Throughout the centuries, people have used pretzels to decorate their homes and trees for the holidays, and as party snacks or gifts for friends or co-workers.

Here are some easy recipe ideas:

Holiday Pretzel Rods

4 ounces chocolate, vanilla, butterscotch or caramel-flavored candy coating
12 large pretzel rods
Toppings (chopped candies or nuts, coconut, or crushed cookies or candy canes)

Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt chocolate, white chocolate, butterscotch morsels or caramels according to package directions. Dip pretzel rods into melted liquid, covering at least half of the rod. Allow excess coating to drip off.

Sprinkle dipped pretzels with assorted toppings such as chopped candies or nuts, flaked coconut or crushed candy canes. Drizzle with additional melted coating if desired. Place onto prepared baking sheet; let stand until coating is firm. Store at room temperature in an airtight container.

There are all kinds of other decorations you can try. Let your imagination be your guide. How about crushing up your family's favorite cookie to use as a topping or adding sprinkles, colored sugar or festive silver nonpareil balls?

Reindeer Rods

4 ounces chocolate, vanilla or butterscotch-flavored candy coating
12 large pretzel twists
12 pretzel rods
24 miniature semisweet chocolate chips
12 red candy-coated chocolate candies
1 roll fruit snacks
12 miniature green candy-coated chocolate candies

Place candy coating in 1-cup microwavable measuring cup. Microwave uncovered on high 30 to 60 seconds, stirring every 15 seconds, until melted.

Dip pretzel twists into melted candy coating. Place on waxed paper. Let stand until coating is set.

If necessary, rewarm coating. Dip top 2 inches of pretzel rod into melted candy coating; attach pretzel rod to bottom of pretzel twist. Place on waxed paper.

To make reindeer, press on chocolate chips for eyes and red candy for nose using melted candy coating. Cut scarf from fruit roll; attach to reindeer using candy coating. Press on green candy for button using candy coating. Place on waxed paper. Let stand until coating is set. Store coated pretzel rods loosely covered at room temperature no longer than 2 weeks.

Courtesy of ARA Content