MESSENGER POST MEDIA

welcome in the holidays...

HOLIDAY
gift guide 2019

ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT to MESSENGER POST MEDIA for the week of November 24, 2019
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Start a
holiday tradition
ANYTHING THAT MAKES MEMORIES IS A GOOD IDEA, EXPERTS SAY
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW

From cookie baking to game night, read-aloud storytimes to cutting

down your own Christmas tree, family traditions create memories,
teach values and bring a sense of belonging and connectedness.
Think of them as the glue that keeps families together — from when
children are small and as they grow, leave home and start their own
families.
“A tradition can be something simple that happens frequently, such
as going to get a hot chocolate after a sports game. Other traditions
may only take place once a year and are more elaborate, like the large
holiday family dinner that is always at grandma’s house,” said Mary Dell
Harrington and Lisa Heffernan, co-founders of Grown and Flown, an
online community for parents of teens and young adults.
“Traditions evoke memories that are multi-sensory, such as how the
turkey smells at Thanksgiving or how hot the sand feels on a beach
vacation. These memories of family traditions may represent some
of the happiest times in a one’s life and serve as reminders of family
closeness,” said Harrington and Heffernan, co-authors of Grown &
Flown: How to Support Your Teen, Stay Close as a Family and Raise
Independent Adults.
Starting a tradition may be easier when children are small, and parents To keep traditions alive families need to be flexible, especially as
are in control of the family calendar. As kids and teens grow, they can children grow up and apart as kids leave home. “If traditions begin to
take part in planning new traditions. “For example, board games are feel restrictive rather than celebratory, it may be time to examine how
very popular and, if children want to begin a tradition of playing a to continue to embrace the spirit of the tradition while making small
game after a holiday dinner, give it a try. Learn the game and carve adjustments to the practice,” Harrington and Heffernan said. Parents
out time to play it with them. Nurture the tradition of time together. magazine suggests trying these traditions if you haven’t already:
Many family traditions revolve around food. “Food feels like family. 1. Count down to Christmas with an Advent or DIY calendar.
It’s what we first know. It’s what surrounds us: family, love, comfort, 2. Write letters to Santa.
security, home,” said Jorj Morgan, author of cooking, entertaining 3. Visit a Christmas tree farm.
and lifestyle books including Fresh Traditions: Classic Dishes for a
Contemporary Lifestyle. “We pass down family traditions because we 4. Trim the tree as a family.
want to surround our children and grandchildren with the feelings of 5. Start an ornament collection.
love and security those traditions gave us,” Morgan said. 6. Have the kids make a new decoration each year.
If your family wants to create a new family tradition include a 7. Set up a hot chocolate bar on Christmas Eve.
bit of humor, said Morgan, who shared a bit of family lore. Many
Thanksgivings ago, Morgan’s family walked into her mother’s home 8. Visit holiday lights in different neighborhoods.
and instantly knew something was off. “There was no turkey smell. It 9. Bake cookies with the kids.
was the year grandma forgot to cook the turkey! She had trimmed 10. Wear matching holiday pajamas.
it and put it in the oven but forgot to turn it on. Then she was busy
getting ready for all of us to show up and never noticed. So instead we 11. Take a holiday photo at the same time each year.
ate ham sandwiches for Thanksgiving dinner with all the sides. Now 12. Research other cultures’ holiday traditions and try one.
years later we have a baked ham in addition to turkey as a tribute to 13. Volunteer.
grandma and as a laugh,” Morgan said.
14. Ask everyone to contribute to a holiday playlist.
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holiday schedules
MAKING TIME TO SEE EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY IS TOUGH.
HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU GET . . .
BY MELISSA ERICKSON | MORE CONTENT NOW

