A Tree, with All the (Edible) Trimmings
A Candy Cane-Trimmed Tree. Photo by PugnoM.
I saw The Nutcracker last night, and seeing tutu-clad sugarplums, shimmying Arabian coffee, and pirouetting marzipan reminded that somehow everything at Christmas is so delectable—so edible. When I wish for a white Christmas, I hope for a snow shower of sugar to cover my table, more than a blanket of frozen water to shroud my house.
So, in the spirit of making this year an edible Christmas and of living in my own candyland, I want every ornament on my tree to be fit for consumption. I am going to hang gingerbread men (not fatally), with their wry, white smiles and buttoned-up demeanors. A few branches to the left I'll place a barbershop red-and-white candy cane crook. Ruddy and spicy cinnamon sticks will imbue Christmas spirit. Traditional citrus clementines or kumquats will droop the boughs. And of course, a popcorn garland burst from those old-fashioned Technicolor kernels will adorn from tip to stalk, set off by a garland of cranberries. A tree trimming party would leave me with very few ornaments indeed, but I plan on having everyone over for a tree-consuming party.
True, all that food lying around might attract those vicious mice from The Nutcracker. But as in the ballet, I expect the Battle Under the Tree to be easily won: The gingerbread men could herd the mice together with their candy cane crooks, bludgeon them with their cinnamon stick batons, and bind them with the popcorn garland. So much for peace and good will.
What edibles do you use to trim you tree?
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8 Comments:
I have used candy canes, of all colors/flavors, sugar cookies, both home made, and some very nice bakery cookies, popcorn strings(my grandmother used to be able to get color on the corn, cant remember how she did it), and various candy items.Sadly no tree this year, no Christmas spirit at all, hopefully next year, regardless of my"Christmas spirit", would like to wish anyone that reads this, (if anybody does!) a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!.
jword2001 at 8:26PM on 12/22/08
We usually hang gingerbread cutouts, people and various other shapes. I love the way they make the room smell. Yes to the popcorn-cranberry garland--I put them both on the same strand(s) of thread. Oranges dotted with cloves hung by a ribbon with care. And best of all an experiment that everyone loved--popcorn balls with dried cranberries. I made them a little bigger than a golf ball and wrapped them in cellophane and hung them with a cranberry colored ribbon. They were terrifically yummy and had a beautiful visual appeal. This year, no edible eats, we have a golden retriever pup who not only eat anything edible on the tree, but also end up taking out the tree itself.
Weird aside regarding gingerbread people--I once had a client who made anatomically correct gingerbread men and women. Guess what she used the garlic press for to make with the gingerbread dough? She was a very interesting client to say the least.
dhorst at 9:47PM on 12/22/08
None, as our dog is quite passionate about food as well, and may very well knock a tree down for a treat.
When we were little, our neighbor used to make "magical" gingerbread men. You hang it on the tree at night, and in the morning it has moved to a different spot on the tree! A wonderful Christmas tradition, indeed.
veggieout at 10:50PM on 12/22/08
With three cats, one dog, two parrots and a 16-year-old boy, an all-edible tree would quickly become a naked tree.
KarynMC at 11:09PM on 12/22/08
We used to have these little men made of shellacked chocolate cookies that various members of my family made to hang on the Christmas tree. I always used to try and eat them, hoping they would taste good.
Unfortunately, they never did.
jade_rabbit at 11:09PM on 12/22/08
I've only ever put candy canes on my tree. I always thought my parents were paranoid about putting food on the tree, but after reading this [justhungry.com], I'm realizing it might be because we always got a real tree. It could also be because we had cats, and it's not good for them to eat the popcorn or the sweets. Maybe one day I'll make cookies wrapped in cellophane or get a fake tree though?
gusterlover6 at 10:30AM on 12/23/08
We have a group of pine trees in our backyard that we decorate with edibles every Christmas for the birds and squirrels. They love it, and we love to watch them enjoy it.
HelloChris at 12:47PM on 12/23/08
Merry Christmas!
When I was growing up to follow my family's German tradition we didn't get to put up or decorate the tree until Christmas Eve. We would also decorate it with Pretzels, Gingerbread, Candycanes, Nuts and Chocolates.
I think a tree without food on it seems strange! Unless you're in KarynMC's position--can't hold that against her! LOL
Ps: Real Trees Rule!
hungrychristel at 2:30PM on 12/23/08