HolidayDining Dining Guide and
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Unwrap happiness
Compiled
by
Abbey Salvemini
The holiday season is the ideal moment to discover thoughtful gifts for your loved ones. And with so many options just a click away, a little planning can go a long way toward easing the stress of the season.
From clever tech gadgets and cozy home comforts to fun finds for fitness fans, there’s something to suit every taste and budget. Here are some top picks to help make your holiday shopping simpler — and a lot more joyful.
Electronics
Amazon Echo Dot
We love the Amazon Echo Dot (5th Gen) because it packs vibrant sound and smarter voice control into a compact, stylish device that fits seamlessly into any room. It’s the perfect gift for tech‑savvy friends or anyone looking to upgrade their daily routine — with hands‑free control, smart home compatibility and the reliable convenience of Alexa at their side.
Price: $49.99
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic
Sleek, durable and smart, the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic delivers 24/7 insights with sleek, jewelry‑like design. The Zirconia ceramic finish is tough, stylish and built to last. Plus, with features like 5‑8 days of battery life and advanced 24/7
tracking across sleep, readiness and activity, it’s a strong pick for someone who takes wellness seriously but wants something elegant on their finger.
Price: $499
Polaroid Now
3rd Generation I-Type Instant Camera + Film Bundle
The Polaroid Now turns everyday moments into instant, tangible keepsakes — no editing required. Its dual‑lens autofocus, self‑timer and double‑exposure modes make it perfect for creative fun, while the body crafted from 40 percent recycled materials blends nostalgia with thoughtful, modern design.
Price: $159.99
Health and Fitness
FEIERDUN
Adjustable Dumbbells
This set stands out by delivering a full‑home gym solution in one package — convertible between dumbbells, a barbell and kettlebells — so you can tackle full‑body workouts without clutter. With its durable build, non‑slip grips and solid safety features, it offers serious value for those who want to get in shape from the comfort of their own home.
Price $129.99
HOKA Running Shoes
The HOKA Clifton is a standout
Top picks for everyone on your list
choice for both men and women, offering plush cushioning and smooth transitions with every step. Its lightweight build and premium comfort make it ideal for someone who loves walking, running or just being on their feet for long hours.
Price: $155
LZYVOO Pocket Leggings
A gift that blends style and function; these leggings with pockets make a practical and stylish gift for anyone on the go. High‑waisted for comfort and support, with deep side pockets for phones, keys or cards, these soft, stretchy leggings easily transition from workouts to running errands — perfect for staying cozy and active this season.
Price: $39.99
Home and Kitchen
Ninja Air Fryer
A must have for any home chef, the Ninja Air Fryer offers a 6.5‑quart capacity and six versatile cooking functions, including air fry, roast, bake, reheat and dehydrate. Plus a Max Crisp mode is for perfectly crispy results with minimal oil. Its non stick, dishwasher‑safe basket and crisper plate make cleanup a breeze, turning everyday meals into convenient, healthier delights — perfect for gifting this season!
Price: $179.99
Aura Carver HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame
The Aura Digital Photo Frame is a standout gift for anyone looking to showcase cherished memories in a modern, effortless way. It offers unlimited photo and video cloud storage (no subscription required), making it simple to send moments from afar directly to the frame — ideal for families who want to stay connected.
Price: $149
UGG Men’s Beckett Robe
Perfect for anyone who loves wrapping themselves in comfort; this robe makes a luxe, cozy gift for the holidays. Crafted in ultra‑plush fleece with a relaxed hooded design, self‑tie belt and side pockets, it’s terrific for staying comfy on chilly mornings or cozying up on the couch during the evenings.
Price: $147.95
Aura Carver HD WiFi Digital Picture Frame
Amazon Echo Dot
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic
Men’s and Women’s HOKA Running Shoes
UGG Men’s Beckett Robe
Ninja Air Fryer
LZYVOO Pocket Leggings
Around the table
Make it the best holiday yet
If memories of last year’s festive season includes stacks of buffet plates, last-minute jaunts to the store for fresh rosemary or that burnt pumpkin pie, you may want to think about trying to de-stress your holiday this year.
There are plenty of small steps you can take, from making lists to shopping early, that will make things go much smoother. Most importantly, don’t forget to take the time to enjoy your family.
Arm yourself with a plan
Sit down and make a guest list. From the number of guests, plan your menu. Then you can create a complete shopping list and decide if you’re doing all of the cooking or if others will be bringing dishes.
Take inventory at least two weeks out of your dinnerware, kitchen tools and gadgets, spices and other staples in your pantry and don’t forget to count chairs!
Shop early
Grocery stores get more packed the longer you wait, plus you run the risk of some of your needs being sold out. Try to do your shopping early morning or late evening at least one week before. Of course, the perishable items such as your turkey, ham, rib roast, veggies, etc., will have to be the final purchases on the list.
Make it easy on yourself
You don’t need to create an over-the-top, gourmet feast that keeps you slaving in the kitchen. Choose dishes that you can make
several days in advance, and then pace yourself. Soups, casseroles, marinated salads and some desserts taste even better when they’ve had time for their flavors to fully blend.
This frees up your counter space and your to-do list. If you do have to make several dishes on Thanksgiving and Christmas, try to distribute them evenly between the stovetop, the oven and the microwave.
Also consider shrinking the menu. With the size of the feast on most of our tables, it really isn’t necessary to load your guests up on dips, snacks or appetizers. So keep it simple.