Holidays can be an opportunity for disappointment for grandparents
who are left out of celebrations and gatherings. Survive the holiday
season with proper planning and the right attitude. “The holidays can
be hard to navigate. People can’t show up everywhere. Grandparents
understand their kids can’t always celebrate with them, but once
grandchildren enter the picture it becomes more fraught,” said
psychologist Dr. Laura Markham, author of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids:
How To Stop Yelling and Start Connecting.
“Keep in mind that families are different and the ways we celebrate
holidays and even what holidays we celebrate are very diverse,”
said Sheri Steinig, special projects director at Generations United, a
nonprofit that brings older adults and children together through a
variety of programs.
To survive the holidays with all parties on happy terms, grandparents
need to understand the many factors that come into play. Some
families successfully alternate holidays, while others celebrate with
only mom or dad’s side. Maybe a new baby changes travel plans or
some members are opting for a family vacation. Be grateful for what
time you do get, but don’t expect it will happen every year. You are
seeing your grandchildren based on their parents’ schedule.
It is important for grandparents to understand that parents are in the
challenging position of balancing multiple obligations and desires,
whether it is dealing with many sets of grandparents/siblings/other
family/friends, vacation plans, school or work schedules, health issues
and budgetary constraints.
The situation goes both ways, many grandparents also have to
make the decision about where to spend holidays and decide
among different children and sets of grandkids. Even if your
feelings are hurt, try not to take things personally. “Avoid making it
something it doesn’t have to be, because that can ruin relationships,”
Markham said. Even broaching the subject of where family will
spend holidays can be tense. Be calm and go in with a positive
attitude.
Open communication and flexibility are key. Both grandparents and
adult children need to be able to express their feelings … Remember,
just because families can’t be together on a holiday does not mean
that they love each other any less.
If you can’t be together in person, connect virtually. You can share
opening gifts or playing games or plan for a quiet time when family
members can have a meaningful conversation.
Being away from family on a holiday is lonely, but be sure to find a way
to meet your own needs. Create a new tradition — maybe a special
holiday trip or spa day with a friend. Do something that makes the
holiday feel special for you. The goal is to avoid feeling like a victim.
Families should focus on ways to build strong family connections
between grandparents and grandchildren not just during the holidays.
Look for ways to engage with other generations outside of your family
during the holidays and all year-round.
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holiday activities
TO ENGAGE WITH LOVED ONES
Any time can be the right time to enjoy
memorable moments with family members, but
the holidays present a special opportunity to
have meaningful conversations and interactions
with loved ones.
One of the best ways to spark creativity and
generate memories is through activities that
get the conversation started, whether it’s
remembering favorite moments from the past
or simply sharing notes of appreciation. This
holiday season, consider these activity ideas
from the Funeral and Memorial Information
Council, which created the “Have the Talk of
a Lifetime” initiative to encourage families to
facilitate conversations that become invaluable
when the time comes to honor a loved one.
While these conversations can be difficult to
engage in and even harder to begin, the natural
bonding moments that stem from activities like
these can help make the process easier.
Gratitude tree
Start a new tradition by creating a gratitude
tree, a simple decoration you can look forward
to using each year as a reminder of what you
and your family are thankful for.
To make a gratitude tree, collect twigs or items from moisture and mold then place a memorial tablecloth provides each person
branches, dry them out and cut them to the the container in a box that can be decorated an opportunity to personalize a piece of
desired lengths. Put the branches in a vase or and stored in a safe place with related popular decor. As you gather around the
decorative container. Punch holes at the tops of holiday decorations. Mark on the container table for holiday meals, ask each family
holiday-colored paper to be used as tags then the date it was created for future reference, member to jot down a favorite memory or
instruct guests to write what they’re grateful for and pack it with items like family-favorite something he or she is thankful for along
on each tag. recipes; notes about significant events from with a signature and date.
Take turns reading the tags and tie them to the that year like births, weddings, graduations You can make it an annual event by using
branches. Keep the handwritten tags in a safe and more; copies of newspapers detailing the same tablecloth each year and, before
place until they can be read again each holiday high-profile happenings; and pictures, long, it will be filled with personal memories
season. Over the years, as the tree fills up, you’ll drawings and notes from the year. as a way to cherish relationships as time
have a lifetime of memories to share. If you’re patient enough to wait, try leaving goes on. Just use an appropriately sized,
Time capsule the contents undisturbed for at least five inexpensive white canvas drop cloth. Place
Making a holiday-inspired time capsule can years to give the memories even more fabric markers in the center of the table
help strengthen family bonds while preserving meaning when the time comes to relive before inviting guests to participate, and
treasured memories and creating opportunities those special moments. to help distinguish each year, try using
for future holidays when it’s time to reopen the Memories tablecloth different colored markers.
contents. To help keep important family footnotes For more ways to celebrate with your loved
Use a sealed container or plastic bag to protect front and center during future celebrations, ones at talkofalifetime.org. [FAMILY FEATURES]
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did you know?

