I just love making kitchen gifts at Christmas time! You really don't have to read too much here to realize that. There's even a "kitchen gifts" label in the label cloud, and I hope that you will click the label and read further. So many good recipes and wonderful ideas!
This year's kitchen gift list is quite short, but I imagine it may be added to as the weeks go by, since it is still a "tentative" list.
Okay, here goes: the Cinnamon Pretzels are super easy and go nicely in pretty dollar store tins.
Christmas Granola is next in line, and it's so simple. I use my regular formula for Homemade Granola. After it's baked, while still warm, I stir in dried cranberries and shelled pistachios (red and green, get it?) to taste. Voila! Christmas Granola!
Hot Chocolate Mix is next, and this is my own recipe. It always seems to go over well, and sometimes people bring the jars back for a refill.
Bran Muffins sounds like a rather mundane Christmas gift, but I'll explain. Years ago I started giving my mother-in-law containers of Bran Muffin Batter at Christmas. (The first year, I gave her silicone muffin pans as well.) In more recent years, it's become more difficult for my mother-in-law to bake, so I just bake the muffins myself, using the same batter recipe, and give her a half dozen or so. I've also experimented a bit with cutting the sugar in the recipe by about 1/3.
Probably more kitchen gifts are going to make it onto the list. Just as I've been adding photos to this post, I've seen so many fun ideas that I've used in the past. Good thing the list is tentative!
That tip for recycling old tins was wonderful. I have quite a number that are going to get “the treatment.” I searched for Christmas Jam at Kitty’s and was surprised that the jam has cranberries in it. I am sure that it is very good. Happy planning!
ReplyDeleteThat jam is really delicious! I had fun decorating the jars before gifting them -- in most cases just fit an upside down Christmas themed cupcake liner over the cover and tied it on with bakers twine.
ReplyDeleteRecycling tins ... yes, I have done that for years. I have a number of large Currier & Ives tins that Schwan's vanilla ice cream was sold in at Christmas time. My mother always got one for her household and at least one more for a gift.
I think a lot of folks nowadays enjoy getting baked goods and jars of jam because there are so many women working outside the home. I think it's a lovely idea and it's always fun to try someone else's baking. Great ideas and I'm so glad you shared. Thank you, Mrs. T! Blessings...Sandi
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Sandi! Many people don't have time or energy to bake, make jam, etc. these days. And many younger people don't know how to do these things. Glad you enjoyed these ideas!
DeleteI'm so glad that you loved the Christmas Jam! It does make a nice gift. Thank you for sharing your gifting ideas with us. I'd love to try them.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving!
Oh, I hope you enjoy these recipes if you try them, Kitty! I do love your Christmas Jam and especially love to tuck a jar into a gift basket with other treats.
DeleteI love these ideas! I think people would love delicious homemade treats in pretty packaging. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHave fun with the idea, Mrs. White!
DeleteOf course we do need to pay attention these days to those who are gluten free. (I make many of my Christmas cookies gluten free by using the Bob's Red Mill 1-to-1 baking flour.)
But the jam would be naturally gluten free and the granola could easily be made so.
Packaging the treats is almost as much fun as preparing them!
I will go see the recipe for the Christmas jam. I love that you make gifts from the kitchen.
ReplyDelete