Christmas is Coming!

Not to freak you out, but Christmas is right around the corner, especially if you are a Christmas crafter.  So now is the time to make your list, gather supplies, and get to gettin’!  Often I put a bag together for each of my relatives that I still exchange gifts with that includes various things I have made that year.  This year will be similar, but a little more tailored to the individual recipients. (Get excited, sisters/in-laws/parents!)  

Here are a few ideas using posts from the last year and a half: 

Spa: Body Scrub and a Sisal Bath Scrubber.  If you make the scrub with a finer grit sugar and salt, it would also make a great hand scrub.

Hot Cocoa: Fresh Marshmallows and Hot Cocoa Mix.  If you put the cocoa through the food processor as Em suggests in the post’s comments, it looks great!

S'mores: Fresh Marshmallows and Graham Crackers accompanied by some good chocolate.

Coffee Lover:Vanilla Syrup and a pound of great coffee!

Sweet Tooth:  Magic Shell, Butterfinger Candies, Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, and Vanilla Extract for future dessert fun.

New Mom: A Nursing Strap and Baby Wipes for baby, and a good snack or treat for mom like Raspberry Granola Bars or Butterfingers.

New Home: Throw pillows with Pillow Covers to match their decor.  They might also appreciate some Laundry Soap with the recipe included if they are of the frugal persuasion.

T-Shirt: A personalized shirt that will either mark the occasion, show off an inside joke, or just fit the recipient's interests (like a superhero shirt for a favorite nephew).

I find that as nice as it is to give canned goods, you have to make sure that what you’re giving fits the recipient, and it helps to give serving suggestions with the canned good.  Example: Jalapeno Pepper Jelly: Delicious as an appetizer- Spoon over cream cheese and serve with Trisciuts.

There are always Ornaments, too! My sisters and I went from full-on gift giving to going out just the 4 of us for a big supper.  Last year when our lives got too complicated to all make it home for Christmas, we switched to an ornament exchange and they were awesome! Pictures to come on those...

I’ve got some new ideas coming soon, and I’m pretty excited!  To me gift brainstorming is one of the best parts about Christmas. It’s up there with Cinnamon Rolls and watching my son recite T’was the Night Before Christmas from memory the way my sisters and I did as kids (and still do!).