Christmas Crackers

Don't you love it when relatives visit? My kids are a little partial to the Cousins, in particular to Bootsy and her husband. It has become a tradition when Bootsy and her husband come to visit, they bring my children firecrackers.

When my son, Frack was outside in the eight inches of snow this weekend and saw Bootsy pull up, he immediately asked if she had brought fireworks with her. She didn't bring fireworks, but she brought something better - Christmas crackers.

How have we not included these fun little treats as part of our Christmas traditions?

Every cracker was filled with a paper crown, joke, and small trinket. Did I mention that you have to pull them apart? Did I mention that there is a tiny pop and puff of smoke? That is as close to indoor fireworks as you can get. (However, Bootsy did have to show her license to be able to purchase the crackers at Target.)

If you don't have any Christmas crackers this Christmas, you can make this tasty cracker recipe from Paula Dean to share with your friends.

Herbed Cheese-and Cracker Bits

Paula Dean, The Lady and Sons, Too!

Two 10 1/2-ounce boxes Ritz Cheese Bits (not peanut butter flavor)

1/2 c. vegetable oil

One 1-ounce package Hidden Valley Ranch Original Recipe salad dressing mix

1 heaping Tb. dried dill

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. celery salt

Place the crackers in a large sealable freezer container. In a bowl, mix the oil, salad dressing mix, dill, garlic powder, and celery salt. Pour this mixture over the crackers, cover the container, and invert it to coat the crackers with seasoning. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours, turning the container every so often to keep the crackers coated. Let the mixture come to room temperature before serving. Sore in the covered container in the refrigerator.