Holiday treats kids can't wait to make

Santa Strawberries

Make a Christmas treat with your little one that isn’t cookies or sweets!

• Strawberries (look for firm berries)

• Readi Whip, Cool Whip or whipped topping of choice

• Black gel, mini chocolate chips or poppy seeds

Wash berries and lay on paper towel to dry. Cut the hulls off the tops of the strawberries so that theywill sit flat. Cut the strawberry about one-third of the way from the tip. Pipe some cream on the bigger piece of berry, and then carefully place the tip on top and pipe a little more cream on top. Dot black gel for eyes, or you can use mini chocolate chips or poppy seeds. Use a plastic bag with tip inserted into the corner to pipe in cream. Be sure to try these cuties!

Melted Bead Christmas Ornaments

Kids of all ages will enjoy this one! (Including us big kids!)

• Various colors, shapes, sizes of opaque and translucent beads

• Metal cookie cutters

• Baking sheet

• Thin gauge wire (I actually found red – festive!)

Rule 1: Kids make, parents bake! Do not let your helper near the oven.

Rule 2: Open windows as beads smell when baking, or do in toaster oven outdoors.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place metal cutters on baking sheet. We used tiny cutters this time but have used large ones in the past for larger ornaments. Make loop with wire and lay under cutter at top. Place beads in single layer until cutter is filled. Keep in mind the translucent beads will let light through and the opaque ones will not. When complete, carefully put in oven for approximately 20-25 minutes. Larger beads will take longer to melt. Let completely cool before removing from baking sheet. Ta-Dah! Beautiful hand-made ornaments for you and your tree!