Homemade Christmas Gifts

[Dar]

Yes, I know, it seems too early to think about it. :laugh:

But for some reason I dug out the cross stitch ornaments I had intended to make last year (ha!!! who was I kidding?!) just now.

What are some of your favorite ideas for homemade Christmas gifts? I've been googling and everything is so cheesy. I'll post if I do find anything good.

Ideas welcome! :D

[Dar]

Hey, look! Sachets! :laugh:

http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/season/feature/famf127lastmin/famf127lastmin4.html

http://familyfun.go.com/Resources/Features/holidays/famf127lastmin_squares.jpg

[Melissa]

My mother does "cookie jars" for all my mother and father's siblings... they are those things that you put all the ingredients in and then there is a recipe on them. That is a big hit.

For work, I'm making people homemade cranberry sauce and peanut butter balls.

[Dar]

For the knitters. Or they could be swizzle sticks.

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10740

http://familyfun.go.com/Resources/craftimages/famf69knitneedle_needlede.jpg

[Dar]

For work, I'm making people homemade cranberry sauce and peanut butter balls.

:eat:

It's a shame strawberry season isn't prime until after Christmas. Some homemade jam would be a hit.

[Melissa]

:eat:

It's a shame strawberry season isn't prime until after Christmas. Some homemade jam would be a hit.

Could you can it????????

[Dar]

If I planned ahead and had the tools, I'd be ready for next Christmas! :laugh:

[Dar]

This would be kind of cute for the neices and nephews.. don't all kids like little trinkets?

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10305

http://familyfun.go.com/Resources/craftimages/famf1100tinybox.jpg

[Lisa]

For the knitters. Or they could be swizzle sticks.

http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10740

http://familyfun.go.com/Resources/craftimages/famf69knitneedle_needlede.jpg

Those are adorable.

[Lisa]

:eat:

It's a shame strawberry season isn't prime until after Christmas. Some homemade jam would be a hit.

:dunno:

Canning is easy peasy.

[Lisa]

If I planned ahead and had the tools, I'd be ready for next Christmas! :laugh:

Jars, self sealing lids, and a large pot with a lid. Tools wise that is all you need. Oh, and tongs to get the jars out.

[Lisa]

A lot of people will be getting funky scarves this year. I have been making them all year.

[Kate]

I made my nieces and nephews pillows last year- all with material that each kid would love-- tractors, softball mitts, Indians,

They were a big hit.

I have done candles and soap, shea butter body cream, and scented body spray.

[Mo]

No-sew fleece blankets look easy

[Kate]

oh-- those are easy, I made one for my dad 2 years ago because he has poor circulation and is always cold.

But watch for fleece sales, as it can be expensive

[Michele]

I really want to make candles.

[Phoebe]

I'm afraid I won't even have time to purchase gifts this year, much less make them. That is, unless I start NOW.

Candles are a good idea. *thinking*

[Kate]

www.naturesgardencandles.com (http://www.naturesgardencandles.com)

Joy Wax Candle Making Kit


SizeYour PriceQty1 Kit$ 27.00
Mix and Match Fragrances!
Buy 5+ 16oz fragrances and receive $1.00 off on each 16oz bottle! Or try 10 samples of fragrance and save $5.00


http://www.naturesgardencandles.com/mas_assets/full/ckit-7.jpg

[Kate]

joy wax is very easy to work with-- it is 99% soy so it produces almost no soy, it is easy to clean up and I loved making candles with this stuff.

[Phoebe]

I also just registered with that soapdish site you posted, Kate. Thanks.

[Kate]

Great for Gifts! Comes in an attractive box. Kit contains: 3 pounds JOY WAX, 2 Color Blocks (Red & Blue), 4- 1 oz. fragrances (Strawberry Passion, Spring Rain, Vanilla Silk, and Fresh Linen), 25- 6 inch hemp wicks, 9- 5 oz. wire bail jars, and complete instructions.
Items you will need that are NOT included in this kit: A metal pouring pot, and a candle thermometer (both items are available at Natures Garden).

[/end of my pushing NG supplies]

[Phoebe]

Oh - I just found a recipe for Hot Pepper Jelly. That would be a big hit in our family!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_257,00.html

[Michele]

I love soy candles, too. thanks Kate.

[KarenMA]

Oh - I just found a recipe for Hot Pepper Jelly. That would be a big hit in our family!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_257,00.html

Thanks Amy, I just might make that. I should also make some apple butter for gifts since it is almost apple season.

