In Defense of the Fruitcake

What do you do when you are bestowed with a fruitcake this holiday season?

The majority of Americans feel that fruitcake is best used as:

· a doorstop,

· as a gift for someone else

· or as land fill (the opinion of the majority)

However, we at Party411 are coming to the defense of fruitcake due to its rich history. 

We're not so keen on actually eating a fruitcake. However, a Christmas without fruitcake is like a presidential election without a president--unfulfilling.  Don’t worry The Party Girl has some ideas!

When your well-meaning friends send you a fruitcake, try these ideas to show them off (and you never have to swallow a bite).

· Centerpiece. Using a giant fruitcake that you made or bought (and no matter whether it's rectangular or round), put it center table on a bed of holly and evergreen branches with pinecones scattered as confetti. Delightful.

· Votive Candle Holder. Take the fruitcake out of its container and make holes big enough to hold votive candles. Or just shove them in-who's to know?! Isn't this a great idea?

· Guest Towel Holder. Take two fruitcakes, lay them side by side about 4" apart and insert popsicle sticks to make it a holder for your favorite guest towels. Decoupage if you feel up to it.

· Knife Rest. Cut the fruitcake into 2x1" rectangles and put one at each place as a knife rest…your guests will marvel at your creativity.

· Place Card Holder. Again, cut the fruitcake into rectangles and make a small groove in the top to hold a business card size placecard. Placecards with holly and mistletoe are easily found at your local stationery store. Coat with polyurethane so you can use year after year.

· Holiday Door Knocker. You may think this is difficult but it's not. Super glue a hinge to the bottom of the fruitcake near the top, use removable double stick tape to attach the back of the hinge to your door. Let's hope they are not from the school of hard knocks.   

· Punch Hole Ring. Take your fruitcake, freeze it in a block of ice and throw it in your punch bowl for an unusual yet attractive garnish.

· Trivet. No explanation needed.

So, don't worry if your husband's boss brings a fruitcake to your Christmas Open House this year. Just march in the kitchen and make it into something wonderful! Imagine his surprise when he sees it on display in your guest lavatory holding a Glade refill!

How do you use that fruitcake-gift-of-doom?