TOTM ~ Gifts From The Heart; Expressions of Love Community Forums - p1

Sun Oct 31, 2010 5:59 pm

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Giving is what makes the midwinter holidays such a heartwarming season. So much time and care is spent selecting the "perfect" gift for those on our list that it can be expensive and stressful. You can save money and reduce the stress of rushing around overcrowded malls looking for the perfect gift by giving easy-to-make homemade gifts in a jar. Homemade gifts from the comfort of your kitchen will stretch your holiday budget. They contain inexpensive ingredients and are simple to make. They can easily be made ahead of time, and, when given early, they can be enjoyed and shared during the holiday season. Gifts from the heart don't have to take very much time at all and are a wonderful expression of your own love, imagination and creativity. The possibilities are endless!

Prepare and give festive preserves, relishes, syrups or sauces. Assemble baking mixes or assorted beans and seasonings for soup in jazzy, beribboned pint or quart canning jars to make great gifts for family or coworkers, or you could bake breads or cakes in the jars. All text in green are clickable links.

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A thoughtful present is always appreciated, especially one that has a personal touch. There are hundreds of possibilities to choose from to please anyone on your holiday list. And be sure to think about the recipient when making your gifts: do they enjoy baking or would they prefer a food gift that's ready to eat? Are they on a special diet or do they have food allergies? A basket can be made to suit the dietary restrictions of the recipient, such as diabetic, vegan, vegetarian, or gluten intolerance. This kind of thoughtful touch is what makes these gifts so special.

Necessary Supplies:

Empty Glass Jars with lids

Recipe (please see suggestions below)

Ingredients

Gift Tag or Card Stock (I like to recycle old Christmas cards for the tags)

Funnel or Coffee Filter

Scissors

Ribbon, yarn, twine, cord or raffia

Hole Punch

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Recycle jars/lids for dry mixes or snacks, granolas, cookies and personal care products to save money and be earth-friendly. Make sure to use new lids for home-canned gifts.

Firstly, you will need to choose the correct size container. If you want to make this a green gift, use jars saved from home. Just make sure to remove the label and clean and sterilize the jar in boiling water or by running it through a dishwasher cycle. Wrapping your homemade gifts doesn't need to be expensive. There’s no sense in saving money on making your own gifts and then spending a lot on packaging and gift wrap. You can reuse containers or find great bargains on items such as baskets, ribbons, vintage plates and tins. Or, if you'd rather, you can also purchase canning jars at most grocery stores or visit a local craft or container store for some interesting jar choices. It all depends on how much money you want to spend on your jars. For large quantities, consider buying in bulk: Bulk Products ~ Jars and Lids (link). Regarding what size to use, most recipes call for a 1-pint or 1-quart jar. If the recipe does not specify the size jar needed, you will have to figure this out on your own. If you end up with a little bit of space at the top of the jar, crumble up some plastic wrap as filler.

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Of course, when you are making gifts in a jar you want the person receiving them to actually enjoy or make the contents and eat the final product! In order to make sure that the final recipe works correctly and tastes yummy, be sure to take as great a care in reading the ingredients and accurately measuring them as you will writing the directions for the recipient. Use a funnel to ensure all of the ingredients make it into the jar cleanly. If you don't have a funnel, you can improvise one out of a coffee filter by cutting a hole in the middle bottom of it or you can use a piece of card stock to form a funnel.

To make sure all ingredients fit in the jar, make sure to pack down each layer a bit before adding the next. If a recipe calls for layers to be packed down firmly, you can use the bottom of a long handled ladle to gently pack the ingredients down. If the recipe calls for only lightly packing the layers, you can just lightly tap the jar on the table or counter and then continue with the next layer.

Some recipes may require that you include bagged ingredients. Use a resealable snack bag for these ingredients. Make sure you squeeze out all the air before sealing the bag. You want as little air as possible in your ingredients to ensure their freshness.