[Alie]

All of our family are dog lovers and all have one. Last year I made homemade dog biscuits and got some cute cookie cutters of bones and made tiny ones for the little dogs and vice versa. It was really inexpensive since the ingredients were like oats, ww flour, peanut butter, etc.

[KarenMA]

All of our family are dog lovers and all have one. Last year I made homemade dog biscuits and got some cute cookie cutters of bones and made tiny ones for the little dogs and vice versa. It was really inexpensive since the ingredients were like oats, ww flour, peanut butter, etc.

Got a good recipe?

[Lisa]

Oh - I just found a recipe for Hot Pepper Jelly. That would be a big hit in our family!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_257,00.html

If you want to can it, I have a good recipe for jalapeno jelly.

[Lisa]

Thanks Amy, I just might make that. I should also make some apple butter for gifts since it is almost apple season.

And a kick ass crockpot carmel apple butter one.

[Terri]

And a kick ass crockpot carmel apple butter one.


OMG, that sounds good!

[Karen]

I've made up little gift baskets of food before:
homemade instant cappacino
homemade lemon butter

I've also done the fancy thing you see at stores with all of the tins stacked on top eachother with a giant ribbon around them. I make the cookies and candies to go in them. Tins are really cheap at Wal-mart. i buy a million immediatley after Christmas so I have some for the next year. ( I have a GIANT box full of tins).

I like the little wooden trinket box idea. I may do that for my nephew.

[Lisa]

Crockpot Carmel Apple Butter (http://www.recipegoldmine.com/canfruit/canning259.html)

Jalapeno Jelly (http://www.homecanning.com/usa/ALRecipes.asp?R=749)

[Melissa]

Crockpot Carmel Apple Butter (http://www.recipegoldmine.com/canfruit/canning259.html)

Jalapeno Jelly (http://www.homecanning.com/usa/ALRecipes.asp?R=749)

YUMMMMMM

[Terri]

Lisa...how do you can stuff? Is there a good website to tell me how?

And where do you get the jars and lids?

[Alie]

Heres a recipe similar to what I used. I don't think I put vanilla in though

Dog Biscuits

1 ½ cups water
½ cup oil
2 eggs
3 tablespoons peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
2 cups flour
½ cup cornmeal
½ cup oats Blend wet ingredients together. Whisk dry ingredients together and mix into wet mixture to form a ball of dough. Roll out and shape. Put onto a non-stick cookie tray or lightly greased one. Cook 20 minutes at 400 F. Turn off oven and allow the biscuits to cool in oven until crisp and hard. Store in airtight container.

[Lisa]

Lisa...how do you can stuff? Is there a good website to tell me how?

And where do you get the jars and lids?

I got mine from Wal-Mart.

Most recipes will tell you how long to boil the jars.

You fill up to 1/4 inch from the top, screw the lid on finger tight, put in boiling water so that they are covered, and boil. When you take them out, you will hear the jars suck down and there should be no popping or give in the lids. Then you left them cool undisturned overnight and that is it.

It is really easy.

[Allison]

Damn. Why did I think it was much harder? So you don't do the whole wax pouring thing? /remembering gma's mess.

[KarenMA]

Thanks Alie.

Allison, nope no wax anymore. Canning really is eacy.

[Sonny]

Damn. Why did I think it was much harder? So you don't do the whole wax pouring thing? /remembering gma's mess.


You can buy pre-waxed lids. I *think* that's all they sell anymore.

I am totally making the apple butter to give to my neighbor's this year. I love Lisa. :love:

[KarenMA]

I don't think my lids are waxed. There is a rubber seal around the edge, the rest is metal. You boil the lids and jars to sterilize them before filling. Then after they are filled, you set them on the counter with a towel over them so they cool slowly. As they cool, the lids will 'suck down' and you will hear a pop. When they are cool, as Lisa said, you should not be able to press down on the lid at all.

[Lisa]

Damn. Why did I think it was much harder? So you don't do the whole wax pouring thing? /remembering gma's mess.

On the lids?

They are pre-waxed. You can only yse them once.

[Lisa]

Crap. Thanks Karen.

Yes, you HAVE to boil the stuff first to sterilize.

[Sheba]

Heck I'd eat those biscuits!!!!


Oohhh canning :eat: I wanna make that apple butter one :love: and I've already been plotting on canning some of my salad dressing/marinade mixes I've been experimenting with the last year.

GREAT THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey what about homemade bathsalts? VERY easy :)

Just get some jars (the canning jars are good) or jars you've saved that are cleaned with labels removed.

