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F is for Family sitting down to eat Packed tight side by side, can’t fit one more seat Sharing stories of triumphs from throughout the year Filling holidays with wishes for love and good cheer Free Synagogue Fun The Free Synagogue of Flushing will hold its annual performance of Handel’s “Judas Maccabaeus” in celebration of Chanukah Friday, Dec. 16, at 8:45 p.m. following the 8:15 p.m. Shabbat Service. Free Synagogue of Flushing is located at 41-60 Kissena Blvd. There is free parking on premises, and a chair lift is available. For more information call (718) 961-0030. Fort Totten Toys Help make a child’s holiday brighter. FreeMAT, a volunteer group from the Paramedics Division that assists the families of soldiers deployed overseas, is collecting new toys at New York Hospital Queens for the children of servicemen and women. FreeMAT asks gift donors to not wrap the presents. The deadline for gift collection is Nov. 30. Gift donations can be dropped off at New York Hospital Queens Ambulance Base at 65-37 Fresh Meadow Lane in Fresh Meadows or call (718) 670-1065, Ext. 2091 for more information. The toys, once collected will be brought to Fort Totten, where they will be distributed to the children of the men and women serving overseas who are deployed from the fort. Family Holidays When the calendar starts nearing November you know it’s time to tidy up the house and start breaking out the extra blankets, because the family is on their way with a whole lot of holiday cheer in tow. We have a few tips to keep the jam-packed home running smoothly. Food shop early. You don’t want to be stuck with an empty fridge and hungry grandparents. Also make a meal plan before you head out to the food store, that way you won’t have to stress around feeding time. To cut down on clean up and reserve the elbow grease for gift wrapping, use decorative paper plates and napkins and advise relatives where the trash can is. Low-cost family activities such as sledding, building a bonfire and playing football will get the family bonding and out of the kitchen for a few hours. Fox’s Gift Shop Equipped with elegant china and gorgeous figurines, Fox’s gift shop at 159-02 Northern Blvd. in Flushing gives you all the artillery to fend off the holiday blitz. Fox’s has a wide variety of crystal dinnerware, picture frames, dining items, and living room decorations. They have excellent gift ideas for new couples moving into their very own home for the first time. Call them at (718) 463-9674 to learn more.
Fair at Redeemer Redeemer Lutheran Church is setting up its annual Christmas Fair once again on Dec. 12 for all of those in need of picking up a few more gifts and ornaments to decorate the tree. The all-day event that runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 36-01 Bell Blvd. in Bayside will have every thing needed to get you in the Christmas spirit from arts and crafts to plants, homemade foods and even delectable Christmas cookies. For more information call (718) 229-5770. Fabulous Feasts At Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, there are a few must haves: turkey or ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, etc. But these family sit-downs can also be a great chance to show off a little bit of creativity with the other side dishes. Instead of just making roasted or mashed potatoes, try using a slow cooker to whip together a green bean and potatoes casserole. Or maybe ditch the spuds altogether and make a creamy wild rice casserole with fresh herbs. Don’t just glaze those carrots before you serve them. Try throwing in some apples, cherries and brown sugar to make a caramel apple delight. Delicious. The Indians knew a million different ways to prepare corn, and you should too. For a Southwestern feel, chop up some green and red peppers, add some jalapenos and diced onion, and you’ve got yourself a spicy, tasty dish. Be bold and don’t be afraid to experiment, that way every dinner will be one to remember. And if it doesn’t turn out that great, don’t worry, it’s only family.
Fireplaces During the late hours of Dec. 24 Santa usually comes shimmying down the dusty fireplace, but as homes become more high tech the antiquated heating system is taking on a more decorative than practical uses these days. Especially since about only 10 percent of the heat produced by a fire is radiated into the house. But don’t make placing decorations and stockings the only use the fireplace gets this year. Get the family together and sit around the old wood burner for a few holiday treats. With a cast-iron popcorn popper, you’ll have more than enough popcorn to string around the tree and much on while drinking a warm cup of apple cider just boiled in a sat-iron kettle. The most important thing to keep in mind, though, is to keep a fire screen near and in front of the flame when the treats aren’t popping and boiling.
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