college gift-giving The best

The Basics -- 5 cardinal rules of college gift-giving - MSN Money MSN Home My MSN Hotmail Shopping Money People & Chat Sign In W eb Search: Money S earch MSN Money: Help Home News Banking Investing Planning Taxes My Money Portfolio Loans Insurance Planning Home Retirement Savings Insurance Family/College College Tools Scholarship Search College Search Resources Decision Centers Commentary Index More Tools Related Links Message Boards Print-friendly version Send this to a friend Save for College Go to Step by Step A R T I C L E S Understanding the true cost of college Strategies to meet your college savings goal How to set up your child's college fund Small investments that yield big education dollars 5 cardinal rules of college gift-giving The best way to save for college An investment plan tied to yourchild's age Tax-savvy ways to fund college education Advertisement The Basics 5 cardinal rules of college gift-giving There are many ways, such as gifts and trusts, to help your family financially. But you should know the rules to protect yourself and your loved ones. By Adriane G. Berg Rule No. 1: Decide if you really want to make a gift There are consequences associated with gift giving, so think about what youre trying to accomplish. Dont transfer ownership and control over money without intending to do so. Once a name is changed on a deed, bank account or security, you have relinquished ownership of that asset. Even if you have placed the assets in a joint account, a creditor, spouse or other person named in the account can seize all of the money. Be careful. If you need help in handling money use a power of attorney, don't make a gift. Dont use custodial accounts if you think you'll need the money. The most frequently used form of gifts to grandchildren is the Uniform Gifts to Minors Account, the UGMA, or the similar Uniform Transfers to Minors Account, or UTMA. Although the assets are held in custody until the child reaches adulthood, the money belongs to the child. You cant take it back and the child gets the money at ages 18 or 21, depending on the child's state of residence. Make sure the gift is complete. For example, a deed with two names "in common" sets up only a half ownership. If one person dies, the other person does not necessarily inherit the remainder. Placing a grandchild's name on a deed beside your own does not guarantee that the child inherits the house. The child gets half ownership; the rest is distributed according to the law of intestacy for that individual state. Rule No. 2: Know how to title the gift The title on a bank account, stock, bond or deed creates wide differences in legal rights. A joint account transfers funds completely. Creditors, spouses and gift recipients can get all of it. Accounts that are Payable on Death (POD), and In Trust for Accounts (Totten Trusts) are not gifts. They are revocable transfers that pass without probate upon the death of the donor. Custodial accounts, such as UGMAs and UTMAs, transfer property irrevocably and with no strings attached. The custodian manages the account, and funds can be added to it. All of these types of accounts are considered the child's when it comes to determining eligibility for college aid, except POD and Totten Trusts. A true trust sets up a legal structure that the Internal Revenue Service taxes separately from yours or the recipients income. When a person receives funds from the trust, that person then pays the taxes on those funds. Trusts offer a great deal of flexibility. You can put restrictions on gifts held in trust. For example, there can be investment limitations or you can say the funds can be used to pay only for a grandchilds college, or that the funds can only be distributed after he or she reaches a certain age or once theyre married. Rule No. 3: Understand the tax consequences of a gift A child under the age of 14 is taxed on investment gains at his or her parents' highest marginal tax bracket. The so-called "kiddie tax is imposed to discourage transfers as a way to lower your tax bill. However, children under 14 get an exemption from taxation of investment gains of up to $1,400 a year. The bottom line: If income tax savings is your goal, transfer just enough to generate no more than $1,400 in returns each year. When the child reaches the age of 14, transfer more, unless the gift disqualifies the child for college aid. The donor is taxed for gifts. Be sure you follow the rules to get a gift tax exemption: You can transfer up to $11,000 per person each year without the recipient paying a tax or even reporting it on a tax return. Married couples can transfer up to $22,000 per beneficiary gift tax-free. If college is upon you, you can give an unlimited amount of money and pay no taxes if the gift is earmarked directly for tuition or other college fees (although not room and board). You can also pay the medical expenses of a beneficiary in unlimited amounts, if payments are made directly to the medical institution. If you must pay a gift tax, file on the April 15th after the year the gift was given. Gifts over the $11,000 to $22,000 rule are subject to a gift tax based on their fair market value at the time the gift was made. The usual procedure is to file a gift tax return and use all or a portion of the lifetime $1 million exclusion that we each get for gifts and inheritance. (The exclusion bumps up to $1.5 million in 2004, $2 million in 2006 and $3.5 million in 2009. In 2010, the gift and estate tax are to be repealed. The Republican-controlled Congress may try to accelerate these changes.) Rule No. 4: Know the best strategy to maximize the gift. Will you give now or later? If college planning is the goal, you may want to start immediately. Be sure that