Holiday sharing

Ebony, Nov, 2004

The best part of any holiday season is the time you share with family and friends. Whether it's taking a side dish to a party, making homemade hostess gifts or creating decorations with the kids, sharing is the truest expression of the season's spirit.

* Look to the Martha Stewart Everyday[R] collections, available only at Kmart, for gift wrap, ornaments, decorations and more in festive themes.

* A plate of baked goods is transformed into a perfect homemade wrap. Decorate in GLAD Press 'n Seal holiday wrap. Decorate with bright ribbons, bows and stickers.

* Store Mocha Pecan Balls, truffles, sugar-dusted bonbons and other sticky goodies in GladWare containers. Stack them in your refrigerator; then pull them out to give to unexpected guests or to bring along as hostess gifts.

* Potlucks are the ultimate expression of holiday sharing. Whether you're planning a potluck or just planning to attend, keep GLAD Press 'n Seal sealable wrap on hand to cover and transport platters, bowls and casseroles.

mocha pecan balls

Prep Time: 55 min. Start to Finish: 1 hr. 10 min.
Makes 4 dozen cookies

1   roll (18 oz.) Pillsbury[R] Refrigerated Sugar Cookies
1/4 cup baking cocoa powder
1   tablespoon instant espresso
    coffee powder
1   cup finely chopped pecans
48  milk-chocolate candy drops or
    pieces, unwrapped
3/4 cup powdered sugar

1. Preheat oven to 375[degrees]F. In a large bowl, break up cookie
dough. Stir in cocoa, dry espresso and pecans. 2. Shape dough into 48
balls (1 inch); wrap each around 1 milk-chocolate candy. Place 2 inches
apart on ungreased cookie sheet. 3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set.
Immediately transfer from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool slightly,
about 5 minutes. 4. Roll cookies in powdered sugar. Cool completely,
about 15 minutes. Roll cookies in powdered sugar again. Store in
tightly covered GladWare container. High Altitude (3,500 to 6,500
feet): No change.

december
ideas to simplify
the season

                                                Bake cookies ahead,
                        Stock your              store in GladWare
                        pantry, fridge          containers and tuck
                        and freezer.            in freezer to use as
                                                needed.

                     5                       6                       7

Start new traditions    Start new traditions    Suggest a potluck
that make               that make               appetizer party where
entertaining easier.    entertaining easier.    everyone shares in
                                                Preparing food.

                    12                      13                      14

Choose a color                                  Set up tables (buffet,
scheme to simplify                              card or dining) ahead
decorations                                     of time.

                    19                      20                      21

Use GLAD ForceFlex[TM]  Use GLAD ForceFlex[TM]
trash bags for quick    trash bags for quick
and easy holiday        and easy holiday
Cleanup. The stretch    Cleanup. The stretch
to prevent rips and     to prevent rips and
tears, so they're       tears, so they're
perfect for tossing     perfect for tossing
out odd shaped items,   out odd shaped items,
such as large gift      such as large gift
boxes and packaging     boxes and packaging
materials.              materials.

                    26                      27                      28

                     1                       2

Make batches of
Chex[R] Party Mix and   Shop early for
store in GLAD Zipper    specialty items, such
food storage bags.      as jarred condiments
Serve to unexpected     and spreads.
guests or take along
on long car trips.

                     8                       9

                        Consider hosting a
                        simple brunch
                        rather than a huge
                        dinner party.

                    15                      16

Choose serving dishes
and utensils before
you cook the meat to
avoid last-minute
searches.

                    22                      23

                        Try premade appetizer
                        platters for a hassle
                        free New Year's
                        celebration:

                        * cheese & veggies
                        * fresh fruit
                        * Precooked moats or
                          seafood

29                                          30

                     3                       4

Keep Betty Crocker[R]   Keep Dotty Crocker[R]
cake mixes and Pour &   cake mixes and Pour &
Frost[TM] frosting on   Frost[TM] frosting on
hand. You'll be able    hand. You'll be able
to bake and frost a     to bake and frost a
cake in just one hour.  cake in just one hour.

                    10                      11

                        Host a cookie
                        exchange, which
                        helps get friends
                        together and gives
                        everyone desserts
                        to share elsewhere.

                    17                      18

Use GladWare
containers to package
holiday leftovers so
you can send them home
with guests.

                    24                      25

Try premade appetizer
platters for a hassle
free New Year's
celebration:

* cheese & veggies
* fresh fruit
* Precooked moats or
  seafood

                    31