here on Moen's Arbor pull-down faucet. $398, Moen.

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Organize

Summerize your bedroom The sister team behind Auggie, a line of baby bedding, have expanded their range to include equally charming bedding for kids and teens. But we think it's perfect for a summery adult bedroom, too.

Rabbit Patch Pillow Sham, $68, Duvet Cover, $115, Quilt, $125, Little Auggie.

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“I know the look of an apple that is roasting and sizzling on the hearth on a winter’s evening, and I know the comfort that comes of eating it hot, along with some sugar and a drench of cream… I know how the nuts taken in conjunction with winter apples, cider, and doughnuts, make old people’s tales and old jokes sound fresh and crisp and enchanting.”

– Mark Twain

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2019 Gift Guide From bourbon maple syrup and satin scrunchies to boobinspired ceramics and pineapple-habanero hot sauce, here are 50 homegrown gifts that you’ll be truly excited to give this year.

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Flower Power “I bought my first bottle because of the beautiful design, and my second because I can’t get enough of this gin’s sweet floral notes.” —Sun Ngo, creative director.

Collective Arts Rhubarb & Hibiscus Gin, $49, lcbo.com. Hamilton, Ont. Mad Dash Kinsip handcrafted bitters, $15, kinsip.ca.

Prince Edward County, Ont. Board Game Nightwood Studio walnut cheese platter, $65, nightwoodstudio.com. Wakefield, Que. Draft Pick Des Enfantillages mini hockey stick set, $34, desenfantillages.com. Montreal.

Out of the Woods Feline Fun catnip-filled cat toys, $13 for the set, etsy.com. Enfield, N.S. Sweet Note Alicja Confections postcard chocolate bar, $9, alicjaconfections.com. Ottawa, Ont. Pretty in Pink “This mug from Montreal-based potter Mérida Anderson manages to feel both cutting edge and comforting—perfect for a bracing morning caffeine hit.” —Kathryn Hayward, executive editor.

YYY Collection stoneware mug, $58 each, yyycollection.com. Montreal.

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Bag of Tricks “This bag is the perfect size to transition from day to night. Plus, there’s a secret beer compartment inside!” —Stephanie Han Kim, art director.

Erin Templeton ‘BYOB’ leather bag, $265, erintempleton.com. Vancouver.

Sunny Side Up Sun + Stars baby rattle, $16, etsy.com.

Toronto.

Block Party The Butter Flying wood blocks, $79, thebutterflying.com. Montreal.

Booby Prize Ky.ramics ceramic Titty Pot, $55, kyramics.com. Winnipeg.

Salty Attitude Newfoundland Salt Company green alder sea salt, $15, newfoundlandsaltcompany.com (also via One Of A Kind). Bonavista, N.L. Sappy Ending Wabanaki bourbon maple syrup made in Tobique First Nation, $19, wabanakimaple.com. Neqotkuk, N.B.

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Ocean Wise “This book is as beautiful as the province it celebrates, with recipes inspired by Newfoundland’s oceans, fields and forests.”

—Gillian Grace, deputy editor. ‘Wildness’ cookbook by chef Jeremy Charles, $60, chapters.indigo.ca. St. John’s Daily Grind Arbol ‘Ojo’ spice grinder, $80, arbolcuisine.com. Kamouraska, Que. Tea Service Tea strainer by ceramist Isabelle Simard, $19, chicbasta.com. Montreal.

Buzz-Worthy 48 North F8 Liv cannabis grinder, $120, tokyosmoke.com. Toronto.

Signature Scent Libertine Fragrance unisex eau de parfum, $120, libertine-fragrance.com. Edmonton.

Soak it Up Surf Soak bath salts, $35, surfsoak.com.

Vancouver.

Soap Opera “These all-natural, lushly scented soaps are named after Canadian landscapes and locations, including my hometown, Thunder Bay, Ont.” —Maureen Halushak, editor-inchief. Anto Yukon soaps, $10 each, antoyukon.com. Whitehorse, Y.T. Paw Patrol Apogee leather dog collar, $55, apogeegoods.com. Toronto.

