Family Fun 200912

FamilyFun.
com
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S P E C I A L H O L I D A Y I S S U E
Get the
skinny
on these
pretzel
snowmen!
See page 70
Gifts Your Kids
Can Make
5 Cute and Easy Ideas
7 No-Stress Recipes
for Holiday
Get-togethers
17 Gifts Worth
Your Money
We tested them!
Creative Activities
for School Vacations
HowOne Mom
Curedthe
Gimmes
DECEMBER/JANUARY 201 0
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14.75 in.
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An amazing choice for small families.
Cars.com
All new Chevy Equinox. 32 MPG hwy.
1
Up to 600 hwy miles between fill-ups. Thats better than Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and even Ford Escape Hybrid.
Named a 2009 Top Safety Pick by IIHS.
3
A Consumers Digest Best Buy. 2010 Equinox. See why its the perfect fit for your family.
LTZ as shown, $28,790.
4
OnStar
5
is standard for one year.
1 EPA estimate. 2 EPA est. MPG hwy (FWD): Equinox 32, CR-V 28, RAV4 28, Escape Hybrid 31. 3 Based on 2009 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing. 4 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment extra. 5 Visit onstar.com for details and system limitations. OnStar and the OnStar Emblem are registered trademarks of OnStar LLC. Equinox is a registered
trademark and Chevy is a trademark of General Motors. 2009 General Motors. Buckle up, America!
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Up to 600 hwy miles between fill-ups. Thats better than Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, and even Ford Escape Hybrid.
2

A Consumers Digest Best Buy. 2010 Equinox. See why its the perfect fit for your family.
Starting at
$
23,185
4
|

All New Chevy Equinox
1 EPA estimate. 2 EPA est. MPG hwy (FWD): Equinox 32, CR-V 28, RAV4 28, Escape Hybrid 31. 3 Based on 2009 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing. 4 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment extra. 5 Visit onstar.com for details and system limitations. OnStar and the OnStar Emblem are registered trademarks of OnStar LLC. Equinox is a registered
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14.75 in.
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Chevy Malibu. Available 33 MPG hwy better than a comparable Camry or Accord.
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5-star crash safety ratings.
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A Consumers Digest Best Buy.
2010 Malibu. Compare it to Toyota. Compare it to Honda. Compare it to anyone and youll see why Malibu is the right choice for your family.
LTZ as shown, $27,325.
3
OnStar
4
1 Based on EPA estimates. 2010 Malibu with 2.4L 4-cyl. engine and 6-speed automatic transmission vs. Camry with 2.5L 4-cyl. engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with 32 MPG hwy and Accord with 2.4L 4-cyl. engine and 5-speed automatic transmission with 31 MPG hwy. 2 Side-impact crash test rating is for a model tested with standard head-curtain side-impact air bags (SABs).
Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Trac Safety Administrations (NHTSAs) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). 3 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment extra. 4 Visit onstar.com for details and system limitations. OnStar and the OnStar Emblem are registered trademarks of OnStar LLC. Malibu is a registered trademark and
Chevy is a trademark of General Motors. 2009 General Motors. Buckle up, America!
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One of the best family sedans of 2009.
Parents Magazine and Edmunds.com
5-star crash safety ratings.
2
A Consumers Digest Best Buy.
Compare it to anyone and youll see why Malibu is the right choice for your family.
Starting at
$
22,545
3
|

Chevy Malibu
1 Based on EPA estimates. 2010 Malibu with 2.4L 4-cyl. engine and 6-speed automatic transmission vs. Camry with 2.5L 4-cyl. engine and 6-speed automatic transmission with 32 MPG hwy and Accord with 2.4L 4-cyl. engine and 5-speed automatic transmission with 31 MPG hwy. 2 Side-impact crash test rating is for a model tested with standard head-curtain side-impact air bags (SABs).
Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Trac Safety Administrations (NHTSAs) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). 3 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment extra. 4 Visit onstar.com for details and system limitations. OnStar and the OnStar Emblem are registered trademarks of OnStar LLC. Malibu is a registered trademark and
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Chevy Traverse. 24 MPG hwy the best hwy fuel economy of any 8-passenger crossover.
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More cargo room than any competitor.
Pilot. 5-star crash safety ratings.
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A Consumers Digest Best Buy. | The experts agree Chevy is a great place to raise a family. To see why, click chevy.com
2010 LTZ as shown $38,760,
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seats 7 passengers. OnStar
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1 For more information about the 2009 Best New Family Vehicles from Kelley Blue Books kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/family09. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. 2 Based on GM Mid-Utility Crossover segment and an EPA est. 17 MPG city, 24 hwy (FWD). Excludes other GM-manufactured vehicles. 3 Based on GM Mid-Utility
Crossover segment. 4 Side-impact crash test rating is for a model tested with standard head-curtain side-impact air bags (SABs). Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Trac Safety Administrations (NHTSAs) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). 5 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment extra. 6 Visit
onstar.com for details and system limitations. OnStar and the OnStar Emblem are registered trademarks of OnStar LLC. Traverse is a registered trademark and Chevy is a trademark of General Motors. 2009 General Motors. Buckle up, America!
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A 2009 Best New Family Vehicle.
Kelley Blue Books kbb.com
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More cargo room than any competitor.
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30% more room than Honda
A Consumers Digest Best Buy. | The experts agree Chevy is a great place to raise a family. To see why, click chevy.com
Starting at
$
29,999
5
|

Chevy Traverse
s kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/family09. Kelley Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelley Blue Book Co., Inc. 2 Based on GM Mid-Utility Crossover segment and an EPA est. 17 MPG city, 24 hwy (FWD). Excludes other GM-manufactured vehicles. 3 Based on GM Mid-Utility
Crossover segment. 4 Side-impact crash test rating is for a model tested with standard head-curtain side-impact air bags (SABs). Government star ratings are part of the National Highway Trac Safety Administrations (NHTSAs) New Car Assessment Program (www.safercar.gov). 5 MSRP. Tax, title, license, dealer fees, and optional equipment extra. 6 Visit
onstar.com for details and system limitations. OnStar and the OnStar Emblem are registered trademarks of OnStar LLC. Traverse is a registered trademark and Chevy is a trademark of General Motors. 2009 General Motors. Buckle up, America!
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Having fun together playing with books (both digital and print!) and reading together are great ways to encourage
readers or almost-readers of any age to read more.
3. Kids Create
The ability to be creative with
words and ideas highly motivates
children. Disney Digital Books
provides a Story-Builder Feature
which can help children do just
that. Children can create their own
stories using Disney characters,
settings and themes. They can
save, share and even print their
creations, another highly
motivating activity!
2. Kids Wont
Get Stuck
Another motivation for young readers
is being successful. Stumbling on an
unknown word or getting stuck with a
word can keep children from wanting
to continue reading. DDB does a good
job in offering support to emerging
readers in a fun way, with a reader-
controlled dictionary and a magic pen,
which will speak any word the reader
clicks on. This independence is a key
element in building confidence and
further motivating readers.
1. Kids Choose
One of the biggest motivating factors for
children as readers is choice. Children who
can select their own reading materials are
more likely to continue to choose to read
books. The vast Disney Digital Books
virtual library provides tremendous choice.
A variety of characters from Mickey,
Cars and Princess to Hannah Montana
and Wizards of Waverly Place and
situations, both new and familiar, will
delight and capture the attention of many
young readers. A deciding factor in who
reads and who reads well? The number of
books in the home; Disney Digital Books
can instantly add more than 500 books
to your familys library.
advertisement
Gail Lovely is an educator and internationally-known expert in the wise use of technology in early learning.
She can be reached at Gail@GailLovely.com
Give the gift of reading this holiday season in a whole new waya subscription to Disney Digital Books.
Visit disneydigitalbooks.com or The Disney Store for information, and share the joy of reading with your children!
By Gail Lovely
How Can We Help Our

Kids Love Reading?
As an educator of K-12 students, I have seen first-hand that reading

is perhaps the most important skill we can teach our children.
Research shows that early reading provides positive life-long effects. Children who read early and read often do
better in school. Kids develop vocabulary through conversation, and through reading and playing with books.
Reading books is only one part of the reading equation. Naturally, children learn to read through all of their
exposure to words and print books. Technologies, especially home computers, bring additional venues for
reading. The engaging, interactive nature of technology gives it potential as a venue and tool for early
reading. As an educator I want childrens time with technology to be a balance of learning and laughter.
Disney Digital Books (DDB), a new online reading service from Disney Publishing, can be just that.
Motivation to read is a key element in developing life-long readers and learners. Motivated readers read more
and become better readers. When reading is fun, kids are also encouraged to read more. Here are THREE ways
DDB makes reading fun:
Disney
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DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010 FAMI LYFUN
DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010
ON THE COVER
Gifts Your Kids Can Make pg. 54
7 No-Stress Holiday Recipes pg. 62
17 Gifts Worth Your Money pg. 103
Creative School Vacation Activities pg. 90
How One Mom Cured the Gimmes pg. 31
Features
Crafty Gifts 54
Simple beeswax candles, surprise-lled soaps, and
other great projects for your kids to make and give.
Our Favorite Holiday Party Foods 62
Let the food be the star of your next holiday gathering
with some of our most-loved festive dishes.
Happy Ha-ha Holidays! 73
Make a laughing impression this season with three
fun outdoor display ideas that will keep passersby
giggling all the way to New Years Day.
Keep in Touch 82
Readers share their strategies for staying connected
with far-ung family and friends.
4 Ways We Brighten Winter Days 90
FamilyFun staffers offer boredom-busting projects
for the chilly season, including making and using a
tin can knitter and lming a stop-motion movie.
Serra, age 6 PHOTOGRAPH BY MARCY MALOY
Whats
black and white and
read all over?
The craft idea
on page 74!
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FAMI LYFUN DECEMBER/JANUARY 2010
Disney Fun 13
Make a cupcake inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
Plus, this issues special deals for readers.
From the Editors 14
Mailbox 16
Readers respond to our September issue.
Everyday Fun 19
Stamp a snowman holiday card
Make a ame-free
menorah
Create cardboard carolers
Ring in the new

year with glitzy glasses
And more
Creative Solutions 31
To cure a case of the holiday gimmes, one mom devises
a fun way to teach her kids the art of gratitude.
My Great Idea 35
Readers share their best strategies:
Crafting pinecone ornaments
Tips for getting kids

dressed and out the door
A homemade present lled with

love
Easy inspiration for thank-you notes
And more
Family Traditions 40
A holiday activity calendar helps this family enjoy the
busy season together.
Family Getaways 43
Spend a day in St. Augustine, Florida
Explore a magical
sculpture park in Escondido, California
Healthy Fun 51
Seasonal ideas and strategies for keeping your family t
and feeling great.
Lets Cook 99
Help your kids to whip up these scrumptious meringue
sandwich cookies.
Our Favorite Things 103
Special Holiday Gift Guide:
A sweet cupcake-decorating toy
Five great video games
An ecofriendly building set
Cool hair bands
Sesame
Street classics on DVD
And other great gift ideas

