(Family Features) With countless ways to enjoy the holiday season from decorating and hosting parties to wintertime activities, it’s a perfect time to bring family and friends together for some festive fun. One simple ingredient can be your go-to for just about any tradition: popcorn, which is an inexpensive, versatile, whole grain that makes holiday occasions better.

Consider these simple seasonal ways you can let popcorn fuel your holiday adventures.

Decorate

Strings of popcorn and cranberries add a nostalgic touch to the family tree while making popcorn trees adds whimsy to the table. Before stringing popcorn, let it sit out for a day or two as freshly popped popcorn may be too fragile to thread without breaking. Push a threaded needle through the center of each kernel then pull the kernel to the end of the knotted thread, adding an occasional cranberry, if desired. Festive trees can be made using popcorn mixed with melted marshmallows then shaped and finished with sprinkles.

Give It as a Gift

If it’s your turn to host this year’s holiday party, popcorn makes for a perfect party favor. Pop up a delicious treat like these Cranberry Popcorn Balls, place them in pretty jars or neatly wrap them then finish each with a bow. For an added touch, include the recipe instructions and popcorn kernels in a separate container so your guests can make it at home.

Enjoy It as a Snack

Freshly popped popcorn is a simple and delicious snack to share after a day of shopping, caroling, sledding or decorating. You can take the holiday season up a notch with creative recipes like Gingersnap Popcorn Snack Mix, White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark and Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn. These treats are perfect for popping up in the morning so the snacks are ready once guests arrive.

Visit Popcorn.org to find more sweet, salty and savory holiday recipe ideas.

Gingersnap Popcorn Snack Mix

Yield: 2 quarts

• 2 quarts popped popcorn
• butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar substitute
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black or white pepper

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.
2. Spread popcorn on baking sheet and spray lightly with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In small bowl, combine sugar substitute, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves and freshly ground pepper; sprinkle evenly over popcorn.
4. Spray again with nonstick cooking spray and toss to coat evenly.
5. Bake 7 minutes and serve warm.

Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn

Yield: 8 cups

• 8 cups popped popcorn
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• candy sprinkles

1. On serving platter, spread popcorn in thin layer.
2. Over double boiler or in microwave, melt milk chocolate chips. Drizzle over popcorn.
3. Over double boiler or in microwave, melt white chocolate chips. Drizzle over popcorn.
4. Sprinkle candy sprinkles over warm, chocolate-coated popcorn. Allow drizzles to set until firm.

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark

Yield: 1 pound

• 5 cups popped popcorn
• 12 ounces white chocolate baking chips, chopped white chocolate or white candy coating
• 1 cup crushed hard candy peppermints

1. Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside.
2. Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
3. In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth, or melt according to package directions.
4. Stir in crushed peppermints after chocolate is melted. Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn mixture and stir to coat. Spread onto prepared pan; cool completely.
5. When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks for serving.
6. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Cranberry Popcorn Balls

Yield: 18 balls

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1/2 cup cranberry juice
• 1/2 cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 quarts unsalted popped popcorn

1. In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cranberry sauce, orange peel, cranberry juice, corn syrup, vinegar and salt. Bring to boil; lower heat and cook to 250 F on candy thermometer.
2. Mixture will bubble in pan; watch to keep from boiling over.
3. Pour slowly onto hot popcorn and mix until well-coated.
4. Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls.
5. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.

(Family Features) From decorating the tree to carving the turkey, there are many time-honored holiday traditions observed by families around the country. However, the holiday season is about more than just celebrating old traditions.

A perfect opportunity for creating new memories and, in turn, traditions, popcorn can serve as an ideal ingredient to bring family time to life. Whether wrapping the tree with garland made from the light and airy treat, filling clear ornaments with freshly popped kernels or simply popping up a bowl as a nutritious alternative to other holiday noshes, popcorn makes it easy to get hands-on while you deck the halls.

