Is it just me or have the holidays become more and more high-priced over the years? whatever your single brand of holiday celebration (Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus?), this time of year creates a hefty amount of financial stress with the pressure to be buying more and more gifts for all the population in our lives. Sure, the thought of my empty wallet makes me yelp, but I truly think this monetary obsession sidesteps the greater meaning behind these gifts. The holidays should be a time to show our loved ones that we care, not to dazzle them with big, flashy electronics. Instead of exhausting your bank account, why not surprise loves ones with homemade gifts from the heart? Over the years, Recipe4Living has collected a range of great gift recipes, and hand-picked a couple favorites just for you. whether it's homemade soup mix for the cooking-challenged or gorgeous bath salts for the diva, your gift is sure to be touching.
Beauty Gifts
Desert Sands Bath Salts
Creating three colored layers of pretty bath salt, this recipe makes a extraordinary gift.
Ingredients
5 drops yellow food coloring
2 drops red food coloring
4 drops musk fragrant or necessary oil
3 drops Jasmine fragrant or necessary oil
3 C. Epsom salts
1 C. Baking soda
2 tsp. Liquid glycerin (skin moisturizer) (optional)
Directions
Combine baking soda, epsom salt and glycerin until well blended. Add scents stirring until there is no clumps left. It will be a fine powder. Divide the blend evenly into 3 isolate bowls. In the first bowl add 3 drops yellow food coloring, in the second add 3 drops red food coloring and in the third bowl add 2 drops yellow with 1 drop red food coloring. Stir each bowl until the color is well mixed. Allow the air to dry it for a few hours before placing in a bottle. Once dried, layer the colors in an airtight glass jar beginning with red first, then orange then lastly yellow. To use, add 2-3 tsp. Of the blend to running bath water. Soak as desired.
Note: Liquid glycerin used as a skin moisturizer, is a by-product of soap making. Glycerin can be found at condition food stores, some drug stores, or major division shop depending on where you live. It's also facilely available on the internet as well.
Oatmeal Soap Balls
These soothing and exfoliating soap balls also make great gifts.
Ingredients
1 C. Instant Quaker oatmeal
1 bar mild soap, such as Ivory
1/4 C. Water
Food coloring (optional)
Directions
Grate oatmeal or use a mini-processor oatmeal. Put into a bowl. Do the same with the soap. Add the water and blend well. If adding food coloring, add it to the water for even consistency. Shape into balls and put on wax paper to dry. Balls can be put into packaging or wrapped with plastic wrap and tied with raffia. A gift tag can be attached to the raffia.
Other attractiveness Recipes
Oatmeal Soap
Chamomile Lip Balm
Candy Cane Bath Salts
Bath Bags
Lilac Bubble Bath
Foaming Vanilla Honey Bath
Vanilla Rose Bubble Bath Gel
Orange blossom Soap
Gingerbread Bath Salts
Velvet Apple Bubble Bath
Bath Salts
Lotion Sticks
Apricot-Orange Lip Gloss
Gardenia Dusting Powder
Breakfast Anyone?
All-in-One Pancake Mix
Ditch the box and get inspired. This homemade pancake mix keeps in an airtight package so you can make pancakes whenever you want.
Ingredients
2 C. All-purpose flour
2 tsp. Baking powder
1 tsp. Salt
1/3 C. Dry milk powder
1/3 C. Shortening
1 Tbs. Sugar
2 Tbs. Soy flour
Directions
In a large bowl, mix together flour, soy flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and dry milk. Cut in shortening until blend resembles base cornmeal. To use, portion 1 C. Pancake mix and couple with 1/2 C. Water. This makes a thick pancake. Add more water 1 Tbs. At a time if you prefer a thinner pancake.
Note: With the addition of soy flour you do not need to add an egg.
Drinks
Fruit Extracts/Flavored Vodka
Making your own citrus extracts to use in recipes will give you a much purer fruit flavor. You can do this with lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, or tangerine. Peel the fruit in strips, leaving the pith behind. Place the strips in a jar, and cover them with good-quality vodka. Cover the jar tightly and let it stand at room temperature for two weeks, shaking the jar daily. Discard the peel, replace it with fresh peel, and let it stand for two more weeks. Take off the flavor, and use the flavored vodka in recipes calling for extract. It will keep indefinitely.
Instant Chai Tea Mix
For a great, super-cheap gift idea this holiday season, give this delicious chai tea mix in a decorated jar.
Ingredients
1 C. Pwdr. Dry milk
1 C. Non dairy creamer-dry
1 C. Fr. Vanilla pwdr. Creamer
1 1/2 C. Sugar
1 1/2 C. Instant tea
2 tsp. Ginger
2 tsp. Cinnamon
1 tsp. Cloves
1 tsp. Cardomon
Directions
In a large bowl, couple milk powder, non-dairy creamer, vanilla flavored creamer, sugar and instant tea. Stir in ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom. In a blender or food processor, blend 1 C. At a time, until blend is the consistency of fine powder. Store in your popular jar or decorative bottle. To serve: Stir 2 heaping Tbs. Chai tea blend into a mug of hot water.