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Best toys of 2019 Still not sure what to buy that kid in your life? These new toys for 2019 are fun, on trend and have been approved by our enthusiastic roster of kid-testers. Hurry, some of these may sell out!

1. Robo Alive Baby Shark When it comes to bath toys, there’s nothing cuter than an on-trend baby shark. Place Sharky in the tub and the water will make him start to swim and sing that catchy tune. Tubby Shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo. Zuru, $20, toysrus.ca

2. Rainbow Cloud Pop This sustainable rubberwood toy promotes colour recognition and hand-eye coordination. It takes some practice, but soon kids will be pushin’, poppin’, matchin’ and catchin’ those rainbow rods like it’s nobody’s business. Le Toy Van, $31, fruugo.ca

3. Lil Cuddles Doll Gift Set Baby dolls are always a hit, and this sweet set is no exception. With a soft cloth body, a lifelike head that bobs and cute little fingers and toes that grasp, this baby comes with an extra outfit complete with a bib and booties. Madame Alexander, $50, toysrus.ca

4. Smart Sizzlin’ BBQ Grill Your bitty Bobby Flay will love using this interactive ’cue to fire up their imagination. Eight different foods to skewer and char can be placed on the grill to teach kids about each item’s name and colour. Twist the skewer and count along as you turn up the heat from one to 10. The included utensils and sauce keep it profesh. LeapFrog, $50, toysrus.ca

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5. Lica Bella Unicorn Rainbow dreams come true with soft, fluffy Lica Bella. Full of magic and splendour, your mystical bestie’s eyes glow with pretty colours when you press her magical star. Want a little night light ambience? Press her hoof, and her body will shine with a shimmery glow. Gipsy, $40, toysrus.ca

6. Barbie Dream Plane Barbie is living her best life on this private plane with reclining seating, ample leg room, personal TV screens and a snack cart fully stocked with munchies, including sushi. Dolls are sold separately, but the set includes 15plus accessories. Mattel, $100, toysrus.ca

7. Lego Duplo Elsa Castle Elsa, Anna and Olaf are living it up in this winter wonderland complete with a snow slide, teapot and snack table. Look out over Arendelle from the castle balcony, or marvel at the changing colours of the illuminated block, which can be placed anywhere your little builder wants to add a bit of magic. Lego, $60, lego.com

8. Boppi, the Booty Shakin’ Llama Boppi the Llama is down to clown. Invite her into your home, and she’ll have everyone giggling and shakin’ their booties.

Programmed with three dance songs, Boppi has the moves with all of her booty-moving and head-spinning motions.

Twerk it! Zuru, $30, toysrus.ca

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9. Smashers Series 3 Dino Smash-O-Saur Playset Smash Rex has big jaws and is ready to crush some eggs. Lift up his tail and he’ll bite down, or press the shell on his back and he’ll poop out more Dino Smashers. What’s inside each one is for your little palaeontologist to discover. Smashers, $45, amazon.ca

10. Orangutwang Whoa, easy does it! Players race to hang fruit off an orangutang as he dangles precariously from a tightrope. But be careful, because once he gets overloaded, he’ll spring up and send all the fruit into the air. PlayMonster, $40, amazon.ca

11. Rockit Twist With 12 preloaded games in varying levels of difficulty, kids can learn math, problem-solving and science, and create their own music in a fun, WiFi-free way. Parents will love the head-phone jack for quiet learning time.

LeapFrog, $70, indigo.ca

12. L.O.L. Surprise! 2-in-1 Glamper Start your engines! This pastel caravan doesn’t skimp on accessories. With 55-plus surprises waiting to be unveiled, the toy has over 10 hangout areas, including a DJ booth and a runway. The headlights and horn really do work (safety first), and the twostorey water slide ensures dolls make a splash when they show up to the pool party. L.O.L Surprise, $150, walmart.ca

13. Poopsie Rainbow Surprise Dolls These fashion icons have 20-plus surprises to unbox and play with, including a bevy of rainbow and shimmery slime powders that can be added to the doll’s translucent outfit or her ’90s platform combat boots. Poopsie Slime Surprise, $80, toysrus.ca

