Come the holidays, Walter Deuschle would carve an ice sculpture or make a gingerbread house.

The Candy Factory raised $876.03 for Habitat for Humanity with its annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest during the holidays. The donation was a 61 percent increase over the 2008 proceeds.

The Candy Factory raised $876.03 for Habitat for Humanity with its annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest during the holidays.

I ate a few more cookies during the holidays than I should have, and now I’m weighing a few more pounds than I’d like. Still, I’m starting the year off writing about what I might put next into the cookie jar. OK

Gerrish/Citizen photo Kindergarten students in Pam Brezak’s and Jackie McCready’s classes are shown in front of gingerbread men they made for the holidays.

Attending one of Felder Rushing’s programs is a great way to get gardening inspiration for the new year.

Weston School first-graders sampled belharecos, a fried pumpkin ball rolled in sugar and cinnamon, traditionally served with Christmas dinners in Portugal, as part of the school’s annual Holidays Around the World event Dec. 18

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is in full swing for the holidays. Milkshake lovers will be excited about the gingerbread shakes. Also tasty and fun are the towering onion rings.

First of two parts.

Between kindly neighbors, generous officemates and your own seasonal baking lust, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by cookies during the holidays. What to do with all the cookies that don’t get gobbled up right away?