Wrapper's Delight

Alejandra is wrapping to the beat, yes, yes, y'all! She's got mad skills and shares them so that your wrapping will indeed delight!

Maker's Mark Egg Nog Recipe

Anthony show how to make Maker's Mark Egg Nog.

How To Find Last-Minute Christmas Gifts

Madeline offers her tips on how to make it through the last big shopping hurrah of 2007, and shares her discovery of a place every eclectic gifter should consider when hunting for those last-minute stocking stuffers and hidden treasures: The used bookstore! We spent the afternoon at The Frugal Muse in Madison, Wisconsin, and Madeline found some incredible and economical gifts. What will you find?

Ultimate Cheese Ball Recipe

This is the Ultimate Cheese Ball Recipe. It's as beautiful as it is delicious. People will rave at your next party. This recipe uses a few different types of cheeses, but it's as simple as any recipe. Serve this cheese ball with crackers and it will be a big hit at your next party. Its a perfect appetizer at holiday and Christmas parties or even as a Christmas dinner recipe. Enjoy Rita's Ultimate Cheese Ball.

Rudolf's Christmas Cookies Recipe

The holiday season is here - time for Christmas cookies. This recipe video shows you how to make these special treats. They remind me of Rudolf and so I thought I would call them Rudolf's Christmas Cookies. I hope you like them. Enjoy!

How To Wrap A Box With A Square End

VideoJug: How To Wrap A Box With A Square End
Arona Khan shows us how to gift wrap a box with a square end. The perfect guidelines to wrapping a present this Christmas. The same technique can be used for birthdays or any other special celebrations.

Deviled Eggs Recipe

An age old favorite deviled eggs are the perfect tangy appetizer for Christmas.

Panettone Bread Pudding Recipe

Chef Keith Snow from Harvest Eating.com creates an Italian holiday dessert.

Baked Egg Nog French Toast Recipe

Make this Baked Egg Nog French Toast recipe on Christmas Eve and refrigerate; then, it's ready to bake on Christmas morning!

For the complete recipe, visit: http://www.rhodesbread.com/recipes/bakedeggnogfrenchtoast.html

Pineapple Glazed Yams Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 8+

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15.25 oz. or 20 oz.) Del Monte Pineapple Chunks in its own juice
• 1-1/2 lb. sweet potatoes or yams, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1/3 cup seedless raisins or drained cranberries
• 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375˚F
2. Drain pineapple; reserve 1/4 cup juice
3. Combine reserved juice, sweet potatoes, raisins, sigar, butter and cinnamon in a greased 9-inch square or 2-qt. baking dish
4. Cover and bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes or until potatoes are tender
5. Stir in pineapple and continue baking, uncovered for 5 minutes

Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Calories 210
Total Fat 6g
Saturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 100mg
Carbohydrates 39g
Fiber 3g
Protein 1g

% Daily Value

Vitamin A 280%
Vitamin C 30%
Calcium 4%
Iron 6%

Courtesy of Del Monte Just One More for Healthy Living™

Just One More for Healthy Living is a program is designed to encourage families to eat just one more serving or fruits and vegetables daily, and just one more serving of lean protein weekly. They are manageable steps that can really help improve your families overall health and energy (http://www.eatjustonemore.com/).

Del Monte Organic Southwest Cornbread Stuffing

Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cooking Time: 40 Minutes
Servings: 10+

Ingredients:

• 2 cups onion, chopped
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• ¼ cup butter or margarine
• 1 can (14-1/2 oz.) College Inn Organic Chicken Broth
• 1 can (14-1/4 oz.) Del Monte Organic Whole Kernel Golden Sweet Corn, drained
• 1 can (7 oz.) green chilies, diced, drained
• 3 Tbsp. parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. oregano
• 6 cups dry cornbread stuffing crumbs
• 1/2 cup pecan pierces, chopped

Directions:

Cook onion and celery in butter in large Dutch oven until tender Stir in chicken broth, corn, chilies, parsley, poultry seasoning, salt and oregano; mix well Add cornbread crumbs and nuts; toss to moisten evenly Spoon into covered casserole and bake at 350˚F, 30 minutes or until heated through, or use to stuff 12 to 15lb turkey


Nutritional Information: (per serving)

Calories 290
Total Fat 8g
Saturated Fat 1g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 1210mg
Carbohydrates 48g
Fiber 8g
Protein 7g


% Daily Value

Vitamin A 4%
Vitamin C 10%
Calcium 6%
Iron 15%

Courtesy of Del Monte Just One More for Healthy Living™

Just One More for Healthy Living is a program is designed to encourage families to eat just one more serving or fruits and vegetables daily, and just one more serving of lean protein weekly. They are manageable steps that can really help improve your families overall health and energy (http://www.eatjustonemore.com/).

