IN THIS ISSUE:
BATH SALTS
APPLESAUCE-CINNAMON ORNAMENTS
SALT CERAMIC ORNAMENTS
CAKE CANDLES
CAKE CANDLES WITH PICTURES ON THE SIDES
TEACUP CANDLES
FRAGRANT SOAP BALLS
FINGERPAINT
PINECONE FIRE STARTERS
SAWDUST CUPCAKE FIRE STARTERS
HEATING PAD OR FOOT WARMER
HOT PADS WITH AROMA
CITRUS AND SPICE POTPOURRI
POTPOURRI SPICE MIX
BUTTON EARRINGS
GLASS BEADED BRACELETS
BEANBAGS
SCOOPS OF HUGS AND KISSES
CANDY TRAIN ENGINE
SPICED WALNUTS
FIVE BEAN SOUP IN A JAR
FRIENDSHIP SOUP MIX IN A JAR
CAPPUCCINO MIX
HOT CHOCOLATE MIX
PEANUT BUTTER SUET
DOG BISCUIT MIX IN A JAR
FUN GIFTS TO MAKE ~ EASY ON THE BUDGET ~ GREAT TO RECEIVE!
by Lois Breneman, © 2003, Revised 2010, Heart to Heart
When you give a handmade gift, made with your own hands and mind, you are giving a part of yourself, and I find people especially love to receive something using your own natural talents, whatever they may be. If you are skilled in woodworking, ceramics, poetry, writing, calligraphy, photography, music, painting, cooking, organizing, gardening, crafts, sewing, knitting or crocheting, use your talents in gift-giving. Some gifts could be given in the form of a coupon to do later, according to the desires of the person receiving the gift.
Check on the Internet or go to the library and search out more ideas. Think about some sewing and craft items you could make "assembly line style" for a number of family members and friends - something more than one person would enjoy. There are countless Christmas ornaments you and your family could make together to give to friends and neighbors.
Handmade gifts are not only fun to make with other family members, but the person receiving the gift often also feels the love that has gone into the making. Young children as well as older, and even young adult children will love making these gifts with you! At various times I have helped my grown children make gifts to give to their friends, and we've both had such fun doing it together! Why not invite your daughters and daughters-in-law to enjoy a day with you making some gifts to divide up or just to help them? Or do the same with your grandchildren! You can do the same with a good friend or your mother. This can be a wonderful bonding time! Of course, baking cookies, bread or making candy are great gift ideas, but you don't want to start those too early.
Hopefully you will find some other creative ideas below that you may want to give a try this year. Most are very easy to do! We still have several months to plan and prepare, and starting now will make life easier, more peaceful and enjoyable for our families. Have fun!
BATH SALTS
Pour a half gallon container of Epsom salts into a large bowl. Save time and money by making a whole basin full and giving the same gift to many on your Christmas list. These are nice to have on hand all year round as nice spur-of-the-moment gifts too. For each half gallon of salts, add about 8 drops of food coloring and enough potpourri oil to give it a nice fragrance. One year my daughter and I had fun making a basin full of "Pink Vanilla Bath Salts," as well as a beautiful turquoise or teal green, by using blue and green. Use more blue for turquoise, or more green for teal.
Stir up the three ingredients until mixed very well - two large slotted spoons seemed to work best for us. Spoon the bath salts into pretty glass containers, using an unslotted spoon, and attach a label. I found glass jars shaped like Christmas trees at the dollar store and used light green bath salts in those. There were also locked canning jars, corked jars, pretty fat jars with locked lids and others. They all looked so pretty when filled with bath salts. There were also round glass jars with scalloped rims, without lids, which we covered with cellophane, secured with a rubberband, and tied a ribbon around to cover the rubberband, and added a label.
For layered rainbow colors in a single jar, mix the white Epsom salts and scent together. Then divide into several bowls and add various colors in layers - pink in one bowl, blue, green, peach, purple, yellow in other bowls. Mix each color well and carefully pour into jars using a funnel, layering the different colors evenly for a beautiful effect!
