NOVEMBER 23, 2023
HOLIDAY DINING e d i u G t f i G and
Ideas to INSPIRE
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Elisa’s Ristorante Café
2754 North Jerusalem Road North Bellmore, NY 516-679-4805 • 516-679-4806 • ElisasRestaurant.com
Come Join our Fabulous new Year eve’s PartY! Includes:
• 5-Course Feast • Open Bar • DJ • Dancing • Noise Makers • Live Feed 9:30pm-2am • Champagne Midnight Toast
Make your reservations early for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
(516) 679-4805
(516)-679-4806
CHAMPA GN TOAST E
Menu
Elisa’s
APPETIZERS
Assorted Antipasto
New Year’s Eve
PASTA
Penne Amatriciana
SALAD
Elisa’s House Salad
$110 Per Person
ENTREE CHOICES
Does not include tax & gratuity
Chicken Casanova, Chicken Parmigiana, Lamb Osso Bucco, Pork Osso Bucco, Flounder Livomese, Shrimp Rosalia, Salmon Florentino, Veal Sorrentino, Braised Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Porterhouse Pork Chop, Beef Braciole
DJ entertainment all night long plus a live feed from Times Square
All Entrees are served with Potato Croquettes and Broccoli
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book Your next event or Holiday Party with elisa’s
At Elisa’s or Your Home — Catering On-Premises or Off-Site Our menu is available online at www.elisarestaurant.com
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Give the Gift that Keeps on Giving A Gift Certificate from Elisa’s
DESSERT
Elisa’s Festive New Years Eve Cake, Coffee, Tea, or Espresso
Visit elisasrestaurant.com to see our Complete Menu, Specialty Night Menus and our Family Specials. Check out our Facebook page to see additional Weekly Dinner Specials created by Chef Paolo (Posted Every Thursday) Holiday Dining and Gift Guide - November 23, 2023
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Latkes for all eight days The Hanukkah treat always has a place on the table
and discard all liquid in the bowl except white starch paste that settles at bottom. 2. Add onion, potatoes, carrots, eggs, 1/4 cup parsley, matzo meal, butter, salt, za’atar, baking powder (if using), pepper and cumin to the bowl with reserved starch; stir to combine. 2. In a large, heavy, non-stick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. Using a tablespoon, spoon potato mixture into skillet, using about 3 tablespoons per latke. (Skillet should hold about 3 latkes at a time.) Flatten mixture slightly with a spatula. Cook latkes 4 minutes, then flip and cook another 4 minutes or until brown, crisp and cooked through. 3. Remove latkes from the skillet, then transfer them to a serving platter and keep warm in a 300° F oven until serving. Cook remaining latkes in batches, using 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet for each batch. Serve latkes with yogurt and remaining 1/4 cup parsley.
Those luscious, crispy potato latkes. More than a symbol of the miracle of Hanukkah, the yummy delight offers a great opportunity to gather the family and friends in the kitchen and share in the spirit of the holiday. A staple at Hanukkah celebrations, today’s versions go way beyond what grandma fried up in her kitchen (not that there’s anything wrong that classic latke). Spiced Potato and Carrot Latkes • 1 small onion, shredded • 2 pounds Idaho potatoes, peeled and shredded • 1/2 pound carrots, peeled and shredded • 2 eggs, beaten • 1/2 chopped fresh parsley leaves, divided • 1/4 cup matzo meal • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • 2 teaspoons kosher salt • 2 teaspoons za’atar • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, optional • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin • 3/4 cup vegetable oil • 3/4 cup Greek yogurt
Hanukkah latkes and sufganiyot (the holiday’s deep-fried jelly doughnuts) are enduring, tasty holiday treats are always in style.
1. Place onion, potatoes and carrots in a cheesecloth-lined colander set over large bowl. Let stand 5 minutes, squeezing occasionally. Drain off
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Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail 24 pc
Penne Alla Vodka
3 Foot Hero (Sliced)
Mini Rice Balls
Italian, American or Chicken Cutlet with Fresh Mozzarella & Roasted Peppers
Half Tray
Half Tray
3 Pounds of Salad
Homemade Macaroni Salad, Homemade Potato Salad or Homemade Coleslaw
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Cocktail classics Create iconic drinks associated with the holidays 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.
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.
Eggnog: For your holiday open house
• 4 ounces plum vodka • 1 ounce Triple Sec • 1 ounce fresh orange juice • 4 ounces bottled cherry juice • 2 slices ripe plum (optional)
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. This recipe makes approximately nine cups, or 12 3/4-cup servings.
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.
• 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.
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 Covid-19 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.
Celebrate the season with a traditional holiday cocktail or a glass of a special pour.
• 1 cup brown sugar • 1 1/2 teaspoons whole cloves • 2 quarts
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Culinary inspiration
Great ideas for the foodie
When gifting the foodie on your list, that one person who loves to cook or simply can’t get enough of his or her favorite cuisines, there are a host of savory options to ensure a tasty holiday season. Spice rack: Few home cooks can get by without a vast selection of spices, so a spice rack that includes all the essential spices makes perfect sense for the family foodie. Some spice racks even come with several years’ worth of free spice refills, so do your homework and find one that will have your friend or family member spicing things up for years to come. Cooking lessons: Cooking lessons can be a great way for men, women and even children to cultivate their love for food. If your friend or family member prefers a specific type of cuisine, then find him or her cooking lessons where he or she can learn how to prepare and not just eat some favorite dishes. Cooking lessons also make a great opportunity to bond with a loved one. If you, too, want to expand your cooking horizons, buy your own lessons and go with your friend or family member. A night out: If your favorite foodie prefers his or her meals made by someone else, treat that friend or family member to a night out at his or her favorite restaurant. You can give a gift card to the restaurant or take this special someone out yourself and enjoy a great meal and great company to boot. Serving dishes: Many home cooks not only love to eat but also love to serve up their favorite foods to family and friends. If your friend or family member has played host to guests many times in the past, surprise him or her with some new serving dishes. You probably have a sense of their serving style already, but if you don’t, make a mental note the next time you
visit or simply buy them a gift card so they can buy whichever dishes they need to make their next soiree a success. Wine rack: A great bottle of wine completes a great meal, so why not buy your family foodie a place to store all of his or her bottles of wine? Wine racks can range from the simple, inexpensive standup models to more complex or expensive models that need to be installed. If the eventual recipient of your thoughtful gift rents rather than owns his or her home, avoid buying a wine rack that needs to be installed, as that might cause damage that will cost them some money when the time comes to move out. You even can christen the new wine rack by supplementing your gift with a few bottles of your loved one’s favorite vintages.
