Every year at this time I receive a catalogue from a place that sells food gifts. The prices are outrageous, 50 dollars for a pecan pie, 360 bucks for 6 lbs of cheese, you get the idea. It's interesting reading, but heck, even if I HAD that sort of cash lying around, something in me balks at spending 45 dollars for six brownies.
One of the items they had was a tea party in a box, and I thought, my mom would really like that...and then I thought, I could totally do that for her. Of course if I was baking scones, shortbread, etc...it would make more than my mom and dad could really eat...but I could send the extras to my sisters...and the idea came to life.
I've sent baked good gifts other years as well...when my nieces and nephews were small I would make gingerbread cookie puppets on skewers, the characters from three little pigs, or other nursery stories, or the cast of the Peanuts holiday program, etc. It was fun and they had a good time with it.
I've sent my mom and sister's gingerbread Solstice lanterns a time or two. I've sent cookie packages etc. But the idea of a themed party in a box was really appealing to me this year. It will include some home made things, as well as a few store bought things. I may have some fun making the packaging pretty as well. I can end up doing this as fancy or simple as I choose and have the energy and time for. I'm looking forward to it.
I really like gifts from the kitchen. They don't cause clutter. If the recipient can't use it all for themselves, they can pull it out and share it with company. I don't have to overspend, and unlike hand knit mittens, or other "crafty" items...people hardly ever get that uncertain smile on their face and say "Oh...it's home made...um. isn't that...um nice", and then remind themselves it's the thought that counts. When they open a box of cookies and brownies...they are like "oh boy! It's home made...Score!"
When I was a teacher, I loved when the kids brought me home baked goodies, they NEVER got regifted...unlike the candles and bottles of scented lotion, etc. I did appreciate the thought of those other gifts, but isn't it nice when someone enjoys the gift too?
I also love that when putting together these sorts of gifts, I get to have fun too. I'd much rather shop at the grocery store than the mall. I'd rather spend time in my kitchen than fighting crowds at Best Buy. I put on my favorite music, or a book on tape and get busy cooking.
Even the planning is fun!
On Black Friday, I have MY game plan...I'm going to be baking Jamaican Black Fruit Cake (my dried fruit has been marinating in rum for two months now) and making rum balls. Then it's time to get started on some Solstice Gingerbread...I have all my patterns from previous years, including my diversity gingerbread people patterns...in all sizes, shapes and genders. I LOVE making truffles, because I get to lick the chocolate off my hands when I am done...lol.
I have some nice ideas for interesting holiday boxes...a box of thin ginger cookies with a nice Swiss cheese, and some luscious honey crisp apples, and some of those little bottles of wine.
A tea party box with biscottie, scones, shortbread, and some of the previously mentioned Black fruit cake, with a box of specialty tea.
An American box...with brown bread, spiced pecans, home made peanut brittle, and the awesome Ultrazord chocolate chip cookies that I found the link to the recipe to on this site!
And this year, because I am on a whole foods diet (as in a lifestyle diet, not a lets lose ten lbs and go back to our normally scheduled eating regime diet), and am experimenting with raw foods, I could put together a box of raw foods and raw food goodies. I am currently experimenting with making my own chocolate with raw cocoa beans...so far...yum.
These ideas are starting to get me jazzed up for a season that usually makes me say "ugh..."
Ingredients aren't cheap, but what they save on wear and tear, gas, and eating out after an exhausting day of shopping...they really do save a bunch of money.
Have a super holiday season...cooking for you and yours