you don't use property that qualifies under the stepped-up basis rule. Known as SUB, it allows property such as your home to be appraised at its fair market value upon your death, rather than what you paid for it 20 years ago. So, if you have some highly appreciated property and transfer it during your lifetime, your family will end up paying more in taxes. You are depriving the family of this handsome tax benefit. If you need to give money right away, liquidate non-appreciated property or get rid of your losers. Or you can keep the asset in your name and take a loan against it to make the gift. Will you give outright or in trust? The 2503 C trust, sometimes called the child's trust, allows you to hold the gift in trust until the child reaches age 21, and get the $10,000 gift tax exclusion. If the child dies before reaching that age, the money goes into his or her estate. The money cannot be used to discharge a legal obligation of the donor. College is not a legal obligation. Interestingly, if the grantor/grandparent reserves the right to get income from the trust, the IRS considers the grandparent the owner for tax purposes. In that case, the gains are taxed in their bracket. Family limited partnerships have been around since 1910, and have enjoyed a recent resurgence. If you like the idea of a trust, but want to control the money and investments yourself, consider transferring the gift to a partnership. You act as general partner and the children or grandchildren are limited partners and recipients. Their tax bracket is applied to gains, and you can distribute the funds when needed for college or other purposes. The gift is out of your estate and even better, the gift is subject to IRS gift tax discount tables. In that way, you can transfer more than $1 million free of estate and gift taxes over the next few years. Rule No. 5: Understand the family impact of your decision Although the rules of gifting are technical, the act of giving can be very emotional. Giving a gift to one family member in need may anger another family member, even if that person is financially affluent. A few devices can help smooth family tensions, or at least stave off future legal battles. The advancement clause in a will asserts that gifts given during your lifetime are an advance against a future inheritance. This allows you to give, or advance money to one relative today, and have your executor "even out the score," after you are gone. For example, if you give Grandson John $10,000 for tuition and give Granddaughter Sally nothing, you can still leave the two of them a total of $50,000 in your will. But since John already received $10,000, he gets only $15,000 upon your death and Sally gets $25,000. What if you intend to favor one family member over another? You can forestall a legal fray with the "in terrorum clause." That clause asserts that in the event that one relative is disgruntled, any attempt to attack the will or trust results in a forfeiture of inheritance rights. Few heirs fight for the principle of the thing. Resources Read/Post comments on the Your Money message board Find a problem in this article? Send us e-mail Free Newsletters! Search MSN Money tips © 2005 Microsoft MSN Privacy Legal Advertise Feedback Help

CHRISTMAS GIFTS HAWAIIAN MUSIC

Hawaiian gifts, Christmas, music, books, art, and products - a large online Hawaii shopping mall. Aloha ! HOME CHRISTMAS GIFTS HAWAIIAN MUSIC HAWAIIAN BOOKS HAWAIIAN VIDEOS CLOTHING ETC. HAWAIIAN JEWELRY HAWAIIAN GIFTS CHILDREN & TEENS FABRIC & CRAFTS HULA IMPLEMENTS HEALTH & BEAUTY HAWAIIAN FOOD HOME ACCESSORIES ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS HAWAII STATIONERY HAWAII CALENDARS WOOD CARVINGS UKULELE (Put "phrases in quotes") ALOOOOHA! Here among the thousands of Hawaiian gifts and authentic products from Hawaii, you can easily find the perfect Hawaii Christmas gift , Anniversary, Wedding or Birthday present. Our online Hawaii shopping mall is filled with unique tropical Hawaii products - Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry, a large selection of Hawaiian music and art, Hawaiian Books, Hawaii hula skirts and aloha shirts, Hawaiian gift baskets, Hawaiian Christmas gifts , Hawaiian food and much more. We have great respect for your online privacy and offer you the highest security while you are on our web site . However, if you do not feel comfortable using credit cards to purchase online, please do not hesitate to call us at 1-808-245-8700 to make your purchases. We are located on beautiful Kalapaki Bay on the island of Kauai and we truly care about each and every customer. The Tropic Isle Music Co., established in 1994 , has grown from a home based business to a thriving 1500 square foot store with 10 employees - all full of aloha! Here are some of the great items we have in stock: Hawaii Gifts Hawaiian Music Hawaii Christmas Ornaments Hawaii gift baskets Hawaii Christmas cards Hawaiian Tikis Niihau Shell Jewelry Hula Girls Hawaiian Heirloom Jewelry Shell Jewelry Black Pearls Hawaii t-shirts Puka shells Hula Skirts Hawaii Christmas shirts Hawaii leis Aloha Shirts Hawaii children's clothing Hawaii Pareos Feather Jewelry seed jewelry Hawaiian plants bonsai plants Hawaii stuffed animals Hawaii Children's books Hawaii craft book oriental fabrics Hawaiian sewing Patterns Hawaiian quilt kits Hula drums Hula books Hula accessories Hula videos nut and seed leis uli uli gourds Hawaiian ukulele Hawaiian skin oils Hawaiian skin lotion Hawaiian Herbs bamboo candles Hawaiian coffee macadamia nuts Kauai cookies Hawaiian jelly Hawaiian poi Hawaiian seasoning Hawaiian snacks Hawaiian hot sauce Maui potato chips Hawaiian salt and seasonings Hawaii wood bowls Hawaiian prints monkeypod bowls Hula lamps Hawaii wood carving Hawaiian