Perform a test flight
If you’re making a side dish for the first time or using ingredients that you aren’t familiar with, try them out beforehand so you’ll be prepared for success on the holiday. Ditto if you’re serving a new wine or using new equipment, like a brand new oven.
Add easy drama to your décor
You don’t need a total room makeover to create a holiday masterpiece. Just think color, pattern and texture. For example, fill vases or bowls with cranberries and sprigs of evergreen, or fill baskets with red apples, or jars with candy canes — the more sizes and shapes the better.
Manage the younger ones
Keeping the kids occupied takes time as well. Having a group of kid-friendly DVDs on hand is a no-brainer, but don’t stop there. Kids
can help in the kitchen with cookie decorating or in the dining room with setting the table.
Plan an after-dinner activity
Instead of sitting around and passing around plate after plate of leftovers, plan something for the family to do after dinner. Pre-purchase movie tickets for the opening blockbuster and fold them in your napkins. Your guests will love having the planning done for them.
Don’t sweat it
The true secret to being a gracious host or hostess (and keeping your own sanity) is to not let small problems ruin the day. If one of your side dishes burns, simply toss it out and enjoy the bounty you do have. If the turkey burns, order take-out. And don’t forget to laugh.
The holiday season is all about gathering family and friends together. With a little planning and the right attitude, you can pull off a fantastic event and enjoy being the holiday host or hostess.
Christmas Eve Package
32999+ tax serves up to 10 people
• seafood salad (2 lbs) -OR- • fried jumbo shrimp (2 lbs.)
• baked clams • mussels with garlic wine sauce (can be made spicy) • mussels fra diavolo (can be made not spicy)
• penne with vodka sauce and shrimp • fusilli with mixed seafood sauce (shrimp, calamari, lobster, clams)
• bowie pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes, spinach and shrimp
• shrimp oreganata • stuffed flounder with mixed seafood • flounder francese
• haricot vert almondine (string beans) • broccoli cauliflower oreganata • roasted red potatoes
COOKIE TRAY AND 2 BREADS INCLUDED WITH PACKAGE
Christmas Day Dinner Package
30999+ tax serves up to 10 people
• signature antipasto platter
New Years Eve Packages
17999+ tax serves 10-12 people
• Italian • American -OR-
• classic chicken (breaded or grilled) mozzarella and roasted peppers
• hot wings • sweet wings • sausage and peppers
• baked ziti • stuffed shells • meatballs
• hot appetizer sampler • eggplant rollatini
34999+ tax serves 20-25 people
• Italian • American -OR-
• classic chicken (breaded or grilled) mozzarella and roasted peppers
• hot wings • sweet wings • sausage and peppers
• baked ziti • stuffed shells • meatballs
• hot appetizer sampler • eggplant rollatini
• meat or cheese lasagna • baked ziti with meat or cheese • rigatoni siciliana with eggplant and mozzarella
• herb crusted prime eye round roast sliced with potatoes and onions in au jus • spiral glazed ham
• boneless pork loin stuffed with prosciutto, provolone, basil sliced with potatoes and onions
• chicken francese –OR- chicken marsala
• eggplant rollatini with fresh mozzarella and ricotta • roasted red potatoes • haricot vert almondine (string beans) • broccoli and cauliflower oreganata
COOKIE TRAY AND 2 BREADS INCLUDED WITH PACKAGE
Make Hanukkah special
Many jokes have been shared about the complexity of growing up Jewish surrounded by Christian friends and the overwhelming influence of Christmas come the month of December. Seemingly everywhere you look buildings, stores and homes are decked out in lights and decorations. But Christmas celebrants are not the only ones with reason to be festive this time of year, when Hanukkah is also cause for celebration.
In fact, because the basis of the holiday is rededication to the faith, it very well may be an instrumental celebration for families who may need to find their way back to the roots of their beliefs.
Hanukkah’s festive atmosphere derives almost entirely from home ritual and customs and is dominated by light as a metaphor for spiritual freedom. This is emphasized by special holiday songs, games and foods. While the holiday is steeped in tradition, there are many ways you can add a creative spin to your family’s festivities.
Light: One of the major tenets of Hanukkah is how light can shine and lead a person through dark periods. This is typically exemplified by the lighting of the menorah, which is prominently placed in windows or other visible areas of celebrants’ homes.
This season spend time with someone who may be dealing with an illness or the loss of a loved one. You may be the light that inspires this person each day. Give candles to friends and family members to symbolize the light that will shine in the future.
Oil: Another component of Hanukkah celebrations is the focus on how a one-day supply of oil somehow lasted eight days during the rededication of the temple’s menorah. Many ways to include oil in celebrations exist. Some people like to get creative in the kitchen, serving fried foods and desserts.
Think about giving gifts of oil, such as fragrant essential oils that can be used in potpourri or in the bath or shower. Working alongside their parents, children can see how a wick drenched in oil can serve as an efficient lighting source and decorate the home with these homemade oil lamps.
Bring light out of darkness: There are many ways to make this year’s Hanukkah a real “Festival of Light.” As Rabbi Arthur Waskow writes in his book,“Seasons of Joy,”“Hanukkah is the moment when light is born from darkness, hope from despair.”
Historically, this was reflected in the unlikely victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks, in the oil that brought light for eight days instead of one, and in the very act of lighting candles during the darkest time of the year.
