esjay
Rum Balls
This, by the way, is my mother's recipe (with a little sj modification).
12 oz.box Vanilla Wafers
1 Cup Pecans
2/3 Cup Rum (use Myers dark rum)
1 Cup Powdered Sugar
3 T. Dry Cocoa
2 T. White Corn Syrup
Put wafers and pecans through a food processor, or mush them up somehow into fine crumbs. Mix all ingredients and blend thoroughly. Roll into small balls, then in more powdered sugar. Store in airtight container. Age 18-24 hours.
warning label on rum balls...no one under 21 and don't operate motorized vehicles after eating...stuff like that!

gs dulcinea
Here are a couple of recipes that are great for gifts...at least IMHO. The rum balls are best if you make them at least a couple of weeks in advance and keep them sealed up in a tin. The cheese straws are better if made at least a day or two in advance and will stay crisp and fresh in ziploc baggies or tins for a couple of weeks.

Jamaican Joys (rum balls)
1-1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1-1/2 to 2 c. crushed vanilla wafers
1 c. minced pecans
1 tbsp. cocoa
3 tbsp. white corn syrup
1/2 c. light rum
Mix cinnamon and 1/2 c. powdered sugar and set it aside. Mix remaining ingredients and drop by scant teaspoonfuls onto a cookie sheet. Let stand in refrigerator until well chilled, then form into tiny balls. Roll each ball in the cinnamon and sugar mixture. Put in refrigerator to chill again and then roll in more cinnamon and sugar. Pack in a box or tin with wax paper between the layers.

LChadwick
Mincemeat Pie
Buy or make a 9 inch pie crust. You will need a top crust so you may need to make a pie crust. Fill it with 4 cups of mincemeat either canned or homemade. if you wish substitute some chopped raisins or apple for part of the minced meat. Moisten with brandy or fruit juice. place top crust on or put on criss cross strips. bake in 425 F oven for 30-40 minutes. Serve warm
Home made mince meat filling
Lean beef 1 1/2 lbs.
3 cups boiling water
1 pound fat (with a little meat)
2 1/2 quarts apples
2 lbs seedless raisens
1 lb currants
3 ounces fruit juice
3 ounces candied orange rind
3 ounces candied lemon rind
2 lbs brown sugar
1 T salt
1 cup molasses
1 cup beef stock
3 cups cider
1 t Mace, 2 t cinnamon, 1 t cloves, 1 t allspice
1 pound walnuts or pecans
1/3 cup lemon juice
1-2 cups brandy
Cut meat in 1 inch cubes cover with boiling water and cook 2 hours. Remove meat and 1 cup of stock. put meat and fat through food chopper. Combine with apples, raisens, juice, the fruit, salt, molasses beef stock cider, spices and nuts mix well. bring the mixture to a slow boil over 1 1/2 hours. add lemon juice and brandy. seal into jars. makes 5 quarts. This is my is my grandma's recipe.

Hot Toddy
1 Tablespoon of sugar syrup
2 Tablespoon of lemon Juice
3 ounces of selected liquor_ either shicky, rum, or brandy is good
combine ingredients and add hot water to fill glass. OR omit the lemon and sugar and add Angostura Can top it with nutmeg. Nice way to make it is to use cold water and then heat it with a poker.

Wassail
boil together 1/2 pint of water, 1 T of nutmeg, 2 T ginger, 6 cloves, 1.1/2 t mace, half a dozen allspice berries, really try to find the allspice berries (or 3 T allspice) and a 2 inch stick of cinnamon. add 2 pouynds of sugar and 4 bottles of sherry or madeira cook over a slow fire. While doing this core and bake a dozen apples. beat the yokes and whites of 12 eggs and fold together. put the eggs in a large bowl and add the heated wine and spice mixture. pour a little at a time until it is mixed. stir briskly then add the baked apples then you can add a little brandy to increase the potency.

BAL
Christmas Fruit Cake
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
4 large eggs
2 cups dried fruit
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup brown sugar
8 oz. nuts
juice of 1 lemon
1 half-gallon bottle brandy (highest quality)
Sample brandy to check for quality. Take a large bowl. Check the brandy again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat. Turn on the electric mixer, beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add one tsp sugar and beat again. Make sure the brandy is still okay. Cry another tup. Turn off the mixer. Break two eggs and add the bowl and chuck in the dried fruit. Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters, pry it loosse with a drewscriver. Sample the brandy to check for tonsisticity. Next sift two cups of salt. Or something. Who cares? Check the brandy. Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table. Spoon. Of sugar or something. Whatever you can find. Grease the over. Turn cake tin to 350 degrees. Don't forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl out the window, check brandy again. Go to bed.