Unless the recipe specifically says otherwise, all light powdery ingredients such as cocoa, powdered sugar or flour should be place at the bottom of the jar, otherwise they will mix and coat the other ingredients. Coarser or heavier ingredients such as granulated or brown sugars would come next. The last layers (the layers closest to the top) should consist of chunky ingredients such as nuts, cereals, candy pieces, or dried fruit. Once you have all your ingredients properly placed in the jar, make sure that you seal the jar tightly to help prevent the contents of the jar to shift.

Using various craft supplies you can create very cute covers for your jar lids. Or you can simply add ribbon and a gift tag. You can use a ready made gift tag, make one from card stock or use the back of a recipe or index card or you can print one from your computer. You can use fabric to cover the lid, or even patterned paper to decoupage the lid. If you crochet, you can even make a crocheted cover or doily to cover the lid with. You can even attach small floral pics or Christmas greenery. Cinnamon sticks make a sweetly scented attachment. Attach a small gift to your gift in a jar such as a wooden spoon, spatula, hot pad, oven mitt, measuring spoon or cup, a cookie cutter or Christmas ornament. You're only limited by your imagination! You can make your gifts all the same or personalize them for the recipient with Custom Canning Labels (link)

Take a look at some terrific CANNING RECIPES (link) for your gift-giving consideration.

Even if you don't can your own jams/jellies, syrups or pickles, here are some GREAT ideas (these are all clickable links to recipes in our database):
SOUP MIXES
SEASONING MIXES
FLAVORED VINEGARS
GRANOLAS
CHEX SNACK MIXES
FUDGE
CANDY
POPCORN
COOKIE MIXES
CAKE MIXES
WINES
LIQUEURS, CORDIALS, BOUNCES and LEMONCELLOS/ORANGECELLO
INFUSED VODKAS
TEA MIXES
COFFEE MIXES
EXOTIC FLAVORED SUGARS FOR COFFEE AND TEA
CANDIED PEEL
SPA GIFTS
PET GIFTS

A food safety note: do not make flavored oils. The oxygen-free environment that exists around herbs, spices, and other ingredients placed into oils is the ideal place for botulism to grow. If you want to include a flavored oil in a gift basket, purchase commercially made flavored oils and do not transfer them to another bottle.

A food safety note: Keep canned breads and cakes refrigerated or frozen if not using right away, as the seal may not be reliable. From the NCHFP/USDA.

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If you'd like to go bigger, consider assembling a gift basket and tailoring the contents to the individual recipient. Everyone loves a one of a kind gift. Creating a beautiful gift basket is an easy project, even if you have never created any crafts before. Once you have all your supplies on hand, the basket can be easily created in as little as 15 minutes. Shop the dollar store first for bargains.

Gift Basket Themes (and a few suggestions):

Asian

Babies

Baking: housewarming, bridal shower, anyone who enjoys baking

Barbecue: great gifts for men for all occasions

Baseball: for baseball fans, any age, any gender

Basketball: anyone who likes basketball

Beach: appropriate for many occasions; particularly nice for children

Beer

Books/Reading: books, bookmarks, gourmet coffee or tea, snacks, cookies, online bookstore gift card

Breakfast

Camping: give this gift to the family who camps

Cat and Cat Lovers: catnip mouse or other cat toy, hair ball paste, cat treats, cat brush, scratching post

Cheap: ideas for budget-minded people

Children: for birthdays, holidays, special events/occasions

Chocolate: decadent chocolate of every kind and in every shape, nuts, gourmet coffee

Christmas: including gingerbread, holiday scents, and seasonal goodies

Coffee: Gourmet or flavored coffees, flavored sugars, cinnamon sticks, coffee mugs, demitasse spoons & a coffee table book about coffee (great idea for your boss and all coffee drinkers)

Dog Lovers and Their Pets: rawhide bone, dog biscuits, squeaky toy, dog shampoo, brush, collar and/or leash

