The holiday season is rapidly approaching. We all have less time and money, but we can get through it.

The Press Dough makes beautiful cookies a breeze. And there's nothing better than the aroma of fresh cookies in the house … whether giving or receiving.

Any baker of cookies knows it takes a long time to roll out dough, cut out shapes, take the leftover dough, roll it out and cut again. Press Dough uses a variety of Multi-Cutters to address this process in a fun and efficient way.

The concept brings together several cookie cutter shapes, arranging them strategically to minimize surface area and maximize the number of cutouts. The pieces are then welded together to create one cutter — then press and go.

"Our new Press Dough Holiday Multi-Cutters not only take the tough part out of repeated rolling and pressing cutouts into the cookie dough, it gives you more fun time to decorate the treats with kids or grandkids," said Pam Walsh, founder of Press Dough.

"I think we are going to make a lot of bakers and cookie lovers out there very happy this holiday."

The holiday cutters allow for up to five same shape cutouts or four different shapes to be combined.

Multi-Cutters come in a variety of themes including: birthday, animals, sports, ballerinas and even dog bones. Retail price is $10.

If you're feeling inventive, create your own for only $11. Pick the same or different shapes to design your personalized multiple cookie cutter. Choose four cookie cutters, and the Press Dough folks will work their magic. You will then have a one of a kind cookie cutter suited to your preferences; please allow extra time for delivery.

The Multi-Cutters also make for great decorations on your wall. Or you can hang them from the pot rack between batches.

For more information, call 203-451-1999 or visit www.pressdough.com.

TOTALLY BAMBOO

Due to the nature of the adhesives, you had to wash your bamboo cutting board by hand. This isn't the case anymore with Totally Bamboo's new GreenLite series.

These renewable and beautiful cutting boards are made from organically cultivated bamboo and are free from formaldehyde adhesives, dyes or stains. The construction uses a food-grade adhesive, which withstands the high temperature of the dishwasher without compromising durability.

These lightweight products save water, time and effort in the kitchen. While bamboo is a natural choice for cutting boards with its inherent antibacterial qualities, old-style boards tend to be thick and heavy.

The new GreenLite products are only 3/8 of an inch thick — light and yet as durable as thicker boards. Available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, GreenLite products retail from $10 and $35.

The Tropical Series cutting and serving boards are also new from Totally Bamboo. Great for parties or everyday use, these fun designs sport creative, tropical inlay designs on shapes including surfboards, pineapples and ukuleles. These items cost between $13 and $25.

For more information, call 760-471-6600 or visit www.totallybamboo.com.

Maggie Reed may be reached at trocar2000@hotmail.com. To find out more about Maggie Reed, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit www.creators.com.

COPYRIGHT 2008 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC.