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Hello,
This week we have some great Christmas Gift ideas. Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thanks for reading,
Susan
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Tips
Here's the recipe for one of the Gift Mix jars I will be
giving for Christmas. I saw many soups, drinks, and cookie mixes at a Gift Show a week or so ago. They took canning jars, covered the tops with fabric edged with pinking shears and tied with a ribbon. They looked lovely and were selling for $8 - 10 a jar. Anybody else have mix recipes?
Anita - Philadelphia
Spiced Tea Mix
1 (9 oz.) jar powdered orange breakfast drink mix
1 (4 oz.) jar lemon flavored ice tea mix
1-1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground ginger
Mix drink mix, sugar and spices. Label and store in tightly
covered container at room temperature, no longer than 6
months.
To serve: For each serving mix 3 teaspoons spiced tea mix
and 1 cup boiling water in mix until mix is dissolved.
Garnish each with a twist of lemon or orange peel and a
cinnamon stick if desired.
Makes about 5-1/4 cups mix.
Anita - Philadelphia
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Make Your Own "Gift Certificates"
This seems to be a big hit, especially with teenagers. Using the Print Master (graphic) program, I make my own gift certificates using appropriate borders, pictures, etc.; examples: movie tickets, fast food restaurants (even though you could buy them direct), and attach MONEY inside the card. This gives them the option of using the MONEY however they wish! I use a frame border on the envelope and insert text & graphic in the center appropriate to the occasion i.e., Happy Birthday, Congratulations on graduation, Merry Christmas, you get the idea. If you are mailing this, insert the gift certificate & envelope into a larger envelope & address it.
This could be used for an elderly person also, since the thought is there, but you may not know what they really could use ... MONEY is always appreciated! This way you are dressing up the cash gift that's different from the ordinary.
Syd Barr
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Gift Idea: Muffin Mixes in a Bag
By Brandie Valenzuela
One of my favorite quick and easy gifts to give is a cooking mix that is presented in a bag. Below you will find three of my favorite muffin mixes that are sure to please just about anyone on your gift list. I usually prepare the mix as described, and then place it in a plastic zipper syle bag. Once the mix is in the bag, you can just tie the baggie with a pretty bow, or you can do a little more like make a fabric bag to cover the plastic bag. These mixes would also be fantastic placed in one of the newer disposible food storage containers (such as GladWare), decorated with ribbon and bows. No matter how you dress up this gift, it will be sure to make someone very happy!
"Banana Bran Muffin Mix in a Bag"
Mix together the following and place in zipper syle bag:
Attach the following instructions:
To make your "Banana Bran Muffins", place this mix in
a bowl, and add the following:
Stir just until the flour mixture is moistened. Fill greased or paper lined muffin pans 2/3 full with mixture. Bake in 400 degree F oven for about 20-25 minutes or until done. Makes 1 dozen. |
"Mini Pumpkin Muffin Mix in a Bag"
Mix together the following and place in zipper style bag:
Attach the following instructions:
|
To make your "Mini Pumpkin Muffins", place this mix in a bowl, and cut in the following until fine:
1/4 cup shortening
Then add the following:
Mix until flour mixture is moistened. Fill greased or paper line mini muffin pans 2/3 full. Bake in 400 degree F oven for 15 - 20 minutes, or until done. Makes 1-3 dozen muffins depending on size. |
"Peanut Butter Muffin Mix in a Bag" Mix together the following and place in zipper syle bag:
Attach the following instructions:
To make your "Peanut Butter Muffins", place this mix in a bowl, and cut in the following until coarse crumbs form:
Now add the following to the mixture:
Stir until moistened. Fill greased or paper lined muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 - 17 minutes. Makes 1 1/2 - 2 dozen muffins. |
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I know that teachers are always looking for different things to have their students make. I taught vacation Bible School where I had $150 to design 6 crafts for for 50 kids. In other words $1 per kid per day.
Decorative Stones (Stepping)
I got 50 food trays at Smart and Final for $8.99 1 big sack of mortar for $4.89 shells from the beach and dollar tree store marble type stones from the dollar tree store
We mixed the mortar and put it in each of the trays. We only had 20 kids this day, but the mortar filled 24 trays. We let them sit for about 20 minutes and then we let the kids design their own decorative stones for the garden. It was really great. Everyone was really impressed.
Shell Magnets
Shells from the dollar tree store dry flowers from wal mart sticky magnet strip tacky glue
Take your shell and put glue at the base of the shell. Arrange your flowers in the shell. Place a little shell at the base of the flowers to hide flower stems. Place a piece of magnet strip on the back.
