Ingredients
2 cups ground cashew nuts
1 cup icing sugar
3 tbsp. rose water 

Method
Mix all ingredients together until you have a smooth soft dough.
Divide the dough into different parts and use a drop of food colouring to colour each part with colours of your choice.
Lightly dust a silicone mould with icing sugar and press small amounts of the marzipan into the shapes. Then press to turn it out.
Leave to dry completely before you store in an airtight container.
(Christmas marzipan moulds are available in most food/baking supply shops at this time of the year, and online as well.)

The post No Cook Marzipan appeared first on The Teenager Today.

The surprised reporter was curious, and he queried, “How can you afford to share your best seed corn with your neighbours who are also in competition with you?” “Why, sir?” The farmer replied, “Don’t you know one of the important facts of life? The wind picks up pollen from the ripening corn and swirls it from field to field. If my neighbours grow inferior varieties of corn, the cross-pollination will steadily degrade the quality of my own corn as well. If I am to grow good corn, I must help also my neighbours grow good corn. This is the truth of life that I have learnt — in order to get the best out of life, I need to give my best to others.”

We live in a world of tough competition and at a time of endless grabbing and hoarding of material wealth, even of wars to protect one’s own goods and people. It is at this juncture that once again Christmas comes with its great message of caring, sharing, and gifting. At Christmas, we celebrate God’s greatest giving of His Son Jesus to the world — to save humans from their sins and to change them into persons of love, forgiveness, and selfless giving.

As we share with others, we do not become impoverished, but, instead, we become more enriched in our inner happiness through the happiness of others. In his famous prayer Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us, “It is in giving that we receive!” When we share the good things with others, the happiness and joyfulness of others become ours as well.

Nature around us is filled with amazing specimens of this caring and selfless giving. The sun, sky, trees, plants, rivers, oceans, and mountains endlessly give us good things, expecting only one thing — not to destroy them. Take for example, a tree — it provides us shade, flowers with honey for the bees, fruits for us and birds. Its roots hold the ground together protecting it from soil erosion. It purifies the air, and its branches are home to birds. Yet it expects nothing from its beneficiaries.

As we end the year 2023 giving thanks to God, nature, and everyone around us, we can all try to be not only beneficiaries but benefactors as well in the New Year!

The post Give your best, and get the best! appeared first on The Teenager Today.

It’s that time of the year again! A time full of joy, anticipation and excitement for the upcoming festivities and holidays. It’s the Christmas season — a time when the world adorns itself in twinkling lights, festive cheer fills the air, and hearts are aglow with the spirit of giving and celebration. The hustle and bustle creates an ambience of merriment, yet within this joyful chaos lies a more profound significance that goes beyond the glitz and glamour of the season. It’s a time that prompts reflection, a reminder of the core values of love, compassion, and the promise of unity in a world that often feels fragmented and divided.

The Christmas spirit often signifies a beacon of hope and light in a bleak world. Its origins can be traced back to when ancient traditions and stories resounded with hope and generosity. The story of Jesus Christ’s birth is at the heart of the origins of Christmas. The story of Jesus communicates a powerful message of love, empathy, and compassion. It’s about the resonance of harmony and the warmth of solidarity rather than mere presents and jingling bells.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post Christmas Spirit: Crafting a World of Solidarity appeared first on The Teenager Today.

All around the world Christians whether young or old, await excitedly for this time of the year — Christmas, the birthday of Jesus Christ. It is a time of giving gifts because Christians consider Him as the greatest gift they have ever received. It is also a time of celebrations, sumptuous food and exchanging of gifts. Christmas is a time of grandeur, and not to forget good old Santa Claus in his magnificent sleigh carrying an enormous bag of fantastic gifts! But is Christmas only about this? Isn’t there something deeper and meaningful to this season? The answer is yes, there is.

Besides material gifts, Christmas is a time for sharing some extraordinary gifts — the gifts of Charity, Hope, Love, Kindness, Happiness and Peace. These gifts are within our hearts; we need to bring them out and share them. Sharing is caring, and our small intangible gifts could touch the lives of many people at this special time of the year. Sharing our extraordinary gifts is not limited to just a group of people. Neither the givers nor the receivers of these gifts are limited by their age, race, class or culture. These gifts are meant for everyone, to be wholeheartedly and freely given.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post Gifts worth giving at Christmas appeared first on The Teenager Today.

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” 
~ Calvin Coolidge

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing Christmas with rich traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church services, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive!

Many of the symbols associated with Christmas have a special meaning. C. JOSEPH looks at some of the symbols that evoke the magic of the Christmas Season.

