Handmade Christmas Presents

voteoften on 18/10/2012 - 14:15

I love giving gifts. My BFF is intending to make food gifts for Christmas presents. In years past she has made pesto, rum balls, etc for pressies. I am not keen on items that can go off easily because the recipient doesn't know when the item was made or how long it will keep. The giver does not know when the item will be used. No one wants to get or be responsible for food poisoning.

This year I have a few Secret Santa type things to give and I am thinking I will make hot chocolate mix. It is better than any gift I am likely to receive from a SS exchange…. There are a number of ideas on the internet - Mexican with cinnamon and chilli, Candy Cane or Peanut Butter. Some people do cookie mix.

My BFF reckons she will just buy containers and stick soft lollies in them.

Does anyone have any favourite packing/presentation ideas or other handmade items that people just love?

General Discussion

Comments

  • Glittergirl on 18/10/2012 - 14:57

    Depending on how crafty/artistic you are… I make felt and sequin Christmas ornaments for the tree, and this year I am also going to make some notecards with my photos on the front (I have a stash of presentation boxes that I have accumulated during the year). I am also considering some printed calendars with photos — there are some photobook type companies you can do this through. Another possible idea might be to make your own liqueur (I have seen kahlua recipes online for example). The hot chocolate idea sounds good too :-)

  • _Bruce_ on 19/10/2012 - 09:47
    +1

    The really big draw card for food items is it is consumable and not something that has to be kept or considered when it is acceptable to throw it out. Even if the person doesn't like them, they can always share them around and everyone is happy.

    Just my 2c.

  • Muimuimorris on 19/10/2012 - 13:18

    Handmade Christmas gifts are more thoughtful than some of the things that I have received that were purchased from a store. One of the food gifts that I have made in the past that kept well was Pistachio Biscotti (it is twice baked bread). I have presented them in those plastic clear disposable containers that you can buy from Woolworths, tied with a ribbon around them. However let me be honest, biscotti is so yummy that it is consumed before it could ever possibly go stale.

    • voteoften on 19/10/2012 - 16:50

      Biscotti is a great idea. I have tried to replicate a form of biscotti that I learned in a booking class. It was a bit of a hybrid. My difficulty is in slicing it thin enough. I think the bread I made was too soft as it was made of a lot of whipped egg whites. I'll try a conventional one and see how I go. Maybe it's time to invest in an electric bread knife.

  • BuyoTheCat on 19/10/2012 - 13:56

    I like making photos presents for friends. I take a lot of photos and they are are quite awesome.

    I just finish making photobooks and calender of photos that I took on all the snow trips I made this year (I made A LOT OF TRIPS. I enjoyed making things like this as I remind me of the great time I have.

    I made 2 prints and she gave them to my cousin for their wedding because she wanted to give them something unique. or maybe she didnt like them that much. she told them those were the only print in existence. (other than the samples I printed myself)
    I I were to die, the prints will COULD be valuable. the more tragic my death, the more valuable my prints.

    • _Bruce_ on 19/10/2012 - 14:18

      It depends how well you know the recipient, but I see this as a bit problematic. When you get a gift like this there is an implication that:

      A: You will actually like it.

      B: You will display it somewhere.

      This might been seen as an imposition to some. Proceed with caution.

  • voteoften on 21/10/2012 - 20:02

    I went to a brunch today where everyone was supposed to bring a homemade item. I brought homemade muesli and it was received extraordinarily well. Everyone got very excited about it. It is easy to make but takes some attention when toasting in the oven. I would be reluctant to give something like this as a gift unless I was sure it would be eaten fairly quickly, like within a week. I used pitted prunes as one of the dried fruits and it is quite moist, so I would think it could cause the oats and other drier items to get moist, therefore losing their appeal.

    In certain instances, this could make an extraordinary gift. Do it right and it'll be the best muesli most people have ever eaten.

    • Glittergirl on 22/10/2012 - 22:15

      My sister made homemade muesli one year for some friends (I didnt score any), but it was well received. I think she also used a pretty reusable glass jar. I guess you could substitute the prunes if you were worried about the moisture? There are often family get togethers/family staying over around Christmas, and this would make a delicious breakfast treat. I dont think there would be an issue in letting the recipient know its best to use within a week.

      • voteoften on 22/10/2012 - 22:59

        Thanks. Yeah, I know I can mix the fruit up. All of them will have some moisture content though. I am just really really careful about food safety and also vain that what I make will be at its best when consumed.

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