With the current social climate regarding the COVID19 pandemic, it has left us collectively wondering how do we go about celebrating and appreciating each other in a safe way? Despite the negative circumstances, experiencing a life without regular contact makes us appreciate who we love the most – the Moms of the world. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to get creative about celebrating to ensure that all of the mothers out there feel just as loved and appreciated as all of the previous years.  

If you don’t live with your Mom, here are ideas for how you can celebrate Mother’s Day while staying safe! 

Drop off at your Mom’s door a basket of home-made (or store bought) goods for your Mom to enjoy!  

Mail your Mom her own personalized recipe book!

This is the perfect way to combine all of your Mom’s favourite recipes. You can create your own professional looking cookbook here! 

Have a ‘virtual’ dinner date with your Mom!

Order her favourite meal to be delivered to her house and enjoy it with her over a video call. 

Give back!

Give back to a Mom who can’t see her kids! Perhaps you know of someone who lives in your building, who is a neighbour, or even a close friend who can’t see their kids. Send a little gift their way to let them know that they are appreciated and loved! 

Take a facetime walk together!

Get outside and enjoy the outdoors with your Mom while staying connected. There are plenty of experiences you can share digitally on her special day.  

Quarantine has everybody feeling a little stir crazy at time, but there is no better way to combat that then by planting your own garden! With summer just around the corner, why not take advantage of this time by revamping your garden space. With these easy tips you’ll have an Instagram worthy garden in no time! 

Plan it out!

Make a plan for what you are going to plant. This planting calendar from The Old Farmers Almanac makes it easy to choose which plants will work best with your time frame and location! 

Pick the right location for your vegetables

Pick the right location for your vegetables (and have the right soil!) Now is the time to use that compost bin! Make sure that you’ve noted where in your garden you receive the most sunlight and shade – and also take note of the quality of your dirt! You want your soil to be dark and crumbly without any rocks! Your garden space should also receive up to 6 hours of sunlight a day for maximum growth potential. 

Start a compost!

Not only are you helping reduce waste that would otherwise head to the landfill, you are nurturing your own garden produce. A regular dose of compost in your plant soil will help it maintain its nutrients and keep your household environmentally conscious! 

Join a gardening group!

If you need any assistance with your garden, look for advice from your neighbours. Join the Gardening in the Fraser Valley Facebook group!

Create a watering schedule!

It’s easy to underwater or overwater your plants. Prevent this from happening by printing out your own watering schedule to help you stay on top of things! 

As we near the end of 2019 and head towards the New Year, it’s time to start planning what lies ahead. For many of us, New Year’s symbolizes new beginnings or a hopeful future. It also allows us to reflect on our past year, whether that be our accomplishments, relationships, or personal changes. Another year of life deserves to be celebrated! So… when you’re planning your New Year’s Eve party with family and friends, here are a few tips to make it the most memorable one yet.

Plan Games!

The best parties I’ve been to are the ones that feature activities or games for everyone to join in on. Why stick with the usual drinking games when you can switch it up a bit? A fun NYE themed game would be Two Resolutions and a Lie or Who Am I?

Perhaps Try a Theme

Add some humour to your party by making it themed! Some of my favourite themes are:

• Black tie
• Celebrities
• 70’s! (or any decade)
• When I Grow Up
• Ugly Sweater

Make Drinks Accessible!

Let’s face it… Who doesn’t love free drinks? The key to a great party is making sure that everyone is satisfied and happy. This means that making sure that your guests have access to drinks if they run out and/or don’t bring any is essential. Also, you could provide punch or a specialty cocktail to put a twist on things and keep your liquor costs low.

Also… Don’t forget the CHAMPAGNE!

It’s All In The Details…

Putting together the perfect New Year’s Eve party is all in the details. Here’s a small list of essential items that you should pick up for your party.

• Balloons and signage
• Noisemakers
• Props & hats!
• Appetizers
• Create (or queue) the perfect playlist

This Christmas, when dinner time comes and everyone is gathered around your table the first thing they should notice is not the food, but your table setting! You’d be surprised by how much of a difference some flowers and decorative branches can make when piecing together the perfect layout. These items are inexpensive as well and can make a world of a difference come mealtime. Whether you’re having an intimate dinner with a small group of people, or a large-scale production with all of your family members and friends – It’s important for your guests to live with not only fond memories of your cooking, but of your home as well. 

