Holiday Survival Kit Every family has its special holiday traditions. One of our favorites is baking cookies using a variety of holiday-theme cookie cutters, some of which belonged to my grandmother. My sons carefully select their favorite cookie cutters, then let loose their creativity decorating finished cookies. They make special ones for relatives, elderly neighbors and, of course, Santa and Rudolph!

Start a Cooking Holiday Tradition

Before you start cooking with your kids, follow these easy guidelines for a never-fail holiday cooking tradition:

• Think through your favorite holiday recipes. They might include toasted pumpkin seeds for Halloween, a favorite cake or bread for Chanukah, a special Thanksgiving salad or side dish or a deliciously festive Christmas confection. Pick one recipe for each holiday to prepare with your children.
• Select recipes with the ability of your children in mind. Very young children may be content stirring the ingredients, while older children want to read recipes, push the buttons on the blender and add their own creative touches to the food. When in doubt, keep it simple.
• Set the mood. Don't forget the kitchen when you're putting up holiday decorations. After all, it's where much of the holiday magic is actually created! Playing festive music while you cook with your children really sets the mood, and they'll always remember baking pumpkin pie when they play the holiday favorites on the radio each year.