Ice Cubes and Ice Bowls - things to do for Christmas

Most of us like long cold drinks at Christmas especially when things start to get hot.  So now is the time to get the ice cubes sorted out.  One of the things that I do is to cut a lemon into wedges or a lime and then add the wedge to an individual ice cube tray and then poor on water and freeze.  All you have to do then is when you want an ice cube is just pop them straight in the freezer.

If you only have the one ice cube tray once they are frozen decant into polythene bags and then you can reuse your tray.  Keep doing this until you have enough.  Don't want anything in them just leave them plain or fill the ice cube trays up with diluted lemon barley water and freeze.  These are lovely in a long cold glass of Coca Cola or Pepsi.

You can also add fresh cranberries and mint leaves and just suit the ice cube to the drink.

In the same way you can also create festive ice bowls to serve home made ice cream out of - something simple can be made absolutely stunning by making its own customised dish.  I have a proper freezable bowl kit that I use but you can also use a couple of different sized bowls and some sellotape and build you ice bowl up in this way.  

You can also make a wine bottle cooler in a similar way.

Here is an excellent easy link on how to make a balloon ice bowl or a bowl for showing off fruit or ice cream.

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Ice-Bowl

Just make sure you have a decent container underneath to collect any melting water.

It is often the simplest things that create the most effect.  I am going to pop some holly and fir in mine together with some cranberries and maybe a few rosehips and holly berries.  The contents will not be edible but they will look effective.  Just make sure you leave room in the freezer.

Have fun playing. 

Pattypan

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