Rubber stamped labels with instructions to "Use 1/4 cup per bathtub" complete this lovely gift. An animal lying back, looking relaxed, is a good rubber stamp for a label with a "Relaxation" message. I also used a "To Do List" label for several labels, writing "This is a time to lay aside your To Do List and relax!" This is a great gift for a woman who just had a baby, maybe with a young child on the label. I have a rubber stamp of a cute curly headed little girl bending over a tub which makes an appropriate label with a message that moms sometimes need a break. The scripture verse, Matthew 11:28 is another great idea for a label - "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest." A perfect scripture to meditate on while soaking!
APPLESAUCE-CINNAMON ORNAMENTS
Pour equal amounts of applesauce and ground cinnamon into a bowl and mix well into a dough. Roll out and use cookie cutters to cut stars, gingerbread men, etc. Insert a small hook from the jewelry department of a craft store into top of each ornament (or a paper clip or ornament hanger will do). Let dry on wax paper for a few days, turning over every morning and night. When dry (3-5 days depending on temperature and humidity), use white craft paint to add "frosting" accents. These make great ornaments and should have a scent even next Christmas, if you store them in plastic zip lock bags. After many years when they lose their scent, cinnamon oil can be rubbed over them to perk up the fragrance.
SALT CERAMICS ORNAMENTS
Ingredients: 1 cup salt, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 3/4 cup water and food coloring.
Mix well and heat until mixture thickens. Roll into ball and chill. When cold, roll out mixture about 1/4" or a tiny bit thinner. Cut into cookie cutter shapes. Place on wax paper-lined cookie sheets. Decorate with glitter, beads, sequins, poster paints, nail polish, old jewelry, felt, another color of ceramic dough or any scraps. Be sure to make tiny holes with a large needle for hanging or insert a paper clip while wet. These make wonderful Christmas ornaments that last for years if packed away carefully in a cool, dry place. I have some ornaments that I made which will soon hang on our tree for the 43rd year - still in great condition! My favorites are gingerbread men, hobby horses, Christmas trees, angels, sleighs, bells. A candy cane can be made by twisting two "snakes" together with the colors already mixed into the dough. The pastel colors in mine didn't even fade. An ornament is nice to give to friends. Everyone loves an unexpected gift! A box of these handmade ornaments makes a nice wedding gift, since most newlyweds don't have ornaments when they get married.
CAKE CANDLES
You can make beautiful candles in your kitchen! Buy several 1 # boxes of paraffin in the canning section of your grocery store (about $1.39).
Each candle will take all four slabs of paraffin in a 1# box, plus some extra melted paraffin.
*Melt several 1/4 # slabs of paraffin in a double boiler. A large coffee can of paraffin immersed in a pan of hot water on a medium burner will work fine and the wax will not ruin your pan.
*Use a small amount of melted paraffin, to "glue" the four 1/4 # slabs together, with a candle wick in the center - at least 2 inches above the top. You'll need this to hold on to while you apply the paraffin.
*If you want a colorful candle, add a crayon to the hot paraffin. White, periwinkle blue and light green are some colors our family has tried. They are all pretty, especially the periwinkle.
*Using an electric mixer, beat the melted paraffin until it sets up and turns a lighter color.*Using a rubber spatula or a table knife, apply the paraffin to the sides of the candle (work quickly - before it hardens), while you hold onto the wick and tip the candle to the side. If the paraffin does harden in the bowl, simply reheat it and beat it with the mixer again.
*Apply the paraffin to the top.
*While still wet, tip candle over, holding onto the wick and sprinkle with clear glitter. Beautiful!
*Put candle in freezer for a few hours or more before burning, and it will burn more slowly.
CAKE CANDLES WITH PICTURES ON THE SIDES
*For a lovely variation of the candle above, find four coordinating pictures from old cards. Make candles for Christmas, anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, you name it! Adhere pictures of your children, husband or friends on candles for a great personalized gifts!
*As soon as you have glued the four slabs and candle wick together, trim the four pictures to fit each side. A picture the thickness of card stock or lighter works well, but be sure nothing is on the back, because it will show through as the candle burns.