Nineteenth century political cartoonist Thomas Nast was among
the most influential people of his time, and chances are he’s still
influencing the lives of millions of young people today, more than
a century after his death. In addition to his political cartoons, which
historians feel are invaluable tools in helping to understand how
nineteenth century Americans felt about their country’s civil war, Nast
created the now-iconic image of Santa Claus. Nast, who was born
in 1840, created the image in 1863 after his wife read him Clement
Clark Moore’s poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas.” Though the image
of Santa Claus has evolved from Nast’s original in 1863, he is credited
with forming the basis of the popular depictions of Santa that have
become synonymous with the holiday season.
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holiday desserts
FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Over time, many families tend to return to the same holiday favorites, from
ham and mashed potatoes to pies and cookie classics. This season, you can
add a twist to tradition with these globally inspired desserts.
Rugelach, for instance, is like a cross between a croissant and a cookie
featuring walnuts for a nutty flavor and crunch with ties to Greece, Turkey
and the Middle East. If you’re looking to steal the show at cookie exchanges,
Mexican Wedding Cookies provide a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture
perfect for dipping in hot chocolate. Both treats include California walnuts,
which have an agricultural history deeply rooted in tradition and can
stand alone as a tasty snack or offer an opportunity to level up dishes from
appetizers to desserts.
RUGELACH
Dough:
1/2 C. (1 stick) unsalted
butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 T. granulated sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. salt Mexican Wedding Cookies
1 C. flour 2 C. walnuts, toasted, divided
2 C. all-purpose flour
Filling: 3/4 t. salt
1/3 C. granulated sugar 1 C. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 T. ground cinnamon 1/3 C. granulated sugar
1/2 C. apricot jam 1 1/2 t. vanilla extract
1 C. finely chopped walnuts 1 1/2 C. powdered sugar, plus additional (optional)
1/2 C. raisins, chopped Heat oven to 325°. Adjust oven racks to upper-middle
2 T. unsalted butter melted and lower-middle positions. Line two baking sheets with
To make dough beat butter, cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and salt until light parchment paper or silicone mats. In food processor, finely
and fluffy in large bowl, using electric mixer on medium speed, about 5 grind 1 cup walnuts for 10-15 seconds. Transfer to medium
minutes. Scrape sides of bowl and beaters as necessary. Reduce speed and bowl. In food processor, pulse remaining walnuts about 5
slowly mix in flour, about 30 seconds. On floured work surface, form dough seconds. Add to medium bowl with finely ground walnuts.
into ball. Divide into two equal pieces. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and press Stir in flour and salt, set aside. Combine butter and granulated
into two disks. Refrigerate 30 minutes, or until firm. sugar. Beat 2 minutes, or until fluffy. Scrape sides of bowl. Add
To make filling: Heat oven to 375° and place racks at upper-middle and lower- vanilla, beat 1 minute. Add flour and walnut mixture, beat 30
middle positions. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. In small seconds, or until combined. Scrape down sides of bowl and
bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon; mix well and set aside. On lightly floured beaters, continue hand-mixing dough until well combined.
surface, roll out each piece of dough into 11-inch circles, about 1/4-inch thick. Working with 1 tablespoon dough at a time, roll into 1 1/4-
On each round, spread 1/4 cup jam and sprinkle 1/2 cup walnuts and 1/4 cup inch balls and arrange 1-inch apart on prepared baking sheets.
raisins. Evenly sprinkle 1 tablespoon cinnamon-sugar mixture on each disk. Bake until cookies are lightly golden brown, about 18 minutes,
Using knife, cut each round into 16 even wedges. Beginning at wide ends, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Remove cookies from
roll each wedge up into cookie. Place cookies on prepared baking sheet oven and cool on baking sheets 10 minutes. Transfer to wire
