In my family, many of the prized Christmas decorations are homemade. Pieces that my great-grandmother, grandmother and mother made show up every year and just add to the festive air.
One the other constants within our family celebrations is the food. Each celebration provides a large spread. Since several of us have discovered we have food allergies, our holiday parties have become much healthier.
4 Tips For Creating a Healthier Homemade Party
1. Craft your menu carefully. Try adding easy healthier options like vegetable trays with hummus, seasonal fruit (mandarin oranges anyone?). Keep your appetizers in check with good for you favourites like bruchetta, salsa and whole-grain chips, and sushi. Deconstruct that creamy casserole and let your veggies stand alone with a few fresh herbs.
2. Add an activity. Play a favourite movement-based game like Twister, take a walk before the big meal, or change your meeting location to facility a new adventure or challenge. Consider a separate space that is food-free that has games, puzzles or equipment set-up that guests can enjoy.
3. Downsize Your Dish. Instead of full size squares or pie slices, cut them in half again for just a treat. Use smaller serving bowls as well as food plates to help your guests with portion control. One study found that people helping themselves from a large bowl served 77 percent more food than those using a medium-size bowl.
4. Offer a Signature Drink. At my family’s Christmas party, we always create “Jingle Juice”, it’s a combination of raspberry-cranberry 100% juice with club soda. This gives your guests a low-calorie drink option, and it’s great for children too.
Enter to Win a $50 Gift Card for One of a Kind Online
We’ve also teamed up with One of a Kind Online to bring you unique, homemade gifts this holiday season. In the spirit of rustic mountain living, I put together a holiday gift guide of items that I love. This cheesboard, trivet and salad bowl made out of Canadian wood will be featured at my table from Stinson Studios.
Tell us in the comment section what items you would pick from One of a Kind Online and enter to win your very own $50 gift card to make the holidays merry & bright.
a passionate recreation coordinator by day, crazy farm mama of two by night. i live outdoors: growing my own food, camping and hiking with my border collie with two active kids in tow. when I’m not writing, I’m experimenting with recipes, and crafts – or anything else that might keep the monkeys entertained.
I would get the Artisan Chocolate Bars, Set of 9
The Treehouse Blanket by Jenna Rose is beautiful!
I would pick the Steak Spice & Rub – 120g
Peppermaster and a few others rubs that caught my eye.
http://oneofakindonlineshop.com/materials/textiles/mittens.html
I would get some mittens
i would get the Artisan Chocolate Bars, Set of 9
I would buy Slouchy Beanie in shades of Brown for Adult/teen
I’m hoping to pick up another bag from Bookhou.
I would get the fur headband for my mum.
The artisan chocolate bars (:
the linen clothes are beautiful! thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Would obviously get NS Cheese plate!
http://oneofakindonlineshop.com/gifts/british-columbia-clone-en-5.html
http://oneofakindonlineshop.com/home/wood-en/complete-set-of-hard-maple-kitchen-utensils..html is really cool. However at a pricetag of $950 I don’t know if I’d dare to use it!
among other things, I would get my daughter the krazy kitty pillows, she would love them 🙂
I would get the Sleep Sacks Binksy & Bobo for the cold months
Oh there is SO much to choose from! I would definitely buy a dip mix from Wicked Gourmet… and I would love to buy the father and son bowtie set from Handsome & Lace or the roll-up placemats from Oh-la-la!
I like the little Hors d’oeuvre plates – Set of 6 – you could give a small gift such as soap or biscuits on one – wrap it up…..
I would choose a City Cup from the Black and White Collection. There is nothing more lovely thank drinking out of a pretty cup. And it would make such a nice gift with some coffee.
I love the toys from Bubynoa, especially the black cat.
I would get the Artisan Chocolate Bars, Set of 9 Cocoa and Honey Chocolates and Confections
Can’t wait for the show!
For my home, I’d love your salad bowl but my hands would love this… http://oneofakindonlineshop.com/fashion/canadensis-mitts-green-herringbone.html
Besos, Sarah
Journeys of The Zoo
I would get the T.O Scarf Anu Raina!
I am loving the Stoneware Butter Dish Perry Pottery , but I could peruse everything there and fall in love. It has beautiful and unique items!
Homage to Paul Klee Series – True Blue, Deep square plate
I have a hard time walking away from pottery coffee mugs…would have to go with a tea pot set or another beautiful pottery mug!
Treehouse blanket
Ontario Cheeseboard would be so cool for serving guests.
I would get the Ava Halter Apron
Hats
I’d do an assortment of preserves such as the Himalaya Gourmet Kiwi Chutney!
I would get a scarf
I would get the tin of shortbread! Yummy!
I think i would get the Porcelain Scoops
I love the Striped cardigan with oversize… Dotty Dress Studio
There’s a special someone in my life who I KNOW would LOVE the Simone Cantin bag in the Fashion/Leather category.
Happy Holidays!