Anyone thinking about Christmas (gifts to amke) yet?

[Chocolate Rose]

I'm trying to come up with something new and different to make this year for Christmas gifts, but coming up with nada. Does anyone have any suggestions? Here's a partial list of foodie gifts I've made over the years. I'm trying not to duplicate:

Kahlua
Flavored vinegars
Raspberry Cordial
Vanilla
Home-grown garlic braids
Herb wreaths
Soup Mixes
Chocolate Spoons
Neck Warmers (made from rice and lavender)
Cinnamon hand print ornaments
Cinnamon gingerbread men ornaments
5 volumes of family cookbook (working on vol. 6, but won't be ready this year)
Biscotti
Christmas S’mores in a Jar
Marshmallow Blow Gun (kind of foodie, right?)
Rubs
Truffles
Union Square Cafe Bar Nuts
Sugared Cranberries
Festive Holiday Bark
Honey-Chipotle Pecans
Vanilla Sugar
Cinnamon-Vanilla Sugar

[Chocolate Rose]

Rats! It won't let me correct the typo in the title. Sorry!

[tigermorris]

what are chocolate spoons???
sounds interesting... is there a recipe you could post???

[LakeMartinGal]

Last year, we made and canned pizza sauce, included a pizza crust mix, also home made, and a pizza stone we found online for under $10! Also send the marshmallow guns to a favorite B/SIL!

I'm going to take some of your ideas, though... way easier to ship!

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by tigermorris

what are chocolate spoons???
sounds interesting... is there a recipe you could post???

These were popular several years ago for stirring into coffee or hot chocolate. There's a cinnamon candy version floating around for stirring into tea. Here's the recipe I used:

* Exported from MasterCook *

Coffee House Chocolate Spoons

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 20 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Holidays & Gifts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
6 ounces semisweet chocolate pieces
4 ounces milk chocolate pieces
-- (or white, mint,
etc. chocolate)
20 plastic spoons

Place a piece of waxed paper on a cookie sheet large enough to hold 20 to 24 of your plastic spoons. Place semisweet chocolate pieces in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until the chocolate begins to melt. Immediately remove from heat; stir until smooth. Dip spoons into chocolate, tapping the handle of the spoon against the side of the pan to remove excess chocolate. Place spoons on waxed paper; refrigerate for 30 minutes or until chocolate is set.
Place milk chocolate (or chocolate of your choice) in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate begins to melt. Immediately remove from heat; stir until smooth. Place the melted chocolate in a small, heavy self sealing bag. Using scissors, make a small cut in the corner of the bag; drizzle on or both sides of the covered spoons, making a decorative pattern. (Small dots, zigzag lines, circles, etc.)
The above 2 steps can be reversed if you like! Get 6 ozs. of white chocolate to cover the spoons and 4 ozs. of chocolate of your choice to use to decorate the spoons.
Refrigerate spoons for 30 minutes to allow chocolate to set. Wrap each spoon separately in clear or colored plastic wrap. Use ribbon to tie off plastic wrap. Store in a cool dry place for 2 to 3 weeks until ready to give as gifts.
Place chocolate covered spoons in a new coffee mug and give along with homemade muffins, scones, biscuits, cookies, etc.


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[Ann1965]

Christmas S'mores in a jar......my interest is peaked, post please! TIA - Ann

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by Ann1965

Christmas S'mores in a jar......my interest is peaked, post please! TIA - Ann

These turn out really cute! I made them to go with the marshmallow blow guns one year for Christmas.

* Exported from MasterCook *

Christmas S'mores in a Jar

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Cookies

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 sleeve Graham Crackers
1/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup M&Ms
8 marshmallow Christmas Tree or Snowman Peeps

Reduce 1 sleeve (1 package) graham crackers to crumbs.

Layer all of the crumbs in a 1 qt jar.

Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar on top of the crumbs, gently pressing with a spoon.

Pour 3/4 cup of M&M's on top of the crumbs.

Place 8 marshmallow Christmas Tree or snowman peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar.(You can push sucker sticks up into the bottoms of the peeps and then put the other end of the sticks down into the crushed graham crackers too) Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them.

Behind the peeps, pour 1/2 cup M&M's (this will help hold them up).

Fits into a quart mason jar.

Attach A gift tag to say:
Christmas (or Snowman or Christmas Tree) S'MORES
1. Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the peeps into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the peep bits to the mixture. Mix well.
2. Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9" square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.
(Makes 9 to 12 bars.)
*Option - leave peeps whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the peeps on top; then bake as directed.
*This gift jar may be created to suit any holiday for which marshmallow candies are available.