Here are a few tips you can use for decorating your table this holiday season! 

PUT TOGETHER YOUR OWN FESTIVE NAPKINS

A little origami napkin-work can add an instant dose of holiday cheer (even if you left decorating the table until the last minute.) 

PERHAPS A MOSS RUNNER?

Bring a little bit of nature to the bare winter months with a colorful moss table runner. You can also add branches or seasonal flowers to your table to give it some warmth and colour! 

ADD CHRISTMAS CRACKERS

No holiday table is complete without fun crackers to open during your meal. The crackers typically include a crown, a joke, and a small toy or trinket, so prepare for hours of entertainment once your guests open theirs.

FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS

There’s nothing worse at a holiday dinner than dodging around a face-height floral arrangement. You could go for a low-lying arrangement, but why skip out on the drama? Instead, pack a tall, slender vase with beautiful branches and seasonal blooms, such as poinsettias, amaryllis, holly and mistletoe. 

PICK A FESTIVE COLOUR SCHEME (THAT ISN’T RED AND GREEN)

Red and green isn’t the only Christmas color pairing—don’t underestimate the elegant couple that is red and gold. You could also go with a lighter and more minimalist design, using tones of silver, gold, white, and blue. 

ADD A PERSONAL GIFT

Whether it’s Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day brunch, no guest will turn down a present upon their welcome. You could gift your loved ones a sentimental message, or even photograph when they sit down. 

One of the perfect opportunities to create lifelong memories with your loved ones is when you’re all together for the holidays. Having everyone under one roof lets you catch up, relax, and have some fun. Creating a space filled with joy and laughter can be quite easy, all you need are the right activities. Snowball fights, gingerbread houses, and board games are just a few things that the entire family can enjoy – But if you’re looking for something new, you’ve come to the right place. 

Here are a few of my personal favourites that will leave you and your loved ones in stiches… They are great for the whole family as well! 

Toy Touchdown

Supplies Needed: Christmas figurines or plastic Christmas ornaments, Christmas basket, duck tape, and panty hose

Players must pass small toys or ornaments under their legs like they’re hiking a football and have a teammate catch them in a small Christmas basket that’s attached to the second player’s back.

Teams race to be the first team to catch five or see who can get the most in a minute.

Let It Snow

Supplies Needed: Plastic spoons, cups, cotton balls, and bowls

Give each player a plastic spoon and a cup full of cotton balls. On the other side of the room, place an empty bowl for each player.

Players must race to get 10 cotton balls from the cup to the bowl on the other side of the room, using just the plastic spoon. The plastic spoon must be held in the player’s mouth. If they drop a cotton ball, they should leave it and go back and get another one.

Candy Canes (Holiday ‘Spoons’)

3+ Players

You’ll need a deck of cards and 3+ people circled around a pile of candy canes, one less than the number of players. Everyone takes turns pulling cards with the goal to be the first to get four of a kind (ex. four Kings). Once you do, take a candy cane as stealthily as possible. Once that happens, everyone else races to grab on of the remaining candy canes. The person who doesn’t get a candy cane is eliminated. Do this until one winner remains.

Christmas Carol Pictionary

Write down this list of Christmas carols on separate flash cards. Divide players into teams. One person draws from the pile of cards and has one minute to illustrate the Christmas carol. If their team guesses correctly, they get one point. Make sure to alternate the team artist. Teams take turns until one reaches twenty points.

Family Feud Christmas

Players are broken up into teams. They answer questions from this list of holiday-themed survey responses. Each team is given an allotted time to write their three guesses on a piece of paper. The judge then reveals if their guesses were on the list and the value of their answers. The number one ranked survey response is worth 50 points, 40 if it’s number two and so on. Once all the questions have been answered, the points are tallied to determine the winner.

