“Nothin’ says lovin’ like somethin’ from the oven.” We’ve all heard that old adage, and it rings
especially true at Christmas time. When
you want to give a heartfelt gift or a sweet token this time of year, something
from your own kitchen is a very thoughtful way to go.
Choose both classic and new recipes that roll around about
once a year and are quite sought after.
Make things that easily translate to large batches to give to multiple
co-workers, teachers, or friends. Great
go-to choices include both sweet and salty cereal mix varieties, decorated
Christmas cookies, fudge, peanut brittle, and just about anything using baking
chocolate.
Dress up otherwise neutral recipes with holiday flair by
incorporating red and green candy or food coloring, lightly tinting white icing
an icy shade of blue and adding sparkly sugar sprinkles, topping off with
crushed peppermint candy or red and green maraschino cherries, and using
seasonal cookie cutters on not just cookies but brownies, bars, and crispy rice
treats as well. You can also make your
gift theme easily seen in your packaging.
Use Christmas style takeout food containers, and add a custom gift tag
to your treat. Gift a holiday platter or
serving plate under a tea ring, coffee cake, or cheese roll and neatly tie it
up in cellophane and a ribbon. Use a
grouping of individual treat bags to offer small portions of a variety of your
homemade goodies.
Sometimes a delicious gift just has to be started. Use Mason jars to layer the dry ingredients
of a favorite or family recipe for cookies, brownies, cake, or hot cocoa and
include a pretty recipe card that details how to proceed from there. Smaller glass jars would also be fitting for
spiced cider mixes, hot chocolate, or little doses of Christmas candy. These gifts have more shelf life and can be
enjoyed by the recipient even after the holidays have gone.
Take what you’re known for when hosting in your own home,
and come up with giftable varieties to share.
If your cheese ball is in high demand at party time, make smaller
versions to give with cute baggies of crackers.
If your famous cake always delights, make cupcakes to offer in a
commercial cupcake box or plastic container the way a bakery would sell a half
dozen or dozen.
It is more than the thought that counts when the gift is
homemade with love and Christmas cheer.
And the end result, sweet or savory, will be the perfect exchange
between friends this holiday season.
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star December 14th.
