working on Christmas cards,
family activities (ie gingerbread houses & cookies),
and fighting AMS that I haven't even thought about blogging.
I did, however, managed to listen to A Thousand Splendid Suns (probably not the most uplifting book to read right now), while working on a few projects of my own, which I can't share at the moment because they are gifts as well. I also painted a painting that didn't work out so well. I guess you could say I didn't know when to stop. 1499 to go.
Question: I need an idea for neighbor gifts, preferably low maintenance. What are you doing?
18 comments:
This year I'm hoping to fill large white chinese food boxes with cookies (maybe cranberry biscotti - they can be made well ahead of time). I'll tie the boxes with some cool red ribbon or something like the Martha Stewart twine that I've been seeing so much of.
I also like Starbuck's mugs and gift certificates for basic holiday gifts - good for teachers etc.
Feeling the fatigue you talked about - I'm normally tired but this is ridiculous - 'tis the season I guess!
merry, merry!
I make cinnamin roasted almonds each year for my neighbors, way easy and yummy! I have a roaster but you can also make them in a large saucepan. I can give you the recipe if that is something that sounds good to you. I have also received note pad and pen from a neighbor with a note that said "from our pad to yours", I absolutely loved that! And you can find those magnetic notepads for a dollar at Michaels. Or I have also received a burned cd of christmas favorites, always good to get!
Good luck Merry Christmasing!
oh and I love the house and cookies, yum! How fun for your family.
I am making these. First time, so I don't know how easy, but they look easy.
http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.fc77a0dbc44dd1611e3bf410b5900aa0/?vgnextoid=bafe3c153a4f3110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&autonomy_kw=pecan%20caramel&rsc=rf_result2
and also Great harvest bread is always a winner too.
Sorry the link didn't work. They are Pecan Caramel Clusters from Everyday Food. You can go to Martha Stewart and search for them.
I forgot to buy a gingerbread house this year. One year I think I should invest in the gingerwood house like Kristi has. Then I'd never have to remember it! Your cookies look good.
I know I'm answering for her but I love that Mindi (from Idaho) made Christmas cd mixes for her neighbors and tied it up with a bow. Super easy and everyone loves a new cd of holiday music. Way easier than cooking. To me anyway, especially this year.
We haven't done our gingerbread house yet, but just looking at the picture of the girls working on theirs makes me want to do it.
I hope you'll eventually post all your projects and your painting, they're always inspiring.
AMS cracks me up.
We are doing reindeer food Canning Jars with chex mix Are saying is if you flew and flew and flew all night you might pick up an appitette. You just sprinkle it on to your lawn
unlike all of the yummy homemade gifts mentioned, I am giving a purchased gift... we are big fans of children's books around here, so we picked our favorite Christmas Children's book and will give one to each of our neighbor families. Amazon has terrific deals, so it's low-maintenance and affordable! good luck!
Hey, Amy. Every year I hand out pineapples with a big red bow. The pineapple symbolizes hospitality. In colonial times, if a pineapple was placed at the entrance to a village or placed at the main centerpiece on a dining table, it symbolized the utmost welcome and hospitality to the visitor. Easy and not a yucky sweet treat!
We made the same gingerbread house...how fun are those? You have been a busy girl! Love the update, it makes me so excited for Christmas!
P.S. We make ten of these every year and give cookies to the rest...(Jesus in the manger) Our kids have the time of their lives making them:
http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=21bc9fbee98db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=0b7ab8179f4bb010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1
How did you like A Thousand Splendid Suns? We'll discuss tomorrow :).
I love the elf yourself site. A friend sent it to me too and I had a good laugh.
As far as sleeping goes... exercise can help. Going to bed and getting up at the same time helps too. Getting enough sleep, or not having kids helps (good luck with that one). I've had this thing lately where I'll wake up out of the blue feeling creeped out about why. It seems like once you get into a good or bad sleeping habit it wants to stay consistent. Good luck!
for my neighbors...a bag of M&Ms with the attached poem.
M&M Christmas Story
As you look at these candies closely, you will start to see…
The M becomes a W, an E, and then a 3.
They tell the Christmas story. It’s one I’m sure you know…
It took place in a stable a long, long time ago.
The E is for the East where the star shone, oh, so bright.
The M is for the Manger, where the baby slept that night.
The 3 is for gifts… the Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh the Wise Men gave.
W is for Wonderful…one of His many names.
So, enjoy these little candies- and the message that they carry,
Of the night that, He, was born, the most perfect Christmas story.
Who doesn't love a bag of M&Ms???
Came across your blog recently, and have been soaking it up.
Oh, I LOVE these responses! I hope you link back to this for us next year - it will be quite the grouping of fabulous ideas!
We make "Reindeer Licks" (named by Sabine 4 years ago) - little kits with styrofoam balls, tinfoil to cover them with, toothpicks which you break in half, and gum drops which you insert into the balls with the toothpicks. We came up with them when 2-yr-old Sabine wanted to leave something for the reindeer, we had just visited some salt licks in Montana (ever been to any?) and gumdrops are her favorite candy.
We also do pineapple - for those "low maintenance" years, like this one!
I am with Jill - can't wait to see what you have been up to. Love to see your creativeness!
I have enjoyed reading what people are giving their neighbors. I think that I will be doing bread with honeybutter this year. But we will see. I am running out of time. I love the idea of the Christmas books or a Christmas CD of our favorite songs.
I just blogged about our neighbor/ friend gifts. Christmas music Mix's. It has been way faster then baking.
I'm having a ball with all these ideas. Thanks to everyone for sharing!
On year I made lemon poppyseed bread and presented it with a new loaf pan. The bread was delicious and was a big hit, but it's definitely NOT low maintenance. I'm leaving the link below in case anyone wants the recipe.
http://familyfun.go.com/recipes/special/feature/famf1202_feat_gifts/famf1202_feat_gifts11.html
The last few years, I have made Peppermint Fudge Truffle cakes for friends/neighbors. Definitely not low maintenance! This year, I am thinking paperwhite bulbs in a glass jar with some pebbles. No one needs more sugar, and I would love to get that as a gift. And, I think it has to be easier than making 20 cakes.
Good luck! Emily started a fun blog at http://creativeholidaygiftideas.blogspot.com for just this sort of thing. There are lots of cute things on there.
Post a Comment