Christmas tree

A Christmas tree is usually an evergreen conifer, such as a fir, spruce, pine, or an artificial tree of similar appearance, associated with the celebration of Christmas. The tradition of the Christmas tree originated in Germany in the 16th century.

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post Christmas symbols that evoke the magic of the Season appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Kids will love this tree…

Is there a kid who doesn’t love messing about with LEGO blocks? Well, guess what you can create with 245,000 dark green forest blocks? At Legoland in California, there is a 30-foot Christmas tree made entirely out of LEGO blocks. It’s just not the tree, of course. The tree comes with a reindeer, sleigh and even a jolly Santa! It’s every kid’s dream come true in the form of a mammoth tree!

Subscribe to The Teenager Today print / digital editions to read the full article.

The post Creative Christmas Trees appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Christmas is a fact of life, and history records this eponymous event of the Christian era which commenced a little more than 2000 years ago in a stable in Bethlehem. It is also recorded that Christmas was first celebrated in 354 A.D., over 300 years after the birth of Christ. Then the Church decided that December 25 should be celebrated as the official Birthday of Christ. It was also hoped people would forget their old customs. But they didn’t entirely.

One of these was gift-giving, which is actually a borrowed tradition believed to be older than Christmas itself, and goes back to the New Stone Age when food was exchanged between farmers at mid-winter. There was a practice of giving presents during the last week of the year. The Egyptians exchanged gifts on a day which they celebrated as a special feast, but the gifts were of one kind and all gave and received the same kind of present. This practice was considered as a form of social bonding. However, times have changed and today, the reality differs from what it ostensibly proclaimed.

In fact, one is today inclined to wonder if there is any room left in our pretentious state for the real Christmas festival. This view is prompted by the prevalent governance gap that those in power are simply unable to bridge. There is no question of a “new” India that the state can claim to be aiming for. It is still the very same India we always knew.

Against this background there is a mood of pessimism which tempts us to look upon the festivities of the season as mere relics of a shattered ideal. True as that may be, it is our duty to collect the relics and preserve them with reverent care, for the ideal of peace, goodwill, harmony and tolerance are the best that we can pursue. We are not yet done with these and like everything else in the world these ideals do not stand in isolation. There will always be a Christmas to air these virtues.

One of the foundations of these virtues is brotherliness. Therefore, we must strive to bring together people of different creeds, classes and cultures to realise that they are all members of the same human family, that the good of all is contained in the good of each, and that if one is weak then all are weak. Such a move would ensure fewer breaches of peace. Greed and selfishness rend asunder the bonds of brotherhood, and no amount of idealism should blind us to the terrible facts of undisciplined human nature.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print or digital editions of THE TEENAGER TODAY.

The post Yuletide: A season of kindness and gifting appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Here are some of my favourite ideas for Christmas and New Year outfits

For the Christmas bell

Try and get a Christmas tree this year. It’s fun to decorate and spend some time with your siblings or your parents while you do so. Christmas is a family holiday. Get your parents a gift even if it’s something small. It’s the gesture that matters and they will appreciate it. And maybe get yourself a gift to!

Dressy Christmas

GIRLS: A dress is the best outfit for any occasion. It can be casual, formal and dressy, all at the same time. It’s a very versatile piece of clothing. Pair a basic red dress and wear it with a green or white long cardigan or a long jacket. You can pick the layer depending on the weather in your area. You can also wear a white dress with a red or green cardigan or long jacket. This outfit is very simple and can be worn for a party or for a formal Christmas celebration.

GUYS: Pick a white or red T-shirt and pair it with jeans and a jacket. I would recommend a leather jacket for a party and a blazer for a more formal occasion. The blazer is a classic outfit and looks amazing. Pick a V-neck tee or a round-neck tee. You can also wear a shirt with a Mandarin collar along with a blazer. Choose festive colours; if you can’t handle red go with green and white. A nice shade of emerald green or bottle green won’t look bad!

Keeping it casual

Going for a casual dinner with family or having a cozy night at home? Try out these outfit ideas.

GIRLS: Pair bell bottoms with a basic off-shoulder top or a full-sleeved tie-up top. If you can’t carry off bell bottoms, try high-waist jeans and pair with a bell-sleeved top. Choose festive colours for your top.

GUYS: A sports luxe jacket or a bomber jacket can be your saviour. Simply wear a bomber jacket in a festive colour; maybe a red or white bomber jacket with your casual jeans and a tee. It’s pretty basic but it keeps the Christmas spirit alive.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print magazine or the digital edition.

The post Style it up this Christmas & New Year! appeared first on The Teenager Today.

