food as gift ideas

[JillC]

The Make Ahead supplement had some ideas of food that would make good gifts. Any other ideas out there? I seem to remember a previous CL or Martha Stewart article on cookie dough to freeze and give as a gift. Anyone remember that?
Thanks,
Jill

[Colleen]

I was thinking of making the pumpkin streusel bread as a gift.
But, let's see, I know that there was a previous thread that talked about making vanilla extract, and kalhua. I am sure there might be others. Have you tried a search?

[Vanessa]

You can make your own basket gifts placing small loaves of bread wrapped in alum foil then raffia, place mugs with homade cocoa mixes or store bought, buy tin cans at your local store and fill with homemade cookies.
You can make gifts with a theme "mexican" pasta, baking etc. If you don't have baskets you can use those oversize gift bags. You can put in a cookie sheet, spoons, pot holders make Jar cookie mixes and put a festive card with baking instructions.
Sometimes the simple gifts are the most cheerish. Baked goods are always welcomed because with holiday rush many don't have time to cook or bake. If you go search here there was a thread on jar mixes Ed and other also posted recipes for hot cocoa mixes, soup etc. Another good idea get a stock pot (does not have to be expensive. Inside put your bean mix soup, instructions, a couple of pot holders. In cheesecloth you can make your own seasoning mix.
Good luck!

[Laura]

I am helping my daughter make "Make your cookies and brownie jars" for her friends. You pack all the dry ingredients in layers in a Kerr canning jar with instructions to add the wet. We are tying ours with raffia and gingham fabric. Very inexpensive but cute ideas.

This wasn't my idea I got it out of a women's magazine that had the septuplets on the front. They had a recipe for brownies and we are making one up for oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

[This message has been edited by Laura (edited 12-05-2000).]

[Wendy w]

My boyfriend and I are making giftbaskets for some of our friends and relatives. We are making spice, dip, soup, bread and salad dressing mixes in addition to our own dehydrated vegetable powders. A

A couple of our friends are "on the go" Moms and we thought that giving instant mixes would be nice for use after the holidays. One makes a good chili so we are giving her some spicy seasonings, tomato powder, roasted garlic powder and corn bread mixes.

We may even throw in some home baked goods!

[JillC]

I did do a search before I posted this msg, but came up only with the thread for gift baskets. My experience with gift baskets is that they are rarely inexpensive. I want to give gifts to many of my neighbors and so am looking for something that just requires a trip to the grocery store.
The jars and mixes are great ideas--just what I'm looking for. Are the recipes posted somewhere on the BB? Can someone post the link?
Also, if there are any other ideas on baked goods that look yummy and keep/freeze well, I'd love to hear about it. I'm looking for alternatives to Christmas cookies.
Thanks!!!
Jill

[lsdesign]

I gave my sister and her husband biscotti I baked myself and got a nice box to put them in from Pier One, not expensive. Because my sis loves cystalized ginger, she got the chocolate chip/ginger biscotti from CL. My bro in law got choc. apricot, his favorite. I then purchased a set of Tupperware "Forget Me Nots", (hanging tupperware for half used onion or tomato), and put the ginger in one and the apricots I used in other tied with raffia. They both got their favorite biscotti and ingredient and an inexpensive tupperware set. They were happy.

[Vanessa]

The thread Jill appeared on 9/26 Looking for ingredients layered in jars. I think its http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/001303.html


[This message has been edited by Vanessa (edited 12-05-2000).]

[JillC]

I thought I'd bring this up to the top again.
Jill

[Linda in MO]

Here is a great thread I started at Mimi's that has tons of "gifts from the kitchen" ideas... http://www.cyber-kitchen.com/cgibin/ubbs/Ultimate.cgi?action=threadlist&forum=Recipe+Requests&number=1&topic=013409-000000-1116100-000018.msg&Browser=other&DaysPrune=30

[Linda in MO]

chefandi, I didn't know how to explain it to you, so I did a search. You can buy it at craft stores or WalMart, etc. http://www.homestead.com/TropicalIP/whatsraffia2000.html

[chefandi]

WHat is raffia???