*Using whipped paraffin. apply around the edges of the pictures and on the top with knife.
*Apply glitter on the wet paraffin.
*The pictures will glow when the candle it lit!
*Use either Christmas cards or all occasion cards, if you want to use the candle all year round.
*This is a great gift idea and can also be made to decorate your own home.
*Older children can help and younger ones can watch. This is a project that needs your undivided attention, so you might have your husband or a friend supervise younger children as they watch or play elsewhere, since hot wax is involved.
TEACUP CANDLES
Do you have some teacups and saucers, as I do, that came with your set of dishes that you never use? If you're like me, you like the coffee mugs, rather than the cups and saucers that come with most sets of dishes. Slowly pour hot melted wax into a pretty teacup with a candle wick, I save odds and ends of leftover candles for this purpose. Add some crayon to provide the amount of color you want and invest in a small amount of fragrant oils for candle making. A very easy way to melt wax is by using the large Pfaltzgraff candle warmers! If you have a jar candle that is pretty much used up, melt that in the warmer, and add bits and pieces of other candles, as long as they are similar.
Melting old tapered candles and adding crayon and scented oils will produce great candles. For a wick, these can be purchased at craft stores or you could trim an old tapered candle and stick the shortened candle to the bottom of the cup before pouring melted wax. As the wax hardens, you will probably need to pour a little more wax into the center where it shrinks down. This is a creative way to use up extra cups and saucers that you don't need and get the most out of your old candles. Most of all, it turns into a very special gift!
FRAGRANT SOAP BALLS
You will need: Ivory Snow Flakes ~ Perfume or scented oil ~ Food coloring
If you can't find Ivory Flakes, make your own, by shaving Ivory soap bars, and putting those in the food processor. You won't have flakes, but the pulverized Ivory bar will work fine. Moisten soap flakes with water to the consistency of very stiff dough. Divide into several bowls if making a large quantity, so you can make a variety of scents and colors. Shape about 2 tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on wax paper to harden for several days, turning each day. Wrap in colorful cellophane and tie with a ribbon to give as gifts. Arrange in a small box or in a small basket, lined with colorful tissue paper.
BATH BALLS
2 cups salt
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 Tbsp. light oil
1 tsp. Vitamin E oil
2 eggs
25 drops fragrance oil
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Using a teaspoon of the dough, gently roll it into a 1-inch ball. Continue this method, placing balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. If desired, you can decorate balls with whole cloves or rose balls. Bake the balls for about 10 minutes until they are lightly browned - do not over bake. Allow the balls to cool completely. To use: Drop 1 or 2 balls into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. Note: If you give these balls as a gift, be sure to list all ingredients in case of allergies, as well as instructions on how to use them.
FINGERPAINT
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup cold water
1 pkg. (envelope) unflavored gelatin
2 cups boiling water
food coloring or poster paint
In saucepan mix cornstarch with 3/4 cup cold water to form a smooth paste. Soak gelatin in remaining 1/4 cup cup cold water and set aside. Pour boiling water slowly over cornstarch mixture, while stirring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and is clear. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin. Cool and divide mixture into separate batches, placing each in small containers with screw-on lids. Add coloring/paint. Refrigerate to store. Paint is transparent, strong and durable with a high gloss finish. This paint will work well on wet or dry paper.
PINECONE FIRE STARTERS
Melt paraffin or old candles in a metal coffee can placed in a pan of hot water on the stove. If color is desired, add old crayons. Add a few drops of scented oil such as cinnamon, cloves or orange. You could also use actual spices or grated orange zest instead of oil. Dip each pinecone into the melted wax. You can do that by tying a candlewick or heavy crochet thread to the top of each pinecone to make it easier to dip into the melted wax. Allow the wax to harden, while holding or resting it on wax paper between dips. For gift-giving, arrange pinecones in a basket with a note of instructions. Add 2-3 pinecone fire starters to kindling wood when starting a fire in the fireplace. Light the wicks.
