But for some parents whose children are allergic to foods like milk or nuts, such festive times are not always jolly. They worry about what their children may eat while visiting friends.

Ms Jenny Huang, 35, understands that. That is why the housewife is organising a cooking course on how to prepare the right food for such kids on Jan 12 at The Pantry in Loewen Gardens. The course will dish out free expert advice to the public.

Ms Huang is the founder of Food Allergy Singapore (FAS), a support group which celebrated its first anniversary on Dec 6.

The Asian-American, a permanent resident here, has a daughter aged seven who suffers from multiple life-threatening food allergies. She is married to an Indonesian-Chinese businessman. They have another child, a son aged four, who is not allergic to any food.

'From my frustrations over the possibility of her eating the wrong thing at school or parties, I wanted to find a solution,' Ms Huang said.

Among FAS' activities are events that focus on just having fun without food. She said interacting with FAS members - more than 300 families are members - has been rewarding.

'Recently, they came up with $1,400 in pledges to support my running in the Stanchart marathon,' she said. She finished the race in three hours and 57 minutes and has ploughed back the money into the group to 'keep it running'.

FAS membership is free. For details, log on to www.foodallergysingapore.org

Loh Keng Fatt