Creative ways to celebrate
Before lighting candles, try taking your family on a night walk. Go outside together and feel how dark it is. Even if you’re in the city, the month of December has a special darkness to it. Then come in from the cold and light the menorah. Feel the contrast between the darkness outside and the light inside.
Eight thoughtful nights: With every candle comes a chance to gather around the menorah and talk about Hanukkah’s lesson. With some planning, a different topic could be discussed each night. Whether it’s the environment, antisemitism, tzedakah, or freedom, Hanukkah delivers eight invitations for learning.
Twenty-five: Bring attention to the number 25, which is significant when celebrating Hanukkah. The word Hanukkah can be divided into two: Chanu, meaning “they rested,” and Kah, which is the numerical value of 25. On the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, the Maccabees rested from their battle with the Greeks and triumphantly marched into the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Make 25 a part of celebrations by inviting 25 people to celebrate with you or ask children to make murals with 25 different adornments.
Charitable giving: Of course, everyone loves to receive gifts, but let’s not forget the satisfaction of giving them. Who hasn’t gotten joy from seeing someone’s face light up when a gift strikes just the right chord? Giving feels good. Beyond our family and friends, Hanukkah can also be a vehicle for giving to those in
need.
Gift-giving is now a component of Hanukkah celebrations, but it wasn’t always. Greater importance was once placed on the lighting of candles to publicize the miracle and evangelize the faith. Some impoverished people could not afford candles, and these people would go door-to-door for candle funds, or “gelt,” to be able to purchase candles and kiddush wine.
Some families prefer to give money rather than gifts to keep with the tradition of Hanukkah gelt. However, families also can incorporate charitable giving in their celebrations as a way to reinforce the customs of giving to the poor.
Rituals and tradition bring families together during the Festival of Lights.
What every kid needs to know about greed and thanksfulness
How gratitude beats greed every time
By Mary Hunt
If there is one thing that will ruin your kids’ lives, it’s greed. Teach them while they’re young how to pull the plug on greed and you will have prepared them in a very important way to not only survive but also thrive in the real world. You may want to start with this lesson.
Lesson: How To Defeat The Enemy That Is Greed
As you get older, you are going to discover an enemy that everyone has to deal with at some time in his or her life.
This enemy isn’t like the bad guy in your video game or the bully at school who tries hard to make everyone scared and miserable. Even though you cannot see this enemy, you can defeat it by the way you live and the choices you make. This is “greed.”
What is greed? The feeling of wanting everything you can think of is called greed. Greed is not a good thing. In fact, it’s like a very bad disease. It starts small and, if allowed to grow, it will take over your life.
Greed will make you a very miserable person.
Greed causes temper tantrums and makes people self-centered and arrogant. Greed is very sneaky. What greed feels like. You know that twinge of envy you felt when your best friend showed you her cool new phone? Or when another friend said really loudly at lunch how his dad is buying him a brand-new car for his 16th birthday?
How about the day you find the new Christmas catalog in the mail — the one with every cool thing in the whole world — and you want every single thing in it.
Multiply that feeling by 10 and you’ll have a good idea what full-blown greed feels like. It’s not good.
The problem with greed is that it drives us to do things that are hazardous to our futures. Greed
says it’s OK to have everything we want now and to figure out how to pay for it later. Greed whispers in our ears, telling us lies that make us unhappy with what we have, where we live or who we are. Greed is something everyone has to deal with, and the sooner you can learn how to defeat that enemy, the better off, and happier, you will be.
The Antidote For Greed “Antidote” is another word for “solution” or “treatment.” The antidote for a terrible ear infection is antibiotics. The antidote for greed is to be thankful for what you have already, not always wishing and hoping for things you do not have.
You prove your gratitude when you are willing to give away part of the “3 Ts”: your time, your talent and your treasure. Everyone, no matter how young or poor, has some or all three.
Time. You get 24 hours every day: 1,440 minutes or 864,000 seconds every single day! No more; never less. You can’t save some of that time today so you’ll have more time tomorrow. How you use your time every day is a reflection of your character.
Talent. This is what you can do. Everyone has special talents.
There are things you can do easily that others have a difficult time achieving. It’s your talent, and you have been blessed with it. It doesn’t make you better than others, but it makes you unique. You are one of a kind.
Treasure. This is what you have: your possessions. It’s your money, but also your toys, game systems, clothes, collections — everything that you own.
Become A Giver
If you have never been a giver, it may seem quite odd for me to suggest you should just give away any of your time, your talent or your stuff. But that is exactly what I mean.
If you want to make sure you are never defeated by greed, learn to be a giver.
When you give to others, it helps you to be grateful for what you have. Giving is the way to stop feeling sorry for yourself. Instead of misery, you feel joy. In place of dissatisfaction, you find contentment.
Being a giver looks different for each of us. Some are incredible prayer warriors, others are encouragers, planners, or have the gift of hospitality. Giving is about noticing needs and stepping in with love, even outside our natural
comfort zones. A life of generosity is truly a ife well spent.
Give your time.The way you give your time is to volunteer. There are lots of ways kids can volunteer to make their communities better.
Give your talent. Think of ways you can do those things you’re really good at to make someone else’s life easier or more enjoyable. Perhaps it’s your church or school. It might be helping your grandparents understand their new smartphone, or washing windows for a neighbor in only the way you can. You are amazing! Give your treasure. Giving away part of your money and other possessions is quite simple. Observe a need, then do something about it.