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[Shugness]

http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Brand...1382543&sr=8-1

Might I recommend one of my favorite cook books? See above link. It breaks it's recipes down into 5 sections, I'll list each and give examples of the receipes in it, but these are just a few.

Sensational Seasonal Snacks:
Cranberry-Orange Snack Mix
Santa Fe Trail Mix
Sun-Dried Tomato Pizza Snack Mix
Mexicali Crunch
Peppy Snack Mix
Fruited Granola
Citrus Candied Nuts
Spiced Sugared Nuts
Deviled Mixed Nuts
Barbequed Peanuts
Cheesy Sun Crisps
Soft Pretzels
Greek Spinach-Cheese Rolls

Glorious Gifts in a Jar:
Hot & Spicy Mustard
Cracked Peppercorn Honey Mustard
Asian Sweet & Spicy Mustard
Korean-Style Honey Marinade
Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Refrigerated Corn Relish
Zuccini Chow Chow
Pineapple-Peach Salsa
Cranberry Chutney
Cranberry-Apple Relish
Christmas Citrus Marmalade
Spiced Fruit Butter
Honey Strawberry Preserves
Hot Red Pepper Jam
Butterscotch Sauce
Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce
Mocha Espresso Mix
Crock of Spice for Apple Cider

Yuletide Breads and Muffins:
Greek Flat Breads
Dilled Buttermilk Bread
Italian Herb Biscuit Loaf
Pesto Surprise Muffins
Maple Pumpkin Pecan Twist
Streusel Raspberry Muffins

Cookie Tin Express
Raspberry Linzer Rounds
Choco-Choco Pecan Crisps
Orange-Cardamom Thins
Almond Crescents
Pumpkin White Chocolate Drops
Cinnamony Appel Streusel Bars

Visions of Sugar Plums
Dark Chocolate Fudge
Triple Layer Chocolate Mints
Coconut Fudge
Classic Coconut Bonbons
Eggnog Truffles
Apricot Balls
Cashew Macadamia Crunch
Double Dipped Apples

I used this book several years in a row to help me make really nice gift baskets for a couple close friends. I tried to give the basket a wide variety. For example, I'd include a trail mix, nut recipe, a bread, a few cookies, a fudge and/or mint/bonbon recipe, a couple of the covered apples and a jar or two type of gift - I used a soup mix and a cornbread mix from another "gifts from a jar" type of cookbook.

That's what I liked most about that cookbook, it has gift ideas that aren't just sweet stuff.

[LakeMartinGal]

I have also done crockpot candy in a nice jar... Insanely rich, but really good, too!

Crock Pot Candy Recipe

Ingredients
1 (12 oz) package of semi-sweet chocolate bits
1 bar of German chocolate
32 bark of white almond
1 (16 oz) package of dry roasted salted peanuts
1 (16 oz) package of unsalted dry roasted peanuts

Procedure
1. First you want to add peanuts to the bottom of the crock pot.

2. Then you can pour in the other ingredients.

3. Next you can cook this on low approximately 1-2 hours.

4. Lay out some wax paper on the counter.

5. Then spoon spoonfuls on the wax paper and let this cool!

Servings: 200

Nutrition Facts
Nutrition (per serving): 296 calories, 136 calories from fat, 15.1g total fat, 1.7mg cholesterol, 1.7mg sodium, 190.5mg potassium, 37.8g carbohydrates, 3.8g fiber, 30.5g sugar, 2.5g protein, 8 points.

[Luckyfeather]

I have a question about the S'mores in a Jar... the ingredient list calls for 3/4 cup of M&M's (to pour on top of the crumbs), but later it says to pour 1/2 cup M&M's behind the peeps to hold them up against the glass. So, do you use a total of 1 1/4 cups of M&M's? Sorry if I'm just having a "blond" day here. This sounds really fun to make!

[TerriAb]

Can I ask what a marshmallow blow gun is? I can see a lot of potential with family members for this one.

[Litehouse9]

a budget friendly gift from last year that my cooking friends liked... A cork recipe holder for the cabinet door.

I collected lots of wine bottle corks (with friend's help). Cut them in half lengthwise. Take on old wooden ruler, or cut a piece of wood to approx. the size of a 12" ruler.

Glue the flat side of corks along the length of the ruler.

This can then be nailed/velcroed/glued to a kitchen cabinet (outside or inside). It is a handy place to thumbtack recipes, notes, reminders, etc. in the kitchen.

