The Perfect Christmas

by Debbie Macomber

  I love Christmas, and I love giving Christmas parties, especially parties for friends or family in my home. I particularly like organizing the party in a way that lets less fortunate people in my community benefit from the celebration, too.

  Whether you’re planning a party for a traditional family, or for a family of friends, here are some ideas to make the occasion special and memorable:

  Establish a fun dress code: ask each woman to wear her most outrageous Christmas sweater, each man, his wildest, craziest Christmas tie. Have your guests vote for the winning sweater and tie. Take a photo of the winners for posterity! (Another idea: the winners are in charge of the Perfect Christmas Party for the following year.)

  Start the party by having your guests make paper snowflakes—all you’ll need is white paper, scissors, some glue. Hang the ornaments around your house or apartment.

  Check with your local homeless shelter or church and select a group or a family to receive food and decorations that you and your guests will provide. Make arrangements to deliver the goods immediately after your party, whether that’s on Christmas Eve or another day during the holidays.

  A good way to handle this type of party: you prepare the main course (for example, cook two turkeys, hams or casseroles), then ask each of your guests (or couples) to bring two disposable containers of their favorite dish, one to serve at the party, one for the needy family or group.

  Give your guests a list of things your beneficiary group needs—socks, warm hats, mittens—and suggest that they make or bring one of these items to the party. Set up a wrapping station, complete with paper and ribbon.

  Set up an ornament-making station (simple glass balls, old jewelry, ribbon, scrap yarn, sequins, etc.) and ask each of your guests to make one to give to your beneficiary group.

  If children are among your guests, ask each parent to bring the child’s favorite Christmas book. Take turns reading these books to the children.

  Purchase inexpensive Christmas stockings (check the local dollar store), or make some if you’re crafty. Ask each guest to make, wrap and bring something for everyone at the party, but set a dollar limit. (Two dollars? Three?) Give examples, such as home-baked cookies or candy, hot chocolate mix in a jar. Encourage them to let creativity be their guide.

  Create a custom Christmas puzzle by making a collage of photos of your guests. You can search online for sites that make personalized custom puzzles. Divide the puzzle pieces so that each guest will have the same number. When the guests arrive, give them each a small bag or festively wrapped box containing their puzzle pieces. Set up a puzzle station so all the guests can fit their pieces into the whole. In the case of a party attended by friends, the puzzle will represent all the lives brought together in friendship, the total greater than the assortment of individuals. Also include in each guest’s gift bag a Christmas-themed question to answer during dinner. Examples: What is your first Christmas memory? What is your favorite Christmas gift of all time? What, for you, constitutes the perfect Christmas?

  Out of white card stock, create a Christmas bingo game, using such iconic images as a pine tree, wreath, ornament, candy cane, etc. for the squares. Have peppermint candies on hand to use for place holders. As prizes, give away Christmas music CDs, packages of homemade candy or cookies—use your imagination!

  At the end of your party, gather up the food and gifts for your chosen family or group and deliver them, serenading them with Christmas carols before you depart.

  Sigh. In my humble opinion, the perfect Christmas party!

  Cassie’s friend (and now sister-in-law) has taken knitting lessons. She’s knitting a Christmas gift for Cassie. And she’s already completed an infant Santa hat for Cassie and Simon’s baby to wear next Christmas.

  Here’s the pattern she used.

  Infant Santa Hat

  Designed and knitted by Cynthia Novito-Mason

  Materials:

  Size 7 16" circular needles

  Size 7 double point needles

  Darning needle

  Yarn:

  1 skein Cascade Superwash 220 in red

  1 skein Rowan Purelife Boucle in white

  Gauge:

  5 stitches = 1 inch

  Cast On: 60 stitches with white yarn. Join in the round; place marker to mark beginning of round.

  Purl 5 rows

  Knit 1 row

  Change to red yarn and knit 20 rows.

  Shape Crown:

  (Change to double pointed needles when no longer able to knit with circular.)

  #Knit 2 stitches together, knit 10, repeat from * to end of round

  Knit 1 row

  #Knit 2 sts. tog., Knit 9, repeat from * to end of round

  Knit 1 row

  #Knit 2 sts. tog., Knit 8, repeat from * to end of round

  Knit 1 row

  #Knit 2 sts. tog., Knit 7 repeat from * to end of round

  Knit 1 row

  Continue each row by decreasing every other round, until you have 5 sts.

  Cut yarn, leaving 6 inches and draw through remaining stitches with darning needle. Weave in ends.

  With remainder of white yarn make a pom-pom and sew in place.

  HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

  ©2010 by Cynthia Novito-Mason. All Rights reserved.

  The pattern is for personal use only and may not be knitted for resale.

  I love Christmas—and Debbie Macomber’s Christmas Cookbook proves it. (As if you didn’t already know!)