A night out at a loved one’s favorite restaurant can make the perfect gift for the family foodie.
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225 MAIN STREET, FARMINGDALE • 516-783-1355 www.candysjewelers.com
November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Dreidels and more
Creative ways to celebrate Hanukkah
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. Perhaps due to its proximity to Thanksgiving and Christmas, Hanukkah tends to be the most widely celebrated Jewish holiday in America. Even though it is officially listed as a minor holiday, Hanukkah is important to families. 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. While Hanukkah 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. 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: Gift-giving is now a component of Haunkkah 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 poor people could not afford candles, and these people would go doorto-door for candle funds, or “gelt,” to be able to purchase candles and kiddush wine. Some Jewish 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. The glowing lights from the menorah remind us that where there is darkness (both literally and figuratively), there can also be light. For Jewish children, Hanukkah is a chance to connect to familial and religious roots. But most of all, Hanukkah is a chance to gather with those we love and be reminded that with faith and hope, anything is possible.
Dreidel, dreidel, dreidel… Playing dreidel is a classic Hanukkah tradition, and despite the game’s simple nature, the rules are easily forgotten. So here are the rules, for people who have never played before, and to those who play every year. There is no player limit for dreidel, but you will need 5-15 tokens per player. These pieces can be whatever you want, most often gelt (chocolate coins) are used, but you can use anything you want. Other options are nuts, chocolate chips, raisins, candy, or if you want higher stakes, money. Other than a dreidel, that is all you need. Each player begins the game with an equal number of game pieces (about 10-15). At the beginning of each round, every participant puts one game piece into the center “pot.” In addition, every time the pot is empty or has only one game piece left, every player should put one in the pot. Every time it’s your turn, spin the dreidel once. Depending on the side it lands on, you give or get game pieces from the pot. For those who don’t read Hebrew, some dreidels also feature a transliteration of each letter. Nun means “nisht” or “nothing.” The player does nothing. Gime means “gantz” or “everything.” The player gets everything in the pot. Hey means “halb” or “half.” The player gets half of the pot. If there is Shin (outside of Israel) means “shtel” or “put in.” Peh (in Israel) also means “put in.” The player adds a game piece to the pot. If you find that you have no game pieces left, you are either “out” or may ask a fellow player for a “loan.” When one person has won everything, that round of the game is over!
Rituals and tradition bring families together during the Festival of Lights.
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Flowers and bulbs
Think ‘inside the pot’ for holiday gifts
By Sharon Naylor Holiday gifts bring joy, and few presents make gift recipients as happy as fresh flowers. Long winter days and evenings can drain a person’s energy, and vibrant, sweet-smelling roses, jasmine, lilies and other winter blooms light up the pleasure centers in the recipient’s brain, brightening the home and counting among the most adored presents of the year, especially if you choose the right vase the recipient can use again and again. A twist on the potted flower gift is the gift of bagged or potted flower bulbs. Each bag of a dozen or so earthy bulbs contains the promise of spring’s return, brilliant color and blooms to be cut and displayed in the home. Flower bulbs quickly are becoming a top gift choice for this reason; they become a gift that keeps on giving. But before you give what looks like a vase full of dirt — explaining that there’s an exotic flower bulb buried in there, so water twice a week and wait — keep in mind that you can make your floral gift look as if you spent three to five times your actual outlay, and invest a bit of personal effort in the presentation. “I loved the gift of narcissus that my niece and her husband gave me last year,” says retiree Corinne Stevensen.“But it was a little too obvious that they had just stopped in at the grocery and picked up a cheap potted flower in that telltale brown plastic pot, with a sticky spot where they had scratched the price tag off.” A successful gift is always given with a little bit of creativity and personal attention, so here are the top tips for giving flowers or bulbs as holiday gifts this year:
Give potted flowers rather than bouquets. Bouquets are nice, but if you’re going to a holiday party or family holiday dinner, the host or recipient would have to stop what he’s doing, find an available vase, cut the stems, put them in water, etc. A pretty potted bunch of flowers works far better in hectic holiday time. Choose a simpler pot. Skip the neoncolored, patterned, glazed or “busy” flowerpots and select instead a neutral color or one that you know suits the recipient’s home color scheme. Ideal neutral colors are sand, brown and sage green. Go with glass. Visit your local craft store to get a very pretty, deceptively inexpensive glass vase in a circular or square shape. These are the same simple glass vases that party and wedding hosts stock up on for their modern, elegant centerpieces, and they not only make the perfect holder for your floral gift but also are reusable. Dress up plastic pots with fabulous foils. Garden centers and supermarket floral sections may have these shiny wraps affixed on their flowerpots already, but it’s quite easy to take a sheet of foil paper in your chosen shade — i.e. winter white with silver stars, light blue, festive red, jewel purple — and wrap it around the base of your pot. Give bagged bulbs a label makeover. Leave that info-packed label sheet on your bag of bulbs — the recipient will need the details for smart planting — and print a holiday-design sheet of your own on your home computer. Tape your label to the package, and add an inexpensive round bulb planting tool and some
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cute gardening gloves; your gift is ready to go. Exotics can be fun but — if your recipient has a green thumb.˘ If you’re giving an exotic bulb that already is planted in a pot, take a few extra steps to make what looks like a pot of dirt look special. Insert a holiday label with the plant’s ID and a photo in the top of the pot, and wrap the pot with a velvet ribbon and bow. Get the kids involved. Let kids decorate terra-cotta pots. If they’re giving flowers to grandparents or others, let the kids paint holiday designs and messages on the pot or affix stickers to it. Consider petals. A popular holiday gift trend: giving a basket of fresh red rose petals for the recipient’s use in a later romantic evening, for sprinkling in the tub or using as table or display decor. Go for timely blooms. Winter’s in-season flowers: amaryllis, anemone, bell of Ireland, buttercup, camellia, Casablanca lily, cosmos, daffodil, forget-me-not, holly, jasmine, narcissus, orchid, poinsettia, rose, stargazer lily, star-ofBethlehem, sweet pea, tulip. Bulb garden gifts make an easy-to-grow, colorful gift for any loved one or yourself. Add them to a favorite container and watch your flower bulb gift grow.