Get several boxes of epson salts & rough grained sea salts & essential oils. NOT ECULIPTIS OIL - this burns like a mofo on delicate bits.

Mix your salts 1/2 & 1/2 & then slowly stir in a small amount of essential oils & jar up. You can even make swirls or layered looking salts by mixing colored oils or a teeny bit of food coloring in the salts in a small bowl & then layering them in your jars with the white salts.

Top jar with a doily or ribbon or dried flowers & tie a personalized card with it.

Make small drawer scent containers by putting your salts & essential oils in cleaned spice jars. Either keep the plastic shaker top holes, or tie some cheesecloth across the top so if it gets knocked over salts don't spill everwhere.

One of my very fav fall things is dried sliced apples, pears & oranges with cinnamon sticks, a dash of nutmeg & a few peppercorns. This looks really cute in a bowl on the stove waiting to get tossed into a pot with some water to simmer & scent the house for days on end. Drying the fruit is simple, just slice thinly & lay out on paper plates in a warm part of the house for a few days, turn once a day to make sure they don't adhere to the paper plates.

[Lisa]

Hm. Bath salts do seem easy.

[Phoebe]

I receieved some Cinnabar Specials for the Holidays last year. I LOVED them (and still have the spray - which I use on special occassions :D )

[Lisa]

Maybe Cinn should share all her specials.

[Phoebe]

:agree:

[Sheba]

:D I've got PINE essential oil now too :right:

/tease

[Phoebe]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. :swoon:

From where do you get your essential oils, Cinn? Online? Michael's?

[Allison]

I love, love, LOVE this thread.

I'm totally going to make that jalapeno jelly and the caramel apple butter. :love:

I've always wanted to try jalapeno jelly, but haven't. What do you eat it on?

[Amy]

I LOVE jalapeno jelly. I eat in on Wheat Thins with a little cream cheese. :love:

[Terri]

I really want to make the caramel apple butter. But I'm pretty sure I'll end up eating all of the first batch I make. :laugh:

[Allison]

Mmmm. Good idea, Amy.

Terri - I hear ya.

So, this may be a very dumb question - do you peel an apple with a regular peeler? I've got a corer/quareter, but not one of those countertop clamping peeler thingy's.

[Phoebe]

I LOVE jalapeno jelly. I eat in on Wheat Thins with a little cream cheese. :love:

:agree: :eat:

Spread the cream cheese onto a pretty plate/platter and then spread the jelly on top. Dig in with Wheat Thins. OR - just dig in without all that fancy fuss.

[Allison]

Damn that sounds good.

[Sheba]

I found a lil oriental shop that has herbs & essential oils. So I got some there & I've gotten some at like Bath & BOdy works (I think that was the place?) but the little herb shops have them cheaper.

[Alie]

:agree: :eat:

Spread the cream cheese onto a pretty plate/platter and then spread the jelly on top. Dig in with Wheat Thins.


I went to a wine tasting on Friday and thats exactly how they served it. Is it good like that??? I was afraid to try it but I guess its normal :laugh:

[net_girl]

:dunno:

Canning is easy peasy.

It's apple time!!! Apple Butter or pre-made apple pie filling
Pumpkin Butter or pie filling

Bread is always a good gift -

You favorite candy, cookies or cake with recipe attached in a cheap but lovely serving dish.

[net_girl]

NON - Food
Tied Fleece Blankets
Fleece scarves
Crochet blanket or foo-foo scarf???

[Dar]

So, this may be a very dumb question - do you peel an apple with a regular peeler? I've got a corer/quareter, but not one of those countertop clamping peeler thingy's.

I just use a regular one. :dunno:

[Lisa]

I love, love, LOVE this thread.

I'm totally going to make that jalapeno jelly and the caramel apple butter. :love:

I've always wanted to try jalapeno jelly, but haven't. What do you eat it on?


It was too hot for me. Most people ate it on toast, or biscuits. :dunno:


I have more recipes. Should I post?

[Lisa]

Mmmm. Good idea, Amy.

Terri - I hear ya.

So, this may be a very dumb question - do you peel an apple with a regular peeler? I've got a corer/quareter, but not one of those countertop clamping peeler thingy's.


I quarter/cored, and then peeled the pieces. It was easier.

[Allison]

I have more recipes. Should I post?

Yes, you should.

So this canned stuff - it would last for how long? Like forever?

[Lisa]

Yes, you should.

So this canned stuff - it would last for how long? Like forever?

I don't know about forever, but at least a year.

