The Ultimate Holiday Planner - Martha Stewart

The Ultimate

Holiday Planner



C 2004 MARTHA STEWART LIVING OMNIMEDIA

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CONTENTS

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1 MENU

This meal includes dishes that are equally delicious hot or at room temperature, so it's perfect for a holiday buffet.

2 HOLIDAY PLANNER

Follow our step-by-step plan for the month of December--and for a stress-free Christmas Day.

3 COOKIES FOR SANTA

Kids can help make these cookies on Christmas Eve or any time throughout the season. Visit the Recipe Finder on for more holiday favorites.

4 RECIPES

Print all ten of our easy-to-read cards, and file them in your recipe box. Cranberry, Tangerine, and Pomegranate Punch Roasted Turkey Breast with Fennel-Herb Stuffing Maple-Glazed Smoked Vermont Ham Butternut-Squash Crumble Green Beans with Panfried Shiitake Mushrooms Cranberry, Sour Cherry, and Grapefruit Chutney Cheddar-Cheese-and-Sage Biscuits Pear Tart Almond Tart Shell Vanilla-Bean Cr?me Anglaise

1 0 WINE GLOSSARY

Choose just the right bottle to complement your meal. Follow the to our recommendations.

1 1 POMEGRANATE WREATH

Mark that the year has come full circle by hanging a wreath embellished with symbols of hope, healing, and celebration.

1 2 CLIP-ART CRAFT: SNOWMAN FAVOR

A set of charming snowmen is easy to make--just print and assemble for a sweet party favor.

1 3 STAIN FIRST AID

Use our handy chart to help remove post-holiday stains from your household linens.



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HOLIDAY MENU

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Menu

Cranberry, Tangerine, and Pomegranate Punch Roasted Turkey Breast with Fennel-Herb Stuffing

Maple-Glazed Smoked Vermont Ham Butternut-Squash Crumble

Green Beans with Panfried Shiitake Mushrooms Cranberry, Sour Cherry, and Grapefruit Chutney

Cheddar-Cheese-and-Sage Biscuits Pear Tart with Vanilla-Bean Cr?me Anglaise



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HOLIDAY PLANNER

..................................................................................... The holidays don't have to be a frenzy of last-minute preparations. Our planner eliminates guesswork, ensuring an enjoyable season--even for the host.

TA S K

TA S K

FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER

FOURTH WEEK OF DECEMBER

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? Shop for gifts; start making handmade gifts. ? Make plum pudding and fruitcake. ? Begin baking holiday cookies and making candies. ? Plant paper-whites for holiday blooms;

plant extras to give as gifts. ? Print out holiday-card address list; make

new additions, and update list on computer. ? Begin writing your holiday newsletter. ? Purchase craft supplies for gift wrapping,

gift tags, and ornaments. ? Mail holiday cards and gifts to family and

friends overseas.

SECOND WEEK OF DECEMBER

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? Compose a shopping list for Christmas dinner, and purchase all non-perishables. Wait until the day before Christmas to purchase salad greens, fresh bread, or seafood.

? Select and set aside Christmas CDs. ? Purchase wine for Christmas dinner. (See page 10) ? Make or purchase any last-minute gifts. ? Finish wrapping gifts. page.jhtml?&type=content&id=channel1305 ? Order roast, goose, or turkey from

butcher for Christmas dinner. ? Make holiday flower arrangements and centerpieces. ? Iron tablecloths and napkins for Christmas dinner.

(See page 12)

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? Plan holiday menus for entertaining. ? Mail invitations for New Year 's Eve open house. ? Shop for holiday cards, or begin making your own. ? Make stockings. ? Make Christmas ornaments. ? Make wreaths and garlands. (See page 11) ? Make gingerbread house. ? Hang wreaths. ? Decorate house, inside and out, for

holiday entertaining. ? Purchase or make candles for the holiday table. ? Make pomander holiday gifts.

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DECEMBER 24, CHRISTMAS EVE

? Have children put out cookies and milk for Santa Claus. (See page 3)

? Stuff stockings after the little ones have gone to bed.

DECEMBER 25, CHRISTMAS DAY

? To simplify writing thank-you cards later, make a list of the gifts you receive and the people who gave them to you.

DECEMBER 26, HANUKKAH BEGINS AT SUNDOWN

WEEK BEFORE NEW YEAR'S

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? Invite family and friends to a Hanukkah dessert buffet.

? Fry up a batch of potato latkes. ? Celebrate Hanukkah with a plate of doughnuts. ? Light the first candles on the menorah.

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? Save and organize ribbons and boxes. ? Launder holiday table linens. ? Purchase champagne for New Year 's Eve. ? Create an hors d'oeuvres menu for New Year 's Eve.

THIRD WEEK OF DECEMBER

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? Mail holiday cards and gifts to family and friends. ? Purchase poinsettias. ? Unpack Christmas lights and ornaments; check lights. ? Bring Christmas tree home from tree farm or lot. ? Bake and decorate holiday cookies. ? Light and decorate Christmas tree. ? Make gift tags and bows, and start wrapping gifts. ? Choose holiday table linens, china, and silverware. ? Prepare hot chocolate and cookies for carolers. ? Polish silverware and serving pieces.

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NEW YEAR'S EVE

? Host open house.

WEEK AFTER NEW YEAR'S

? Remove, pack up, and store all ornaments, decorations, and lights.

? Take down wreaths and garlands; add them to compost pile.

? Arrange for recycling of Christmas tree, or use it for mulch or for covering perennial beds.

? Write thank-you notes using the list you made on Christmas Day.



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COOKIES FOR SANTA

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BLACK FOREST COOKIES

MAKES 36 PREP TIME: 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 40 MINUTES

For the best flavor, be sure to use the highest-quality chocolate you can find.

1 cup all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled) 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking powder

1. Preheat oven to 350?. Line three baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

1/2 teaspoon salt

8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped

2. Place chopped chocolate and butter in a large heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water; stir until melted and smooth. Remove from heat; whisk in sugars, then eggs, until smooth.

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup packed dark-brown sugar

3. Whisk in dry ingredients just until combined (do not overmix). Fold in chocolate chunks and dried cherries; press plastic wrap directly onto surface of dough, and refrigerate until firm, 30 to 45 minutes.

2 large eggs

1 package (about 12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chunks

1 1/2 cups dried cherries

4. Drop mounds of dough (equal to 2 level tablespoons), about 2 inches apart, onto prepared sheets. Bake just until edges are firm (but not darkening), 11 to 13 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.



COCONUT COOKIES

MAKES 36 PREP TIME: 40 MINUTES TOTAL TIME: 1 HOUR 40 MINUTES

Our coconut cookies are a cross between a coconut macaroon and a chewy butter cookie. Using a food processor makes the dough a snap to prepare.

1 package (14 ounces) sweetened shredded coconut (5? cups) 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup (1 stick) chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 1 large egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)



1. Preheat oven to 350?. Set aside 2 loosely packed cups of coconut on a plate. Place remaining coconut in a food processor along with sugar, salt, and baking powder; process until finely ground. Add butter, and process just until no lumps remain. Add egg and vanilla; process just until smooth. Add flour; pulse until a crumbly dough begins to form, scraping sides of bowl as needed (do not overmix).

2. Forming 5 or 6 at a time, scoop level tablespoons of dough, and place in reserved coconut. Roll into balls, coating with coconut.

3. Arrange balls, about 2 inches apart, on baking sheets. Bake until lightly golden, 23 to 25 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.



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