Another version of this gift is to dip pinecones into melted wax several times, without the wicks, using tongs. My one adult son and I gathered pinecones and made these one year over Thanksgiving vacation. He used the nicer ones on his Christmas tree branches and they looked really good!
SAWDUST CUPCAKE FIRE STARTERS
Fill muffin tins with cupcake liners. Fill each with sawdust. If your husband doesn't do woodwork, anyone who does would be thrilled to give you as much sawdust as you can use. Melt old candles in a double boiler or in a candle warmer. A small amount of candle fragrance would give off a nice aroma. Carefully pour melted wax into each cupcake liner, by pouring into a measuring cup with a spout first. Allow to dry thoroughly and remove from muffin tins. Package into cellophane bags to give as gifts, with instructions attached -- "Fire Starters - Toss one or two fore starters into fireplace with kindling wood to help ignite a good fire." Add the name of the fragrance used - "Cinnamon Fire Starters."
HEATING PAD OR FOOT WARMER
This is great to warm cold feet when going to bed or to sooth tight neck or shoulder muscles.
1/2 yard cotton flannel
1 Tbsp. whole cloves
4 cups uncooked rice
Cut the flannel into a 14"x18" rectangle. Fold with right sides together, so the rectangle measures 7"x18". Sew around edges, leaving an opening for turning. Fill with rice and cloves.
Hand sew the opening shut. For gift-giving, include instructions: "To use as a heating pad, microwave for 1/2 minutes on High.
HOT PADS WITH AROMA
Ingredients: 1 cup salt, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 3/4 cup water and food coloring.
Mix well and heat until mixture thickens. Roll into ball and chill. When cold, roll out mixture about 1/4" or a tiny bit thinner. Cut into cookie cutter shapes. Place on wax paper-lined cookie sheets. Decorate with glitter, beads, sequins, poster paints, nail polish, old jewelry, felt, another color of ceramic dough or any scraps. Be sure to make tiny holes with a large needle for hanging or insert a paper clip while wet. These make wonderful Christmas ornaments that last for years if packed away carefully in a cool, dry place. I have some ornaments that I made which will soon hang on our tree for the 43rd year - still in great condition! My favorites are gingerbread men, hobby horses, Christmas trees, angels, sleighs, bells. A candy cane can be made by twisting two "snakes" together with the colors already mixed into the dough. The pastel colors in mine didn't even fade. An ornament is nice to give to friends. Everyone loves an unexpected gift! A box of these handmade ornaments makes a nice wedding gift, since most newlyweds don't have ornaments when they get married.
CAKE CANDLES
You can make beautiful candles in your kitchen! Buy several 1 # boxes of paraffin in the canning section of your grocery store (about $1.39).
Each candle will take all four slabs of paraffin in a 1# box, plus some extra melted paraffin.
*Melt several 1/4 # slabs of paraffin in a double boiler. A large coffee can of paraffin immersed in a pan of hot water on a medium burner will work fine and the wax will not ruin your pan.
*Use a small amount of melted paraffin, to "glue" the four 1/4 # slabs together, with a candle wick in the center - at least 2 inches above the top. You'll need this to hold on to while you apply the paraffin.
*If you want a colorful candle, add a crayon to the hot paraffin. White, periwinkle blue and light green are some colors our family has tried. They are all pretty, especially the periwinkle.
*Using an electric mixer, beat the melted paraffin until it sets up and turns a lighter color.*Using a rubber spatula or a table knife, apply the paraffin to the sides of the candle (work quickly - before it hardens), while you hold onto the wick and tip the candle to the side. If the paraffin does harden in the bowl, simply reheat it and beat it with the mixer again.
*Apply the paraffin to the top.
*While still wet, tip candle over, holding onto the wick and sprinkle with clear glitter. Beautiful!
*Put candle in freezer for a few hours or more before burning, and it will burn more slowly.
CAKE CANDLES WITH PICTURES ON THE SIDES
*For a lovely variation of the candle above, find four coordinating pictures from old cards. Make candles for Christmas, anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, you name it! Adhere pictures of your children, husband or friends on candles for a great personalized gifts!