No Bake Sweet Potato Recipe

A delicious alternative to a Holiday favorite

Picking the Right Christmas Tree

Christmas trees may all look similar, but picking the perfect tree for your home isn't as easy as it might seem. Meghan Carter of AsktheDecorator.com visits a Christmas tree farm to discover the best way to pick out the perfect Christmas tree for your home.

Last Minute Gift Idea: Magazine Subscriptions

Have someone who’s particularly hard to buy for? How about a magazine subscription? Amazon.com has over 150 magazines with an instant $5 rebate. Choose from top titles like Good Housekeeping, Marie Claire, Self, and more. Plus, you can let them know about their gift right away with a printable, customized gift card or an e-card.

Magazine Subscriptions are available at Amazon.com.

How to Carve a Turkey

How to Carve a Turkey. After hours of prepping and cooking your turkey, you’ll want to make sure that you carve it in a way so that it looks its best and you get the most meat from the bird.

Last Minute Gift Idea: Amazon.com Gift Certificate

Amazon.com Gift Cards are always the perfect gift, redeemable for millions of items on the Amazon.com Web site. They can be sent via email or an e-card. Amazon.com Gift Cards never expire. They are available in any amount from $5 to $5000.

Amazon.com Gift Cards are available at Amazon.com.

Sweet Potato Puff with Crunchy Praline Topping Recipe

How to make Sweet Potato Puff with Crunchy Praline Topping. Sweet potato puff with a crunchy praline topping is the perfect side dish to roasted turkey.

Secrets to Serving Prime Rib for the Holidays

For all the fuss made over the stress, commercialism and frenzy of the holiday season, Americans might not give themselves enough credit for one overlooked fact. “It takes a good sense of humor to get through two months of turkey … and leftovers, leftovers, leftovers,” says Chef Anthony Sobiech.

The solution to the turkey doldrums, however, is actually very simple, he adds. Spice up your holiday meals by substituting another favorite main dish – like beef – for Christmas or New Year’s dinner. On average, Americans eat more than 67 pounds of beef in a year, according to the Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service.

Prime rib is a favorite cut that lends itself particularly well to holiday entertaining, says Sobiech, who is the corporate executive chef of Montana Legend, a purveyor of gourmet dry-aged Angus beef that sells directly to consumers and leading restaurants across the country. “When it comes to holiday meals, prime rib can be a winner every time; it’s luxurious, delicious and definitely says ‘special occasion’ the way a holiday meal should,” he says.

Chef Sobiech offers some tips for making prime rib the star of your holiday table:

How to Choose the Right Rib

* Three basic USDA grades of beef can be found in your grocer’s refrigerated case: prime, choice and select. Prime will, of course, be the best with lots of the marbling that makes beef tender and juicy. Choice will be nearly as good and probably less costly.

* Steer clear of meat that has not been aged. Instead, look for beef that has been dry aged – stored in a sterile, open-air environment at temperatures between 34 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Dry aging tenderizes the meat and enhances the beef flavor. Montana Legend offers prime rib that has been dry aged for 28 days.

* The best cuts rarely end up in the supermarket. Look for a specialty gourmet store or online purveyors who will ship directly to your door, like Montana Legend. Starting out with a better cut of meat can help ensure better results.


Tips for Preparing the Perfect Prime Rib

* Remove the meat from the refrigerator and let it stand at room temperature for at least two hours before preparing to roast it.

* Don’t trim off the fat. The fat melts during the roasting process and will baste the meat. If you prefer less fat, trim it off after cooking.