A revitalizing tradition

Did you know that many homes in Finland come equipped with their own saunas? A sauna plays an important role at Christmas here. This warm spot is considered sacred and is seen as the home of the legendary sauna elf. On Christmas Eve, people take a long and refreshing dip in the sauna before proceeding with the celebrations.

Read the full article by subscribing to the print magazine or the digital edition.

The post Christmas traditions around the world appeared first on The Teenager Today.

Just close your eyes and imagine the scene before the wonder struck eyes of the poor, ragged boy. He has been told about the newborn king whom he has come to worship. Mother Mary and St Joseph are kneeling in adoration on either side of Baby Jesus in a crib. There are shepherds and animals, including ox and sheep, surrounding the crib. Humble folk have come with their “finest gifts”. Perhaps the kid is awestruck at the sight of the three Wise Men from the East with their imposing cloaks and headgear. They bring with them precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. The little drummer boy thinks for a moment. He has nothing to offer but his musical talent — that of playing the drum. He starts playing tentatively at first. He picks up courage and then gets into the mood, playing the drums with gusto, “Pa ra pa papum, Pa ra pa papum”. He gains confidence as Mary nods in appreciation. The ox and sheep keep time. But what the little boy treasures most is when Jesus “smiled at me, me and my drum”.

Each of us is a unique individual with unique talents. These are God-given gifts which we should not lock away but use for our own satisfaction and for the greater good. One of the issues that is a block to the use of our talents is that, like the drummer boy, we compare ourselves negatively with others. But while the wise men were endowed with wisdom, they could not play the drums with the verve and beat of the poor boy.

The world is enriched by the contribution of great inventors, composers, authors, musicians, doctors, engineers and teachers. Leonardo da Vinci never thought, “Someone somewhere sometime will paint a better Mona Lisa than me. So why waste my time?” The famous playwright, George Bernard Shaw, did not waste his time painting when he could use his brilliant wit and writing ability productively.

The “I am not good enough” self-talk often originates from parents who, in turn, have learnt this negativity from their parents. They adversely compare their children based on grades, little realizing that each child has individual talents. This is a narrow and biased perspective.

A well-known doctor had an only son, Anup. The doctor expected his son to be academically as brilliant as he was. Great expectations which were not to be as Anup was dyslexic. It pained Anup’s mother Leela when her husband would regularly berate their son for “slacking in studies”. This caused Anup to retreat into a shell. Fortunately Leela saw that Anup had culinary skills. She encouraged him in pursuing his passion for cooking and simultaneously convinced her academically-brilliant but foolish husband to desist from his tirades against their child. Anup is today the proud owner of two successful eating houses.

Each of you is a thinking person. Spare some time from your busy schedule and, like the little drummer boy, dwell on what you like to do and are good at. If you love singing but croak like a frog, then forget it! See how you can best improve your skills and go for it. Surround yourself with genuine and positive-thinking friends who won’t dishearten your new activity before you even begin. Read self-improvement books. Expand your mind with knowledge beyond textbooks.

Since we have been given time and talents by the Almighty, we should be happy to use them for His greater glory. We don’t live on a desert island. As a part of a cohesive society, we should use our talents for others as well. Some doctors, lawyers and teachers, for instance, find time to help the needy pro bono despite being busy in their professions.

Atmavishwas in Verna, Goa, runs a café and a workshop for the mentally and physically challenged. The two days I spent with them was an eye-opener. There are fourteen young adults at this centre. Each is challenged in a different way. Savio Dagama, who has Down’s Syndrome, is trained to use the coffee dispenser to make coffee. He bows politely to guests and asks, “What can I serve you ma’am? What would you like to have, sir?” Savio is also a talented guitarist and his talent has been encouraged by his parents and his sister. Angel helps in the kitchen. Danny, who has a hearing impediment, loves to sew. He is guided and taught to make saleable items on a sewing machine. Mentally-challenged Gillian loves to embroider. She is taught how to do neat work that can be sold. Some are taught to make cards and table mats. Apart from skill training, these youth are taught to do their little bit for the less privileged.

There are many ways you could each make a difference. Approach a hospital nearby and spend some time at the children’s ward; perhaps sing to the kids or put up cheerful paintings. On Gandhi Jayanti, the enthusiastic youth of St Andrew’s Church, Mumbai, organized talks on how each of us must do our bit to save the planet. I recently took part in the Palliative Care Walk in Bandra organized to raise awareness about palliative care and was impressed by the large turnout of youth for this good cause.

We all have talents in varying degrees. All we need, like the little drummer boy, is a bit of introspection to gauge our talents, encouragement so that we can utilize them for our livelihood in doing something we enjoy and for the betterment of humanity.

The post The Little Drummer Boy’s Gift appeared first on The Teenager Today.