  This beautiful cookbook has recipes for Christmas morning breakfast or brunch, appetizers for a get-together with colleagues, family or friends, Christmas dinner, desserts (yes, a whole chapter), cooking with kids and a lot more. As well, the recipes are interspersed with decorating tips, gifts to make (edible and otherwise), wrapping ideas and all kinds of other Christmas-related things. I’ve opened every chapter with personal reminiscences and references to my various Christmas stories.

  In the chapter “Christmas and Christmas Eve Dinner,” I talk about The Perfect Christmas—since, of course, one of Cassie’s tasks is to create the perfect dinner for her neighbors. And since she chooses to replicate that dinner two years later, in the story’s new epilogue….

  I’ve included six recipes from my cookbook:

  Christmas Eggnog

  Crock-Pot Chicken Chili

  Five-Minute Cranberry Walnut Cobbler

  Ice Krispie Snowmen

  Many Bean Soup Mix

  Cream Scones with Dried Figs and Cherries

  These are all easy to follow and easy to make—and they’re guaranteed to delight everyone who tries them.

  I hope they’ll whet your appetite for Debbie Macomber’s Christmas Cookbook and the fabulous recipes inside!

  Debbie Macomber’s Christmas Cookbook is available in stores and from online retailers.

  Christmas Eve Eggnog

  This classic eggnog recipe calls for warming the egg yolks to assure a decadent, delicious yet safe drink for your party guests. (Except, of course, for children!)

  Serves about 12

  6 large eggs, separated

  1 cup granulated sugar

  3 cups whole milk

  1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

  Salt

  ½ cup brandy

  1 cup heavy cream

  Garnishes: Ground nutmeg, chocolate shavings, cinnamon sticks

  Place a large bowl in a larger bowl of ice water; set aside.

  In a medium bowl, whisk egg yolks and ½ cup of the sugar until thick, for about 2 minutes.

  In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, bring milk, vanilla bean, and pinch of salt to a simmer. Remove from heat; whisk 1 cup of this hot milk mixture into the yolks. Slowly pour yolk-milk mixture into milk remaining in saucepan. Place pan over medium heat; cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until mixture reaches 160°F and is thick enough to coat the back of spoon.

  Strain eggnog base through a fine-mesh sieve into bowl in ice bath. Let cool for about 20 minutes, stirri
ng occasionally. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, for about 1 hour.

  Whisk brandy and cream into chilled eggnog. In large bowl using an electric mixer on high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add remaining ½ cup sugar; beat on high until stiff peaks form. Gently fold whites into eggnog until blended. Cover, refrigerate for several hours or overnight, or until cold. Pour into a pitcher to serve. Garnish servings as desired.

  * * *

  TIP: Vanilla beans are the dried seedpods of the vanilla plant. To use, slice the long pods open lengthwise to expose the tiny seeds inside.

  * * *

  Crock-Pot Chicken Chili

  Serve this creamy, slightly spicy stew with fresh warmed flour tortillas or tortilla chips.

  Serves 8

  1 pound dried Great Northern or cannellini beans, soaked overnight

  3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth, warmed

  1 large onion, chopped

  3 garlic cloves, minced

  1 jalapeño pepper, minced

  1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon chili powder

  2 teaspoons ground cumin

  Salt and black pepper

  1 pound (about 3 cups, chopped) cooked chicken or turkey meat

  1 box (10 ounces) frozen corn kernels

  2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

  1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

  Garnishes: Sour cream, chopped fresh cilantro, salsa, chopped scallions

  Combine beans and warm broth in a large slow cooker; let sit for 10 minutes. Stir in onion, garlic, jalapeño, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low heat for 10 hours, or until beans are tender.

  Stir in chicken, corn and cheese. Cook for 10 minutes, until chicken and corn are warmed through and cheese is melted. Add lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Garnish as desired.

  * * *

  TIP: Crock-Pot cooking times can vary widely depending on your machine. Be sure to cook this until the beans are tender but not mushy.

  * * *

  Five-Minute Cranberry Walnut Cobbler

  This homey dessert is so easy to make and so sweetly satisfying that you will make it again and again. Serve warm with whipped cream if you are feeling decadent.

  Serves 8

  2½ cups fresh or frozen cranberries

  ¾ cup chopped walnuts

  ½ cup plus ¾ cup granulated sugar

  2 large eggs

  12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted

  ¼ teaspoon almond extract

  1 cup all-purpose flour

  Pinch salt

  Preheat oven to 350°F. In a 9-inch pie pan, combine cranberries, walnuts and ½ cup of the sugar; toss until coated.

  In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, melted butter, remaining sugar and almond extract until blended. Fold in flour and salt until combined. Pour the batter over the cranberry mixture. Bake for 40 minutes, until crust is golden and fruit bubbles. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

  * * *

  TIP: No cranberries? No problem. Substitute blueberries or strawberries, but cut the sugar added to the fruit in half.

  * * *

  Ice Krispie Snowmen

  No snow? No problem. Bring winter fun indoors with these sweet snowmen that kids can make and decorate themselves.