Find Santa’s Helpers

Hide a variety of plastic or stuffed elves and reindeer throughout the house. For the younger kids, make the items easy to find and give them a head start. Hide Santa’s friends in trickier places for the older kids and let them look after the younger ones have had a chance. Consider giving prizes based on how many of Santa’s friends each participant finds.

With a new year just around the corner, there’s a good chance that you or someone you may know may be getting married. Weddings are emotional, memorable, and overall a good time; but they also take a lot of work. Finding the right caterer and photographer are just a couple important details that you will need to have figured out leading up the big day… But not to worry! We’ve put together a detailed check list for you to share that can help anyone plan for their picture perfect wedding.

12+ MONTHS OR MORE

•  Choose a date (or up to 3 so you can be flexible). 
•  Talk budget and decide who is contributing what. 
•  Discover your wedding style.
•  Choose wedding party: Maid of Honour and Bridesmaids, Best Man and Groomsmen, Flower Girl and Ring Bearer. 
•  Create a wedding website. 
• Begin compiling a guest list. 
• Explore ceremony and reception venue options.
• Start assembling a team of wedding pros: 
• Book cheflaura.ca Catering  +  Events, event planner, photographer, videographer, florist, and musicians.
• Browse wedding dress and veil styles. 
• Get engagement photos taken. 

10-11 MONTHS 

Take a breath, breathe in … You’ve got this! 

• Obtain a couple different proposals from cheflaura.ca Catering + Events, for cost comparisons to see what best suites your special day
• Choose bridal party attire and accessories. 
• Reserve ceremony and reception venues. 
• Book officiate. 
• Hire photographer, videographer, caterer, DJ/band, florist, and planner. 
• Mail your Save the Dates. 
• Purchase wedding dress, veil and undergarments. 
• Establish a fitness routine.

8-9 MONTHS 

Work it! 

• Setup a tasting with CHEFLAURA.ca Catering + Events to finalize your menu choices. 
• Find 3 hotels (at different price points) for out-of-town guests. 
• Refine guest list. 
• Create gift registries at 3 national retailers. 
• Browse Wedding Invitation designs and coordinating stationery (Enclosures, Programs, Menu Cards, Thank Yous, and Favours). 
• Begin planning honeymoon. 

6-7 MONTHS 

Just like magic! Now you can see it …

• Explore wedding day hair and makeup styles.
• Meet with officiate to discuss plans for ceremony. 
• Reserve rentals: chairs, linens, lighting, décor, etc. 
• Choose cake style and schedule tastings.
• Decide on groomsmen attire. 
• Personalize & order Wedding Invitation. 
• Hire ceremony musicians. 
• Book transportation to and from venues. 
• Purchase wedding band

4-5 MONTHS 

Lights, Camera, and more action… 

• Pass along the headache of coordinating your rental requirements to ChefLaura.ca Catering + Kitchens
• Choose flowers for: wedding party, attendants, venues, cake, etc. 
• Schedule dress fittings.
• Book honeymoon flights and hotels. 
• Book room for wedding night. 
• Order wedding cake.
• Plan welcome baskets for out-of-town guests. 
• Prepare {play/do not play} lists for DJ/band.
• Finalize wedding guest list. 
• Assemble rehearsal dinner guest list. 
• Book rehearsal dinner venue. 

3 MONTHS 

You’re getting close! 

• Set date for site visit/final meeting with ChefLaura.ca Catering + Events
• Finalize honeymoon plans and ensure all documents are in order. 
• Plan ceremony and reception seating. 
• Experiment with hair and veil with stylist. 
• Finalize readers and readings. £ Purchase: toasting flutes, serving pieces, guestbook, flower basket and ring bearer pillow. 
• Finalize reception menu.
• Order Menu Cards. 
• Order Wedding Favours

2 MONTHS

Crunch Time!

• Mail Wedding Invitations. 
• Develop system for organizing RSVPs. 
• Begin writing vows. 
• Review ceremony details with officiant. 
• Apply for marriage license: order 2-3 extra. 
• Finalize seating arrangements. £ Finalize playlists with musicians. 
• Finalize fittings for wedding party and parents. 
• Create wedding day timeline and send to your vendors, officiant and wedding party. 
• Write out honeymoon itinerary for family at home. 
• Decide “Something Old, New, Borrowed, Blue.” 
• Book spa and beauty treatments for you and your bridal party.
• Book wedding day transportation. £ Purchase gifts for attendants. 