These seasonal recipes for traditional treats like peppermint bark and popcorn balls plus edible trees and a more elegant take on a simple snack highlight low-fat, non-GMO, gluten-free whole-grain popcorn as the main ingredient. Find more modern takes on traditional holiday recipes at popcorn.org.

White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark

Yield: 1 pound

• 5          cups popped popcorn
• 12        ounces white chocolate baking chips
• 1 cup crushed hard candy peppermints Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside.

1. Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
2. In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth.
3. Stir in crushed peppermints.
4. Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn and stir to coat.
5. Spread onto prepared pan; cool completely. When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks.

Easy, Elegant Holiday Popcorn

Yield: 8 cups

• 8          cups popped popcorn
• 1/2       cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2       cup white chocolate chips
• candy sprinkles

1. Line baking sheet with wax paper. Spread popcorn in thin layer on prepared pan.
2. Place chocolate chips in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave in additional 10-second increments, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn.
3. Place white chocolate chips in separate microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium 30 seconds; stir. If necessary, microwave in additional 10-second increments, stirring after each heating, until chips are melted and smooth. Drizzle over popcorn.
4. Sprinkle desired amount of candy sprinkles over warm chocolate-coated popcorn.
5. Allow chocolate drizzles to set until firm. Break popcorn into pieces.

Note: Chocolate chips can be replaced with cut up chocolate bars.

Cranberry Popcorn Balls

Yield: 18 balls

• 2          cups sugar
• 1          cup whole berry cranberry sauce, slightly mashed
• 1          tablespoon grated orange peel
• 1/2       cup cranberry juice
• 1/2       cup light corn syrup
• 1          teaspoon vinegar
• 1/2       teaspoon salt
• 5          quarts unsalted, popped popcorn
• butter

1. In heavy saucepan, combine sugar, cranberry sauce, grated orange peel, cranberry juice, corn syrup, vinegar and salt.
2. Bring to boil; lower heat and cook until temperature reaches 250 F on candy thermometer.
3. Slowly pour cranberry mixture onto hot popcorn; mix until well-coated.
4. Let stand 5 minutes, or until mixture can easily be formed into balls.
5. Butter hands and form into 3-inch balls.

Festive Popcorn Trees

Yield: 10 trees

• 10        cups air-popped popcorn
• 1          bag (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows
• 2          tablespoons butter
• 1          teaspoon vanilla extract
• nonstick cooking spray
• green decorating sugar
• blue decorating sugar
• 1          tube white frosting
• small, colorful candies such as sprinkles and miniature silver dragees

1. Place popcorn in large bowl.
2. In medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir marshmallows and butter until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
3. Stir in vanilla extract.
4. Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly.
5. Line baking sheet with foil.
6. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray then scoop about 1 cup popcorn mixture.
7. Shape mixture into cone, keeping base flat to form tree.
8. Sprinkle tree with decorating sugars; place tree on baking sheet.
9. Make nine additional trees.
10. Using decorating tip, pipe frosting on trees to make garland then decorate with sprinkles and silver dragees, as desired.
11. Serving suggestion: Place each tree on sugar cookie and decorate serving tray with shredded coconut to resemble snow.

Notes: For best flavor and color, start recipe with unflavored white popcorn. You can make colored sugar by adding food coloring to sugar then stirring in bowl or shaking vigorously in sealed container. Add additional food coloring for more intense tones.

Source: Popcorn Board

When it comes to dessert, it’s hard to beat chocolate as the main ingredient for dishes of all kinds. Add a twist to your next treat with the sweet taste of caramel in this Chocolate Caramel Pie.

Find more dessert recipes at Culinary.net.

Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Chocolate Caramel Pie

• 1          package (15 ounces) pie crust

Filling:

• 24        caramels, unwrapped
• 1/3       cup water
• 2/3       cup brown sugar
• 2/3       cup sour cream
• 1          teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2          eggs, beaten
• 1/2       cup walnuts, chopped
• 1/3       cup grated sweet baking chocolate, divided

Topping:

• 1          cup white chocolate chip morsels
• 1/4       cup milk
• 1          cup whipping cream
• 2          tablespoons grated sweet baking chocolate

1. Heat oven to 450° F. Prepare pie crust in 9-inch glass pie dish. Bake 8-9 minutes, or until lightly brown.
2. To make filling: In medium bowl, combine caramels and water. Melt in microwave, stirring frequently. Stir in brown sugar, sour cream, vanilla extract, eggs and walnuts.
3. Reduce oven to 350° F. Pour filling into cooled pie shell. Return to oven. Bake 30-40 minutes, or until edges of filling are set.
4. Cool 15 minutes. Sprinkle 3/4 cup grated chocolate over pie. Refrigerate 2 hours.
5. To make topping: In small glass bowl, combine white chocolate morsels and milk. Melt in microwave, stirring frequently. Set aside.
6. In small bowl, beat whipping cream until peaks form. Fold in melted white chocolate mixture. Spread over cooled filling. Sprinkle with remaining grated chocolate.
7. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

When it's cold outside, start up the fireplace, get your favorite slippers on, wrap up in a warm blanket and snuggle on the couch with this delicious White Hot Chocolate. Find more recipes at Culinary.net.

White Hot Chocolate

• 3 cups Half & Half
• 2/3 cup white chocolate baking pieces
• 1 3 inch cinnamon stick
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• Ground Cinnamon (optional)
• Whipped Cream (optional)

1. In a medium saucepan combine 1/4 of the half & half, white chocolate baking pieces, cinnamon stick and nutmeg. Stir over low to medium heat until white chocolate is melted.
2. Add remaining half & half. Stir and cook until heated through. Remove from heat. Discard cinnamon stick.
3. Add in vanilla and almond extract. Stir until mixed through.
4. Pour into your favorite mug(s). Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with ground cinnamon.

Recipe adapted from Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook.

Watch this video to see how to make this delicious recipe!

Source: Culinary.net

(Family Features) If the kitchen is the heart of the home, a gift from your kitchen is truly a gift from the heart. For the holidays, treat everyone on your list to a heartfelt food gift.

Gather for a casual holiday open house and give one of your hand-made or hand-picked creations as party favors. Offer hot cider, cocoa or flavored coffee and serve a spectacular cupcake cake — the latest in show-stopping desserts. Order a holiday-themed cupcake creation from your neighborhood Wal-Mart for easy pickup that morning.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bark and Chocolate Thumbprint Cookie are just two easy-to-make treats, perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth. They’re a few favorite recipes from best-selling author of “Semi-Homemade Cooking,” Sandra Lee for holiday gifting. Not only is her complete collection of 200 recipes in the new Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade recipe card collection a great resource for holiday gift treats but it’s also the perfect gift. Packaged in a holiday red tin, the collection is available exclusively at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club locations this holiday season.

There’s something for everyone on your list — friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, postal carrier, hairdresser, even the kids’ teachers. These gifts from your heart are sure to be appreciated.

Create Personalized Goodie Gifts

Gather the contents by collecting goods from the grocery aisles and housewares department of your favorite superstore:

• Holiday sweets: Pre-wrapped and packaged cookies and candies in fun Snowman and Santa Towers are great to have on hand; simply hang a decorative homemade card or gift tag around the neck.
• Help with happy hour: Line a pretty basket with a festive towel and fill with a bottle of sparkling juice or wine, two elegant wine glasses, a fragrant candle, a tin of fancy nuts and some stylish cocktail napkins.
• Love you a latte: Give a bag of gourmet coffee and include a beautiful coffee mug — or pick up an already-packaged gift set.
• Bring brunch for a bunch: Load up a festive gift box or basket with brunch favorites — try fresh oranges and pears, pancake mix, maple syrup, a loaf of cinnamon or banana nut bread, plus an assortment of jams and spreader knives with holiday handles.
• Time for some reel fun: For the film buff, include microwave movie popcorn, king-sized candy bars, a few cans of soda and the latest DVD releases, in a large plastic snack bowl.
• Fuel-up power pack: Fill a draw-string knapsack with energy bars, bottled sports drinks, banana chips, a box of whole wheat pasta and wrist weights for the avid athlete.