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
For the gardener in your life Buying a present for someone with a green thumb doesn’t have to be overwhelming By Jeff Rugg I wish I had Sili-Seedlings seed starting trays a long time ago. Every spring, gardeners plant seeds into small peat pots that dry out or crumble, or we use plastic trays that crack and tear, so they have to be thrown in the recycle bin. Sili-Seedlings are reusable, 100% silicone, BPA-free, food-safe, UV resistant and made of FDA-grade silicone. They are sterilizable after every use and are dishwasher safe. Taking root Rooted seedlings slip easily out of each pliable, tapered cell with their roots intact, so transplanting is less messy and there is minimal transplant shock. They can be labeled by writing directly on them with dry-erase markers. After the plants are removed, the label wipes off with rubbing alcohol. There are three sizes. The 10-pack and six-pack are the standard cell size of around 2-by-2 inches. The four pack has larger cells for bigger plants. They are sold at garden centers, in mail order catalogs and at sili-seedlings.com. ’Smarter’ flower pots Some gardeners don’t have room to store a bunch of empty flower pots all winter. Smart Pots are sturdy BPA-free polypropylene fabric that feels like thick felt. During the growing season, this breathable fabric keeps roots cool and provides optimal drainage and soil aeration. At the end of the season, just empty and fold for storage. They are great for any gardener, but especially for balconies and patios. When the roots reach the fabric walls of the pot, they branch instead of circling the pot. The fabric pot stays cool, unlike plastic pots, which heat up in the sun. The fabric pots can’t be overwatered. All of this creates a larger, healthier root system. More roots mean a larger and healthier top to the plant so there are more flowers and more fruit. They are available in several colors and sizes, from 1 gallon to 100 gallons. There are also milk crate liners, square and round raised beds and wall flower planters. They are available at many garden centers, with a location finder map at smartpots.com. Watering with ease It can be a big hassle to switch from one type of nozzle to the next as you walk through the garden watering your plants. Some spots need a gentle spray and other spots need a good hosing down. The Dramm One Touch Fan Nozzle is a fan-shaped hose-end watering nozzle that allows you to control the pressure and amount of water with just a touch of your thumb on the slider valve, so you can walk through the garden easily adjusting the water flow up or down as needed. Use it to very gently water delicate tiny seedlings, fragile plants and container plantings, or open the nozzle up to fan out over a large area like your big vegetable beds or wildflower garden. This adjustable nozzle allows you to apply just the right pressure and amount of water wherever you need it. It has an ergonomic insulated grip, and the corrosion-proof head contains a filter that can be cleaned or changed as necessary. Dramm also has some of the best garden hoses and watering wands. They are found in many garden centers, and their website is rainwand.com. Finding one of these options under the tree is sure to delight whoever in your life has a green thumb.
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
From your kitchen Baking up something special
Nothing says “love” like fresh baked cookies and treats. This holiday season, give the gift of homemade goodness — and save time fighting the crowds in the stores and put less stress on your wallet. Make It A Family “Bake”tivity Get the whole family together and create a makeshift holiday workshop. Have one person measure all of the ingredients, another can mix everything together, and everyone can have fun decorating to favorite holiday tunes. It’s a great way to relax and spend some special time together. A Gift That Keeps Giving Layer the dry ingredients of your favorite cookie recipe in glass jars. Attach copies of the recipe to the jars with bright ribbon bows and voila — you’ve created thoughtful gifts and cheery holiday kitchen decor. Refresh Holiday Favorites Chocolate chip and gingerbread cookies are classics, but these Peppermint Mocha Chip Cookies might become a fast new favorite. Notes of crisp peppermint perfectly complement the flavors of coffee and semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Add a crushed peppermint to each cookie to create a beautiful and seasonal presentation. Or simply stick to the tried-and-true favorites. The choice is yours and either way, you’ll be creating a delicious present with special appeal. Peanut Butter Blossoms This easy to bake, tasty treat is always a crowd pleaser. • 48 Hershey’s Kisses, unwrapped • 1/2 cup shortening
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter • 1/3 cup granulated sugar • 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar • 1 egg • 2 tablespoons milk • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Granulated sugar Preheat oven to 375° F. Using an electric mixer, beat shortening and peanut butter together until creamy. Add 1/3 cup granulated sugar and brown sugar, beating until fluffy. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beating dry ingredients into wet mixture until dough forms. Using your hands, shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll shaped balls in granulated sugar; turning completely to coat. Place sugared balls of dough onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper for easy clean-up. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until cookies turn a very pale brown. Immediately remove sheet from oven and press a Hershey’s Kisses candy into the center of each cookie. Carefully remove cookies from cookie sheet to wire rack and allow to cool completely. Store airtight. Makes approximately 4 dozen cookies. Oatmeal, Chocolate Chip and Pecan Cookies These easy chocolate oatmeal drop cookies are crisp on the outside and slightly chewy on the inside. Chocolate minichips disperse better in the batter, but you can use regular chips.
ounces) • 1 cup regular oats • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 1/3 cup butter, softened • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract • 1 large egg • 1/4 cup chopped pecans, toasted • 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate minichips Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt), stirring with a whisk; set aside. Place sugars and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add vanilla and egg; beat until blended. Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed just until combined. Stir in pecans and minichips. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 12 minutes or until edges of cookies are lightly browned. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove cookies from pans; cool on wire racks. There’s always a reason to bake a fresh batch of cookies during the holidays, whether for a cookie exchange, a party, or for welcome homemade gift.