with pointed end underneath cookie. Space cookies about 2-inches apart. rack, cool completely. Roll cookies in powdered sugar. Before
Using pastry brush, brush melted butter over cookies; sprinkle remaining serving, re-roll cookies in powdered sugar, if desired. Makes 36
cinnamon-sugar over top. Bake cookies about 20 minutes until slightly puffed cookies.
and pale gold, rotating baking sheets halfway through. Transfer hot cookies Recipes courtesy of California Walnuts. Find more holiday dessert
to wire rack and allow to cool completely before serving. Makes 32 cookies. ideas at walnuts.org/holiday. [FAMILY FEATURES]
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holiday projects
FUN WAYS TO SPEND TIME WITH LOVED ONES THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
Are you looking for fun ways to spend time with loved ones this holiday
season? Crafting DIY decorations are a perfect way to do so, providing an
opportunity to get creative and make cheerful and festive pieces you’ll
cherish all season long.
Another perk of making delightful holiday creations is making memories
— which is what the season is really about. So, fill your mugs with cider or
hot cocoa and get ready for some holiday happiness!
PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees Centerpiece
Pro DIY tip: PEEPS® Marshmallow candies aren’t only a tasty treat, but
they’re also an adorable addition to crafts and recipes! With seasonal
marshmallow shapes such as snowmen, trees, reindeer and gingerbread
men — the opportunities to craft are endless. This fun and festive
centerpiece will be enjoyed by all of your guests this holiday season.
6x6” glass square vase • foam insert
faux or fresh greenery of your choice • Pinecones and berries
3 - 9 count packages of PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees
Stack PEEPS® Marshmallow Trees around the inside of the vase to fill up
the sides. Cut the foam insert so it fits nicely at the bottom of the vase.
Place your greenery into the foam and arrange to your taste. Add pine
cones and berries as accent pieces to complete your centerpiece.
Creative Globe Ornaments
These colorful baubles can be customized exactly as you desire. Have
fun being creative with your family and hanging them on the tree or on
garland. These also make a great gift!
Clear plastic ornaments with metal tops from a craft store • Ribbon
Paint, confetti, candy and other interesting extras for inside
Spread out newspaper or other covering to protect work surface. Add in
creative mixtures in the top hole. For example, add paint and swirl around,
add your favorite mixture of confetti or even sand and small shells from a
recent trip. Replace metal top with a dab of glue to adhere and add a bow
with ribbon. Use ribbon to hang ornament and enjoy!
No-Sew Sock Snowman head shape. Now glue the buttons to the bottom side by using a
This simple yet adorable doorstopper only requires a few items to bring glue gun. Add a ribbon for the scarf. Cut the colored sock (the foot
holiday cheer to your home! This craft is a great way to bond with your kids without the heel) and fold it to appear as a snow hat for the head
over a festive, yet functional item that can live in the kids’ bedrooms or in of your snowman. You can leave it as it is or you can secure it with
a common space for everyone to enjoy. This doorstopper will help bring some glue. Use markers or paint with colors of your choice to draw
your beloved outdoor snowman, indoors! eyes and a mouth on the face of the snowman. Glue a singular
1 white sock and 1 colored sock for the hat • Rice • Rubber bands (or thread) orange pom pom to the face of the snowman to represent a carrot
Colorful buttons • Ribbons • Hot glue gun • Markers or paint • Orange pom nose.
poms The holidays are a time to deck the halls and spend quality time with
Start by filling your white sock with rice. You will need a hefty amount. friends and family. With these three projects, you can to do both at
Once you are happy with the amount (and size) of your sock snowman the same time! For more craft ideas for the whole family, visit www.
tie the top with the rubber band. Take another rubber band and place in peepsbrand.com/recipes-crafts or follow the PEEPS® brand on
the middle — more to the upper side — of the rice filled sock to form the Pinterest. [BPT]
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