* Season the roast generously. Sobiech favors a rub of vegetable or olive oil followed by coarse kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

* Sear the roast before putting it in the oven. Using a heavy roasting pan or sauté pan, add a small amount of oil and heat on medium high until the oil just starts to smoke. Thoroughly sear the roast on all sides (including the ends) until the meat takes on a dark caramel brown color, about four minutes per side. Do not brown the side where the ribs were attached.

* Place a wire rack, or large pieces of celery, onions and carrots on the bottom of the roast pan. Do not place the meat directly on the roasting pan.

* Cook the prime rib at 250 degrees for about 20 minutes per pound, then check the temperature. It will likely take longer to cook, but start with this time and then check every 15 minutes after that to ensure you don’t overcook the roast. Use an instant read or other meat thermometer, placed in the thickest part of the roast, to ensure doneness. Remove the roast when the thermometer reads 122 degrees for medium rare to medium or 130 degrees for medium to medium well.

* Remove the cooked roast from the oven, cover it loosely with aluminum foil and let it stand for at least 30 minutes and up to an hour. This ensures the juices remain in the roast and are not lost once it’s sliced.

“To accommodate doneness preferences, remember that the ends of the roast will be more done than the center, so serve those parts to guests who prefer their meat a bit more done,” says Sobiech. “Save the center for those who love medium rare.”

Here’s a recipe for a side dish that will perfectly complement your prime rib holiday meal:


Wilted Spinach with Pancetta and Garlic

Yield: 10 servings


Ingredients:

3 ounces sliced Pancetta (about three slices)

1 ounce olive oil

1 ounce onion, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 pounds leaf spinach, stems removed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese


Directions:

In a large saute pan, saute the pancetta in the olive oil until brown and just crispy. Add the onion and garlic and sweat. Add the spinach and saute until just wilted.

Season with salt, pepper and Parmesan cheese and serve immediately.



Glazed Carrots

Yield: 10 servings


Ingredients:

3 ounces butter

2 pounds carrots, cut oblique, batonnet, or sliced

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon brown sugar

12 ounces chicken stock

salt to taste

white pepper to taste


Directions:

In a medium saute pan, melt the butter and add the carrots. Sweat the carrots; they will turn a bright orange. Add the sugar, brown sugar, salt, pepper and stock and bring to a simmer. Cover and cook until the carrots are almost done, about 10 minutes. Remove the cover and allow the liquids to reduce to a glaze

Note: If the carrots are done before the glaze reduces, remove the carrots, reduce the liquid and then add the carrots back

To learn more about gourmet dry-aged beef, visit www.montanalegend.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tasty Tips for Last-minute Bakers

The holiday baking frenzy is in full swing. Get out your measuring cups and a mixing bowl -- with a few helpful tips and these fool-proof recipes, your baking endeavors are sure to be a delicious success.

Award-winning pastry chef Mindy Segal, owner of HotChocolate restaurant in Chicago, shares her favorite holiday recipe for Gingersnap Cookies. Five different spices, including a pinch of pepper and a generous dose of ginger, give these buttery little cookies a flavorful kick.

Coffee lovers will enjoy the Whole-Wheat Caramel Lattes. This thumbprint cookie has a rich dough with hints of coffee, a caramel filling and is topped with a chocolate-covered coffee bean.

Before the baking begins, here are some tips to help deliver tasty results:

* Baking is a science; the more accurate your ingredient measurements, the better your end product.

* Never use spreads or margarine to replace butter in a recipe. Spreads contain less fat and more water than butter and will not perform the same.

* Keep your cookie dough chilled in between baking batches. Only work with one small piece of dough at a time; keep remaining dough in the refrigerator.

* Prevent cookies from sticking to baking sheets by covering sheets with a layer of parchment paper or greasing the sheet with butter.

* Cookies turn out best when the dough is placed on cool cookie sheets.

* Store soft cookies in a container with a tight lid, and crisp cookies in a container with a loose lid.


Visit http://www.butterisbest.com/ for more baking tips and delicious holiday cookie recipes made with real butter. Here are some tasty recipes you may want to try:


Gingersnap Cookies (Makes 4 dozen cookies)
by Chef Mindy Segal

Ingredients:

1/2 cup (1 stick) plus 2 tablespoons butter, softened

1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar

1/4 cup molasses

1 egg

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

2 3/4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided

2 teaspoons ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon finely ground black pepper

1/2 cup sugar


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream butter and dark brown sugar; add molasses and beat until blended. Add egg and mix until combined.

