The snow is falling and it is lovely. The tree is finally up and it is starting to look like Christmas! Hot cocoa and a stack of holiday gift ideas and I am settled in for the afternoon with my "list". You know the "list" of friends and family, that we want to create something magical for-I think the reality this year for all of us is budget, using our resources wisely and yet still giving a thoughtful gift to those we love. I have my stash of paper, embellishments and various other tools of the trade along with my trusty rubber stamps and copic markers. I like to collect ideas, I just tear them out of the magazines, or print them off as I find them and store them in an idea folder. There were so many fun things to choose from. Even when you find ideas, your own creativity, style and supplies make each project original! envelopes! I also decided to make this Christmas 100% homemade. I have been making mixes of things like, mint brownies, cherry pie oatmeal, and pumpkin spice muffins. They look so cute in the jar and with the handmade tag and instructions ( I wrote them on the back of the tag) they are ready to give. I have sewed some table runners and aprons, and made some truffles.
Here is a recipe I enjoy putting in a jar-
Candy Cookie Mix
1/2 C sugar
1/2 C brown sugar, firmly packed
1t. Powdered vanilla
1t. Baking Powder
2 C Flour
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk the ingredients together until they are evenly distributed, making sure all brown sugar lumps are crushed. Store in an airtight container.
Recipe:
Candy Cookies
Makes 3 doz. Cookies
1C unsalted butter or margarine, softened
1 large egg
1 package Candy Cookies Mix
1 C chopped cookie chunks, Reese's peanut butter cups, Butterfinger bars, white or milk chocolate chunks
Preheat oven to 350*
In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter until it is smooth. Add the egg, and continue beating until the egg is combined. Add the mix and candy bar chunks and blend on low just until the cookie mix is mixed in well. Form cookies into 1 1/2 " balls and place them 2 " apart on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden on the edges. Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes.
We had our annual NYOBC gift exchange, and I received even more great gifts and ideas. Even on a very limited budget you can make some great teachers gifts, simple, heartfelt gifts. I am getting geared up to have a baking day with the nieces and nephew. Making sure I have all the sprinkles, and icing tools needed to make this a fun event. I think mostly, they just like to decorate their cookie, take a bite and then lick the icing off their cookie. I suppose we should make sure they have a substantial breakfast prior to this event?
I have had the opportunity to visit a few of the ladies in our neighborhood, older ladies who don't get out much. I just brought a simple little gift and a holiday wish for them. I was reminded so forcefully, to think about those around us, people, we might not even notice. It is such a little thing to take a small greeting to your elderly, or families in your neighborhood. If your family sings, pick an evening and a few people in your neighborhood and carol, the effort is well worth the smile on the face of the receiver. Christmas really is a magical season, a tender hearted season. Time to reflect on all that we have been given and are blessed with, time to share of our great bounty with those around us who may be alone, no family near. No one to take just a moment to make their season a little brighter. We can be that someone. We are all busy. I visited 2 people a day for a week. One hour tops. It has been wonderful. I learned a lot about these fun ladies. They have shared stories about Christmas's in their past and traditions that make the holiday merry for them. We are not so different. Our ages may be, but our thoughts and hearts are not. Think about someone, maybe in your office, your Dr, or Dentist, your neighborhood, someone who could use a little of your holiday cheer. You will feel the difference in your own preparations, giving always expands the heart. Especially when we make the effort to make it personal. It is even more fun to involve children in this process, they see others in a way that sometimes gets overlooked. They can come up with names of people who could use a litte "merry" in their Christmas!
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