This shell magnet also looks great when you use one of the roll type of shells. You place the glue in the hole and have the flowers coming out of it.
Sand Candles
Clean sand (about $4.00) recycled candles shells plastic fish, ocean creatures, etc. (I found them at the dollar tree store) birthday candles paper bowl (or foam)
Melt your candles - trying to keep the colors grouped correctly. Fill the bowls 2/3 full with wet sand. Have the kids make a well (they can use their fists, but they need to make it deep or they will have a flat candle). The exact bottom should be flat though. Have the kids place shells, plastic fish, etc. with the "pretty side out in the sand. They are great when they are half in the sand and half out. Pour melted wax in the hole. When the wax seems to set on the top, put in one of the birthday candles. The wax of the candle will melt and mix into the other wax. Now you have your wick. If your birthday candle sticks up too much, push it down a little after 5 minutes. Let set until hard. You will be able to tell. Take out of the sand and brush excess sand off. An old toothbrush works great.
Hope that this gives you some ideas
Connie
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I love to cook, so for Christmas I will buy ground beef and potatoes when they are on sale and make up meat loaf ahead and freeze it. Then the day before Christmas I make up my favorite mashed potato recipe and put them in a pyrex casserole dish and present the meat loaf and mashed potatoes as a gift. Most of my family work outside of their home and appreciate having a meal already cooked. All they have to do is warm it up, add a salad, and/or a vegetable and they have a great meal.
By Clara
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Fleece Scarfs - Quick, Easy And Inexpensive Christmas Gift
Go to the fabric store, and buy one yard of pretty fleece, preferably in a neutral color. Ask the sales person to cut it in 12 inch increments. Take one of the cut pieces, lay it out, and trim off the ends. Then make fringe about one inch apart, six inches long on each end. Tie a knot in each fringe. Now you have a nice, pretty scarf to give as a gift. Duplicate your efforts on the remaining two pieces. You now have three Christmas presents to give, at a cost of under 10.00!
By Gloria Hussar
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This is especially nice for Grandparents. Have your children draw a picture of grandpa and grandma and then sign their names to this work of art. Cover with clear contact paper. If you have a baby you could coat one of their little hands and one little foot with paint and then press on the paper and then sign it for them.
By Debra in Colorado
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Packaging Homemade Goodies as Holiday Gifts
By Amanda Formaro
Q: I love to give homemade cookies as holiday gifts, but I never know how to package them so they look like a "real gift" rather than just something I threw together. I've used tins and those holiday zipper bags but I was hoping for something a little more appealing in the presentation. Any ideas?
-- Courtney
A: Courtney has a great question. Cookies, brownies, and homemade candies are wonderful gifts from the heart. But what are some fun and pretty ways to wrap your treats? Try some of these ideas when wrapping up your holiday gifts.
Jars
Use mason jars (completely cleaned and dried) to stack homemade cookies in, then decorate the lid with a pretty bow tied from holiday ribbon.
Colorful Wrap
When using cookie tins, try wrapping the cookies in colored plastic wrap and tying with thin colorful ribbon. To wrap, place a rectangle of plastic wrap on the counter, place a short stack of cookies in the center of the plastic wrap, then gather the plastic wrap together above the cookies. Tie with ribbon and blossom out the top of the plastic wrap so that it looks attractive.
Recycle!
Use empty (washed and dried) Pringles cans to stack cookies in. You can decorate these with wrapping paper, contact paper, or paint and ribbons. You could even use aluminum foil and a pretty bow.
Baskets
Baskets make a WONDERFUL presentation for edible gifts. Bundle cookies in colored or clear plastic wrap as indicated above, then arrange in a basket that is lined with tissue paper. Insert extra tissue paper as filler and "fluff" it up to make it pretty. Tie a big shiny bow to the handle of the basket or wrap the entire basket in cellophane then adorn with a bow.
Mugs & Plates
For smaller portions of cookies, wrap in plastic wrap and put inside a coffee mug, add a package of cocoa, a cinnamon stick or candy cane, wrap with cellophane and a bow. For larger portions, you can use a holiday plate wrapped in cellophane, embellished with ribbon.
Suckers
Cookie suckers are always a big hit. When your cookies are ready to go into the oven, press an ice cream or lollipop stick into the dough, then bake. Wrap cookie suckers individually with colored or clear plastic wrap and tie closed with a pretty ribbon.
Cookie Jar
Though a little more extravagant, place cookies inside of a new holiday or everyday cookie jar. Wrap the cookie jar in wrapping paper, add curling ribbon in several colors. This gift will keep giving for many years to come!
