Good Housekeeping Institute (New York N.Y.) - The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook

WHEN I WAS A KID, every Christmas seemed to burst with pent-up anticipation: presents, cookies, stockings, playing with my cousins, days off school. On Christmas Eve, I couldnt contain my excitementit seemed morning would never come.

Fast-forward a few years (whos counting?!). Im often so caught up in the grown-up rat race that I feel a bit of dread and anxiety mixed with that happy eagerness. I need to buy that, bake this, make thatand wrap it all up with a pretty bow! Enter the amazing team of experts here at GH (or maybe I should call them elves!). They have the power to solve all our holiday dilemmas. Amazingly, when I look through the stunning ideas and inspiring shortcuts weve pulled together in this latest edition of The Good Housekeeping Christmas Cookbook, I go from stressed to excited.

Here are all our best tools, tips, shortcuts, and sanity-soothers in one single book. Youll find a bounty of triple-tested holiday recipesmore than 300 of them! Appealing appetizers, gorgeous soups, and festive salads will kick off your celebration. For a sumptuous main course, choose from turkey, roast, or even vegetarian options, along with irresistible side dishes and dressings. And save room for desserts: stand-out cakes, homey pies, and puddings, plus cookies
both traditional favorites and newcomers like Dulce de Leche Sandwiches and Matcha Spritzare all here. Weve also included a nostalgic flashback to the pages of Good Housekeepings Christmases past.

But theres more to Christmas than food! Youll find ideas for creating dazzling Christmas trees and ornaments, festive garlands, welcoming wreaths and outdoor lights, cheerful centerpieces, and beautiful tabletops, plus fun and inventive gift wraps to make the season bright.

We also tell you everything you need to know about entertaining: tips on setting a formal table; the best way to make your silver gleam; a chart outlining how much food it takes to feed your crowd; the easiest ways to prep and clean up when the partys over. To get holiday-ready, start with The Great Christmas Countdown on an eleven-day plan that helps you break down all your holiday to-dos.

I cant wait to share the latest update of this ultimate Christmas sourcebook with you. Its guaranteed to bring back the merry, and give you a stress-free season full of happy new memories youll cherish forever.

Jane Francisco

EDITOR IN CHIEF

CROWD-PLEASING RECIPES, SPARKLING DECORATIONS & ENTERTAINING IDEAS TO MAKE THE HOLIDAYS FESTIVE & BRIGHT

Christmas is the most anticipated of holidaysand with good reason. The season is filled with memorable feasts, an abundance of sweets, decorations that sparkle both indoors and out, and a whirlwind of parties and presents. Most of all, no matter how you and yours celebrate, its a time to get togetherand share the joywith family and friends.

Here at Good Housekeeping, we cant promise you snow, but in The Christmas Cookbook, we deliver all the rest.

Start with The Great Christmas Countdown, an eleven-day plan to amp the fun factor and curtail your stress. From shopping and meal planning to setting the table, it breaks down all your to-dos leading up to the big day. Then we move on to holiday entertaining, sharing our expertise on everything from setting a formal table to how much food youll need to feed your crowd. And in Christmas Cleanup, we deliver strategies to whip your house into shapeboth before and after the party.

In the chapters that follow, weve collected more than 300 of our all-time favorite holiday recipes, plus a glittering array of festive decorations and crafts to help you deck out your home in style. Festive Beginnings gets the party started with delightful appetizers, first courses, and drinksplus how-tos for making gorgeous wreaths. The Main Event serves up a selection of showstopping roasts, buffet-perfect dishes, and tabletop inspiration.

Of course, we havent forgotten the sidesor the all-important Christmas tree; Sideshows and All Through the House round up irresistible options for both. Sweet Finales features everyones favorite course: dessert. From cakes, pies, and puddings to cookie recipes and decorating tips, we provide sweet satisfaction. We wrap things up with a chapter on gourmet food gifts, stunning gift wraps, and practical advice on getting presents to friends and family right on time.

Along the way, we share lots of advice on every-thing from stocking the bar to hosting a cookie swap. After all, weve been celebrating Christmas at the magazine since 1885weve had a long time to develop our credentials in all things merry and bright!