Make a list for one-stop shopping for gift ideas by visiting www.walmart.com. Additional recipes are also available by clicking on In Stores Now/Ideas Center.

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

These pretty-as-a-picture cookies are amazingly easy to make. Let the kids help make these by rolling cookie balls and unwrapping the chocolate morsels.

Makes about 4 dozen cookies

• 1 16-ounce container dark chocolate frosting
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 cup very finely ground almonds
• 48 large chocolate morsels, unwrapped

1. Beat chocolate frosting and butter in large bowl until well blended.
2. Mix in graham cracker crumbs and almond extract. Place almonds in pie plate or other shallow bowl.
3. Shape chocolate mixture into 1-inch balls (about 48). Roll each ball in almonds to coat.
4. Place balls on cookie sheet. Using finger, make deep indentation in center of each ball.
5. Fill each indentation with chocolate morsel. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until cold.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bark

Easy and irresistible — be sure to make a batch for yourself as well. Package in a pretty cellophane bag or in a holiday candy dish tied with a festive ribbon.

Makes 1 1/2 pounds

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels
• 2 cups white vanilla milk chips
• 2/3 cup macadamia nuts or almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped

1. Line 13- by 9-inch cookie sheet with waxed paper, allowing 2 inches of paper to hang over sides.
2. Melt 1 3/4 cups semisweet chocolate morsels in microwave on medium power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or until smooth.
3. Pour melted semisweet chocolate onto prepared sheet and spread to cover entire surface and form one even layer.
4. Melt 1 3/4 cups white chips in microwave on medium power 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until smooth.
5. Drizzle melted white chips over semisweet chocolate layer. Using toothpick or skewer, swirl melted chocolates together, creating marbled effect.
6. Sprinkle with nuts and remaining 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate morsels and 1/4 cup white chips. Gently press toppings into melted chocolates.
7. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until chocolate is firm.
8. Remove waxed paper from chocolate. Cut or break chocolate into bite-size pieces.

Morning Coffee Cake

What better way to wake up the holidays than with a delicious cinnamon swirl coffee cake? Give this breakfast treat on a red or green platter with a ribbon-wrapped serving knife.

Makes 12 to 16 slices

• 7 sweet dinner rolls
• 1 box (1 pound, 14 ounces) cinnamon swirl coffee cake mix
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter and flour 10-cup Bundt pan. Slice 1 inch off tops of rolls and tear tops into 1-inch pieces; set aside. Place bottoms of rolls, cut sides up, in prepared pan.
2. In large bowl, combine coffee cake batter mix, water, oil and 2 eggs. Beat until well blended.
3. Pour half of batter over rolls. Sprinkle with cinnamon swirl packet from coffee cake mix. Pour remaining batter over rolls.
4. Whisk remaining egg, milk and sugar in another bowl to blend. Add reserved roll tops to milk mixture; set aside until milk mixture is absorbed.
5. Pour roll top mixture over cake batter in pan. Swirl batters together with a skewer.
6. Bake 45 minutes or until toothpick inserted near center of cake comes out clean. Cool cake in pan 25 minutes. Invert cake onto cooling rack; remove pan.
7. Place cake, right side up, on platter. Slice cake and serve.

Candy Cane Cocktail

Perfect for an evening of holiday entertaining. Or for gift-giving, bundle the ingredients in a candy cane themed basket complete with martini glasses and a cocktail shaker.

Makes: 1 drink

• 1 shot vanilla rum
• 1 shot white chocolate liqueur
• 1 shot peppermint schnapps
• Candy cane, garnish

1. Add all liquid ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well and strain into martini glass. Garnish with candy cane.

Source: Wal-Mart