You can give to a homeless shelter, to a family going through difficult times, or to your church or other charitable organization. The options are limitless!
Become a giver. It will greatly improve your life.
Play with food
By Kristen Castillo
Kids love holidays even more than adults do. So why not let the kiddos host holiday celebrations of their own?
“When a kid hosts his or her own party, they have more of a sense of ownership,” says blogger Tangela Walker-Craft of Simply Necessary Inc.“If a child hosts his or her own party, they know they are responsible for preparing for the party, making sure it goes smoothly and cleaning up after the party.”
Here’s what you need to know to help your little party-planners throw a memorable get together.
Guest List
Don’t overthink this one. Invite friends and family to join the festivities. Just make sure you’ll have enough seating, food and activities for each guest. Walker-Craft advises matching the child’s age to the guest count.
“If the child is eight, a good number of guests would be eight,” she says.“If he or she is 12, there should be no more than 12 guests.”
Food
When it comes to food, always ask parents about food allergies.
“See it through the eyes of the guest, not hostess,” says blogger Melinda Machado Caldwell of Home Made Interest.
Keep the menu simple. Finger foods — such as sandwiches, pretzels, crackers and chopped fruits and veggies — are always a good idea.
“Make sure the food and drinks are kid friendly; everything served should appeal to a child’s taste buds,” says Walker-Craft.
She recommends making do-it-yourself personal pizzas. mUse flour tortillas as the base, and give kids a choice of toppings: marinara sauce, barbecue sauce, olives, peppers, sausage, bacon and cheddar or mozzarella cheeses. Feel free to get creative. An adult can then take the pizzas and bake them to order.
For dessert, Caldwell recommends creating a sweets bar for the kids to make their own treats.
Creative Fun
Caldwell outlines this fun activity, which turns regular old pudding cups into cute little moose.
First, the kids need to decorate their pudding cup to resemble a moose. Caldwell has templates on her blog for creating moose antlers and moose faces. Print those templates and have them ready for the kids to assemble. Partygoers can use glue dots to attach the antlers, faces and googly eyes to their pudding cups.
Provide ramekins filled with toppings such as Nilla Wafers, Nutter Butters, crumbled Chips
Help your children host a holiday party
Ahoy cookies and Oreos, Crunch ‘n Munch and Poppycock. Let each child mix his or her choice of toppings into a store-bought plastic pudding cup.
Holiday parties are also a great opportunity to get children excited about crafting.
“My grandmother always said it’s best to keep small hands busy,” says Shelley Grieshop, a creative writer for Totally Promotional, who recommends parents help kids make “Smiling Snowman” cups.
“These can be filled with treats and taken home by guests as party favors,” she explains.
Pick up plastic foam cups that come with lids, such as the kind used for to-go soups and coffee. Fill the cups with treats and tightly seal lids.
Then use a small, round sponge and pink paint to give the snowman rosy cheeks. Punch holes from black construction paper to make the eyes. Use a thin paintbrush and black paint for the line of the mouth. Cut a small triangle from a sheet of thick orange felt and glue it to the face to make the nose.
Farewell
Lastly, set limits on the celebration.
“Don’t allow the party to go on for too long,” says Walker-Craft.
Decide the time frame ahead of time and let parents know. Typically, a party lasting a few hours will be adequate. Remember, kids can have fun without your having to host an allnight party. Just be sure the kids and parents know what time the party ends.
As the party winds down, thank guests for attending and encourage the kids to clean up. Don’t be surprised if they already start asking when they can have another get together.
Machado Caldwell says that when kids host their own holiday party, they develop a sense of pride.
“Ultimately, they will appreciate you more after seeing everything that goes into throwing a party,” she says.
Kids can decorate this adorable snowman cup and fill with candies. The craft doubles as a party favor.
Setting the stage for the season
Clean, edit and decorate like a holiday pro — because the magic starts long before the ornaments come out
By Holly Bennett
The most breathtaking holiday homes don’t happen by accident. Behind every perfectly placed wreath and elegantly lit tree is a plan, a process and, yes, a whole lot of cleaning.
Whether you’re midway through decorating or already imagining how to improve things next time around, one thing’s clear: creating a cozy, festive atmosphere doesn’t begin with unpacking ornaments. It begins with setting the stage.
Holiday decorating isn’t just about adding sparkle. It’s about making space for it to shine. That means cleaning, editing and planning long before the tinsel comes out of storage. It may not be glamorous, but it’s the secret weapon of every holiday pro.
Clean Like You Mean It
There’s a reason the pros clean first. You can hang the most beautiful garland in the world, but if it’s draped over a dusty shelf or competing with clutter, the effect gets lost.
Start with a full sweep of the spaces you plan to decorate. Dust surfaces, wipe down baseboards, vacuum under furniture —
especially if that’s where the tree is going. Take a moment to clean your windows so string lights shine brighter, both inside and out.
And don’t forget the overlooked spaces: the guest bathroom, the front porch, the entryway table. These are the places that quietly shape your home’s holiday atmosphere. Clean them now, and everything you layer on later will land that much better.
Subtract Before You Add
Before the ornaments go up and the stockings get hung, it’s time to do some editing.
Professional decorators often begin by removing year-round decor that doesn’t fit the holiday palette or vibe. A crowded shelf or mantel can quickly become chaotic once garlands and candles are added. Give your seasonal pieces the breathing room they need to really stand out.