[Lisa]

SUPER easy apple jelly (http://www.recipezaar.com/118986) You can do this with any juice. B and I did grape. He LOVED it.

Candy Apple Jelly (http://www.recipezaar.com/22263) I have made this one. Cinnamon Apple jelly. Yum.

Christmas Jam (http://www.recipezaar.com/105718) This one was really good too.

Peach Butter (http://www.recipezaar.com/96986) Also good.

Lemon Jewel (http://www.recipezaar.com/133654) Not my thing. A little bitter, but I think that was my fault.

Pumpkin Butter (http://www.recipezaar.com/42281) Haven't made this one, but it looks good.

Root Beer Jelly (http://www.recipezaar.com/11514) :dunno:

Red Onion Jam (http://www.recipezaar.com/122796)This was interesting. Not bad, but interesting.


Hot Salty Dill Pickles (http://www.recipezaar.com/90349) Iused this basic recipe and added different things. Garlic, habaneros, jalapenos, bell peppers. Everyone LOVED them.

Vanilla Pear Sauce (http://www.recipezaar.com/102709) Like applecause, only with pears. Very good.



I tried doing salsas. We didn't care for them. I don't cook mine, it is chunky and not liquidy, so I can't recommend one of those.

If you search recipezaar, you will come up with a million. They have public cookbooks if you search the forums.

[Dar]

So, Red, all those recipes you posted, you then just can?

[Lisa]

Yup.

Most tell you at the end how many minutes to put them in the water bath.


And just to throw this out there, I knew diddley squat about canning when I started. I just googled and read and tried it. I was surprised at how easy it was.

And if the jars don't seal, then redo them immediatly. You can't leave it out overnight and then reseal.

The key is to sterilize, and cook the stuff long enough to kill everything.

[Dar]

Ok, she says to use hot jars (180 degrees) and hot lids (180 degrees). :indiff: :scratch:

Don't you need a rack in the pot so they don't touch the bottom? Or is that okay?

[Dar]

Although I do have a pot with a colander, so that would work.

[Lisa]

Ok, she says to use hot jars (180 degrees) and hot lids (180 degrees). :indiff: :scratch:

Don't you need a rack in the pot so they don't touch the bottom? Or is that okay?

No. Just enough room in the pot for them to not touch.

I didnt do the towels around the jars either. I never had a problem. I also used a pair of really sturdy salad tongs and an oven mitt to lift them in and out. We already had the big pot.

[Terri]

Ok, now I want pumpkin butter too. If I had some, I could make this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/windompark/77653220/

[Lisa]

Holy moley.

If you make it, I want a square.

[Terri]

Holy moley.

If you make it, I want a square.


Deal. :D

[Phoebe]

Oh Hell. That looks GOOD.

[Kate]

I can every year. Most years it is just apple sauce. But I agree apple butter is easy too.

The thing that I caution about is --- just get a basic book, the library will hve a ton.

If a food is high acid (tomatoes, apples) then water bath canning is ok

But if a food is low acid (green beans) then you must pressure can.

boutolism is tasteless, odorless and deadly. I have heard that if a person dies od boutolism poisoning the very FIRST thing they check for is home canned products.

Canning IS easy, just do it with a guide by your hand.
http://www.paulnoll.com/Oregon/Canning/canning-Blue-Book-new.jpg
that is my FAVORITE guide. Your library will have it, if not it is only $4.95 in the hardwarde store-- sold right next to the canners/ canning jars.

[Lisa]

Yeah. I never did anything that wasn't high acid.

[Angie]

MMmmmm....I lurve apple butter. I bought some from a farmer at a fall festival last year.

[Kate]

If you are making large batches of apple butter or apple sauce (I do a bushelor two of apples at a time)

then use one of these:

http://www.pickyourown.org/cooking/foley2.jpg

YOu just quarter the apples, then throw in a pot with a bit of water, no peeling, no coring, then when they are soft throw them in the food mill, it will give you all the pulp and you can throw out the skins and seeds.

[Sheba]

What about canning chicken & beef broth? would that require a pressure cooker too? I HATE the canned crap, full of chemicals & toooooooooo salty & DH loves broth when he's sick or we get chinese (he'll only eat broth & a couple of egg rolls)

So I thought some broth canned up would be a good idea :love:

[Lisa]

You have to pressure can broth.

Basically, if it isn't fruit or tomatoes, or full of vinegar like pickles, you need a pressure canner.

[Lisa]

And even tomatoes you have to be careful with.

[Kate]

but pressure canning is easy too!

come over, I can teach you.