stone carving Hawaiian tiles and ceramics Hawaii picture frames tropical scented candles tropical flowers Hawaiian hair clips Hawaiian note pads Hawaii guestbooks Hawaii computer paper ukulele strings ukulele books Don Ho music Israel Kamakawiwo'ole music Makaha Sons of Niihau music Hapa music Kealii Reichel music Willie K music Typical Hawaiians music Hawaii Calls music Alfred Apaka music Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar music Hawaii scenic videos Hawaii music videos Hula videos Hawaii children's books Hawaii coffee cups Hawaiian thimbles Hawaii spoons Hanna's dolls Jewelry boxes Hawaii salt and pepper shakers Hawaiian mumuus We welcome special orders, we will be happy to help you find things from Hawaii. Looking for a gift from Hawaii? A Hawaiian Christmas gift perhaps? If you do not find what you are looking for on our web site let us do the searching. If it is from Hawaii, we will be happy to find it for you. Please don't hesitate to call us at 1-808-245-8700. Mahalo and Aloha! Privacy Policy | Contact | Hawaii News | Friends | Company Info . | Hawaii Gift Catalog Things to do on Kauai Tropic Isle Music Company Anchor Cove Shopping Center - 3416 Rice St. P.O. Box 3333 Lihue, Kauai, Hi. 96766 808-245-8700 | Fax: 808-246-1888 Site map Kauai activities and tours site design Kauai Hawaii Web Design webhosting Hawaii Web Host Kauai information

Housewarming Gift Celebrate a

How to Buy a Housewarming Gift - eHow.com How to Buy a Great Birthday Present for Under $10 , and consider these ideas, too." Clear Instructions on How To Do (just about) Everything Web eHow.com Home Holidays & Traditions Center Gift Giving How to Buy a Housewarming Gift Celebrate a friend or relative's new digs with a thoughtful housewarming gift and help get them set up in their new house in style. Browse through How to Buy a Great Birthday Present for Under $10 , and consider these ideas, too. Steps: 1. Bring a plant for a traditional gift. Lucky bamboo symbolizes good fortune, grows in water and lasts for years. 2. Give a bottle of wine, tea bags, cappuccino mix or a bag of flavorful ready-ground coffee. Package with a pair of wineglasses, mugs or demitasse cups. 3. Feed growling stomachs with cookies, cake, pastries or a fresh fruit basket. Or bring a savory snack of cheeses and a crusty loaf of fresh bread (see How to Buy Artisan Breads ). 4. Buy kitchen towels or a few hand towels and bars of soap. 5. Give a loaded picnic basket to dine on in their empty house then enjoy outdoors at a later date. A couple of folding beach or garden chairs can likewise serve many purposes. 6. Bring a new tool for the tool box: A cordless screw gun, 25-foot measuring tape, or a socket wrench set are all essential for projects around the house. Overall Tips: If you're handy with a hammer, good at hanging pictures or a great organizer, ask if you can lend a hand. What to look for: Helpful Useful Versatile Please Share Your Tips with Us E-mail this page to a friend Write an eHow Article Suggest a Topic More Resources: Related eHows: Take Wine to Your Host Throw a Housewarming Plan a Housewarming Buy Indoor Flowering Plants as a Gift Get a Gift for the Person Who Has Everything Project Details: Skill Advisory: Moderately Easy Printable Page New! -- Related eHows: Take Wine to Your Host Throw a Housewarming Plan a Housewarming Buy Indoor Flowering Plants as a Gift Get a Gift for the Person Who Has Everything Check out Thousands of How-To Solutions in eHow's Centers Automotive Careers & Education Computers & Home Electronics Family & Relationships Finance & Business Food & Entertaining Health Hobbies & Games Holidays & Traditions Home & Garden Personal Care & Style Pets Sports & Fitness Travel How to: --? Web eHow.com Home | Site Map | About Us | How To Books | Link to eHow Subscribe to the eHow of the Day Mailing List : Have the eHow of the Day appear on your My Yahoo! Page: Add the eHow of the Day to your RSS reader: © 1999-2005 eHow, Inc. How things get done. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the eHow Terms of Use and Privacy .

Gifts See all... Occasion

Surprise.com - Birthday Gifts, Anniversary Gifts, Unique Gift Ideas Find Gifts Across the Web Login / Sign Up Boss's Day in 24 days Halloween Oct 31 Thursday, September 22, 2005 Mist Fountain » More Cool Gifts See all... Occasion Wedding Anniversary Baby Shower Housewarming more... Recipient Child Teen Girl Boyfriend Kid's Coach more... Gifts By Type Gift Baskets Flowers Last Minute Gifts Keepsakes more... Hobbies Gardener Woodworker Quilter Photographer more... Sports & Outdoor Baseball Fan Golfer Fishing Soccer more... Food & Cuisine Gourmet Sushi Lover Chocoholic Meat Lover more... Job Works Too Much First Job Commuter Occupation more... Wedding Party Bridesmaids Flowergirl & Ringbearer Groomsmen Bachelorette Party more... What are they like? Bath Connoisseur Gadgeteer Always Cold Unusual Sense of Humor Gardener Our Gift Guide helps you find just the right category. Describe Them Choose a Category Find a Great Gift -- -- Unusual Sense of Humor Pre-written Correspondence -- Gadgeteer Binary Code Clock -- Bath Connoisseur Thai Spa Set -- Always Cold Chic Hot Water Bottle -- Always Up for an Adventure Extreme Cuisine -- Stressed Out Decision Making Paperweight -- Movie Buff Movie Gift Box -- Appreciates Beautiful Things Rose Friendship Box -- Organized, Or Wants To Be Standing Valet -- Likes to Throw Parties Party Welcome Mat -- Secret Agent Man Spy Pen -- Wants a Little Peace & Quiet Serenity Chimes Home | About Surprise.com | Contact Us | List Your Site | Merchant Center | Help | All Gifts | My Account | Login © 2005 Surprise.com, Inc. Your guide to the Web's top-rated gift ideas . All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy .

Gift ideas Festive links

Vegan Christmas or Yule - recipes and gift ideas . home to the Vegan Family House Vegan Christmas or Yule We love Christmas time or Yuletide (see our Winter Solstice page) - lights, colour, celebration, sharing, eating and drinking more than you really should ...in midwinter in Scotland this time is very welcome! The spiritual side of Christmas often goes a little unnoticed amid the mad rush of present buying, decorating and food preparation. Whether you celebrate the renewal of nature, friendship, gratitude to the Universe or the birth of Christ, it is a very integral part of this festival and very enriching to include this dimension to the day. Many traditions have played a part in forming Christmas as we know it today (commercialism included!). Here we detail the foods that we enjoy at this time - well, what do vegans eat at Christmas? All recipes are now available on printable pages (link by each recipe) or you can visit the master index of all the printable recipes from the whole site. Also further down we have a section on vegan present shopping. Savoury recipes Sweet recipes Gift ideas Festive links and Books Other food pages: Kitchen - Soups . Sauces and Dips . Salads . Main Courses . Cakes and Puddings Easter . Chocolate . Christmas/Yule . Vegan Cook Books . Food links . printable index Savoury festive recipes Cashew Nut Roast with Sage and onion stuffing A sixth of a cup/30g/1oz of vegan margarine 2 sticks of celery, finely chopped 1 medium leek, finely chopped 1 and a half cups of hot water 1 teaspoon of yeast extract (marmite, vegemite etc.) 3 cups/550g/16oz of ground cashew nuts (or other nuts of your choice - almonds work well too) 2 Tablespoons of soya flour 2 teaspoons of fresh herbs - winter savoury is great (if using dried 1 teaspoon) 3 cups/160g/6oz of white bread crumbs seasalt and pepper to taste sage and onion stuffing (see recipe further down the page) Melt the margarine (in a large pan for mixing) and cook the celery and leek in it for a few minutes. Mix the yeast extract into the hot water (alternatively you could use any stock you like) and add this to the leek and celery. Stir in the soya flour, nuts, herbs, breadcrumbs and salt and pepper and mix well. Allow to cool slightly while you grease a loaf tin. Place half the nut roast mixture in the tin and press down well - then add the sage and onion stuffing (pressing down well again) and place the rest of the nut roast mixture on top. Bake in the oven for about 40 minutes at 180/360 then turn out of the tin and slice. Nice served with all the traditional trimmings. Variations:- you can substitute wine (red or white) or soya milk for the water and yeast extract. The sage and onion stuffing is optional - it works just as well without it and might actually slice up easier! A layer of sliced mushrooms and garlic is an alternative to the stuffing. Printable version Creamy mushroom Puff A third of a cup/60g/2oz of vegan margarine 4 tablespoons of plain white flour 1 onion 4 cloves of garlic, crushed or very finely chopped (this can be reduced or left out if desired) 3 cups of mushrooms, sliced half a litre/500ml of soya milk 1 glass of white wine (or stock) handful of chopped parsley salt and pepper to taste approx. 500g/18oz of frozen puff pastry (this even comes ready-rolled now for extra laziness!!!) Melt the margarine and cook the onion and garlic in it for a few minutes and then add the sliced mushrooms and cook for a couple of minutes more. Add the flour and stir well. Gradually add the soya milk stirring all the time and then the wine and keep stirring on a low heat until the sauce thickens. Once thick remove from the heat and add your seasoning and the parsley. Allow to cool slightly while you prepare the pastry. Roll out into 2 wide rectangular shapes reserving some pastry for decoration. Place one sheet of pastry on a greased baking tray. Heap the slightly cooled sauce onto it leaving a space round the edges. Place the top sheet on and seal up the edges with some soya milk or water (fold over if needed). Make some small slits on the top of the puff and let your artistic side shine with the reserved pastry! I usually make holly leaves to place on the top but do whatever you like. Glaze with soya milk and then bake in a medium hot oven for about half an hour or until the pastry seems cooked (no soggy bits and nicely puffed up!) Nice served with gravy, roast potatoes, stuffing, vegan sausages, cranberry sauce and vegetables of your choice - a feast! Printable version ' NOW THATS WHAT I CALL A CHRISTMAS DINNER' MUSHROOM PARCEL by Catriona There are a few steps to this but most can be made a day ahead... in fact I normally assemble it all the evening before and then it is ready to go... Ingredients list: Mushroom Risotto 300mls/just over 1 cup rice approx. 600mls/2 and a quarter cups hot stock ( I use Kallo mushroom stock cubes) 1 onion, finely chopped couple of cloves garlic, crushed or finely chopped Jar of antipasto mushrooms, minus a tbsp mushrooms (make sure they are vegan), drain and reserve the oil. big handful of chestnut mushrooms, sliced a few dried mushrooms, soaked in hot water and then finely chopped tsp dried oregano ( or fresh if you can) fresh basil, sliced Soyamince filling 1 cup defrosted vegemince or 1 cup rehydrated soya mince, remaining tbsp of mushrooms, enough sundried tomato puree to bind it together and some fresh basil Stuffing 1 onion finely chopped, 1 cup oats 1/2 cup suet, 1 tsp mixed herbs and some salt and pepper. Aprox. 