Pack away bright summer hues, everyday art or small accessories that clash with your holiday theme. The idea isn’t to strip your home bare -- just to make thoughtful swaps that allow your holiday touches to feel intentional, not crammed in.
Think of it like clearing the
stage for a new act. The more room you make, the more impact your seasonal elements will have.
Plan Before You Deck
Great holiday decor doesn’t come from frantic improvisation. It comes from having a plan.
Take stock of your space. Where does the tree fit best? Which railing should get the garland? Do you want a classic red-and-green scheme or a more minimalist, modern look this year?
Sketching out a rough map or even just making a list can save you from over-decorating some areas while forgetting others. It also helps you avoid duplicate purchases or last-minute dashes for missing pieces.
Even if you’re already partway through, this kind of planning can help rein in the chaos. And if you’re making mental notes for next year, jot down what worked and what didn’t while it’s still fresh.
Add Slowly, Layer Thoughtfully
Once your home is clean, cleared and planned, decorating becomes a joy rather than a chore. Begin with big-impact items -- the tree, the wreath, the garlands — and layer from there. Think textures, scents and light: a soft
throw, a cedar candle, a string of warm white lights.
By starting with a solid foundation, every detail feels elevated. And instead of rushing to fill every corner, you’ll find that a few well-placed accents can make your home feel rich with holiday spirit.
Let The Magic Land
Ultimately, holiday decorating is about creating a feeling -- one of comfort, warmth and welcome. When your home is clean, calm and thoughtfully arranged, that feeling can flourish.
So whether you’re just getting started or already planning for the next go-around, remember: The most magical holiday homes don’t begin with glitter. They begin with good groundwork.
The glow of the holidays lands best on a fresh canvas — prep now, and let the sparkle do the rest.
Go, go gadget
By Sharon Naylor
Professional chefs swear by their favorite kitchen gadgets. During the busy holiday months, when you find yourself hosting dinners, baking for holiday parties and going out of your comfort zone with more challenging recipes, comfort and ease make all the difference. These standout kitchen gadgets and small appliances will save you time and money, allow your kids to get involved in food prep and bring a little fun into the mix.
Microplane Zester
Celebrity chef Ina Garten has raved about this tool for years. You can grate citrus zest, spices, hard cheeses, coconut, ginger or chocolate right onto a dish for an extra zing or onto a serving platter for presentation. The handheld tool is easy to grip and hit the perfect angle. And it can be easily cleaned and dried. As an added perk, zesting citrus releases a wonderful aroma into the air.
Spiralizer
Few kitchen gadgets cut grocery costs and labor time and allow you to enjoy healthy twists on your favorite meals. A spiralizer is an inexpensive tool that peels vegetables in a spiral to create faux noodles. Rochelle Bilow writes in Bon Appetit magazine online that most spiralizers function like a giant pencil sharpener: A firm veggie is held in place over a grinder with a clamp, and you simply use a hand crank to turn it.
You not only can save money by not buying precut vegetables but also can quickly run veggies through and free yourself up for other tasks. Chef Amanda Cohen explains that this tool “made some boring jobs a lot easier.” This holiday season, save the heavy carbs
The best kitchen tools and appliances for the holiday season
for dessert and throw some zucchini, beets, heirloom carrots or squash into the spiralizer. It’s a simple task your little ones might even enjoy.
Mandoline
A good-quality mandoline makes quick work of many kitchen prep tasks that are normally performed with a chef’s knife, like slicing potatoes and french fries. A mandoline is a flat surface with a stationary blade on the end. When running an item across the surface, it produces even slices, a feat that is usually a challenge for less experienced chefs.
The biggest caution with this tool: It is extremely sharp. In a Chicago Tribune article, writer James P. DeWan breaks down the three common mandoline blades. The main blade runs across the flat plate, and the thickness of the cut is determined by the distance between the blade and flat plate. A corrugated blade is used for waffle fries. And a stick blade can either be attached or moved into place for cutting sticks or juliennes.
This tool is most certainly for use by the careful adult cook only. It’ll get the job done quickly and create a pretty dish.
Immersion Blender
Ever try to pour a steaming-hot soup into a blender, only to send the top flying and the contents all over your kitchen? And the alternative of pouring batches of soup into the blender bit by bit to avoid the splatter is meticulous and time-consuming. You need an immersion blender, a hand-held blender that can puree soup, make homemade pesto, pulse a Bolognese sauce, whip up cream for dessert and more.
This powerful tool is lightweight, easy to
clean, compact and oftentimes two or three times faster than most hand blenders. Bon Appetit magazine online tested multiple brands. It recommends the Cuisinart Smart Stick 2-Speed Hand Blender for $60 if you’re “blending on a budget,” the All Clad Immersion Blender for $100 as a workhorse and the Electrolux Masterpiece Collection Immersion Blender for $230 as the top choice.
Air Fryer
There are plenty of air fryers out there that can give you crispy-enough results, but the very best air fryers churn out golden brown french fries, crispy-skinned chicken wings, tender fillets of salmon, and even whole roast chickens at the touch of a button.
Don’t let the term air fryer confuse you: These gadgets are pretty much just small convection ovens that use fans to circulate hot air around your food in order to cook it evenly and efficiently. They can take many forms; the robot-esque basket-style models probably come to mind, but there are versatile countertop convection ovens that add bake, broil, toast, and slow-cook options to the air fryer functionality. Some even dehydrate and steam too.