[Kathy B]

Originally Posted by Luckyfeather

I have a question about the S'mores in a Jar... the ingredient list calls for 3/4 cup of M&M's (to pour on top of the crumbs), but later it says to pour 1/2 cup M&M's behind the peeps to hold them up against the glass. So, do you use a total of 1 1/4 cups of M&M's? Sorry if I'm just having a "blond" day here. This sounds really fun to make!

They are VERY cute. I have made them using Chocolate Rose's recipe, but the instructions were a little different. Here is what I have....

A variation on the cookies in a jar would be S'mores in a Jar using snowman or Christmas tree PEEPS for the marshmallows. For the marshmallow layer, you line up the peeps facing outwards so you have a little row of snowmen or trees in the middle of the jar. They are SO CUTE! Here's the recipe (originally posted by Chocolate Rose):

S'Mores in a Jar
Ingredients

1 sleeve graham crackers crushed into crumbs.
8 marshmallow holiday of your choice peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar or 1 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cup M & M's or mini chocolate chips
1/3 cup brown sugar

Reduce 1 sleeve graham crackers to crumbs. Layer 2/3 of the crumbs in a 1-quart jar. Place 8 marshmallow Peeps standing up, facing out around the inside of the jar. Press them up against the glass, but don't squash them. Carefully spoon remaining crumbs in the center of the jar to support the Peeps or just layer mini marshmallows, pressing down to keep it snug. On top of this pour 1 1/4 cups M&M's or mini chocolate chips. Spoon 1/3 cup brown sugar into center of M&M's, gently pressing with a spoon.


Attach a gift tag as follows:

S'Mores Bars

Empty the jar contents into a bowl. Snip the Peeps into bits with kitchen sheers or cut up with a knife. Return the bits to the mixture. Mix well. If using mini marshmallows just mix well.

Melt 1/2 cup butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour this over the dry ingredients, mixing well. Pat into a greased 9-inch square pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes. Cool and cut into bars.

Makes 9 to 12 bars.

* Option - leave Peeps whole; combine remaining ingredients and place the Peeps on top; then bake as directed.
__________________

[Luckyfeather]

Thanks, Kathy B!! I don't remember seeing any Christmas Peeps around here in the past, but I'll look this year. These sound so cute!

[Beth]

Originally Posted by TerriAb

Can I ask what a marshmallow blow gun is? I can see a lot of potential with family members for this one.

Basically, they are blow guns made of sections of small pvc pipe and connectors. I would suggest getting the cutting tool, especially if you make more than one or two -- makes the whole thing much easier. I couldn't find the instructions I found here when we made them for a birthday party, but I'll let some cub scouts take credit here (found other variations too - you can google them). They are perhaps one of the easiest and most fun birthday parties for a bunch of boys. We packaged the parts in a paper bag and started by making the guests guess what they had to do with them. Then everyone built their blow gun and we had a bag of mini marshmallow ammo for everyone. They ran and played hard the whole time, taking breaks only to get more ammo or to try reconfiguring the pieces and customizing the "gun".

[Terri_A]

One year I made Bags of Coal as gifts. I just made peppermint flavored hard candy that I colored black with food coloring and broke into random sized pieces. It went over really well.

[misskitty100]

How about homemade pickles or pickled green beans or asparagus?

Another suggestion would be homemade syrup - blueberry or blackberry??

Lastly, we had friends give us a bottle of their homemade BBQ sauce one year. I thought it was a great gift and who can't use BBQ sauce?

[armel]

Wow! I am glad to see this thread. I am shooting for a more budget friendly Christmas this year.

I love the idea of making things. I am printing this out and going to plan to definitely do some home made gifts this year.

[erin elizabeth]

How about a couple of mixes, to add on to misskitty's syrup idea: pancake mix, muffin mix. Avariell (Josie) just posted a cranberry butter (like apple butter) recipe over on the canning thread or apple butter or jam or jelly or marmalade.

Flavored popcorn or caramel corn.

Chocolate-dipped things: pretzels, dried fruit, nuts, etc.

[testkitchen45]

I have clearly spent way too much time over on Ravelry. When I saw the thread title, I thought about things to crochet instead of goodies to cook.

OK; back to cooking . . .

I love BA's homemade marshmallows, and recently came across a recipe for chocolate cubes on a stick. You can roll the chocolate squares in cocoa or peppermints or whatever. I immediately thought of a gift with homemade cocoa mix plus the marshmallows and chocolate cubes.

Marshmallows are in BA, July 2008. I can't find the cube recipe for the life of me; it's from BA or CL and when I find it, I'll post back. I typed the title into MasterCook but of course forgot the title & can't find by keyword yet.