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15. Treasure X: Quest for Gold Flip a card and make your way around the board. Find buried treasure and unlock chests to collect loot. But don’t get too confident, sailor: If Exis attacks, you’ll lose all your riches and it’ll be back to the beginning for you. This game is great for strategic thinkers. Treasure X, $13, toysrus.ca

14. The Magic School Bus Rides Again— Exploring Oceans Beep, beep! Hop on board the Magic School Bus with Miss Frizzle and the crew. Developed

by Harvard grads, this ocean-themed box of experiments takes small scientists on a deep dive into STEM learning. The Young Scientists Club, $30, theyoungscientistsclub.com

16.Boomtrix Showdown Woo hoo! Get ready to have a bouncing good time with this trampoline set. Kids can tell gravity to back off as they launch metal balls through a riveting course of trampolines, a stunt ring and obstacles to score a goal. Not only is it fun to watch, but setting up the course also requires imagination and fine motor and planning skills.

Goliath, $50, mastermindtoys.com

17. Beyblade Burst Turbo Cross Collision Battle Set A quadruple rail system will force your BeyBlade top into the ring for a white-knuckle clash with its opponent. Battle Ring mode is the best for defence, and Slingshot mode propels you into the ring.

Hasbro, $80, toysrus.ca

19. Pretty Pixels Eraser Maker So cute and kawaii, this DIY kit lets kids make cupcake and doughnutshaped erasers. Load the template into the mould maker, and use tiny tweezers to place small bits of rubber into place. Add water, microwave it and then let it cool to set. Ban Dai, $23, amazon.ca

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18. Sparkling Slime Experiment Kit Ready to make a mess? This kit is packed with 14 experiments to create everything from sticky, sparkling dough to scented slime.

The instructional booklet is written by real scientists and gives more than just how-tos—kids can also read up on the history and science of slime. To make the kit even more legit, the set includes gloves, goggles and a special dropper.

Science4You, $25, indigo.ca

20. Fortnite AR-L Nerf Elite Dart Blaster Modelled after the blaster in Fortnite, this motorized dart-shooter lets you take your game from digital to reality. The clip holds 10 shots, so you’ve got plenty of chances to slay. (WARNING: Do not aim the blaster at eyes or faces.) Hasbro, $70, toysrus.ca

Food Gingerbread Lime Cookies

Old-Fashioned Icebox Cookies Whipped Shortbread Spritz Cookies

Lemon Sugar Cookies

Eggnog Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate Linzer Cookies

6 Delicious Holiday Cookies Family Life ‐ December 2019

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Food

Gingerbread Lime Cookies PREP TIME:30 MINS TOTAL TIME:2 HOURS 15 MINS 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/4 tsp baking soda 1 tbsp ground ginger 1 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter , softened 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp molasses 1/3 cup coarse sugar , or raw cane sugar 2 to 3 tsp lime zest 1. Whisk our with baking soda, ginger, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl.

2. Beat butter with brown and granulated sugars in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium, until fluffy, 2 to 3 min. Beat in egg, lime juice and molasses. Reduce speed to low, then gradually beat in our mixture, until just combined.

Refrigerate dough in bowl until firm, about 1 hr. 3. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. Stir coarse sugar with lime zest in a small bowl.

3. Scoop out 1-tbsp portions of dough and roll into balls. Dip 1 side into sugar mixture, then arrange, sugar-side up, 2 in. apart, on prepared sheets.

4. Bake until cookies flatten and crack, 10 to 11 min. Let stand for 5 min on sheet, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

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Whipped Shortbread Spritz Cookies PREP TIME:20 MINS TOTAL TIME:1 HOUR 1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tbsp cornstarch 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter , softened1 cup icing sugar 2 tbsp milk 1 tbsp orange zest 1 tsp vanilla 1/3 cup finely chopped dried cranberries 1. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 325F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

2. Sift flour with cornstarch and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter with sugar in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high, until very pale and fluffy, 4 to 5 min. Add milk, zest and vanilla and beat for 1 min.