Treat of the Month 112
These clever candles can brighten any holiday celebration.
Departments
19
20
43
51
Twitter Giveaway
Follow us at Twitter.com/FamilyFun for a
chance to win the remaining toys in our giant
Toy of the Year Twitter giveaway, which ends
December 1, 2009.
DECEMBER/JANUARY
F R E E B I E
Print-and-Fold Craft
Download some holiday cheer in the form of
this paper Santa.
V I D E O
Watch How to Make It
See how to turn candies and fruit leather into
these irresistible Snowman Cupcakes.
103
Digital Edition Giveaway
Still havent signed up for your free access to
FamilyFuns digital edition? Check it out this
December, and you could win one of 25
copies of our book Homemade Holidays
(see page 17). For entry instructions, visit
this page in the December/January issue on
FamilyFun.Coverleaf.com.
FamilyFun.com Highlights
Our website has been totally redesigned,
making it even more fun to use (see page
14). Youll also find these Web extras at
FamilyFun.com/magazine:
B E Y O N D T H E P A G E
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You can fly, you can fly, you can fly.
On the new Disney Dream were always on hand (and on deck) to
make sure your vacation is full of surprises. Like with our exciting new
AquaDuck water coaster. AquaDuck drops you down and pushes you up
four fun-filled decks, sends you flying through twists and turns, even
shoots you out over the ocean and back. Its a scream come true.
The Only Water Coaster at Sea
Disney/Pixar
disneycruise.com/dream
The all-new Disney Dream,
where magic is always in high gear.
On the new Disney Dream were always on hand (and on deck) to
make sure your vacation is full of surprises. Like with our exciting new
AquaDuck water coaster. AquaDuck drops you down and pushes you up
four fun-filled decks, sends you flying through twists and turns, even
shoots you out over the ocean and back. Its a scream come true.
The Only Water Coaster at Sea
Disney/Pixar
We work our magic in ways you could never imagine to bring your family together.
Whether by land, with our new private cabanas on our private island Castaway Cay,
coming Summer 2010 or by sea, from stunning shows in our new state-of-the-art theater,
to on-deck fireworks and character parties. Together time has never been so magical.
The Magic of Family Time
A day at the beach
is always enchanting.
We work our magic in ways you could never imagine to bring your family together.
Whether by land, with our new private cabanas on our private island Castaway Cay,
coming Summer 2010 or by sea, from stunning shows in our new state-of-the-art theater,
to on-deck fireworks and character parties. Together time has never been so magical.
The Magic of Family Time
Our little pixies are always hard at work to make sure your little pixies are always
enchanted. Whether theyre immersed in the magic of the all-new Pixie Hollow, the
oversized toy world of Andys Room, or Animators Studio in Oceaneer Lab. There are
even special places, like Edge and Vibe, for older kids and teens to call their own.
A Dream Come True for Kids
Kids will never-never have more fun.
Our little pixies are always hard at work to make sure your little pixies are always
enchanted. Whether theyre immersed in the magic of the all-new Pixie Hollow, the
oversized toy world of Andys Room, or Animators Studio in Oceaneer Lab. There are
even special places, like Edge and Vibe, for older kids and teens to call their own.
A Dream Come True for Kids
Kids will never-never have more fun.
All the luxuries
a grown-up could wish for.
Close your eyes and get ready to be whisked away. Because while the young
ones are immersed in the magic, you can be pampered at the Senses Spa,
relax at our adults-only pool, or dine al fresco at the exquisite Palo. And with
five new nightclubs, from our champagne bar, Pink, to the Evolution dance club,
you can sip and dance your cares away in ways that will make any spirit soar.
A Whole New World for Adults
All the luxuries
a grown-up could wish for.
Close your eyes and get ready to be whisked away. Because while the young
ones are immersed in the magic, you can be pampered at the Senses Spa,
relax at our adults-only pool, or dine al fresco at the exquisite Palo. And with
five new nightclubs, from our champagne bar, Pink, to the Evolution dance club,
you can sip and dance your cares away in ways that will make any spirit soar.
A Whole New World for Adults
The all-new Disney Dream sets sail in 2011.
To learn more go to disneycruise.com/dream, call 1-888-875-3077, or visit your Travel Agent.
Disney. Ships Registry: The Bahamas. All ship images and renderings are early concept art.
A Tale of Fairy Treasure
Tinker Bell returns to the spotlight in the new, full-length
animated movie Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.
In this autumnal tale, Tink must repair the Fall Scepter,
source of the fairies precious blue pixie dust, before the
rise of the Blue Moon. To do so, she ventures far beyond
Pixie Hollow on a wild and daring adventure across the
sea. The DVD/Blu-ray Combo Pack is in stores now.
We have 25 Tinker Bell and the
Lost Treasure Combo Packs to
give away, courtesy of our friends
at Walt Disney Studios Home
Entertainment. For a chance to win,
send an e-mail before January 31,
with your name, address, birth
date, and phone number to
contest.familyfun@disney.com, with Lost Treasure in
the subject line. One entry per household, please.*
Fun
GREAT GIVEAWAY
On December 11, The Princess and the Frog
will introduce film audiences to a brand-new
Disney princess, Tiana. Set in New Orleans,
the movie is based on the classic fairy tale
but in this version, Tianas kiss turns her into a
frog. With this recipe from The Princess and the
Frog: Tianas Cookbook (Disney Press, $11),
you can make a cupcake of froggy Tiana (or
her amphibious suitor) peeking out of the
waters of the bayou.
To make one, decorate a baked cupcake with
blue frosting. Slice a large green gumdrop in
half. Press the tip of a white chocolate chip into
the cut surface of each half. Squirt a dab of
black decorators icing onto each chip. Press
the frog eyes into the frosting.
Looking for a present
that can be enjoyed all
year long? Create a cus-
tom photo calendar at
DisneyPhotoPass.com.
Its just one of a passel of
products from standard
prints to mugs and puzzles
you can customize with
your choice of designs and
your favorite photos.
From now until February 28,
2010, Disneys PhotoPass Service is offering FamilyFun
readers a free set of photo stickers (a $9.95 value) with the
purchase of a calendar. To claim your gift, put one photo
calendar and one set of photo stickers in your cart, then
enter code FF1STICKER at checkout. (One promotion code
per order; offer cannot be combined with any other offer or
discount, and cannot be applied to past orders. Online
registration at DisneyPhotoPass.comis required.)
T
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Photos of the Year
Fun crafts and recipes, plus great deals and special offers from our parent company
Princess or Frog?
For an exclusive
art-filled Princess
and the Frog
storybook, check
out Disney Digital
Books, the new
online service
from Disney
Publishing. Go to
disneydigital
books.comfor
more information.
SPECIAL OFFER INSPIRED RECIPE
* No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Begins November 5, ends January 31, 2010; for legal residents of 50 states or D.C., ages 13 or older. Full rules at FamilyFun.com/magazine.
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5Reasons
to Check Out the New
FamilyFun.com!
Weve completely upgraded our website,
giving it a clean new look and a slew of
exciting new features and tools. Heres why
youll love it ...
1Our site has what you want. As the
online home of our best ideas, its now big-
ger than ever: some 13,000 pages big.
2You can track down any project.
Weve reorganized the site to include hun-
dreds of collections showcasing our favorite
recipes, crafts, and ideas. The search tool has
been updated to allow you to refine what you
are looking for, right down to the materials
youll need or the holiday youre celebrating.
And the results now include photos. You
can even search by which issue of the mag-
azine an idea appeared in.
3Weve made it easier to be creative.
The photographs that show you how to make
our crafts and recipes are now bigger, and
they can be further expanded with a click. We
offer more how-to videos. And once youve
found a project you love, you can save it in
your own recipe or craft box.
4 You can share your ideas and
see what other readers are doing. In desig-
nated places throughout the site, you can
post photos of your familys creations or
adventures and let the FamilyFun commu-
nity know what worked best or how you
improved on one of our ideas.
5Theres something new every day.
To show off the wide range of amazing ideas
on the site, well be spotlighting some of our
favorites through our recipe of the day, craft
of the day, and printable of the day features.
Because you can never have too much fun!
From the Editors
Advertising
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EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Ann Hallock
EDITOR Jonathan Adolph
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MANAGING EDITOR Barbara Findlen
SENIOR EDITORS Debra Immergut, Deborah Way
DIGITAL MANAGER Samuel Mead
SENIOR ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ellen Harter Wall
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COPY CHIEF Faye S. Wolfe
RESEARCH CHIEF Beth Honeyman
ASSISTANT EDITORIAL RESEARCHER Jennifer Lynch
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Consumer Marketing and Manufacturing
VP, MAGAZINE OPERATIONS Sean OConnell
DIRECTOR, MANUFACTURING Duncan Calhoun
SR. MANAGER, CONSUMER MARKETING Curt Baker
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ADVERTISING SERVICES MANAGER Patricia Ventrello
CIRCULATION COORDINATOR Matt Rokicki
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Marketing and Research
DIRECTOR, MARKETING Mary Jo Rathgeb
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ASSOCIATE MARKETING MANAGER Erin Dawald
MARKETING COORDINATOR Laura Wootton
SALES DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Regina Buzzi
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DI SNEY PUBL I SHI NG WORL DWI DE
PRESIDENT R. Russell Hampton Jr.
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DIRECTOR, FINANCE AND BUSINESS OPERATIONS Vincent Chin
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DIRECTOR, HUMAN RESOURCES Judy Agay
ART DIRECTOR Michael Grinley
DEPUTY DESIGN DIRECTOR Moira Greto
SENIOR PHOTO EDITOR Mark Mantegna
SENIOR DESIGNER Kandy Littrell
ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTORS Tim MacKay, Sally Weaver
DESIGNER Pablo E. Yglesias
FACILITIES MANAGER Elaine Kehoe
OPERATIONS COORDINATOR Amy Wickland Pytko
RECEPTIONIST Terry Carr
BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST Thomas Lepper
Brand Development
DIRECTOR, CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT Deanna F. Cook
MANAGER, CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT Dawn Chipman
SENIOR DESIGNER, CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT Chris Shadoian
CONTRIBUTORS Rani Arbo, Deborah Geigis Berry, Nicole Blum, Jodi Butler, Sharon Miller Cindrich, Ken Haedrich,
Charlotte Meryman, Catherine Newman, Leslie Garisto Pfaff, Kimberly Stoney, Lisa Stowe,
Maryellen Sullivan, Lee M. Woodruff, Lynn Zimmerman
FF0110MAST_1A.qxp:Layout 1 10/14/09 6:07 PM Page 14
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Mailbox
What Others
Are Saying ...
Lacey Keigley tells us: My daughters
London and Mosely, age 6, corralled their
younger siblings, and together they asked to
make the Tee Is for Tote in Everyday Fun. We
broke out the old sewing machine, and in
less than 15 minutes everyone had a tote.
Unbelievable! I wrote about it on my blog,
ponderingparenting.blogspot.com.
Readers went wild for these ways to
have even more family fun:
3,511 entered our Disney Fun
giveaway of Toy Story Mania! Wii
games.
26,095viewed our online
video and saw how easy it is to make
the cool blue jeans bag in Beyond
the Page.
40,000have signed up
for our digital edition, free to sub-
scribers, at FamilyFun.Coverleaf.com.
Share your thoughts about every
issue at DigitalResearch.com/
FamilyFun.
September by
the Numbers
Dome, Sweet Dome
Im a civil engineer, so the geodesic dome
really appealed to me. It was an opportunity to
teach my 3-year-old twins, Sarah and Brooke,
and Jenna, my 6-year-old daughter, about
structures. We had a blast making the dome,
and after the kids were done playing with it, we
used the rolled newspapers to start a re to
make smores that night.
Joanne Donohue Highlands Ranch, Colorado
September 2009 Highlights
Our Ultimate Homework Station and our Tabletop Checklist made returning to
reading, writing, and rithmetic easier for many FamilyFun readers. The newspaper
geodesic dome in Everyday Fun offered structure of a different sort; kids got rolling
with that project too. Make Your Own Fashions was a starting point for Jennifer
Hall, of Hyde Park, New York: I had anticipated my daughter, Birdie, wearing an
adorable rst-day-of-school outt, but all kindergartners had to wear the same
tees. So, inspired by the storys ideas, I made our own fashion button by button
and made a blue shirt not so blue. Right: Birdie, age 5, in her bedecked tee.
My son, Cole, loved creating the
Make Your Own Fashions tee, and
it cost less than five dollars to do.
Amy Vaughan Bowling Green, Kentucky
Write on!
Thank you for the
great Chew on
Your Pencil snack
idea. I made it for
my kids, Mary
Margaret, age 2,
Jack, 6, and Henry,
8, for when they
got home from
their rst day of
school, and it was
a big hit.
Jennifer Haddad
West Hartford,
Connecticut
FF0110MAIL.2Aqxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:41 PM Page 16
Wide World of
FamilyFun
From Stuttgart, Germany, Wendy Bradley
writes us:
Living in Germany, which lacks craft
stores like those in the States, we turn
to FamilyFun for ideas. My 3-year-old
son, Jacob, and I made the Recycled
Piggy Bank (March 09) using precut
tissue paper because thats what I
had on hand and a 20-cent Euro
instead of a button for the nose.
We Love Hearing From You! Send your photos/digital images and letters to
letters.familyfun@disney.com or to Mailbox, FamilyFun, 47 Pleas ant Street, North ampton, MA 01060.
Letters may be edited. Photographs can be returned only if accompanied by an SASE. Please include a
daytime phone number.
No-Distraction Zone
When I saw the Ultimate
Homework Station, I knew
I had to make one for my
son, Derek, whos in fourth
grade and constantly bugging
his older sisters during
homework time. With the
station, were off to a good
start this school year.
Ericka Poletti
Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Our compact 2010 calendar
features activities to make every
month special ($6, including
shipping and handling). You
can order copies online for
yourself and your friends at
FamilyFun.com/2010calendar.
Two FamilyFun books filled with our most
festive ideas are back in print. Look for them
in stores or go to FamilyFun.com/magazine
to order copies.
Just in Time for the Holidays!
Flat i s
the new
black.
www.pdp.com/energizerpowerandplay
INTRODUCING A REVOLUTIONARY
NEW CHARGING STATION IN THE
ENERGIZER POWER & PLAY
SERIES.
The new Energizer Flat Panel Induction
Charger features a stylish new design and
utilizes contactless charging technology.
Simply lay the Wii

remote on the charge
pad and let the magnets secure it into
the correct position. The Energizer Flat
Panel Induction Charger features a
two-remote and a four-remote design.
2009 Performance Designed Products
, LLC. All rights reserved.

Energizer
, the Energizer Bunny design, and Keep Going
are
trademarks of Eveready Battery Company, Inc., and are used by
Performance Designed Products
, LLC. under license. All other brand

names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
owners. Neither PDP nor Eveready Battery Company, Inc. is afliated
with the respective owners or their trademarks.
FF09441.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:48 PM Page 1 FF0110MAIL.2Aqxp:Layout 1 10/26/09 6:44 PM Page 17
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toddler 5 - 10, youth 10.5 - 4.5, extended youth 5 - 6
16.99
starting at
FAMILY FUN Dec_Jan09.indd 1 9/22/09 3:58 PM
PACIFIC DIGITAL IMAGE 333 Broadway, San Francisco CA 94133 415.274.7234 www.pacdigital.com
FF09462.qxd:FF 10/8/09 7:28 PM Page 1
Easy Crafts, Learning Fun, Quick Games, Treats & Celebrations
EverydayFun
Glitzy Glasses
This January 1 we ring in 2010 the last year for some
time whose numerals can be easily turned into a pair of
novelty glasses. Make the most of this eeting occasion
with a customizable pair of paper specs.
To fashion them, rst download our template at
FamilyFun.com/magazine. Use the template to cut
the frame pieces fromposter board. Decorate
the glasses (we used glitter glue), leaving
about a half-inch at the ends of the arms free.
Note: Do not use loose glitter, as it might shed
and get into the wearers eyes. When your
decorations are dry, glue the arms to the
back of the 2010.
H O L I DAY C R A F T
FF0110EF_5A.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:58 PM Page 19
EverydayFun
Snowman
Prints
These simple yet sophisticated decorations are made from cardboard tubes and
pipe cleaners. Paint the outsides of the tubes before cutting them, if desired, or
keep them unpainted for a natural look.
For each one, atten a 7K-inch length of cardboard tube. Mark and cut it
into -inch-wide rings; youll need ten for this project. On each attened ring,
mark dots inches in from each folded edge. With a hole punch, make holes
at the dots.
Starting with the inner circle, string the rings onto a pipe cleaner. For the outer
circle, twist two pipe cleaners together to make a double-long piece, then thread
it through the outer holes in the cardboard rings. Twist the ends together and
trim the excess. Hang with thread or string.
H O ME MA D E C A R D
Furniture pads adhesive-backed felt
circles that keep a chair from scratch-
ing the oor make great stamps.
Here, we use them to print snowmen
for holiday cards, adding hand-drawn
faces, arms, and buttons so that each
one is unique. To reduce waste, rst
stamp your snowmen on pieces of
card stock, then attach only the best
to blank cards.
For the snowmans body, youll need
pads of equal thickness with three dif-
ferent diameters.
Arrange them on a
piece of sturdy
cardboard as
shown. Use a paintbrush
to coat the pads with white
paint, then stamp your
snowmen onto the card
stock. Let your prints dry.
Cut a hat and carrot
shape from another felt pad and adhere
them to small pieces of cardboard. Use
black and orange paint to stamp hats
and noses on the snowmen. Add eyes,
mouths, buttons, and arms with a black
marker. Attach your snowman prints to
blank cards using double-sided tape.
Retro Ornaments
R E C YC L E D C R A F T
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UNI_LFP_004_Leapster2_FF.pdf 1 10/15/09 1:57 PM
FF09433.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:52 PM Page 1
Flame-Free
Menorah
Sure, this ultrasafe menorah doesnt have actual candles,
but youll still get to light a new ame for each night
of Hanukkah.
On a large piece of corrugated cardboard, place the two
shapes from our template (available at FamilyFun.com/
magazine) so that the candles are parallel to the channels
that run in the cardboard. Trace and cut out the shapes. Paint
and decorate them as you like (just be sure to paint nine
candles!), then let them dry. Using the slots, slide the body
onto the base to create a stand.
For the ames, cut small, narrow triangles from yellow and
orange tissue paper. Lay a yellow triangle over an orange one,
run a thin line of glue along the triangles narrow base, then
roll and scrunch the tissue around the end of a toothpick.
Repeat to make nine ames. Slide the toothpick ames into
the cardboard channels to light the candles.
H O L I DAY C R A F T
Twinkle Lights
Kick up the glitz of a plain strand of
holiday lights with foil cupcake liners.
For the best results, youll want to use
the sturdier, laminated foil cupcake
liners (we used Wilton Silver Foil
Baking Cups).
For each light, fold a liner into
eighths by folding it in half three times.
Snip off two of the
corners at an angle,
as shown. Cut off
the tip of the point
to create a center
hole. Unfold the
liner and ip it
inside-out so that
the shiny side is on
the inside. Slide the
liner over the light
so that it sits
around the base of
the bulb holder.
H O L I DAY D E C O R
T
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EverydayFun
FF0110EF_5A.qxp:Layout 1 10/26/09 11:38 AM Page 22
Disney/Pixars
Ratatouille Saturday, 12/19 at 8pm/7c
Santa Baby 2 Christmas Maybe
A New ABC Family Original Movie
Sunday, 12/13 at 8pm/7c
A N A B C F A M I L Y H O L I D A Y F A V O R I T E
Sunday, 11/15
8pm/7c Meet the Robinsons
Monday, 11/16
8pm/7c A Dennis the Menace
Christmas
Tuesday, 11/17
8pm/7c Richie Rich
Wednesday, 11/18
7pm/6c Gotta Catch Santa Claus
8pm/7c Lilo & Stitch
Thursday, 11/19
7pm/6c Christmas Caper
9pm/8c A Carol Christmas
Friday, 11/20
9pm/8c I Saw Mommy Kissing
Santa Claus
Saturday, 11/21
8pm/7c Once Upon a Christmas
10pm/9c Twice Upon a Christmas
Sunday, 11/22
All Day Holiday Movie Marathon
8pm/7c Holiday in Handcuffs
Monday, 11/23
9pm/8c Unlikely Angel
Tuesday, 11/24
7pm/6c Holly & Hal Moose: Our
Uplifting Christmas Adventure
8pm/7c Hercules
Wednesday, 11/25
7pm/6c Sons of Mistletoe
Thursday, 11/26
8pm/7c Miracle on 34th Street
Friday, 11/27
8pm/7c Aladdin
Saturday, 11/28
7pm/6c A Boy Named Charlie Brown
9pm/8c Snoopy Come Home
Sunday, 11/29
8pm/7c The Dog Who Saved Christmas
Monday, 11/30
8pm/7c Naughty or Nice
Tuesday, 12/1
8pm/7c Santa Clause 3:
The Escape Clause
Wednesday, 12/2
7pm/6c Pixar Short Films
Thursday, 12/3
8:30pm/7:30c The Polar Express
Friday, 12/4
7pm/6c Frostys Winter Wonderland
7:30pm/6:30c Harry Potter and the
Sorcerers Stone
Saturday, 12/5
4pm/3c Harry Potter and the
Chamber of Secrets
8pm/7c Harry Potter and the
Prisoner of Azkaban
Sunday, 12/6
7:30pm/6:30c Harry Potter and the
Goblet of Fire
Monday, 12/7
7:30pm/6:30c Cranberry Christmas
8pm/7c Unaccompanied Minors
10pm/9c Jack Frost
Tuesday, 12/8
7pm/6c Mickeys Christmas Carol
7:30pm/6:30c Winnie the Pooh &
Christmas Too
8pm/7c The Year Without a Santa
Claus
9pm/8c A Miser Brothers Christmas
Wednesday, 12/9
7pm/6c Rudolphs Shiny New Year
8pm/7c Santa Claus Is Comin
to Town
9pm/8c Rudolph the Red-Nosed
Reindeer and the Island of
Mist Toys
10:30pm/9:30c Twas the Night Before
Christmas
Thursday, 12/10
8pm/7c Holiday in Handcuffs
10pm/9c A Flintstone Christmas
Friday, 12/11
8pm/7c Santa Clause 2
Saturday, 12/12
All Day Holiday Classics Marathon
Sunday, 12/13
6pm/5c Santa Baby
8pm/7c Santa Baby 2 Christmas Maybe
Monday, 12/14
7pm/6c Winnie the Pooh and the
Blustery Day
7:30pm/6:30c Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too
8pm/7c Mary Poppins
Tuesday, 12/15
8:30pm/7:30c Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
Wednesday, 12/16
8pm/7c Happy Feet
Thursday, 12/17
8pm/7c Jack Frost
10pm/9c Jingle All the Way
Friday, 12/18
7:30pm/6:30c Disney/Pixars Cars
Saturday, 12/19
8pm/7c Disney/Pixars Ratatouille
Sunday, 12/20
8:30pm/7:30c Disney/Pixars The Incredibles
Monday, 12/21
Tuesday, 12/22
7pm/6c Dr. Seuss The Cat in the Hat
7:30pm/6:30c Dr. Seuss on the Loose
8pm/7c Dr Seuss The Grinch Grinches
The Cat in the Hat
8:30pm/7:30c Willy Wonka & the Chocolate
Factory
Wednesday, 12/23
Thursday, 12/24
All Day Holiday Classics Marathon
Friday, 12/25
3:30pm/2:30c Miracle on 34th Street
6pm/5c Disney/Pixars The Incredibles
Santa Clause 3:
The Escape Clause
Tuesday, 12/1 at 8pm/7c
Harry Potter Weekend Friday, 12/4 - Sunday, 12/6
88p p m m / / 7 7 c c NNa a u u g g h h t t y y o o r r N N i i c c e e
FF09488.qxd:FF 10/21/09 4:42 PM Page 1
Trim a Tree
EverydayFun
Use strong scissors to trim several craft sticks to lengths ranging
from around 1Kto 3Oinches (a parents job). Have your child
choose six pieces, including one full-sized stick, and help her
arrange them from shortest to longest on a wide craft stick.
Adhere the pieces with tacky glue, then let the stick tree dry.
Have your child paint the tree green and brown with acrylic
paints. After the paint is dry, she can add sequin ornaments with
glue. Our trees topper is a small wooden star from a craft store,
painted yellow. Tie a loop of string around the top of the tree
for hanging.
This preschooler-friendly project
is made with humble, familiar
craft sticks. Help your child make
the basic tree shape, then let her
decorate it however she likes.
I
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FIND MORE HOLIDAY IDEAS AT FAMILYFUN.COM/MAGAZINE.
FF0110EF_5A.qxp:Layout 1 10/26/09 11:38 AM Page 24
Getting your child on track with Thomas & Friends is a great way for parents to care
for their toddlers teeth. Orajel Toddler Training Toothpaste is a gentle, nonabrasive
toothpaste made just for toddlers and contains Microdent
, a special ingredient that

cleans toddlers teeth and gums without foaming. Your kids will love the fun flavors,
and youll like knowing its fluoride-free, so its safe for toddlers if swallowed. Orajel
and Thomas & Friends make brushing fun! For toddlers up to four years of age.
Orajel
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Its fluoride-free...and safe if swallowed!
Perfect
Stocking
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For more information visit us at www.orajel.com 2009 Church & Dwight Co., Inc. & Nelvana Wild Things Productions. M. Sendak All Rights Reserved. 2009 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.
Also look for
Little Bear!
Use as directed.
FF09387.qxd:FF 8/31/09 9:22 PM Page 1
Goodness conquers all. Meet your secret weapon in the junk
food wars. The sweet citrus that kids love, Cuties
are a cinch to peel, fun to eat and

bursting with good things like vitamin C, folate and other important nutrients. Plus,
Cuties are free from fat, cholesterol and sodium. And the winner is: your kids health.