500g./18oz of frozen, vegan puff pastry Preparation Mushroom Risotto Put some of the reserved mushroom oil in a pan and saute the onions and garlic until soft, add the rice and mix it all together. Add all the different mushrooms and the oregano if dried. Mix again and then gradually add the stock stirring constantly for that creamy risotto texture. More or less liquid may be needed. Add fresh herbs , mix and set aside. soyamince filling In a blender mix together approx. 1 cup defrosted vegemince or 1 cup rehydrated soya mince, remaining tbsp of mushrooms, enough sundried tomato puree to bind it together and some fresh basil Stuffing chop an onion finely and mix it with 1 cup oats to 1/2 cup suet,1 tsp mixed herbs and some salt and pepper. bind with a little water to form a sausage...be careful not to add too much water. Have ready some defrosted vegan puff pastry rolled out into a rectangle. Assembly Get the puff pastry and spread it lightly with sundried tomato paste and stick basil leaves on to this. Get the cooled mushroom risotto and spread it onto the pastry leaving room at all ends... you wont need all the risotto. On top of this place the soya mince filling and then place the stuffing sausage along the centre. Fold up the sides until they meet in the middle...hopefully!! If they are reluctant to stick down then brush with a little soya milk. Put on a baking tray. It is advisable, if possible, to raise the pastry parcel off the tray using a rack as I have found the bottom has a tendency to burn. You can now leave it until Christmas Day! To cook follow the temperature guide on the packet of puff pastry. Easy! Printable version Spinach-Tofu Manicotti by Secular Pagan Not exactly a traditional Yule/Christmas dish, but it's red, white, and green, so it fits. FILLING: (stuffs about ten manicotti "tubes") 1 pound/450g firm tofu, drained and rinsed 1 10-oz/300g box frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning (blend of oregano, marjoram, thyme, rosemary, basil, sage) 3 green onions (scallions), including green part, sliced thinly 8 ounces/230g (more or less) white button mushrooms, chopped in big chunks PASTA: 1 package large manicotti tubes SAUCE: About 28 ounces/750g of your favorite pasta sauce, homemade or prepackaged Plop tofu into a medium-sized mixing bowl and mash/crumble with your hands. Add spinach and fold into tofu with a fork, using fork to break up strands of spinach and mix evenly with the crumbled tofu. Stir in Italian seasoning, onions, and mushrooms. Boil about 10 manicotti tubes just shy of al dente (they won't fall apart this way when you're stuffing them) and drain. Use your fingers to push clumps of filling into the manicotti tubes till each one is plump and full. Lay them in a covered casserole dish (more than one layer is O.K.) and pour your favorite tomato-based pasta sauce (homemade or bottled) over the whole thing. Cover and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about an hour, maybe a little less (say, 45 minutes) if you have the manicotti spread out in a single layer. Remove from oven and give it a few minutes to cool off before attempting to eat. Note: I have to keep my sodium intake low, so I don't add salt to anything I make from scratch (except some baked goods), so some of you might prefer to add a. 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the filling. Printable version Cranberry, Orange and Ginger sauce 3/4 cup/150g/5oz sugar 1/2 cup/150ml/quarter pint of orange juice zest of 1 lemon 1 teaspoon of fresh grated ginger (or half a teaspoon of dried ginger) 2 cups of fresh cranberries pinch of salt Place the cranberries, orange juice and ginger in a pan and simmer for about 10 minutes. Give the berries a mash and add the sugar, zest and salt. Cook gently until all the sugar is completely dissolved. The sauce will thicken up as it cools slightly. Nice served hot or warm with nut roast or mushroom puff and parcel. Printable version Cheat's nut roast rolls! Very simple if you buy a vegan packet mix for a nut roast and some frozen puff pastry! Simply make up the nut roast mix and place it in the puff pastry in roll shapes. Nice done like cocktail sausage rolls for serving with drinks. Bake in a medium oven for about 20 minutes. Sage and Onion Roast Potatoes 4 teaspoons of dried sage or 8 teaspoons of freshly chopped sage 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil 1 finely chopped onion 4 tablespoons of medium oatmeal Potatoes, peeled and cut to desired size (this coating is enough for about 4 or 5 lbs/2 or 3 kilos.) salt to taste Par boil the potatoes then just when they are beginning to soften remove from heat and drain. Place in baking tray and rub the coating all over them (careful!) - roast in a hot oven until nice and crispy (30 minutes plus). You might want to baste with a little more oil half way through for extra crispiness! Variation : sesame roast potatoes - coat the potatoes in sunflower oil and plenty sesame seeds before roasting - this has a lovely flavour too. Printable version Sage and Onion stuffing 6 slices of wholemeal bread half a cup/85g/3oz of vegan margarine 4 teaspoons of dried sage or 8 of fresh, chopped sage 1 finely chopped large onion salt to taste Melt the margarine in a saucepan and then cook the onion in it until soft. Break up the wholemeal bread with your hands (into fairly small pieces) and then mix into the onion and margarine with the sage and salt. This can be pressed into an oven-proof bowl for baking or if you like meat analogues it can be sandwiched between two Redwood Cheatin' Turkey Roasts (see below for turkey substitute links), wrapped in foil and baked in the oven! Printable version Skirlie (traditional Scottish oatmeal stuffing - quite bland, not to everyone's liking!) 