GIFTS IDEAS FROM YOUR KITCHEN
Baked Gifts
1. Cookies, either of a single type or assorted, will never fail
you as Christmas gifts. A jar or box of cookies you are best known
for, wrapped in cellophane and bows is sure to impress your friends
and relatives. You may also decorate the cookies. Sugar cookies,
gingerbread cookies, chocolate chip cookies are traditional
favorites.
2. While you are baking for your family, bake a few extra cakes
to use as gifts. Round and Square shaped-cakes never go out of
fashion, but if you have kids in mind, invest in some Christmas
shaped cake pans. If you can think of nothing different, stick to
the traditional fruit cake. They are all time favorites and there
can never be more than enough for a family.
3. Quick breads, easy to make, are also widely
popular as Christmas gifts. Bread Machine makes the task of baking
several loaves all the more easier. Wrap loaves individually in
cellophane and tie with a bow to make perfect gifts. Pumpkin Bread,
Cranberry Bread, Gingerbread, Chocolate Shortbread, Banana Bread
etc. are great favorites at this time of the year.
4.
Muffins and Cupcakes look very attractive in their paper cases lined
up in a decorative gift box. Decorate cupcakes by spreading smooth
jam all over the surface and then sprinkling desiccated coconut over
them for a lovely red-white effect. You can further enhance the look
by placing 3 holly leaves, cut out from green marzipan and 3 little
red marzipan balls to represent the berries.
Chocolate Delights
5.
Chocolate Biscotti is an all-time favorite Christmas gift. Add to it
dried cranberries to make it more Christmassy.
6.
Chocolate Truffles in individual paper cases, look very attractive
as gifts. For Rum Truffles, cream butter (75 gm) and icing sugar (75
gm). Fold in 100 gm dark chocolate, 50 gm ground almonds and 3 tbsp.
rum. Chill until firm. Then, shape into 30 small balls and roll in
sprinkles or in cocoa or icing sugar.
7. Other
treats can be made with chocolate by dipping nuts, marzipan,
crackers etc. in melted chocolate.
8.
Chocolate Dipped goodies like Strawberries, Cherries, nuts,
Peppermint Creams, Cookies (half-dipped look more attractive) will
forever find favor from kids and adults alike.
9. Chocolate spoons
can be made by dipping metal or plastic spoons in melted chocolate.
Melt chocolate and add extract or
liquor of your choice like mint,
coffee, kahlua etc.. Dip decorative metal spoons or even simple
plastic spoons if you want to make a large number of them. Coat the
spoons thickly. Let dry and coat again to make the coating thicker.
Coat with colored sprinkles or crushed candy and let dry. Wrap the
spoon tops in cellophane and tie with raffia or ribbon. A nice way
to gift these is to put a bunch of gift-wrapped spoons in an
attractive mug. These spoons can be used to flavor a mug of coffee
or hot cocoa by simply dipping them into the hot liquid and
stirring. You are sure to be remembered every time the receiver of
the gift enjoys a hot cuppa by the fireside this winter.
Sweets and
Candy
10. Delightfully
easy to make, traditional Coconut ice is as much fun to make, as it
is to receive. Mix 450 gm. castor sugar and 140 ml. milk and cook
till syrup reaches soft ball stage. Add 125 gm. desiccated coconut.
Add few drops of light pink food coloring and pour into a loaf tin
to set. Mark out pieces with a knife. When set, turn out and cut
into pieces. You can also divide the mixture into 2 halves and add
white and pink food coloring to them. Pour the halved mixtures
one upon the other into the
loaf tin to get two-colored ice.
11. Fudge
is another Christmas favorite, quick and easy to make. And if you
have only a couple of hours notice, you can prepare Microwave Fudge
quickly by placing together 450 gm. icing sugar, 50 gm. cocoa, 100
gm. butter and 1/4th teacup milk in a non-metal bowl. Cook this
uncovered on full power for 2 minutes without stirring. Add 1 tsp.
vanilla extract and stir till well blended. Pour in 7-1/2 inch
greased square tin and refrigerate for 1 hour. When set, cut in
squares and put in paper cases to arrange in your gift box.