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FF09440.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:54 PM Page 1
Goodness conquers all. Meet your secret weapon in the junk
are a cinch to peel, fun to eat and
bursting with good things like vitamin C, folate and other important nutrients. Plus,
Cuties are free from fat, cholesterol and sodium. And the winner is: your kids health.
Root for the lil guy. cutiescitrus.com
EZ Peel Seedless Sweet Kid-sized
FF09440.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:54 PM Page 2

1
2
4
How to ...
Arranged on a windowsill or mantel, this caroling crew hits all the
right notes for spreading holiday cheer. Theyre also a great way
to reuse outgrown baby socks.
1Cut the cardboard tube into three slightly varying lengths. Paint
the three sections in contrasting colors. Set them aside to dry.
2Cut mitten shapes and face ovals from the colored paper. Trim
three small rectangles from the sheet music, then fold the rectangles
in half to resemble songbooks.
3Use the black marker to draw faces on the ovals. Give your
carolers rosy cheeks with the pink pencil.
4Glue the faces onto the painted tubes. Glue the mittens onto the
sheet music, then glue the mittens to the tubes.
5For hats, trim the feet off the socks and discard them. Fold an end
of each sock tube into a cuff and stretch it over a carolers head. Tie the
top of the hat closed with yarn.
You will need:
Scissors
Cardboard tube (we
used a paper towel
tube)
Paintbrushes
Tempera paint
Colored paper (for
faces and mittens)
Sheet music
(we printed out a
page we found online)
Black marker
Pink pencil
Glue
3 baby or childs
socks
Yarn
EverydayFun
3
5
Find this project and many other crafts along with recipes, activities, and gifts kids
can make in the FamilyFun Homemade Holidays book. See page 17 for details.
Create
Cardboard Carolers
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FF09381.qxd:FF 8/31/09 7:43 PM Page 1
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FF09453.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:38 PM Page 1
Creative
Solutions
I cringe a little when I think about
Christmas, 2004. That was the time
my beautiful, well-behaved children
my daughter, Jordan, then age 4,
and son, Blake, then 3 suddenly
turned into greedy little monsters.
My husband, Michael, and
I had hoped that wed
have the best holi-
day ever. After all,
both our kids
were nally old
enough to get
what Christmas
was all about.
But things didnt
turn out at all
as wed expected. What our children
got instead was a bad case of the
gimmes.
The rst signs cropped up at a
Christmas party for our extended
family. The presents were piled high,
and Jordan and Blake went at them
with alarming gusto. Gifts that had
been carefully selected by generous
grandparents, aunts, uncles, and
cousins were quickly torn open, then
tossed aside as the kids scoped
out the next box labeled with
their names. Abandoned
clothing, toys, games,
and books were scat-
tered here and there. I
hurried after my little
ones, urging them to
say thank you, pick-
ing up the presents,
and assuring our
relatives that their
thoughtful gifts would be welcome
additions to the childrens wardrobes
and toy boxes.
I wasnt happy with this display,
but I chalked it up to the excitement
of the big party. I hoped that our
smaller Christmas morning celebra-
tion would see more civilized behav-
ior. But instead, it was more of the
same. Jordan and Blake dove at the
brightly wrapped boxes under the
tree, barely glancing at each pack-
ages contents before ripping into the
next one.
Seriously dismayed by my kids
antics, I vowed to take action, espe-
cially with Jordans early-February
birthday looming. Before the next
celebration, the pair would learn the
art of graciously receiving a gift.
After mulling it over, I came up
with a simple method for practicing
gratitude, one that all of us could do
together. I explained it to Jordan and
Blake, who immediately loved the
idea, dubbing it the Present Game.
The rules were simple. Each
player started with an empty gift bag.
When her kids get
the holiday gimmes,
a mom devises a fun
way to teach them
the art of gratitude
By Stacy Falk
I LLUSTRATI ON BY HELEN DARDI K
The
Present
Game
FF0110CS.qxp:Layout 1 10/8/09 4:21 PM Page 31
Soup so healthy it deserves a gold star.
So many, many reasons its so...Mm! Mm! Good!
2009 CSC Brands LP

What shape are your kids in?
Campbells
Kids Soups add a unique natural sea salt for a healthy level of sodium,
are a good source of Vitamin A and have zero grams of trans fat.
Theyre part of a healthy lunch, and everything Moms want to help kids grow up right.
FF09470.qxd:FF 10/8/09 7:00 PM Page 1
Creative
Solutions
He or she was assigned
to shop for another
player, then headed off
to search the house for
that one perfect item. It
could be anything that
t in the bag and
the gift was to be just
for fun, not for keeps.
When the shopping was complete,
we gathered to exchange presents
one at a time. Each recipient had to
say thank you as soon as he or she
was handed a gift bag. If thanks
werent immediately forthcoming,
the giver would issue a quick but
gentle reminder.
But simply saying thank you
wasnt sufcient. The recipient also
was required to pay the giver a sin-
cere compliment about whatever
surprise he or she extracted from
the bag. This is when the game got
interesting, and Jordan and Blake
really learned a thing or two.
Sometimes its very easy to be
grateful. Upon receiving a favorite
stuffed animal, Blake told Jordan,
Thank you for the bear. It will be
cuddly to sleep with tonight. But
in other cases, they realized, coming
up with an appropriate compliment
could be a challenge. What do you
say when someone presents you with
a dog biscuit or a spoon?
The kids soon became adept at
looking on the bright side. Pulling
her toothbrush from a gift bag,
Jordan commented that its impor-
tant to brush your teeth, and she
noted that a favorite cartoon char-
acter was printed on it. Faced with
a single sock, Blake said, It will come
in handy the next time Mom loses
one of my socks in the laundry.
They clearly relished the challenge of
nding something positive to say
about each present, pointing out its
pretty color or convenient size (Its
small enough to t in my pocket!).
After all the bags were exchanged, we
repeated the process, putting away
the previous gifts as we searched for
new ones.
The game proved to be a rousing
success. The kids often requested
it at playtime, and we even kept a
few empty gift bags in the toy box
so that they could play it on their
own. I was very pleased to see how
the game was teaching Jordan and
Blake about the importance of
expressing appreciation.
Better yet, the game taught my
kids another lesson, one I hadnt
anticipated: that giving is even more
fun than receiving. They loved
roaming the house in a quest for the
ideal present. Sometimes they
would choose favorite objects that
were surere hits. Other times they
grabbed practical items. Often,
they went for the laugh (giving
underwear was considered particu-
larly hilarious).
Over time, Jordan and Blake
needed thank you reminders much
less often. In fact, having played the
Present Game so much, they are now
old hands at expressing gratitude in
a thoughtful way. And me, Im
grateful that theyve put this skill to
good use at celebrations all year long.
Stacy Falk lives with her family in
Rockford, Michigan.
Practiced at the art of giving thanks: the author,
husband Michael, and kids, Jordan and Blake
Added MSG.
Articial avors.
Trans fat.
What shape are your kids in?
Campbells
Kids Soups
have everything Moms want,
without the stuff they dont.
Its part of a healthy lunch
kids love that can help them
grow up strong.
So many, many reasons its so...
Mm! Mm! Good!
Except for the small amount naturally occurring in yeast extract.

2009 CSC Brands LP
FF09469.qxd:FF 10/8/09 6:52 PM Page 1 FF0110CS.qxp:Layout 1 10/26/09 6:42 PM Page 33
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Inspired Tips and Creative Strategies From Our Readers
MyGreatIdea
HOLI DAY TRADI TI ON
Pretty Pinecone
Ornaments
Last December, my mom and I used acrylic
paint and pipe cleaners to turn pinecones into
cute Christmas tree ornaments. We painted
the pinecones and let them dry, then added
decorative dots. Once the dots were dry, we
used hot glue to add a pipe cleaner loop to the
top of each pinecone. The ornaments were
fun to make and looked great on display.
Lelah Loree, age 13
Laguna Niguel, California
NATURE CRAFT
A Santa Gift That
Keeps On Giving
When our older daughter, Haley, was 4, she
nished her Christmas list, then asked
what we should leave for Santa. Touched by
her thoughtfulness, I let her pick out a pair
of sturdy black boots, which we wrapped
and left for St. Nick alongside a plate of
cookies. When Santa wrote a thank-you
note, Haley was thrilled! Now Haley and
her younger sister, Annan, give Santa a gift
a warm blanket, a hat-and-glove set,
socks, or a sleeping bag every year,
which weve heard he often donates to a
local homeless shelter.
Lauren Carlson
Salt Lake City, Utah
FF0110MGI.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:20 PM Page 35
For Christmas last year, my girls and
I turned an old pickle jar into a gift
for their dad. We painted the jar and
labeled it 365 Reasons Why We
Love You! Then we cut 30 slips of
paper and wrote a reason on each
one (we added slips throughout
the year). Every day, my husband
would sh a slip out of the jar and
read it before going to work. He
loved this sweet present!
Julie Moesner
Springboro, Ohio
HOMEMADE PRESENT
Fill a Jar With
Thoughtfulness
Make Cool Ice Hangs to Deck Your Deck
Last winter, my kids, Stuart and Miriam, ages 12 and 10, and I made ice orna-
ments to hang outside. We placed cookie cutters in a baking dish, lled the dish
with water, and looped a string around the top of each cutter. When the ice
hangs were frozen, we ran the dish under hot water to free them from their
molds. We tied the strings into loops and hung the decorations on our deck,
where we enjoyed them until the weather warmed.
Liz Fakhoury
Indianapolis, Indiana
MyGreatIdea
WI NTER FUN
FF09203.qxd:FF 10/21/09 4:25 PM Page 1FF0110MGI.qxp:Layout 1 10/27/09 4:41 PM Page 36
Send Us Your Ideas
Easy Inspiration for Thank-you Notes
To help my kids write thank-you notes when they were younger, I saved well-
written ones from friends and relatives and kept them in a le. When Mark
or John, now ages 16 and 12, needed to send a thank-you, I brought out the
inspiration folder. Because they had some thoughtful examples to look at, they
found this writing task less daunting.
Charlotte Watters
Raleigh, North Carolina
SI MPLE SOLUTI ON
Were looking for fun ideas for My Great Idea and Family
Traditions. Send yours to mgied.familyfun@disney.com or
traditions.familyfun@disney.com, or to FamilyFun, 47 Pleasant
Street, Northampton, MA, 01060. Letters may be edited. We
will pay you $100 if we use your idea and mention your fam ily
by name. Please include a daytime phone number and an e-mail
address. (Sorry, photos cannot be returned.)
Has your family visited a special travel destination or tourist
attraction that was denitely Worth the Trip? If so, send the
details (and photos if you have them) to the address above, or
to queries.familyfun@disney.com, with Worth the Trip in
the subject line. We will pay you $100 if we use your tip and
mention your family by name.
CELEBRATE
THE SEASON IN
SPARKLING STYLE.
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Add glitz to a handmade
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Turn plain place cards into
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Visit our website for more ideas
to make your holidays shine, and
to share your own.
Use Sharpie Metallic Markers
and these ideas to make
the holidays shine.
FF0110MGI.qxp:Layout 1 10/27/09 4:41 PM Page 37
T E L L US : How do you manage all the papers
and projects your kids bring home from school?
Send your solution to My Great Idea at the address on page 37, e-mail
us at mgied.familyfun@disney.com, or visit FamilyFun.com/magazine.
?
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1Dress a Mini-Me
To help my daughter, Mia, age 6, choose her school and church outts,
I traced her gure on a large piece of cardboard, then cut around the
shape, punched a hole in the top, and hung it from a nail on the wall.
Each evening, we pick out her clothes for the next day and use clothes-
pins to attach them to the doll. Mia adds jewelry, socks, and shoes as
well as her book bag and lunch box. Now mornings go more smoothly
and are more fun too.
Renee Gidcumb
Waynesville, North Carolina
2Go Halvsies
Each night before bed, we have our 5-year-old daughter, Taylor, pick
out either a top or a bottom to wear the next day. (Since we pack away
out-of-season clothes, all her options are weather-appropriate.) My
husband or I then select a corresponding piece. This way, Taylor gets
the power of choice and a matching outt.
Lisa Arenas
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
3Make a Weather Spinner
I made a simple chart with a spinning arrow in the middle. Every morning
I check the weather report, then point the arrow toward the correct
weather symbol. Next to each, Ive listed the types of garments that my
kids, Hayden and Hannah, ages 9 and 7, can choose. This is a fun way
to give them a little more say about what they wear.
Kristen Goodwin
Southwest Harbor, Maine
1Problem3Solutions
How do you help
your kids get
dressed and out
the door?
Clothes
Calls
MyGreatIdea
FF09455.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:37 PM Page 1 FF0110MGI.qxp:Layout 1 10/26/09 6:39 PM Page 38
FF09385.qxd:FF 8/31/09 7:31 PM Page 1
AHoliday Activity Calendar
Family
Traditions
Our family Mande and Dave Mischler of Wilmette, Illinois, and our kids, Gavin, age 12, and Meriel, 9
T
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I
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8
F
rid
a
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b
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W
atch a Holiday
Movie on DVD
I NTERVI EW BY ALI CI A POTTER; I LLUSTRATI ONS BY PABLO YGLESI AS
Wed like to hear about your familys favorite tradition. See page 37.
The kids cant wait

to nd out each
morning what the
day will bring!
Mande Mischler
Our tradition:
We parents brainstorm 24 festive things to do in December,
such as ice-skating or watching a Christmas movie, then
we tuck one idea into each pocket of
our Advent countdown calendar.
Every morning, Gavin and Meriel
take turns picking a note from
the calendar and unveiling that
days surprise.
How we got started:
Seven years ago, we became aware
of how fast the time ies between Thanksgiving and
Christmas. We decided to do something fun each day
to savor the season, using our Advent calendar a
beloved holiday decoration to keep track of our plans.
Planning the fun:
We choose a mix of new activities and past favorites and
type the list into a calendar on the computer. Some notes
reveal what were going to do (Watch White Christmas
tonight), while others are more cluelike (Look for a
surprise in your lunch box). We then print two copies:
one to cut up and put in the Advent calendar, and one for
reference. This way, if we need to replace or swap
anything at the last minute, we know at a glance whats
slotted where.
Our favorite activities:
A handful of traditions make the lineup every year, such as
building a gingerbread train, baking snowman pizzas, and
decorating Santa-shaped pancakes. And it just doesnt feel
like the holidays until weve snuggled up with mugs of hot
chocolate and read The Night Before Christmas.
Adding meaning to the season:
We like to use some of our activities to encourage kindness.
For example, one note always says, Secretly do something
nice for a friend. That day, the kids might leave a plate of
cookies for a neighbor or a small bag of candy for a class-
mate. Weve also baked cinnamon ornaments for our
grandparents and gone caroling on our block.
The grand nale:
Because Santa knows how much our family loves treasure
hunts, he likes to pitch in to make Christmas morning
special. He hides a present for each child in one place in
the house, then writes a series of clues leading to that spot.
He leaves the rst clue in the last pocket of the Advent
calendar, and the kids work together following that
clue to the next, and so on to nd their Santa gifts.
Why we love it:
Dave: Its a great way for us to connect as a family.
Meriel: It makes December more fun!
Today Is
17
Thursday
December
Go Ice-skating
T
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I
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W
ednesday
Decem
ber
Build a Holiday
Gingerbread Train
1
6
FF0110TRAD_1A.qxp:Layout 1 10/8/09 4:19 PM Page 40
bring home the magic of soft & smooth
whole grain nutrition in every yummy bite
2009 Sara Lee Corporation
Sara Lee Soft & Smooth bread, buns, and
new Mini Bagels deliver the yummy taste your
kids want, plus whole grain nutrition you feel
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the joy of eating well
Disney
Bring home
Disney Wizards of
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The Movie
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On DVD
December 15
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FF08693.qxd 1/2/09 10:18 AM Page 1
Fun Trips, Helpful Tips, Family-to-Family Advice, and Memorable Adventures
FamilyGetaways
Spend a Day in ...
St. Augustine, Florida
Swashbuckling adventures and 500 years of history come together
in this town just two hours from Orlando By Alisson Clark
Pirates still roam the streets of St. Augustine,
but these days, theyre very well behaved. During one
of my familys visits, a buccaneer in full regalia ran
into me as he was rushing to a reenactment event and
then stopped to apologize profusely. Thats the kind
of funny, sweet moment that keeps our family com-
ing back to this Atlantic Coast city where Spanish
explorer Ponce de Len landed in 1513.
Other colonial history destinations, such as
Williamsburg, Virginia, may get more of the limelight,
but St. Augustines glorious weather, walkable down-
town, and piratical past not to mention its prox-
imity to Orlandos theme parks make it an ideal
place for a family day trip. I love to steal away to St.
Augustine with my husband, Jeremey, and our son,
Owen, age 9, from our home in nearby Gainesville.
Heres how we pack in a full day of fun in one of the
oldest European settlements in the United States.
Playing pirate on a
St. Augustine beach
Ponce de Len lives on at the
Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park
Castillo de San Marcos
National Monument
FF0110GETAA4A_qxp.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 3:52 PM Page 43

