If you have gone to the trouble to make someone homemade gifts, go the extra mile and make the presentation and packaging special too. It can make the difference between an "oh, thank you" gift and a "how cute is this, I love it, it's adorable!" gift.
- If you are giving cocoa mix in a mug tie peppermint sticks or candy canes onto the mug to use for stirring. Even one or two spoons dipped in white chocolate can make the difference between a "ho-hum" gift and a "wow!" gift.
- Copy the packaging and presentation ideas you see in magazines or on TV. There is a reason they can sell $.50 worth of cocoa for $25.
- Instead of just giving someone a plate of brownies, cut them into Christmas shapes with your cookie cutters. Things like stars, trees or bells work well. Go a step further and covering them with frosting or sprinkles.
- Take everyone's favorite rice crispy treats and cut them into shapes with your cookie cutters. There is even Christmas cereal available now. Try using that instead of regular rice crispies or add red or green food coloring to spruce up the rice crispies. Make a separate batch of red and green rice crispies before making the rice crispy treats.
- Instead of giving someone a plate of cookies, buy cellophane bags to put them in and tie with extra pretty ribbons. You can get clear cellophane bags at party stores or flower shops.
- When giving cookies, put a different twist on them by pressing a lollipop or popsicle stick into them before you bake them. If you use a popsicle stick, personalize it by writing the person's name or a special message on the stick. Once again, do something cute for a package. Slip them into a cellophane bag or cover with colored cellophane paper and tie with a bow. You can get lollipop or popsicle sticks at any discount store in the crafts or cake decorating section.
- Tie little jingle bells to the ends of the ribbon you use on your package or just for fun, put your gift in a box before you wrap it and throw in a couple of hands full of wrapped peppermints or Christmas candy.
Here are some recipes for homemade decorations, which also make great gifts:
Scented Cinnamon Ornaments
1 cup cinnamon
1 Tbsp. cloves
1 Tbsp. nutmeg
3/4 cup applesauce
2 Tbsp. white glue
ribbon
In a bowl, mix the spices. Add applesauce and glue, stirring until well blended. Work mixture until dough is smooth and ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Divide into 4 portions and roll each portion on floured surface to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut dough with cookie cutters of desired shapes. Using a straw or toothpick, make a small hole in the top of each ornament. Place on wire racks and allow to dry at room temperature for several days. (For more uniform drying, turn ornaments over once each day.) Thread ribbon through holes to form garland. You can also glue to a wooden hoop, forming a wreath and decorate with ribbon as desired. Makes approximately 32 two-inch ornaments. DO NOT EAT!
Clay Christmas Ornaments
4 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 tsp. powdered alum
1 1/2 cups water
Mix ingredients well in a large bowl. If the dough is too dry, work in another tablespoon of water with your hands. Dough can be rolled or molded and can be colored with a few drops of food coloring.
To roll: Roll dough 1/8 inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut with cookie cutters dipped in flour. Insert wire or make hole in top about 1/4 inch down for hanging.
To mold: Shape dough no more than 1/2 inch thick.
Bake ornaments on ungreased cookie sheet for 30 minutes in 250° oven. Turn and bake another 1 1/2 hours until hard and dry. Remove and cool. When done, paint and seal with spray varnish. You can lightly sand before painting to make the paint adhere better.
*Alum can be found in the spice section of your store.