[Sheba]

But I don't HAVE a pressure cooker :cry:

[Dar]

I have one I've never used. My mother used hers all the time. I've never learned.

[Sheba]

http://www.pickyourown.org/canningsupplies.htm

Is just the big pot what I need? or REALLY a pressure cooker? :stars: How the heck did people can stuff 50 years ago without a pressure cooker?

I really wish I had one that my grandmother had :nono:

[Kate]

you need:
http://www.pickyourown.org/productpics/presto23qtpressure.jpg

if you are going to can any low-acid food.

But if you are doing high-acid foods you can use any big pan with a tight lid and room to put the jars in.

[Sheba]

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000H6JAAI.01-AWXVKSD1D7XBB._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V62331618_.jpg
Fruity lids (http://www.amazon.com/Mason-Jar-Lids-Standard-Strawberry/dp/B000H6JAAI/sr=1-35/qid=1157990855/ref=sr_1_35/002-7759514-4777618?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden)

http://ec3.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000FJEISQ.01-APKCMXSV67IYL._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_V52460827_.jpg

Mousie Lids (http://www.amazon.com/Mickey-Friends-Regular-Lids-Bands/dp/B000FJEISQ/sr=1-26/qid=1157990855/ref=sr_1_26/002-7759514-4777618?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden)

<---sucker for cute jar stuff :love:

Ok so yes I DO have to have a pressure cooker for not fruit or tomato stuff *scowls ferociously*

Hey those kits are nice, everything for under $50!?! Oh hell yeah :rock:

[Sheba]

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/B0007R76GW.01-A2EPL2EKO509V._AA280_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

1 gallon jug anyone? WATER GARDEN!!!! :rock: or terrarium :right:

Jug (http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Creative-container-gallon-ideal/dp/B0007R76GW/sr=1-7/qid=1157991129/ref=sr_1_7/002-7759514-4777618?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden)

OMG a TWO gallon jug, I'm so getting one of these (http://www.amazon.com/Ball-Creative-container-gallon-ideal/dp/B0007R76HG/sr=1-18/qid=1157991129/ref=sr_1_18/002-7759514-4777618?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden)

[Amber]

It was too hot for me. Most people ate it on toast, or biscuits. :dunno:


I have more recipes. Should I post?


yes/lurker

[Rebecca]

:agree: :eat:

Spread the cream cheese onto a pretty plate/platter and then spread the jelly on top. Dig in with Wheat Thins. OR - just dig in without all that fancy fuss.
I LOVE this! :eat:

[Tina]

Which one of you hookas is going to learn to make bath bombs for Christmas gifts??

I'm really going to try to be on the "nice" list this year.

[Kate]

They are really easy.

$21.50 - Bath Bomb Kit - This handy little kit contains everything you need to make bath fizzies except the baking soda (which you can get at your grocery store).
Kit contains:
2 pounds of citric acid,
1 Milky Way Simple Heart Mold New addition!
1 oz. ea. of Energy and Tropical Vacation fragrances
.2 oz. of pearl red/blue mica
6 oz. of Witch Hazel
Clear bottle w/ Spritzer for witch hazel
- plus easy to follow instructions on how to make your very own bath bombs!

those are from brambleberry-- they have GREAT ( but pricey) fragrence oils)

[Rebecca]

I'm making pear sauce right now.

It was either that or throw 12 pears out in 2 days.

[Lisa]

My vanilla pear sauce?

Well, not mine. But the one I posted?

Let me know what you think.

[Rebecca]

It's really really good. Only I didn't exactly follow the directions. /my mom

I don't like nutmeg, so I left out the nutmeg and the cloves and added 2t (for a half batch) of cinnamon.

[Lisa]

It is really really good.

I still have a jar left.

/misses canning

[Dar]

:D

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid220/p4ec098c7f4308ce8e1e194aebb15be9d/eb9af1a5.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid220/pe85ea0781d034cfb2bc1daa1379405f6/eb9af1a6.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid220/p5547143c989982d1a0e7ae228d403667/eb9af1a4.jpg

[Mary Ann]

:3dclap:

They look great Dar!

[Mary Ann]

I saw Rachael Ray make marinated mini mozzarella balls tonight. I think I'm going to try and make some. They look so good and simple, too.

[Lisa]

Hee!!!

The bags are adorable!

[Melissa]

Dar- what a great job!!!!!!!!!

[Mary Ann]

I got a couple of really cool homemade gifts this year. A builder that we represent and his wife gave me a thing of honey that was made from the honey bees they keep in their back yard and also some soap that she made.