A Few Christmas Faves

Quite frankly, I can’t believe that Christmas is less than a week away.  It really seems to have crept up on.  How that happens when it has been on the calendar all year, and I look at the calendar about a million times a day,  I don’t know.  But, it did.  Suddenly, Christmas is almost here.

So, before I share some of my Christmas faves, I need some of yours.  I want to get my kids some books for Christmas.  Do you have any favorites that are aimed at 7-year-old boys, 5-year-old girls and 3-year-old boys?  Any that are great for them to read on their own or for me to read to them?  I hope to raise three readers, so I need to encourage that by giving them books. Right?

***

Songs: My favorite songs for the Christmas season change each year.  Some years they are the fun Santa type songs, some years they are religious, spiritual songs.  This year my favorite albums are instrumental.  Perhaps because my kids are loud and crazy that the peace and quietness of instrumental music is speaking to me more.

I love the Mormon Hymn Classics Christmas with the The London National Philharmonic Orchestra and a Christmas Classics Piano that I picked up at Shop-ko years ago for $7.

Books: This year I read A Christmas Pearl by Dorothea Buxton, and I was inspired by it.  My favorite kids ones are Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson, Christmas in the Manger by Nola Buck and When Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem which is illustrated by Joseph Brickey and includes words directly from the bible. This is what we read on Christmas Eve.  This year my youngest has had me reading Moosletoe a lot.

Recipes: My favorite Christmas treat are homemade caramels.  This year mine turned out exceptionally well.  I used the 30 minute Caramels recipe from Candymaking  by Ruth Kendrick.  Here is the recipe:

30 Minute Caramels

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 cups light corn syrup

1 cup granulated sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter

1/4 tsp salt

Butter a 9″ square baking pan and set aside.  In a heavy 4 qt saucepan, combine milk, corn syrup, sugars, butter and salt.  Place over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until mixture comes to a boil.

Clip on candy thermometer.  Stir constantly to prevent scorching, cook to 240F or soft-ball stage.  Pour into prepared pan.  Cool until firm.  Cut into 1 inch square.  Makes 81 pieces.

Tips: Use a HEAVY knife to cut the caramels.  Place an ice pack underneath to keep them cool while cutting.  Waiting 24 hours will help make cutting them easier.

***

I am planning on making these cinnamon rolls for neighbors too.  Don’t you wish you lived by me?

Other: I love to play in the snow.  I love to watch my kids open their presents.  I love the tradition we have of playing Christmas Bingo every Christmas Eve.  I love watching Frosty the Snowman and The Polar Express and The Santa Clause.  I love making and sending Christmas cards.  I really love getting Christmas cards.

Your turn: What are you favorites of the season?  What books do you suggest?

Images from ebay and amazon.