Holiday Projects to do With Kids

Making Sugar Plums

Have you ever wondered what sugar plums are from the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker (Composed by Tchaikovsky), as well as the line "Visions of sugar plums danced in their heads," from Clement C. Moore's poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," better known as Twas the Night Before Christmas? I decided to find out what they are and how to make them. We enjoyed making them and eating them.

Making sugar plums is a perfect holiday project for kids. If the youngsters like prunes they will enjoy eating the sugar plums as well. For kids that don't like dried fruit, they can simply share the sugar plums with friends and family. The project was easy for my toddler to do. The work was a trifle sticky and messy, but does not require cooking or sharp utensils.

Sugar plums can be stored in an air-tight container with wax paper between the layers, or they can be wrapped in aluminum foil, then brightly colored tissue paper. I found this recipe in the book 365 Ways to Prepare for Christmas.

You will need:
1 (24-ounce) container pitted prunes
4-ounces whole blanched almonds
1 cup sweetened flaked coconut (4-ounces)
1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions:

Stuff each prune with an almond, molding the fruit around the nut into a nice ball or plum shape. In a small bowl, toss coconut and sugar. Roll stuffed prunes in mixture. Store in an airtight container or wrap some or all individually. Be sure to let friends and family know it's an almond in the center and not a pit before they try a sugar plum!