Gluten Free Christmas

 

* * * THE GIFTS WE GIVE * * *

Hopefully, these suggestions will be appropriate for everyone on your gift list who lives gluten free:

 GIFT CERTIFICATES. The Gluten Free Mall offers gift certificates in $25, $50, and $100 denominations. The Gluten Free Pantry issues a $25 gift certificate. Read the fine print carefully before choosing this option; there are restrictions as to how the certificate can be used. Restaurants like The Outback Steakhouse and P.F. Chang’s China Bistro provide gift cards that provide another great way to give the gift of gluten free meals.

 BOOKS AS GIFTS. This link will take you a display of some of the best cookbooks, reference books, and how-to manuals that celiacs and others living gluten free will cherish. If you can’t obtain the books locally, click on the appropriate book cover to purchase it from Amazon.com.

 

* * * THE FOODS WE SHARE ***

A gluten free Christmas is much like a celiac-friendly Thanksgiving as far as foods are concerned, so I suggest that you start by reading or reviewing my "Gluten Free Thanksgiving" article. Then read this Christmas dinner menu and plan, and/or for a different point-ov-view, try this article by a British blogger.

  Here is a collection of Christmas cookie recipes. You may also be interested in my article on gingerbread or my compilation of gluten free holiday bread recipes.

 

 

* * * THE PEOPLE WE CELEBRATE WITH * * *

This week I’ve written about celiac-friendly Christmas gifts and gluten free holiday meals, but — when it comes right down to it — the holiday seaseon is all about the people with whom we celebrate. Non-celiac hosts entertain guests who live gluten free. Celiacs entertain visitors who have no knowledge of our situation. We all need to do some homework. Here are some articles that may be helpful.

Chapter 7 of The Gluten Free Bible is titled "Etiquette for the Allergic" and is a great guide for handling the situations that confront celiacs during the holiday season. Everyone living gluten free needs and deserves this wonderful book.  (Yes, this is definately a gift suggestion).

 People living gluten free may need to read or review this article called "Surviving the Holidays Gluten Free"

  Here’s an article for people who will be inviting celiacs and others who live gluten free into there homes. "This post is actually for family and friends who want to have guests for dinner and need a quick-gluten free guide".
 

  Party-givers may want to review the "Ten Guidelines for Hosts with Gluten Free Guests"

 

* * * A FINAL THOUGHT * * *

Merry Christmas. Thanks for wading through all this information. I hope that it adds to your joy during this wonderful season. Before leaving this page, I suggest that you relax and listen to our own gluten free Christmas carol:

Published 11/30/08