Kids lined each side of the food preparation table. (Photos by Anthony Richards)

Kids from various Alabama 4H clubs came together as part of the Holiday Hoop La workshop that featured both crafts and food.

There were 21 participants in the workshop that rotated through various stations.

“We had an excellent group and are always looking for even more children to get involved with 4H,” County Extension Coordinator Gay West said.

Some of the festive food that was made included Christmas tree-shaped brownies, holiday popcorn mix and croissants stuffed with a sausage and cream cheese mix.

To make it official, aprons and chef hats were worn during the food prep.

Decorating pinecones and constructing a snowflake ornament from a toilet paper roll were some of the highlights from the craft portion of the workshop.

“We encouraged the children to do something for somebody else by giving the things they made as gifts,” said Anita McGhee, who assisted with the workshop. “It’s all about sharing the Christmas spirit.”

The children were given the chance to sample their food creations once all of the work had been completed.

Members of Alabama 4H clubs participated in Holiday Hoop La on Dec. 20 at the Chilton County Extension Office.

Ivie Littleton and her sister Averie Littleton participated in the workshop and are involved in various clubs held at the Chilton County Extension Office. Averie is in 4H sewing club, while Ivie is in 4H Peach Pals.

According to Averie Littleton, the brownie was the best tasting food item.

“We were taste testers,” Averie Littleton said.

According to West, the holiday craft workshop was the last event on calendar for 2016 and the first that had taken place in several years.

“The after-school clubs, such as Peach Pals, have grown to the point where we can have something like this again,” West said.

The Extension Office plans to begin even more clubs in 2017, which will include a cooking club that Pam Ousley will help oversee.

“Today was a taste of their cooking skills,” Ousley said. “I thought they did really well with what they created.”

Those interested in joining Alabama 4H in Chilton County can visit the website at offices.aces.edu/chilton or call the Extension Office at (205) 280-6268 for more information.