Shop Online
1. Order Christmas gifts online to save time and avoid getting
mobbed in.
2. If ordering online, order well in advance to ensure delivery well
in time before Christmas.
CHRISTMAS CRAFTS
Creative Gift Wrapping Tips
Holiday wrapping can be much more
fun than just covering a gift with colored paper. Delve into the
options below for exciting alternatives to store-bought wrapping.
You'll have a handle on decorating
gifts from the kitchen if you rely on baskets. They come in a
variety of styles, shapes and sizes and are commonly found on sale
at craft and variety stores -- so be on the lookout for them
throughout the year. Save any baskets you've acquired either from
a gift you received or from a purchase you made for yourself.
At Christmastime, craft and variety
stores sell a variety of papier-mâché boxes perfect for gift
giving. If you care to show your creativity, spray-paint the box
and/or stamp it with festive designs. Let the box dry completely
before using.
Wrap gifts with simple, inexpensive
materials like tissue paper or kraft paper, then transform them
with special ribbons and items from your wrappings box. Kraft
paper also makes an attractive yet sturdy wrapping for oddly
shaped packages
Adorn simple stationery-store tags
with ribbon and greenery to make gift tags.
Little dressing up is needed when
you fill inexpensive clear jars with colorful snack mixes and
individually wrapped candies. Simply tie a festive ribbon and some
tiny ornaments around the top for an easy-to-prepare present.
Wrap cookies in plastic wrap, place
a bow on top and tuck inside a pretty coffee mug or teacup.
A scarf with matching hair ribbon,
a set of canisters, a towel, a sheet, a cup or mug, a hat or cigar
box, or even a shirt all hold gifts without contributing to
landfill problems. Visit a garage sale for more container ideas.
Select pictures and stories from
newspapers, magazines, and old calendar pictures to make creative
wrapping that thoughtfully suits your gift and/or its recipient.
Use gold, silver, gel, or colored
pens available for writing greeting cards and gift tags.
Gift bags -- plain, colored, with
or without handles -- are terrific for giving items that don't
have a box or for gifts that include multiple items. Use ribbon,
raffia, or glitter wire to close the top of the bag.
CHRISTMAS
RECIPES
Gifts In a Jar Recipes
Jar Mixes are ready-to-use mixes for soups, cakes, cookies and
desserts. The jars carry a tag containing instructions on how to
prepare the recipe using the mix. Delightful gifts from the
kitchen - these jar mixes cost a lot if you buy them from stores.
Here are two creative Christmas Gift
Mixes just for you!
Christmas Biscotti in a Jar
3/4 cup dried cranberries; or
cherries
3/4 cup green pistachios; shelled
2 cups all purpose unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon cardamom
2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup vanilla sugar*
*To make vanilla sugar, fill a 1 quart jar with sugar. Split a
vanilla bean in half lengthwise and add both halves to the sugar.
Flavor gets better after a couple of weeks, and it will keep as
long
as regular sugar.
Layer all the ingredients in a 1 quart canning jar. Tap gently on
the
counter top to settle each layer before adding the next. Add
additional dried fruits or pistachios to fill any gaps. Decorate
after putting lid on with ribbons, tassels, berries, sprigs of
mistletoe, etc.
GIFT TAG DIRECTIONS:
Beat 1/3 cup butter in a large mixing bowl on med speed for 30
secs.
Add 2 eggs, and beat on med until well combined. Stir in contents
of
jar just until combined using a wooden spoon. Divide into 2
loaves
on cookie sheet, chilling if necessary to make dough easier to
handle. Each loaf should be about 9 inches long and 2 inches
wide.
Bake at 375F for 25-30 min or until a toothpick inserted in the
center comes out clean. Cool on sheet for 1 hour. Cut each loaf
diagonally into 1/2 inch thick slices using a serrated (bread)
knife.
Place slices on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 325F for 8
minutes, then turn over and bake for 8-10 minutes more or until
dry
and crisp. Transfer to wire rack to cool. Makes 32.
Yuletide Sand Art Mix
1 cup vanilla chips
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup red sugar
1/2 cup green sugar
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
Layer the ingredients in a decorative jar. Write the instruction
on a Christmas card, noting what ingredients the recipient needs
to add.
GIFT TAG DIRECTIONS:
Add 1 cup butter, 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1/2 teaspoon
almond extract. Cream butter and sugars. Add dry ingredients and
stir to combine.
Drop by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12
minutes or until golden brown. Makes 3 dozen.