Tidings of Jell-O and Joy

Inspired by The Takeout's "Jiggle All the Way" week, I decided it's time for Joys of Jell-O Gelatin.

Okay, this 1981 General Foods book is a bit newer than I usually go, but of course I can't ignore anything Jell-O-y. Plus, we had this book when I was a kid, so it's pretty nostalgic for me.

Since The Takeout is honoring seasonally appropriate Jell-O dishes, this post will too. Let's start out with a sparkly red and green salad.

The pineapple burst on top is almost enough to make me forget how dreary December usually is. And while the name doesn't specifically refer to the holidays, it is appropriate for gift wrapping.

Plus, Ribbon Salad offers that old holiday favorite: fruit-flavored gelatin with mayonnaise (or at least Miracle Whip). 

In our family, homemade marshmallows were a Christmas tradition. While my immediate family typically made plain vanilla or sometimes mint-flavored marshmallows, grandma liked to make fruity ones.

The book sells these as Easter treats since they're pastel, but I assure you that kids are just as excited to eat pink and green marshmallows at Christmas as at Easter!

I have a feeling the more traditional grandmas were busy making this showpiece instead:

While I'll admit that the red and green look nice, I can't help but thinking how much cooler an all-red blood splatter cake or an orange-and-black-cherry cake would look for Halloween.

And finally, if you want to ring in the new year with some jiggly holiday cheer that won't leave you with a hangover, Jell-O offers this:

I'm not sure there's a huge demand for non-alcoholic egg-free nog that tastes vaguely of artificial lemon and is so thick it can be unmolded, but if that's your thing, Jell-O can help!

Have yourself a jellied little Christmas this year!