FamilyGetaways
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Entering the historic district through the stone City Gate, we
arrive at theOldest Wooden Schoolhouse 1, built almost 250 years
ago for the children of Spanish settlers, many of whom came
from Minorca. We explore the classroom, peek into the school-
masters quarters upstairs, and walk through the beautifully land-
scaped yard, where Owen cant resist giving the big bell a tug ($3.50
for adults, $2.50 for kids ages 6 to 12; 14 Saint George Street; 904-
824-0192; oldestwoodenschoolhouse.com).
Ready for a snack, we follow the aromas of cinnamon rolls and
fresh bread to the Spanish Bakery 2 and sample Spanish-style
lemon cookies at tables under a giant cedar tree (three cookies for
$1; 42 Saint George Street; 904-471-3046; thespanishbakery.com).
Refreshed, we walk a few blocks east to Matanzas Bay to visit the
Castillo de San Marcos National Monument 3, a Spanish fort
built in 1672. Looking out over the bay from the forts gun deck,
where monument staff in period uniforms fire off cannons most
weekends, we imagine we are sentries spotting the pirate ships that
periodically attacked the city. Owen pronounces the cannons
awesome even though most of them cant fire real cannon-
balls anymore ($6 for adults, free for kids ages 15 and under; 1
South Castillo Drive; 904-829-6506; nps.gov/casa).
Morning
Ringing the bell at the Oldest
Wooden Schoolhouse
Our favorite part of the historic district is the Colonial Spanish
Quarter Museum 4, which re-creates daily life in the 1740s. We
visit a blacksmiths shop, a soldiers home, and a leather workers
shop where the actors tell us about their lives in the Spanish
colony ($7 for adults, $4.25 for kids ages 6 to 17, $17 for families;
29 Saint George Street; 904-825-6830; historicstaugustine.com).
For lunch, we jump forward in time to the 1880s and head to
Caf Alcazar. The caf is tucked into the former Hotel Alcazar,
now the Lightner Museum 5, and offers the rare opportunity to
eat lunch in what was
once a swimming pool.
Thats right: the ground
floor of the opulent
hotel was originally built
as an indoor pool at
the time the largest in
the country. The roof
was even made of glass
to let the sunshine in.
We order panini for the
guys and savory mushroom crepes for me (entres from $8;
caf entrance, 25 Granada Street; museum entrance, 75 King
Street; 904-824-7813; lightnermuseum.org).
Midday
A pirate raid reenactment in
St. Augustines historic district
The Lightner Museum
3
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Afternoon and Dinner
We love the kitschy roadside-attraction appeal of the Fountain
of Youth Archaeological Park 6, but it also has an impres-
sive historical pedigree. A two-minute drive from down-
town, it includes the site of the 1513 landing of Ponce de Len,
the first European in Florida. You can still sip the sulfur
spring water the
explorers thought
would bring them
eternal youth.
Owen likes that
idea, but not the
waters taste. Our
next stop is the
park planetarium,
to learn how
sailors navigated
by the stars. Before
we leave, we walk
to the spot where Ponce de Len came ashore, near a Timucua
Native American settlement that the park has partially
re-created ($8 for adults, $5 for kids ages 6 to 12; 11 Magnolia
Avenue; 800-356-8222; fountainofyouthflorida.com).
In the historic dis-
trict again, we stop
at a St. Augustine
gem that most
tourists never see.
Project SWING 7
(St. Augustines
Wish for Its Next
Generation) is a city
park with a 23,000-
square-foot wooden
playground featur-
ing a castle, pirate
ship, lighthouse, space shuttle, and more (free; near the
corner of West Castillo Drive and Cordova Street;
staugustinegovernment.com, search for Project SWING).
Wanting to sample some fresh seafood for dinner, we
head to Santa Maria 8, a restaurant perched on a pier in
Matanzas Bay. The Minorcan clam chowder, a local spe-
cialty, is delicious, and we love the tableside hatches that open
to the outdoors (entres from $12; 135 Avenida Menendez;
904-829-6578; oldcity.com/sites/santamaria).
Dino-riding at Project SWING
The parks inviting
entrance
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Make A Scene
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A short walk to the Municipal Marina brings us to the 72-foot Schooner
Freedom 9, where a pirate captain will be our host for Ghosts of the
Matanzas, an hour-long sail through the moonlit bay. On board, he regales
us with spooky tales of pirate raids from the
citys past, then asks us to volunteer for pirate jobs.
Mine is singing sea shanties, and Owen gets to
be first mate. I feel like a real pirate! he yells,
as he helps hoist the sail ($35 for adults, $25 for
kids ages 2 to 12; 111 Avenida Menendez; 904-
810-1010; schoonerfreedom.com).
The final stop of our action-packed day is Caf
del Hidalgo 1. Its gelato, in flavors ranging from
decadent tiramisu to dairy-free pink grapefruit,
cools us down after the ghostly sail (two flavors for
$4.40; 35 Hypolita Street; 904-823-1196). We watch
the crowd of school groups, vacationing families,
and polite pirates strolling by, and their happy faces confirm what weve long
believed: St. Augustine is arrgh-uably the perfect getaway.
Alisson Clark lives with her family in Gainesville, Florida.
FamilyGetaways
Evening
How to Extend Your Stay
Spend the night at a family-friendly hotel,
then take in some remarkable reptiles.
L O D G I N G
Located in the historic district, the Pirate
Haus Inn, a pirate-themed hostel, has private
rooms and a common room stocked with toys.
It even offers pirate pancakes for breakfast
(doubles from $76; 32 Treasury Street; 904-
808-1999; piratehaus.com).
Prefer to stay on the beach? The oceanfront
Hampton Inn & Suites-St. Augustine/Vilano
Beach offers a complimentary hot breakfast
(doubles from $109; 95 Vilano Road; 904-827-
9797; hamptoninnandsuitesstaugustine.com).
AT T R A C T I O N
The St. Augustine Alligator Farmis the only
zoo in the world with 23 species of crocodilians,
from Asia, Africa, South America, and Australia.
It also has many exotic birds ($22 for adults, $11
for kids ages 3 to 11; 999 Anastasia Boulevard;
904-824-3337; alligatorfarm.us).
The Schooner Freedom
10
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FF09411.qxd:FF 9/10/09 1:49 AM Page 1
Worth the Trip
A Fantastical Magical Park
FamilyGetaways
The place: Queen Calias Magical Circle, Kit Carson Park, Escondido, California
Who visited: Mandy and Aaron Oltersdorf of Avondale, Arizona, and their son, Jace, 5
Why they loved it: Designed by international artist Niki de Saint Phalle, this sculpture
garden fancifully depicts the myths and history of California. A mosaic wall encircles
nine enormous, sparkling sculptures, including Calia, a mythical Amazonian queen and
the states namesake, sitting astride a majestic eagle throne in the center of the garden.
Around Calia stand totems representing the regions Meso-American and Native
American traditions. Symbolism aside, the Oltersdorf family loved the gardens sheer
grandness and beauty. Upon entering the circle through the maze entryway, Mandy
says, we felt as if we were in the middle of a land found only in fairy tales.
For more information: Call 760-839-4691 or visit queencalia.org. Admission is free.
Know someplace worth a trip?
Tip us off, and we might feature your
familys story here! See page 37 for details. P
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FF0110GETAC.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:49 PM Page 48

WE KNOW THAT SOMETIMES YOU MAY BE LOOKING FOR MEAL OPTIONS WITH FEWER CALORIES. THATS WHY BK
OFFERS MORE
THAN 350 MEAL CHOICES UNDER 650 CALORIES. SO GO AHEAD, HAVE IT YOUR WAY,
AND ENJOY A CALORIE-CONSCIOUS MEAL

WITHOUT SACRIFICING TASTE. FIND THE OPTION THATS RIGHT FOR YOUR LIFESTYLE AT WWW.BK.COM/UNDER650
COUNT CALORIES
WITHOUT COUNTING
OUT TASTE.
TM & 2009 Burger King Corporation. All Rights Reserved. 2009 Nestl Waters North America Inc. *At participating restaurants
400 Calories
TENDERGRILL
Garden Salad
Light Italian Dressing and BK
Fresh Apple Fries

with Low-Fat Caramel Sauce and Water
415 Calories
Ham, Egg & Cheese CROISSANWICH

BK
Fresh Apple Fries with Low-Fat Caramel Sauce

20 oz. BK JOE
480 Calories
TENDERGRILL

Chicken Sandwich, no Mayo
Side Salad and Fat-Free Ranch Dressing*
16 oz. Diet Soft Drink
490 Calories
WHOPPER JR.

Value-size Onion Rings
16 oz. Diet Soft Drink
FF09475.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:19 PM Page 1
welchs.com
Te Concord grapes in our Purple 100% Grape Juice are full of amazing
antioxidants called polyphenols. Drinking Welchs helps support a healthy:
welchs.com
08-WEL-022_FF.indd 1 10/2/09 2:02:22 PM
FF09447.qxd:FF 10/8/09 6:48 PM Page 1
HealthyFun
Ideas and Strategies for Keeping Your Family Fit and Feeling Great
Tree-Trim Trail Mix
Ingredients:
8 cups freshly
popped corn
1 cup walnuts,
toasted at 350
for 5 minutes
Lcup maple
syrup
Nteaspoon
cinnamon
Nteaspoon
kosher salt
Pinch of baking
soda
1 cup dried
cranberries
Heat the oven to 300. Grease
a large, rimmed baking sheet.
Mix the popcorn and nuts in a
large, well-oiled bowl. Bring
the syrup, cinnamon, and salt
to a boil in a small pot set over
medium heat. Let the mixture boil
for 4 minutes, swirling the pan
occasionally. Turn off the heat
and add the baking soda, stirring
until the mixture is creamy. Pour
the mixture over the popcorn
and stir well. Spread the popcorn
on the baking sheet and bake
until its dry to the touch, about
15 minutes. Let the popcorn cool
for 20 minutes, then mix in the
cranberries and serve.
Inspired by the traditional holiday garland, this
recipe turns a medley of good-for-you ingredients
into a delicious cinnamon-scented treat. Boasting
fiber, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, its
wholesome enough to please parents and tasty
enough to distract kids from all those candy canes.
Did you
know?
Popcorn
supplies the
highest level
of antioxidants
of any whole-
grain snack
W
IN
T
E
R
is the
tim
e to

Lace up for
some icy fun
during National
Skating Month
(January)
Warm up with
a mug of hot
spiced cider
Cook up
a batch of
homemade
chicken
soup
Test your aim
with a snow-
ball throwing
contest
Wear a
custom-made
fleece cap
The Original
Whirley-Pop
Stovetop
Popcorn Popper
Popping corn isnt rocket
science, of course, but weve flipped
our lids for this delightfully old-
fashioned gadget. Using as little as
one tablespoon of heart-healthy
canola oil, it makes six quarts of
popcorn in just 3 minutes. The pop-
pers patented stirring method also
guarantees fewer burned kernels.
(Wabash Family Farms, $25)
g
r
e
a
t

g
a
d
g
e
t
Celebrate
Belly Laugh
Day
(January 24)
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTED ITEMS, GO TO FAMILYFUN.COM/MAGAZINE.
FF0110HF_2A.qxp:Layout 1 10/21/09 4:00 PM Page 51
P
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If dry
skin has
you itching
for help,
read on.
HealthyFun
ways to prevent and treat insect bites
ways to ... protect your familys skin this winter
AVOID FLAVORED
LIP BALM
Lip balm is a terrific
defense against
chapped lips. But
according to Mayo
Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson,
flavored balms encour-
age kids to lick their
lips, a habit that leads
ultimately to more
dryness.
DONT FORGET
SUNSCREEN
Snow is a super-
efficient reflector of
sunlight, bouncing
back 85 to 90 percent
of those harmful rays
(ocean water, by com-
parison, reflects only
about 10 percent).
So if youre in an area
with lots of sun and
snow, dont forget to
apply sunscreen and
use a lip balm with an
SPF of at least 15.
STAY
WARM
Ears, cheeks, fingers,
and toes are especially
vulnerable to the dry-
ing effects of cold
weather. So encourage
kids to wear and
keep on the obvious
winter gear (hats or
earmuffs, scarves, and
insulated mittens or
gloves), and protect
toes with insulated
socks (we like soft
Merino wool) and
boots with a moisture-
wicking lining.
CRANK UP
THE HUMIDITY
Humidifiers are great
for stuffy noses, and
theyre also a boon for
itchy, dry skin, which
can be exacerbated
by heated indoor air.
A skin- (and cost-)
saving benefit: humid
air feels warmer than
dry air, so running a
warm-mist humidifier
may actually allow
you to painlessly
lower the thermostat.
(Shown above: Frog
Cool Mist Humidifer,
Crane USA, $40)
BATHE
SMARTER
Take short showers:
No more than ten
minutes and not too
hot, says New York
City dermatologist
Amy Wechsler. She
also recommends
using a mild cleanser
(antibacterial soaps
are drying), washing
with your hands in-
stead of a washcloth,
and scrubbing gently.
If youre squeaky
clean, youve removed
too much of the good
oils that keep your skin
lubricated, she says.
Yes, says Dr.
Jose Munoz, the
director of pedi-
atric infectious
diseases at Maria
Fareri Childrens
Hospital in Valhalla,
New York. But, he
cautions, sanitizers
and wipes shouldnt
replace soap and water,
especially if hands are
visibly soiled. You need
to physically remove dirt
to remove the germs,
he explains.
For the best results, Dr.
Munoz has these tips:
Use sanitizer sparingly.
Many products contain
alcohol or other ingredi-
ents that shouldnt go
into little mouths. So
teach your kids to use
only a dime-sized dollop
(adults should apply
sanitizer to toddlers
and babies hands).
Once the alcohol has
evaporated, theres no
risk of poisoning,
he says.
Apply it thoroughly.
Hand sanitizer evapo-
rates quickly and doesnt
spread as effectively as,
say, a lotion might. So be
sure to rub sanitizer all
over your hands for at
least 15 seconds.
Dont wipe it off. Hand
sanitizer needs to air-dry.
The drying process is
actually part of what kills
germs, says Dr. Munoz.
As the alcohol evapo-
rates, it essentially dehy-
drates them.
H
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D

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Lo
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fo
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w
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st in
d
o
o
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erg
y b
u
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er?
U
se yo
u
r stairs fo
r exercise like th
e R
ayn
ers o
f S
ch
au
m
b
u
rg
, Illin
o
is, d
o
. W
h
en
m
y g
irls w
ere yo
u
n
ger,
th
ey liked
co
m
in
g
u
p
w
ith
stair-clim
b
in
g
ch
allen
ges o
n
o
u
r fam
ily ro
o
m
s carp
eted
step
s, says m
o
m
C
h
ristin
a. T
h
o
se in
clu
d
ed
clim
b
in
g
th
e stairs tw
o
at a tim
e an
d
go
in
g
u
p
b
ackw
ard
an
d
sid
ew
ays, th
en
slid
in
g
b
ack d
o
w
n
. T
h
ese d
ays, Lin
d
sey, age 13
, takes th
e stairs tw
o
at a tim
e to
stretch
h
er leg
s fo
r
b
asketb
all, w
h
ile A
lliso
n
, 11, u
ses th
em
to
b
lo
w
o
ff steam
w
h
en
sh
e h
as a lo
t o
f h
o
m
ew
o
rk.
simple solution
A
S
K

T
H
E

D
O
C
T
O
R
+
Do hand sanitizers help protect against colds and flu?