Nifty kitchen tools and appliances can bring creativity into the mix and improve your cooking experience.
Happy endings
New twists on a traditional holiday recipe
Everyone loves traditional holiday fare
— mom’s stuffing, grandma’s sugar cookies, or that best-kept secret recipe that keeps friends and family coming back for more. But where does tradition end and boring begin?
Small (think mini) desserts are all the rage these days. Here’s a version that puts a new spin on the age-old finale to the holiday meal — the pie.
Blue Ribbon Raisin Apple Hand Held Pies
Raisin apple filling:
• 1 1/2 cups chopped tart apples
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 cup California raisins
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon granulated white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• Pinch ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Blue ribbon pastry:
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon white granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/3 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into chunks
• 1/3 cup vegetable shortening
• 4-5 tablespoons cold water
• Egg wash (1 egg mixed with a pinch of salt) For filling, combine apples, brown sugar, water, lemon juice and raisins in 2-quart saucepan. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes until apples are just tender. Meanwhile, in small bowl, mix flour, sugar, salt and spices together well, and add liquid from cooking apples to make slurry. Then, add all to pan with apples and continue to cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and butter. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile for pastry, measure flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon into large bowl and with pastry blender, fork or two knives, cut in butter and shortening until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing after each addition until flour is moist and dough just holds together. Turn onto lightly floured surface; knead together and shape into flattened disk. Divide into 4 equal pieces; wrap separately in plastic wrap or wax paper and chill for at least 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375 F. On lightly floured surface, roll out pastry dough, one piece at a
time, and cut each piece into 4 small rounds with 3 1/2- or 4-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 scant tablespoon filling just below center on each piece; moisten edges and fold over, sealing edges with fork. Arrange on baking sheet and prick tops of each handheld pie in several places with fork or cut one small slit with sharp knife. Beat 1 egg with pinch of salt for egg wash and brush onto pies. Bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned. Cool and serve. Makes 16 individual pies.
Pumped-Up Pumpkin Pie Bites
This recipe from author and celebrity chef Devin Alexander combines whole-grain cereal with maple syrup, cinnamon, agave nectar and other ingredients for a bite-size holiday treat.
• Butter-flavored cooking spray
• 3/4 cup whole grain, crunchy, high-fiber, lowsugar cereal
• 2 tablespoons 100 percent pure maple syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 large egg whites
• 1 can (15 ounces) solid pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup agave nectar
• 2 tablespoons whole-wheat pastry flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup “Cut the crap” whipped topping
(recipe below)
Preheat the oven to 350° F. Lightly mist an 11-by-7-inch glass or ceramic baking dish with spray. Add the cereal to food processor fitted with chopping blade. Process for 15 to 20 seconds or until the cereal is crushed. Transfer to a small mixing bowl and add the maple syrup and cinnamon. Mix them until well-combined. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Gently press down on the cereal mixture, spreading it evenly across the bottom of the dish. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until slightly browned. Set aside.
Meanwhile, add the egg whites to a large mixing bowl. Using a sturdy whisk, lightly beat them until they bubble very slightly. Still using the whisk, stir in the pumpkin, agave and flour until well-combined. Stir in the vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder and salt and continue mixing until well-combined. Pour the filling over the baked crust. Using a rubber spatula, spread it into an even layer.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry. Transfer the dish to a wire cooking rack, allowing it to cool to room temperature. Carefully cut 32 pumpkin bites. Just before serving, top each bite with 1 teaspoon whipped topping, if desired. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Makes 16 servings.
Cut the crap” whipped topping:
• 3/4 cup light agave nectar
• 3 large egg whites, room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Add water to a medium saucepan until about 1/4 full. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Off the heat, combine the agave, egg whites and cream of tartar in a large metal or heavy-duty glass mixing bowl (that fits atop your saucepan).
Beat on medium-high with an electric mixer fitted with beaters until well-blended. Place the bowl over the pot of boiling water. (Wear an oven mitt while holding the bowl over the heat, as it will get very hot). Beat for about 7 minutes, occasionally running the beaters around the sides of the bowl, until stiff peaks form. Remove the bowl from the water and continue beating for 5 to 7 minutes more, rotating the bowl and scraping down the sides with the beaters, or until the mixture is thick, fluffy and has very stiff peaks. Makes about 6 cups.
That sweet finish to the holiday meal doesn’t have to be over the top. Think small for an impressive yet inspired treat.
Classic cocktails
Create iconic drinks associated with the holidays
By DiAnne Crown
Pretty, tasty, classic and with something for everyone, this beautiful cocktail, aromatic punch, Champagne sparkler and luscious cream treat will add flare to your festivities this holiday season. And for the purist, a brief look at port wine.
The Maxwell’s Plum
New York City’s legendary Tavern on the Green created this fruity, rich red concoction as an homage to the iconic restaurant of the same name. This “Step Back in Time” recipe from the Tavern on the Green cookbook serves two.
• 4 ounces plum vodka
• 1 ounce Triple Sec
• 1 ounce fresh orange juice
• 4 ounces bottled cherry juice
• 2 slices ripe plum (optional)
Chill two large martini glasses. In a cocktail shaker half filled with ice, combine all the ingredients except the plum slices. Shake energetically for 10 to 20 seconds, and then strain into the chilled glasses. Cut a slit in each slice of plum and slide over the rim of each glass. Serve at once.