Combine flour, baking soda, 3/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon and ginger, cloves, nutmeg and pepper in a separate bowl; add to butter mixture and mix well.

In a small bowl, combine remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar. Shape dough into 1-inch balls, then roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. Place dough on parchment-lined cookie sheets.

Bake 10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Store cookies in an air-tight container at room temperature for up to one week.


Whole Wheat Caramel Lattes (Makes 3 dozen cookies)

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup café mocha instant coffee crystals

1 egg

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups whole-wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

18 caramels

1 tablespoon heavy cream

42 chocolate-covered coffee beans


Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, cream butter, sugar and instant coffee crystals together until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla; beat until blended. Combine flours in a separate bowl and add to butter mixture; mix well.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheets. Press thumb into cookie center. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until cookies begin to brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

In a small saucepan over low heat, heat caramels and cream; stirring frequently. Using a teaspoon, drop melted caramel into each thumbprint, placing a chocolate-covered coffee bean on caramel immediately.

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Engraved Wine Tool Set

Personalize it! Adding your sentiments to the handle of the stainless steel corkscrew adds the personal touch that everyone desires. Also included are a stainless steel drip ring and cosmopolitan bottle stopper. The cylindrical case ensures a good impression. Gift wrapped.

Engraved Wine Tool Set is available at GiftTree.

Eggnog Grog Recipe

How to make eggnog. Eggnog is a rich and delicious treat at any winter party. It dates back to colonial America and our first President George Washington was quite a fan.

Time to Install Those Holiday Lights! Tips to Do It Safely

It's that time of year - time to install lights inside and outside your home. Nothing puts you and your neighbors in the holiday spirit like a vibrant and colorful display. But, this time of year also means a huge increase in home fires -- many being caused by a host of electrical fires stemming for holiday decorations. Timothy Clark, Creative Director at ConstructionDeal.com, reiterates that, "when getting into the holiday spirit, safety should always be the main priority."

Here are some tips to make sure you, your family, and your house remain safe when decorating for the holidays:

Electrical Tips

• Make sure all your outlets have no cracks. You shouldn't have to force a plug into any socket. If the socket is loose, this can cause problems from shocks or fire.
• Your outlets can handle about 15 to 20 amps - don't plug in every light string or decoration into one outlet. Mix it up and move cords to other outlets. 25 Christmas light bulbs are 1.135 amps. 50 lights are 2.270. An 18 amp outlet can handle about 380 normal (C7) lights. Add more than that and you could have a fire hazard. 300 mini lights is usually 1 amp.
• Check all your cords for frays, splits, or damage. Don't use them if they're damaged. Don't tape them up and hope for the best. And don't run extension cords under carpeting or rugs. Try not to use extension cords that are still rolled up - either use a shorter cord or extend it out completely.
• For outdoor lights, use an extension cord rated for the outdoors.
• Never remove a 3rd pin in a cord to make it fit into a 2 pin socket. That's a recipe for disaster.
• Keep lights away from electrical & gas heaters, fireplaces, candles, or other heat sources.

Hanging Your Lights

• Don't hang holiday lights on sharp hooks . Don't pound nails or hooks in through the light cords. Avoid stapling around or on the cords.
• Do not run cords through doors and windows and close them on the light cords. Crimping the cords is a fire hazard.
• Make sure the lights are unplugged BEFORE you try to replace any burned out bulbs.
• Many accidents occur when people are climbing on ladders up their roofs - make sure someone holds your ladder when you're on it. Don't climb to the top two steps. Get a taller ladder. Don't put your ladder in mud or loose dirt, and don't lean your ladder against doors or windows.
• Replace burnt out bulbs promptly. Make sure the replacements are the same wattage.
• Make sure the lights used outdoors are also rated as outdoor lights. Crazy weather arrives across the country in the month of December and you don't want indoor lights out in the elements.
• All outdoor lights need to be plugged into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). There are portable ones that you can buy at a hardware store, or you can have them permanently installed by an electrician.
• Make sure your holiday lights are off while you sleep or away from the house. You can use a timer so that they turn off the same time each day and night.