FF0110HF_2A.qxp:Layout 1 10/20/09 2:21 PM Page 52
TOTINOS
PIZZA ROLLS
MOZZARELLA
CHEESE
SUBSTITUTE:
INGREDIENTS: water, partially
hydrogenated soybean oil, rennet
casein, modied corn starch, potato
starch, sodium aluminum phosphate,
vital wheat gluten, salt, potassium
chloride, citric acid, potassium
sorbate [preservative], sodium
phosphate, sodium citrate, titanium
dioxide [color], maltodextrin,
magnesium oxide, zinc oxide,
vitamin A palmitate, riboavin,
vitamin B12.
BAGEL BITES
SNACKS
REAL
MOZZARELLA
CHEESE:
INGREDIENTS: milk, cheese cultures,
salt, enzymes.
visit mybagelbites.com
WHICH WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR KIDS?
Nutritional information for Totinos found on product packaging. Comparisons based on 1 serving of Bagel Bites cheese and pepperoni, and 1 serving of Totinos pepperoni Pizza Rolls.
Totinos and Pizza Rolls are trademarks of General Mills Marketing, Inc., which is not associated with H.J. Heinz Company. H.J. Heinz Company, L.P. 2009. All rights reserved.
Prep Fat (g) Trans Fat (g)
Bagel Bites

Baked 7 0
Totinos
Pizza Rolls

Pre-Fried 10 1.5
FF09489.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:01 PM Page 1
EVER since my boys were
old enough to hold a paint-
brush, we have made holiday
gifts for friends, family, and
teachers. These homemade
presents evoke our most vivid
holiday memories, each one
capturing something special
from that year: a new skill,
a hobby, a craft material or a
recipe we all got hooked on. In
choosing a gift, Ive come to
realize, I gravitate toward a
certain type of project: one
thats functional, shows off a
childs individual creativity, and
can be mass-produced with
relative ease. Here are some of
my favorites. I hope they help
make the holidays memorable
for you and your kids too.
Written by
Alexandra Kennedy
Photographs by
Alexandra Grablewski
Craft and Prop Styling by
Paul Lowe
5 great projects
your kids can
make and give
FF0110GIFT_2B.qxp:Layout 1 10/16/09 6:39 PM Page 54
Cookie
Cutter
Candles
Beeswax is a joy to work with:
its flexible, gently scented, and
easy to cut with a cookie cutter.
For safetys sake, be sure to tell
recipients to burn these candles
on a plate.
FOR DIRECTIONS, SEE PAGE 110.
FF0110GIFT_2B.qxp:Layout 1 10/16/09 6:39 PM Page 55
For a really special gift, package these little guys
with a mouse-related holiday book, such as The Night
Before Christmas, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!,
or The Nutcracker.
Chocolate
Cherry
Mice
1. Drain the cherries and pat them dry with paper towels. Line a cookie sheet with
waxed paper.
2. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat them until
smooth, working in 15-second intervals, stirring between each.
3. Holding a cherry by its stem, dip it into the chocolate and swirl it around to
completely cover the fruit. Set it on its side on the waxed paper and immediately
press a Hersheys Kiss onto the cherry for the head. For the ears, gently wedge two
almond slices between the Kiss and the cherry. Repeat to make 24 mice.
4. Make a thick icing by mixing 1 cup of confectioners sugar with a teaspoon of
water. If the mixture is too dry, stir in more water, a few drops at a time, until you
have a thick, smooth icing. Divide the icing among three small bowls.
5. Tint one bowl of icing black and one pink. Spoon each of the three icings into a
plastic bag and snip a tiny corner from each. Pipe white eye dots on the mice, then
refrigerate them until set, about 10 minutes. Add black pupils and pink noses. Keep
the mice in the fridge until youre ready to serve them or give them away.
For the icing:
1 cup confectioners sugar
Black paste food coloring
Red food coloring
3 plastic sandwich bags
You will need:
24 maraschino cherries with stems
Waxed paper
cup semisweet chocolate chips
24 milk chocolate Hersheys Kisses,
unwrapped
48 almond slices
LOOKING FOR MORE HOMEMADE GIFT SUGGESTIONS? BROWSE OUR HUGE ARCHIVE OF IDEAS AT FAMILYFUN.COM/MAGAZINE. S
N
O
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F
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S

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B
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(
W
W
W
.
R
O
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M
1
2
2
.
C
O
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)
FF0110GIFT.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:24 PM Page 56
Silverware
Stocking
These stockings add a playful touch to the dinner table
throughout the holidays. They also make it easier to hang
on to everything you need when maneuvering through a
buffet line. You might see similar items in home decor
catalogs, but you can make your own for a fraction of the
cost. A beaded initial adds a personalized touch.
You will need:
Stocking template, either hand-drawn
or from FamilyFun.com/magazine
Scissors
Felt
Patterned fabric
Hot glue or fabric glue
Rickrack
Beads
Beading cord (we used
clear plastic cord)
1. Use the template to cut two stocking shapes from the felt, then cut
the cuff and toe shapes from the patterned fabric. The cuff is a long rec-
tangle with the two long edges folded under and ironed for a clean look.
2. Glue the two stocking shapes together at the edges, leaving the top
of the stocking open. Fold a 6-inch length of rickrack in half and glue the
ends just inside the stockings top. Glue the cuff and toe in place.
3. String beads onto the cord. When the string of beads is long enough
to form your letter, knot both ends. Draw your letter onto the stocking
with glue, then press the string of beads onto it.
1. Use a food processor fitted with the grater attachment to shred the
four bars of soap. (You can also grate the bars by hand with a cheese
grater.) Pour the soap pieces into a large bowl.
2. With your hands, mix in about a half cup of lukewarm water, a little
bit at a time, until the mixture is squishy and claylike.
3. For each snowball, scoop up a heaping handful of soap and mold it
into a ball. Poke a deep hole in the center with your finger, insert a toy,
and refill the hole. Lay the finished snowballs on a cookie sheet and let
them dry thoroughly. Makes 8.
Snowball
Soap Surprise
Even preschoolers can shape these soap snowballs. Part
of the fun is hiding a small plastic toy in each ball as a
prize for good bathers. I chose penguins because they
look so at home in the snow.
You will need:
Food processor or cheese grater
4 (4.5-ounce) bars of Ivory soap
8 tiny plastic toys
S:6.875
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2 tbsp. butter or margarine
1 -10.5 oz. bag miniature
marshmallows
8 cups POST Fruity or
Cocoa PEBBLES cereal
16 oz. vanilla frosting
Assorted cookies & candies
PEBBLES

Holiday Express preparati on ti me: 45 minutes
Li ne an 11 x 15 cooki e sheet wi th foi l . Spray wi th cooking spray. Microwave but ter in
large, microwaveabl e bowl on high for 30 seconds, until mel ted. Add marshmal l ows; mix to
coat. Mi crowave for 2 1/2 minutes more. Af ter 45 seconds, sti r unti l bl ended and smooth.
Stir in Pebbles; toss to coat. Spread mixture evenly onto prepared sheet. Cool for 30 minutes.
Engi ne: Cut 5 ci rcl es wi th a 3 cut ter. Engi ne Base and Cabi n: Cut 3 pi eces, 4 x 2.
Boxcars: Tri m remaining mi xture into 4 bl ocks, 4 x 2 1/2, and 4 bl ocks, 2 x 2 1/2.
Assembl e al l wi th frosting. Save scrap for engine ski rt and gi f ts. Decorate as desi red.
Thi s reci pe i s i ntended f or use wi th adul t super vi si on. More reci pes at postcereals.com.
FF09476.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:57 PM Page 1
1. Wash and dry a white pillowcase that is at
least 50 percent cotton.
2. Find or have your child create a suitable
piece of artwork on white paper, made with paint,
crayon, or marker.
3. Take the pillowcase and art to a copy shop
and ask to have the image transferred onto the
pillowcase. My copy shop charged me $14 for
each transfer.
Holiday Pillowcases
Some of the best gift projects my boys and I have done over the years have
involved trips to a copy shop: reproducing hand-painted note cards, creating
calendars that feature a new painting each month, transferring handwritten
messages onto dish towels. These pillowcases, which take advantage of your kids
favorite holiday artwork, can be made at a copy shop too.
Alexandra Kennedy, a longtime FamilyFun staffer, is now the executive director
of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Massachusetts.
TM
UnderJams
TM
are quieter than the leading disposable underpant. Kids get the
all-night protection they need without the whole world having to know.
Worrying about a crinkle can
keep a bedwetter up all night.
2
0
0
9

P
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FF09444.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:46 PM Page 1
P
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Y
Make the food the star of your next holiday
gathering with some of our all-time
favorite festive dishes. Theyre easy, offer
kid-friendly flavors and decorating
options, and have big visual impact
so theyre the perfect centerpiece
for this seasons celebrations.
our
party
foods
FF0110FOOD_6A.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:07 PM Page 62
The pine tree here is a pineapple laden with colorful fruit-kabob branches. To make the tree
trunk, remove the top and cut 1 inch off of the bottom of a large pineapple, then peel it (all a
parents job). On small skewers (we used 50 6-inch bamboo skewers), thread three to five pieces
of assorted fresh fruits, such as grapes, strawberries, star fruit, and honeydew. Starting at the
bottom, insert the skewers into the pineapple at a slight angle. Top the tree with skewered slices
of star fruit. After the branches are eaten, dont forget to slice up the tree trunk.
Pine-Tree Fruit Kabobs
1. With clean, dry hands, thor-
oughly combine the two types
of coconut in a large bowl.
2. In a medium-size bowl,
combine the sugar, flour,
and salt. Add the egg whites,
honey, and vanilla extract and
rapidly whisk the batter until
smooth and frothy, about
30 seconds.
3. Pour the mixture over
the coconut and toss with
a fork, then use a wooden
spoon to continue mixing
until the coconut is evenly
coated. Cover the bowl with
plastic wrap and refrigerate
it for 30 minutes.
4. Heat the oven to 300
and line a large baking sheet
with parchment paper or
aluminum foil lightly coated
with cooking spray. Place
12 evenly spaced mounds of
dough on the baking sheet,
each about cup, loosely
packed. With your hands,
gently shape each mound
into a tall cone with a blunt
top. If the dough sticks to
your fingers, dampen them
with water, shake off the
excess, then continue.
5. Bake the macaroons on the
center oven rack until theyre
light golden brown, about 20
to 25 minutes. Cool them
for about 5 minutes on the
baking sheet, then transfer
them to a wire rack to cool
for several hours.
6. Make a slot for the candy
wings and head by using a
sharp serrated knife to saw
a groove partway down the
cone (a parents job). Once
youve started the cut, lightly
pinch together the sides of
the cookie to keep it from
crumbling as you slice.
7. Insert two Necco wafers
into the sides of the groove
for the wings, and wedge a
third in the top for the angels
head. Gently press the maca-
roon back together to secure
the wafers. Makes 12.
These little angels make a heavenly holiday treat. The secret is mixing two kinds of coconut for the best flavor
and consistency: the flaked, sweetened kind and the shredded, unsweetened variety.
I NGR E DI E NT S
1N cups sweetened
flaked coconut
1N cups unsweetened
shredded
coconut
K cup sugar
1K tablespoons flour
V teaspoon salt
2 large egg whites
1K teaspoons honey
K teaspoon vanilla
extract
36 Necco wafers
Sweet Macaroon Angels

FF09461.qxd:FF 10/8/09 7:26 PM Page 1
Frosty the Cheese Ball
This cheery fellow wont have a chance to melt hell be gobbled
up too quickly! And as is true of any snowman, dressing him is
half the fun. Weve suggested a few fashionably edible choices,
but hes equally festive in other tasty apparel.
I NGR E DI E NT S
16 ounces cream cheese
K teaspoon garlic salt
K teaspoon onion
powder
10 raisins for eyes,
mouth, and buttons
1 piece of carrot for
the nose
4 crackers for the hat
(we used Ritz and
Dare water crackers)
1 thyme sprig for the
hat (optional)
Strips of carrot
for the scarf
2 broken pretzels
for the arms
1 (K-inch) piece of a
canned baby corn
for the pipe
Toothpick for the pipe
In a large bowl, let the
cream cheese soften at
room temperature for
about 30 minutes. Stir
in the garlic salt and the
onion powder, then cover
the bowl with plastic
wrap and chill for 2 hours.
Make the snowman by
rolling two thirds of the
cheese into a ball for his
body and the other third
into a ball for his head.
Stack the balls, then
add the facial features,
clothing, arms, and pipe
as shown. Serve with
crackers or mini bagels.
Your guests wont
believe this incredibly
flavorful dish takes
just minutes to whip
up. The feta gives it
a salty zip that goes
especially well with
veggies, including
broccoli, carrots, and
fresh green beans,
but you can also serve
this dip with tortilla
chips or crostini.
Holly Jolly Dip
Combine all the ingredients in a food processor.
Pulse for 10 seconds, scrape down the sides, then
repeat until combined, about 1 minute. Makes Ocup.
I NGR E DI E NT S
1 whole roasted red
pepper (from a jar)
1 cup crumbled feta
1 small clove garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil
T
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M
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B
a
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or
F
r
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Always baked.
Never fried.
8
g
3
.
5
g
1
g
5
m
g
0
5g
1.5g
0g
0m
g
7
* Nutritional information stated above

applies to Frosted Strawberry
Pop-Tarts

toaster pastries.
, TM, 2009 Kellogg NA Co.
THE PILLSBURY COMPANY, LLC

FF08945.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:56 PM Page 1
A few easy cuts let you turn a simple cake into a symbol of the season: a tree
for Christmas or a dreidel for Hanukkah. And after its frosted, your kids can
decorate it with a variety of candies, such as gumdrops, shoestring licorice,
nonpareils, fruit leather, and gummy rings.
Two-in-One Cake
To make one, bake your favorite cake recipe in a 9- by 13-inch pan, taking care
to spread the batter evenly so that the top of the cake is level. Let the cake cool
thoroughly, remove it from the pan, and cut it as shown in one of the diagrams
at right and below. Assemble the cake on a platter, then frost and decorate it.
dreidel
cut
3
center
4K
3
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tree
4
2
cut
assemble
2
3 3

NESTLE
and NESTLE CRUNCH
are registered trademarks of Socit des Produits Nestl S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.
Enjoy the sweet taste of being a kid
again this holiday with Nestl
Crunch
Jingles.
Bite-sized bells with the scrumptious combination
of milk chocolate and airy crispies.
FF09465.qxd:FF 10/8/09 7:30 PM Page 1
Stylin Snowmen
Festive Fudge
Dressed in colorful candy scarves and top hats,
these sweet and salty snowmen are sure to be a hit
with kids whether served at a classroom party or
after caroling.
With their colorful toppings, these tasty and super-easy morsels are so
irresistible you may have a hard time getting them to the table! Thankfully,
our cookie-cutter technique leaves plenty of trimmings for nibbling (they
make a terrific topping for ice cream too).
I NGR E DI E NT S
3 cups semisweet
or milk choco-
late chips
1 (14-ounce) can
sweetened
condensed
milk
V teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
extract
Assorted sprin-
kles, sugars,
and candy
decorations
1 cup white chocolate chips
50 mini chocolate chips
Orange decorators gel
Fruit leather
10 gummy rings
10 gumdrops
10 (8-inch-long)
pretzel rods
1. Place the chocolate
chips in a 2-quart
bowl. Microwave
them for 1 minute,
then stir them with
a wooden spoon.
If the chips arent
completely melted,
microwave them for
30 seconds more,
then stir until smooth.
Stir in the condensed
milk, salt, and vanilla
extract.
2. Line a 9-inch
square pan with
aluminum foil so
that it extends about
2 inches beyond each
side. (This makes it
easy to remove the
fudge later.) Lightly
spray the foil with
cooking spray. Spread
the mixture evenly in
the pan.
3. Chill the candy
until firm, about 30
minutes in the freezer
or 1 hour in the refrig-
erator. Lift the foil
from the pan and
place it on a flat work
surface. Use 1-inch
cookie cutters to cut
out the fudge, then
lightly press decora-
tions onto each piece.
Makes about 50
pieces.
1. Place the white
chocolate chips in a
2-quart bowl. Micro-
wave them for
1 minute, then stir
with a wooden spoon.
If the chips are not
completely melted,
microwave them for
30 seconds more,
then stir until smooth.
Let the chocolate cool
and thicken slightly.
2. One at a time, dip
one end of a pretzel
rod into the melted
chocolate and use a
plastic spoon or knife
to spread the choco-
late two thirds of the
way down the rod.
Place the pretzel on a
sheet of waxed paper
and press on mini
chocolate chips for
eyes and buttons. Use
orange decorators gel
to add a carrot nose.
3. Chill the pretzels
in the refrigerator
until the chocolate
hardens, about
2 minutes.
4. Stand the pretzels
in a mug or glass and
tie on strips of fruit
leather for scarves.
For each hat, stretch
a gummy ring over the
narrow end of a gum-
drop and secure it to
the pretzel rod with
a dab of melted
chocolate. Makes 10.
I NGR E DI E NT S
FIND DOZENS OF OTHER HOLIDAY RECIPES AT FAMILYFUN.COM/MAGAZINE.

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FF09445.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:44 PM Page 1

MORE THAN A STORYBOOK.
Its your voice
on every page.
NEW RECORDABLE STORYBOOK
Now you can read to little loved ones even when youre
not there. Our new Recordable Storybook will play your
voice reading the classic The Night Before Christmas
page-by-page for a lasting family treasure. Find it only
at your Hallmark Gold Crown store.

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I
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.
SEE HOW IT WORKS ONLINE
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Find a store near you at Hallmark.com/GoldCrown
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FF09432.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:56 PM Page 1
happy holidays!
h
a
-
h
a
Jill Sprankell
of Carrollton,
Texas, says her
mail carrier
inspired this
idea when he
jokingly warned
her not to fall
into the bushes
as she hung
her holiday
decorations.
A bonus: The
spoof requires
hanging just
half the lights!
For directions,
see page 78.
festive
flop
Want to make a laughing impression
this holiday season? These three
merry outdoor display ideas, all
put together from household items
and simple craft supplies, will keep
passersby and your family
giggling all the way to New Years Day.
Written by Joy Howard