  Makes 6

  4 tablespoons (½ stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan

  1 bag (10 ounces) mini marshmallows

  5 cups crispy rice cereal

  1½ cups sweetened shredded coconut

  Prepared vanilla icing, as needed

  Decorations: mini chocolate chips, candy corn, black gumdrops, peppermint patties, colorful fruit leather

  Line a baking sheet with parchment or waxed paper. Place butter and marshmallows in a glass bowl; microwave in 30-second intervals, until fully melted, stirring often. Place cereal in a large bowl; fold in marshmallow mixture until coated.

  Place coconut in a medium deep bowl. Butter your hands lightly. Scoop up a spoonful of the mixture and drop into coconut. Using your hands, roll each mound in coconut, pressing into a tight ball as you roll. Make 18 balls: 6 large, 6 medium and 6 small. Using a dab of icing to stick balls together, form 6 snowmen. Set the snowmen upright on prepared baking sheet.

  Decorate snowmen as desired. Some ideas: chocolate chips for eyes, tip of candy corn for nose, gumdrop placed atop mint patty for hat. Cut a strip of fruit leather for scarf. Use icing to “glue” candy onto snowmen.

  Many Bean Soup Mix

  Here’s a gift that’s good for everyone on your list. Who doesn’t crave a cup of warm, homemade soup on a cold winter’s night?

  Makes 1 gift jar

  ½ cup dried yellow split peas

  1/3 cup dried green split peas

  1/3 cup dried red lentils

  ¼ cup instant minced onion

  1/3 cup dried green beans

  ½ teaspoon ground cumin

  ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  Layer all ingredients, in order listed, in a 1-pint glass jar. Store tightly covered at room temperature up to 2 months.

  On gift tag write recipe for soup as follows:

  * * *

  Many Bean Soup

  1 tablespoon olive oil

  2 carrots, peeled and sliced

  2 celery stalks, thinly sliced

  Salt and black pepper

  1 meaty ham hock

  8 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

  Warm oil in a medium heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add carrots and celery; season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring. Add ham hock, Many Bean Soup Mix and broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, until beans are tender, stirring occasionally.

  Remove ham hock from pot; slice ham from bone. Trim excess fat from ham; cut into small pieces. Add ham to soup; cook until warmed through.

  * * *

  * * *

  TIP: Many large supermarkets or health food stores allow you to buy beans out of bins, so you only need to purchase the amount you need.

  * * *

  Cream Scones with Dried Figs and Cherries

  Making these in the food processor means the dough comes together in minutes. These are not very sweet—feel free to increase the sugar if desired.

  Makes 8

  2 cups all-purpose flour

  ¼ cup granulated sugar, plus additional for sprinkling

  1 tablespoon baking powder

  ½ teaspoon salt

  12 tablespoons (1½ sticks) unsalted butter, cut into chunks

  2 large eggs

  ½ cup heavy cream

  ¾ cup dried cherries or cranberries

  ½ cup dried figs, chopped

  1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon cream, for wash

  Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, baking powder and salt until combined. Add butter chunks; pulse until mixture resembles fine crumbs. In a glass measuring cup, whisk eggs and cream until well blended; add to batter and pulse until just combined. Pulse in dried cherries and figs.

  Scrape dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead dough just enough to assure ingredients are combined. Using floured hands, shape dough into a ¾-inch-thick round. Using a sharp knife, cut round into 8 wedges. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Brush scones with egg wash; sprinkle with sugar.

  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden and firm to the touch. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

  * * *

  TIP: For all quick breads, for a moist and tender crumb, take care to stir the batter until just blended.

  * * *

  CAN THIS BE CHRISTMAS?

  Chapter 1

  I’ll Be Home for Christmas

  A robust version of “Little Drummer Boy” played in the background as Len Dawber glanced at his watch—for at least the tenth time in five minutes. He looked around the depot impatiently, hardly noticing the Christmas decorations on the wind
ows and walls—the cardboard Santa’s sleigh, the drooping garland and blinking lights.

  Len was waiting with a herd of other holiday travelers to board the train that would take him to Boston. The snowstorm that had started the previous evening meant his early-morning flight out of Bangor, Maine, had been canceled and the airport closed. Although the airlines couldn’t be blamed for the weather, they’d done everything possible to arrange transportation out of Maine. Len suspected more than a few strings had been pulled to get seats on the already full midmorning train. Maybe some of the original passengers canceled, he thought with faint hope.

  Because, unfortunately, that crowded train was his only chance of making it to Boston in time to connect with his flight home for Christmas.

  Len got to his feet, relinquishing his place on the hard station bench to a tired-looking man. He walked quickly to the door and stepped outside. He lifted his gaze toward the sky. Huge flakes of snow swirled in the wind, obscuring his view. His shoulder muscles tensed with frustration until he could no longer remain still. This was exactly what he’d feared would happen when he’d awakened that morning. Even then the clouds had been dark and ominous, threatening his plans and his dreams of a reunion with Amy.