You can top off home baked gifts with a fun poem or friendly hand written note. If your gift recipient enjoys baking, include the recipe and a wooden spoon or wire whisk with the gift as a special touch.
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Find nice pictures of your family and scan them into your computer. Get any of the free Calendar programs off the net (Freeware) and build yourself a calendar. This is especially nice for grandparents if you live far away.
By Debra in Colorado
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Easy Homemade Gifts for Kids to Make
By Jane Lake
Even younger children can make these easy homemade gifts. The supplies are inexpensive, and an afternoon of creative crafting will produce enough gifts for several members of the family and several friends as well.
Braided Shoelaces
Knot three 36" strands of embroidery floss together a half an inch from one end. Pin the knot to a pillow or clip to the fridge with a magnet, in order to provide tension as you work. Begin braiding, bringing the left strand over the middle strand, then the right strand over this new middle strand, untangling the long ends as you go.
When you have the desired length, knot all strand ends together, leaving a half inch beyond knot. Rub the ends with your fingertips to form a firm single strand. Dip this, up to the knot, into nail polish for easy threading when inserting laces.
Using the same colors of floss, braid another shoelace to make a pair. For thicker shoelaces, put two strands of floss together and use as one.
Layered Bath Salts
You will need small jars, such as baby food jars, 6 bowls for mixing, a bag of epsom salts, food coloring, a funnel, a spoon, paper doily or fabric scrap, rubber band.
Using a funnel, fill the jars with epsom salts so you know how much of the epsom salts you will need. Now empty the epsom salts, more or less equally, into six bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl, stirring to make yellow, pink, blue, green, mauve and orange colored salts. (Don't worry...the food coloring will not stain bathtubs or people)
Optional: Add a few drops of fragrance oil, or spritz the epsom salts with your favourite perfume.
Now use the funnel to make colored layers of epsom salts in each jar, like sand art. Pack each layer down with a spoon before adding the next layer, and make sure the jar is filled to the top before screwing the lid on tightly.
Decorate the lid of the jar with a circle of fabric or a paper doily held in place with a rubber band. Cover the rubber band with ribbon.
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I often give plants that I have started from cuttings as gifts. To brighten these up I use a water pic from the florist with one or 2 blossoms from my yard to add a bit of color. I stick the pic into the soil, and make a bow that matches in color or compliments the flowers or the pot and voila! This would be at least $20 at a flower shop!
By Linda
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Pillow Case: VERY Easy to Sew Gift Idea.
Here's a good gift idea for almost ANYONE on your Christmas list: A Pillow Case. For one standard size pillow case, purchase one yard of cotton fabric. I buy remnants usually for just a dollar or two a yard.
1. Fold fabric lengthwise, right sides together. Stitch across one end and along one long side.
2. Zig-zag around the top of the case.
3. Fold hem and iron under 1/2".
4. Fold hem and iron under 4" and sew in place using a straight stitch. After that, you can add any decorative touches you want--ribbons, embroidery, etc.
By Mary Ellen
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Do you love Aunt Barbara's Brownies or your Aunt Cat makes the best fudge? Well why not make a heritage cookbook? Collect all those favorite recipes from the great chefs in the family and organize them one of two ways.
You can organize them by category just like your real cookbook or a more interesting way would be to organize them by Chef. In this type of cookbook you might want to have the cover page for each Chef to include a picture and a brief Biography of each person. Then organize the recipes behind their cover page.
There are many beautiful fonts out there to use and don't forget that many graphics programs and picture editing programs now have frames to frame pictures. Let your creative juices flow. I promise you when the family finds out what you are doing the whole family will want a copy and what a great tribute to your family.
When my mother passed on I made a cookbook of all of her favorite recipes and added all kinds of pictures of her. Not only did the family love the recipes but a lot of the photos had special memories for the people who received the cookbook. Now that is a great gift and if it is true that we live forever in the hearts of those who remember us, this is a way to truly keep a part of my Mom alive.
By Debra in Colorado
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Cheap Personalized Bags For Kids
It's spring and my friends ALL seem to be having babies! I've always had a special place in my heart for the "Big sister/brother" and tried to find a good 'gift' for them as well so they don't feel left out. I FOUND IT! I bought small solid colored canvas bags at my local craft store for under $2 each (less with a coupon/on sale) and used washable paint pens ($5 for a good set I can use over and over) to decorate the bags with the child's name or initials (if you're leery about putting a child's name on something for stranger danger).