Hot Cranberry Brew (nonalcoholic)
The Ravinia Festival, held in Highland Park, Ill., every summer since 1904 except from 1932 to 1935 due to the Great Depression and 2020 due to the pandemic, entertains more than half a million
guests annually. In celebration of the tradition, music and food of the popular festival, The Women’s Board of the Ravinia Festival Association published a cookbook of favorite recipes in 2008. The collection is just as elegant today as when it was published. This recipe makes four quarts.
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves
• 2 quarts cranberry juice
• 46 ounces pineapple juice
• 4 1/2 cups water
Place sugar and spices in 30-cup electric coffee pot basket (or reduce the recipe and use a large crock pot.) Add juices and water. Cycle as for coffee (or heat in crock pot until steaming.) Serve hot.
Poinsettia
Three ingredients simply mixed for a beautiful holiday drink — the Poinsettia. Thanks to The Spruce Eats for this recipe that serves two.
• 1 ounce premium orange liqueur
• 6 ounces cranberry juice
• 6 ounces demi-sec Champagne (can substitute cava or proseco sparkling wines if desired)
• Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
• Fresh cranberries, for garnish
• Chill the ingredients for an hour or two before mixing.
Pour the orange liqueur and cranberry juice into chilled Champagne flutes. Stir well. Top with the Champagne, add
garnishes and serve.
Eggnog:
For your holiday open house
Those delightful friends who come to celebrate, not count calories, will enjoy this decadent take on a holiday classic by Taste of Home. This version calls for amaretto for the taste of almond and vanilla; brandy or a combination of rum and cognac could be substituted. Or make it family friendly without alcohol. The recipe makes approximately nine cups, or 12 3/4-cup servings.
• 8 eggs
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 cup amaretto
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
• Additional ground nutmeg
In a large heavy saucepan, whisk eggs, sugar and confectioners’ sugar until blended. Stir in milk.
Stirring constantly, cook over low heat about 20 minutes or until mixture is just thick enough to coat a metal spoon and a cooking thermometer reads at least 160 degrees. Do not allow to boil. Remove from heat immediately. Stir in cream, amaretto, cinnamon and nutmeg. Cover and refrigerate several hours or until cold. Sprinkle servings with additional nutmeg.
Port Wine: A primer
A good glass of port wine, usually three ounces served just below room temperature in a stemware glass, often with a dessert or cheese course, can finish a pleasant evening with warm satisfaction. But not all port is created equal. The cheapest bottles on the shelf are much less rewarding.
Port is a sweet, rich wine made from indigenous grapes of Portugal. According to an article by Wine Folly:“There are several styles of port, including red, white, rose and an aged style called Tawny Port.” With flavor notes of raspberry, blackberry, caramel, cinnamon and chocolate, the article continues,“older, fine Tawny Ports have an even wider array of subtle flavors including graphite, green peppercorn, hazelnut, almond, butterscotch, and graham cracker.“
Look for wines aged for 30 or more years for this level of complexity. Try a few styles and price points. You’ll soon find your favorite.
Celebrate the season with a traditional holiday cocktail or a glass of a special pour.
By Mary Hunt
Gifting priced right
Impress your family and friends without breaking the bank
Can you feel the tug? It’s the strong pull of the culture that works hard to get the best of us this time of year, to get us to spend more than we should. The best way to counter that force is to have strategies in mind ahead of time, before we feel we have no choice but to give in one more time, one more season.
Consumable Gifts
If your social circle is anything like mine, your gift list is a fairly long one and includes at least some people who are difficult to buy for. The problem with hard-to-buy-for people is that any gift will end up in a closet or the donation box, and that just makes the whole endeavor a big, fat, expensive waste of time and money.
The best solution is to give consumable gifts that are meant to be used up and enjoyed. That’s a gift that delivers a message of love and joy that will remain with the recipient long after the gift has been consumed. That’s a winwin. You lose the guilt and anxiety that insists you must come up with the “perfect” gift that each recipient will treasure for a lifetime, and your recipient loses the obligation to like it, use it, wear it or display it.
Some of my best gifts over the years have been homemade: Madagascar vanilla extract, bacon onion jam, sweet pepper onion relish and freshly roasted Costa Rican coffee beans. Each of these gifts is pretty inexpensive and, although some of them do take some time, most are ridiculously simple to make.
If making a gift isn’t your style, give an edible gift of some kind: a nice bottle of wine, a couple bars of delicious chocolate, summer sausage and cheeses, gourmet popcorn and seasonings. There are so many edible gifts that people will sincerely appreciate.
Decorate In 1, 2, 3
If you have little time and even less money to dress the house for the holidays, no problem! Use what you have and concentrate on just these three areas:
The front door: Drape a garland intertwined with twinkle lights, hang a wreath and you’re done.
The table: Start with a tablecloth, runner, place mats — anything festive and beautiful. Add a big centerpiece. Set the table with the best things you own. Get out the china and crystal. Go all out and reset after every meal.
The mantel: Remove everything. Start with any kind of greens like pine, juniper or magnolia. Step outdoors and look around. If
it’s green, it works! Add candles, ornaments, ribbon, cards and something red: Christmas balls, apples, pomegranates, candles or fabric. Note: If you do not have a mantel but you have a staircase, make that your third area of concentration.
