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love2cookmb

During the holidays I always read articles in magazines about great gifts to give that are homemade (candy and trail mix, etc.) or other handmade trinkets. I think it's a lovely idea and since I'm always reading about it a little too late, I thought I'd get started on it now.

Do you make any gifts? If so what? Do you have a recipe or instructions to share?
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spryte · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 6:55 am Post subject:

I mostly do cookie trays. I make dozens and dozens of cookies.... homemade kahlua....

spiced nuts are nice... homemade hot cocoa mixes with plastic spoons dipped in chocolates for stirring...

Right now on the checkstands is a magazine for gifts in a jar. I picked it up.

I might try out a couple of the recipes and make some of those for gifts.
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foodiegirl · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:02 am Post subject:

like i said on fb I make candy.....like the peppermint bark you see in the stores Very Happy

i've done it the past 2 years & it seems to go over really well - and its SUPER simple...here's what I do:
For the Peppermint Bark - I crush up candy canes (i put in the food processor so i can get smaller pieces....i tried using a rolling pin once but couldn't get it small enough for me) & put in melted white chocolate. I also melt down semi-sweet (but i've also used milk or dark....whatever you prefer Smile

) in a seperate bowl. I line a cookie sheet with a silicon mat and put down blobs (i know its a very technical term Laughing

) of the white & semi-sweet chocolate next to each other and swirl them together. Once the sheet is full, put in the fridge to let it get hard, then you can just break into pieces....I also store in the fridge because I don't want it to get to warm.
The nice thing with this is its sooo easy plus you can add different things to the chocolate....I did one with dried cranberries (put in the white) and toasted almonds (in the semi-sweet).
As far as containers - I get little tins from the dollar store, michael's - whereever I see them on sale. I also use the little candy bags you get at the craft store to give to people in the office.

I've also wanted to do chocolate covered pretzels....but there is only so much time to get stuff done. Hope this helps Very Happy

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Jessica

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love2cookmb · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

Great ideas! Steve loves the peppermint bark and every year he gets some for Christmas from his mom or sister (the one from Williams Sonoma) and it's not cheap. Considering the cost of all the ingredients to you think this way is cheaper? Oh so a tip for you, last year he had three boxes of the stuff so I started breaking it up and adding it to my chocolate chip cookies. It's a HUGE hit!

Spryte - Let mw know if there is anything good in that magazine. If it is, let me know the name of it and I'll look for it here.

Thank you! Keep ideas coming. I love this stuff!
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MICHELE

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foodiegirl · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 7:43 am Post subject:

well i would think its probably much cheaper than WS Peppermint Bark (their stuff is good, but pricey Smile

). The most expensive thing is the chocolate chips (but I try to buy whats on sale....usually theres some store that has it on sale), candy canes are cheap and the other ingredients are too pricey. I usually have to make extra...Jeff can't keep his hands off the Peppermint one (he doesn't like dried cranberries) Laughing

thats a good idea about the cookies....i bet it would be good in brownies too Very Happy

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carolyn · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 8:24 am Post subject: gifts

for christmas i give away my baked good to , cookies and candies. i make my own peanut brittle, fudge angel food candy. i also did some gifts in a jar that were a big hit.
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love2cookmb · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:03 am Post subject:

what are the gifts in the jar?
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MICHELE

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spryte · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:14 am Post subject:

Here's an example...
http://christmas.organizedhome.com/gifts-crafts-gift-tags/gifts-in-a-jar

Dry ingredients of recipe are decoratively poured into jar... recipe is attached with what wet ingredients the receiver needs to add and directions..
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~Marguerite
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ImStuffed · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:14 am Post subject:

Michele - did you see Girlichefs guest blog on Year on the Grill? She pickled peppers and it looked great! if you know people who like peppers, it seemed easy enough.
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Danielle
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love2cookmb · Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:15 am Post subject:

Spryte - I love it!

Dani - I didn't see that but i will look. That reminds me, I could do roasted peppers but they have to be refrigerated...
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MICHELE

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