Add more of this festive fruit into your life with these simple ideas

We all need a little more cranberry in our lives. Besides the health benefits, their rich red color makes any occasion festive. Check out these crafty ways to add a little more cranberry to your life this Christmas.

Cranberry Punch

Ingredients

3 cups cranberry juice cocktail

3 cups canned pineapple juice

4 cups ginger ale

1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries

1/2 lime

Directions

Mix all ingredients in a picture and serve over ice. The produce makes it look great in a punch bowl, too.

Christmas Potpourri

Never show up empty-handed to a Christmas party. Bring fresh potpourri for your host to add the smell of Christmas magic to any gathering. Enjoy our free tag to cut out and use on Page 24.

Jar ingredients

1/2 cup fresh cranberries

1 orange cut into wedges

4 cinnamon sticks

1 tablespoon whole cloves

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

Directions

Bring 3 cups of water plus jar contents to a simmer over low heat, uncovered, in a small pot. Check the water periodically and add more if it starts to get low. Boil for up to 8 hours.

Cranberry place cards

String fresh cranberries and evergreen in a wreath shape. Add any nametag. We used a recycled, brown paper bag.

Cranberry centerpiece

Add evergreen and fresh cranberries to any clear jar. Top with a floating candle for extra ambiance.

Cranberry and popcorn garland

Spend some family time together making Christmas decor. Use floral wire to string alternating fresh cranberries and popcorn. Best if used to decorate outdoors to help keep the cranberries fresh.

Cranberry Sauce With a Twist

Ingredients

12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries

1 cup sugar

Pinch of salt

1 cinnamon stick

2 strips of orange rind

2 tablespoons juice of fresh orange

1 cup water

Twist ingredients

No. 1: 1 pomegranate seeded

No. 2: 1 extra cup sugar

Directions

In a medium saucepan add cranberries, sugar, salt, cinnamon, orange rind, juice of orange and water. Bring to boil and cook until all the cranberries pop and the sauce thickens, about 20 minutes. Serve as cranberry sauce.

For twist No. 1, after thickening add the pomegranate seeds. This gives your sauce a refreshing taste.

For twist No. 2, add the second cup of sugar with main ingredients. This gives your sauce more of a balance with the tart of the cranberry, making your sauce more like a jam and great for leftover turkey sandwiches.