Secret Santa/Hanukkah Harry
At some family holiday celebrations, everyone is expected to give a gift to everyone else, so the end result is that everyone has several cheap gifts while also feeling financially tapped out because of all of the gifts they are obligated to buy.
A much better approach is to adopt a gift exchange. Have everyone draw a name out of a hat of someone else in the exchange (or one designated person can do this for the group), then assign a financial limit. The end result is a lot of fun, unique gifts. Everyone spends less overall and everyone winds up with just one gift that they may actually really like.
Holiday Supplies
Wrapping paper, ribbon, bows and other holiday supplies are so stinking expensive starting late November and into December. Never pay full price again with this one trick: Buy those kinds of items right after Christmas, when the stores put their wrapping paper, bows, tags and other such holiday items on steep discount in order to clear their stock. Buy plenty for the following year then store it with all of your holiday decorations. But do one more thing: Make a note and write it in
your calendar that will remind you what you bought, how much you bought and exactly where it is.
You will bless the day you decided to adopt this strategy. It won’t be this year but next.
Final Thoughts
There are so many clever little things you can do throughout December to save on the holiday season. These strategies, which only scratch the surface, are the ones I have used successfully to cut back on the costs of the holiday season without sacrificing the joy.
Hopefully, some of these moves will help you keep more of your money in your pocket or help you to direct it to areas that you find more fulfilling.
Holiday shopping is one of the easiest ways to throw your budget out the window. Between your kids, friends, colleagues, neighbors and more, your gift list can easily become longer than what your wallet can handle.
DECEMBER
Don’t delay in spending those gift cards
What to know before your balance disappears
By Mary Hunt
Once the holiday season winds down, many of us will finally catching our breath after weeks of shopping, celebrating and wrapping. But before you toss those empty boxes and stray bits of ribbon, take a moment to look through the gift cards you and your family just unwrapped. And think about those on your list who’ll receive a gift card from you. It may seem like such an easy solution to the gift giving dilemma — but is it?
Each year, Americans spend hundreds of billions on gift cards — and a surprising share never gets used. Billions of dollars’ worth end up forgotten in drawers, misplaced, or even tossed out with the holiday clutter. Funny how that happens.
Now that you have all these gift cards, there are some things you need to know about them and how best to use them.
Do Not Delay
Someone could not decide what to get you, so they gave you the gift card. It is your responsibility to get out there and spend it.
Not Cash Equivalent
A gift card is not cash; it is store credit. It will not work the same as cash. For example, let’s say you zip right down to your favorite electronics store to redeem your $100 gift card. You buy the latest gizmo you’ve had your heart set on. It’s on sale for $79 with tax. So do you get $21 in change? No way. You will get your gift card back with $21 credit.
In no time you decide this is not really what you wanted after all, so with receipt and unopened box in hand, you attempt to make an exchange. You can’t believe that now they will only give you $59 in credit for this returned item because the store’s policy is to refund only the lowest sales price during the past 30 days when an item is purchased with store credit.
Rip-off? Yes. But that is truly the policy in many stores.
And not to add more doom, but never forget that if the retailer for whom you are holding a gift card files for bankruptcy protection, the judge handling that case is likely to deem all outstanding gift cards null and void. How can they do that? Never forget you are holding store credit — not cash — and yes, they can do that.
Diminishing Value
It’s as clear as day that your gift card is worth $100. But when the clerk scans it, the store credit available is only $62. What?! How could that happen? Fees, my friend — those pesky fees. Here’s the deal: Many states still allow gift card issuers to charge dormancy, maintenance or inactivity fees, which can eat away at your balance.
The key factor is the state law where the card was purchased, not where you’re redeeming it. Even if it looks like a “new” card, it could be years old. And don’t forget that regifting trick. The card you got from Aunt Sue might have been given to her by Cousin Sam, who won it as a door prize at a Kiwanis Club meeting two years ago! Its value could be far less than the card’s face value. Even worse, in some states, gift cards can completely expire.
In the United States, gift cards are generally protected by federal law, specifically the Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009, which prohibits gift cards from expiring within five years of activation. However, states have additional rules that offer more protections for consumers. Here are some states where gift cards cannot expire:
√ California: Gift cards cannot expire, and fees are also regulated. The state has strong consumer protections for gift cards.
√ Connecticut: No expiration date can be set on gift cards, and fees are restricted.
√ Massachusetts: Gift cards cannot have
expiration dates, and fees are limited to dormancy fees under certain conditions.
√ Michigan: Gift cards must remain valid for at least five years from the date of purchase, and they cannot expire sooner.
√ New York: Gift cards cannot have expiration dates, and fees can only be charged after 12 months of inactivity.
√ Washington: Gift cards cannot expire, and dormancy fees can only be applied if the card has been inactive for more than a year.
States like Florida, Illinois and Virginia also have restrictions, typically limiting the imposition of fees and prohibiting expiration before a set time, but the rules vary based on the type of card and its specific terms.
It’s always a good idea to call the toll-free number on the back of the card to check its current value.
Usage Limitations
Some gift cards may not be used for purchases in a catalog or on the merchant’s website. Other limitations on gift cards include a prohibition against selling your card to another individual, or applying the value as a payment to a store credit-card account or redeeming the card for cash.
Remember, once you’ve used that gift card, let the giver know what you bought. It’s the least you can do and an easy way to say express your thanks.
Use it or lose it with these popular holiday gifts!
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