I print the name (or big sis) on the computer and use a pencil to transfer it to the bag (so it's neat and centered). They also have all kinds of fancy iron ons available. I drew flowers on one, a bear on another. They've been a hit and so cheap! It's been a great way to provide a personalized 'big sister/brother' gift along with the new baby present without breaking the bank.
By Dana
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Frugal Christmas Gift Ideas
By Crystal Miller
With Christmas just around the corner it is time to start thinking about gift giving, it you have not done so already! As a single income family we are on a budget and I am always on the look out for frugal fun Christmas gift ideas. The ideas I am sharing with you here are a few of the different things I have done over the years as well as some ideas that I may be doing this year. Perhaps it will spark some new ideas for you this Christmas season!
Gift Baskets are always popular:
Breakfast Basket
Pick one or two food type gifts:
Then add any of the following:
Dish towels, spatulas, coffee mugs can be found at dollar stores or Wal-Mart very inexpensively.
Whole Wheat Cinnamon Pancake Mix
Crystal Miller
To this mix add:
Add extra milk if batter is too thick. Cook pancakes as usual.
Sucanat Syrup
Crystal Miller
In a saucepan heat the Sucanat and water until just boiling and the Sucanat has dissolved. Remove from heat and add the maple flavoring and butter, if desired.
Another option that gives this syrup more of a maple taste and still cuts down on the cost of pure maple syrup is to substitute 1/3 c. pure maple syrup for the 2 t. maple flavoring.
Put this syrup in small canning jars and top with a canning lid and ring. Seal in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes or give directions to store in refrigerator if you do not want to can it.
Bath Basket:
This can be easy to put together with items from a dollar store.
Possible items to add:
For the hand lotion: you can buy large quantities of hand lotion and scent it yourself with some essential oil or fragrance oil and then put it into smaller bottles for gift giving. Small size plastic bottles can be purchased at Wal-Mart in the cosmetics section.
Homemade Shower Gel
Crystal Miller
In a bowl mix together the shampoo and water. Add salt and mix well. The salt will help the shampoo to gel. Then add your essential or fragrance oils a few drops at a time. You don't want to over due the scent. If you want to add some food coloring to give it a bit of color you can, but that is totally optional.
Basic Bath Salts
Crystal Miller
Mix all ingredients together well. I find using my hands to do this does the best job. Put in glass canning jars or zip-type bags for gift giving.
Gift basket items can be put in a basket or a nice decorated box. I have done both. I have found beautiful looking baskets at thrift stores for 50cents. If I do not have a basket I will often just take a cardboard box and wrap the box only, leaving it open, with some pretty looking, foil type Christmas wrap.
Food always makes a good gift:
Small loaves of pumpkin bread or yeast bread or cinnamon rolls on a plate.
Cookies: peanut butter, chocolate chip, oatmeal, lemon bars, sugar cookies, gingerbread men, or any of your family's favorite cookies. Bake them ahead of time and freeze them. Then when you are ready to make a pretty cookie plate simply pull a couple of each type of cookie out of the freezer and put on your plate.
You can cover a plain white paper plate with foil and lay your food items on this. Cover with Christmas looking plastic wrap and top with a bow.
One year that we were struggling financially I even made different types of flavored popcorn and gave this away in zip-type bags with a bow on them.
Also you can give your own popcorn seasonings. Popcorn seasoning in a small plastic bag and some popcorn that you put in a small jar would be a cute, inexpensive gift as well.
Chili Popcorn Seasoning
Crystal Miller
Combine all ingredients. Pop your corn and butter as you would desire. Sprinkle your desired amount of seasoning over hot buttered popcorn and enjoy!
Cheesy Italian Popcorn
Crystal Miller
Mix all ingredients in blender until well mixed. This may take 2 to 3 minutes.
To Use: Pop some popcorn, butter according to your desire and sprinkle desired amount of seasoning on your popcorn. Toss everything to coat evenly.
Cake or cookie mixes given in jars or zip-type bags. The internet is full of recipes for this. A few that I have made are, M&M cookie mix, Peanut Butter Cup Cookie Mix, and Brownie mix.
Another frugal Christmas gift I have given over the years is cocoa mix. I will often pack it in ziplock-type bags and then look for inexpensive Christmas gift bags at the craft store to put it in.
Big Batch Hot Cocoa Mix
Crystal Miller
In a large bowl mix all ingredients well and store in an airtight container or zip lock bags. To use measure 1/3 cup of mix into a cup and add hot water and stir.
Gourmet type coffee is really simple to make. Add your favorite extract to regular ground coffee and mix well. Some good flavor choices are, almond, mint, cinnamon, or orange.
Flavored coffees or coffee creamers and tea mixes are always a good choice.