Photographs by Kort Duce
Styling by Nicole Blum
FF0110YARD_4A.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:28 PM Page 73
This far-fetched scene was also hatched by Jill Sprankell (her
Festive Flop idea is on page 73). In early December she put out
a large help-wanted sign, then kept the joke going by adding a
few penguins each day. By the end of the month, a crowd of
nearly 400 birds was gathered in her yard!
auditions
antarctic
Transform used soda
or water bottles and your
childs lone socks into
playful penguins. See
page 78 for directions.
FF09458.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:36 PM Page 1
tied-ings
A memorable scene in the film A Christmas
Story inspired our goofy daredevil, who issues
freezin greetings to all she meets.
tongue
This realistic ruse is
made by dressing a simple
yet sturdy hanger-and-
dowel frame. See page
78 for directions.
FF09487.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:01 PM Page 1
You will need: 2 (5-foot) 1-inch-diameter wooden dowels (we used tomato stakes) Newspaper
Duct tape Adults jeans Adults work or snow boots Large safety pins Plastic grocery
bags Permanent marker Plastic lawn sign, 15 by 19 inches or larger (we got ours at an office
supply store for $5) Outdoor string lights Ladder
1. Wrap one end of each dowel with enough crumpled newspaper to keep it from shifting
after its placed in a boot, and secure the paper with tape. 2. Slide a dowel through each leg
of the jeans, then slip on the boots. Attach the jeans to the boots with safety pins. 3. Loosely
fill several plastic grocery bags with newspaper, tie them closed, and stuff them into the
jeans, shaping the legs as you go. 4. Write Oops! on the lawn sign. 5. To set up the scene,
invert the legs and place the dowel ends in a shrub or bush. Arrange the sign, lights, and
ladder (we secured ours in packed snow) as shown.
howto make them:
festive flop
You will need: Black and white glossy acrylic paint Plastic soda or water bottles (we used 12-
ounce, 1-liter, and 2-liter bottles) Styrofoam balls (2- to 3-inch diameter) Black and yellow
craft foam sheets Tacky glue Masking tape (optional) Butter knife Googly eyes (we used
- to 1-inch diameter) Funnel Sand Small doll accessories (optional) Childs socks (opt-
ional) Permanent marker Plastic lawn sign, 15 by 19 inches or larger (we got ours at an office
supply store for $5)
1. For each penguin, pour two parts black paint and one part water inside a bottle (we used
1 to 4 tablespoons of paint depending on the size of the bottle). Screw on the cap and shake
the bottle to coat the sides. Remove the cap and save it for later. 2. On the outside of the bot-
tle, paint a white oval from the spout to the bottom. Dry overnight (the inside may be slightly
wet in the morning). 3. Coat a Styrofoam ball with black paint and let it dry. 4. Cut two wings
from the black craft foam and a beak and feet from the yellow craft foam (you can down-
load our templates from FamilyFun.com/magazine). Glue the wings and feet to the bottle as
shown and let them dry. If needed, use masking tape to hold the wings in place as they dry.
antarctic auditions
You will need: Pink adhesive craft foam 8- by 11-inch photo (or color photocopy) of a childs
face Plastic gallon jug Clear packing tape Craft knife Plastic grocery bags Newspaper
Childs boots Duct tape 2 (3-foot) wooden dowels Plastic hanger Childs snow bib
Childs hooded parka Childs mittens Safety pins Permanent marker Plastic lawn sign,
15 by 19 inches or larger (we got ours at an office supply store for $5)
1. To make the head, cut two identical tongues from the craft foam (ours were 1 by 4
inches) and stick them together. Cut out the face from the photo or copy, center it over the
edge of the jug opposite the handle, and line up the chin with the spout. Adhere the face with
packing tape, covering it completely so that its weather-resistant. Use a craft knife (parents
only) to cut a slit through the jug at the mouth, then slide the tongue into the opening.
2. Loosely fill a dozen or so plastic grocery bags with newspaper and tie them closed (youll
need enough to stuff the bib, parka, and boots; we used 14). Slide one or two stuffed bags
into each boot. 3. To make a frame for the body, duct tape the dowels to the hanger and cut
tongue tied-ings
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 110
CONTI NUED ON PAGE 111
FF09451.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:40 PM Page 1
M C K Y
FF08869.qxd 12/22/08 3:27 PM Page 1
Theres so much to do
when you play with Bendaroos!
Bendaroos
Amazing Flexible Building Sticks provide children hours

and hours of creating and learning fun.
Create with Bendaroos
- Turn on your creativity! Use your imagination

to build amazing models of animals, buildings and more.
Decorate with Bendaroos
- They stick and stay, then lift away to

create window art, wall art and more. Transform ordinary items into art!
Plus they unbend to use again and again!
Try out Americas favorite new toy its the mess free way to have fun
all day. Look for the 500 piece Mega Pack and new exciting theme
packs like Ocean Animals, Crawling Critters and Fun Food.
Available at Retailers Nationwide
or order at www.BendaroosFun.com
2009 ASM
Bendaroos is a registered trademark of
Merchant Media, LLC
bendaroos FAMILYFUN r1:7.875x10.5 9/29/09 12:25 PM Page 1
FF09486.qxd:FF 10/8/09 7:04 PM Page 1
KeepinTouch
NO DOUBT ABOUT I T, WE RE A MOBI LE SOCI ETY. And that means many of us find
ourselves raising kids miles away from people we care about. But thankfully, these
days there are tools that can help us maintain connections like never before.
Seeing and talking to relatives an ocean apart from us via the Internet, sending
photos and notes to scores of people with a single e-mail these miracles of commu-
nication are now commonplace. On the pages that follow, our readers suggest high- and
low-tech ways to stay close to friends and family, no matter how far away they are.
Readers share their strategies for staying connected to far-flung family and friends
Hi, Grandma!
FF0110KEEP_5A.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:03 PM Page 82
By Charlotte Meryman | Photographs by Peter N. Fox | Styling by Susan Fox
MeetUpviaVideo
Having family scattered across the globe makes reunions difficult for the Fleischhackers of
Memphis, Tennessee. They still get plenty of face time with their relatives, though, thanks to the wonders of
Skype, a free Internet-based video-calling program. (You can also use it for instant-messaging and voice-
only calling.) As long as we can coordinate the time differences, we can see each other quite often, says
mom Chany. To set it up, the Fleischhackers just downloaded the software from skype.com and created a
family account. Because their home computer doesnt have one built in, they also purchased a web camera.
It was easy to set up, says Chany. Using Skype is simple: it functions a lot like a telephone. When users get
a call, it alerts them with a ring tone. If theyre not logged on, the caller can leave a message. My children
are constantly on the computer Skyping their grandparents and cousins. Its so easy that my 5-year-old
nephew Skyped me when his parents werent home and his babysitter was in the other room with the baby!
HIGH
TECH
KeepinTouch
ShareaPhoneStory
When they were little, Cody and Zachary Keith of Eagle River, Alaska, stayed close to
their faraway grandmothers by sharing long-distance story times. Their mother, Jaymee,
launched the tradition by buying The 20th Century Childrens Book Treasury for the children, then
giving a copy to each grandmother for Mothers Day. We included a handmade bookmark and
a certificate requesting a regular time when we could call to share stories, recalls Jaymee. Each
grandmother scheduled a time to read to the boys every other week. Cody would bring his
blanket into the dining room, with his crowd of stuffed animals, and make a nest for himself and his
baby brother. I would put one grandma on speaker phone, and she and the kids would visit, then
share a story or two from the book. Cody would follow along in his copy, pointing out pictures to
Zachary. As the boys grew, so did the library of books. And as they learned to read, they took turns
with their grandmothers. Best of all, says Jaymee, The stories would spark interesting conversa-
tions gems exchanged between generations.
Weavea
Worldwide
Web(site)
With just a few mouse clicks, the
Gledhills of Center, Kentucky, can
get the latest news from grandparents,
aunts, uncles, and cousins around the
country and post their own doings
thanks to a free, password-protected
website they all share at myfamily.com.
It started out as a way to share pictures,
then we found it worked so well for so
many other things that it has become our
main source of communication, says
mom Melanie. Her brother set up the
site, registered the family, and invited
individual members to join. I check it
every day, because you never know when
a pregnancy will be announced, or a job
change, or other major news, and I want
to stay in the loop! Melanie says. In addi-
tion to photo and video upload capacities,
the website has pages for discussions, a
family history section, a calendar to keep
track of special dates, and more.
LOW
TECH
HIGH
TECH
P
R
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S
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L
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B
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... and look
who it is!
MakeanAnnualDVD
What began five years ago as an inexpensive way to share digital photos
has become a treasured tradition for the Lockwoods of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Each year, they create a personal DVD for relatives in the Lower 48, featuring a years
worth of family photos, video clips (filmed with a digital camera and video camera),
scanned copies of the kids artwork, and a personalized message, all set to music.
After burning the movie to DVD, mom Nicole designs and prints labels for a special
finishing touch. Many home computers are
equipped with free video-editing software such as
Movie Maker (for PCs) or iMovie (for Macs), but
to compile and arrange their clips like Dads
hunting scenes and the girls dance performances
the Lockwoods like to use muvee Reveal soft-
ware ($80 at muvee.com). With it, they can
assemble their photos and video into one seam-
less, professional-quality movie. The DVDs a
very easy way to get a lot of information to a
lot of people quickly, says Nicole.
HIGH
TECH
FF09448.qxd:FF 10/21/09 4:38 PM Page 1
Exchange
FavoriteBooks
A three-ring binder and some
much-loved reads keep 7-year-old
cousins Emma Rebman of Tallahassee,
Florida, and Ethan Rebman, of Plant City,
Florida, connected between visits.
Emma and her mother, Ashley, launched
the project dubbed Emma and Ethans
Excellent Book Experience last year,
when Ashley was looking for a fun way
to encourage her daughter to write.
Together they decorated the binder with
a photo of the two kids, then added
some sheets of blank notebook paper.
On the first page, Emma wrote the title
of her current favorite read, Fancy
Nancy, by Jane OConnor, along with a
few enthusiastic sentences about it.
Ashley and Emma slipped a copy of the
book into the front pocket and shipped
the whole thing off to Ethan. A month or
so later, they got it back with a new
book in the pocket (Spiders, by Gail
Gibbons) and Ethans comments about
both books. The binder has traveled
back and forth every few weeks since.
From the exchange, Emma and Ethan
have learned more about each other and
about subjects they might not have
explored otherwise. Says Ashley, They
always have an excuse if someone
comments on their choice of reading
material: It belongs to my cousin!
ShareanOnline
PhotoGallery
With three sisters in different states, Andrea Hillerud of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, sometimes
finds sharing pictures a challenge. So she and her husband, Ian, created a group room on
walgreens.com. The free service allows any registered family member to post and view digital
photos in a shared gallery. When someone adds an album, the site e-mails members automati-
cally: theres never a need to send personal invites for family and friends to view them. Its a
great way to stay in touch and keep the kids engaged, says Andrea, who visits the site frequently
with daughters Mya, age 8, and Taryn, 5. Editors Note: A number of other photo sites, such as
snapfish.com and shutterfly.com, also offer group features.
LOW
TECH
HIGH
TECH
StartaPostcardProject
Seven-year-old Emma Rebman (see above, right) and her sister, Madelyn, 4, get to
learn a little geography with another of their familys keep-in-touch tactics. Two years
ago, with mom Ashleys help, the girls wrote to various relatives and friends, asking for
postcards from the places they live and have traveled to, with the goal of
collecting at least one from every state. As the
cards arrive, the girls mount them on red,
white, or blue construction paper and glue
them onto a trifold display board, creating an
ever-growing 50 States exhibit. My daughters
are excited to read about what their relatives are
doing and to learn and compare facts about the
states, says Ashley. The families with children
have asked us to send postcards in return.
LOW
TECH
KeepinTouch
Charlotte/Concord, NC Grand Mound, WA Grapevine, TX Kansas City, KS Williamsburg, VA Mason, OH
Niagara Falls, CAN Pocono Mountains, PA Sandusky, OH Traverse City, MI Wisconsin Dells, WI
Offer valid at Great Wolf Lodge locations. Offer valid now December 24, 2009. Terms and conditions of this promotional code are available at www.greatwolf.com/FUN. 2009 Great Wolf Resorts, Inc.
FamilyFun content 2009 FamilyFun magazine. Please be advised when using our text messaging service, standard text messaging rates apply. Amenities vary by property.
Get special offers sent right to your mobile. Just text WOLFPACK to 839863.
This year, give them something they really want. Its our Snowland celebration.
Enjoy daily indoor snowfalls, holiday activities and more. Not to mention
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IIttllll b b ee 8 8 44 d d eeggrreeeess t t hhiiss h h oolliiddaayy,, Itll be 84 degrees this holiday,
bbuutt t t hhaatt w w oonntt s s ttoopp t t hhee s s nnooww.. but that wont stop the snow.
GWLP-0841
S:7.375
S
:
1
0
T:7.875
T
:
1
0
.
5
7733003333__GGWWLL__GGWWLLPP--00884411..iinndddd 1 1 73033_GWL_GWLP-0841.indd 1 1100//1166//0099 3 3 ::1199::2244 P P MM 10/16/09 3:19:24 PM

FF09048.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:43 PM Page 1
ThrowaGroup
BirthdayBash
For the Blacks of Provo, Utah, nothing can replace a good, old-fashioned get-together. When
their kids were young, theyd gather with extended family from around the state for a monthly
party to celebrate all the birthdays that fell during that month. Instead of gifts, we bought a small
journal for each birthday person and all the guests wrote in it, describing a special memory they had
of them, giving them advice, or just wishing them a happy birthday, says Gerberta Black. Even those
who couldnt attend were honored, with a journal filled out on the spot and mailed afterward.
CaptureaDay
intheLife
In their early years, Abby and
P. J. Stansel, ages 8 and 7, of
Vernon, Connecticut, lived far from
extended family, but that didnt
prevent relatives from keeping up
with the wee ones adventures. To
share their experiences, mom Rachel
e-mailed occasional Day in the Life
slide shows created with a digital
camera and Microsoft PowerPoint
software. I took each picture and
inserted it into a slide, then added a
comment, such as Time for a snack,
or Reading our favorite bedtime
story, says Rachel. We didnt do
anything special, but instead just
tried to capture an average day. The
first picture was always of the kids
in their beds before waking up, and
the last was always of them after
they had fallen asleep. It was fun for
the kids to make, and our families
loved spending the day with us.
For ease of viewing, Rachel suggests
saving the finished product as a
PowerPoint show so that the file
opens automatically as a slide show,
not a work in progress.
LOW
TECH
HIGH
TECH
KeepinTouch
MailYourMusings
To simplify letter writing, Sarah Hagan of
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, has a quick trick:
Address a large envelope to your relatives, then
invite family members to slip in short messages and
other items. Its a great way to get kids involved,
even if they have a very short attention span,
explains Sarah, who did this herself as a child. They
can include pictures, notes, school papers, anything
they want to show off. It makes it easy even for kids
who cant write yet to stay in touch with
Grandma and Grandpa. When the envelope
is full, you just seal it up, drop it in the mail,
and start another.
LOW
TECH
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FF09460.qxd:FF 10/8/09 7:25 PM Page 1
staffers share favorite