Good luck with your lighting displays. If you don't feel comfortable installing your lights - ConstructionDeal.com can help you find a local professional to install them. Post your lighting project for free on the ConstructionDeal.com site to be matched with quality handyman or electrician in your area.

About ConstructionDeal.com
ConstructionDeal.com helps homeowners and business owners get their projects done. Since 2004, they have developed a nationwide network of quality contractors and service professionals ready to help these project owners. People can post residential and commercial requests for free and are connected to local experts, usually within 24 to 48 hours. Construction Deal.com, a trusted member of the Better Business Bureau, is the fastest growing contractor referral service in the industry.

Source: PRWeb

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Christina Aguilera

Watch Christina Aguilera perform 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' from her CD My Kind of Christmas.

The Holiday

"The Holiday" centers on an American woman (Cameron Diaz) with man troubles who crosses paths with a British villager (Kate Winslet) with similar problems.

In Nancy Meyers' The Holiday, two women on opposite sides of the globe, Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) and Iris Simpkins (Kate Winslet) find themselves in a similar predicament. Desperate for a change of scenery, the two women meet on the internet and swap houses for the Christmas holiday discovering that a change of address really can change your life.

The Holiday is available on DVD at Amazon.com.

Christmas: Make It Sparkle--225 Simple Crafts, Food & Decorating Ideas

Christmas Make it Sparkle is a wonderful book filled with 225 simple, crafts, food and decorating ideas for your holiday home. Christmas is the most beautiful time of the year. Colored lights shimmer in neighborhood windows, fresh evergreens are adorned with glittering ornaments, and snow glistens. You can see the excitement in the little eyes that twinkle throughout the season. Your holiday home becomes the focal point for all of this marvelous activity and you want to share your talents with the ones you love. In this gook you'll find ideas for beautiful ornaments and tree decorations, glorious wreaths and centerpieces, memorable handmade greeting cards, delicious recipes, stunningly simple decorations, clever gifts for everyone on your holiday list, and unique lighting ideas. All of the easy to make projects, recipes and ideas will help make your holiday just a little brighter. So as you reflect upon this most beautiful time of the year, take time to feel the warmth of the season in your home, and in your heart, as you make this Christmas one that sparkles.

Available at Amazon.com.

Chocolate Cookie Bark Recipe

Here's a treat: not just cookie bark but chocolate cookie bark. This recipe is great for the holidays or any time.

Ingredients:
8 squares of baker’s semi sweet chocolate
6 squares of bakers white chocolate
2 tsp. Peanut butter
Oreo cookies

Directions:
Melt chocolate in microwave in separate bowls mix in your peanut butter with the white chocolate. Mix in 10 coarsely chopped Oreo cookies evenly in to each bowl cover a baking sheet in wax paper now drop spoons full of dark chocolate then drop the white chocolate on to the dark. Take a knife and draw it through your chocolate to get the marble look. Place in fridge for an hour once cooled enjoy.

Golfer's Kit with Monogrammed Ball Marker

Our Golfer's Kit is proud to be above par. Included are 2 tees, divot tool, and monogrammed ball marker. Everything neat and compact in a pocketed leather case that can be clipped to any golf bag or belt. Use it to store business cards or a little cash for the 19th hole. Gift wrapped.

Golfer's Kit with Monogrammed Ball Marker is available at GiftTree.

Green Chili Canes Recipe

Add a holiday twist to Rhodes breadsticks with these festive Green Chili Canes shaped like a shepherd's hook.

Directions:
Take 24 thawed dinner rolls and roll them up in to a ball and smooth them out in to 2rectangles, that’s 12 rolls per rectangle. Spread melted butter on both of your rectangles. Take cheese and chili, and sprinkle them on one of your rectangles. Flip the other rectangle butter side down on top of your cheese and chili mix. Pinch the edges to keep the chili and cheese in. with a pizza cutter cut 12 strips. Take a baking sheet that has been sprayed with a none stick spray, separate the strips and twist them then place on the baking sheet. If you want a festive look bend it to look like a cane. Then sprinkle with parmesan cheese on top let them bake for 15-20min at 350 degrees.