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by LakeMartinGal

Last year, we made and canned pizza sauce, included a pizza crust mix, also home made, and a pizza stone we found online for under $10! Also send the marshmallow guns to a favorite B/SIL!

I'm going to take some of your ideas, though... way easier to ship!

I have done the pizza gift, too.Didn't include the pizza stone, though. What a great find for you!
Also, I've made homemade pasta and sauce, etc. They were both good, but I don't want to repeat things yet.

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by Shugness

http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Brand...1382543&sr=8-1

Might I recommend one of my favorite cook books? See above link. It breaks it's recipes down into 5 sections, I'll list each and give examples of the receipes in it, but these are just a few.

Sensational Seasonal Snacks:.

WOW! I'm definitely going to buy this book! Did you find any favorite recipes?
Thanks!

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by LakeMartinGal

I have also done crockpot candy in a nice jar... Insanely rich, but really good, too!

Crock Pot Candy Recipe
.

I've made a lot of different candies, but I've never made this one! Thank you!

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by Luckyfeather

I have a question about the S'mores in a Jar... the ingredient list calls for 3/4 cup of M&M's (to pour on top of the crumbs), but later it says to pour 1/2 cup M&M's behind the peeps to hold them up against the glass. So, do you use a total of 1 1/4 cups of M&M's? Sorry if I'm just having a "blond" day here. This sounds really fun to make!

Yes, you're correct! Sorry, it is 1 1/4 cups. Somehow I ended up with a couple of different versions of this recipe. I made this for all my nephews and nieces. It was fun for them to go home and make these themselves.

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by TerriAb

Can I ask what a marshmallow blow gun is? I can see a lot of potential with family members for this one.

These were incredibly fun. One Christmas we made them for all the nephews and nieces, and also all the adult males in the family. We included bags of marshmallows. They had a blast Christmas morning (and well into the day) shooting marshmallows all over the yard. There were so many marshmallows on the ground it looked like snow. When it started raining, they came in the house to shoot them. I definitely would not recommend that. I was still finding marshmallows months later. But, they were a really fun gift.

Here are the instruction:

* Exported from MasterCook *

Marshmallow Blow Gun

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Gifts

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------

Here are the pvc pieces you need. All the pvc pieces are 1/2 inch.
1-9"
1-7"
2-4"
1-3"
2-2"

You will also need two elbow pieces, two tee's, and two end caps. In addition you will need a pair of pvc pipe cutters.

Cut pieces with a pipe cutter or hacksaw and assemble as shown. Paint with Krylon plastic paint if desired. Get creative!

To Use: Hold by the bottom hand holds as shown in the drawing. Put mini marshmallows in the upper pipe where shown, aim and blow. Have fun!

You may get more "oomph" from the gun if you stick a nickle in the joints going down into the handles. The nickle fits perfectly. You can use Krylon spray paint to paint them. http://www.ignitethefire.com/pipegun.html

Oh yes, don't forget the miniature marshmallows!

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[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by Litehouse9

a budget friendly gift from last year that my cooking friends liked... A cork recipe holder for the cabinet door..

Thanks! These sound very cute!

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by Luckyfeather

Thanks, Kathy B!! I don't remember seeing any Christmas Peeps around here in the past, but I'll look this year. These sound so cute!

I never noticed Christmas peeps until I needed them. I had to go to several stores to find enough for the number of jars I was making. If you decide to make these, I'd recommend looking for the peeps as early as possible.

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by Terri_A

One year I made Bags of Coal as gifts. I just made peppermint flavored hard candy that I colored black with food coloring and broke into random sized pieces. It went over really well.

These sound really cute, too! Thanks Terri!

[Chocolate Rose]

Originally Posted by testkitchen45

I love BA's homemade marshmallows, and recently came across a recipe for chocolate cubes on a stick. You can roll the chocolate squares in cocoa or peppermints or whatever. I immediately thought of a gift with homemade cocoa mix plus the marshmallows and chocolate cubes.

Marshmallows are in BA, July 2008. I can't find the cube recipe for the life of me; it's from BA or CL and when I find it, I'll post back. I typed the title into MasterCook but of course forgot the title & can't find by keyword yet.

Oh, oh, oh!!! Thanks for the reminder! Last December or January there were a couple of threads on homemade marshmallows and I was going to remember to think about making them for Christmas this year. I'll have to go back and look at those threads and see if these would work for me time-wise, or if they are something that would be made at the very last minute.

Do you have a link or a recipe for the chocolate cubes?

[Chocolate Rose]

misskitty100 and erin elizabeth,
Thanks for your suggestions. These are all possibilities, too.