1 cup of medium oatmeal 1 large onion, finely chopped 4 tablespoons of sunflower oil a little salt Cook the onion in the oil until soft and then stir in the oatmeal and salt and cook for a few minutes longer, stirring frequently to prevent sticking - then use as Sage and onion stuffing. Printable version top Sweet festive recipes Jewel Biscuits Delicious and colourful biscuits or cookies - the 'jewels' are optional but very bright and special - makes about 25 medium (3 inch/9cm) biscuits. 150g/5oz/three quarter cup caster sugar 150g/5 oz/three quarter cup vegan margarine 5 tablespoons of soya milk 300g/10 oz/1and a half cups of plain flour teaspoon vanilla extract (or according to pack instructions) boiled sweets - different colours is good Preheat oven to 200C/400F and grease baking sheets. Cream together the sugar and marg. Mix in the soya milk and vanilla and then the flour. The mixing of the flour is best done with your hands. You should have a workable dough (add more flour if it's too wet or more soya milk if too dry and doesn't hold together well). Roll out on a floured board (to just under 1 cm thick) and cut into shapes - cutters in festive shaped such as stars, trees and angels are lovely but plain round ones are effective too - you can use a drinking glass if you don't have cutters. Lay on baking sheets. Make a hole in the middle of each biscuit - plain round, diamonds, stars - whatever you like, as long as it is big enough for your sweet! Place a sweet in each hole. Bake for about 10 minutes for soft bake cookies or a little longer for dryer, crunchy ones. The sweets will melt down and fill the hole in the oven and then reset once cool. If you want these for tree decoration ONLY you can prelong their life by replacing the sugar in the recipe with salt and adding a couple of tablespoons of PVA glue to the mix (do not eat after doing this option!!) Prior to baking make a small hole in the top with a drinking straw - once cooked and cooled you can thread ribbons through for hanging. Printable version Easy, Last Minute Christmas Fruit Cake by Jean This cake has no added sugar or fat (suitable for a range of diets) but is still really sweet and rich. It should be stored in the fridge and eaten within one week. 8oz/250g/2 cups of cooking dates with the stones removed 10 fl.oz / 300ml/1 and a quarter cups of water (you could substitute a quarter cup of brandy or sherry for a quarter cup of the water if you like) 6oz/175g/1 and a quarter cups of wholemeal flour 1 lb/450g/3 cups of mixed dried fruit of your choice - including lots of dried apricots works very well 2 teaspoons of baking powder 1 teaspoon of mixed spice 4 tablespoons of orange juice For decoration: You can either do a traditional marzipan and white icing topping or use rows of different nuts such as walnuts, pecans, brazils and almonds. Heat the dates and water until the dates are soft. Remove from heat and mash with a fork. Add all the other ingredients and mix well. Spoon into a greased 2lb/900g cake tin and level top. If using the nut topping place rows of different nuts on top of the cake prior to cooking. Bake at 170C/340F for about an hour and a half until cooked. Once cooled the nut topping can be glazed with a little syrup (melt some sugar into hot water) or you can ice traditionally. Printable version Cranberry Ginger Bars by Luree Filling: 3 cups of fresh or frozen cranberries 3/4 cups each of raisins, dried apricots and crystallised ginger 1 lb/450g/3 cups of mixed dried fruit of your choice - including lots of dried apricots works very well 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup apple juice In a large saucepan combine all ingredients. Bring to a gentle boil over a medium heat. Stir for about 5 minutes or until the cranberries have popped. Let cool. Base and Topping: 2 cups flour 3/4 cups brown sugar 1 and a half teaspoons of ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1 cup of margarine or vegetable shortening 1 cup of rolled oats 3/4 cup of raw sunflower seeds Mix all ingredients together. Set aside 1 and a half cups of crumb mixture for topping. Press the remainder into a 9" by 13" baking pan. Bake at 180C/350F for 15 minutes. Spread with cranberry mixture and sprinkle with remaining crumbs. Bake for another 30 minutes. Yummy! Printable version Chocolate Yule Log Cake (for people who can't do swiss roll!!) 1 chocolate cake baked in a loaf tin - basic chocolate cake recipe here (or 1 chocolate swiss roll if you can do it!!) 1 batch of vegan chocolate 'butter' icing: Beat together half a cup/130g/4oz vegan margarine with 1 and a third cups/210g/7 oz sifted icing sugar and one tablespoon of cocoa (also sifted to avoid lumps). Beat in a few drops of natural vanilla extract. 