1 MONTH

Don’t Forget… 

• Meet with ChefLaura.ca Catering + Events to pass off final numbers, discuss timeline, layout for 
• food/guests, etc. 
• Call vendors to confirm date, times and location. 
• Confirm honeymoon reservations. 
• Pack for honeymoon. 
• Pick up wedding rings. 
• Pick up marriage license 
• Final dress fitting (with shoes & undergarments).

2 WEEKS 

Bird on a Wedding Wire

• Follow up with guests who have not RSVP’d. 
• Give final count to ChefLaura.ca. Catering + Events
• Update registries. 
• Begin breaking in wedding shoes. 
• Make arrangements for the caring of pets and plants while on honeymoon. 
• Send playlists to DJ/band/ceremony musicians.
• Get final haircut and color. £ Delegate wedding day duties: gift table, guestbook, etc. 
• Delegate someone to return tuxes, rentals and tend to wedding dress. 
• Send directions to wedding day limo/transportation driver. 

1 WEEK 

And just like that! 

• Prepare final payments to vendors + cash tips for service personnel.
• Give readers their scripts. 
• Give photographer and videographer your image and video requests. 
• Lay out wedding clothes. 
• Prepare wedding day emergency kit. 
• Get spa treatments for you and the bridal party.

THE DAY BEFORE 

Get a good nights rest and enjoy your special day.

• Rest assured that ChefLaura.ca Catering + Events will be reviewing your file to make sure everything is in order for your big day 
• Deliver welcome baskets. 
• Get mani/pedi/massage. 
• Attend wedding rehearsal. 
• Have fun at the rehearsal dinner. 
• Get to bed at a decent hour! WEDDING DAY Enjoy your day! 
• Enjoy the expertise of our professional and friendly staff while enjoying a memorable culinary experience! 
• Eat a good breakfast! Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready. 
• Give wedding rings and officiant fee to best man. 
• Relax, smile, and soak in every incredible moment

Switch up your Christmas menu this year to please all of your friends, like those who are vegan and vegetarian! Vegan meals are known to be both healthy and delicious, but often times they are missing from the dinner table come Christmas time. Butter, milk, meat, and eggs are often a staple when it comes to cooking up a holiday feast but that doesn’t have to be the case! 

Cooking up a few vegan options can also bring more diversity to your spread, allowing for your guests to try a smaller portion of many different options, instead of a large amount of turkey, potatoes, stuffing, etc. It can also help you cut down on how much meat you buy and by using more vegetables you can also lower your overall costs. 

Here are a few delicious vegan alternatives to your holiday favourites that will be sure to please your guests. 

Mixed Mushroom Stuffing 

With this delicious recipe by Jamie Oliver, no one has to miss out on the stuffing this year! 

Ingredients

• 2 shallots 
• 4 cloves of garlic 
• 350 g mixed wild mushrooms 
• 400 g closed cup or chestnut mushrooms 
• ½ a bunch of fresh thyme 
• 350 g stale bread 
• 100 g pecans or hazelnuts 
• 1 bunch of fresh flat-leaf parsley 
• 25 g dried porcini 
• 80 ml olive oil 
• 2 fresh bay leaves