*As soon as you have glued the four slabs and candle wick together, trim the four pictures to fit each side. A picture the thickness of card stock or lighter works well, but be sure nothing is on the back, because it will show through as the candle burns.
*Using whipped paraffin. apply around the edges of the pictures and on the top with knife.
*Apply glitter on the wet paraffin.
*The pictures will glow when the candle it lit!
*Use either Christmas cards or all occasion cards, if you want to use the candle all year round.
*This is a great gift idea and can also be made to decorate your own home.
*Older children can help and younger ones can watch. This is a project that needs your undivided attention, so you might have your husband or a friend supervise younger children as they watch or play elsewhere, since hot wax is involved.
TEACUP CANDLES
Do you have some teacups and saucers, as I do, that came with your set of dishes that you never use? If you're like me, you like the coffee mugs, rather than the cups and saucers that come with most sets of dishes. Slowly pour hot melted wax into a pretty teacup with a candle wick, I save odds and ends of leftover candles for this purpose. Add some crayon to provide the amount of color you want and invest in a small amount of fragrant oils for candle making. A very easy way to melt wax is by using the large Pfaltzgraff candle warmers! If you have a jar candle that is pretty much used up, melt that in the warmer, and add bits and pieces of other candles, as long as they are similar.
Melting old tapered candles and adding crayon and scented oils will produce great candles. For a wick, these can be purchased at craft stores or you could trim an old tapered candle and stick the shortened candle to the bottom of the cup before pouring melted wax. As the wax hardens, you will probably need to pour a little more wax into the center where it shrinks down. This is a creative way to use up extra cups and saucers that you don't need and get the most out of your old candles. Most of all, it turns into a very special gift!
FRAGRANT SOAP BALLS
You will need: Ivory Snow Flakes ~ Perfume or scented oil ~ Food coloring
If you can't find Ivory Flakes, make your own, by shaving Ivory soap bars, and putting those in the food processor. You won't have flakes, but the pulverized Ivory bar will work fine. Moisten soap flakes with water to the consistency of very stiff dough. Divide into several bowls if making a large quantity, so you can make a variety of scents and colors. Shape about 2 tablespoons of mixture into balls. Place on wax paper to harden for several days, turning each day. Wrap in colorful cellophane and tie with a ribbon to give as gifts. Arrange in a small box or in a small basket, lined with colorful tissue paper.
BATH BALLS
2 cups salt
1/2 cup baking soda
1/2 cup cornstarch
2 Tbsp. light oil
1 tsp. Vitamin E oil
2 eggs
25 drops fragrance oil
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Using a teaspoon of the dough, gently roll it into a 1-inch ball. Continue this method, placing balls on an ungreased cookie sheet. If desired, you can decorate balls with whole cloves or rose balls. Bake the balls for about 10 minutes until they are lightly browned - do not over bake. Allow the balls to cool completely. To use: Drop 1 or 2 balls into a warm bath and allow to dissolve. Note: If you give these balls as a gift, be sure to list all ingredients in case of allergies, as well as instructions on how to use them.
FINGERPAINT
1/2 cup cornstarch
1 cup cold water
1 pkg. (envelope) unflavored gelatin
2 cups boiling water
food coloring or poster paint
In saucepan mix cornstarch with 3/4 cup cold water to form a smooth paste. Soak gelatin in remaining 1/4 cup cup cold water and set aside. Pour boiling water slowly over cornstarch mixture, while stirring. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and is clear. Remove from heat and stir in gelatin. Cool and divide mixture into separate batches, placing each in small containers with screw-on lids. Add coloring/paint. Refrigerate to store. Paint is transparent, strong and durable with a high gloss finish. This paint will work well on wet or dry paper.