1 tablespoon of icing sugar for dusting 1 festive cake board or large plate and decorations of your choice (fake flowers or berries, holly leaves, small baubles etc.) Cake Assembly: Cut the corner off one end of the cake and turn it round to look like a branch (excuse rough drawing!) - arrange on the cake board or plate. Secure the branch with some of the icing. With a knife smooth off the corners of the log to make it rounded. Cover the entire cake with the rest of the icing, then use a fork to make lines and knots like a log :) Dust with icing sugar. Decorate to your hearts content. Printable version Little Chocolate logs 1 chocolate cake prepared in a large square tin so it will not be too deep ( visit the chocolate room if you need a recipe for this) vegan marzipan maya gold (preferably though any dark vegan choc. will do) icing sugar for dusting glace cherries and crystallised angelica for decoration or children might prefer Whizzers chocolate beans or other sweets Cut the cake into small rectangles ( 10 cm. X 4 cm. and 2 or 3 cm. deep). Cut thin pieces of marzipan and place on top of the cakes. Pour melted chocolate over the top of each log, decorate to your hearts content and then dust with the icing sugar (snow!). Printable version Easy chocolate-rum truffles Some left over cake, crumbled - about 2 cups 2 tablespoons of Apricot jam 2 tablespoons of rum (or rum flavouring) 1 teaspoon of cocoa 50g./2oz (half a large bar) of vegan chocolate, melted Coating of choice - cocoa, chopped nuts, coconut etc. Mix everything together and then squeeze into balls (about 5 cm. diameter) and roll in the coating. Place in petit four cases. Printable version Festive Sweets Making your own sweets is actually quite fun - children have a great time with this too. They are also nice gifts if placed in a pretty box or packet. Vegan chocolate - I recommend Maya Gold for these - it's orange spiciness is perfect for this time of year. Nuts of your choice (hazel, walnut, pecan, almond, brazil) Vegan marzipan (many supermarkets stock this) Dates Dessicated coconut Cocoa Icing sugar Crystalised angelica Glace cherries Flaked almonds It's very simple! Melt the chocolate and then dip things in it - nuts, marzipan balls, dates - and then place them on a sheet of grease-proof paper to set. Decorate with angelica, glace cherries (can be made to look like holly) and flaked almonds before the chocolate sets and then you can sprinkle with cocoa, coconut or icing sugar. Dates can be destoned and stuffed with marzipan for a non-chocolate treat. Place in petit four cases and enjoy! Printable version Also see Chocolate Fudge icing or soft fudge Mincemeat by Catriona 1lb/450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped 8oz/225g shredded vegetable suet 12 oz/350g sultanas 16 oz/450g dried apricots 12oz/350g soft dark brown sugar grated rind and juice of 2 oranges grated rind and juice of 2 lemons 2oz/60g whole almonds, slivered 4 tsp mixed spice 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon half a nutmeg, grated 6 tbsp vegan brandy Mix all ingredients ,except the brandy, together in a bowl then cover and leave for 12 hours. To prevent fermentation place the mincemeat in a 120C/ 225F oven for 3 hours. Then allow to cool, stir in brandy and put in clean jars and seal. Printable version Christmas Pud by Catriona 12oz/350g sultanas 4oz/120g glace cherries, halved 10z/300g ground almonds 4oz/120g plain flour 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp grated nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 1/2 tsp mixed spice 8oz/230g dark brown molasses sugar 4oz/120gsoft, fresh wholemeal breadcrumbs 8oz/230g vegetable suet grated zest and juice of 1 lemon 1 tbsp black treacle 4 floz/125ml/half a cup soya milk sherry soak the sultanas in plenty sherry Grease a 2 pint pudding basin. Put the soaked fruit, cherries and ground almonds into a large bowl. Add the flour, salt, spices, sugar, breadcrumbs, suet, lemon zest and juice, treacle, soya milk and 4 tbsp sherry. Mix well to make a soft mixture. Spoon into the basin, cover with two layers of greased foil and tie down. Steam for 4 hours. Cool. Cover with a circle of greaseproof paper and two layers of tinfoil. To reheat steam for three hours as before. (I have to say that when I make it I prick the pudding and feed some more sherry or brandy into it...) and don't forget that after it is reheated pour MORE brandy over it and set it on fire. Printable version Vegan Trifle also by Catriona I loved this so much before I was vegan that I veganised it one year and it is excellent... you can leave off the 'cream' layer if you like but I think it makes it! Make a plain vegan sponge and sandwich it together with jam. Slice it up and put it on the bottom of a trifle dish ( or other suitable deep dish) drain a tin of fruit and put on top of the sponge (or use fresh fruit. I like raspberries). Next make up a vegan jelly and pour on top of everything... leave to set. Make up custard with soya milk and pour that on top of the set jelly. Leave that to set. Now put on a thick soya cream made with...2 tbsp cornflour, 2 oz/60g vegan margarine, 1 oz/30g sugar, 1/2 tsp vanilla essence and 1/2 pt/250ml/1 cup of soya milk... blend the cornflour with a little soya milk. Add the rest of the milk gradually and transfer to a saucepan. Bring to the boil gently and stir until the mixture thickens. Set aside to cool. Cream the margarine with the sugar until pale in colour. Beat in the cooled cornflour mixture a little at a time. Add the vanilla essence. Put the cream layer on top of the chilled custard layer. Decorate with fresh fruit and then eat voraciously. The cream can also be turned into brandy cream by adding a spoonful of brandy...serve with Christmas pudding. Printable version top Links and Books for other recipes and ingredient sources. 