Mixing Up Last Minute Gifts Denise E. Sullivan, MS, CFCS County Extension Agent Family & Consumer Sciences K-State Research & Extension Leavenworth County 613 Holiday Plaza Lansing, KS 66043 913-364-5700 www.leavenworth.ksu.edu
Simplify the Season! For many, the holiday season is a time for giving and spending time with loved ones. Over time, however, the holidays have also become a major marketing opportunity for companies and very commercialized. Advertisements may lead people to feel the need to buy many gifts or gifts that are very expensive, to show someone how much they care. Store-bought gifts are not the only option. Homemade or semihomemade gifts can make great presents too, can be less expensive and are sometimes the most cherished. The key to giving a small or inexpensive gift is in the presentation or wrapping. Simple cellophane and a bright ribbon can add a touch of elegance to the smallest of gifts. And an inexpensive reusable container for multiple items can make a small gift seem larger. The least expensive gift of all is to make a promise to provide a creative service for someone; presented attractively as a redeemable coupon. This gift could range from household chores or lawn work for a grandparent to a trip to the park for a child anything that the gift receiver young or old might enjoy. (Just be sure to follow through on your commitment.) The following ideas can be the basis for a variety of homemade gift packages that are economical as well as enjoyable. Working together with loved ones especially young children can be a joyous time that teaches lessons in economics, family togetherness and the value of giving from the heart.
Chocolate Coated Spoons 6 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup vanilla milk chips 12 heavy plastic spoons Melt semisweet chocolate in small heavy saucepan over very low heat, or in microwave on low power 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. Set aside. Melt vanilla milk chips in another small heavy saucepan the same way. One at a time, dip spoons into the semisweet chocolate. Then drizzle about 1 tsp. melted vanilla milk chips over the chocolate and swirl together using toothpick. Set coated spoon on parchment paper lined cookie sheet and let stand until set, about 2 hours. Wrap each in cellophane. Use for coffee stirrers. 12 spoons.
Cocoa Mocha Mix 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer 1/2 cup instant cocoa drink mix 1/3 cup granulated sugar (or Splenda) 1/2 cup instant coffee powder 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Combine ingredients and process mixture in blender or food processor until a fine powder. Store in an airtight containers. Cocoa Mocha Mix For one serving, add 3 tablespoons of Cocoa Mocha Mix to 1 cup of boiling water.
Toffee Coffee Mix 1 cup instant coffee powder 2 cups dry milk powder 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer 1 cup brown sugar 1 package instant butterscotch flavored pudding mix Combine ingredients and process mixture in blender or food processor until a fine powder. Store in airtight containers. Toffee Coffee Mix To use, place 2-3 spoonfuls of Toffee Coffee Mix in a mug and add boiling water to fill.
Chai Tea Mix 1/2 cup dry milk powder 1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer 1/2 cup French vanilla non-dairy creamer 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar (or Splenda) ¾ cup instant tea 1 tsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. cloves ½ tsp. ground cardamom Combine ingredients in large bowl. Process mixture in blender or food processor until a fine powder. Chai Tea To use, place 2-3 spoonfuls of Chai Mix in a mug and add boiling water to fill.
White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookie 1-1/2 cups flour 1 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup crispy rice cereal 1 cup vanilla milk chips 1/2 cup oatmeal 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar Combine flour, baking powder and salt in small bowl and mix well. Pour into 1 quart jar. Layer cereal, chips, oats, brown sugar and sugar into jar on top of flour mixture, pressing firmly in place to fit into the jar. White Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or lightly grease with solid shortening. Combine ½ cup softened butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1 egg, and 1 egg yolk in large bowl and beat well to blend. Add contents of jar and mix until thoroughly blended. Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto prepared cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-11 minutes until edges of cookies are golden. Cool 1 minute, then remove from cookie sheets. Makes 2 dozen cookies.
Sand Art Brownies 5/8 cup of all purpose flour 3/4 tsp salt 1/3 cup cocoa 1/2 cup flour 2/3 cup brown sugar 2/3 cup white sugar 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup vanilla chips 1/2 cup walnuts Mix the first flour and salt together and put into the bottom of a quart jar. Layer the rest of the ingredients in the order they are given. Sand Art Brownies Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease a 9x9 pan. Pour contents of jar in a large bowl and mix well. Stir in 1 tsp vanilla, 2/3 cup of oil, and 3 eggs. Beat until just combined. Pour batter into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
Holiday Candy Cookies 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1 1/4 cups M&M-brand chocolate candies 1 1/4 cups sugar Mix together flour, soda and baking powder. Layer flour mixture, candies and sugar in quart-size canning jars. Pack firmly. Holiday Candy Cookies Empty jar of cookie mix into mixing bowl; blend thoroughly. Add 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened, 1 beaten egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Mix until completely blended. Roll into 1-inch balls, and place 2 inches apart on un-greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees until edges are lightly browned, about 12 to 14 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for five minutes, then transfer to wire racks. Makes 2 1/2 dozen cookies.