PINECONE FIRE STARTERS
Melt paraffin or old candles in a metal coffee can placed in a pan of hot water on the stove. If color is desired, add old crayons. Add a few drops of scented oil such as cinnamon, cloves or orange. You could also use actual spices or grated orange zest instead of oil. Dip each pinecone into the melted wax. You can do that by tying a candlewick or heavy crochet thread to the top of each pinecone to make it easier to dip into the melted wax. Allow the wax to harden, while holding or resting it on wax paper between dips. For gift-giving, arrange pinecones in a basket with a note of instructions. Add 2-3 pinecone fire starters to kindling wood when starting a fire in the fireplace. Light the wicks.
Another version of this gift is to dip pinecones into melted wax several times, without the wicks, using tongs. My one adult son and I gathered pinecones and made these one year over Thanksgiving vacation. He used the nicer ones on his Christmas tree branches and they looked really good!
SAWDUST CUPCAKE FIRE STARTERS
Fill muffin tins with cupcake liners. Fill each with sawdust. If your husband doesn't do woodwork, anyone who does would be thrilled to give you as much sawdust as you can use. Melt old candles in a double boiler or in a candle warmer. A small amount of candle fragrance would give off a nice aroma. Carefully pour melted wax into each cupcake liner, by pouring into a measuring cup with a spout first. Allow to dry thoroughly and remove from muffin tins. Package into cellophane bags to give as gifts, with instructions attached -- "Fire Starters - Toss one or two fore starters into fireplace with kindling wood to help ignite a good fire." Add the name of the fragrance used - "Cinnamon Fire Starters."
HEATING PAD OR FOOT WARMER
This is great to warm cold feet when going to bed or to sooth tight neck or shoulder muscles.
1/2 yard cotton flannel
1 Tbsp. whole cloves
4 cups uncooked rice
Cut the flannel into a 14"x18" rectangle. Fold with right sides together, so the rectangle measures 7"x18". Sew around edges, leaving an opening for turning. Fill with rice and cloves.
Hand sew the opening shut. For gift-giving, include instructions: "To use as a heating pad, microwave for 1/2 minutes on High.
HOT PADS WITH AROMA
Using similar directions as above, make square, round or oval hot pads. When setting a hot dish on the pad, it will give off a pleasant aroma. I used cotton fabric, with a double layer of white fleece as extra padding, then sewed around, leaving a 3-4" opening, turned right-side-out, poured rice between the two layers of fleece, added some potpourri oil and hand sewed the opening shut.
CITRUS AND SPICE POTPOURRI
Pee; 4 oranges and 4 lemons, leaving the white pith on the fruit. Process the pieces of rind in a food processor until quite small. Spread peel on a large tray to dry. Combine 1/2 cup whole cloves, 1/2 cup whole allspice, 10 broken cinnamon sticks, and 10 crumbled bay leaves. In a large bowl combine spices with the citrus rind. For even more fragrance, add a few drops of cinnamon, orange or clove oil to perk up the potpourri. Store in airtight container. To use: Display in a pretty open dish or put 1 tablespoon of potpourri into a potpourri pot with hot water. Great fragrance! If you don't have a potpourri pot, just simmer on the stove in a small pot.
For a more simple version, try this recipe. For a small gift, make a Citrus and Spice Potpourri, using orange rinds (chopped finely in food processor), whole cloves, and clove, lemon, tangerine and orange oils. After drying it, wrap a tablespoon or two of potpourri in red cellophane, fold in the edges and staple them. Staple a Christmas greeting to each one. This can also be added to hand delivered cards. Print out labels such as this:
Citrus and Spice Potpourri
Place contents in 1/2 to 1 cup water
and simmer in a small pan on the stove
or in a simmering potpourri pot.
Merry Christmas!
from Steve and Suzie
John 3:16
POTPOURRI SPICE MIX
(A loving little gift to include with cards or to give neighbors)
Contents of package:
1-3 teaspoons of each spice ~ cloves, ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon
Directions: Simmer 1 teaspoon of contents in a potpourri pot or in a small saucepan on the stove, along with about 1 teaspoon cooking oil and a cup of water. Continue adding water as it evaporates.
(Note: Spices bought in bulk at a natural foods co-op cost as little as a tenth the amount as in a grocery store.)