• 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (about 5 1/2
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Heartwarming holidays
Give what matters most this season: your time By Tessa Wolfsmith As the holidays approach, many of us find ourselves eagerly anticipating the joyous festivities and the warm embrace of loved ones. However, the true spirit of the holidays lies not only in the exchange of material gifts, but also in the act of selfless giving and spreading cheer to those in need. This year, consider making a real difference in your community by volunteering your time. Giving the gift of your time is a precious and invaluable contribution that can have a profound impact on those you serve. Whether it’s spending time with the elderly at a local nursing home, serving meals at a homeless shelter, or organizing a toy drive for underprivileged children, volunteering provides an opportunity to share the joy and spirit of the holidays with those who are less fortunate. Share special moments. One of the most heartwarming ways to give back during the holidays is by visiting nursing homes or assisted living facilities. Many of the elderly residents may not have family or friends nearby, and their spirits can be lifted tremendously by the presence of a caring individual. Taking the time to sit and chat with them, playing games or even offering to assist with small tasks can make a world of difference.
Additionally, some facilities organize holidaythemed events, such as Christmas parties or cookie decorating, where volunteers are always in high demand. Bring holiday cheer to the homeless. Homeless shelters offer another vital opportunity for volunteering during the holiday season. With cold weather sweeping across the country, homeless individuals are especially vulnerable during this time. Serving warm meals to those in need not only fills their stomachs but also provides them with a sense of warmth, care, and community. Additionally, shelters often offer various services, such as distributing warm clothing or providing medical assistance, where volunteers can lend a helping hand. Families helping families. For children in need, the holiday season can often be a challenging time. Many families struggle to provide basic necessities, let alone gifts and celebrations. Organizing a toy drive or participating in existing programs, such as Angel Tree or Toys for Tots, can bring joy and hope to countless children’s lives.
during the holiday season, you not only bring hope and cheer to those in need but also inspire others to do the same. Your act of selfless giving has the power to create a ripple effect of kindness that can truly transform lives and uplift spirits. Furthermore, the rewards of volunteering extend far beyond the holiday season, as studies have shown that those who give their time experience higher levels of personal satisfaction and overall well-being. So, as you make your holiday plans this year, consider including volunteer work as an integral part of your festivities. Remember that the most meaningful gifts are often the ones that cannot be wrapped or placed under a tree. Instead, they are found in the smiles you bring to a lonely face, the nourishment you provide to an empty stomach, and the hope you instill in the heart of a child. This holiday season, give the gift of your time and share the cheer by volunteering in your community. Kindness is the best gift of all.
Donating gifts or volunteering at holiday events for these programs ensures that every child receives a gift, creating a sense of normalcy and joy that might otherwise be missing from their lives. By volunteering in your community
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The Rockville Centre Guild for the Arts Presents
Leggz Ltd. Ballet
Full Length Ballet Accompanied by
The South Shore Symphony
Friday, December 1 at 7 PM Saturday, December 2 at 5 PM Sunday, December 3 at 3 PM for best seating get your tickets NOW before they sell out call 516 323-4444 or order online at madisontheatreny.org In our 27th year! Featuring eaturing Dancers from
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An American In Paris Bolshoi Ballet Dance Theatre of Harlem Joffrey Ballet Martha Graham Dance Co. Suzanne Farrell Ballet Vienna State Opera
November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Tomatoes Gratin
Cranberry and Walnut Phyllo Triangles
Holiday Deviled Eggs
Holiday entertaining excellence Savory appetizers, gifts and more
From savory appetizers to delicious holiday gifts, this is the season to let your cooking chops shine. Especially, now that we’ve rediscovered our kitchens during the pandemic, show off your culinary skills and spice up the season in your bubble. These recipes from Chef George Duran, who has appeared on the Food Network, make it easy to elevate everyone’s palate, to serve up delightfully delicious goodies to serve guests or give as gifts.
• 1/3 cup raisins • 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup • 1 tablespoon finely grated orange peel • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice Triangles:
• 10 sheets fresh or frozen phyllo dough • 1/3 cup melted butter • 2 1/2 cups Jarlsberg Chunk Cheese, cut into 25 cubes
• 2 cups chopped walnuts
Tomatoes Gratin • 4 tomatoes • 2 ounces balsamic vinegar • 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus 4 ounces, divided • 4 garlic cloves, sliced thin • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or equivalent dried) • Salt, to taste • Pepper, to taste • 2 ounces pine (pignoli) nuts • 8 ounces shredded Jarlsberg Cheese Heat oven to 350 F. Cut tomatoes in half. In bowl, whisk together vinegar, 1/3 cup olive oil, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper; gently mix in tomatoes. Transfer to ovenproof dish. Place tomatoes cutside up and bake 15 minutes. In pan, toast pine nuts with remaining olive oil until golden then set aside. When tomatoes are cool enough to handle, remove skins and return to baking dish. Sprinkle tomatoes with shredded cheese. Return to oven and broil about 5 minutes, or until cheese turns golden and bubbly. Top with toasted pine nuts.
