Every holiday season, many of us look forward to eating special treats made using long-held and cherished family recipes. Many families have holiday food traditions they hold dear. There are those who cannot imagine a holiday without Grandma’s date pinwheel cookies or Great Uncle Peter’s cornbread stuffing. Year after year, we enjoy these treats and use them as a way to stay connected with our families and personal histories.

More than mere sustenance, the traditional foods we enjoy year after year are a source of family pride and lead to conversations about family members and fond memories of holidays past. Family food traditions can be one of the most important parts of the holiday season for many people.

1/2 cup of butter
1 (1 oz.) square of unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 egg, beaten
2 cups of graham cracker crumbs
1 cup of shredded coconut
1/4 cup of butter
1 tablespoon of milk or cream
2 cups of powdered sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
1 1/2 (1 1/2 oz.) square unsweetened chocolate

Melt 1/2 cup butter and 1 square chocolate in saucepan. Blend granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, egg, crumbs and coconut into butter-chocolate mixture. Mix well and press into ungreased 11 1/2 x 7 1/2 inch baking dish. Refrigerate. Mix 1/4 cup butter, milk, powdered sugar and 1 teaspoons vanilla. Spread over crumb mixture. Chill. Melt 1 1/2 squares chocolate and spread evenly over chilled filling. Chill again. Cut into small squares before completely firm.

She sews, purchases and packs yearlong for this one time of the year. You won’t see elves in the Fran Bokulich Operation Christmas Child workshop, but that never stops her from creating more than 500 shoeboxes loaded with toys, clothing and candy for needy children around the world.

Santa’s got nothing on this.

Preparing for Operation Christmas Child is almost a full-time job for Bokulich, a 77-year-old Victoria woman. The project is part of the Christian-based Samaritan’s Purse organization that sends shoeboxes each year packed with children’s items and a message about Jesus Christ to remote parts of the world.

Christmas is one of your most favorite times of the year. However, it is also one of the most stressful. The reason for this is because, in addition to finding Christmas gifts and planning get-togethers, the children are on Christmas vacation, and you have to keep them busy. Thus, you need some ideas as to how you can keep from getting stressed out during the kids’ Christmas vacation.

About Christmas Vacation