Christmas Workshop

Paper Plate Dove

• To make a dove ornament, gift, or package decoration, you will need: a pencil, any size white paper plate with fluted edges, scissors, yellow and black crayons, glue, scraps of red and green paper, white sewing thread, needle, a pen, and string (optional).

  

1. Following the example on this page, draw the dove, wings, and card on a paper plate and cut out.

2. On each side of the dove, color the beak yellow, make a round black eye, and glue the wings in place (see illustration).

3. Cut out two green holly leaves and six red berries. Glue a holly leaf and three berries on each side of the card (see illustration). Then write “Merry Christmas!” on each side of the card.

4. Thread the needle and push it through the top of the card and then through the bird’s beak. Remove the needle from the thread and tie the ends of the thread together. If desired, glue or tie a piece of string between the wings for hanging.

Fudgy Oat Drops

1 cup milk chocolate chips

1/3 cup butter or margarine

16 large marshmallows

2 cups quick-cooking oats

1 cup flaked coconut

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Place the chocolate chips, butter or margarine, and marshmallows in a large saucepan and melt over low heat, stirring constantly.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and mix in the oats, coconut, and vanilla.

3. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 1″ (2.5 cm) apart onto waxed paper and let cool.

Makes about three dozen.

Candy Bar Cookies

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

1 1/2 cups flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

36 miniature candy bars (chocolate-covered nougat and caramel)

1. In a large bowl, cream together the sugars, butter or margarine, and peanut butter. Add the vanilla and egg and mix well.

2. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Gradually add and stir the flour mixture into the sugar mixture.

3. With clean hands, shape a tablespoon of dough around each candy bar, forming a round ball. Place 4″ (10 cm) apart on a lightly greased baking sheet.

4. Bake at 375° F (190° C) for 13–15 minutes. Place cookies on a wire rack to cool.

Makes three dozen.

Baked Tortilla Shapes

To make these chips, you will need: large soft flour tortillas, a cutting board, metal Christmas cookie cutters, a baking sheet, cooking oil, a pastry brush, and salt.

1. Place a tortilla on the cutting board. Using the cookie cutters, cut each tortilla into fun shapes. Then place the shapes on a baking sheet. (Scraps can be cut up and used, too.)

2. Brush the shapes lightly with oil, then turn them over and brush again. Sprinkle lightly with salt.

3. Bake at 350° F (175° C) for 4–7 minutes or until the edges brown slightly. Remove from the oven and cool chips on wire racks. Serve with Colorful Dip (see recipe on this page).

Colorful Dip

2 cans (4 ounces/113 g each) chopped green chilies, drained

1 can (15 1/4 ounces/432 g) corn, drained

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese

1 cup regular mayonnaise

1. In a medium bowl, stir all the ingredients together.

2. Spoon mixture into an ungreased two-quart baking dish and cover with foil.

3. Bake at 350° F (175° C) for 20–25 minutes. Serve with Baked Tortilla Shapes (see recipe on this page).

Homemade Stickers

By Sherry Timberman

To make your own stickers, you will need: 2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin, 4 tablespoons hot water, a spoon, a small paintbrush, scissors, and small pictures cut from old magazines or your own drawings.

1. In a small bowl, mix the gelatin and water together until dissolved.

2. Dip the paintbrush in the mixture, coat the back of the pictures, and let dry. Then lick and stick your stickers.

Card with Cutouts

To make a card, you will need: 2 pieces of paper 8 1/2″ x 11″ (21.5 x 28 cm) in contrasting colors, a pencil, scissors, glue, and a pen.

1. Fold one piece of paper in half width-wise. Draw simple shapes along the fold, making sure you leave some of the fold intact (see illustration). Cut out the shapes and unfold. Continue folding anywhere you like, drawing shapes with part of the fold left intact, and cutting out until you have finished your design.

   

2. Glue the cut paper to the other piece of paper and let dry. Fold the glued papers in half width-wise. Write a Christmas message inside and remember to sign your name.

Illustrated by Brad Teare