Merry moments: enjoy our festive activity pack

1. Purple stripe on top present
2. Dark blue wavy stripe on central present
3. Green bow on bottom present
4. Blue circle on spotted present
5. Star on Christmas tree
6. Fringe on fox’s scarf
7. Spokes on front wheel
8. Snow on small mountain
9. Car headlight
10. Extra cloud

The perfect addition to a festive feast! Children of all ages will love these sweet treats.

Ingredients

• 20 medium/large strawberries
• 100g cream cheese (or a dairy-free alternative)
• 4-6 teaspoons gluten-free icing sugar, to taste
• 40 mini chocolate chips (milk or dark)

Method

1. Remove the stalks from the strawberries to create a flat base.
2. Cut the top off each one (about a third of the way down from the pointed end) and save for later. Stand the strawberry bases on a serving platter.
3. Mix the cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth and creamy.
4. Pipe or spoon 1 teaspoon of the icing onto the flat strawberry tops.
5. Place the top third of the strawberry on top of the icing, and carefully add a tiny scoop of the mixture on the tip of the strawberry to create a pompom on top of Santa’s hat.
6. Gently place 2 chocolate chips onto each ‘face’ to create eyes.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

These delicately crumbly biscuits are perfect for snacking, gifting, or leaving out for Father Christmas. They’re easy to make and require few ingredients.

Ingredients

• 300g whole almonds
• 230g salted butter (or vegan alternative)
• 150g caster sugar
• 1 tbsp brandy (or orange juice)
• 250g plain flour
• Icing sugar (for coating)

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 320ºF/160ºC and line two baking sheets with non-stick baking paper.
2. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and toast for 5-8 minutes.
3. Once the almonds are cool, chop them in a food processor and set aside for later.
4. Beat the butter, caster sugar and brandy until combined and creamy.
5. Mix in the flour and finely chopped almonds with your fingers to make a dough.
6. Roll the dough into balls about the size of a walnut and place
   on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Bake for 15-20 minutes until slightly puffed and golden.
8. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring onto a wire rack.
9. When they’re fully cooled, sprinkle icing sugar over your snow bites and serve.

Easy and oh-so-cheesy, this garlic bread doubles as a crowd-pleasing centrepiece. All you need are simple ingredients and the willingness to get your hands covered in garlic butter.

Ingredients

• 125g mozzarella
• 500g pizza dough (ready-made or home-made)
• 1 egg
• 60g butter
• 50g parmesan, finely grated
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp thinly chopped basil
• 1 tbsp chopped rosemary
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 450ºF/230ºC and line a baking sheet with non-stick baking paper.
2. Cut the mozzarella into 2cm cubes and set aside.
3. Sprinkle flour onto your worktop. Divide the dough in two, then roll each piece of dough into a long rectangle. Cut dough into 5cm squares (you’ll need 29 in total).
4. Wrap a piece of dough around each piece of mozzarella, forming a tightly sealed ball.
5. Put the balls seam-side down on the baking sheet, touching each other, in a Christmas tree shape.
6. Beat the egg, then brush onto the dough balls. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until golden brown.
7. Melt the butter, then whisk in the Parmesan, garlic and herbs.
8. When the Christmas tree is baked, brush the butter mixture on top. Serve warm with tomato sauce.