boredom-busting projects for the
chilly season
ways we brighten
winter days
Boredom Buster #1:
knitting with a tin can
Recommended by contributing crafter Nicole Blum and daughter, Ava, age 10
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ED J UDI CE STYL I NG BY ANN L EWI S
Working with bright, fuzzy yarn is the perfect antidote to gray, blustery weather, as Ava and I found out
when we delved into the world of tin can knitting one stay-inside morning. First, we assembled simple,
homemade versions of the Knitting Nancy, or spool knitter, Id used as a kid, then we put them to use with
some pretty yarn, looping the strands around the nails. Ava enjoyed experimenting with different tech-
niques. At first, she completed each knit stitch by easing the finished loop off of the nail using a bamboo
skewer, but then she decided to try using her fingers instead. When wed knitted tubes that were about
6 or 8 inches long, we started dreaming up things to make with them. Wrist warmers, cat toys, doll hats ...
we came up with a long list of warm and woolly possibilities to keep us knitting all winter long.
Our Tips:
You can use a tin can of just about any size (a larger can produces a wider tube and looser stitches),
but make sure it has identical top and bottom lips the type that can be cut smoothly with a can opener.
Try using bulky-weight yarn, which is easier and quicker for kids to work with. When Ava knitted with a
fairly thin yarn, her progress was a bit slow.
When we used very fuzzy yarn, a few strands sometimes lingered on the nail after the yarn was looped
over. I just snipped these stragglers with a pair of scissors, no harm done.
FF0110BUST_5A.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:35 PM Page 90
Find instructions for
making the tin can
knitter and these sweet
mice on page 111.
Watch it in action! Learn to use the knitter with our how-to video at FamilyFun.com/magazine.
2
Our Tips:
This recipe yields enough for two kids to each make a
sculpture or two, but if friends are over (as they often
are on winter weekends), definitely double the
ingredient amounts.
Put out decorative stick-ons in little bowls or paper
cups. Fun embellishments, as shown above, include
sequins, tacks, keys, cup hooks, soda-can tabs, nuts,
bolts, washers, and screws. The end piece from a lamp
pull-chain makes a nice bell to hang on a reindeers neck.
A cookie sheet covered with waxed paper can serve as a
drying rack (sculptures take a few days to harden).
To Make Cornstarch Clay:
YOU WI L L NEED
Mcup salt Lcup baking soda cup cornstarch
1. In a small saucepan, mix the salt and baking soda with
Lcup of water and bring to a boil.
2. In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cup of
water and stir well.
3. When the salt mixture boils, remove it from the heat and
add the cornstarch mixture. Stir vigorously for a minute or
two to thicken the clay. Spoon it onto a sheet of waxed
paper and allow it to cool before working with it.
sculpting cornstarch-clay creatures
Boredom Buster #2:
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Recommended by editorial director Ann Hallock and kids, Sarah, age 5, and Nat, 8
My kids and I love making crafts, particularly the kind that Sarah calls make-it-however-you-like projects. Thats why we have this
clay recipe taped to the back of our cornstarch box. It takes about five minutes to cook, and the resulting concoction is warm and
pliable and the perfect consistency for kneading, modeling, and embellishing with stuck-on odds and ends. Recently, making the clay
and the creatures filled an entire empty afternoon and seemed to inspire that dreamy state kids can get into with open-ended projects:
Maybe this guy should be Frankenstein ... these beads are his monster eyes ... what should his arm be? The sculptures dried to a hard,
pearly finish, and our countertop is now populated with a one-of-a-kind menagerie of aliens, animals, snowmen, and robots.
3
Our Tips:
The magic ingredient here is bluing, a nontoxic,
old-fashioned laundry whitening product that helps
the crystals form. We used Mrs. Stewarts Bluing,
which we picked up at the supermarket. To find it at
a store near you, visit mrsstewart.com.
Just for fun, we squirted some green food coloring on
one of the cardboard bases before placing it in the
bowl. The coloring was absorbed into the crystals,
tinting them green, yellow, and blue.
Our trees lasted about a week before they started
to crumble. We tossed them in the trash when they
were done (all of the ingredients are safe to discard).
To Make a Crystal Tree:
YOU WI L L NEED
Thin shirt cardboard Scissors Deep saucer or small
bowl Small jar with a tight-fitting lid 1 tablespoon
table salt 1 tablespoon bluing tablespoon house-
hold ammonia
1. To create the base, cut two card-
board tree shapes (about 4 inches
tall and 3 inches across at the
widest point). Cut a 2-inch slot in the top of one shape and
in the base of the other. Join the shapes at the slots and
stand the tree in a deep saucer or a small bowl.
2. In the jar, combine 1 tablespoon water, the salt, bluing,
and ammonia (handling ammonia is a parents job).
Fasten the lid and shake well, then pour the solution into
the saucer or bowl.
3. Leave the tree undisturbed. Crystals may take as little
as an hour or as long as a day to begin to form, depending
on the humidity in your home (theyll grow better in drier
air). The tree will keep growing over the next few days,
until all of the liquid evaporates.
growing a crystal tree
Boredom Buster #3:
Science experiments are commonplace in our house, where my son has filled an attic lab with mysterious shampoo-based
potions sealed in old jars. But few of these projects, Joe and I agree, have been as rewarding as the crystal-tree propagation we
tried not long ago. Making the cardboard bases and setting them in a salt solution took just a few minutes. A day later, we were
astounded by the mass of tiny crystals forming along the trees branches as the cardboard wicked up the solution. Two days later,
we had a tiny enchanted forest, each tree fat with bristly spikes. Joes lab report: It was worth the wait it was amazing!
Recommended by senior editor Debra Immergut and son, Joe, age 11
4
Our Tips:
Stop-motion animation programs are compatible with most digital
video cameras and some digital still cameras (check before you
download). I had to adjust my cameras settings from HD to DV
before beginning.
For a more professional look, we set our camera on a tripod and
shot against a flat, brightly lit sheet of white paper.
To inspire my young animators, I showed
them some of the many finished works
posted online. The kids were particularly
jazzed by a short called Western Spaghetti
(eatpes.com). You can check out our
Lollipop Tree at FamilyFun.com/magazine.
filming a stop-motion movie
Boredom Buster #4:
Innovative software has transformed the labor-intensive process that brought the world Gumby
and Wallace & Gromit into one simple enough for a family to enjoy, as we discovered one drizzly
day when I downloaded a stop-motion animation program to our home computer. We plugged a
digital video camera into the computer, scrounged a collection of props (mostly lollipops and
pretzel sticks), sketched out a storyline, and started shooting. The inexpensive software
allowed the kids to see immediate results as we manipulated the objects. In fact, it kept them
so engaged that our animated short could have easily turned into a full-length feature. The
kids titled our mini-masterpiece Lollipop Tree and begged to watch it over and over again
(you can too see below). Then they got to eat the props.
Stop-Motion Software We Like:
Stop MotionMaker HDMI (for PC, about $60, free trial version with fewer
features) stopmotionmaker.com
iKITMovie Express (for PC, starting at $50, free trial version)
ikitmovie.com
Boinx iStopMotion 2 (for Mac, starting at $49; free 5-day trial) boinx.com
Recommended by digital manager Samuel Mead and kids, Ruby, age 8, and Finn, 5
(plus willing cousins Cedar, 15, Silas, 11, Matia, 12, and Noah, 9)
holiday wishes
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To nd out why Tag is the #1
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FF09478.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:24 PM Page 2
holiday wishes
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Have Some SUPER Fun!
Play along with Kai-lan
and friends as you
participate in all sorts
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in Super Game Day
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Join your backyard friends
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FF09478.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:24 PM Page 1
Share the Love
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Enjoy the Savings
at countrycrock.com
levbbf15833_7_875x10_5_m.indd 1 10/8/09 2:42:49 PM
FF09452.qxd:FF 10/21/09 4:39 PM Page 1
Merry Meringue Treats
Kids baking know-how will reach new peaks when
they prepare these scrumptious sandwich cookies
by Judith Fertig
B
.svuox .vovui.v vvvxcuv.s1vscalled a macaron, these tiny treats consist of
two meringue cookies joined by a sweet filling. Here, we present a classic combi-
nation (an almond cookie with buttercream) as well as two simple variations
(chocolate and sugarplum; see page 110) that are a tasty tribute to the season. No
matter what flavor they choose to make, kids will learn a fun and useful baking
basic: how to transform egg whites into a light, fluffy meringue.
FF0110COOK3A_qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 3:40 PM Page 99
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Step 1 Line two cookie sheets with
parchment paper and set them aside.
Tip: Use a dab of water, oil, or butter
to secure the paper to the pans.
Step 2 Over a small bowl, separate
the egg whites from the yolks. If any
yolk slips into the bowl, scoop it out
with an eggshell half so that the whites
will beat properly. Discard the yolks.
Let the whites sit at room temperature
for 30 minutes.
Step 3 Sift together the almond
flour or meal and the confectioners
sugar into a medium-size mixing
bowl. In a second bowl, using an elec-
tric mixer set on medium speed, beat
together the egg whites and the salt
until foamy, about 2 minutes. Increase
the mixers speed to high and gradu-
ally add the sugar. Continue to beat
until stiff, glossy peaks form, about
1 minute more.
Merry
Meringue
Treats
I N G R E D I E N T S
For the almond cookies:
2 large eggs
1 cup sifted almond flour or meal
(found in the baking section of
some supermarkets or at natural
food stores)
1 cups confectioners sugar
V teaspoon salt
cup sugar
For the buttercream:
2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners sugar
All the ingredients for your perfect Winter family vacation are here.
To start your Winter vacation planning and enter for your chance to win
a family vacation, call 1-800-451-8752 or visit www.smuggs.com/enterff
#1 in North America
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SKI Magazine Reader Survey
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#1 Family Resort
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FamilyFun Magazine
All the ingredients for your perfect Winter ffffammily
Just Add

Family.
Resort
heast
azine
A neighborhood
of your dreams
Yankee Magazine
Step 3
Step 4
FF09375.qxd:FF 9/10/09 3:24 PM Page 1
FF0110COOK3A_SPLIT09481_qxp:Layout 1 10/26/09 6:57 PM Page 100
Step 9 Pai r
simil ar-size
cookies. Pipe
or spread a
dollop of the
but t ercream
on the flat side
of one from each
pair, then sandwich the pairs together.
Makes about 20 treats.
Judith Fertig is the author of 200 Fast and
Easy Artisan Breads: No-Knead, One
Bowl (Robert Rose) and various other
cookbooks.
Step 4 To make the meringue, gently
fold the egg whites into the almond
mixture with a rubber spatula, being
careful not to deflate them.
Step 5 Place some of the meringue in
a pastry bag fit with a
3
/8-inch round tip,
or a ziplock plastic bag with a corner
snipped. Beginning at the corner of one
cookie sheet and holding the bag per-
pendicular to the sheets surface,
squeeze out enough meringue to make a
1-inch disk. Pull the tip away from the
disk with a quick circular motion to
avoid making a peak (a misshapen
cookie can be gently molded with a wet
finger). Continue piping the cookies,
spacing them 2 inches apart and refill-
ing the bag as needed, until all the
meringue is used.
Step 6 Gently tap the bottom of each
cookie sheet against the countertop to
further flatten the cookies (they should
be about -inch thick), then allow them
to sit at room temperature until dry to
the touch, about 1 hours.
Step 7 Heat the oven to 325. Bake
the cookies, one pan at a time, in the
center of the oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
Allow each pan to cool on a wire rack.
Step 8 Whisk together all the ingredi-
ents for the buttercream in a medium-
size bowl until the mixture is smooth
and shiny. Fill a clean pastry bag with the
buttercream (alternately, use a snipped
plastic bag, or a butter knife or spatula).
Step 5
WEIGHT WATCHERS for services and POINTS are the registered trademarks of Weight Watchers International, Inc. and are used with permission. APCC 2009
Jessica never would
have guessed
popcorn this good
could be 94% fat free.
Youll have to try it to believe it.
per
serving
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FF09375.qxd:FF 9/10/09 3:24 PM Page 1
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Merry Meringue Treats
One meringue treat with buttercream lling:
Calories 77
Total Fat 1.4 g (2% DV)
Saturated Fat 0.4 g

(2% DV)
Cholesterol 2 mg (1% DV)
Sodium26 mg
(1% DV)
Total Carbohydrate 14 g (5% DV)
Fiber 0 g
(0% DV)
Sugars 13 g
Protein 2 g (4% DV)

Percent daily values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on
your calorie needs.
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FF0110COOK3A_qxp:Layout 1 10/26/09 6:52 PM Page 101
Stocking stuffers that will make everyone smile.
Just in time for the holidays, ARM & HAMMER Spinbrush has stocking stufers for the whole family. And because
Spinbrush removes up to 70% more plaque* than a manual brush, its truly the gift that keeps on giving.
*Pro Clean Only. In hard-to-reach places vs. manual toothbrush. Church & Dwight Co., Inc. 2007. All rights reserved. Spinbrush and ARM & HAMMER are registered trademarks
of Church & Dwight Co., Inc. Marvel and all related characters: TM & 2009 www.marvel.com. All rights reserved.
O r a o i e h n s
A Treat
of a Toy
With the deliciously fun 26-piece
Pastry Chef playset, little sweeties
can fashion five treats from mix-
and-match plastic cakes, toppings,
and ribbons. Our preschool tester
loved pretending to decorate the
confections with the plush icing bag
and its three snap-on tips, then proudly
displaying her desserts on the sets
tray and rotating cake stand. Ages 3
and up Step2, $25
Amy Kaldor-Bull
Gift
Guide
P
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P
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a
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Ernie must be one clean Muppet: hes been scrubbing away while singing Rubber
Duckie for four decades. That classic clip is just one of the highlights on the two-
disk set Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days. Among the nearly six hours worth
of segments, parents and kids alike are bound to see one of their favorites. Our picks: Maria and Luiss
wedding and Abby Cadabbys debut. Ages 3 and up Genius Products, $30 Ellen Harter Wall
B
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S
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t
A DVD Set Thats Not Like the Others
Special
Edition
FF0110_OFT6A.qxp:Layout 1 10/15/09 1:13 PM Page 103
5 Great Video Games
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Hair Bands
That Sock it
to You!
These zany Socktops
Hair Bands are exactly
what the name suggests:
bands made from the
tops of socks. Each col-
orful set of three can
also be worn as sporty
bracelets. Ages 4 and up
LittleMissMatched, $8
Lisa Stowe
More
Gift Ideas
Online
Go to
FamilyFun.com/magazine
for a wealth of other holiday
giving ideas, including lists of
charitable organizations, such
as worldvision.org and
boxproject.org, and the 30
winning toys from our 18th
annual Toy of the Year (T.O.Y.)
Awards, featured in our
November issue.
OurFavoriteThings
Gift
Guide
Kids compete karaoke-style with songs from
Colbie Caillat, Coldplay, Miley Cyrus, the
Jonas Brothers, and others.
Disney Channel star Tiffany
Thornton hosts voice lessons
on such topics as breathing,
riffing, and singing duets.
Ages 6 and up Disney Interactive Studios;
Wii, PS3, PS2, $50 bundled with a
microphone ($40 without the microphone)
Preschoolers journey through five worlds in
search of lost pets. Along the way, they play
more than 30 educational games that teach
sorting, color identification, and other early
learning skills.
Our testers especially enjoyed the virtual
storybooks they earned as they completed
the challenges in each world.
Ages 3 to 6 Knowledge
Adventure; Wii, $30
In this compelling puzzle game, players
need to think of an object that will help
Maxwell, an animated character, collect a
star. When the name of the object is typed
on the DS, it appears on the screen for
Maxwell to use.
No matter what words
they thought of ewer,
longhorn, crampon our
testers were amazed that
the game knew what the
object was.
Ages 10 and up Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment; DS, $30
Combine two kid favorites, Legos and video
games, with the teen appeal of Rock Band,
and youve got a surefire hit. Young rockers
assemble their band from virtual bricks, then
jam to songs such as Kung Fu Fighting and
I Want You Back.
As players master
songs, they can
collect cool
vehicles to take
them to their
next gig.
Ages 8 and up (Some adult language in
lyrics); Warner Bros. Interactive
Entertainment; Xbox
360, Wii, PS3, $50;
DS, $30
Its classic game of good versus evil played
out within a beautiful computer-animated
world. When players defeat their samurai
enemies, the fallen warriors dont die. They
simply return to their non-evil animal form
and help protect the balance of the
natural world.
Our testers liked the mini ninjas special
skills, such as being able to hypnotize the
samurai with a magical flute, then make
them do a silly dance.
Ages 10
and up Eidos
Interactive;
PS3, Xbox 360,
$50; Wii, $40; PC,
DS, $30
Disney Sing It:
Pop Hits
JumpStart
Pet Rescue
Scribblenauts
Lego
Rock Band
Mini Ninjas
NAME GAME PLAY FAVORITE FEATURE BUYING INFO
G
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B
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FF0110OFT_104r1.qxp:Layout 1 10/19/09 10:32 PM Page 104
Shop our holiday
gift guide at
tipsntrends.com/
holiday
new improved formula!
Now the best-tasting Gummy Bear
Vitamin is packed with even more
vitamins. Made with natural colors and
flavors its no wonder theyre parents
#1 gummy choice. At Costco, Target
,
Walmart and other fine retailers.
gummybearvitamins.com
embrace winter!!
No-Snow Winter Wear has taken the
anxiety out of dressing for wintertime
play! Worn underneath your child's
coat, the all-in-one design keeps
snow out and warmth in. Free
shipping with code: FAMILY09
nosnowsnuggler.com or 800-327-0496
for a comfy, cozy
slumber - anywhere!
My NapPak
is the
all-in-one pillow, comforter
& attached fleece blanket
just for kids who take naps!
Perfect for pre-school,
daycare and sleepovers.
Theyre durable, washable
& adorable! Monogram
for a special touch!
800-263-8553 or
mynappak.com
boudreauxs butt paste has gone green!
New, All Natural Boudreauxs Butt Paste is formulated
with natural beeswax and other natural ingredients to
magically help heal irritated bottoms for a happy
baby. Available at Target and Babies R Us.
happy noses
Baby Simply
Saline's infant
safe nozzle
clears uncom-
fortable
congestion
quickly and
effectively.
Mist away dirt,
dust & pollen
and relieve
dryness and
irritation from
little noses.
Sterile and
preservative
free! In stores
nationwide.
dont get caught in the cold
Simple actions can help
prevent the spread of
germs: cover your cough,
wash hands frequently,
when soap and water arent
available, use Germ-X
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Whether youre labeling
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F
a
m
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l
y
F
u
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B
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u
s
Lego
Designs
of the
Month
Weve teamed up with Lego to offer our
readers exclusive designs that can be built
with the 650-piece Builders of Tomorrow set.
For December, have your kids build a sleigh
and reindeer. For January, they can assemble
kids sledding and skiing. To view the reindeer
and sledding models and to download direc-
tions, go to Legofamilytime.com/FamilyFun.
The Force Is Strong With
This DVD Set
The struggle against the dark side continues in Star Wars: The
Clone Wars, The Complete Season One, as familiar cartoon-form
characters Obi-Wan Kenobi and Jedi apprentice Anakin Skywalker
battle the baddies for control of the galaxy. Ages 8 and up Warner
Home Video, $45 Beth Honeyman
B
o
x
e
d
S
e
t
SLEIGH
SKIER
F
R
O
M
L
E
F
T
:
M
A
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A
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2
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;
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U
C
A
S
F
I
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D
.
NOW, MOMS WHITENING SECRET MEETS
TODAYS SUPERCHARGED STAIN FIGHTER
Fans of Hannah Montana, Transformers, and other kid favorites can
rub virtual elbows with live or animated stars, thanks to Shutterflys
CenterStage posters. Just upload a high-resolution digital photo of your
child to the website, choose a character, and click send. In about one
week, youll have a unique poster of your child stealing the scene.
Available in three sizes, starting at 11 by 14 inches. All Ages Shutterfly.com,
$20 to $35 Ruth Spiro
Let Your Child Share the Spotlight
P
e
r
s
o
n
a
l
i
z
e
d
D
e
c
o
r
Sample
Great Beginnings
The Favorite Series Starters rounds up the
first installments of five popular early chap-
ter books (A to Z Mysteries, Junie B. Jones,
Magic Tree House, Andrew Lost, and Nate
the Great), giving beginner readers a taste of
each. Ages 5 to 10 Random House, $22
Alicia Potter
B
o
x
e
d
S
e
t
Make a Groovy Light
Show in Your Room
By pressing a button on this iPod dock,
young music lovers can match the vibe of
their tunes to one of four hues that glow
from the Colortunes Color Changing Stereo
System. Pressing the button again creates a
rainbow of alternating shades. The 5-inch
translucent stereo boasts two speakers and a
subwoofer for some rockin sound. Ages 7 and
up iHome Audio, $60 Amy Kaldor-Bull
C
o
o
l
T
e
c
h
T
O
P
:
M
A
R
K
M
A
N
T
E
G
N
A
OurFavoriteThings
Gift
Guide
Oor the frst
tme n
Bu yeurs,
un uIIneu
1nne
theTooh
tuIe!
.Iso uvuIubIe from
Tengun .udo
Dutton Chi|dren's Fooks
A diision of Penguin Young Readers Crou
Penguin.comjPooh
[
ome back to
the enchanting
wor|d of
Christoher Robin,
Feyore, Pig|et,
Rabbit, and
of course,
Vinnie-the-Pooh.
An Ecofriendly Construction Set
Crafted entirely from recycled materials, Story Building playsets make it
simple for small hands to build complex structures. Just slip the sturdy
cardboard panels and people into slotted
plastic-wood composite blocks to allow
them to stand tall. Our kid testers
spent hours rearranging each 90-plus
piece collection to fit their fancy. Avail-
able in barnyard and palace versions.
Ages 3 and up Sprig Toys, $30
Beth Honeyman
G
r
e
e
n
T
o
y
When Not in
Rome, Read This!
An ingeniously constructed pop-up Colosseum
sets the scene for Gladiators, the collabora-
tion of writer Toby Forward, illustrator Steve
Noon, and paper engineer David Hawcock.
Young spectators learn about the formidable
fighters of ancient Rome in a rousingly written
and illustrated 40-page book. Meanwhile, trading
cards about the warriors, a map of ancient Rome, a
layout of the Colosseum, and the Roman board
game Tabula deliver lots of beyond-the-book
interest. Ages 7 and up Candlewick, $28
Alicia Potter
P
a
g
e
T
u
r
n
e
r
L
E
F
T
:
S
P
R
I
G
T
O
Y
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ARM & HAMMER
PLUS OXICLEAN
AND ITS BLOWING AWAY