Heat oven to 375 F. In saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, raisins, honey, orange peel and orange juice; bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool to room temperature. Carefully lay one phyllo sheet on cutting board and brush with melted butter. Place another sheet of phyllo on top and brush with melted butter. Cover remaining sheets with damp towel to prevent drying out. Position brushed pastry horizontally and cut into five strips. Place 1/2 teaspoon cranberry filling, one cube of cheese and 1/2 teaspoon chopped nuts in lower corner of each strip. Fold dough over filling to form triangle. Fold triangle up then over, forming another triangle. Continue folding to end of strip. Brush top with melted butter and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon chopped nuts. Repeat with remaining strips of dough and remaining sheets of phyllo. Bake 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack before serving. Note: If using frozen phyllo dough, thaw in refrigerator overnight.
Cranberry and Walnut Phyllo Triangles Filling: • 1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries • 1/3 cup sugar
• 6 eggs • 1/8 teaspoon salt • 1//8 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar • 1 teaspoon mustard • 1/4 cup mayonnaise • 1 cup shredded cheese Topping options:
• Paprika • Parsley • Bacon • Shredded cheese • Cooked crab meat • Scallions Boil large pot of water. Carefully add eggs and boil on high 2 minutes then simmer 13 minutes. While eggs cook, chop parsley and scallions, if desired. Once eggs are cooked, transfer to bowl of ice water; cool 8-10 minutes. Peel eggs and cut in half lengthwise. Separate egg yolks into another bowl. Reserve egg white halves. Combine egg yolks with salt, pepper, vinegar and mustard. Add shredded cheese and mayonnaise; mix until smooth. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of yolk mixture into each egg white half. Add toppings, as desired. For classic deviled eggs, sprinkle paprika and chopped parsley over eggs. For a savory alternative, cook four strips of bacon and chop. Top eggs with chopped bacon and shredded cheese. For a unique variation, try topping eggs with cooked crab meat and chopped scallions.
Holiday Deviled Eggs
Holiday Dining and Gift Guide - November 23, 2023
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Holiday hostess with the most-est
The day needn’t been intimidating
think color, pattern and texture. For example, fill vases or bowls with cranberries and sprigs of evergreen. Create an elegant tablescape. A well done table sets the tone for your party.
As much as we love a day dedicated to giving thanks and spending time with family, Thanksgiving can be the most hectic holiday of the year. The day before Thanksgiving is the busiest day for travel, and Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires. Whether you’re hosting for four or 14, your first time hosting the holiday meal or not, there are plenty of ways to make it an easier process. Prioritize What’s Important Do you really need to make seven side dishes, or would three be just as satisfying? Are two kinds of bread necessary, or could you stick to one? When refining your menu, ask yourself which items matter most. Then, instead of tasking yourself with more than you need to do, you can focus on what’s a priority. Likewise, when you want to cut costs, you can figure out which menu items to cut. Make That List Organization requires a list. Based on how many people you’re hosting, what’s on the menu, and how many items are your responsibility, make your shopping list. How big is your guest list? This will dictate how big of a turkey you’ll need. When making your list, be as detailed and specific as possible, and then stick to your list at the store. Stick to the mantra,“If it’s not on the list, it won’t go in my cart.” Cook In Advance While some parts of the meal have to be made on the big day, other parts can be prepared the week before to save you time. Create a master schedule for the week before the holiday, with specific tasks relegated to each day. For example, you could make desserts or homemade bread ahead of time. When the cranberry sauce is already waiting in the fridge on Thanksgiving Day, you’ll have a few less things to remember. While you won’t want to cook certain recipes, such as the turkey, or your main course, until the day of, you can cook other items in advance. Make and refrigerate gravy, dressings, soups, dips, and spreads up to one week before Thanksgiving. Reserve the day before Thanksgiving for making the desserts and prepping ingredients for the following day. Streamline Drinks Sure, it’s fun to stock a full bar for parties, but if you want to minimize effort and costs, try to streamline what you’re serving. For instance, pick just one or two types of wine, or one signature cocktail.
Enlist Helpers Ask others to contribute to the party so all of the work is not on your shoulders. A potluck is a great way to encourage participation. When everyone brings something along and helps, it frees up time to spend together rather than worrying about what needs cooking in the kitchen or whether a last-minute trip to the store is in order. Forget Perfection Television, movies and advertisements paint an unrealistic picture of what the holidays should be. Don’t get down if a holiday gathering that would make Norman Rockwell proud is beyond your capabilities. Rather than trying to plan a picture-perfect Thanksgiving, channel your energy into what you do best. Cook up the holiday feast if you love being in the kitchen, or decorate till you drop if you love to showcase the season in your home. The point is to gather with family and friends, so no need to worry about throwing a perfect holiday celebration. Have A Backup Plan Things rarely go according to plan. A dish may not turn out like the picture or you may run out of time to bake the apple pie. Always have a backup plan in place. Order pies from a local bakery or keep a pre-made pie crust in the refrigerator. Store a few boxes of stuffing and cans of cranberry sauce in case you can’t make your homemade recipe. While we’d all like to make everything from scratch, it’s difficult to get everything done in time without help and a few shortcuts. And if you end up at a Chinese restaurant, at least you’re all together. With the right preparation and assistance, you can host the perfect holiday dinner, even if your name isn’t Martha Stewart. Remember, this is a day to spend time with family. You don’t have to be a gourmet chef or interior decorator to have a memorable and delicious dinner with your loved ones.