Cappuccino Coffee Mix
Crystal Miller
In a medium size bowl combine all ingredients and mix well.
To use: place a heaping tablespoon of mix into a coffee mug and add about a cup of boiling water. Stir and enjoy!
Amaretto Coffee Creamer
Crystal Miller
Mix all ingredients very well. Add your desired amount to a cup of hot coffee!
Fruit flavored Tea Mix
Crystal Miller
In a medium size bowl combine all ingredients well. Package in a canning jar or zip-type bag. To use: Add approximately 2 teaspoons to a cup of boiling water and enjoy!
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Homemade Luxury Bath Products
By Martha Matthews
If you like the beautiful designer bath products you see in the trendy department stores but you don't want to fork out the big bucks for them, then why not try making your own? They are inexpensive and easy to create. When dressed up in a pretty container they make a wonderful gift. So break out the mixing bowls and give these recipes a whirl.
Effervescent Bath Bombs
(Makes about 10 fizzing balls)
This is a recipe for an effervescent bath bombs. These fizzing bath oil balls are solid drops that can be added to bath water.
Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended. Drizzle in almond oil, and stir until mixture is moistened. Add vitamin E oil and fragrance stirring until well mixed. Take teaspoons of the mixture and form into one inch balls. (The mixture will be crumbly and fragile, so do the best you can) Place balls on waxed paper. Two hours later, you can gently reshape the balls. Let balls air-dry on a sheet of waxed paper for ten days. Store balls in a closed container to protect from moisture. To use, drop a bomb into bath water.
Potpourri Soap Balls
Grate the bars of soap using the largest holes of a box style grater. Place into a microwave-safe bowl. Add the water, glycerin, essential oil and food coloring to the soap. Microwave the mixture on medium until the mixture begins to foam and bubble. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir the mixture until it resembles cake frosting. If mixture is too dry, add a little more water and continue to cook. Transfer the soap mixture onto a cookie sheet that has been sprinkled with potpourri. Mold soap and potpourri into small soap balls. Let them dry for three to four days. Wrap them in colorful plastic wrap or for a designer touch use colored tissue paper and place in a decorative box. This recipe yields approximately 9 golf-ball size soap balls. For a masculine version of this, something similar to "soap-on-a-rope" use cinnamon, orange, lemon and sandalwood essential oils, small pieces of crushed cinnamon stick and dried orange and lemon peel. Form a large ball of the soap around a 16 inch loop of cotton rope or cord to for the "soap-on-a-rope" look.
Soothing Bath Salts
Combine Epsom salts with food coloring and essential oil in a large bowl. The amount of food coloring and essential oil you use is up to you. Mix well so that the color is even. Put into smaller jars and let stand 4-6 weeks before using. This causes the scent to blend with the salts. Bath salt is very soothing and makes for a very relaxing bath.
Bath Crystals
You can make your own bath crystals with rock salt crystals, glycerin, essential oils and food coloring. Prepare your work area with newspapers. Measure out 1/2 cup of the salt in to four different glass jars. Choose a color for each jar of bath crystals, keeping in mind the essential oil you will use to scent it with. Measure out 6 drops of glycerin into a bowl. Add one or two drops of the chosen food color into the glycerin. Stir the coloring evenly into the glycerin using craft stick or metal spoon. Quickly stir the mixture into the salt of one of the containers. Mix until the color is even, or leave it partially mixed for a more textured result. Continue this procedure with each jar.
To scent your salts you will need essential oils such as lime (enlivening), peppermint (exhilarating), lemon (refreshing), cinnamon (stimulating), tangerine (calming), lavender (relaxing), patchouli (peacemaking), rosemary (awakening), rose geranium (renewing), etc. You can get these at candle shops or craft stores. The words in the parentheses are the aromatherapy benefits derived from each scent. Choose a fragrance to complement the color of the salt you have already tinted. Add 20 to 25 drops of an essential oil for each cup of colored salt crystals, using a separate dropper for each scent. Mix with a metal spoon to blend thoroughly. Pour the bath crystals into a decorative jar, put on the lid and label. To use, add two tablespoons or more to a warm tub of bath water. Relax and enjoy.
A Note of Caution: Be very careful when using essential oils. They are strong enough to dissolve or mar plastic and wood finishes. Undiluted oils can actually burn the sensitive skin of your lips and tongue. They are also strong enough to burn your eyes. If you get full-strength oils on your fingers, wash your hands immediately with soap and warm water. Be sure not to rub your eyes with oily fingers. If you do get oil in your eyes flush them with clear water and call a doctor.
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