Spiced Apple Cake Mix 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. powdered vanilla 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg 1 cup chopped nuts 1/2 cup golden raisins Combine dry ingredients in a medium bowl. Pour into clear container, then layer nuts and raisins on top. *** Will need to be larger than quart jar. Spiced Apple Cake Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F & grease a tube or Bundt pan. Place the Spiced Apple Cake Mix into a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the mix; add the 1 cup canola oil, 3 eggs, and 3 cups chopped apples. Stir until mixture is smooth. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour & 10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool; remove from the cake pan.
Harvest Pumpkin Bread Mix 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon baking soda 3/4 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin Combine dry ingredients in large bowl. Pour into 1-quart plastic bag. Place bread mix and can of pumpkin in 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Harvest Pumpkin Bread Beat together 1 cup pumpkin, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 2 large eggs and 1/4 cup water in large mixer bowl until blended. Add contents of bag; stir until just moistened. Spoon batter into greased and floured 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake in preheated 350 F. oven for 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely. Makes 1 loaf.
Cranberry Pecan Muffins 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 3/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1/2 cup chopped pecans Combine dry ingredients and layer into 1 quart jar. Add cranberries and pecans on top and seal jar. Cranberry Pecan Muffins Heat the oven to 400º and butter the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups. Pour the muffin mix into a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon. In another bowl, whisk l large egg. Then blend in 1 1/2 cups of milk and 1/3 cup of vegetable oil. Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in the liquid mixture and stir just until smooth. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. Bake the muffins on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
Cornmeal Muffins 1 1/2 cups flour 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal 1/3 cup sugar 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt Combine ingredients and put in pint jar. Cornmeal Muffins To make the muffins, heat the oven to 400º and butter the bottoms only of 12 muffin cups. Pour the muffin mix into a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon. In another bowl, whisk l large egg. Then blend in 11/2 cups of milk and 1/3 cup of vegetable oil. Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in the liquid mixture and stir just until smooth. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups. Bake the muffins on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
Curried Rice and Raisins 1½ cups long-grain brown rice 2 heaped tsp. chicken bouillon powder 3 tbsp. dried minced or flaked onion 1/3 cup raisins ¾ tsp. curry powder Place 3/4 cup of rice in the jar, and then add separate layers of chicken bouillon powder, dried onion, curry powder and raisins. Pack the raisins down with a spoon and top with the remaining rice. Seal jar. Curried Rice & Raisins Bring 3 3/4 cups water to a boil in medium saucepan. Add rice mix, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender.
Herbed Rice Mix 1 3 pound package long grain rice 2 cups dried celery flakes 2/3 cup dried minced onion 1/2 cup dried parsley flakes 2 tablespoons dried chives 1 tablespoon dried tarragon 3 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons pepper Combine ingredients; mix well. If giving for gifts place two cups in each pint jar. (Makes 40 batches) Herbed Rice Bring 4cups water and 4 tablespoons butter to a boil in medium saucepan. Add rice mix, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.
Friendship Soup ½ cup split peas 1/3 cup beef bouillon granules (low sodium) ¼ cup pearl barley ½ cup lentils ¼ cup dried minced onion 2 tsp. Italian seasoning ½ cup brown rice ½ cups star macaroni In a 1 quart jar, layer the first seven ingredients in order listed. Wrap macaroni in plastic wrap and layer on top. Seal jar. Friendship Soup Additional ingredients: 2 ribs celery, chopped 2 carrots, sliced ½ head cabbage, chopped 3 qt. water 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes Remove macaroni & set aside. In soup pot, bring water to boil. Add soup mix and vegetables. Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes. Add macaroni and simmer 15 minutes until lentils and barley are tender. Add water as needed.
Vegetarian Black Bean Chili 3 cup black beans 3 Tbsp. dehydrated onion 3 Tbsp. granulated garlic 1 tsp. crushed oregano 2 tsp. salt 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (do not omit). 1 1/2 cups white rice Put beans in jar. Put rice in separate bag and layer on beans. Combine spices in a small bag and put on rice. Seal jar. Vegetarian Black Bean Chili Wash beans. Put in pot with seasonings. Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil and cover beans with 2" water. Bring to boil and simmer about 2 hours. Beans should be very soft. Add water as needed to keep beans from sticking. (There should be some liquid left on beans when done.) In separate pan, bring to boil 3 cups water & 1 tsp salt, add rice. Lower heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes. Put about 1/2 cup rice and 1 cup beans in bowl. Sprinkle with minced cilantro, finely chopped green onion, a squeeze of lime juice and sour cream.
Resources: Cindy Williams, Jefferson County Extension Agent Carla Morrical-Frederking, Ellis County Extension Agent www.angelfire.com www.geocities.com www.nikibone.com www.pioneerthinking.com Personal recipe files K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, as amended. Kansas State University, County Extension Councils, Extension Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Cooperating, John Floros, Director.