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Thursday, December 18, 2008
How to talk to kids about a slim Christmas
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
There is a lot less cheer in holiday giving this year, thanks to an economy in the tubes.
But how do you explain to your children that Santa may have to tighten his belt this Christmas?
A recent American Psychological Association survey found half of parents with children at home are stressed about not having enough money to buy gifts. The survey found that women are much more likely than men to worry about having enough money to buy gifts. Additionally, households with children are more likely to report anticipating stress this holiday season than those without.
AJC staff writer Helena Oliviero talked to parents about this issue and found a silver lining among the dark financial clouds. “For some, the slumping economy has shifted the focus away from the commercial to priceless family moments — such as singing Christmas carols, decorating gingerbread houses and visiting Nativity scenes — rekindling the true spirit of Christmas.”
Have you had to explain that there will be fewer or no gifts under the tree this Christmas? Are there other ways you can make this Christmas merry?
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Moms, share your favorite holiday recipes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’ve had bunches of requests for a day to share recipes, so here it is!
However, before we get started I need to tell you that the AJC is super picky about the recipes they generally run. They have to be tested, and they have to include all their nutrition information. So I might get into trouble since these are clearly rogue recipes. I cannot vouch for them in anyway. The AJC is not responsible for how well they turn out. Please use common sense when evaluating these recipes!
So without further ado, here are two recipes to get us started.
New Mom posted her triple chocolate cake recipe a few days ago and JJ has already adjusted it slightly and reposted. In case you missed it, here is JJ’s version of New Mom’s recipe:
1 box devils food cake mix
1 small box chocolate instant pudding
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips
1-3/4 C milk
2 eggs
Mix all ingredients together. Add the chocolate chips last, easier to stir (I stirred by hand).
Pour the mixture into a Bundt cake pan, bake at 350-degrees.
I ended up baking it 65 minutes. New Mom said to cook for 55minutes to an hour, but I ended up putting it back in for 10 minutes.
Also, her recipe did not add any vegetable oil. I ALWAYS thought you had to have oil in ALL cake recipes. I added about 1 tablespoon after it was all mixed up and in the pan. That may be why it took longer to cook.
If you serve it warm, the choc chips will be mushy. I prefer mine in the fridge for a couple of hours for the chips to harden up.
I have a super easy one to throw out too. MOMania’s fill-in host Keith told me this one yesterday on the phone. It came from her mom-friend Andi. It’s a great recipe for school parties, cookie swaps or last-minute presents.
1 bag of square pretzels
2 bags of red and white peppermint-flavored Hershey’s Kisses (I can’t find these on the Hershey’s site but Keith witnessed them with her own eyes so I guess they are being sold. But I think any small piece of chocolate would do.)
1 bag of red and green M&M’s
Cover the bottom of a brownie-type baking pan with a single layer of pretzels. Put one Kiss on top of each pretzel. Heat in a 250-degree oven until the Kiss gets mushy. You don’t want it to melt through the pretzel. You just want it to get soft. Pull them out of the oven and press one M&M on top of each Kiss. The Kiss should press down flat onto the pretzel. Let cool and it will all harden together. Keith said they were very tasty!
So, here’s your chance. Tell us your favorite, your fastest, your easiest, your get-you-out-of-a-pinch, your best recipes!