Add Drama To Your Décor From centerpieces to garlands and wreaths, the best way to infuse cheer and holiday spirit into your meal is to decorate your home. You don’t need a total room makeover to create a holiday masterpiece. Just
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Museum adventure
Give the gift of a holiday trip that is just as fun and rewarding as it is educational By Polly Jamison A trip to the museum can be more than a stroll through the halls and a trip to the gift shop. With some planning, your child can also enjoy the anticipation and lasting memories of a wonderful museum experience. But this is no last-minute present. Careful planning can make holiday experience full of memories that will last a lifetime. Make It Personal Choose a museum that piques a child’s interest in a new subject or builds on his or her existing understanding of a favorite subject. Natural history museums, aquariums, art and history museums with or without special children’s areas can expand an interested child’s experiences. Special events in living museums present exhibits and experiences of past and future days, which can excite, enlighten and inspire children to not only reflect back but look forward to the future. In choosing the museum, whether close to home, or New York City, or as a destination experience on, for example, a family trip, carefully consider what you know of your child’s interests, learning ability and energy level. Plan for breaks, take along comfort items and decide whether this would be best as a visit with you and just one child or as a family. Plan Ahead See where the exhibits are located in order to time the length of your visit, considering the age of your child (and any grandparents who might be participating). You may want to focus on one or two areas of a very large museum for a more relaxing, in-depth visit, especially for younger children. For example, a natural history museum highlight could be the mammals, or ocean life, or dinosaurs, or a special traveling exhibit, and leave the rest for another visit. Find out if children are allowed to carry small backpacks in the museum. Collect, or print out at home, brochures, handouts and postcards. Check out the museum gift shop. Children love gift shops, but they can be expensive. To avoid disappointment, be sure to understand the monetary needs for a gift shop visit. Consider picking up or ordering a DVD featuring the museum and/ or highlight exhibits. The brochures, stickers, pins, DVD and any other items collected or ordered online will go into an actual gift box for under the tree or by the menorah.
Want More? Many museums now offer day camps, age-appropriate one- to two-hour exhibit experiences and even overnight sleepovers for adults and children. Check out local and state museums in your area. Very large regional and national museums such as the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., offer a wide range of experiences for family events with advance reservations. All children enjoy the anticipation and experience of a shared event, and special mementos that remind them of their visit. A museum experience that builds brainpower and family bonds is worth every minute of your preparation to make it a success. Create a gift box filled with creative tools that your kids can use to have a memorable day at the museum.
Make A Gift Box Other than the experience itself, this is the most fun part of the preparation. Create a gift box presenting the museum visit as your gift, and include any or all of the following: √ An invitation to the visit or museum event using the museum brochures, handouts, logo, etc. √ A T-shirt to wear on visit day, either from the gift shop or handdecorated using iron-on decals, logos and letters from your local craft shop.
Holiday Dining and Gift Guide - November 23, 2023
√ A coloring book about the museum and a new box of crayons. Everybody loves a new box of crayons! √ A small, inexpensive toy, book, pamphlet or puzzle representing the museum. √ A favorite theme-related snack, such as fish crackers, dinosaur fruit treats, teddy bear grahams or astronaut ice cream. √ A journal or notebook and stickers for observations, questions and sketches. Design a pamphlet as a passport with places to attach stickers or stamps as you move through the exhibits. This is a fun way to help keep children on track. √ A simple map of the museum and exhibits so the whole experience <checkmark Money for listening stations, experiential stations, feeding stations and the gift shop. √ A small backpack, if allowed, to hold items needed for the museum adventure — water bottle, snack, instant camera, outdoor exhibit items such as sunglasses, hat, magnifying glass or binoculars, etc. If the museum doesn’t allow backpacks, it can still be used in the car. Wrap the box and attach a gift tag with a sticker, sketch or short notation indicating the special surprise inside. Always keep a gift recipient guessing!
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To Advertise : 516-569-4000
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Rockin’ around the Christmas tree Host the best holiday party of the year
By Aaron Brown ‘Tis the season to be jolly, and what better way to celebrate than by hosting a memorable holiday party for your friends and loved ones? Whether it’s a small gathering or a grand soiree, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere is the key to spreading holiday cheer. Deck the halls: Decorations that dazzle Transforming your space into a winter wonderland doesn’t have to be an expensive or time-consuming task. Try these ideas to bring the holiday vibe into your home. Classic greenery. Adorn your abode with fresh evergreen garlands, wreaths and a beautifully decorated Christmas tree. The scent of fresh greenery will instantly put your guests in a holiday mood. Twinkling lights. Hang them on walls, wrap them around banisters and drape them over tables. The warm, cozy glow they emit is magical. Table settings. Use themed tablecloths, napkins and place cards. Consider using natural elements such as pinecones and holly berries as centerpieces. Candles. Candles add a touch of elegance and warmth. Place them strategically around your home for a soft, inviting ambience. DIY ornaments. Get creative with DIY ornaments and crafts. Invite guests to make their own ornaments as a fun activity during the party. addition to any holiday party. Holiday Breads. Bake and serve a selection of festive bread such as cinnamon rolls, braided challah or stollen. The aroma alone will fill your home with holiday spirit.
