While a homemade present from a child may be something only a parent could appreciate, homemade gifts, when done well can be a great way of spreading holiday cheer, while sparing the bank book. Here are five ideas to make at home this holiday season.
Bath Salts
Bath salts are a great option for those who need to make gifts for multiple people. To make bath salts at home, gather together sea salt, baking soda, food coloring, and essential oils, such as lavender or sandalwood.
Combine 1-1/4 cups of sea salt with 3 tablespoons of baking soda, along with a few drops of essential oil and food coloring. Start slow when adding scent and color, and continue adding a little at a time until the color and scent is right. A few tablespoons of finely ground oatmeal - not instant - can be added for extra skin softening, as well.
To package, use small cardboard boxes and decorate with stamps, colored twine and dried flowers, or collect glass jars from tomato sauces and jam, soak the labels off, and reuse them with the bath salts. Cover the lids with hand decorated circle of paper, to label.
Maple Syrup Candy
Homemade food gifts are usually well received by all. Maple syrup candy is easily made at home in one of two ways. If there is freshly fallen snow outside, simply heat pure, Grade A, maple syrup to 225 degrees on the stove, and then drizzle it over a plate of snow. The syrup will harden quickly into thin candy pieces that can be collected together in a tin.
If there is no snow at hand, make maple syrup candy by boiling 1 cup of maple syrup with 1-1/2 teaspoons of butter until 290 degrees, stirring constantly. Once the syrup has reached the right temperature, place the pan in a dish of cold water to stop the cooking, and pour the syrup into a pan lined with aluminum foil. When the candy cools, break or crack it into pieces.
Fudge Wreath
This easy recipe will result in a fun party gift. Combine a 12 ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate chips, with a can of condensed milk in a double boiler, stirring occasionally until melted. Remove from heat, and stir in ½ teaspoon of vanilla, as well as chopped candied cherries, walnuts or other treats.
Cover the pan with foil, and refrigerate for half an hour. Spoon the fudge in a circle on a plate, taking care not to make it too smooth, and decorate with candied cherries, sprinkles, walnuts, and allow to finish cooling and hardening.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
This recipe makes 12 single servings of hot chocolate. Package them in small metal tins and decorate with bows for a simple holiday present.
Combine 2 cups of non-fat dried milk powder with ¾ cup of sugar, ½ cup powdered cocoa, and ½ cup non-dairy creamer. Blend well, and be sure to package in air-tight containers for storage.
Chocolate Covered Spoons
An entire package of these is a great gift for a chocolate or coffee lover, or tie individual spoons onto homemade hot chocolate mix, or packages of gourmet coffee beans. To make chocolate covered spoons, gather a box of heavy plastic spoons, a package of chocolate chips in any flavor, or make different batches with peppermint, dark chocolate and white chocolate to mix, along with shortening, wax paper, ribbon and saran wrap.
Melt the chocolate in a deep dish, and add 1 teaspoon of shortening for every cup of chips, stirring until just blended. Dip each spoon into the melted chocolate until about 1” up the handle. Lay them on the wax paper to cool. At this time, melted white chocolate, raspberry or other flavors can be drizzled over the spoons.
Place the spoons in the freezer for 15 minutes to harden, and wrap in colored saran wrap and tie with a ribbon.
Giving homemade gifts for the holidays helps send a personalized message to each recipient; that they are well regarded enough to have taken the time for. Any of these gifts can be made in large enough number simply enough for giving to multiple people, or for bringing to parties.
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