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Holiday Baking with Kids

Fun and Easy Goodies to Make with Your Children

By Lisa Marie Metzler

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor or blender and mix thoroughly until well blended. The mix yields about 3 cups. Store in an airtight container.

Baker's Tip: For the best tasting cappuccino mix, use a good, brand-name coffee.

Directions for the recipient tag: In a mug, combine 2 tablespoons of mix to a cup of boiling water. Stir, sip and enjoy a tranquil moment.

Wicker baskets and decorated sturdy boxes make wonderful and inexpensive containers. Wicker baskets in an assortment of sizes and shapes can be found at your local thrift shop. Line the baskets with a pretty kitchen towel or tissue paper. Wicker baskets can easily be spray painted as well. Even shoeboxes take on a charming appearance with holiday wrap and a beautiful bow. Jelly jars are great containers for the beverage mixes. Decorate the lid with stickers or cut a piece of fabric twice as large as the lid and place over the lid and secure with the band. Embellish with ribbon tied around the band or raffia and pinecones. Encourage the children to use their imagination and come up with decorating themes.

Gift tags and instruction tags can be easily made on your computer. Try typing in "printable gift tags" at any search engine. Let the children personalize the tags by handwriting the message on them. For even more creativity, try creating new names for the recipes, like "Cafe (family name) Cappuccino" or "Let it Snow Cocoa."

The most important thing to remember when baking with children is to have fun! Don't worry about a broken egg on the floor or a messy kitchen. Embrace the moment and take pictures of your children's flour-covered cheeks!