Continued from Previous Post > Serve no-alcohol wine or beer , glowing water , or a festive punch , giving decisions for everyone. Guarantee a safe method home. Plan for designated drivers. Or be ready to name a taxi. December four Store , Wrap , Ship Giving meals gifts this season ? Nice idea-if they maintain their peak quality and keep clean and secure en route. Give recipients a heads-up so your gift doesn t sit out too long. Pack items in clean , well-protected containers. Pack perishables frozen or fridge chilly , in an insulated cooler or heavy field with cold packs or dry ice.Mark Perishable-Maintain Refrigerated and ship for overnight delivery. Open any food items you obtain immediately. Perishable foods don t keep safe or preserve the highest quality for long , even in the refrigerator. Some cured meats (arduous salami , dry cured ham) don t want refrigeration. Perishables , including other meats and most hams , fish , D E C E M B E R four 235 and poultry , should be refrigerator chilly on arrival. If not , toss; request a substitute or a refund. Think about sending these healthful , vacation meals presents: Fresh fruit. Some mail-order homes specialise in transport seasonal fruit. Nuts and dried fruit. Fill a fanciful bowl with your artistic trail mix. Spice and natural teas. Pack containers of unfastened tea or tea bags with colorful mugs. December 5 Cook dinner Savvy-Baker s Half Dozen Ready to start your vacation baking ? Baking experts advise utilizing high quality elements and measuring carefully.Use mushy , not melted butter or margarine-unless the recipe says to melt. Preheat your oven.Use the recommended pan size. Comply with doneness advice. Cool on a rack. Experiment for nutrition. The outcomes might differ from what you re used to. For extra fiber Go 50-50. Use half white flour , half whole-wheat flour. Add fruit or nuts: dried berries , currants , apricots , apples , papaya , dried plums (prunes); and almonds , walnuts , pecans , pistachios , hazelnuts , peanuts. Continued to Next Post..