THE TOUGHEST STAINS.
LOVE IT FOR UP TO 1 3 LESS.
vs. the leading brand
Happy Ha-ha Holidays!
FROM PAGE 78
5. With the knife, bore a hole in the Styro-
foam ball big enough to fit the neck of the
bottle. Glue on googly eyes. Make a small slit
below the eyes, insert a few dabs of glue,
then slide the beak into the opening.
6. Funnel sand into the bottle to weigh it
down (we used 1 to 2 cups depending on the
bottles size). Replace the cap and press the
Styrofoam head on top.
7. If you like, dress the penguin in doll acces-
sories or use kids socks to make your own.
For a hat, snip a 6- to 8-inch length from a
sock and knot one end. For a scarf, cut a 1-
inch-wide loop froma sock, snip it open, and
fringe the ends.
8. Write Penguins wanted, apply within on
antarctic auditions
You will need:
Cookie cutters (choose shapes that can stand up)
Honeycomb wax sheets in various colors
(available at craft stores or at candlewic.com; an
8- by 16-inch sheet will make 1 or 2 candles)
Wicks
Scissors
1. For each candle, use a cookie cutter to
make ten identical shapes fromthe wax sheets.
Divide the shapes into two stacks of five.
2. Sandwich a wick between the two stacks,
starting at the bottom and extending it beyond
the top by at least an inch. Press the sheets
together gently. If they dont stick together,
take the wax layers apart and use a hair dryer
to gently warm each one before restacking
them, adding the wick as instructed above.
3. Trim the wick to about a half-inch. Stand
your candle up, shaping the base as needed
to make it sit securely.
Crafty Gifts
FROM PAGE 55
Cookie Cutter Candles
Lets Cook
FROM PAGE 101
V A R I A T I O N S
Festive Flavor Options
These seasonally inspired meringue treats make thoughtful presents. Wrap a
stack in a piece of colored cellophane for a small party favor or pack a whole batch
in a box for a more substantial gift.
For sugarplumcookies, when the sugar and egg
white mixture is almost stiff, add a teaspoon of
almond extract, then if desired, 5 drops each of
red and blue food coloring (Step 3). Replace the
buttercream with plum jam (Step 8), spreading
the jam with a spatula or butter knife. Youll
need cup per batch.
For chocolate cookies, add 1 tablespoon
unsweetened cocoa powder to the almond mix-
ture (Step 3). When the meringue cookies have
dried, lightly sprinkle them with more unsweet-
ened cocoa powder (Step 6). Replace the but-
tercream with melted chocolate chips (Step 8),
spreading the chocolate with a spatula or butter
knife. Youll need 1 cup of chocolate chips per
batch (follow package directions for melting).
SUGARPLUM
CHOCOLATE
mark-my-time.com
The mark-my-time
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Convenient
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Portableread
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For listings: mark-my-time.com | 888-685-0257
Give the
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NEW
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1
K
To Make a Tin Can Knitter:
Y O U W I L L N E E D
Can opener Clean 15-ounce can Duct
tape 12 (8d 2K-inch) finish nails
Permanent marker
1. Use the can opener to remove the cans
top and bottom.
2. With a strip of duct tape, secure a nail
to the outside of the can so that its head is
1Kinches above the top rim. Tape a second
nail directly opposite the first, then evenly
space ten more nails around the rim.
3. Apply small strips of tape between each
the lawn sign, then arrange it and the pen-
guins in your yard as shown.
tongue tied-ings
off the hangers hook just belowthe curve as
shown.
4. Slide the frame into the bib with a dowel
in each leg and the hanger supporting the
shoulder straps. Push the ends of the dowels
into the snow boots and stabilize them with
more bags of newspaper if needed. Pull the
elastic ankles of each pant leg down over the
boots. Fill the bib with bags of newspaper
until its rigid enough to stand on its own.
5. Stuff the arms of the parka, then attach the
mittens with safety pins. Place the parka on
the hanger, zip it up, and fill it with more bags
as needed. Put the head on the neck of the
hanger and pull up the hood so that it fits
snugly around the head.
6. Write Mehwy Twismas on the lawn sign.
Stand your greeter next to a pole, wrap the
arms around it, and secure them with safety
pins. Position the tongue so that it touches
the pole (if desired, secure it with duct tape)
and post the sign in front.
4 Ways We Brighten Winter Days
FROM PAGE 91
nail to cover the top rim, then fold a strip
over the bottom rim.
4. With permanent marker, number the
nails 1 to 12.
To Make a Mouse:
Y O U W I L L N E E D
Yarn Tin can knitter Scissors Yarn
needle Fiberfill Pink felt Tacky glue
2 small buttons
1. Knit a 6-inch-long tube and bind it off (to
learn how, watch our instructional video at
FamilyFun.com/magazine). Cut the tube
from the remaining yarn ball, leaving a
4-inch tail. Pull the tail tight to close the
hole. Thread the tail onto the yarn needle,
sew through your knitting a few times to
secure the closure, then knot the tails end.
2. Stuff the tube with fiberfill from the other
end. Thread the other tail (the yarns start-
ing point, where you first wrapped it onto
the knitter) onto the needle. Run the needle
through loops on opposite sides of the
tubes open end to close it. Sew through
your knitting a few times to secure the
closure, then trim the yarn.
3. Cut felt as shown for the ears and nose. To
make the whiskers, knot together two 3-inch
lengths of yarn at their centers. Glue the
whiskers to the nose, then glue the features
in place, pinching the bottomedge of each
ear. Add the buttons for eyes.
FamilyFun (ISSN 1056-6333), Volume 19, No. 1,
December/January 2010. FamilyFun is published monthly, except
bimonthly inDecember/January andJune/July, for $14.95 per year
by BuenaVista Magazines, Inc., a subsidiary of Disney Publishing
Worldwide, 44 SouthBroadway, White Plains, NY10601. Periodical
postage paid at White Plains, NewYork, and additional mailing
ofces. vos1x.s1vv: Sendaddress changes toFamilyFun, P.O. Box
37033, Boone, IA 50037-0033. In Canada: mailed under publi-
cationmail agreement #40007594, P.O. Box 875, STNA, Windsor,
ON N9A 6P2. GST 877-692-335. vvix1vu ix 1uv us..
K
FROM PAGE 78
BUS I NES S OPPORTUNI TI ES
MAKE $500 WEEKLY E - Z ASSEMBLY WORK.
Many categories to choose FREE information send
S.A.S.E.: JDK-F, Box 635, Hopkins, MN 55343-
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DISNEY TRAVEL SALES: Seeking passionate
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vacations. Please email your resume and Disney travel
experience to: info@myfavoritemouse.com
HOME BAS ED BUS I NES S
PART-TIME BUSINESS FOR FULL-TIME
MOMS. Join a successful team! No selling, inventory
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LIFE FULL OF FREEDOM Work from home
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$400 WEEKLY ASSEMBLING PRODUCTS from
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WORK WITH KIDS BY YOUR SIDE: Free
Training!! Need positive attitude, phone, and computer.
NO Selling, Inventory or Investment. Visit:
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NOAHS ARK WORKSHOP Needs Reps
Nationwide! Traveling to Schools, Scouts, Birthdays!
Fun Stuffed Animal & Glamour Parties! $129 Kit!
Free Website, Profitable, Untapped Market!
1-877-HUG-NOAH www.HugNoah.com
WORK FROM HOME! Computer, clerical and more.
Choose from over 1000 national scam-free companies!
Perfect for moms. www.MoneyFromHome.com
CHRI S TMAS
ALASKA! Personalized Letters from Santa handcrafted
in North Pole, Alaska. Classic, vintage design on
parchment paper. Save 10% with Online Code FF12.
www.SantasLettersAndGifts.com 1-866-244-5448.
TRAVEL & VACATI ON
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DISNEY CRUISE LINE! Cruise for FREE! All
Major Cruise Lines. Book a group and sail free!
Earn onboard credit with our Referral Program.
Book Spring/Summer 2010 early and save.
Family vacation specialists. 866-522-0312.
www.FamilyCruiseDiscounts.com
FamilyShopper FamilyShopper
Treat
of the Month
A Light
Dessert
These festive treats can brighten any holi-
day gathering, from Hanukkah to New Years
and all the celebrations in between. Make a
simple icing by stirring together 1 teaspoon
water and 5 tablespoons confectioners
sugar. Use dots of icing to attach a small
flower cookie with a center hole (we used
Murray shortbread cookies) to a larger
cookie (we used Annas Ginger Thins). Dab
icing on one end of a rolled wafer cookie
(we used Pepperidge Farm Pirouettes) and
press it into the center of the flower cookie.
For the flame, halve a mini marshmallow
diagonally, dip the sticky side of one half in
orange decorating sugar, and attach the
half with icing. Spoon a few wax drips of
icing down the candles sides and use red
decorating gel to embellish the base.
P
H
O
T
O
G
R
A
P
H

B
Y

E
D

J
U
D
I
C
E
;

F
O
O
D

S
T
Y
L
I
N
G

B
Y

L
Y
N
N

Z
I
M
M
E
R
M
A
N
FIND DOZENS OF OTHER HOLIDAY RECIPES AT FAMILYFUN.COM/MAGAZINE.
FF0110TOTM_1A.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:38 PM Page 112
Some Holiday Cookies
Seem To Get All The Attention.
For more recipe ideas, go to j j iiff..ccoomm jif.com
Irresistible J J iiff Jif
Peanut Butter Cookies

/ The J.M. Smucker Company
IINNGGRREEDDIIEENNTTSS:: INGREDIENTS:
3
/4 c c uupp cup J J iiff Jif
C C rreeaammyy P P eeaannuutt B B uutttteerr Creamy Peanut Butter

1
/2 c c uupp cup C C rriissccoo Crisco
A A llll--VVeeggeettaabbllee S S hhoorrtteenniinngg All-Vegetable Shor tening

1
1
/4 c c uuppss r r mmllyy p p aacckkeedd l l iigghhtt b b rroowwnn s s uuggaarr cups rmly packed light brown sugar
33 T T bbssppss m m iillkk 3 Tbsps milk
11 T T bbsspp v v aanniillllaa e e xxttrraacctt 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
11 l l aarrggee e e gggg 1 large egg
1
3
/4 c c uuppss cups P P iillllssbbuurryy B B EESSTT Pillsbury BEST
A A llll P P uurrppoossee F F lloouurr All Purpose Flour

3
/4 t t sspp b b aakkiinngg s s ooddaa tsp baking soda
3
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DDIIRREECCTTIIOONNSS:: DIRECTIONS:
HHeeaatt o o vveenn t t oo 3 3 7755FFCCoommbbiinnee p p eeaannuutt b b uutttteerr,, s s hhoorr tteenniinngg,, b b rroowwnn s s uuggaarr,, m m iillkk a a nndd v v aanniillllaa i i nn a a b b oowwll BBeeaatt a a tt m m eeddiiuumm Heat oven to 375FCombine peanut butter, shor tening, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in a bowl Beat at medium
ssppeeeedd u u n nttiill w w eellll b b lleennddeeddAAdddd e e ggggBBeeaatt u u nnttiill b b lleennddeeddCCoommbbiinnee o o uurr,, b b aakkiinngg s s ooddaa a a nndd s s aallttAAdddd t t oo c c rreeaammeedd speed until well blendedAdd eggBeat until blendedCombine our, baking soda and saltAdd to creamed
mmiixxttuurree a a tt l l ooww s s ppeeeeddDDrroopp b b yy r r oouunnddeedd T T bbsspp 2 2 i i nncchheess a a ppaarrtt o o nnttoo g g rreeaasseedd b b aakkiinngg s s hheeeettFFllaatttteenn s s lliigghhttllyy a a nndd d d rraaww mixture at low speedDrop by rounded Tbsp 2 inches apar t onto greased baking sheetFlatten slightly and draw
ssttaarr p p aatttteerrnn w w iitthh e e ddggee o o ff f f oorrkkBBaakkee f f oorr 7 7 t t oo 8 8 m m iinnuutteess o o rr u u nnttiill s s eett a a nndd j j uusstt b b eeggiinnnniinngg t t oo b b rroowwnnCCooooll 2 2 m m iinnuutteess o o nn star pattern with edge of forkBake for 7 to 8 minutes or until set and just beginning to brownCool 2 minutes on
bbaakkiinngg s s hheeeettRReemmoovvee c c ooookkiieess t t oo c c oooolliinngg r r aacckk t t oo c c ooooll c c oommpplleetteellyyMMaakkeess 3 3 d d oozzeenn c c ooookkiieess baking sheetRemove cookies to cooling rack to cool completelyMakes 3 dozen cookies
S:7
FF009449.qxd:FF 10/8/09 6:49 PM Page 1
Any Mobile, Anytime
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After a $100 mail-in rebate, an eligible upgrade (or new-line
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Sprint tested as the most reliable 3G network overall among U.S. carriers in a 3G performance test conducted by PC World.
Free your family from restrictive calling
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Surcharges are not taxes or government-required charges and are subject to change. Details: sprint.com/taxesandfees
PC World Claim: PC World s tests included thirteen major cities with more than twenty tests per city from all regions of the country during a two-month period from March to April 2009. In all, 5,443 individual tests from 283 testing locations were conducted for each
providers nationwide 3G service. Testing was one minute in duration, and network performance can be highly variable from neighborhood to neighborhood. The thirteen cities included Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando, Phoenix,
Portland, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco and Seattle. Sprint won for reliability in Boston, Chicago, Denver, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle. Sprint tied for reliability in Orlando. Americas Most Dependable 3G Network Claim: Dependable based
on independent third-party drive tests for 3G data on connection success, session reliability and signal strength for the top 50 most populous markets (including Puerto Rico) from January 08 through May 09. 4G: 4G is currently available in limited areas and on select
plans and devices; check sprint.com/4G for Sprint 4G coverage/device information. Offers: May require up to a $36 activation fee/line, credit approval and deposit. Up to a $200 early termination fee/line applies. Phone Offer: $149.99 (two-year price) - $100
(mail-in rebate) = $49.99 (nal price); activation required at the time of purchase for both phones on the same account in one sales transaction. Taxes excluded. No cash back. Mail-in Rebate: Requires purchase by 1/9/10 and activation by 1/23/10. Line must be
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rebate form or sprint.com/upgrade for details. Pricing, offer terms, fees and features may vary for existing customers not eligible for upgrade. Everything Data Plan: Includes 1,500 shared Anytime Minutes per month (for calling landline, indirect, etc.). Additional Anytime
Minutes: Up to $0.40/min. Nights: Mon.Thurs. 7pm7am; Weekends: Fri. 7pmMon. 7am. Partial minutes charged as full minutes. Any Mobile, Anytime (AMA): Applies when directly dialing/receiving standard voice calls between domestic wireless numbers as
determined when the call is placed using independent third-party and Sprint databases. Standard roaming rates and restrictions apply. Only available with select Sprint plans and while on the Nationwide Sprint or Nextel National Networks (excludes calls to voicemail,
411 and other indirect methods). Messaging: Includes text, picture and video for domestic messages sent or received. International messages are $0.20/message sent or received. SMS voice messages may incur an additional data charge of $0.03/KB. Texts
to third parties to participate in promotions or other may result in additional charges. International services are not included. Data: Premium content and downloads (games, ringers, songs, certain channels, etc.) are additional charge. Usage Limitation: Sprint may
terminate service if (1) more than 800 minutes, (2) a majority of minutes or (3) a majority of kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming. 3G: Not all services or devices are 3G and coverage may default to a separate network when 3G is unavailable.
Other Terms: Coverage not available everywhere. The Nationwide Sprint Network reaches over 275 million people. The 3G Sprint Mobile Broadband Network reaches over 253 million people. Offers not available in all markets/retail locations or
for all phones/networks. Pricing, offer terms, fees and features may vary for existing customers not eligible for upgrade. Other restrictions apply. See store or sprint.com for details. 2009 Sprint. Sprint and the logo are trademarks of Sprint. Other
marks are the property of their respective owners.
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How Can We Help Our

As an educator of K-12 students, I have seen first-hand that reading

Create cardboard carolers

Ring in the new

Tips for getting kids

A homemade present lled with

Easy inspiration for thank-you notes

Five great video games

An ecofriendly building set

Cool hair bands

And other great gift ideas

, LLC. All rights reserved.

, the Energizer Bunny design, and Keep Going

, LLC. under license. All other brand

, a special ingredient that

Toddler Training Toothpaste.

are a cinch to peel, fun to eat and

FF09440.qxd:FF 10/22/09 11:54 PM Page 2

Resort, Disney Stores in the U.S.,

2009 CSC Brands LP

Except for the small amount naturally occurring in yeast extract.

Fire Station has everything to fuel your childs

The kids cant wait

EX_029 ConsumerCamp_r4.indd 1 12/23/08 3:42:40 PM

FF0110GETAA4A_qxp.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 3:52 PM Page 43

Sometimes having a good navigator

FF0110GETAC.qxp:Layout 1 10/13/09 1:49 PM Page 48

AND ENJOY A CALORIE-CONSCIOUS MEAL

Fresh Apple Fries

Fresh Apple Fries with Low-Fat Caramel Sauce

Do hand sanitizers help protect against colds and flu?

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* Nutritional information stated above

THE PILLSBURY COMPANY, LLC

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and NESTLE CRUNCH

FIND DOZENS OF OTHER HOLIDAY RECIPES AT FAMILYFUN.COM/MAGAZINE.

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Written by Joy Howard

Amazing Flexible Building Sticks provide children hours

- Turn on your creativity! Use your imagination

- They stick and stay, then lift away to

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staffers share favorite

stars. Play Ball!

Soft & Smooth

created the Tag

Total Fat 1.4 g (2% DV)

Saturated Fat 0.4 g

Cholesterol 2 mg (1% DV)

Total Carbohydrate 14 g (5% DV)

Protein 2 g (4% DV)

AND ITS BLOWING AWAY

Peanut Butter Cookies

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