Instructions

1. Peel and finely chop the shallots and garlic, and roughly chop all the fresh mushrooms. Pick the thyme leaves and tear the stale bread into small chunks.
2. Lightly toast the nuts in a dry frying pan, then roughly chop. Pick and roughly chop the parsley.
3. Cover the porcini with 300ml of boiling water and leave aside to rehydrate.
4. Heat the oil in a large, wide pan and add the shallot and garlic. Cook over a medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 8 minutes or until the shallot is softened but not coloured. 
5. Drain the soaked porcini over a bowl, reserving the liquid. Add these and the rest of the mushrooms to the pan along with the bay and thyme leaves and cook until all the mushrooms are well softened. If they release a lot of liquid, pour it onto the diced bread and carry on cooking. 
6. When the mushrooms are tender and browned, tip the mixture into a large bowl and leave to cool completely. 
7. Preheat the oven to 190ºC/375ºF/gas 5. 
8. Once the cooked mushroom mixture has cooled, add the chunks of bread, a good pinch of sea salt and black pepper, the pecans or hazelnuts and about half of the porcini’s reserved soaking liquid (make sure you pour it through a sieve first to stop any grit getting through). Combine well. 
9. If the stuffing seems too dry, just add a little more of the reserved porcini liquid. 
10. Add most of the parsley and stir it through then tip the stuffing into a lightly greased baking dish of approximately 20cm x 25cm and cover with foil. 
11. Place in the oven and bake for 35 minutes, then remove the foil and cook for a further 10 minutes. Scatter over the rest of the chopped parsley before serving.

Baked Cauliflower with Spiced Lentils 

Ingredients

Roasted Cauliflower

• 1 Cauliflower
• 1-2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 tsp Chilli Powder
• 1/4 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1 tsp  Smoked Paprika
• 1-2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Lentils

• 2 Shallots
• 2 Cloves Garlic
• 1 Green Bell Pepper
• 2 tsp Chilli Powder
• 1 cup (200g) Black Lentils
• 3 + 3/4 cups (900 ml) Vegetable Stock
• 1 can Crushed Tomatoes
• 3 tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1/2 tsp Chilli Flakes
• 1/2 tsp Cocoa Powder
• 1/2 tsp Salt

Instructions

1. Prepare the cauliflower first. Preheat the oven to 180°C. 
2. Peel the leaves off the cauliflower and cut the bottom of the stalk off so you can lay the cauliflower flat on the base.
3. Mix together the oil and the spices and rub all over the top of the cauliflower. Cover the cauliflower in tin foil and place in a baking tray. Bake for 60/90 minutes until cooked through.
4. While the cauliflower is cooking, prepare the lentils.
5. Finely dice the shallots and green pepper. Fry the shallots for 2-3 minutes in a large stock pot, then add the minced garlic and fry for another 2 minutes. add the green pepper and chilli powder and continue to fry until the pepper is soft.
6. Add the rest of the ingredients and simmer for 30-35 minutes until the lentils are cooked and the mixture is thick.
7. Serve the cauliflower on a bed of lentils and top with some freshly chopped coriander, pomegranate seeds and flaked almonds.

Roasted Balsamic Brussel Sprouts 

Ingredients

• 200g Brussel sprouts, cleaned and halved
• ½ red onion, chopped
• 2tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1tbsp olive oil
• Salt/pepper to taste
• 1 sprig fresh thyme (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/gas mark 4/350F.
2. Add the Brussels sprouts and onion to an oven-proof dish. Pour over the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and toss to cover the vegetables evenly. Season to taste and sprinkle over the thyme, if using.
3. Place in the oven and roast for around thirty minutes, stirring halfway, until the sprouts are tender but not mushy.
4. Serve!

Nutty Wild Rice and Shredded Brussel Sprout Stuffed Mini Pumpkins

Ingredients

•  1 1/4 cups uncooked wild rice
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 6-8 mini pumpkins
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 pound brussels sprouts halved and then shredded, about 2 cups
• 2 tablespoons fresh thyme chopped
• 1 cup raw pecans chopped
• 1/4 cup apple cider
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• salt + pepper to taste
• 1 cup manchego cheese shredded (optional)