Makes about 4 C. Mix
Other Drink Mix Recipes
Citrus Spice Tea Mix
Hot Russian Tea Mix
Sugar-Free/Caffeine-Free Hot Spiced Tea Mix
Irish Crème Liqueur
Sugar-Free Cherry Tea Mix
Kahlua
Russian Tea in a Gift Jar
Spicy Winter Tea Mix
Heartwarming Tea Mix
Mocchacino Mix
Kids
Bathtub Finger Paints
Kids of all ages will love taking a bath with these fun paints on hand!
Ingredients
1/3 C. Clear liquid dish soap
1 Tbs. Cornstarch
Food coloring
Directions
Mix liquid soap and cornstarch together in a small bowl until blended. Pour blend in equal amounts into ice cube tray. Add a couple drops food coloring into each compartment and mix.
Note: In case this accidentally gets into eyes flush with water for 5 minutes. If problems persist consult your physician.
Other Kid-Friendly Recipes
Schooldays Cookies
Reindeer Ginger Pops
Candy Roll
Cherry Bubbles
Don't Forget the Pets
Kitty Heaven (Sardines and Rice)
Ingredients
2 flat cans of sardines in oil
2/3 C. Cooked rice
1 Tbs. Cooked chopped liver
1/4 C. Parsley, chopped
Directions
Combine all ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon to break up sardines into bite-sized pieces. Store unused portion in refrigerator, tightly covered.
Yield: 2 servings
Fido's popular Treats
Ingredients
1 C. Uncooked oatmeal
1 C. Boiling water
1/2 C. Margarine
1/2 C. Milk
1 egg, beaten
1 Tbs. Sugar
1-2 tsp. Bouillon granules
3/4 C. Cornmeal
2 1/2-3 C. Whole wheat flour
Directions
In a large bowl, pour boiling water over oatmeal and margarine. Let stand 10 minutes. Stir in milk, egg, sugar, bouillon and cornmeal. Add flour, 1 C. At a time, mixing well after each addition. Knead in the final half C. Or more to make a stiff dough. Pat or roll to 1/2 inch thickness. Cut into bone shapes and place on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 50 minutes.
Sauces and Seasonings
Cranberry Pear Chutney
Cranberry Pear Chutney is a savory and versatile complement to a huge range of dishes and edibles, year-round. It's as good with grilled or roasted chicken, ham or pork, as with cold meat or cheese sandwiches. Make it ahead and keep ready for spur-of-the-moment snacks; or take a jar as a gift for someone.
Ingredients
4 C. Fresh or icy cranberries, picked over, and stemmed
2 1/2 C. Sugar
6 whole cloves
2 cinnamon sticks, each about 3 inches long
1 tsp. Salt
4 firm Bosc or Anjou pears, peeled, halved lengthwise, cored, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 C. Golden raisins
1/3 C. Diced crystallized ginger (see note)
1/2 C. Whole hazelnuts, roasted, skins removed, and halved (see note)
Directions
In a deep 6-qt. Saucepan, couple the cranberries, sugar, 1 1/4 C. Water cloves, cinnamon and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring often to dissolve the sugar. Cook until the cranberries begin to open, about 10 to 12 minutes. Adjust the heat so the blend simmers. Stir in the pears, onion, raisins and ginger. Continue to cook, stirring frequently, until thick, 10 to 15 minutes longer. Take off from the heat, stir in the hazelnuts, and allow the blend to cool to room temperature. Discard the cinnamon sticks and cloves if you can find them. Refrigerate in tightly sealed jars for up to 3 months.
Makes about 2 qts.
Other Sauce and Seasoning Recipes
Safari Sauce
Kiwi Relish
Herb Honey
Caesar Salad Dressing Mix
Memmie's Chili Sauce
Green & Red Pepper Jelly
Herb Vegetable Dip Mix
Casserole Sauce Mix
Tabil Spice Mix
Sweets
Coconut Brownie Mix in a Jar
Give this walnut and coconut brownie mix to man with a sweet tooth.
Ingredients
1/3 C. Chopped walnuts
1/2 C. Chocolate chips
1/3 C. Flaked coconut
2/3 C. Brown sugar, packed
3/4 C. Sugar
1/3 C. Baking cocoa
1-1/2 C. All-purpose flour
Directions to Attach to Mix
Add brownie mix to 2 eggs, 2/3 C. Oil and 1 tsp. Vanilla extract. Blend well. Spread in greased 8X8 baking dish. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until town tests done.
Makes one dozen.