Fishing

Football: tailgaters, football fans for any occasion

Gardeners: gardening gloves, gardening book, garden journal, small hand tools, handmade seed packets, garden clogs

Girls: small purse or change purse, nail polish, hair thingies, perfume, glitter, makeup, nail file, mirror, earrings, stickers, notepaper, fancy pens or pencils

Golf: for those who enjoy golf, all occasions or special events

Gourmet: various gourmet gift basket themes; something for every occasion

Hanukkah (Chanukah): kosher packaged food that doesn't need refrigeration such as kosher smoked salmon (lox), kosher wine, chocolate gelt, cookies, nuts, dried fruit, dreidel

Hawaiian/Luau: coffee mugs, Kona coffee, fresh or dried tropical fruit, jams or jellies, macadamia nuts, fresh or artificial Hawaiian plants or flowers, fresh pineapple, candies, cookies

Healthy Food: for the health and wellness conscious

Holidays

Housewarming: for family, friends, or a new neighbor

Ice Cream: sundae or ice cream bowls (can easily be found at dollar stores), some spoons, an ice cream scoop, sprinkles, ice cream sauces (home-made or store bought) and napkins (paper or cloth)...great for kids as well as adults

Italian Food: pasta lovers

Kitchen: those who enjoy baking and cooking

Mardi Gras

Martini Lovers: cocktail recipe cards, rimming sugars or salts - flavored or plain, garnishes, cocktail picks, cocktail napkins, cocktail shaker, glassware, munchies

Men: pack of handkerchiefs or a set of hand towels with his initials embroidered, body wash, shaving brush, shaving cream, aftershave, hair gel, pumice stone with wood handle, nailbrush, bath brush, body massager and a body wrap

Mexican Fiesta: great fun idea for any occasion

Movies: DVDs, popcorn, popcorn seasonings, bottles of water or soda pop, chocolate bars, licorice, movie rental coupons (good for most people, easy, and items are readily available)

Nautical: for anyone who loves boating or cruises

Patriotic: for anyone serving in the military

Picnic: great personalized gifts for many occasions

Pizza: teenagers or pizza lovers

Romance: for men or women...anytime that love is in the air

Spa: Twirly towel, bath mitts, cozy slippers, eye pillow, luffa sponge, body sugar scrubs, bath salts & bubble bath, shower gel, bath bombs, candles

Tea Lovers: gourmet teas, flavored sugars, cinnamon sticks, tea cozy, pretty tea cups and saucers, homemade cookies/baking, homemade jam, small potted houseplant

Teachers: bulletin board borders, cute notepads and stickers, bottles of glue, glue sticks, erasers, and pencils

Thanksgiving

Tool Time

Wedding

Welcome to the Neighborhood

Wine: gifts for wine lovers, great ideas for work-related gifts

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To some people, a homemade gift basket is a basket filled with handmade crafts or home baked goodies. A homemade gift basket can just as easily contain hi tech items - or anything else you can think of to put in it.

How to Make Gift Baskets
The gift basket assembly process doesn't have to be extremely difficult if you start with planning. All you really need is your own ideas and creativity plus a few items that are readily available at craft stores as well as dollar stores. Here is a list of what you might want to consider during the planning stage:

Container: as simple as a decorative paper box, a basket or clay flower pot. For larger or theme gifts, consider using a good colander, wok, bamboo steamer or slow cooker for the container. The only limit is your imagination!

Filler material to fill in the bottom of deep containers, such as brown paper or floral foam

Purchased colorful shred, brown paper for coffee gift baskets, shredded sheet music for a music lover, shredded comics for children, or Easter "grass"

Small well-wrapped packages of jams/jellies, pickles, gifts in a jar, snacks or other small gift items

Double stick tape to hold gifts in place (optional)

Ribbon, bow, and gift card. Ready-made bows are great for taking the hassle out of making one, but make sure that the size is right for the basket - a large basket requires a larger bow. Likewise, don't hide a small basket with an oversized bow. Click on HOW TO MAKE A GIFT BOW ~ SIMPLE STEPS (video), if you'd like to make your own.