BUTTON EARRINGS
Select appropriate buttons with a shank from a fabric store that would make pretty earrings. There are so many beautiful buttons that work for this project, even ones that look like ceremic. Remove the shanks with pliers. Purchase earring backs from a fabric or craft store. Glue the earrings onto buttons with jewelry glue.
GLASS BEADED BRACELETS
Check in a craft store for glass beads to make bracelets. Cut a section of a clear or black elastic longer than you think you will need to fit around your wrist, so you can tie knots when finished. Choose beads that are similar in color or a mixture of various colors, with metal separators in between. Thread glass beads and metal separators onto the strand of elastic and tie the ends with a double square knot. Trim ends of elastic.
Earrings made from glass beads are another fun way of making jewelry to give as gifts or to wear yourself. You can find an instruction book at a craft store to get started.
Earrings made from glass beads are another fun way of making jewelry to give as gifts or to wear yourself. You can find an instruction book at a craft store to get started.
BEANBAGS
Children love tossing beanbags and they are so easy to make! This is a great stocking stuffer. Simply cut a circle from a scrap of pretty fabric - about 4 1/2 " in diameter. There are also so many choices of children's fabrics available. Sew a 1/4" seam around the edge, leaving an opening to turn the fabric and fill it with small dried beans or rice. Hand sew the opening shut.
SCOOPS OF HUGS AND KISSES
Fill washed laundry scoops with wrapped candy hugs and kisses. Wrap plastic wrap around the scoop and gather it around the handle, tying with a pretty ribbon. Attach a note saying, "Hugs and Kisses from me to you!"
CANDY TRAIN ENGINE
A fun favor or ornament! Glue a roll of ring-shaped candy such as Lifesavers to a wide side of a package of gum. Glue 4 round peppermint candies to the bottom against the gum pack for wheels. Make a loop of narrow ribbon and glue the ends to the top of one end of the candy roll.
Glue a caramel on top of the ribbon ends for the engineer's cab. To the other end of the candy roll. glue a chocolate kiss for the smoke stack and another kiss on the same end of the package of gum for a plow in front. Remove the tag from the second kiss.
SPICED WALNUTS
1 pound (4 cups) walnut halves or larger pieces
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 1/2 tsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/4-1/2 tsp. coarse salt
In a 3 1/2 or 4 quart slow cooker, combine all the ingredients except the salt. Stir to mix well. Cook, uncooked, on the high heat setting about 2 hours or until the nuts are toasted. Stir in the salt. Let cool. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks. Serve at room temperature. Makes 4 cups.
FIVE BEAN SOUP IN A JAR
(Layer the dried beans in a jar and tie the recipe to the top)
1/2 cup dried black beans
1/2 cup small red chili beans
1/3 cup dried Great Northern beans
1/3 cup dried cranberry beans
1/3 cup dried pinto beans
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 large onions, coarsely chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 carrots, quartered lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
2 cups chopped ripe tomatoes or canned crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh basil (1/4 cup dried)
1 tsp. salt
Soak beans overnight in large bowl, with water covering the beans by 3 inches. Drain, rinse, and set beans aside. In a large Dutch oven or casserole, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes or until softened. Stir in carrots and cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes or until tender. Stir in tomatoes and basil, and cook 3 minutes. Add 8 cups water and beans. Bring to a boil over medium heat, skimming off any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce heat, partially cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally - about 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Stir salt into soup and ladle into soup bowls. Serves 6.
FRIENDSHIP SOUP MIX IN A JAR
1/2 cup dry split peas
1/3 cup beef bouillon - low sodium
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup dry lentils
1/4 cup dried minced onion
2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
1/2 cup alphabet macaroni
Additional ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
3 quarts water
1 can diced tomatoes - (28 oz.), undrained
In a 1 1/2 pint or 1 quart jar, layer the first seven ingredients in the order listed. Put the macaroni in a small baggie and put on top. If the ingredients do not come right up to the top of the jar, place a crumpled piece of plastic wrap on top of the last layer to keep layers from shifting. Seal tightly. Yield: 1 batch. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
To give as a gift, decorate jar as desired and attach the following directions:
To prepare soup, carefully remove macaroni from top of jar and set aside. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, brown beef and drain. Add water, tomatoes and soup mix, then bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cover with lid. Simmer 45 minutes. Add the reserved macaroni and cover. Simmer for 15 to 20 minutes or until macaroni, peas, lentils and barley are tender. 16 servings.