Bring us some figgy pudding: Cooking up a feast Food is undoubtedly a centerpiece of any holiday gathering. When planning your menu, consider the preferences and dietary restrictions of your guests. Wow your crowd with a well-thought out menu of crowdpleasing foods. Get the party going with appetizers. Start with a variety of appetizers such as stuffed mushrooms, cheese platters and bruschetta. These finger foods are perfect for mingling. On to the main course: For a sit-down dinner, considerthe tried and true classic dishes such as roast turkey, roast beef, ham or a vegetarian option such as stuffed peppers. Or up the ante with and stretch your culinary skills. Whether you go for a rack of lamb, roasted duck, or seafood — there’s no right or wrong answer. Center your meal on a festive and hearty main dish. Not only will your entrée be delicious, but it’s an elegant centerpiece your holiday table needs. And of course, don’t forget the sides — we never enough of mashed potatoes and stuffing, among other holiday favorites. Round out the bar. Offer a range of beverages, from traditional eggnog and mulled wine, evening a signature cocktail, to nonalcoholic options such as sparkling cider and hot chocolate. Don’t forget the coffee and tea for a tasty finish. Bake the season bright: Sweet treats galore Baking is an essential part of holiday festivities, and it’s also an excellent way to involve your guests. Consider setting up a holiday baking station. These ideas will get you started. Cookie exchange. Invite each guest to bring a batch of their favorite holiday cookies. Provide decorative containers for everyone to take home an assortment of cookies. Gingerbread house decorating. Set up a gingerbread house decorating station with prebaked houses, icing and an array of candies for creative expression. Hot cocoa bar: Offer a hot cocoa bar with various toppings such as whipped cream, marshmallows and flavored syrups. It’s a delightful
Holiday Dining and Gift Guide - November 23, 2023
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All I want for Christmas: The art of gift exchange One of the most cherished traditions during holiday parties is the exchange of gifts. Of course you’ll want to organize a gift exchange that everyone will enjoy. Secret Santa/Hanukkah Harry. Have each guest draw a name to determine who they’ll be buying a gift for. Set a spending limit to keep it fair and accessible. White Elephant. Encourage guests to bring a wrapped gift of a certain value. In a fun and often humorous twist, participants can choose to steal another guest’s gift or select a new one. Charitable giving. Encourage guests to bring a gift that can be donated to a local charity. This gesture embodies the true spirit of giving during the holidays. Themed exchange: Select a theme for the gift exchange, such as books, ornaments or homemade gifts. This adds an element of creativity and personalization to the event. Above all, the most important thing about hosting a holiday party is to create an atmosphere of warmth, joy and togetherness. So, deck the halls, prepare delicious dishes, bake sweet treats and exchange gifts with love and laughter. Happy hosting, and may your holiday season be merry and bright! Raise a glass with loved ones to the joy of the holiday season.
To Advertise : 516-569-4000
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Scrumptious endings Tempting treats to finish off the meal
That beloved feast is just not considered complete without a pumpkin pie — it’s a treasured tradition on most holiday tables. While recipes abound, for some folks it’s hard to top the traditional Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie recipe, which has been on the label since 1950. This pumpkin custard’s creamy taste created by the blend of pumpkin and evaporated milk allows the time-honored spice blend to come through. For a delicious twist on tradition, Walnut Crunch Pumpkin Pie is an elegant versio of the traditional holiday dessert. Sort of a Pumpkin Pie Brûlée! Remember that “pie tomorrow” — leftover —is always welcome! Libby’s Famous Pumpkin Pie • 3/4 cup granulated sugar • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/2 teaspoon salt • ½ teaspoon ground ginger • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves • 2 large eggs • 1 can (15 ounces) 100% Pure Pumpkin • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk • 1 unbaked 9-inch (4-cup volume) deep-dish pie shell • Whipped cream (optional) Mix sugar, cinnamon, salt, ginger and cloves in small bowl. Beat eggs in large bowl. Stir in pumpkin and sugar-spice mixture. Gradually stir in evaporated milk.
Pour into pie shell. Bake in preheated 425° F oven for 15 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350° F; bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack for 2 hours. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Top with whipped cream before serving. Tip: 1 3/4 teaspoons pumpkin spice may be substituted for the cinnamon, ginger and cloves; however, the taste will be slightly different. Do not freeze, as this will cause the crust to separate from the filling. Makes 8 servings. Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes • 20 gingersnap cookies • 2 tablespoons butter, melted • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened • 1/2 cup packed brown sugar • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) • 1 tablespoon sour cream • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1 egg • 1 teaspoon vanilla • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg • Whipped cream, if desired • Caramel sauce, if desired 1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray mini cheesecake pan (12 cups) with cooking spray. 2. In food processor, process gingersnap cookies with on/off pulses until finely ground
Holiday Dining and Gift Guide - November 23, 2023
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(about 1 cup). Add melted butter; pulse until mixed. Press crumb mixture firmly into each cheesecake cup to form crust. Bake 8 minutes. 3. Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and brown sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in pumpkin, sour cream and salt, scraping bowl frequently. Add egg, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg; beat until well blended. 4. Divide mixture evenly into crust-lined cups. 5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set. Cool completely in pan, about 30 minutes. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight. 6. Serve cheesecakes topped with whipped cream and drizzled with caramel sauce. Store in refrigerator. Notes: If you do not have a mini cheesecake pan, use a 12 muffin cup pan lined with paper baking cups. These mini cheesecakes can be made up to three days in advance. Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream and caramel sauce. It’s not the holiday season for many unless pumpkin pie is on the table.
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
‘Tis the season to entertain Don’t forget to gift holiday hosts
Many of us will be traveling this season and sharing holiday cheer away from home. Hosting guests can make this time of year that much more special, but hosting also is a significant undertaking that asks a lot of our family and friends who open their homes to loved ones. There are many ways to express gratitude to your holiday hosts, all sure to be appreciated by the recipient. Night out on the town Holiday hosts have a lot on their plates. Before guests arrive, hosts clean their homes top to bottom and may even rearrange rooms in their homes to accommodate overnight guests. Once the guests arrive, hosts work to cater to their guests’ needs. Guests can show their hosts how much they appreciate them by paying for a night out on the town. Babysit the kids so mom and dad can enjoy a night out together, or take the whole family out and foot the bill. A night out can be enjoyable for all involved, and it gives hosts the night off from cooking dinner. Cater a meal If your family is too big to take out or if the family simply prefers to stay in and enjoy one another’s company, pay for a catered meal to be delivered to your hosts’ home. This can be a great way to catch up, and hosts can join in the fun because they won’t be busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. Wine rack Those who offer to host for the holidays likely don’t mind hosting at other times of the year as well. A brand new wine rack can make for a great gift for your friend or relative who loves to host dinner parties throughout the year. Stock the rack with a couple of bottles of wine and crack one open to celebrate your loved one’s new toy. While on the subject of wine, there is some etiquette involved with giving wine as a gift for your hosts. As you hand the hosts the bottle, say something like this:“This wine is a favorite of mine, and I thought you and Stephanie might enjoy it some quiet evening in the coming weeks.” What you want to express is that by no means do you expect them to serve the wine you brought during the party or necessarily during your stay. The reason? The hosts have put thought into every item on the menu; if they think that you’re expecting them to serve your wine, it disrupts their menu.
