Papercity

Mom isn’t much of a baker? Put her three steps ahead of scratch and let her whip up Cobblestone Kitchens Chocolate Caramel Cupcakes ($8), Anna Mae’s Chocolate Cupcakes with Peppermint Icing from Robert Rothschild Farm ($9) or the Christmas Tree Dipped Cookie Kit by In The Mix ($11), all at Central Market. Decorate them with Crate & Barrel’s Holiday Sanding Sugars/Decoratifs sweet set ($6, at Crate & Barrel). For the more adventurous, play Frank Lloyd Wright and bake your own Gingerhaus gingerbread house kit — complete with blueprints for a structurally sound abode ($35, at surlatable.com). Or go the ready-to-assemble route with Cobblestone Kitchen’s Gingerbread House Kit with tons of candy and easy-to-mix-up royal icing ($16.50, at Central Market).

Now we know how those Scandinavians keep toasty through the chilly winter months: with Glögg, a festive, warm beverage spiced with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and citrus. Try Grandpa Lundquist’s version ($11, at nordichouse.com). It’s a Hiball of a different sort — this version is a 10-calorie, no-sugar, sparkling energy water with ginseng and B vitamins that will put the spring back in granny’s step ($2), while Mash is water with a soda look, in flavors such as Lemon Peel Ginger Root and Grapefruit Citrus Zing ($2 each, all at Central Market). Grandpa gussies up his gin with Fentiman’s traditional tonic water fermented with herbal extracts and botanicals ($2, at Central Market). Need something stronger? Hudson Ferus is a new American vodka made by two Texans with fresh Sierra Mountain water and distilled from corn ($17). Or maybe Granny — or you — could use a tequila shot. Milagro’s limited-edition Silver Select Barrel Reserve goes down so smooth ($70). Or nurse a classic Grand Marnier Cordon Rouge ($50). The latter three at fine liquor stores.

Indulge your hosts with delicious tokens of appreciation. Crate & Barrel’s Sea Salt Caramels dipped in chocolate are even certified kosher ($20, at Crate & Barrel). Or try The Caramel Candy Co.’s Pecan Caramel candies, made in small batches in Chappell Hill, Texas ($16 to $42, at caramelcandyco.com). Maybe she prefers dark chocolate? Who can turn away the Barefoot Contessa’s new Dark Chocolate Toffee ($15) and French bark ($17), both at stonewallkitchen.com? Splurge on something they might not treat themselves to: an exquisite 12-year-old balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy ($30), paired with Marca Verde il Classico Extra-Virgin Olive Oil ($10), both at Sur La Table. Sorelle Nurzia’s Panettone is a traditional Italian fruit-studded bread that’s perfect for breakfast; try making French toast with it, too ($25, at Central Market).

Boil up some shrimp — the easiest hors d’oeuvre ever — and put out Stonewall’s new Lemon Dill or Tequila Lime Cocktail Sauce ($5). Cradle a bit of pâté or perhaps a dollop of gruyère fondue in Chef Laurent’s pastry spoons ($14). Craving something crisp and salty before dinner? Mary’s Gone Crackers Sticks & Twigs are healthy, crunchy snacks made without wheat or gluten ($4.50), while Pop Chips take air-popped corn and form it into a dip-worthy chip ($3). Potato chips and onion rings don’t have to be ordinary with Alexia’s Waffle Fries and Onion Strips ($2.50 each). It’s a Southern thing: We love those cheesy, savory, shortbread-like bites. Slice and bake your own fresh from the freezer with Mamie’s Famous Cheese Wafers, made in Mobile (three rolls $53, at mamieswafers.com). Holland’s Beemster is aged 18 months for a complex depth of flavor ($14 a pound). Mourning the ban on imported raw-milk Vacherin? L’Edel De Cleron, a pasteurized version, can fill the void ($21 a pound). This Vermont-made Grafton Village Cheddar is aged up to a whopping four years and gives you a whole new take on cheddar cheese ($19 a pound). It would be apropos to pair them with Earth & Vine’s Provisions Apricot Chili Pepper Jam ($8, at earthnvine.com), Stonewall Kitchen’s Apple Cranberry Chutney ($5) or Ficoco All Natural Fig and Cocoa Spread ($7). All at Central Market unless otherwise indicated.

Anyone charged with the task of cooking the holiday bird should consider shortcutting the work with Urban Accents Gourmet Gobbler Kit ($14). Step one, ensure that your bird doesn’t dry out by presoaking it in a spiced salt brine; the next day, rinse and rub with olive oil and this smoky peppercorn rub. Easy, we promise. Serve with New England Cranberry’s Cranberry Chutney ($7) or Texas Sweet Creations’ Cranberry Pineapple Pecan Relish ($5), all at Central Market. Or wow them with an impressive Niman Ranch crown roast of pork ($180 to $300, at williams-sonoma.com). Granny gave up canning peaches ages ago, but folksy Amish Wedding, an Ohio producer of old-fashioned jarred foodstuffs, hasn’t ($4, at troyerscountrymarket.com). God bless granny, but she has nothing on Callie’s Charleston Biscuits in buttermilk, ham, cheese and chive (two dozen $34 to $46, at calliesbiscuits.com). Who can pass up mac n’ cheese? Better than boxed, these four come packed in heat-and-serve ramekins ($37, at williams-sonoma.com). Dessert’s easy with La Donatella’s imported tiramisu from Italy ($15, at Central Market). No assembly required — simply plate and defrost straight from the freezer. Perhaps it’s pie you crave? Bake one with Country Living’s Classic Pumpkin Pie or County Fair Pecan Pie in a Jar ($14 each) with CL’s flaky piecrust mix beneath ($10), both at hfsfoods.com.

Let the grandparents sleep in; you’re making everyone Daddy Cakes pancakes for breakfast ($11) or the Austin fave, Kerbey Lane Café’s Gingerbread Pancake Mix ($6, at kerbylanecafe.com). Barefoot Contessa’s Foolproof Popover mix ($5) is a cinch to make and bake. And popovers are especially yummy paired with Harvest Song’s artisanal Wild Strawberry Preserves ($7). Or whip up some Merry Eggnog Muffins by Sticky Fingers Bakeries ($5). While granny likes a watered-down supermarket brew, we prefer a jolt of something stronger. Mokk…a ($7.50) is one of the few good pre-ground dark roasts that aren’t over-roasted. Forgoing coffee? Try Revolution’s antioxidant rich Acai Green Tea ($5). Grandmother’s remedy for nearly everything: honey. Cure all with a spoonful of The Hamptons Honey Company’s raw and unfiltered Creamed Spring Blossom Honey in your tea. ($11). All at Central Market unless otherwise indicated.

SANTA’S COCOA AND COOKIES‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring — save for Aunt Tilda, who was surreptitiously whipping up some hot cocoa with BonJour’s new Hot Chocolate Pot with frother attachment ($35, at bonjourproducts.com). Top with Mini Mighty Marshmallows double-dipped in a blend of milk and dark chocolates ($7, at Crate & Barrel) or stir with King Leo’s chocolate-dipped peppermint sticks ($7, at Central Market). Ole Saint Nick would adore Walkers Pure Butter Shortbread, now in festive holiday shapes ($10, at Cost Plus World Market). Santa couldn’t pass up these Snowman Brownie Pops, and neither could we ($37, at williams-sonoma.com). Speaking of snow, we adore these snowman-boxed shortbread and gingerbread cookies enrobed in white chocolate — and we know the big guy will, too ($6, at Central Market).