Candy Cane White Fudge
A festive fudge for the holidays and a great way to use up all those leftover candy canes!
Ingredients
12 oz. White chocolate, coarsely chopped
1 14 oz. Can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 C. Coarsely chopped peppermint candies
Directions
Butter an 8-inch square baking pan; line lowest and sides with foil allowing foil to increase over sides of pan by about 1 inch. Butter foil. Over medium-high heat in top of double-boiler or heatproof bowl set over pot of hot water couple white chocolate and condensed milk. Cook, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth, 5 minutes. Pour blend into pan; sprinkle candy over top. Using knife lightly swirl candy into chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until firm, about 6 hours or overnight. Cut into 1 inch squares, brilliant shapes or rectangles. Store in refrigerator.
Yield: 64 pieces
Other Sweets Recipes
Caramel Popcorn Kit in a Jar
Jingle Balls
Dark Chocolate Praline
Peppermint Chocolate Fudge
Snowman Soup
Cranberry Nut Fudge
Fool Proof Fudge
Premier White Almond Bark
Nature's Candy
Holiday Sugar Cookies
Soup
French store Soup Mix in a Jar
The layers in this bean-rich soup in a jar give it a pretty presentation for a gift and a tasty result.
Ingredients
1 lb. Dried navy beans
1 lb. Dried pinto beans
1 lb. Dried Great Northern beans
1 lb. Split peas
1 lb. Yellow split peas
1 lb. Dried black-eyed peas
1 lb. Lentils
1 lb. Dried baby lima beans
1 lb. Dried lima beans
1 lb. Dried soybeans
1 lb. Pearl barley
1 lb. Dried red beans
Directions
In a very large container, couple navy beans, pinto beans, great Northern beans, split peas, yellow split peas, black-eyed peas, lentils, baby limas, limas, soybeans, barley & red beans; mix well. Divide evenly into 14 lidded jars. Attach a card to each jar with the following recipe:
French store Soup
Ingredients
2 qts. Water
1 ham hock
1 1/4 tsp. Salt
1/4 tsp. Ground pepper
1 (16 oz.) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
Directions
Soak 2 C. French store Bean Mix in water to cover, 8 hours or overnight. In a large soup pot, bring 2 qts. Water & ham hock to a boil. Sell out heat and simmer 20 minutes. Take off ham hock. Stir in soaked beans, salt, pepper, diced tomatoes & green chilies, onion & garlic. Bring to a boil again, skimming foam off the top. Sell out heat, cover and simmer about 1 hour, until beans are tender.
Potato Soup Mix
Give this instant soup mix to friends and family who are uncomfortable with cooking!
Ingredients
1-3/4 C. Instant mashed potatoes
1-1/2 C. Dry milk
2 Tbs. Instant chicken bullion
2 tsp. Dried minced onion
1 tsp. Dried parsley
1/4 tsp. Ground white pepper
1/4 tsp. Dried thyme
1/8 tsp. Turmeric
1-1/2 tsp. Seasoning salt
Directions
Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Place in 1 qt. Canning jars to store.
Instructions to attach to jar:
To serve: Place 1/2 C. Mix in soup bowl and add 1 C. Boiling water. Stir until smooth.
Makes 6 servings.
Other Soup Recipes
Arizona Bean Soup Mix in a Jar
Turkey Noodle Soup Mix in a Jar
Mushroom Barley Soup Mix
Texas Two-Step Soup Mix in a Jar
Condensed Cream of Soup Mix
Other
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For the Lovers of the Great Outdoors- satisfaction the nature lovers in your family will all natural alternatives to ward off bug bites and save their garden.
Insect Repellent Sachet
Ingredients
4 parts tansy 4 parts patchouli
2 parts lavender
1/2 of 1 part powdered Orris Root
Directions
Mix the ingredients together in a bowl. Fill cloth bags made from remnants. Tie off with a bow.
Animal Repellent
The smell of this home made repellent will keep animals away from your outdoor garden.
Ingredients
1 Tbs. Cayenne pepper
1 Tbs. Garlic powder
1 qt. Water
1/4 tsp. Liquid detergent
Directions
Mix well. Spray on all organery plants. Note: Do not use around your pets .
Weed Killer
The vinegar is what kills the weeds, but the dish soap holds the vinegar in place so it stays on the plant instead of running off. This works great on grass or weeds in sidewalk or driveway cracks, too. Best time to spray is in the middle of the day when the sun is hottest.
Ingredients
1 C. Of vinegar
1/2 C. Of regular dish soap (not dishwasher detergent)
Fill the rest of the bottle up with water.
Directions
Use a funnel to place the following ingredients in a medium spray bottle practically the size of a quart, but it doesn't have to be exact. Shake well before each use. Spray blend directly on the weed itself; if weed is out in the yard, be specific not to spray
the grass!
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