If, however, the host/hostess chooses to serve the wine you brought, that’s great. But at least you gave them a legitimate out for their convenience.
house. Your hosts will no doubt appreciate the hassle-free mornings, and a fresh, homecooked meal is a great way to express your own appreciation for their hospitality.
Linens If you want to give your holiday hosts something practical, then some linens they can use right away make great gifts. Quality bed sheets, some warm blankets and some soft, high-quality towels can help hosts replenish their linen closets, and they might appreciate using these new items once the holiday season has come and gone.
And, don’t forget to return the favor. Don’t always be the guest. Offer to be the host once in a while! Cooking breakfast for your holiday hosts during your stay is a nice gesture busy hosts will surely appreciate.
Cook breakfast Another great way to show your appreciation to your holiday hosts is to make breakfast for everyone during your stay. Let them relax with a cup of coffee while you prepare breakfast for everyone staying at the
Holiday Dining and Gift Guide - November 23, 2023
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Wrap it up
By Kristen Castillo
The holidays are hectic, and gift-wrapping may seem like a chore. Sure, you could cover the gifts in store-bought paper or slip them into gift bags, but think again. This is a great opportunity to get creative in wrapping your gifts. “Creatively wrapping a holiday gift shows the recipient that you took time to prepare their gift, that this wasn’t a last-minute gift,” says Alyson Dias, with iLoveToCreate. “With life so often running at warp-speed, it’s nice to remind family and friends that you took time to carefully craft something just for them. It is often the wrapping that is more appreciated than the gift itself. If the gift inside is also hand-crafted, that just makes it even more special. Happiness is handmade.” Creative wrapping usually takes a little (or a lot) more time than traditional wrapping, but it’s not always very expensive. Plus, you can involve the kids because many wrapping projects are family-friendly. Kid creations.< For Malia Britton, an environmentally conscious mother of two young children, holiday gift wrap is as simple as recycling her children’s artwork. “That way, the recipient gets unique, oneof-a-kind gift wrap, my kids get to share their art, and I get to offload the ever-increasing stack of paintings. It’s an all-around win!” says Britton, noting her solution is both green and a cost saver. Gift recipients love the artwork-as-gift-
Creative ideas for gift-wrapping
wrap, too. “By using my kids art on the outside of their gift, they get a little glimpse into my kids’ creativity and can elect to save it for their walls or keepsake folder if they so choose,” says Britton. Sweet inspiration. Add some holiday flair to your gift giving by adding some sweets to the top of the package. Tie different candies to the gifts’ bows and ribbons. Candy choices include candy canes, lollipops, Pez dispensers or mesh bags filled with small chocolates or gummy bears. Cookie-cutter creations. While you don’t want “cookie cutter” holiday wrap, it’s fun and creative to make gift tags by tracing cookie cutter designs onto card stock or plain gift wrap. Consider using cookie cutter designs like stars, trees, snowmen and angels. Then cut, glue, layer and decorate the cutouts any way you want before affixing them to the present. Season’s greetings. Got a stack of last year’s used or unused holiday cards? Give those festive designs a new purpose by trimming the wording, images or characters from the cards and turning them into gift tags. For example, cut out a card’s sparkly tree and glue the cutout to the wrap. From the texture of the cardstock to the color of the images, this form of upcycling can really dress up a gift. Add some shine. Tie an ornament to the top of the gift or tuck one onto the handles of a gift bag. The ornaments can be standard fare or personalized. Either way, they’ll look great
Holiday Dining and Gift Guide - November 23, 2023
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on the gift and can be reused on the tree, year after year. Get scrappy. Use scrapbook paper and stickers to create your own gift labels or to decorate wrapping paper and gift bags. Since scrapbook paper is generally made of a thicker cardstock, it holds up well when used alone, or glued or taped to wrapping paper. Pick a theme. Choose one color, texture or pattern as a gift-wrap look with maximum impact. For example, wrap gifts in one color like festive red; focus on the feel of your wrap using smooth paper and satin ribbons; or choose a pattern such as snowmen or reindeer to unify your gifts. Eco-friendly. “Since I don’t get to wrap gifts often, I like to be creative and eco-friendly by using either chic, reusable tote bags, colorful scarves or old, patterned shirts,” says DIY fashion blogger Tanya Thamkruphat. Use your own fabrics, or buy them. Some retailers sell fabric wraps to easily and stylishly cover a gift. Wrap presents in these sparkling gift boxes, which you can make using a few craft supplies.
To Advertise : 516-569-4000
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Temple Beth Am
The Reform Jewish Congregation of Merrick & Bellmore 2377 Merrick Avenue, Merrick NY MICHAEL BAUM, RABBI / DIR. OF EDUCATION DANIEL ROSENFELD, CANTOR RONALD BROWN AND PAUL KUSHNER z”l., RABBI EMERITI
Happy Chanukah
Torah for Tots (ages 3-4)
Festive Holiday events
Award winning Hebrew School with certified teachers
Adult Education Discounted rates for our Social Hall
Youth Groups for ages 10-18
Interfaith families welcome
Family Shabbat dinners and Services lead by our dynamic clergy
We have the "Give from the Heart pledge model"
516-378-3477 www.templebethammerrick.org liherald.com
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
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November 23, 2023 - Holiday Dining and Gift Guide
Now Hiring for School & Camp, Full Time and Part Time
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To Advertise : 516-569-4000