Gingerbread House Kit

Start a sweet tradition this holiday season with a gingerbread house that you build and decorate yourself! Pre-cut house pieces, frosting mix to adhere pieces together and to decorate, colorful hard candies, and a plump gingerbread man will arrive in an adorable polka dot box, ready to be the centerpiece of family fun.

Gingerbread House Kit is available at GiftTree.com.

Christmas Card Displays

A space-saving technique to show off your holiday cards.

How To Glam Up Your Gifts

VideoJug: How To Glam Up Your Gifts
Glam Up Your Gifts. Arona Khan shows us how to use simple decorations to add a touch of class to your gifts.

Last-Minute Gifts

Learn how to create pretty gift jars for your friends.

How To Make A Christmas Card Using Wrapping Paper

VideoJug: How To Make A Xmas Card Using Wrapping Paper
Make a stylish Christmas card using bits of leftover wrapping paper. Environmental conscious, and will save you that extra money during the winter months.

A Fun Holiday Menu

Add a special touch to your meal with a printed menu.

How To Make A Decorative Bow Out Of Ribbons

VideoJug: How To Make A Decorative Bow Out Of Ribbons
Make a Decorative Bow Out of Ribbons. Arona Khan shows us how to make an elegant bow to decorate a gift.

Christmas Wreath Bow

Follow along with Nancy and learn how to attach a bow on your beautiful Christmas wreath.

How to Cut Calories, But Not Your Fun during the Holidays

You may relish holiday office parties, neighborhood gatherings, family meals and the annual New Year’s Eve bash. But how happy will your holidays really be if all those extra calories you consume during seasonal festivities go straight to the portion of your anatomy that could least use the extra padding?

Holiday weight gain will be an unpleasant reality for many Americans this year. It is possible, however, to trim the calories and still enjoy holiday merriment. Just keep in mind these “Four Cs” to help curtail calories at holiday parties, Weight Watchers advises:

1. Cocktails

Some people forget to keep tabs on liquid calories. Since they don’t usually make you feel full, it’s easy to forget that holiday spirits and cocktails can be high in calories. To limit liquid calories, keep sugary mixers like Triple Sec, Grand Marnier and Crème de Menthe to a minimum. Opt instead for lower-calorie substitutions.

For example, instead of a cosmopolitan, which packs 179 calories in just 3 ounces, go for a mimosa that offers just 105 calories in 6 ounces. Spiced tea with an ounce of rum adds up to just 70 calories and is a good replacement for eggnog, which pours on 186 calories per half-cup serving.

2. Cookies

Santa Claus isn’t the only one who loves holiday cookies. They are a seasonal “must have” for many. Don’t deprive yourself completely; deprivation tends to lead to overindulgence. Pick one cookie and savor it. To create a little more cookie control, bring your own renovated recipe, and follow these tips to lighten up these holiday favorites:

* Top it – Sprinkle chocolate chips, nuts or dried fruit on top of cookies instead of mixing them into the batter. This will reduce the amount used of these high-calorie add-ons.

* Toast it – Bring out the flavor of nuts or coconuts by toasting them before adding them into the recipe. This will also allow you to use less of them.

* Substitute it – Egg and sugar substitutes can help reduce calories and fat.

* Shrink it – Cut calories in half by reducing the size of the cookie, so you can still enjoy the flavors of your favorite holiday treat.

3. Candy

Chocolate goes with the holidays like Santa and his red suit. But you’ll consume fewer calories and feel satisfied longer if you substitute a long-lasting holiday candy, like a candy cane, for chocolates. Also, look for ways to incorporate sensible snacks with a touch of indulgence, such as chocolate-dipped pretzels.

4. Couture

Don’t bow to baggy sweaters and stretchy fabrics that make it easier to overlook your figure flaws. You might think twice about grazing at the holiday party buffet if you’re wearing your “skinny” jeans. Also, buy a party dress or a fantastic outfit that makes you feel great now and hang it on the bathroom door as a reminder that you want to look and feel your best this season. For instant inspiration, you can find tips to dressing “five pounds lighter” on WeightWatchers.com.