3. Reduce speed to low and beat in flour until just combined. Stir in cranberries. Spoon half of batter into a piping bag fitted with a large, open star tip. Squeeze bag and pipe batter into an ‘S’ shape (about 2 in. long and 1 in. wide), 1 in. apart, on a prepared sheet.

(Cookies will spread as they bake.)

4. Bake until edges are dark golden, 15 to 17 min. Let stand on sheet for 3 min, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Old-Fashioned Icebox Cookies PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:1 HOUR 35 MINS 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup rye flour 2 tbsp orange zest , (about 2 large oranges) 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 1 cup unsalted butter , softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1/4 cup chopped maraschino cherries , drained overnight, patted dry 1/4 cup chopped dark chocolate , chunks 1. Whisk flours with zest, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.

Set aside.

2. Beat butter with sugar in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high, until fluffy, about 1 min. Beat in egg. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in flour mixture, just until combined. Stir in cherries and chocolate, then gather into a ball. Divide dough in half, then roll each portion into a 2in.-wide log. Wrap logs in plastic wrap and twist ends. Chill until firm, about 1 hr.

3. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 325F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.

Slice cookies into 1/2-in. thick rounds, then arrange 1 in. apart on prepared sheets.

4. Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, 19 to 20 min. Let cookies stand on sheets for 1 min, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining dough.

Food

Lemon Sugar Cookies PREP TIME:35 MINS TOTAL TIME:2 HOURS 45 MINS 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 2/3 cup unsalted butter , softened 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 2 large eggs 4 tsp lemon zest , about 2 lemons (optional) Lemon Royal icing: 1 large egg white 1/8 tsp cream of tartar 1 1/2 cups icing sugar 3 to 5 tsp lemon juice Toppings: variously sized goldcoloured sprinkles 1. Stir flour with baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter with granulated sugar in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium-high, until fluffy, 2 to 3 min. Beat in eggs and lemon zest.

Reduce speed to low, then gradually beat in flour until just combined.

2. Divide dough into 2 portions.

Shape each into a ball, then flatten into discs and wrap separately in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hr.

3. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 350F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll 1 disc of dough until 1/4 in. thick. Cut out shapes with a 2-in. star-shaped cookie cutter. Arrange about 1 in. apart on prepared sheet.

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4. Bake until cookies are golden around edges, 10 to 11 min. Let stand on sheet for 3 to 4 min, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. Repeat with remaining disc. Gather dough scraps and form into a disc. Chill, then repeat rolling, cutting and baking process.

5. Icing: Beat egg white with cream of tartar in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium, until foamy. Beat in icing sugar until combined. Increase speed to high and beat until thick and glossy, 3 to 4 min. Stir in lemon juice, 1 tsp at a time, to thin the icing out to desired consistency. (Icing should be a thick but pipe-able consistency.)

Scoop half the icing into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.

6. Topping: Pipe lines or squiggles on 1 cookie, then sprinkle immediately with gold sugar. Repeat with remaining cookies. Set aside until icing is completely dry, preferably overnight.

Eggnog Snickerdoodle PREP TIME:15 MINS TOTAL TIME:2 HOURS 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp nutmeg 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened 1 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1/4 cup eggnog For rolling: 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg

1. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 350F. Line 2 large baking sheets with parchment.

2. Whisk flour with baking powder, cream of tartar, salt and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Beat butter with 1 cup sugar in a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium, until fluffy. Beat in egg and eggnog until smooth. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in our mixture until combined. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hr.

3. Whisk 1/4 cup granulated sugar with cinnamon and 1/2 tsp nutmeg in a medium bowl. Scoop dough and roll into 1-in. balls. Place on a large plate and refrigerate at least 15 min. Roll balls in sugar mixture until coated. Arrange balls, 2 in. apart, on prepared sheets.

(Cookies will spread as they bake.)