GIFTS IN A JAR
RECIPES
Chocolate Cranberry Cookie Mix
Layer 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup cocoa
powder, 1/2 cup brown sugar; firmly packed, 1 1/2 cup dried
cranberries, 1 cup chocolate chips, 1 3/4 cup flour; mixed with 1
tsp. baking powder; and 1/2 tsp baking soda in order in a
wide-mouthed quart size canning jar.
Attach the following recipe to the
jar –
Chocolate
Cranberry Cookies
Empty jar
of cookie mix into large mixing bowl. Add 1 1/2 sticks butter, 1
egg, and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix until completely blended. Shape into
balls and place 2' apart on sprayed baking sheets. Bake at 375
degrees for 13-15 minutes.
Makes 2
1/2 dozen cookies
NOTE: This recipe first appeared in the 2004 issue of
'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine' and is an excerpt from the
feature '101 Homemade Gift Ideas'. To download the complete
2004 issue fre*e of cost, visit
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/magazine.shtml
BATH & BODY GIFTS
Glycerine Soaps
Glycerin blocks, Liquid food
coloring, Petroleum jelly, Cotton swabs, Ice cube trays or soap
molds
Cut glycerin into chunks, then place
in a microwavable bowl. Melt the glycerin in the microwave on HIGH,
stirring at 15-second intervals. About halfway through melting, add
a drop or two of food coloring. With a cotton swab, coat the inside
of the ice cube tray with petroleum jelly. Pour melted glycerin into
the molds, filling each section almost to the top. Let cool at room
temperature for about 2 hours. The soaps will come out easily. Tie
them in cellophane or place in a gift box.
Lavender Handcream
Lavender Essential Oil,
20 drops Patchouli Essential Oil, 3 drops Jasmine Essential Oil (3%
in jojoba oil), 5 drops 100g jar of unscented Base Cream
2 x 500 iu Vitamin E capsules (de Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate - natural
source)
1/2 tsp. wheatgerm oil
Lavender Water (optional)
Glass or plastic spoon or spatula Pin
Pierce the Vitamin E
capsules with a pin and squeeze the contents into a jar of base
cream. Add the wheatgerm oil followed by the lavender, patchouli and
jasmine oils. Stir gently, thoroughly, with a spoon or spatula,
ensuring that all of the oils are completely mixed in. Place the lid
on the jar and store in a cool place away from direct sunlight.
NOTE: These recipes first appeared in the 2004 issue of
'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine' and is an excerpt from the
feature '101 Homemade Gift Ideas'. To download the complete
2004 issue fre*e of cost, visit
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/magazine.shtml
CRAFT GIFTS
1.
Holiday themed Fabric Coasters are great gifts to give. Cut 2 pre
cut quilting squares (found in fabric and craft stores!). Cut thin
piece of batting the same size as material prints. Place two
squares right sides together and place batting on top of the
squares. Sew the pillow around three and 1/2 sides. Turn right
side out and sew the rest of the way around tucking in seam as you
sew.
Make 6-8
of these, stack them making a pile and tie them with a ribbon using
a bow on top.
2.
Refrigerator Magnets can be made from Plaster of Paris and painted
with desired colors and given as gifts.
3. Homemade Candles are perfect for
Christmas. Melt paraffin wax, add candle scents and pour in greased
molds containing wicks or make candles using the traditional dipping
method. Use festive colors and scents. Place candles in a box or tie
several grouped ones with a ribbon.
4.Teacup candles can be seen in most
stores. Making them is very easy. Use your vintage or other pretty,
mismatched teacups to hold melted paraffin and candle wick. When the
wax starts cooling down, sprinkle some glitter on the top.
5.Decorate a diary or a notebook by
any work of art that you are good at, or by gluing pressed flowers
and foliage. Cover the diary with plastic film or clear self
adhesive book covering.
NOTE: These gift ideas first appeared in the 2004 issue of
'Celebrating Christmas PDF Magazine' and is an excerpt from the
feature '101 Homemade Gift Ideas'. To download the complete
2004 issue fre*e of cost, visit
http://www.celebrating-christmas.com/magazine.shtml