'Vegetarian Christmas' by Rose Elliot. Not exclusively vegan but there is a plethora of vegan delights included and most of the lacto-ovo recipes are easily 'veganisable'. Our favourite Christmas dinner of Chestnut and Red wine pate en croute is one of many included here along with lots of advice on taking the work out of Christmas catering. This book is full of ideas for lots of special touches which can be prepared early and frozen - a firm favourite. Buy UK or Buy US 'Have Yourself a very Vegan Christmas' by James Mays. A book choc full of totally vegan Christmas recipes at last!! It is only available from the American branch of Amazon - though they do ship internationally, it may take a few weeks to arrive if you live outside the USA. Buy US 'Cooking by the Seasons - simple vegetarian feasts' - a beautiful collection of recipes divided into the four main seasons. Most recipes are either vegan or very easily veganised - there is even a tofu salad especially for vegan goddesses! Information is given on the eight major sabbats (summer solstice, Yule etc.) along with suggested menus - suggestions for Yule include mulled wine, winter solstice pumpkin soup, red, white and green lasange and hazelnut ice cream and many, many ideas for everyday feasts. There is a really good vegan version of macaroni cheese - baked shells with brocolli and tomato. Yum yum yum. Buy UK or Buy US Festive Children's Books - some recommendations from us. Frugal Christmas - economical ideas for Christmas - shopping, recipes, cards and decorations. Nutties - a great range of vegan hampers including Christmas ones. Kinnerton Confectionery are producing some dairy and nut free advent calendars on a first come first served basis - for full details email g.phillpot@kinnerton.com The Redwood Wholefood Co. - UK based company with turkey roasts etc. - all vegan, available by mail order and in health food shops. Wicken Fen - UK makers of vegetarian foods such as sausages and burgers which are available in many UK supermarkets - most of the range is vegan. Tofurky.com - an American site offering online ordering of vegan turkey substitutes. Kansas' Vegan Christmas Cookies - festive cookie recipes, from Snickerdoodles to Expresso Fudgies! Vegan Christmas Recipes from Parsley Soup - both sweet and savoury festive home cooking. Gift Ideas We like to support vegan companies and charities by doing, at least some of our gift and card shopping with them: UK organisations (most do international orders too) Vegan Family House Gadget Shop - our vegan designs on t-shirts such as the one on the right, mousemats, bags and aprons - you can change the colours, styles etc. to suit yourself or even design your own personal items. Our CafePress Store we have a larger range of products available here - babywear, t-shirts, caps, cards, magnets, badges, bags, mugs and even undies! They ship from the USA but arrive very quickly and have reasonable postage rates. VIVA (Vegetarians and Vegans Voice for Animals) chocolates, wine, toys, books, mugs, badges, clothing, cards. Online ordering. Animal Aid chocolate, wine, clothing, footwear, toiletries, books, cards, mugs, magnets. Online ordering Veganstore.co.uk lots of food items (yes, including chocolate!), T-shirts, books, footwear, badges and magnets, candles, toiletries - now stocking foil wrapped tree decorations and chocolate snowmen!! Online ordering. UK Vegan Society - T-shirts, mugs, chocolates, footwear, wine, candles, games, books, e-mail or phone them on 01424 427393 to request a full catalogue. Respect for Animals - merchandise sold in aid of this campaign against the fur trade - includes mugs, T-shirts and vegan chocolate. Dr.Hadwen Trust - boxed chocolates, fudge, chocolate dipped honeycomb (non-animal), turkish delight - mail order or available online at Cruelty Free Shop American Organisations A Different Daisy - online vegan store selling many different products. Snooty Jewelry - vegan jewelry online. And don't forget our own Bookstore with vegan cookbooks, parenting, nature, spiritual and health titles and fiction section and The Kid's Bookstore (with great titles from Harry Potter to Herb the Vegetarian Dragon and Dr. Seuss !) (International shipping from both the UK and the USA) Have a good festive season home . vegan . kids . surgery . bookstore . kids books . fiction . support . celebrity . earth kitchen . printable recipes . chocolate . soups . salads . sauces . entrees . cakes . foodlinks Daniel . Charlotte . furry friends . family photos . festive . Christmas . Easter . winter . summer links . kidslinks . banners . what's new? . webrings . email . mailing list . guestbook . add a link