Decorative items such as toys, cookie cutters, or homemade chocolate spoons for coffee, champagne, or wine baskets

Cello bags or wrap to hold your finished gift baskets (optional). Cellophane is sold in either clear, colored, print or festive. The clear with a small gold pattern is very versatile for any occasion. It comes in a variety of widths, with the most popular being 20", 24" and 30".

Begin by laying out all of the necessary elements you have chosen for your gift basket assembly. If your container is too deep, place enough brown paper, newspaper, or foam in the bottom so all the gift and food items will by filling the bottom of your container with enough filler (foam or crumbled paper) so that your gifts are visible. Excelsior, which is shredded natural wood material, can also used for this step. You can purchase excelsior at craft stores, some card shops, and anywhere that sells boxes and other packing materials. The benefit of using excelsior is that it is inexpensive, you don't need to use shred in step #3, and it helps cushion breakable items.

When you are satisfied with the first step of the gift basket assembly, it's time to arrange the gifts in your container. Play around with the placement of the gifts and food items until you get them placed just right. Start with larger items towards the back and work down to smaller accessories. If the container has a handle (either above the basket or at each end) it works well if you attach items to the handles with ribbon or raffia. If needed, tape gifts to each other with double stick tape to keep them from moving around. This is particularly helpful with light weight packages of edible items, which move around easily.

Now you are getting to the fun part of the gift basket assembly yellow shred and your gift basket should begin to take shape. Add small bunches of the decorative filler around the edge of the container, between the food and gift items, and also to fill in any empty spaces.

Add a ribbon or decorative bow. (TIP: Mesh or other open-design ribbons are beautiful as a finishing touch for spa gift baskets.) Simply gather the excess cello, netting or tulle at the top and tie it with ribbon. If desired you can add a bow and allow the ribbon to cascade down the front of the gift basket.

Not all baskets are made solely with food. There are many fun and thoughtful keepsake items that are perfect for inclusion, such as keychains, journals, candles, stationery, toys or utensils.

Tips:

Look at other gift baskets for ideas. If you see an eye-catching gift basket in a store, take note of what you like about it. It may be the color scheme, the container, the arrangement, or the theme.

Add color to an unfinished container/basket with a non-toxic spray paint.

To scent dried or silk flowers, add a few drops of fragrance oil on the backs of the blossoms. Always test the oils in a hidden area first; it can stain the silk.

A lazy susan allows you to assess your basket from all sides and get to the back without lifting. It also comes in handy when decorating the rim of the basket with silk flowers

Use a paper shredder to make your own filler; use colored paper.

Shred old maps for someone who likes to travel or campers.

Shred music sheets for a music lover.

Wide tulle ribbon is lovely for women's gifts.

Use decorative hair ribbons for a little girl's gift baskets.

Combine several colors of curly ribbon together such as red, green, and gold for Christmas.

Place small silk flowers instead of shred to fill in any empty spaces.

Add a small baby rattle, a silk flower, or other theme item to the center of your bows.

Add CHOCOLATE COVERED SPOONS (link) to your coffee-themed basket

Color coordinate your gifts, filler materials, and container as too many different colors are distracting.

Fill wine glasses with sparkly shred.

Wrap wide ribbon around the top of gift baskets for a decorative look.

If you live in a rural area, use pinecones from your back yard instead of buying them from the craft store.

No matter what you decide to use for the container, make sure to place the heavier items on the bottom and the lighter, more fragile items on top.

If you'd like to try something a little different, and easier, you may want to consider using a theme gift bag as the container. Your finished gift will look much nicer if the gifts show above the bag. If you use a decorative bag it's not necessary to add finishing decorations.

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