This year I am trying to discuss the real meaning behind Christmas with my 7 year old daughter-I prefer that she doesn't grow up believeing it to be all about buying expensive gifts. I have decided this year to let her make homemade gifts for family and friends. Does anyone have any great ideas that we can try. We are looking for yummy baked and non baked treats as well as gifts and ornament/decorative ideas. I think if we stay on topic this could be a helpful thread
We have already made and canned fresh jelly-thnx for the idea and receipe Dreamer -we loved making it and it turned out great
If you have any great ideas or receipes please post them here
How bout you and your daughter sew a few grocery bags in cool patterned organic fabrics. She'll have a blast designing them, and learn something about saving the environment at the same time.
OMG this is my thing totally
I learned a long time ago when I was a single mom that you cant break yourself at christmas or on any holiday.
last year I did quite a bit of baking for less then $40
and that was enough to give 12-15 people
Pretzel rods dipped in chocolate then rolled in your choice of peanuts or flaked coconut, jimmies whatever you have on hand.
after they cooled I took a storage bag stuck a few in there and put a fancy ribbon along with a tag I made out of cardboard and wrapping paper to say what it was
Peanut butter chip brownies
pick up a couple boxs of brownie mix and some peanut butter chips
cut lenght wise
and wrap like I said above
cookies are always huge
do a couple different kinds
stack them on top of each other and wrap in celephane
If you can hit the sales the day after thanksgiving you'll make out big time
everythings pretty much half off.
Make up simple baskets
like for my mom
I put a 2 liter bottle of pepsi, crosswords books, slipper socks, quilting magazine
for my step dad
I made him a chili kit
picked up all the stuff he would need to make the chili
stuck it in a pretty basket orrrrrr you can take a brown paper bag
let the kids decorate it with stamps or what not
he loved that.
i have so many ideas I could post all day.
EDIT:
INVOLVE the kids in the baking they love it and it makes them feel like they've accomplished something
How bout you and your daughter sew a few grocery bags in cool patterned organic fabrics. She'll have a blast designing them, and learn something about saving the environment at the same time.
A fun thing to do is make your own Christmas Cards! All you need
is colored paper or white if you like...buttons, ribbon, glitter and glue. The
possibilities are endless...and honestly they get better every year...because
you come up with different ideas!
A fun gift to give is 'homemade cocoa mix'...that you can put in mason jars!
In a large bowl...mix all the dry ingredients together...making sure to stir
thoroughly. Store in an airtight container...or put into different sizes of
Mason Jars and tie with a colored ribbon or bow...and attach a card to
the giver. Makes about 15 cups.
*On the card you can add the directions~
1 Serving= place 1/3 cup of mix in a mug/cup and add 1 cup of boiling water,
stir good and add either whipped cream or mini marshmellows. ENJOY
How bout you and your daughter sew a few grocery bags in cool patterned organic fabrics. She'll have a blast designing them, and learn something about saving the environment at the same time.
A fun gift to give is 'homemade cocoa mix'...that you can put in mason jars!
BTW, I hate it when people give me the dry baking mix so that I can make my own treats.
Find a GOOD recipe and make the ****ing treats yourself.
Besides, most people have enough cocoa to last them YEARS.
I found a recipe a few years ago for an amazing cake. I make it into muffins and give it to people I can't afford to spend money on. There are people who count on me to make it because they only get to eat it when I make it for the holidays.
Last edited by ladywithsauce; 11-27-2008 at 12:41 AM.
Reason: Charise says that I'm rude for saying this, but who wants to give a gift that people throw away?
BTW, I hate it when people give me the dry baking mix so that I can make my own treats.
Find a GOOD recipe and make the ****ing treats yourself.
Besides, most people have enough cocoa to last them YEARS.
I found a recipe a few years ago for an amazing cake. I make it into muffins and give it to people I can't afford to spend money on. There are people who count on me to make it because they only get to eat it when I make it for the holidays.
I respect your opinion....but need to add that the people I give this Cocoa Mix (not a baking mix) to have children....and they love it! What kid doesn't enjoy coming in from playing in the snow and have Mom make Hot Cocoa? Until you have tried it....don't knock it...it really is a GOOD recipe. If it wasn't...believe me....I wouldn't go to the expense or trouble in making it and filling mason jars. And who has enough cocoa to last them for years?
Homemade/Simple ideas for Christmas gifts
-we loved making it and it turned out great 
it sounds fun 
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