Instructions

1. In a large sauce pot, bring the water to a boil, add the wild rice. Cover and cook over low heat for 35-45 minutes or until the water is gone and the rice is fluffy. Note that wild rice takes longer to cook than traditional rice. If yours still seem hard after 45 minutes, add 1/2 cup more water and cook over low heat for another 15-20 minutes.
2.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
3. Slice the tops of your mini pumpkins and scoop out the seeds (reserve the seeds for roasting and then topping the dish if desired). Place the pumpkins on a baking sheet and rub each with a little olive oil, salt + pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until the pumpkins are just tender.
4. Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Add the brussels sprouts in a single layer and season with salt + pepper. Let sit 1 minute then stir. Continue to cook for another 8-10 minutes, until tender and caramelized. Stir in the thyme, pecans and cider, cook another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the wild rice (there should be around 3 cups of wild rice). Stir in the cranberries, and manchego cheese.
5. Arrange the pumpkins in a large baking dish and stuff each pumpkin with the wild rice mixture. If desired, sprinkle the top of each pumpkin with a little manchego cheese.
6. Place in the oven and bake for 10-20 minutes or until the pumpkins are soft and the wild rice has heated through. Serve hot!

Chocolate Orange Christmas Pudding

Ingredients

• 60 g plain flour 
• 3 tbsp arrowroot powder 
• 2 tsp baking powder 
• 1/4 tsp xanthum gum 
• 120 g dark brown muscovado sugar 
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder 
• 150 g fresh white breadcrumbs 
• ½ tsp ground mixed spice 
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon 
• Zest and juice of 2 oranges, approx 100ml orange juice 
• 60 ml vegetable oil 
• 80 ml water 
• 4 tbsp contreau or brandy 
• 1 tsp natural orange extract, optional 
• 100 g dark chocolate chips 
• 350 g brandy soaked mixed dried fruit & citrus peel* 
• 100 g pitted dates, chopped into small pieces 

You will also need

• 1 litre pudding basin/tin 
• Greaseproof paper 
• Tin foil 
• String and scissors 
• A pot large enough for the pudding basin 
• A small trivet or heat-proof saucer

Instructions

To prepare the pudding mixture

1. If you can’t get hold of ready-soaked mixed fruit, prepare it the previous day by adding the mixed fruit and peel to a bowl with approx 3 tbsp brandy. Leave overnight. 
2. Prepare a 1 litre pudding basin by greasing it with vegetable oil and placing a circle of greaseproof paper at the bottom. 
3. Mix the flour, arrowroot powder, baking powder, xanthum gum, cocoa powder, sugar, breadcrumbs and spices together in a bowl. 
4. Stir in the orange juice and zest, vegetable oil, water contreau and orange flavouring. 
5. Fold in the dried fruits and the chocolate. 
6. Transfer the mixture to the pudding basin. 

To steam the pudding

1. Tear off a large square of the greaseproof paper and tin foil, placing the greaseproof paper on the bottom. Create a pleat by making a 1-inch thick fold in the centre of both layers. 
2. Place on top of the pudding tin and scrunch the foil around the sides to secure. Tie securely with a piece of string. 
3. Fold in the excess paper and foil to help make it water-tight. 
4. Create a handle by tying another piece of string to one side of the tin (where you made the knot from the previous string) and tying it on the opposite side so you can easily lift the pudding out of the pot. 
5. Place a trivet or upturned saucer at the bottom of the pot (I used a small heat-proof container lid) and place the pudding on top. Fill the pot half way up with hot water and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and leave to steam for 3 1/2 hours. 
6. After 3 1/2 hours, lift the pudding out of the pot and leave to cool for a few minutes, until the pudding starts to shrink away from the sides of the tin. Carefully, using a spatula knife, loosen the pudding from the sides and turn over onto a plate.

One of my favourite Christmas activities to do with my friends and family is making the perfect Gingerbread House! There is so much room to be creative and with the right recipe and tools, making a beautiful Gingerbread House doesn’t have to be difficult. Some of my favourite candies to use are: 

• Chocolate bars 
• Hershey’s kisses 
• Spice drops and dots 
• M&M’s 
• Mini cookies 
• Candy canes 
• Sprinkles

In order to make a Gingerbread House that’s sure to dazzle your friends and family, you need to plan carefully and use the right materials! I would suggest checking out these Gingerbread House templates I found online! Also, you will need the right dough and icing recipe. Here’s one by Taste of Home! 