CAPPUCCINO MIX
3 1/2 cups dry milk
2 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 cups instant coffee
1/2 cup cocoa (such as Hershey's)
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 large jar non-fat dairy creamer
Mix all ingredients and package in a jar.
Include directions:
Use 2 or more tablespoons of mix per 8 oz. cup of hot water.
Additional sweetener may be desired.
HOT CHOCOLATE MIX
6 oz. jar powdered cream
2 lb. box instant chocolate flavored drink
8 quart pkg. non-fat dry milk
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 (10-16 oz.) pkg. miniature marshmallows.
Combine all ingredients. Stir well until blended. Include directions when giving as a gift.
Directions:
Use 1/4 cup of mix per cup of hot water
For a "Triple Chocolate Drink," ~ Combine 1 ripe banana
with 1 cup milk in blender. Dissolve 3/4 cup chocolate mix
in 2 cups boiling water. Add banana/milk mixture.
Top with whipped cream and cinnamon stick.
PEANUT BUTTER SUET
Wrens, nuthatches, tufted titmice, chickadees, woodpeckers, mocking birds, and catbirds especially love peanut butter suet! Peanut butter and fat are good cold weather treats for birds because they need extra fat in their diet to keep their tiny bodies warm. Peanut butter is perfectly safe for birds ans they will not choke on it. You can mix up your own mixture to save a lot of money though. Mix shortening and peanut butter together. Add flour and/or cornmeal, until it is easy to form into blocks to fit into a suet feeder. You can even use cornmeal or flour that has become buggy, and the least expensive shortening and peanut butter will do just fine. I wrap the blocks in plastic wrap and put several in the waxed liners that I save from cereal boxes. They can be stored at room temperature for a few months, although they will keep even longer if refrigerated or frozen. Do not add any water or it will become hard as a rock. Guess how I know that?
I will warm you that raccoons and bears dearly love suet too. They come at night, reach right into the feeder and dig it out! Then in the morning you may see greasy little raccoon prints everywhere. So I asked my husband if he'd build a wire cage surrounding our suet feeder, extending the space between the suet and the outside of the cage, with the wire bent to create spaces large enough for the smaller birds to go inside and feast. This works real well, and neither raccoons nor squirrels can touch it now!
I will warm you that raccoons and bears dearly love suet too. They come at night, reach right into the feeder and dig it out! Then in the morning you may see greasy little raccoon prints everywhere. So I asked my husband if he'd build a wire cage surrounding our suet feeder, extending the space between the suet and the outside of the cage, with the wire bent to create spaces large enough for the smaller birds to go inside and feast. This works real well, and neither raccoons nor squirrels can touch it now!
DOG BISCUIT MIX IN A JAR
1 cup unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 yellow cornmeal
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
1 tsp. brown sugar or white sugar
pinch of salt
Combine all ingredients. Pour into a 1 quart, wide-mouth canning jar. Close jar tightly. Tie a dob biscuit cookie cutter and instruction card around the top of the jar with a ribbon:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place contents of jar in a medium sized bowl. Add one egg, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4-1/2 cup hot chicken broth, beef broth or very hot water. Make a very heavy, but not sticky dough. Add more flour or water, a little at a time until the right consistency is formed. Turn dough onto a floured table and knead 8 to 10 times until elastic. Let dough rest for 5 minutes before rolling dough to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Cut with a dog bone shaped cookie cutter. Place cookies close together, since they will not spread. Bake for 1 hour in the center of the oven, rotating the cookie sheet 180 degrees. Bake for another 30 minutes. Cool on the pan for a minute before transferring to a wire rack or counter top to cool completely.
Hopefully these ideas will give you a start for handmade gifts to make and give all year round!
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