4. Bake until lightly golden and crisp around the edges, 11 to 12 min. Let stand on sheets for 1 min, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Hot Chocolate Linzer Cookies PREP TIME:40 MINS TOTAL TIME:2 HOURS 20 MINS 3/4 cup unsalted butter , softened 1 cup granulated sugar 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1/8 tsp salt1 large egg 1 tsp vanilla 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 7 jumbo or giant marshmallows For dusting: 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tbsp all-purpose flour

Food 1.Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 325F. Remove 1 sheet of dough from refrigerator. Peel off top parchment and use it to line other baking sheet. Cut out circles with a 3in. round fluted cookie cutter. Transfer cookies to prepared sheet, about 1 in. apart.

2. Remove baking sheet from refrigerator and slide remaining sheet of dough onto counter. Peel off top parchment and use to line baking sheet. Cut out rounds, then transfer to prepared sheet. Refrigerate both sheets until dough is firm, 10 to 15 min.

Using smaller 1-in. holiday-shaped cookie cutters, cut out shapes from centre of half the rounds and remove.

Bake until cookies look dry, 9 to 10 min. Let stand on sheet for 5 min, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, gather dough scraps and form into a log. Repeat rolling, cutting and baking process.

3. Position rack in centre of oven, then preheat to 325F. Remove 1 sheet of dough from refrigerator. Peel off top parchment and use it to line other baking sheet. Cut out circles with a 3in. round fluted cookie cutter. Transfer cookies to prepared sheet, about 1 in. apart.

4. Remove baking sheet from refrigerator and slide remaining sheet of dough onto counter. Peel off top parchment and use to line baking sheet. Cut out rounds, then transfer to prepared sheet. Refrigerate both sheets until dough is firm, 10 to 15 min.

Using smaller 1-in. holiday-shaped cookie cutters, cut out shapes from centre of half the rounds and remove.

Bake until cookies look dry, 9 to 10 min. Let stand on sheet for 5 min, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, gather dough scraps and form into a log. Repeat rolling, cutting and baking process.

5. When cookies are cool, preheat oven to 400F. Spray the underside of a flat, metal spatula with oil. Working in 2 batches, arrange solid cookies on a baking sheet, bottom-side up. Cut marshmallows in half, crosswise, with scissors. Fill a small bowl with water.

Dip cut-side of each marshmallow in water, then place on cookies, wet-side up.

6. Bake until marshmallows start to soften and turn light golden around the edges, about 2 min. Remove sheet from oven, then immediately use the oiled spatula to press down on marshmallows to flatten (the oil prevents the marshmallows from sticking to the spatula). Top with cookies that have the centre cut-out, gently pressing down. Transfer to rack to cool completely. Brûlée marshmallows with a torch, if desired..

Family Life ‐ December 2019

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Last Look

Matchbox Advent Calendar This DIY Christmas advent calendar is made from a dollar store cookie sheet and matchboxes covered in Christmas paper.

Materials: Metal Cookie Sheet (from Dollar Tree) Drill or Metal Punch Spray Paint Christmas Scrapbook Paper Paper Trimmer Glue Stick or Adhesive Runner 24 Empty Match Boxes (also from Dollar Tree) Set of Numbers 1 Inch Circle Punch Magnets Ribbon for Hanging Step 1: Drill holes into one end of the cookie sheet so you’ll be able to hang it up.

Step 2: Spray paint the cookie sheet in the color of your choice.

Step 3: Cut 24 strips of paper so they measure 2 1/8 inches x 4 1/2 inches. It was quick work using a paper trimmer.

Step 4: Wrap a paper strip around the outside of a matchbox and attach it into place using a glue stick.

Step 5: Type the numbers on the computer and print them onto cardstock. Cut them out using a 1 inch circle punch. Or if you have a Silhouette machine, you could design the numbers in Silhouette Studio or download pre-designed numbers and do a Print and Cut. Or you could buy a set of number stickers. I’ve seen sets at Hobby Lobby specifically made for use on advent calendars. Lots of options for this part!

Step 6: Glue the number circles to the fronts of each of the matchboxes. You may want to lay out your matchboxes in the order they’ll be on the cookie sheet so that you can make a pleasing flow of the different papers you use.

Step 7: Add magnet pieces to the backs of each matchbox. Now they’ll stick to the metal cookie sheet.

Step 8: Thread a ribbon through the holes in the cookie sheet, tie a bow, then hang your brand new advent calendar!

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