Ingredients

• 1 cup shortening
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon ground ginger
• 5-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• ICING:
• 3 egg whites
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

Directions

• In a bowl, cream the shortening and brown sugar. Add eggs, corn syrup, cinnamon and ginger; mix well. Combine flour and baking soda; gradually add to egg mixture and beat until combined. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 
• Trace patterns without foldlines onto waxed paper and cut out. Trace patterns with foldlines onto folded waxed paper. Cut out and unfold for complete patterns. Cut out the windows and doors as directed on patterns and discard. 
• From waxed paper, also cut an 8-1/2 x 6-in. rectangle for the roof, a 1-7/8 x 1-1/4-in. rectangle for doors, a 1-3/8 x 2-3/8-in. rectangle for back of chimney and a 1-3/8- x 7/8-in. rectangle for front of chimney. 
• Roll out dough to 1/8-in. thickness. Position patterns on dough and cut out as directed. Using a sharp knife, score outlines to mark doors and windows where indicated on patterns, being careful not to cut all the way through dough. 
• Using remaining waxed paper patterns, cut out two 8-1/2- x 6-in. rectangles for the roof, two 1-7/8- x 1-1/4-in. rectangles for doors, one 1-3/8-x 2-3/8-in. rectangle for back of chimney and one 1-3/8- x 7/8-in. rectangle for front of chimney. 
• If desired, also cut out 20 gingerbread people with cookie cutter. Remove dough scraps. Transfer all cutouts to greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 8-13 minutes or until browned. Immediately replace patterns on cutouts and cut around edges to trim excess. Cool for 2 minutes before carefully removing cutouts to wire racks to cool completely. 
• Making icing: Place egg whites in a bowl. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. 
• Add confectioners’ sugar and cream of tartar; beat on low speed for 1 minute. Beat on high for 8-10 minutes or until a knife cut through icing leaves a line.
• Cover icing when not being used.

Are you looking to save some money and time this Christmas season? A great way to do so is by making your own Christmas Sweets Bundle. Putting together a package of your favourite treats for family and friends to enjoy is a great way of showing someone that you care and also saving them a trip to the grocery store to stock up on snacks! It’s an undeniable fact that Christmas cooking is one of the best parts of the holidays, but often times it can be time consuming. With family plans, Christmas shopping, and decorating to be done, why not make your Christmas cooking as simple as possible?

Here are a few of my favourite recipes by Lolly Jane that are quick and easy to make. 

Reindeer Treats 

Ingredients

• Square Pretzels
• Regular Pretzels
• Rolos
• Red Sixlets

Instructions

 1. Preheat oven to 230. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Put down square Pretzels and then un-wrapped Rolos.

2. Cut the regular pretzels with a knife so they look like an “E”. Some of ours broke but most worked. 

3. Place cookie sheet in the oven for 2-3 minutes. Take it out and insert pretzel antlers at the same time. Then add the Red Sixlet for the nose. They worked perfectly!

Frosted Holiday Mint M&M Brownies

Ingredients

•  1 box Brownies (and all ingredients on box)
• 1 bag milk chocolate chips
• 14 oz sweetened condensed milk
• Holiday Mint M&Ms

Instructions

1. Make brownies as directed in box. Once done, take out and cool.

2. Make frosting by combining sweetened condensed milk and chocolate chips in a small pot. Cook on low heat, stirring constantly, until all melted. Pour over brownies.

3. Sprinkle M&Ms over the frosting. Let set up before cutting.

Peppermint Pattie Chex Mix 

Ingredients:

• 6 cups of Chex rice cereal
• 1 12 oz. bag white chocolate chips (12 oz bag)
• 1/4 cup Lifesavers mini peppermint candy canes
• 1/4 cup milk or dark chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Put cereal in large mixing bowl.
2. In small micro safe bowl, melt white chocolate chips on high for 2 minutes, stirring every 40 seconds until smooth.
3. Add crushed candy canes, stir into chocolate.
4. Pour over cereal, evenly coating cereal.
5. Spread onto cookie sheet covered in foil.
6. Melt chocolate chips, pour into Ziplock baggie, cut off tip and drizzle over Chex mix.
7. When it hardens, break into clusters and enjoy! (Store in air tight containers for later use if pre-prepping.)