For more help managing holiday calories, visit www.weightwatchers.com, and try this reduced-calorie holiday treat:

Classic Sugar Cookies

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Neufchatel cheese
1 cup sugar, granulated
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 large egg(s)
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk
1 tsp all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar, colored (for decorating)

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Set aside. Place butter and cheese in a large bowl, and cream using an electric mixer. Add sugar and beat until batter is pale yellow. Beat in vanilla extract and egg.

Add about 1/3 of flour mixture and 1/3 of milk to cheese mixture. Mix batter on low speed until just combined. Repeat with remaining flour and cheese mixtures.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Christmas Bow and Wreath

This video shows how to make a Christmas bow and wreath.

Pie Pastry Dough Recipe

During the busy Christmas season a pie pastry dough recipe is a must have!

Ingredients:
1 cup Flour
2 tsp. sugar
¼ tsp. Salt
¼ cup butter
1 tbsp. Shorting
1 egg yoke
2 tbsp. water

Directions:
In a food processor add Flour, sugar, Salt. Pulse for about 2 sec to mix the dry ingredients, now add your butter and shorting pulse for 8 sec or until its crumbly. In a separate bowl mix 1 egg yoke and 2 tbsp. of water. Spread over the flour mixture so it’s even now pulse for 8 sec until the mixture pulls away from the sides of the bowl and sticks together. Remove the dough, cover and chill for half and hour. Cover your workstation and rolling pin in flour then roll the dough to the proper size.

How to wrap your holiday gifts

Learn how to wrap your Christmas presents so that they look pretty and professional.

Sugar Cookies Recipe

A Christmas video recipe on how to make sugar cookies. Sugar Cookies are a must have for any Holiday Kitchen.

Ingredients:
1 cup softened butter
1½ cup confectioner’s sugar
2 tsp. Vanilla extract
½ tsp. Almond extract
1 egg
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. cream of tarter
¼ tsp. salt

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees in a large mixer bowl add your butter, sugar, vanilla, almond extract, and an egg. Stir until well mixed. In a second bowl mix flour, baking soda, cream of tarter, and salt stir just to combine, divide the dough in half, cover and refrigerate for half an hour. On a lightly floured workstation roll the dough to a ¼ inch thick, cut the dough in to desired shapes place on parchment covered cookie sheets separate them about an inch apart cover in granulated sugar or colored sugar bake for 7-8min or until the edges are light brown. Once done place on cooling racks.

Decorating with pinecones

Add natural beauty to your home with pinecones! We'll show you how to make a beautiful garland and a front door swag.

White Chocolate Oatmeal Cranberry Recipe

These cookies are perfect for Christmas, the white chips and cranberries make for a very festive look.

Ingredients:
2/3 cup butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 ½ cup oats
1 ½ cup flour
1 tsp. Baking soda
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 bag of cranberries
2/3 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees using a mixer beat in your butter and brown sugar until it is light and fluffy add the eggs, now add the oats and mix. Now add the flour, baking soda and salt. Next add the cranberries and white chocolate chips along with the chopped walnuts. Place rolled up cookie mix on no greased cookie sheet, now bake for ten to twelve min or until golden brown

Homemade Wrapping Paper

How to you newspaper and more to creatve festive wrapping paper.

Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Every Christmas cook needs a gingerbread cookie.

Ingredients:
5 cup flour
2 tbsp. ground ginger
1½ tsp. Baking soda
1 tsp. Ground cloves
½ tsp. Salt
1 cup Granulated sugar
1 cup Shorting
1 egg
1 cup of molasses
2 tbsp. vinegar

Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl mix the flour, ground ginger, baking soda, and the ground cloves along with salt and mix only to combine. In a mixing bowl with a flat beater attached add the sugar and shorting mix until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, molasses and the vinegar. Now mix in the flour mixture. Divide the dough in to three discs and wrap with plastic. Refrigerate the dough for at least on hour. Once the dough is chilled flour your workstation and your rolling pin, work with on disc at a time. Roll your dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Using your cookie cutters cut out the shapes place them 2 inches apart on a baking sheet the cookies will take about five min to cook. Once done let them cool then decorate your gingerbread cookies.

Quick Centerpieces

A fast and fruity table decoration.